An abstract trainer who taught Charmander the Incinerate move

Chapter 18 The Ceremony of Becoming a Spirit
Whether under the dazzling starry sky of the Pokémon world or on the vast land of the Pokémon Continent, trainers are the indispensable guiding lights in the lives of Pokémon.

On the magical land of the Fighting Spirit Continent, the role of trainers has not diminished, but has become even more important.

Because they bear the sacred mission of passing on the fighting skills and techniques of the elves.

It is under the guidance of trainers that Pokémon can embark on the path of fighting spirit training and shine with their own brilliant light on the stage of this world.

Those Pokémon that lose the guidance of their trainers, in the wilderness devoid of civilization, mostly end up as wild monsters known as "monsters".

Only a very few exceptionally gifted Pokémon can maintain their intelligence and survive alone in this cruel world without the guidance of a trainer.

This is why every Pokémon in the research institute eagerly anticipates being chosen by a trainer during the Pokémonization Ceremony.

Being selected by a League-certified trainer means stepping into the protection of the system and becoming a Pokémon with an official status.

The difference between a trainer's Pokémon and a wild Pokémon is like the difference between a civil servant and a homeless person; the difference is so great that it needs no further explanation.

Therefore, although Xiao Huolong already has Chi Lao as his actual trainer, he still needs to find someone to officially register within the Yunlan League.

At the Spirit Awakening Ceremony, in the spacious training ground, in addition to the neatly lined-up spirits, a group of energetic and eager young men and women also gathered together.

These energetic young men and women are the new generation of trainers in the Cloud Alliance.

They have also passed the League's certification and are about to choose their starter Pokémon, embarking on the League's journey full of unknowns and challenges.

At this very moment, the qualified Pokémon who passed the academy's grand competition are neatly arranged in the training field, like goods on a shelf waiting to be selected.

After a series of tedious formalities, the main event of the day finally began – the selection of partners for trainers.

[Very good, then according to the order, the first trainer to choose a Pokémon is... Xiao Mao!]

As soon as he finished speaking, a young man with a brown spiky hairstyle walked confidently onto the stage.

His arrogant expression seemed to have the words "I'm the best in the world" written all over his face, making him the spitting image of a typical blond-haired character from a 50-cent magazine...

As soon as this person appeared, the Pokémon in the training ground erupted in a gasp of surprise.

"Caw! It's Xiao Mao! That's Dr. Xiao Mu's grandson!"

"Jenny, if you could be chosen by a trainer like that, you'd be set for life!"

As this noble young master made his dazzling entrance, the elves on the field showed off their fighting skills one by one, wishing they could pick up a rock and perform a chest-breaking performance right there and then.

A good trainer is crucial to the future of a Pokémon.

By following a trainer from a distinguished background, you can obtain superior techniques and combat skills, as well as various resources needed for advanced training, thus soaring to great heights and achieving great success!

Conversely, if you follow someone of mediocre background, the journey will inevitably be very bumpy.

When Xiao Mao appeared, Dr. Xiao Mu gave him a subtle but meaningful look.

Understanding immediately, Xiao Mao focused his gaze on Xiao Huolong.

"Little Fire Dragon with the ninth rank of Fighting Power, very good, that's you. Show me your fighting skills!"

Feeling the intense gaze on him, Xiao Huolong suddenly felt a strange sense of unease.

This guy looks so familiar, I have this... urge to punch him!

Water has a source, trees have roots, and this impulse naturally has a reason.

Since Xiao Mao was modeled after Xiao Huolong's first real-life owner, Lv Mao, it's no wonder that Xiao Huolong dislikes him.

So, in front of Xiao Mao, Xiao Huolong, just like when he fought the armored pupa, revealed a wise look in his eyes and ignored Xiao Mao's commands.

"Damn it, you old geezer, are you kidding me?! You actually gave me an idiot, does it not know any fighting techniques at all?!"

Seeing Xiao Mao's exasperated look, Dr. Xiao Mu could only laugh awkwardly.

"Ahem, maybe you two aren't meant to be. It's all about chemistry between trainers and Pokémon..."

As they were talking, at Dr. Xiao Mu's prompting glance, Xiao Mao picked out a garlic-shaped turtle that also possessed a ninth-level fighting aura and left the venue grumbling.

[Next... Xiao Zhi!]

As they were talking, a young man wearing a blue training outfit and a league training cap walked up.

Although he was not particularly handsome, the resolute look in his eyes revealed that this young man was no ordinary person!
"Quack! Who is this person? I've never heard of him before?"

"Jenny, I heard his mom used to be an assistant at the research institute, but it seems she retired early. Her son is really lucky to have become a trainer!"

"Hmm...that guy seems to be from a single-parent family, his father's whereabouts are still unknown..." "Hehehe, following a trainer like that, his future is bleak!"

