Pokémon: I just became a Gym Leader, and Cynthia proposed to me.

Chapter 780 Ah Jin, I believe in your nurturing power, I believe in your Midas touch master.

Li Shuwen shook his head. "Before she even finished speaking, Cattleya was in a hurry to hang up the phone."

Li Shuwen called back, and after Cattleya answered, she asked, "Is there anything else?"

Li Shuwen turned the camera to the apples they had brought out.

"Cadelia, we brought back a lot of local specialties from that little world. Would you like to take some back and try them?"

Cattleya asked, somewhat puzzled, "What is this bright red wall?"

Li Shuwen took a few steps back, and only then did Jia Deliya realize that the bright red wall was actually an apple.

Cattleya's eyes widened immediately. "No way, man, that's a huge apple!"

"We brought back a lot of local specialties from that little world," Cynthia said with a smile. "They all have a unique flavor."

"It would be such a shame if you couldn't try it."

Cattleya immediately stood up. "I'll have someone fetch it right now!"

Li Shuwen continued, "Don't be too anxious. We've made a promise with the giant Dragonite that we can go to its house again next year."

"You can come with us then."

Cattleya raised an eyebrow. "Okay, I'll go with you guys to take a look."

After hanging up the phone, Professor Oak smiled and said:

"I plan to team up with a botany PhD to see if we can cultivate the seeds from the Dragonite mini-world in our world."

"Maybe you'll even get to try a whole new flavor of apple."

Li Shuwen's eyes lit up. "This is a good idea!"

Dr. Zheng Hui strongly agreed, saying, "Perhaps through these plants, we can recreate the process of Pokémon becoming gigantic."

Li Shuwen remembered that when Ash was challenging the Battle Frontier, there was actually a professor from the Kanto region who had developed candies that could make Pokémon grow to gigantic size.

I accidentally created a giant green caterpillar.

There's also a PhD who developed a machine that can make Pokémon grow to gigantic size, creating a scene where Treecko and Slicerobacter fight each other in a gigantic city.

Before Li Shuwen and Cynthia returned, Li Shuwen looked at Ash and remained silent for a moment.

"Ash, when you return to Pallet Town and plan your trip to the Johto region, remember to call me. I need to ask you for a favor."

Xiao Zhi paused for a moment, then scratched his head. "Is there anything I can help you with, Brother Shuwen?"

He thought for a long time but couldn't figure out what ability he had to help the master.

But he nodded vigorously, "Okay! I'll definitely call you!"

Li Shuwen patted him on the shoulder without explaining further.

Cynthia stepped forward and gently hugged Misty. "Take good care of Togepi, so you can soar through the skies together in the future."

Xiaoxia pressed her cheek against Togepi. "Mmm."

After boarding the ship, Li Shuwen waved and said, "Xiao Zhi, I'll be watching your battle with Yuji on TV. Do your best."

Cynthia took Li Shuwen's arm. "What did you ask Xiaozhi for?"

Li Shuwen shook his head. "I haven't decided yet. I'll think about it later."

Cynthia looked at his profile. "You're always like this, laying the groundwork beforehand and then dealing with it later."

Li Shuwen laughed. "You found out."

The two parted ways at Zhuqing City Airport.

Cynthia returned to the Sinnoh League to continue her work, while Li Shuwen flew back to Veilstone City.

At the security checkpoint, Cynthia tiptoed and gently kissed him on the lips. "Message me when you get there."

Li Shuwen nodded. "Okay."

Cynthia turned and walked into the security checkpoint, then turned back after a few steps. "Remember to think of me."

Li Shuwen smiled. "I think about it every day."

In the backyard of the Veiled Dojo, by the newly dug pond, A-Jin squatted on the edge of the pond, his hands supporting his chin, staring at the golden carp in the water.

The Magikarp spun around in the water, spinning very fast, its tail slapping the surface and splashing water everywhere, it just wouldn't stop.

He wasn't like this before.

He used to lazily lie at the bottom of the pool, occasionally swimming a couple of laps before continuing to lie there.

But today, he was very restless.

He's been spinning in circles since morning, all morning long, splashing water everywhere, and Ah Jin's pants are all wet.

"Master, the golden carp king is a bit restless."

Upon hearing that Li Shuwen had returned, A Jin immediately ran into the dojo and found Li Shuwen tidying up the training equipment.

Li Shuwen put down what he was holding and followed A Jin to the pond.

He crouched down, and the power of his aura surged into the water, sweeping across the body of the golden Magikarp.

Within Magikarp, energy surged wildly, like magma before a volcanic eruption, like dark clouds before a storm.

Those energies surged through every muscle and every scale of his body, searching for an outlet.

Li Shuwen stood up and looked at A Jin. "He's about to evolve."

Akin's face turned pale instantly. "Evolution?"

His voice trembled, "Master, if he evolves now, won't he be unable to evolve into a golden Gyarados? A regular Gyarados isn't golden..."

