Pokémon, Ash is going to become a perfect man from now on.

Lance watched the scene unfold around Ash the whole time... It wasn't that he didn't want to go over, but he also had trouble he couldn't shake off.

"Mr. Watari, could you please sign your name for me again?"

After the incident ended, Xiao Gang and Xiao Xia, who had gone to notify the surrounding towns to take refuge, returned, along with Kenta and Marina.

The girl was a huge fan of Yulongdu. As soon as she saw her idol in person, she was immediately captivated and pulled out a bunch of photos of Yulongdu, asking for his autograph.

There were even many photos in there that were obviously photoshopped... which immediately gave Yulongdu a huge headache.

Fortunately, Marina wasn't so crazy as to ask Lance to sign her body or other awkward parts...

My boyfriend is still here, after all, even though it's just a mutual crush.

"Ash, it's been a long time." Lance finally had a chance to meet Ash after managing to shake off Marina. "It's all thanks to you this time, otherwise I don't know what kind of mess would have happened."

"Uh... actually, this whole thing started because of me," Xiaozhi said somewhat awkwardly.

If it hadn't been mixed up with the trial, Lei Gong wouldn't have jumped out and been captured, and things wouldn't have escalated to this extent.

Going back a bit further, if Ash hadn't raided Cassiopeia Town's base and arrested Team Rocket's Professor Xylan during last year's Indigo League, those two spies would probably have had a homemade crystal, and they wouldn't have needed to steal it from the lake.

However, Lance wouldn't know any of this; he simply took Ash's usual modesty as true.

"In any case, it's all over now. You thwarted Team Rocket's plot without causing any loss to anyone," Lance said approvingly, but with a pleading look on his face. "Ash, if you're going to challenge the Blackrock Gym next, may I invite you to participate in my Lance clan's purification ceremony?"

"Pu Zhuo... you mean cleaning the dragon's fangs?" Ash suddenly remembered that there was such a scene in the anime.

"Eh, you knew that too?" Yu Longdu was taken aback. He had originally planned to explain.

“I’ve heard about it, but…” Xiaozhi raised an eyebrow, “Mr. Lance, this invitation must have been something you came up with on the spur of the moment, right?”

Ash could probably guess that Lance, like Rayquaza, had come for the power of dragons, and was likely assigned by his family.

For him, if he wanted to find a reason to invite Ash to the Dragon Sanctuary, the Cleansing Ceremony was undoubtedly a good choice.

Coincidentally, Ash also has a tooth that was just extracted and needs to be thoroughly cleaned.

Chapter 561 Arrival at the Dragon Sanctuary

Inviting Ash and the others to participate in the Dragon Clan's purification ceremony was indeed Lance's spur-of-the-moment idea, so when Ash agreed, he was overjoyed.

However, Lance originally intended to lead (actually keep an eye on) Ash to the Dragon Clan, but was refused.

“I’m currently traveling, and now that the current situation is over, I naturally want to get back on track with my travels.”

Ash spoke with great conviction, but when he called out Ursaring, the smile on his face looked a bit 'sinister and vicious'.

"Hey, go carry our vehicle back, we'll need your help later."

"Roar..." The circle bear's expression froze instantly.

Is this situation insurmountable?

Ever since it was captured, it has been carrying around a large wooden plate. This unscrupulous owner really intends to make it carry the plate all the way to Silver Mountain without ever fighting a single battle!

It was right; that was exactly what Ash was planning.

Ash has his own plan for Pokémon training.

Especially when he has a large arsenal, any newly captured Pokémon will inevitably be shelved for a considerable period of time.

They need to undergo a lot of internal training before they can be sent out to fight in formula battles, until Ash is basically satisfied.

As for the training content, it includes basic exercises and being humiliated in actual combat.

To put it bluntly, gym battles are used to help Pokémon that have been beaten too badly regain their confidence.

Quan Quan Xiong is only at the basic training stage and hasn't even really started to be tortured yet, so naturally he won't have the chance to appear in the formula battle.

"Hey... Ash, the cleansing ceremony is in two days, and it's not a short distance from here to Blacksmith City. Have you considered changing your approach?"

Hearing that Ash actually wanted to rely on Ursaring's eleven-way strategy, Lance hurriedly and conflictedly tried to dissuade him.

"Did you hear that? Time is of the essence! Why don't you hurry up and find that raft, then we'll run forward?!"

"Roar~" Circle Bear responded weakly, its gaze towards Dragon Crossing filled with resentment.

If you don't know how to advise people, you'd better not advise them at all.

Now, I don't even have a chance to slack off for a moment on the way...

Despite its complaints, Circle Bear still set off to find a 'vehicle'. It had always been quite obedient when it came to training.

Ash took the opportunity to point out to Lance the awkward boy standing not far away.

"Mr. Watari, you can go and talk to that boy over there if you're interested."

