He knows Pokémon better than me.

We headed north from Honglian Wetland until it gradually got dark, when gusts of cold wind kept blowing from the north.

Even the ground beneath our feet was no longer normal rock and soil; it was covered with frost and snow, the grass was withered and yellow, and the trees along the way were mostly just withered branches.

"As expected, this is truly a godforsaken place."

Ash wondered to himself, what gave Shellder the confidence to argue with Rock about which part was better?

However, it's not easy to say this directly.

There were two Team Galactic guards at the entrance to the snowfield. I noticed that one of them was from Team Pearl and the other from the Ginkgo Merchant Guild, but I didn't say anything.
They will only stop people wearing Team Galactic uniforms.

"That must have been really tough."

Ash nodded to the two and continued forward. Everything around him turned completely white, covered with a layer of white ice.

"This is where our pearl settlement is located, a place called Pure White Frozen Soil!"

Despite the harsh environment, the pearl shell happily spun around once, proudly introducing itself.

"Ice-e~"

The Glaceon next to it also raised its head and let out a low growl, its eyes crinkling, truly returning home.

Ash observed Shell's attire: a strapless top and super short shorts, meaning there was practically no fabric on her body.
"Hey, aren't you cold?"

He couldn't help but ask.

Under the disguise of his hallucination ability, Ash was actually only wearing shorts and a short-sleeved shirt, but there was still a bit more fabric than with Shellder.

Even so, he still felt a chill.

However, Zhubei simply raised both arms and replied matter-of-factly:

"Is it cold? I actually feel warmer and warmer!"

"."

Xiao Zhi frowned, feeling that the sentence sounded somewhat familiar.

"Hehe~ I grew up in a snowy environment, so I'm not afraid of the cold at all~"

Zhu Bei said smugly, then immediately lowered her face:
"But I can't stand even a little bit of heat. Let alone near a volcano, even a tropical beach feels like it could melt me."

Although they were currently in a state of pure white permafrost, just thinking about this scene made Zhubei feel hot all over, and her face involuntarily fell down.

With its little tongue sticking out, it kept fanning its face with its palms, as if it had been played with by the hot air.

Xiaozhi: "."

Sure enough, few of the people who washed jade were in good health.

So, does the pearl oyster have a constitution that is extremely cold-resistant, but has zero heat resistance?
"By the way, Ash, are you cold?"

When faced with Tsurugi's question, it automatically became the ultimate question in Ash's ears: "Are you still capable?" He immediately straightened his chest and used his inner strength to dispel the coldness.

"It's not cold, in fact, I'm feeling warmer!"

A true newcomer's physique is definitely no less than that of a jadeite washer!
Upon hearing this, Zhubei's eyes lit up. It seemed that Xiaozhi, like her, also liked the cold. Her favorability towards him increased even more.

However, as soon as they stepped into the pure white tundra, Zoroark behind them broke free of its illusion disguise, and Ash also revealed his true form.

"What's wrong, Zoroark?"

Ash turned around curiously. Although Zoroark's illusionary disguise was meaningless, being wrapped in a thick layer of Ginkgo Merchant Guild clothing made him feel a little warmer.

Zoroark, meanwhile, kept sniffing his surroundings, seemingly searching for something.

But then it shook its head, and the fur that had just billowed like flames drooped back down. Stepping onto this land, it always gave it a sense of familiarity, like Glaceon—was it home?
Beside her, Zhubei offered a guess:
"Can you sense the presence of your clan?"

In the entire Shizuku region, only the pure white tundra is home to wild Zoroark and Zoroark. It's normal for Zoroark from other places to feel a strange sense of familiarity when they come here.

"By the way, I haven't asked you yet, where did you catch this Zoroark?"

Zhubei asked curiously, "According to what Xiaozhi said earlier, he's from out of town, right?"
Are there other places with Zoroya and Zoroyak?
She had never heard of anyone being able to tame a wild Zoroark.

"Well, how should I put it, I'd say it was caught in the Seishui region."

Xiao Zhi scratched his head, unsure how to explain.

Zoroark hatched from an egg, which was most likely brought out by Mr. Wangluo from the Xicui region.
Maybe it was brought out by the pure white permafrost?

So Ash rubbed Zoroark's cheek to comfort it:

"Let's go, Zoroark. After I finish my business, I'll show you around this place. Maybe we can find your people!"

"Zolo."

Zoroark nodded; this was the only way for now.

With a thought, the Illusion ability was activated again, disguising Ash as Blackie dressed in Ginkgo Merchant Guild attire.

Pearl oysters are no longer surprised by this peculiar phenomenon.

"Let's go, our Pearl Village is located at the northernmost edge of the pure white permafrost."

She led the way, while the more agile Glaceon jumped to the very front to check for any risk of ground collapse along the way.

"Uh, the environment here is really harsh."

As Ash walked, he looked around. Everywhere there were rugged, undulating icebergs and hills, and they were walking on the only valley path.

This is an ice valley called Snow Wave Valley. Although you can't see any rivers, you can faintly hear the sound of rushing water.

It must be the echo caused by the cold wind blowing through the narrow valley.

They would travel north along this main road, cross a river flowing from Wise Lake, and then reach their destination.

Along the way, Ash would occasionally look up at the rock wall beside him, wondering if an avalanche would bury them alive.
"Hehe, don't worry~ Avalanches have rarely occurred in the pure white permafrost over the years~"

Zhu Bei then comforted her with a smile:
"According to the divination of the senior members of the Pearl Team, there won't be any avalanches in the pure white permafrost for the next hundred years~"

Xiaozhi: "."

These expert predictions, or even divination prophecies, seem to be unreliable all along!

Rumble! !

Sure enough, before the two had even completely left Snow Wave Valley, the walls along the way suddenly began to tremble inexplicably, and several pieces of snow rock even broke off from the rock face.

Ash's face darkened instantly, much like how Pikachu is often targeted when it arrives in a new region.

"Solo!!"

Behind him, Zoroark had already made his move, using the mountainside as a springboard to cleave the falling rocks with his claws.

Just as he regained his footing, more ice shards fell, and Zoroark simply stood there, his purple hair flying everywhere.

Swoosh!

In an instant, a pillar of dark purple fire erupted from his body, incinerating the falling ice shards above him. (End of Chapter)