Ash, with his invincible physical body, wants to become a Pokémon Master...

"Xiaoming, you've put up such a huge sign to promote your record. My current winning streak is 99 games. Let's see whose record will be broken first!"

"Alright, it's rare to find such a formidable opponent. You'll be my nourishment!"

Upon hearing that Ash had achieved a 99-game winning streak, Ming finally took it seriously.

"After achieving my 100th victory, I will embark on a journey to obtain badges!"

*Snap!* Xiao Ming confidently cracked his whip.

"My Pokémon is Sandshrew, so bring on whatever opponent you want!"

"Riolus, I choose you!"

The opponent didn't look weak, so Ash learned his lesson and didn't stubbornly send out Pikachu, but instead chose Riolu.

"Riolu, let's attack first! Use Vacuum Wave!"

A gust of air pressure, like a gale, swept by, pinning the pangolin to the ground, rendering it unable to move.

However, under Xiaoming's whip, the pangolin suddenly kicked off with great force, broke free from the vacuum wave's restraints, and leaped up from the ground.

It curled up into a ball and quickly struck Riolu.

This attack was so powerful that Riolu was sent flying and fell to the ground, looking like it was in pain.

"Use Earth Fissure!"

Rumble! The entire stage seemed to be hit by an earthquake, with tiny cracks like a spider web appearing on the shaking ground.

Riolu, lying on the ground, suffered another great injury.

"This is outrageous! Is this really a Sandshrew?!" Ash was more serious than ever before.

This Xiao Ming lives up to his reputation; he's several levels better than those weak trainers on the street.

Without giving it a moment's respite, the sand rat once again transformed into a rapidly spinning armored ball and charged forward.

"Hold on, Riolu, stand up!"

Perhaps the experience accumulated from previous battles has reached a critical point.

Ash's immense aura surged forth, resonating with Riolu on the ground.

A dazzling white light emanated from the fallen Riolu.

After a transformation, Riolu's size increased several times, and it successfully evolved into Lucario.

[Ding! Side Quest: The Hero of Aura: Evolve Riolu into Lucario; Completed!]

Congratulations on winning the reward: Lucario Mega Evolution Stone (Pokémon)

[Congratulations, host, on your ability to upgrade your Aura Force from LV1 to LV2]

Lucario's stamina was fully restored, and he successfully jumped into the air before Sandshrew's attack arrived.

Chapter Twelve: The Power of Waveguides

Ash's joy was short-lived. The sound of a whip cracking echoed as the rapidly spinning Armor Ball leaped from the ground once more, hurtling towards Lucario in mid-air at incredible speed.

After Riolu evolved into Lucario, Ash was finally able to clearly sense the power of Aura.

Ash tried to increase the output of his waveguide: "Calm down, use the waveguide to sense everything around me!"

The two of them simultaneously spread their waveguides, and the movement of the pangolin was crystal clear in the blue perception field of vision.

Lucario turned to dodge the attack and, in a very short gap, delivered a powerful blow to Sandshrew's side.

This was the first time the pangolin had shown a pained expression in this battle.

"No wonder he's a trainer with the same 99-win streak." Xiaoming laughed happily.

"Only by fighting against skilled opponents can we continuously improve!"

"Sandshrew uses Shadow Clone."

The falling ball suddenly multiplied into four, all moving rapidly, and Lucario instantly lost its target.

This won't do, so Ash decisively ordered, "Lucario, use Aura Spheres continuously, attack all four at once!"

Lucario waved his hands incessantly, launching a barrage of Aura Missiles.

Three of the four Sandshrews were instantly turned into afterimages when hit by Ash's "Prince Strategy" saturation attack.

With only one true form remaining, Ash immediately said, "Lock onto it with Aura Shield, Comet Punch!"

Lucario quickly closed in and unleashed a Comet Punch.

The pangolin was knocked like a ball and crashed onto the field, leaving a deep crater.

The pangolin in the pit revealed its mosquito-coil-shaped eyes, rendering it incapable of fighting.

[Ding! Lucario: Affection +5; Intimacy +5;]

"We won, Ash!"

Despite hearing Misty's celebratory shouts, Ash wasn't happy; this victory had been hard-won.

