Recaps

After Sprigatito returned from training, Xia Chi considered adding a second Pokémon to his team and decided to seek one in the wild rather than buy one. He chose Mingchong Island as his destination and ended the evening preparing to start his livestream shift.

• Xia Chi found that his video about Arceus's creation myth had reached five hundred thousand views in ten hours, driven by traffic from his streams and the video's popular subject.
• Sprigatito returned home safely, and Xia Chi checked the kitten for injuries before preparing its dinner.
• While watching Sprigatito eat, Xia Chi decided to start planning for a second Pokémon and ruled out expensive purchases because he had little money to spare.
• Xia Chi settled on catching a wild Pokémon near Shanghai and chose Mingchong Island for its size and variety of Pokémon.
• After researching the island and reading about a trainer's failed attempt to catch a Horsea, Xia Chi began getting ready for his livestream shift.

Xia Chi agreed to use Psyduck for Kanto's Most Devoted Lover, then built a team around a Blaziken Baton Pass strategy. He won the first match by passing Blaziken’s boosts to Garchomp, though Psyduck never entered battle.

• Xia Chi resumed streaming Pokémon: Champion's Path and accepted Kanto's Most Devoted Lover's request to use Psyduck.
• Xia Chi assembled a team featuring Psyduck, Blaziken, Garchomp, Grimmsnarl, Whimsicott, and Dudunsparce.
• Xia Chi matched against Women Only Slow Down My Poké Ball Throws and chose Grimmsnarl, Blaziken, and Garchomp.
• Grimmsnarl set up screens, and Blaziken boosted its stats with Swords Dance and Speed Boost while stalling with Protect.
• Blaziken used Baton Pass to give its boosts to Garchomp, which swept the opposing sun team and won the match.

Xia Chi explained Baton Pass strategies to his viewers, then finally faced Nessa in a high-level ranked match and brought Psyduck along with Whimsicott and Dudunsparce. Nessa’s rain team gained momentum through Barraskewda, and the chapter ended as Barraskewda attacked Dudunsparce with Liquidation.

• Xia Chi defeated another Sandstorm team and told viewers that his Psyduck only played high-level matches.
• After a four-win streak, Xia Chi matched against Nessa and selected Whimsicott, Dudunsparce, and Psyduck against her Water-type rain team.
• Nessa opened with Pelipper, but Xia Chi’s Whimsicott used Taunt to stop it from setting Tailwind and then raised Reflect.
• Nessa switched Pelipper for Barraskewda, which set up Swords Dance before Whimsicott used Taunt to prevent further boosts.
• Barraskewda struck Whimsicott with Ice Fang, but Whimsicott set Tailwind before being knocked out.
• Xia Chi sent out Dudunsparce, and Barraskewda attacked it with Liquidation.

Xia Chi used Dudunsparce to endure Barraskewda’s attacks and build up Coil boosts before Baton Passing them to Psyduck. Psyduck landed Hypnosis on Barraskewda, and Xia Chi ordered a Zen Headbutt as the battle turned in his favor.

• Dudunsparce survived Barraskewda’s Liquidation attacks while using Coil and Roost to build its defenses.
• Nessa planned to keep boosting Barraskewda with Swords Dance, then defeat Dudunsparce and its remaining teammates.
• Xia Chi recalled Dudunsparce with Baton Pass and transferred its Coil boosts to Psyduck instead of Garchomp.
• Nessa ordered Barraskewda to use Close Combat, but Psyduck landed Hypnosis first.
• Xia Chi told Psyduck to use Zen Headbutt against the sleeping Barraskewda.

Xia Chi’s Psyduck swept Nessa’s team, prompting Iono to reveal her dislike of Galar’s Gym Leaders. After a later loss and a lively chat about his wilderness trip, Xia Chi decided to livestream outdoors.

• Xia Chi’s Psyduck knocked out Nessa’s Barraskewda, Drednaw, and Pelipper to win the battle.
• Iono congratulated Xia Chi with a Master Ball and told him she disliked Galar’s Gym Leaders, criticizing Leon, Raihan, and Nessa.
• Xia Chi continued battling, then lost to an opponent whose Pokémon all carried Taunt and whose tactics shut down his Baton Pass strategy.
• Xia Chi told his viewers he might miss streams while heading into the wilderness, and their suggestions led him to decide to stream outdoors.

