newbobooks Chapter 783 As Expected, Everyone on the Road to Champion is a Talent
Chapter 783 As Expected, Everyone on the Road to Champion is a Talent
Li Shuwen set up the tent, laid out the sleeping bag, positioned the portable stove, and filled the water bottle with water.
He sat at the entrance of the tent, looking at the scenery of the Path of Champions: layer upon layer of mountains, shrouded in mist, and in the distance, he could vaguely see the figures of several trainers sparring.
"You're the newcomer?" A gruff voice came from behind.
Li Shuwen turned around and saw a burly man with dark skin tossing a Poké Ball in his hand.
Li Shuwen nodded. "Yes, is there something you need?"
The burly man said, "My name is Buck, ranked 188th on the OK list, and I specialize in Grass-type attacks. Since you're a newbie, let's fight!"
Li Shuwen stood up. "I am Awen, ranked 255th. My specialty is... Swallow Return."
Buck blinked, not understanding what "proficient in Swallow Return" meant, but he didn't think too much about it; enjoying the battle was the most important thing.
"You'll be using 1 to 3 Pokémon in the match. How many will you choose?"
Li Shuwen thought for a moment, "Two, I guess."
Buck threw out the Poké Ball first, and Tropius appeared from a white light, the banana on its neck gleaming golden in the sunlight.
The wings fluttered gently, and the leaves rustled.
"I'd like to see just how good you are at Aerial Ace." Buck crossed his arms, waiting for Li Shuwen's Pokémon.
Li Shuwen raised his hand and threw out a Poké Ball, and Sylveon reappeared.
"Aren't you good at Aerial Ace? You don't use Flying-type Pokémon?" Buck was taken aback.
Li Shuwen waved his hand. "You'll know once you've fought them."
"Tropical Dragon, Magic Leaf!" Buck gave the first order.
The tropical dragon's wings flapped suddenly, and countless emerald green leaves transformed into a green tornado that swept towards the fairy spirit.
The fairy's figure traced an arc on the ground.
That arc wasn't a simple dodge, but a swallow's return—a zigzag, an arc, a spiral.
Weaving through the gaps in the storm of flying leaves, the sharp blades whizzed past it without touching it.
Buck's eyes widened.
The fairy sprites passed through the storm of flying leaves, and the pink light of the moon's power gathered on the ribbons, blasting towards the tropical dragon.
boom!
The tropical dragon was hit and its body swayed.
"Again!" Buck gritted his teeth, "Leaf Storm!"
An even more powerful leaf tornado struck again.
The fairy's figure arced through the storm once more, reappearing before the tropical dragon, and a magical, shimmering pink beam blasted the dragon away.
The tropical dragon crashed to the ground, the bananas on its neck fell off, and its eyes were closed.
Buck recalled Tropius. "That's something. Roseradore, please!"
Roserade emerged from the white light, her bouquets of red and blue intertwined, like two burning flames.
With sharp eyes and a slightly forward-leaning posture, he was ready to launch an attack at any moment.
"Magic Leaf!" Buck ordered.
Roserade waved her hands, and countless magical leaves rained down on the Sylveon, each one precisely blocking its path.
"The swallows return." Li Shuwen's voice was calm.
The fairy's figure once again traced an arc, weaving through the gaps in the magic leaves.
Roserade's attacks were as dense as rain, but the Sylveon's figures were even denser than rain and faster than wind.
Passing through the magic leaves, the Shadow Ball condensed between the ribbons and blasted towards Roserade.
"Petal Dance!" Buck's voice rose.
Roserade's body began to spin, petals fluttering around her, transforming into a colorful tornado that deflected the Shadow Ball and crushed towards Sylveon.
The fairy's figure twirled in the air, cutting in from the side of the petal dance.
The ribbon gleamed with a metallic sheen—an iron tail.
The two iron tails lashed out repeatedly at Roserade's arms.
Roseradore's petal dance was interrupted, and petals from the bouquet scattered all over the ground.
Buck's eyes widened in surprise.
"Iron Tail... double attack? It can be used like that?"
The fairy gave him no chance to catch his breath.
Magic shimmered around it, and a pink beam of light blasted Roseradore away.
Roseradore fell to the ground, the bouquet's luster dimmed, and her eyes closed.
Buck was silent for a moment before recalling Roseradore. He looked at Li Shuwen with a complicated expression.
"Why do I feel like this 'Swallow Return' sounds familiar?"
He thought for a long time, but couldn't remember where he had seen it before.
Li Shuwen smiled slightly, "I learned it from others. You may have encountered similar trainers before."
Buck didn't leave. He squatted down next to Li Shuwen's tent, playing with a Tropical Dragon Poké Ball in his hand, and hesitated several times before speaking.
Li Shuwen added a piece of firewood to the fire, and sparks crackled and popped, illuminating Buck's dark face.
He finally couldn't hold back any longer. "Awen, could you teach me your Swallow Return technique?"
Buck quickly waved his hand, "It's not like I learned it for nothing. I'll trade you my Solar Beam rapid-fire technique."
Li Shuwen poked at the fire. "What's so special about your blazing sun?"