Ash would have lost if Lucario hadn't undergone a temporary evolution.

Just now, as Lucario Aura Missile was launched, Ash felt as if his soul was being drained along with the Aura power.

He felt dizzy and almost collapsed, but fortunately his strong muscles made up for it.

The little AI remained standing there, unfazed, like an iron tower.

"What's wrong with Sandshrew? They actually lost! We have to start building our winning streak all over again. Today's training intensity will be doubled!"

Xiao Ming hugged the pangolin in his arms, but instead of comforting it, he scolded it in an extremely stern tone.

"It's already done its best, don't be so fierce. Pokémon have feelings too," Misty said, dissatisfied.

"Of course I know there are emotions. It's precisely because we agreed to grow stronger together from the moment I got it that I'm so strict."

Xiao Ming calmly replied, "The pangolin wears high-intensity equipment during its daily training and has even overcome its fear of water."

Everyone has their own way of interacting with Pokémon, and if the Pokémon has no objection, then Ash has no objection either.

"You're really strong, Xiaoming. I look forward to meeting you in the League Tournament."

Ash looked at Ming with admiration, amazed that someone could raise a Sandshrew to such an extent.

After recalling Lucario to its Poké Ball, Ash walked up to his opponent and extended his hand.

Seeing Ash's outstretched hand, Xiaoming gripped it tightly.

"You ended my winning streak. I have to admit you're a powerful trainer, but I'll definitely get back to 100 wins soon and start collecting badges. I won't lose to you in the League again."

"Okay, I'll be waiting for you on the field."

The two stared at each other, their eyes burning with the flames of battle.

[Ding! Side Quest: The Promise of a Mighty Rival: Defeat Xiaoming at the Quartz Conference. Activate!]

[Rewards: Alliance Coins +1000; Free Attribute +3; Ultra Balls +5; Move: Earth Shatter]

——————Diamond Push-ups——————

After saying goodbye to Xiaoming, on the way to Kureha City.

Ash and Lucario have been sitting facing each other all afternoon.

Finally, Xiaoxia couldn't help but ask, "What are you guys doing?"

Ash opened his eyes and slowly said, "I'm conducting a waveguide resonance training."

Aura is a power that can be used as Observation Haki, so Ash certainly wouldn't give it up.

However, he hasn't resonated with Lucario since his battle with Xiaoming.

In theory, Ash can use any of the Aura moves that Lucario can use.

However, Ash is still quite inexperienced with auras, and without Lucario, he has difficulty even sensing auras.

"The brave warriors of Waveguide cannot give up easily."

Ash brought up Lucario's stats panel.

[Pokémon Name: Lucario (Synergy Partner)]

Attributes: pH: 70, Attack: 110, Defense: 70, Special Attack: 115, Special Defense: 70, Speed: 90

Total 525

[Ability: Focus (Pokémon with this ability cannot flinch)]

[Skills: Wave Missile; Power Shot; Bone Club Barrage; Comet Fist;]

[Affection Level: 95 (She will execute your orders without hesitation)]

【Intimacy Level: 90 (It really likes your waveguide)】

[Description: It can detect the opponent's waveguides, read their thoughts and actions, and even the emotions of an opponent 1 kilometer away.]

[Ding! New side quest triggered: The Hero of the Aura: Maximize Lucario's Affection and Friendship.]

[Rewards: 500 League Coins; 1 Mega Keystone (Trainer); 1 Legendary Aura Hero Training Manual]

"It seems that improving my Aura Force still depends on the mission rewards."

After Ash plucked the sleeping Pikachu off his head, he said to Misty...

"Xiaoxia, how far are we from the next city?"

Xiaoxia took out a map and carefully compared the current location. "It's about a 5-day journey."

"Alright! Let's go find some wild Pokémon to battle."

"Ah, what's the connection between these two sentences?!" But seeing Ash's actions, she could only helplessly follow.

-----------------

"Lucario, Pixie, use Comet Punch together!"

The wild Ekans fell down in the attack of the two Pokémon, and Ash threw a Poké Ball and successfully caught it.

Including the Pidgeotto he caught earlier, Ash finally has a total of 6 Pokémon.