Xia Chi traveled with Sprigatito to Mingchong Island for an outdoor Pokémon-catching trip and learned about a haunted lake near Mingchong Mountain. He began a livestream on the mountain, leaving his search for Pokémon ahead.

• Xia Chi got a three-day leave slip, bought outdoor supplies, and traveled with Sprigatito to Mingchong Island.
• Xia Chi and Sprigatito admired the sea before going to bed early at the Pokémon Center hotel.
• Sprigatito woke Xia Chi before dawn, and they took the first bus toward Mingchong Mountain.
• The bus driver told Xia Chi that a lake south of the mountain was haunted at night, prompting him to consider searching for Ghost-type Pokémon.
• Xia Chi started his first outdoor livestream on Mingchong Mountain and introduced the location to viewers.

Xia Chi began a wilderness training livestream with Sprigatito on Mingchong Mountain and encountered a Beedrill swarm attacking a Pachirisu. He chose to fight and Sprigatito knocked out the swarm’s scout with one Acrobatics, leaving the remaining Beedrill to react.

• Xia Chi introduced his forty-eight-hour wilderness training challenge and led Sprigatito into Mingchong Mountain.
• Xia Chi headed toward a forest where he hoped to find a Grovyle or Ivysaur while viewers gradually left the uneventful stream.
• Xia Chi and Sprigatito found ten Beedrill surrounding a Pachirisu that was protecting several berries.
• Xia Chi decided to challenge the swarm and had Sprigatito use Hone Claws before the Beedrill noticed them.
• Xia Chi ordered Sprigatito to strike the nearest Beedrill with Acrobatics, and Sprigatito knocked it out in one hit.

Xia Chi and Sprigatito wiped out a Beedrill swarm on Mingchong Mountain with help from Pachirisu, drawing a surge of viewers to Xia Chi’s livestream. After taking some honey from the hive, Xia Chi followed the grateful Pachirisu into the woods to have lunch and treat its injuries.

• Sprigatito defeated the first Beedrill with Acrobatics, then used Quick Attack to circle behind the swarm and knock down another.
• Xia Chi asked Pachirisu to use Electroweb to split the Beedrill swarm, letting Sprigatito defeat the remaining attackers with Acrobatics.
• The Beedrill leader ordered a retreat, but Sprigatito and Pachirisu blocked their escape and knocked down the rest of the swarm.
• Xia Chi checked on Sprigatito, noticed that the battle had attracted many new livestream viewers, and collected most of the Beedrill hive’s honey.
• Pachirisu held Xia Chi back as he prepared to leave, so Xia Chi followed it into the woods for lunch and to treat its injuries.

Xia Chi discovered that Pachirisu was caring for a sickly group of Oddish and Bellsprout, whose members feared something that appeared under the moonlight. He stayed near their home to investigate after a day of battles on Mingchong Mountain, then waited for night with Sprigatito.

• Pachirisu brought Oran Berries to its Oddish and Bellsprout companions, and Xia Chi learned their group was weak and struggling.
• Xia Chi treated the injured Oddish and learned they could not rest beneath the moon because they saw something frightening.
• Xia Chi promised to stay overnight and investigate, while Sprigatito grew jealous of the Oddish crowding around him.
• Xia Chi and Sprigatito battled territorial Pokémon as they traveled deeper into Mingchong Mountain, raising the Dark-type bond's Fear from 27.3 to 38.6.
• After finding no trace of Grovyle or Ivysaur, Xia Chi returned to Pachirisu's home, treated the Pokémon, and waited for nightfall.

Xia Chi tried to frighten the unknown Ghost-type Pokémon into revealing itself by telling increasingly scary stories around the campfire. The Ghost-type burst out of the bushes at the climax, leaving its identity and intentions unresolved.

• At night, Xia Chi stayed by the campfire with Sprigatito and Pachirisu while the other Pokémon hid from the eerie lights and sounds.
• Xia Chi told a comic ghost story that calmed Pachirisu and Sprigatito and made the hidden Ghost-type giggle.
• Xia Chi realized the Ghost-type was also afraid of ghosts and began telling it a scarier story.
• After Xia Chi described Banette appearing in the bushes, a dark shadow burst out as a frightened Sprigatito cried out.