Buck's eyes lit up.
He released the tropical dragon, which stood in the center of the open space, the leaves on its neck gleaming green in the sunlight.
Buck ordered, "Tropical Dragon, use Solar Flare!"
The tropical dragon flapped its wings, and sunlight condensed on its leaves. It charged up its energy very quickly, in less than half the time it would take for normal sunlight to blaze, and then a golden beam of light shot out from its mouth.
It crashed into the distant rocks, exploding into a burst of golden light.
The tropical dragon's leaves shone slightly, emitting a faint green glow, and the fatigue on its face lessened a bit.
"The tropical dragon's intense sunlight, with a slight photosynthetic effect, can restore stamina."
He patted Tropius's neck. "But it only works on Grass-type Pokémon."
Li Shuwen looked at the scorch mark left by the blazing sun, and then at the fading fatigue on Buck's face, lost in thought.
"Your technique involves having the Pokémon convert some of the sunlight energy into nutrients to restore its stamina while unleashing Solar Beam?"
Buck nodded vigorously. "Yes! That's exactly what I mean! You'll understand right away!"
He took out a notebook from his backpack, opened it, and found it filled with various data and recipes.
"This is a nutrient solution formula that I've been researching for several years. When tropical dragons drink it during training, it increases their instantaneous absorption of sunlight and reduces the time needed to build up energy."
"But after each time I drink it, my body feels strained and I need to rest for several days to recover."
Li Shuwen took the notebook and flipped through the pages one by one.
The formula is ingenious, with various ingredients that Grass-type Pokémon like mixed in proportion, mainly to enhance the efficiency of photosynthesis.
However, it lacks a crucial balancing agent, resulting in excessive sunlight energy that can burden Pokémon's bodies.
He took out a moonflower from his backpack. "Try adding this. The sun and moon are of the same origin. Moonflower can neutralize the intensity of sunlight and increase the absorption limit."
"It might be possible to achieve near-instantaneous response, and with a much smaller load."
Buck's eyes lit up. "The sun and moon share the same origin..."
He took the moonflower, smelled it, and his eyes were filled with excitement. "I never thought it could be used like this! Ah Wen, you're amazing!"
"Your turn." Li Shuwen stood up and dusted off his pants. "Didn't you want to see a Flying-type Pokémon use Aerial Ace?"
Buck excitedly stepped back a few paces, waiting to see Arvin's Pokémon.
Li Shuwen raised his hand and threw out a Poké Ball, releasing a Salamence whose blood-red wings created a gust of wind.
Hovering in the air, it resembled an attack aircraft ready to dive at any moment.
"Watch closely," Li Shuwen said.
"To kill a salamander, use a swallow to return."
The salamander's figure drew an arc in the air, turning left, right, and then left again. Each turn was without warning, and each change of direction was as fast as lightning.
The wings gently adjust their angle as they fold, each adjustment precisely cutting into the gaps in the wind to minimize air resistance.
Buck's mouth gaped open. "This...this is the Swallow Return? It's so exquisite?"
Li Shuwen did not answer, and threw out a second Poké Ball.
"Onion soldiers, swallows return."
Onion Soldier looked at the giant salamander in the sky, shook his head slightly, took a step forward, and his body sank slightly.
Then he dashed off, his figure tracing arcs across the ground, turning, spinning, and sprinting, so fast that he left afterimages in the night sky.
Its movements are smoother and more agile than those of a newt; every turn requires no preparation, as if its body naturally belongs to that direction.
Buck's eyes widened like saucers. "Fertile Silly... a Fighting-type Fertile Silly, and its Aerial Ace is even better than Toxtricity?"
He looked at Li Shuwen and asked, "What kind of monsters are the Pokémon you train?"
Li Shuwen recalled the two Pokémon. "There are no shortcuts to Aerial Ace; it relies on persistent training. I trained my Pokémon thousands upon thousands of times to be able to control them freely in battle."
"Your Solar Beam technique is also exquisite. With continued improvement, achieving instant casting is not a dream."
Buck scratched his head, carefully wrapped the moonflower, and stuffed it into the innermost layer of his backpack.
"By the way, weren't you looking for that expert who uses superpowers to enhance skills? I haven't heard of that person, but I know a fire attribute expert."
"He's researching how to avoid the side effect of being unable to move during an explosion of flames, and he's close to success."
He paused for a moment, then said, "If you beat me, you'll be ranked 188th on the OK list. You can use that ranking to challenge the next top players."
Li Shuwen nodded.
Buck extended his hand. "Arvin, thank you for your guidance."
Li Shuwen grasped his hand. "Likewise."
The mountain road became increasingly steep.
The trees have thinned out, and the rocks are exposed, gleaming with a cold light.
The crackling sound of electricity could be faintly heard in the distance, and Li Shuwen followed the sound.
I saw a person riding on a strange machine, frantically pedaling with both feet, and the chain was driving a generator.
The generator hummed, and current flowed along the wires into the body of an electric dragon.
Golden arcs of electricity crackled around the electric dragon, its muscles twitching slightly under the stimulation of the arcs, its eyes sharp as knives, and its tail thick and powerful.
