Chapter Summaries

Su Han caught Tinkatuff by offering it candy and a chance to travel with her. On the way back, Florges followed a strange fragrance into a forest clearing, where Cheng Tian and Su Han found five Gracidea flowers.

• Su Han shared sweets with Tinkatuff and invited it to become her partner, and Tinkatuff readily agreed to be caught in a Great Ball.
• Su Han and Cheng Tian headed back with their Pokémon, while Florges noticed an unusual fragrance and wandered into the forest.
• Gengar alerted Cheng Tian and Su Han that Florges had gone missing, and Cheng Tian sent Noibat to track it.
• Cheng Tian and Su Han found Florges in a flower-filled clearing and scolded it for wandering off.
• Su Han and Cheng Tian discovered five Gracidea buds, and Florges confirmed that their fragrance had drawn it there.

Cheng Tian, Su Han, and Florges helped the Gracideas bloom with Grassy Terrain, while the hidden Shaymin watched. Cheng Tian reluctantly let Florges take a fallen flower, and Shaymin later revealed itself and took another Gracidea back to the eastern grasslands.

• Cheng Tian and Su Han discussed the Gracideas and wondered whether Shaymin might be nearby.
• Florges used Grassy Terrain for twenty minutes, helping one Gracidea bloom and bringing the others close to flowering.
• Cheng Tian stopped Florges from picking a flower, but the hidden Shaymin caused one Gracidea to fall, and Cheng Tian agreed to let Florges take it.
• Cheng Tian, Su Han, Florges, and Gengar left with the fallen Gracidea, unaware that Shaymin was watching.
• Shaymin emerged, revealed that it had grown the Gracideas from seeds, and took another flower back to the eastern grasslands.

Cheng Tian trained with Su Han and the China team while his Pokémon grew stronger, and Yang Yonggang advised him to take Aron to Trial Peak to trigger its evolution in battle. Yang Yonggang agreed to apply for Cheng Tian to enter the dangerous mountain alone, where he might encounter the Mythical Pokémon Zeraora.

• Cheng Tian trained at China's exclusive grounds and grew close to Han Yu, who accidentally implied Cheng Tian had a Japanese girlfriend and prompted Su Han to demand an explanation.
• Cheng Tian's Pokémon continued to develop, with Frogadier stuck at level 34, Aron reaching level 31, and Noibat and Gengar showing notable growth.
• Cheng Tian brought Aron to Yang Yonggang, who said it was likely to evolve within a few days and offered it a Body Press TM for after it evolved.
• Yang Yonggang recommended that Aron evolve during battle while drawing on the Aggron Mega Stone's power.
• Yang Yonggang told Cheng Tian about Trial Peak, where powerful Pokémon lived and Zeraora trained, and offered to apply for his entry.
• Cheng Tian agreed to prepare for the solo expedition and set out to gather medicine.

Cheng Tian traveled with Han Yu toward Trial Peak to find strong opponents for Aron, learning that many Pokémon there belonged to deceased Trainers and still protected people. They reached Nier’s cabin near the mountain, where Han Yu asked for a drink before they continued.

• Su Han worried about Cheng Tian’s dangerous trip, and he reassured her before leaving to help Aron grow stronger.
• Cheng Tian met Han Yu, who explained that he would escort him to Trial Peak because Yang Yonggang had to take over as Gym Leader.
• Han Yu gave Cheng Tian a map and warned him about dangerous terrain, powerful Pokémon, and aggressive wild Pokémon on Trial Peak.
• Cheng Tian learned that many Pokémon on the mountain had been left there after their Trainers died and had continued training and living there.
• After hours of traveling in the heat on Han Yu’s Pyroar, Cheng Tian and Han Yu reached Nier’s cabin and greeted her.
• Nier mentioned that her grandfather worked at the Pokémon League Museum, surprising Cheng Tian, and Han Yu asked her for iced Sheep Milk.

Cheng Tian met Nier, who recommended Thunderfall Valley as a training ground for his Aron and prepared him for its dangerous storms. Nier led Cheng Tian and his Pokémon up Trial Peak, where they were about to enter the valley and learn its terrain.

• Han Yu introduced Cheng Tian to Nier, who confirmed that Aron could train in Thunderfall Valley.
• Nier explained that the valley's frequent lightning and magnetic fields made it suitable for Steel-type Pokémon, but dangerous for humans without insulating suits.
• Cheng Tian and Nier set out for Thunderfall Valley in insulating suits, bringing Aron, Frogadier, and Noibat along.
• Cheng Tian rode a Piloswine with Nier up Trial Peak as Han Yu returned, and Nier explained how Pokémon claimed territories along the route.
• After reaching the upper slopes, Nier led Cheng Tian toward Thunderfall Valley to inspect the terrain and its thunderstorm zones.

