Next, Xia You had two routes to choose from.
After passing through Rustboro City three times and spending so much time delayed, the route he had originally planned when he first arrived in Hoenn now clearly seemed somewhat unsuitable.
He was currently right in the middle of the Hoenn Region. Whichever direction he headed next to challenge a Gym, he would eventually have to double back and travel in the opposite direction, which would undoubtedly waste more time.
After thinking it over briefly and discussing it with Misty, Xia You ultimately decided to head south to Slateport City first, then take a boat to the island in the southwest to challenge the Dewford Gym.
Once they finished at the Dewford Gym, they would challenge the Petalburg Gym, bringing their travels through western Hoenn to a complete close.
Misty naturally had no objections. The two readily agreed, and after leaving Mauville City, they followed the main road south.
As they continued onward, the city's tall buildings gradually disappeared, replaced by dense forest.
In terms of distance, Slateport City was quite far from Mauville City, and they would even have to cross a bridge over the sea. Traveling entirely on foot would probably take at least two days.
That did not include eating, resting, and camping overnight. Adding all of those in would make it take even longer.
Still, despite the long journey, there was little to complain about. Since they were out traveling, as long as they kept heading in that direction, they would arrive eventually.
They first spent half a day crossing the forest, then soon reached the seaside. Standing there and looking out, they saw a winding bridge stretching across the sea with no end in sight, as though it extended all the way to the horizon.
"What a