Li Shuwen looked at A Jin's anxious eyes.

Ajin feeds him, changes his water, and trains him every day. The Magikarp's gold color becomes brighter and its scales become denser.

Ah Jin never misses a day, rain or shine, and never complains.

His ability to nurture students is indeed the most outstanding among all of Li Shuwen's disciples.

Li Shuwen reached out and placed his hand on A Jin's shoulder.

His gaze was firm, and his voice was steady. "First of all, you possess exceptional nurturing abilities."

"In this year, you have transformed an ordinary golden Magikarp into a Pokémon with a strong physique, abundant energy, and the ability to evolve at any time."

"No one else could do this, but you did."

Akin's body trembled slightly.

"Secondly, you still have me as your master," Li Shuwen said. "As long as you can unite your thoughts with the golden Magikarp, you can evolve into a golden Gyarados!"

"Come on, let me show you."

Ajin's eyes reddened.

He took a deep breath and clenched his fist.

"Yes, Master, I can!"

At the edge of the pond, a golden Gyarados floated above the water, its golden scales gleaming in the sunlight.

He lowered his head and looked at the golden carp in the water. His gaze was calm, yet it carried an invisible sense of oppression.

Li Shuwen stood by the pond, arms crossed.

Ajin stood opposite, holding a golden Magikarp Poké Ball, his palms sweaty.

"Let's begin," Li Shuwen said.

Akin throws out a Poké Ball.

The golden Magikarp emerged from the white light, leaped into the water, and splashed up a spray.

He swam quickly in the water, his golden scales shimmering in the ripples.

He looked up at the golden Gyarados in mid-air, his eyes filled with fighting spirit, not fear.

"Magikarp, Tackle!" Kin gave the first command.

Magikarp leaped out of the water, its body like a golden arrow, and charged towards Gyarados.

The golden Gyarados didn't even move; it flicked its tail lightly, striking Magikarp's side.

boom!

Magikarp was sent flying backward by the slap, crashing back into the water and creating a huge splash.

He surfaced from the water, shook his head to shake off the water droplets, and swam towards the Golden Gyarados again.

"Bounce!" Ah Jin's voice rose.

Magikarp leaped out of the water, soaring higher than before, its golden scales shimmering in the sunlight.

The golden Gyarados slightly turned its body, and Magikarp swooped past it, narrowly missing, before crashing back into the water.

Water splashed all over Akin's face, but he didn't wipe it off; he just stared intently at the Magikarp in the water.

"Water cannon!"

Magikarp poked its head out of the water, opened its mouth, and sprayed out a jet of water.

The golden Gyarados also opened its mouth, and an even thicker jet of water shot out.

The two water cannons collided. Magikarp's water cannon held for a moment before being pushed back by Gyarados's water cannon, hitting Magikarp itself.

boom!

Magikarp was blasted away by its own Water Gun, crashing into the water and creating a huge splash.

Akin's fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

He crouched down and looked at the carp king in the water.

Magikarp floated on the surface of the water, panting heavily, its whole body soaked, and several wounds appeared on its golden scales.

He looked at Ah Jin, his eyes showing no sign of giving up, only resentment.

"Magikarp, we've worked so hard to get this far, are you really willing to just fall like this?"

Ah Jin's voice was hoarse, yet full of power, "Have you forgotten how many times we practiced impacts? How many jumps? How many water cannon drills?"

"Have you forgotten that you said you wanted to become the strongest golden Gyarados?!"

"All those past events..."

Magikarp's eyes lit up.

He took a deep breath, and his body began to glow.

Light condenses on the body's surface, forming a thin film of water.

He leaped out of the water, his body enveloped by the current—waterfall climbing!

The golden figure, like a dragon emerging from the water, crashed into the Golden Gyarados.

The Golden Gyarados also used Waterfall, with golden water enveloping its body as it faced the attack head-on.

boom--!!!

Two golden figures collided, exploding into a cloud of water mist.

Magikarp was knocked away again and crashed back into the water.

This time, he sank.

It sank to the bottom of the pool and remained motionless.

The golden scales were dull and lifeless, and bubbles rose from the corners of his mouth, one after another, becoming increasingly sparse.

Ah Jin squatted by the pool, gently stroking the dent with his fingers, tears dripping onto the water's surface, creating ripples.

"Magikarp, can...can we continue?"

His voice was trembling.

Magikarp opened its eyes and looked at Gold.

In those eyes, there was no sign of giving up, no sign of admitting defeat, only one thing—unwillingness to accept defeat.

He was unwilling to let it end like this, unwilling to let Ah Jin's two years of hard work go to waste, unwilling to fall at the last step. His body began to glow.

This time, the light was dazzling and radiant, like the sun.

The golden light shot out from the bottom of the pool, piercing through the water's surface, through the mist, and through the sky.

Magikarp bursts out of the water, spins in the air, and stretches and deforms its body in the light.