Cheng Tian and Nier entered Thunderfall Valley, where Manectric fought and absorbed a devastating thunderstorm. Nier approached the powerful Pokémon and prepared to give it a checkup.

• Nier led Cheng Tian into Thunderfall Valley, where lightning crackled from the ground and repeatedly struck their Pokémon.
• A powerful bolt severely injured Noibat, so Nier's Chansey used Heal Pulse before Cheng Tian recalled it.
• Cheng Tian and Nier found a level 65 Manectric enduring the valley's storm, and Nier explained that a retired Pokémon League official had left it there.
• Manectric fought a destructive thunderbolt, absorbed its electricity, and released an even stronger bolt of its own.
• Nier approached Manectric, greeted it as an old acquaintance, and brought out his Heal Ball to examine it.

Cheng Tian brought Aron to a lightning-struck hill in Manectric's territory, where Aron endured repeated lightning strikes and received Metal Coat treatments to grow stronger. After an unknown stretch of training, the system reported that Aron was about to begin evolving.

• Nier examined Manectric, and Manectric led Cheng Tian and the others to its training ground on a small hill beneath dark clouds.
• Nier left Cheng Tian to train in Manectric's territory, where the powerful magnetic field made her watch spin wildly.
• Cheng Tian had Aron endure repeated lightning strikes while he and Frogadier restored its stamina and applied Metal Coat.
• A powerful lightning bolt struck the group, damaging Gengar and scorching parts of Aron's tungsten-steel armor.
• After continued training, Cheng Tian checked the system and learned that Aron was about to begin evolving.

Cheng Tian and Frogadier endured a massive lightning strike with Aron, which triggered Aron’s evolution and a strange bond between Aron and Cheng Tian’s Key Stone. Aron became Lairon, while a big yellow cat sensed the Evolutionary Light and headed toward Thunderfall Land.

• Manectric appeared and fired a Charge Beam into the clouds, seemingly warning Cheng Tian and the others that a powerful lightning strike was coming.
• A pillar of lightning struck Cheng Tian, Frogadier, Aron, and Manectric, leaving Aron badly damaged but causing it to glow with Evolutionary Light.
• Cheng Tian used Aron’s Mega Stone, and yellow and white chains connected Aron and Cheng Tian’s Key Stone as they sensed each other’s heartbeats.
• Cheng Tian pressed his Key Stone against Aron’s metal skull, unleashing a pillar of light that thinned the clouds and drew the attention of the big yellow cat on Mount Loki.
• Aron evolved into Lairon, learned Metal Sound, and showed gratitude to Manectric for helping it break through.

Cheng Tian left Thunderfall Valley with Frogadier after Lairon struggled to adjust to its newly evolved body. On the way out, a lightning-fast Pokémon attacked them, and Cheng Tian discovered it was the Mythical Pokémon Zeraora.

• Cheng Tian recalled the stubborn, unsteady Lairon into its Heavy Ball so it could rest.
• Cheng Tian decided to leave Thunderfall Valley rather than risk exploring with his Pokémon weakened, while Manectric noticed golden-yellow fruits after they departed.
• Cheng Tian and Frogadier spent a long, exhausting journey crossing the valley, stopping to rest and eat Oran Berries provided by Gengar.
• A fast-moving yellow Pokémon attacked Cheng Tian and Frogadier, and Frogadier kicked it before being struck and sent flying.
• Cheng Tian caught Frogadier and scanned the Pokémon, identifying it as the level 75 Zeraora.

Cheng Tian and Frogadier encountered Zeraora, who dismissed them and mocked their weakness before Frogadier challenged him. Despite landing several attacks, Frogadier was overwhelmed, Gengar was defeated, and Zeraora blocked their escape as Frogadier neared defeat.

• Zeraora decided Cheng Tian and Frogadier were not the source of the strange power he had sensed and turned to leave.
• Zeraora stopped a punch just short of Cheng Tian's face, provoking Frogadier to attack him with Aerial Ace.
• Zeraora caught Frogadier's kick and slammed him into the ground, then kicked Gengar's Shadow Ball back and knocked Gengar out with Thunder Punch.
• Frogadier used Steam Mode, Liquidation, Substitute, and Whirlpool to land several hits on Zeraora, who grew furious and fought seriously.
• Zeraora broke through Frogadier's Double Team with Quick Attack and sent him flying, while Cheng Tian urged him to run and Zeraora refused to let them leave.