"Are you here to take on a challenge?"
The man didn't even look up, continuing to pedal. "I am Missy, ranked 108th. I accept your challenge, but you'll have to wait until I finish charging the electric dragon."
Li Shuwen stood to the side, looking at the machine. "Did you make this yourself?"
Missy proudly raised his chin. "I made it myself. It uses high-quality electricity, several times more efficient than ordinary chargers, allowing Electric-type Pokémon to increase their strength much faster."
A few minutes later, charging was complete.
The electric dragon roared to the sky, and golden lightning exploded from its body, ionizing the surrounding air.
Missy jumped off the machine and stretched her sore legs. "Three against three, best with Electric-type Pokémon."
"This mutual discharge and charging can maximize the power."
"Or you could use a Ground-type that counters Electric, which also has a good stimulating effect."
He threw out a Poké Ball, and Ampharos stood in the field, its muscles shimmering in the electric light.
Li Shuwen raised his hand and threw out a Poké Ball. Electivire emerged from the white light, its two tails swaying behind it, and its two fists collided, producing a dull thud.
When Missy saw the electric monster, she was not nervous at all, but excited instead.
"Electric Beast! Its Electric Engine ability allows it to absorb electric attacks. Wouldn't that be unfair to you?" Li Shuwen asked.
Missy laughed heartily. "Unfair? No, the electric engine's characteristics will only excite me and the electric dragon even more."
"If we can break through the electric engine barrier, wouldn't that mean we've succeeded?"
"100,000 volts!" Missy gave the first order.
The electric dragon's fists lit up with golden lightning, and 100,000 volts transformed into a thick arc of electricity, slashing towards the Electrify Beast.
The Electabuzz didn't dodge; the 100,000 volts struck its body, and the current was absorbed by the Electric Engine, turning into energy stored within its body.
The Electivire's body glowed slightly, but it showed no signs of discomfort.
"100,000 volts!" Li Shuwen ordered.
Electivire's fists also crackled with electricity as it unleashed a 100,000-volt attack on the Electric Dragon.
The electric current struck the electric dragon, causing its muscles to contract slightly before being absorbed by it.
Its strength has recovered somewhat, and its eyes are sharper.
Li Shuwen was somewhat surprised. "Your electric dragon can absorb electricity to restore its strength?"
Missy smiled smugly. "I've worked with the electric dragon to develop some energy storage properties."
"At the same time, a portion of the electrical attack is converted into charging, increasing attack power."
Sure enough, the next 100,000 volts from the electric dragon was significantly more powerful, with the golden arc of electricity thicker and brighter than before.
The electric engine of the Electrified Beast absorbed the current, and the increased power made it raise its head to look at the electric dragon, a hint of fighting spirit flashing in its eyes.
The Electrified Beast followed suit, absorbing electric current to enhance its attack power and speed.
The tail spins, and current gathers at its tip, preparing for an even faster and more powerful 100,000-volt burst.
The two sides exchanged blows, each unleashing a 100,000-volt burst, golden arcs of electricity weaving together in the air.
After ten exchanges of blows, sweat beaded on Missy's forehead. "Switch to close combat! Lightning Fist!"
The electric dragon charged forward, its right fist blazing with brilliant lightning, and slammed into the chest of the electric monster.
The electric monster was knocked back three steps, and a tingling sensation ran through its chest.
The Electric Beast steadied itself, its right fist also crackling with lightning as it unleashed a punch.
This punch was faster, heavier, and more powerful than the electric dragon's.
boom!
Electric Dragon was punched in the chest, his vision went black, his knees buckled, and he collapsed to his knees.
Missy was shocked. "What incredible strength!"
Li Shuwen explained, "It's probably because Electabuzz has been constantly training his muscles."
Missy looked at the electric dragon kneeling on the ground, then at the muscular electric monster, and laughed.
"You electric monster are truly delightful! Electro Dragon, rise up!"
The electric dragon got up from the ground and shook its head.
Lightning flashed on his right fist again, this time even more dazzling and violent than before.
It roared and charged forward, punching Electivire in the chest. Electivire was knocked back several steps, its chest numb from the impact.
A fighting spirit ignited in his eyes, and lightning flashed in his right fist once again, this time even more dazzling than before.
A punch was thrown, hitting the electric dragon squarely in the chest.
The electric dragon's eyes widened suddenly, its body froze on the spot, and then it fell straight down.
His eyes were closed, but a smile lingered on his lips.
Missy crouched down and gently stroked the electric dragon's head. "You've done very well."
He recalled the Ampharos into its Poké Ball, stood up, and looked at Li Shuwen.
"Thank you, Arvin. I had a lot of fun battling Ampharos. Your Electivire is really strong. I'll use it to train my Pokémon."
"The upcoming matches are going to be crazy!"
Li Shuwen nodded. "I'm really looking forward to it."
Although he had only met three trainers, Li Shuwen discovered that the Champion's Path was indeed full of talented people, each with unique skills and pleasant manners.
Coming to the Road to Champions for final intensive training was definitely the right choice.