"That Kenta..." Wataru fell into deep thought. "You think highly of him?"

"That's not it."

"Then why did you push him to me?"

"Mr. Watari, if I may be so arrogant... what kind of trainer could I possibly have high hopes for these days?"

"This..." Yu Longdu was speechless for a moment.

Upon closer examination, that's actually the truth.

Ash may not have any experience fighting against Elite Four members in public, but after today's incident, calling him an Elite Four member would be an understatement!

Furthermore, given that he was already second only to himself as the champion in both Guancheng and the other two regions, his confidence in him contained a great deal of implications…

If Kenta continues to develop, he will become a good trainer in time. He should be able to break through the elite level and reach the level of a near-Elite Four member... This is without any other extraordinary encounters.

Moreover, I've had some dealings with him before, and I understand his character and personality, so I can indeed offer him some resources...

These were Lance's personal thoughts, which Ash didn't care about, since he had already said what he wanted to say.

After Quan Quan Xiong returned, he said goodbye to Yu Long Du and boarded a luxurious land vehicle with his companions.

"Mr. Watari, goodbye to the Dragon Sanctuary, bye-bye~"

boom!

With its enormous paws shattering the ground, Quan Quan Bear locked onto the direction of Yanmo City and began to sprint at full speed!

"I knew it! Ursaring, you're definitely suited to be a land vehicle~" Ash couldn't help but praise with a smile as he felt the strong wind rushing towards him.

"Roar…"

"Don't be so discouraged. Also, remember to maintain your endurance; you'll be running at night tonight. Good luck, I believe in you!"

"Roar..." A low growl, devoid of any semblance of life, echoed in the wind. The cuddly bear smacked its lips and wolfed down a large pancake that had inexplicably flown in.

...

After two days and one night of intense running, Ash and his friends finally arrived in Smoky City on the day of the Cleansing Ceremony, thanks to the efforts of Ursaring.

When Circle Bear saw the road signs and streets of Smoke Ink City, it almost burst into tears on the spot.

That's too brutal... Ash is simply not Silver!

I carried them all and kept running, over mountains and valleys. By the time we got here, not only were my arms and legs completely numb, but I'd also lost a lot of body fat. I just wanted to lie down and hibernate right then and there!

"Alright, you can come back now." Knowing that Ursaring was exhausted, Ash used the power of Viridian to restore it before recalling it.

As for that 'vehicle,' if Ursaring is carrying it, that thing can be considered an item and collected into the goal along with it... That's how amazing the Pokémon world is!

"Is this Yanmo City? It feels a bit deserted." Xiaoxia looked around and felt that Yanmo City was even quieter than the previous Kaji Town.

“Smoky City is located in a remote area. Apart from trainers challenging gyms, almost no travelers come here. The city is indeed not very large,” Brock explained, holding up the guidebook.

It's not just small; it's practically a village or town. The fact that it's been classified as a 'city' is probably only because of the Dragon Clan.

Ash and his friends stood at one end of the main road, and could almost immediately see the entire city clearly.

Just then, a male trainer dressed in training clothes with a cape draped over his back approached.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Ash and his friends? I am a dragon trainer from the Dragon Clan, and I have been waiting here for quite some time."

Clearly, the person who came was there specifically to greet Ash and his friends.

Dragon trainers are a group managed by the Dragon Tamers. They are mostly descendants of the Dragon Tamers or trainers who have joined their clan. These people are usually dressed in training clothes and capes and are skilled at using Dragon-type Pokémon.

Yulongdu, including Xiaochun, the owner of Yanmo Dojo, are also dragon trainers.

"Please follow me, everyone. I will lead you to the Dragon Sanctuary. The ceremony is about to begin," the dragon tamer said respectfully, his tone indeed a little anxious.

They traveled all the way to the outskirts of the city, followed a clear stream upstream, and finally arrived at a waterfall in the mountains.

Upon closer inspection, you'll discover a dark passageway behind the waterfall, obscured by the roaring water.

"Once we get through here, we'll reach the Dragon Sanctuary." The Dragon Trainer led Ash and the others onto a small boat, and simultaneously dispatched a Seadra. "Use Whirlpool!"

A huge whirlpool rose up below the waterfall, temporarily offsetting the impact of the water flow while also pulling the small boat into the tunnel.

During this time, the Sea Dragon kept controlling the direction of the ship, and soon, the view in front of everyone suddenly opened up!

The so-called Dragon Sanctuary is actually a peaceful and tranquil valley, with lush green grass and many beautiful flower gardens.

Pokémon can be seen everywhere, living a carefree life... though most of them are Dragon-type.

However, the Dragon Sanctuary was unusually noisy today, with many people who appeared to be members of the Dragon Taming Clan running around, and some elderly people talking anxiously about something.

"Ash, you're finally here!"