Zeraora crushed the Mystic Water Frogadier treasured, driving the injured Pokémon into a furious surge of power and a battle against Zeraora. As Cheng Tian was pulled into the fight, a Thunder strike hit Frogadier and its body began glowing with dazzling white light.

• Frogadier could no longer fight after Zeraora defeated it, and Zeraora taunted it while Cheng Tian checked its injuries.
• Zeraora crushed the Mystic Water Cheng Tian had given Frogadier, enraging Frogadier and causing its level to rise past 35.
• Frogadier struck Zeraora with Liquidation and Water Pulse, while Zeraora answered with Thunder Punch and Close Combat.
• Frogadier blocked Zeraora's attack as Cheng Tian felt the strain through his own arms and shouted at Zeraora to get off.
• A Thunder bolt struck Frogadier, and dazzling white light suddenly blazed from its body.

Cheng Tian and Frogadier evolved into Greninja and fought Zeraora, whose Thunder healed Greninja after it copied Volt Absorb with Role Play. Greninja and Zeraora continued their battle, and Zeraora sent Greninja flying with Play Rough.

• Cheng Tian and Frogadier broke free from Zeraora’s attack as Frogadier evolved into Greninja.
• Greninja wounded Zeraora with Night Slash and Water Shuriken, then copied Zeraora’s Volt Absorb Ability with Role Play and absorbed its Thunder.
• Greninja used Double Team and Water Shuriken to confuse Zeraora, but Zeraora identified the real Greninja and struck it with Play Rough.
• Zeraora blasted Greninja dozens of meters away, leaving Cheng Tian feeling the hit as though it had struck him.

Cheng Tian and Greninja fought Zeraora, but were overwhelmed and knocked unconscious. Manectric found them and rushed them for help, and Cheng Tian awoke in a hospital surrounded by Su Han, Yang Yonggang, Han Yu, and Nier.

• Cheng Tian and Greninja used their shared connection to battle Zeraora, but Zeraora’s superior strength left them unable to keep up.
• Zeraora struck Greninja with Mega Kick, sending it and Cheng Tian crashing into a hillside and knocking them both unconscious.
• Zeraora checked Cheng Tian’s breathing, then left after calling down lightning across the area.
• Manectric found Cheng Tian and Greninja, noticed Greninja had evolved, and carried them down the mountain for help.
• Cheng Tian woke in a hospital as Su Han cried with relief, and Yang Yonggang, Han Yu, and Nier rushed into the room.

Yang Yonggang, Han Yu, Nier, and Su Han learned that Cheng Tian’s injuries showed no physical cause, so Wen Xu used Mismagius to explore his dreams and reveal what happened on Trial Peak. The dream projection showed Aron evolving and Cheng Tian resonating with a Mega Stone, leaving Han Yu envious.

• Yang Yonggang, Han Yu, Nier, and Su Han visited the unconscious Cheng Tian, whose tests showed no fractures despite his severe pain.
• Cheng Tian asked about Greninja, and Han Yu told him Greninja had been injured but was out of danger.
• Yang Yonggang called Wen Xu, who used Mismagius to put Cheng Tian to sleep and inspect his dreams.
• Mismagius projected Cheng Tian’s memories, first embarrassing Su Han by showing a scene where she asked him for a kiss.
• The group watched Cheng Tian’s Trial Peak memories and saw Aron evolve and Cheng Tian resonate with a Mega Stone, making Han Yu jealous.

Yang Yonggang and the others watched footage of Cheng Tian's battle with Zeraora and suspected Greninja had undergone a new kind of Mega Evolution. Su Han stayed by Cheng Tian's bedside while he confronted his system and asked it to explain his connection to Greninja's pain.

• Yang Yonggang, Han Yu, Nier, and Wen Xu watched footage of Zeraora attacking Cheng Tian and saw Greninja evolve and fight back.
• Wen Xu had Mismagius pause and enlarge the footage, revealing a bead on Greninja's back, and Yang Yonggang suspected it had undergone a new Mega Evolution.
• Yang Yonggang asked Nier and Han Yu to keep the footage confidential, then left to tell Nalu about Cheng Tian's evolved Pokémon and plan his training.
• Su Han stayed with the unconscious Cheng Tian, expressed her worry, kissed his forehead, and found comfort in the cross necklace he wore.
• Cheng Tian argued with his system about its failure to help during the attack, then asked why he felt pain when Greninja was injured.

Cheng Tian learned that Greninja’s apparent Bond Phenomenon connected their minds and let him share its pain, though Greninja still took real damage and had not fully mastered the state. After waking in the hospital, he recovered quickly and reassured Su Han, while Greninja and Gengar continued recovering from their battle with Zeraora.