Xia Chi discovered that Misdreavus had been frightening the Oddish and persuaded it to join his camp with mushroom soup and the threat of Banette. After asking Misdreavus to become his Pokémon, he arranged a battle with Sprigatito to settle the matter.

• Misdreavus startled Pachirisu and fled into Xia Chi's camp, where Sprigatito caught it with vines.
• Misdreavus escaped by using Confusion on Sprigatito's vines, but Xia Chi's countdown sent it racing back out of the bushes in fear.
• Xia Chi invited Misdreavus to share mushroom soup and warned it about Banette, while the Oddish emerged to enjoy the moonlight.
• Xia Chi asked Misdreavus to become his Pokémon and tempted it with horror stories, soup, and the promise of strength.
• Misdreavus doubted Sprigatito's strength, so Xia Chi declared that they would battle and that Misdreavus would join him if it lost.

Xia Chi captured Misdreavus after Sprigatito defeated her in a battle on Mingchong Mountain. He checked her system profile and discovered her powerful Lord of the Underworld bond, then began considering how to protect her while she built its stacks.

• Xia Chi ordered Sprigatito to use Hone Claws as Misdreavus formed a small Shadow Ball.
• Sprigatito broke through Misdreavus's attacks with Bite and Quick Attack, exploiting Protean to evade her moves and counter her.
• Misdreavus refused to surrender until Sprigatito wore her down, then agreed to join Xia Chi and entered his Poké Ball.
• After treating both Pokémon, Xia Chi opened the system and reviewed Misdreavus's stats, moves, and bonds.
• Xia Chi noted that Misdreavus shared the Speedy Attacker bond with Sprigatito and considered how to keep her safe while she built Underworld Mark stacks.

Xia Chi discovered that his newly caught Misdreavus had exceptional potential and learned it could cook delicious meals, then decided to return to school early to register and train it. He left Mingchong Mountain with Sprigatito and Misdreavus, planning to study the materials the driver had shared.

• Xia Chi estimated that his Misdreavus was a rare 2V with excellent Special Attack and Speed, then let it sleep after healing its injuries.
• Xia Chi woke after nine and found Misdreavus, Sprigatito, and the Oddish preparing breakfast together.
• Xia Chi tasted Misdreavus's soup, praised its cooking, and persuaded it to take charge of their meals.
• Xia Chi decided to leave Mingchong Mountain early to register Misdreavus, buy training supplies, and make a training plan.
• Xia Chi took a group photo with Pachirisu and the Oddish before heading back, and planned to study the materials the driver had given him.

After catching Misdreavus, Xia Chi brought it back to his dorm and introduced it to Sprigatito. While Xia Chi slept, Sprigatito tricked Misdreavus into sneaking out, and the chapter ended with Xia Chi discovering they had defeated a gang of Primeape.

• Xia Chi told Iono he had caught Misdreavus and explained that he had originally hoped to find another Grass-type Pokémon.
• Xia Chi brought Misdreavus to his dorm, worried that he would eventually need a larger place to house his Pokémon.
• Sprigatito persuaded Misdreavus to leave the dorm at night and followed it, planning to take on the Primeape and Mankey nearby.
• Xia Chi woke after dreaming that Sprigatito had defeated Pokémon and found a campus post reporting the Primeape Rampage Gang had been wiped out.
• Xia Chi checked the system log and learned that Sprigatito and Misdreavus had defeated a level 28 Primeape.

After Sprigatito and Misdreavus returned from a dangerous fight with a Primeape, Xia Chi reconciled them and gave them more freedom as long as they stayed safe. Their nightly battles strengthened their bond and helped Sprigatito grow, while Iono sent Xia Chi training notes for Misdreavus without asking for anything in return.

• Xia Chi scolded Sprigatito and Misdreavus for challenging a powerful Primeape without telling him, then learned that Misdreavus had gone out first and Sprigatito had followed after it.
• Sprigatito admitted it had wanted extra training and had drawn Misdreavus into the fight, then apologized for lying to its partner.
• Xia Chi decided to let the Pokémon roam at night while requiring them to prioritize their safety, and they began patrolling campus together.
• Over the next ten days, the Pokémon grew closer, the system's bond Fear rose from 43 to 62, and Sprigatito reached level 15.
• Iono sent Xia Chi training notes for her Misdreavus and said she needed nothing in return because they were close.

