He knows Pokémon better than me.

Yinren didn't rush down. Instead, he sat high up on the waterfall, smoking a simple straw cigarette, and watched Xiaozhi's special training with great interest.

"Uh, two pairs of eyes?"

With his keen senses, Xiao Zhi naturally noticed the double surveillance from above by Yuki and Ginren.

No, the one behind didn't even hide; he just sat on the hillside, propping his chin up and watching.

Xiao Zhi didn't care about this at all, and even had an urge to play a game with the president of the Ginkgo Merchant Guild.

"Looking so much like Mr. Denji, his Pokémon battle abilities shouldn't be weak, right?"

The fire lion that was lying behind Yinren earlier didn't seem to be of a low level.

However, the other party did not come down until dusk, and leisurely returned to the Ginkgo Merchant Guild's camp. Xiao Zhi could only clap his hands to signal everyone to stop and rest.

"cowry!"

The young athlete deftly juggled the snowball, then skillfully kicked it, sending the soft snowball flying like a pebble.

The blue raven, washed by the water, had its feathers shining even brighter, and Magiana was already able to use her illusion beam to slightly move the ice rocks.

Everyone has made significant progress, except for Xiong's apprentice.

Ash recalled all his Pokémon and noticed that his apprentice Kubrick was still deep in thought in the pond, so he went over to him.

"What's wrong, Brother Xiong?"

Is a wet environment unsuitable for practicing boxing?

"Bear."

The bear apprentice, with his thick eyebrows and large eyes, kept a straight face and uttered a deep thought.

It could feel that being in the water was indeed more comfortable and enjoyable, but with each punch, there was a damping sensation as if its movements were restricted by the water flow.

Strange, it feels like it's still missing something!
Is it a restriction imposed by some particular style of boxing?

Xiao Zhi pondered for a moment. Master Ma had previously instructed him to bring Xiong's apprentice to him to practice the secrets of fighting after Xiong had determined his own style.

Maybe it's because of that?

"Anyway, don't rush, take your time~"

Xiao Zhi comforted him and then put the bear apprentice back into the ball.

However, after soaking in the pool for most of the day, I didn't get shivering from the cold. It's clear that I can adapt to the water environment.

Finally, they returned to Pearl Village with Pikachu. As dusk fell, a simple dinner remained on the table.

Because the temperature drops sharply after nightfall on the pure white permafrost, there are no nighttime entertainment activities. After dinner, everyone basically returns to their own tents.

Many people had reservations about Ash, an outsider, being allowed to stay in the tent of Team Flower Pearl.

But since they were members of the Ginkgo Merchant Guild and Zhu Bei was their leader, he tolerated it.

It's impossible for him to marry into the family again in a few days, right?
As for Pearl, she now spends her days dealing with all sorts of trivial matters for Team Pearl, and just waits to lie in bed at night and comfortably listen to Ash tell her interesting stories from other places.

"Today we're talking about the Kalos region. There's a very special phenomenon there: with the help of special stones, Pokémon can evolve instantly. And after the battle, they can return to their original state."

"Only a very small number of chosen Pokémon possess this Mega Evolution ability."

While reporting his work to Dawn, Ash also told Pearl about his experiences traveling in the Kalos region.

However, before arriving in the Xicui region, he spoke on the phone with Carlos's friend, who mentioned that the city was undergoing massive reconstruction.
It seems that this renovation event has also led to the discovery of quite a few new Mega Evolutions.

But since nothing has been agreed upon yet, he didn't ask any further questions.

"Instant evolution? And it will revert to its original state after the battle?"

Pearl lay on the lower bunk, lost in thought.

She seemed to have seen this phenomenon before, with the user nearby—it seemed that Mr. Yinren had caused his Flame Lion to undergo strange changes back then.

But when she looked closely, she found that it was no different from an ordinary fire lion.

Or did I see it wrong?

Late at night, Ash had already drifted off to sleep from talking, and Flareon curled up on his stomach, the warm touch so soothing to sleep.

Zhu Bei, who was sleeping on the lower bunk, heard the soft snoring and could only helplessly give up her interest in asking any more questions. She pulled the blanket over her head and prepared to go to sleep.

Inside the tent, Zoroark was curled up on the carpet, enjoying a deep, hibernation-like sleep.

Further away, faint, eerie howls could be heard.

Zoroark sensed something in his sleep, immediately opened his eyes, and looked up through the tent towards the source of the howl.

His yellow pupils dilated, giving his face a more wild look.

"Solo!!!"

It couldn't help but tilt its head back and let out a long howl, as if in response.

The sharp, piercing fox cry also woke up the two who had just fallen asleep. Ash rubbed his eyes and subconsciously patted Pikachu sleeping next to his pillow.

Deng!
The latter did not get up, but its body, like a touch-sensitive lamp, automatically cast a flash spell to light up the tent.

"What's wrong?"

Ash looked at Zoroark with a puzzled expression, only to see the latter looking excited, baring his teeth, and breathing heavily.

Pearl Shell, however, seemed unfazed and said:

"It must be a Pokémon in the mountains howling and calling for its companions."

However, this sharp, long howl doesn't sound like a normal call; it sounds more like someone is in heat.

This kind of thing isn't uncommon in the pure white permafrost; it usually happens late at night.

"estrus?"

Xiao Zhi was taken aback, but quickly realized that it was similar to how a pickpocket cat would "meow" at night to attract mates to incubate its eggs, right?
But Zoroark's reaction is so strong right now.
Is this a wild Zoroark herd in the vicinity going into heat?

According to Zhubei, wild Zoroark in the Xicui region only inhabits the pure white tundra.

The sharp, eerie howls outside grew louder and louder, causing restlessness among everyone in the Pearl Village.

"Zoro!"

Finally, Zoroark couldn't resist his instincts and suddenly turned and ran towards the gate.

"Hey Zoroark!"

Ash panicked and, without even bothering to get dressed, grabbed Flareon, jumped off the bed, and ran out.

Zhubei wanted to follow along, but as soon as she stepped out of the tent, many members of the Pearl Team gathered around to ask her questions.

Some released their Pokémon, while others carried rakes and hoes—

Despite the snow and ice here, the land, rich in ice-elemental energy, can also grow some unique crops.

This sharp, eerie moaning sound could only come from the ghostly Zoroark!

This Pokémon is extremely dangerous, and Team Pearl immediately went on high alert.

Watching Ash's figure already running far away, Tsubasa, who was about to follow to join in the fun, pouted. Now she could only stay behind and give directions:

"Anyway, everyone spread out for now and be on guard."

If a Zoroark horde were to attack the outpost, that would be a terrible situation. (End of Chapter)