Dr. Xiao Mu then gave Xiao Zhi a meaningful look that was barely perceptible to him once again.

Xiao Zhi immediately understood and strode over to Xiao Huolong, unleashing a world-destroying finger strike at him as if he were having a fit of chuunibyou.

"Alright! You're the one! From today onwards, you're my partner!"

Seeing that this kid chose him so confidently without even checking the goods, even a blockhead like Xiao Huolong couldn't help but doubt the guy's reliability...

Just as Xiao Huolong was hesitating, Elder Chi suddenly appeared behind him, offering guidance like a wise man.

"Hmm... I think this kid's the one! He seems the most reckless, single-minded, and clueless—perfect for a deck trainer! Anyway, we'll just use him to get a job, then dump him at the Pidgeot Loaf Bar and let him play with Pidgeots by himself. The easier he is to fool, the better!"

"Oh—(Down syndrome trill)"

Having received guidance from Elder Chi, Xiao Huolong suddenly understood and took a step forward without hesitation, nodding solemnly to Xiao Zhi.

……

After completing the transformation ceremony, Xiao Zhi led Xiao Huolong to the backyard of Xiao Mu Research Institute.

Dr. Xiao Mu was already waiting there for quite some time.

Upon meeting Dr. Xiao Mu, Xiao Zhi hurriedly got straight to the point.

"You old bastard, hurry up and take out your cultivation techniques and combat skills. I'm about to start nurturing my Pokémon!"

"Alright, alright, we're father and son after all, I certainly won't treat you unfairly!"

The explosive information revealed in those two short sentences was like a bolt from the blue, leaving Xiao Huolong completely dumbfounded.

Eh?
Xiao Zhi is actually Dr. Xiao Mu's son?

Wait, doesn't that mean...?

Xiao Zhi is Xiao Mao's father?!
Xiao Huolong's lizard cerebellum received too much information at once, causing it to immediately malfunction.

Seeing Xiao Huolong's bewildered expression, Elder Chi said meaningfully from behind.

[Hehehe—Don't get involved in these family ethics stuff. Successful people's private lives are very complicated...]

"Shh! Keep your voice down, don't let outsiders find out. I've treated you very well this time. This Pokémon wasn't originally yours, but thanks to my underhanded dealings, it ended up in your hands. You've really hit the jackpot this time!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huolong muttered to himself.

You've been pulling strings behind the scenes, what nonsense! It was clearly me who was pulling strings behind the scenes. Not a single word this old man says is true.

Clearly, in Dr. Xiao Mu's view, the order of precedence between the eldest grandson and the illegitimate son still conforms to the Zhou rites.

"Alright, enough talk, hurry up and give me the cultivation techniques and combat skills. I can't wait to start my journey!"

"This is a low-level Xuan-rank cultivation technique called [Fierce Fire Technique]. This technique is a secret treasure of our Xiao family. Only a direct descendant of our Xiao family can obtain such a good technique!"

Low-level Xuan Rank?

In a remote and impoverished place like Fake Old Town, a low-level Xuan-rank cultivation technique is already a top-tier inheritance that would make people envious.

"This [Fierce Fire Technique] can not only strengthen the fighting spirit of fire-type spirits, but also allow spirits to unleash unprecedented potential when their lives are in danger. I used this technique to kill countless powerful enemies back then, which is how I built the foundation of Xiao Mu Research Institute. Passing it on to you now is a way of not letting down my father and me."

The incredible power of the Fierce Fire Technique made Xiao Huolong drool.

Recently, due to the flaws in my cultivation technique, I often experience the embarrassment of insufficient kidney fire when refining medicine or practicing combat skills. If I had this Fierce Fire Technique, wouldn't I be able to be a true dragon for a long time?

Seeing Xiao Huolong's lustful and indecent expression, Elder Chi immediately reprimanded him sternly.

[Hmph! Kid, look at your pathetic self. A mere low-level Xuan-rank technique, and you think it's enough to shake your Dao heart? You must know your Burning Technique possesses limitless evolutionary potential. Once you master it, burning mountains and boiling seas will be nothing to you!]

Trembling after being scolded by Elder Chi, Xiao Huolong immediately composed himself, stood at attention, and wiped the drool from his mouth.

"As for combat techniques... I see that it has exceptional talent. I have recently created a new combat technique, but I haven't actually tested it on a spirit yet. I think its talent is very suitable for this unique technique, so let it try to master it..."

After putting away the cultivation techniques and fighting skills, Xiao Zhi immediately led Xiao Huolong out of Xiao Mu Research Institute.

The goal is the Yunlan Conference; the journey has begun!

[Cut! - Battle Through the Heavens: Spirits, Act Two, Curtain Falls!]

(End of this chapter)