At the Shanghai Pokémon Cup, Xia Chi joked around during a livestream interview before entering the preliminary rounds with Sprigatito. Sprigatito swept their opponents, and Xia Chi qualified for the main event with a 9-0 record.

• Reporter Zhang Yu approached Xia Chi for a livestream interview, and Sprigatito bristled until Xia Chi calmed it.
• Xia Chi teased Zhang Yu about his tournament goals, then said he and Sprigatito would aim to improve and might win the championship.
• Xia Chi and Sprigatito began competing in the double-elimination preliminaries at Hongqiao Arena.
• Sprigatito defeated a range of opponents, including weakly trained Pokémon and stronger foes such as Wartortle and Haunter.
• Xia Chi qualified for the main event with a perfect 9-0 record.

After qualifying for the Shanghai Pokémon Cup main tournament, Xia Chi brought Sprigatito to the arena and watched its former trainer Lin Lange win her match. Sprigatito said Lin Lange had nothing to do with it anymore, and Xia Chi prepared to enter his own match.

• Chen Zhenze congratulated Xia Chi on qualifying for the Shanghai Pokémon Cup main tournament, and Xia Chi learned he was the only Shanghai University contestant left outside the Pokémon Battling Department.
• Xia Chi left Misdreavus at home and went with Sprigatito to the Hongqiao Pokémon Arena for the main tournament.
• Xia Chi and Sprigatito watched Lin Lange face Wang Yang, and Sprigatito said it had moved on from its former trainer.
• Lin Lange's Servine defeated Wang Yang's type-advantaged Quilava through durable defenses and persistent Vine Whip attacks.
• An announcement called Xia Chi to Arena A1, and he prepared to battle with Sprigatito.

Xia Chi faced a cocky opponent in the Shanghai Pokémon Cup and let Sprigatito exploit Hitmonlee’s attack to win their battle. He left the blond trainer stunned after defeating him with Shadow Claw.

• Xia Chi waited nervously for his first match before insulting the blond trainer who taunted him.
• The blond trainer sent out Hitmonlee, while Xia Chi chose Sprigatito.
• Hitmonlee struck Sprigatito with Fake Out and followed up with High Jump Kick.
• Sprigatito used Shadow Claw to become a Ghost type and knock out Hitmonlee.
• The referee told the stunned blond trainer to recall Hitmonlee, and the trainer conceded, saying, “Capitalism, you win!”

Xia Chi advanced through two rounds of the Shanghai Pokémon Cup with Sprigatito, then returned to the dorm to find Chen Zhenze and Clefairy waiting over a feast. He left the medical room without learning whether Lin Lange would release Servine, but remained interested in acquiring it.

• Sprigatito defeated Hitmonlee with Fake Out and Shadow Claw, advancing Xia Chi to the round of sixteen.
• At the medical room, Xia Chi thanked Lin Lange for abandoning Sprigatito and asked whether she would release Servine if she lost; Lin Lange left angrily without answering.
• Xia Chi collected Sprigatito after its treatment and enjoyed the tournament's plentiful food with it in the contestant lounge.
• Sprigatito's full belly nearly cost them their afternoon match, but it and Xia Chi defeated their opponent's Haunter and advanced to the final eight.
• Xia Chi returned to the dorm with Sprigatito and found Chen Zhenze and Clefairy drooling over beef ribs at the dining table.

After Misdreavus cooked a feast, Xia Chi joined Iono for the gaming session he had promised her, and prepared to stream their first game together. The chapter ended as he introduced the evening’s stream to his viewers.

• Misdreavus served roasted beef short ribs and salad, and Xia Chi, Chen Zhenze, Clefairy, and Sprigatito eagerly ate the meal.
• Iono messaged Xia Chi to remind him that he had agreed to be her gaming partner, and Xia Chi arranged to play with her during his stream.
• Iono celebrated Xia Chi’s reply and headed to her gaming room while Pawmot and Bellibolt watched her in confusion.
• Xia Chi went live to his large audience and announced that he would play games with a cutie instead of climbing the ladder.