• Cheng Tian questioned the system, which said Greninja probably showed the Bond Phenomenon and that he could feel and share Greninja’s pain through their mental connection.
• The system warned Cheng Tian that shared pain did not prevent Greninja from suffering real injuries and that pain could kill him, and said Greninja had not fully mastered the Bond Phenomenon.
• Cheng Tian woke in the hospital and told Su Han that Gengar had been hurt in its Dark Ball, so she went to find a doctor.
• Cheng Tian’s condition improved enough for him to walk by evening, and he reflected on his team’s evolutions and the trouble caused by encountering a Mythical Pokémon.
• Su Han found Cheng Tian out of bed, made him return to bed, and urged him to rest because of his skull fracture.
• Su Han told Cheng Tian that Greninja had awakened and should recover by noon the next day, but insisted that Cheng Tian remain under observation.

Cheng Tian left the hospital and returned to the Chinese compound with Su Han and Han Yu, where Miyamoto Sanya confronted them. Su Han challenged Miyamoto Sanya to a battle, while Han Yu mistakenly thought the two women were fighting over Cheng Tian.

• Cheng Tian refused the doctor's recommendation to stay in the hospital and persuaded Su Han to let him leave, agreeing that she would keep an eye on him.
• Su Han revealed that Togetic had evolved into Togekiss after touching a Shiny Stone, and Han Yu took Cheng Tian and Su Han back on Pidgeot.
• At the Chinese compound, Cheng Tian spotted Miyamoto Sanya waiting for him and tried to leave with Su Han.
• Su Han confronted Miyamoto Sanya and challenged her to a battle, offering to make her stop bothering them if she lost.
• Han Yu assumed the confrontation was a romantic rivalry and warned Cheng Tian not to have a foot in two boats.

Su Han battled Miyamoto Sanya’s Magmar with Togekiss to stop Miyamoto from harassing her and Cheng Tian. Su Han gained the advantage by poisoning Magmar, leaving the fight turning into a war of attrition as Sunny Day faded.

• Su Han and Cheng Tian went to the battlefield, where Miyamoto Sanya met Su Han for a Pokémon battle.
• Su Han sent out Togekiss, while Miyamoto Sanya revealed her Magmar and boosted it with Sunny Day.
• Togekiss’s attacks weakened Magmar’s Flamethrower, but Magmar combined Flame Charge with Rock-type Hidden Power to cover itself in lava.
• Magmar landed a surprise attack that burned Togekiss, but Togekiss paralyzed Magmar with Thunder Wave.
• Su Han sent Togekiss higher to spread Toxic, and Magmar became badly poisoned as Togekiss used Life Dew to outlast it.
• Miyamoto Sanya grew angry as Toxic drained Magmar’s stamina and Sunny Day began to end, forcing Magmar out of its lava state.

Miyamoto Sanya and Su Han’s battle ended in a draw, leaving Sanya upset and Su Han claiming victory under their bet. Misugi Shii arrived to find Sanya in tears, while Long Weixi rushed over to explain the fight before Misugi could call anyone to account.

• Miyamoto Sanya’s Magmar and Su Han’s Togekiss clashed with Overheat and Dazzling Gleam, and both Pokémon were knocked out.
• Su Han reminded Miyamoto Sanya that the draw meant she had lost their bet and had to stop bothering them.
• Cheng Tian comforted Su Han, while Miyamoto Sanya grew tearful over her defeat.
• Misugi Shii arrived, and Miyamoto Sanya ran to hug her without explaining what had happened.
• Long Weixi hurried out and told Misugi Shii that the girls had sparred and caused the explosion.

Long Weixi tried to smooth over the dispute between Miyamoto Sanya and Cheng Tian, but Nalu and Misugi Shii reignited their personal feud before Misugi left with her apprentice. Cheng Tian returned to his room with Su Han and released his Pokémon, where Florges and Noibat reacted to Greninja and Lairon’s evolutions and Gengar eyed Feebas.

• Long Weixi gave Misugi Shii and the others a diplomatic account of the confrontation, and Misugi decided to take Miyamoto Sanya back with her.
• Nalu came downstairs, accused Misugi of causing the explosion, and traded pointed insults with her over their shared romantic history.
• Misugi left with Miyamoto Sanya, while Nalu stormed off after telling Cheng Tian to visit her once she had slept.
• Cheng Tian returned to his room with Su Han and released his Pokémon, checking on Greninja’s injury.
• Florges and Noibat were surprised by Greninja and Lairon’s evolutions, while Gengar focused on the frightened Feebas in the tank.