A crest grows on its head, its scales harden, its body lengthens, and its tail fin forks.

A golden Gyarados was born.

He hovered in mid-air, his golden scales gleaming like burning flames in the sunlight.

He looked up to the sky and roared, his voice filled with joy and pride.

A faint dragon's might emanated from him, though not as overwhelming as that of the Golden Gyarados, it was still present.

The golden Gyarados looked at him, a hint of relief flashing in its eyes.

The golden Gyarados tumbled in the air, feeling a freedom it had never known before.

His body was a bit more slender than Li Shuwen's Golden Gyarados, and his scales weren't as thick, but he flew very steadily, quickly, and nimbly.

Ah Jin stood by the pool, looking up, tears and smiles mingling together.

The golden Gyarados swooped down and nuzzled Akin's face with its head. Its scales were icy cold, but they warmed Akin's heart.

"Magikarp... no, Gyarados, we did it."

Ah Jin held him, sobbing uncontrollably.

Li Shuwen stepped forward and placed his hand on the golden Gyarados.

Waveguide energy surged in, examining his body.

"It's a Flying/Dragon type." Li Shuwen withdrew his hand and looked at A Jin. "Its body isn't as strong as my Golden Gyarados; it's more slender."

"But he's faster and more agile, so he could pursue a speed-oriented career path in the future."

Ajin held his golden Gyarados, his face full of pride. "Although it can't compare to Master's golden Gyarados, it hasn't let us down."

"I'm already very happy with the golden Gyarados."

Li Shuwen patted him on the shoulder. "Keep trying."

Ajin nodded vigorously. "Yes!"

Over the next few days, Li Shuwen gave guidance to the other disciples one by one.

Barbara stood on the training field, a single oocyte floating in front of her, its pink body shimmering with a faint light.

Li Shuwen told her to close her eyes and use her superpowers to sense the inside of the single ovum.

Barbara has excellent mental strength, but her resonance level has always been low.

She always tried too hard and was too deliberate, which made the single oocyte sphere feel tense.

"Relax," Li Shuwen said. "It's not that you're controlling him, it's that you're communicating. Your heart and his heart are equal."

Barbara took a deep breath, relaxed her shoulders, and slowed her breathing.

Pink light emanated from her, intertwining with the light of the single oocyte sphere.

The single ovum floated in front of her and gently rubbed against her face.

Barbara opened her eyes and smiled. "Master, I think I understand."

Peter stood in the laboratory, in front of a pot of viscous liquid that was simmering.

Alethos perched on his shoulder, his eight legs swaying gently.

Li Shuwen instructed him to adjust the formula, increasing the proportion of tree fruit and reducing the content of mineral powder.

Peter scooped up a little with a small spoon and dripped it onto the glass slide. The resulting thread was thin and strong, thirty percent stronger than before.

Alethos excitedly spat out a thread, which stretched from the lab table to the ceiling. Peter reached out and pulled on it, but it didn't budge.

"Master, can this formula be used now?"

Li Shuwen nodded. "Okay. Continue optimizing."

Peter laughed, and Alethos laughed too.

Neneko stood in front of the charcoal kiln in the backyard of the dojo. The coal demon poked its head out of the kiln opening, its body burning with orange-red flames.

Li Shuwen asked her to try feeding her charcoal, but not ordinary charcoal; it was high-temperature charcoal made from a special type of tree.

Mi Douzi threw a piece of charcoal into the kiln opening. The coal ghost swallowed it, and the temperature of the flame suddenly increased, turning from orange-red to bright gold.

The bean's eyes lit up, and it dropped another piece, which the coal demon swallowed. The flames changed from bright gold to incandescent.

Li Shuwen raised his hand to signal her to stop. "That's enough. Three pieces a day, no more. Observe his reaction closely, and record the flame temperature and duration. We'll adjust the dosage after a month."

Midouzi nodded, holding her notebook, and carefully recorded the amount of food fed that day and the changes in the flame temperature.

Akai and Longlongyan practice rolling on the training field.

The rumble rock rolled faster and faster, becoming more and more stable. Kai ran behind, panting, but his eyes were full of satisfaction.

Crescent is tending to Grass-type Pokémon in the greenhouse, and the Roselle buds are bigger than last week.

Tanjiro and Nezuko trained together, and their teamwork became increasingly seamless.

Peter's Ariados was spinning webs in the laboratory, and the patterns on the webs became more and more complex.

Ajin's golden Gyarados hovered above the pond, its power growing stronger day by day.

Li Shuwen stood at the entrance of the dojo, watching the disciples grow up alongside their Pokémon, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled into the courtyard of the dojo, onto the figures running, training, and laughing—their burning youth.

The Midas Touch can enlighten others, but he knows that the real Midas touch is these young people themselves.

Their hard work, their perseverance, and their passion are the fundamental forces that make them stronger.

He simply helped them ignite that fire.