Xia Chi and Iono teamed up for ranked Double Battles in Pokémon: Champion's Path and matched against Hoenn's Steven and Wallace. They selected their teams and prepared to begin a high-profile battle.

• Xia Chi introduced Iono to his viewers, and they launched the game together.
• Iono chose Pawmot, Kilowattrel, and Wash Rotom, while Xia Chi selected Rillaboom, Indeedee, and Shedinja.
• After a long matchmaking queue, Xia Chi and Iono were paired against Steven and Wallace, Hoenn's former and current Champions.
• Xia Chi and Iono reviewed their opponents' Pokémon and chose Kilowattrel, Pawmot, Rillaboom, and Indeedee for the battle.
• Both teams locked in their Pokémon, and the Double Battle began.

Xia Chi and Iono used Tailwind and powerful attacks to nearly knock out Steven and Wallace’s lead Pokémon, while the Champions stacked Spikes across the field. Steven then switched out his critically injured Skarmory, revealing Steelix instead of the expected Metagross.

• Rillaboom’s Grassy Surge spread grassy terrain as Xia Chi and Iono opened with Fake Out on Skarmory and Tailwind from Kilowattrel, while Whiscash laid Spikes.
• Kilowattrel’s boosted Electro Ball nearly knocked out Skarmory, and Rillaboom’s Grassy Glide nearly knocked out Whiscash.
• Steven and Wallace used Protect to stall the attackers’ Tailwind, while Xia Chi and Iono continued pressing their attacks.
• Steven switched out the badly injured Skarmory, sending Steelix onto the field.

Xia Chi and Iono faced Steven and Wallace in a double battle, using Reflect and Ally Switch to overcome the Champions’ coordinated attacks. Kilowattrel and Rillaboom defeated Milotic, Steelix, and the weakened Skarmory, securing the win.

• Wallace teased Steven for underestimating Shuiye’s strategies as they continued their battle against Xia Chi and Iono.
• Xia Chi switched Rillaboom for Indeedee, who set up Reflect while Steelix’s Rock Slide damaged Kilowattrel.
• Steven and Wallace coordinated Gyro Ball and Hydro Pump against Kilowattrel, but Xia Chi used Indeedee’s Ally Switch to redirect both attacks.
• Kilowattrel’s Electro Ball and Rillaboom’s sliding tackle knocked out Milotic, while Indeedee was defeated.
• Kilowattrel and Rillaboom defeated Steelix and the weakened Skarmory, winning the battle against Steven and Wallace.

After Xia Chi and Iono finished their long stream, Xia Chi relaxed with Sprigatito and checked his progress toward the Shanghai Pokémon Cup finals. He found his Fear total was only 72.2, but hoped the remaining matches would bring it close to 90.

• Wallace teased Steven about his loss, then both watched Xia Chi's stream and discussed the battle strategies they had learned.
• Xia Chi and Iono ended their five-hour stream after a Multi Battle victory, and Xia Chi signed off for the night.
• Xia Chi cuddled Sprigatito and learned that Misdreavus had gone out, then realized he still needed to prepare equipment for it.
• Xia Chi checked his Fear and found it had reached only 72.2, though he expected the Shanghai Pokémon Cup's final three matches might raise it toward 90.

Xia Chi and Lin Lange advanced through the Shanghai Pokémon Cup and faced each other in the final, with Sprigatito’s history with Lin Lange making the match especially personal. Lin Lange opened with a powerful Leaf Storm aimed at Sprigatito.

• Xia Chi defeated the Northeastern Yoga Lady’s Meditite with Sprigatito’s consecutive Shadow Claws in the quarterfinals.
• Lin Lange and Servine advanced smoothly through their matches, and they and Xia Chi became the finalists.
• Xia Chi’s fans gathered noisily in the livestream chat before the final, then calmed down after a fan leader intervened.
• Xia Chi steadied his nerves in the competitors’ tunnel and walked onto the battlefield to face Lin Lange.
• The referee started the final, and Lin Lange immediately ordered Servine to attack with Leaf Storm.
• Xia Chi called for Sprigatito to use Protect as Servine’s Leaf Storm swept across the battlefield.