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

"So that's how it is... I never thought the legends were true!" Serena exclaimed in surprise. "So, Hoopa's power is still sealed inside?"

"Yes, I was thinking the same thing before, maybe we should return this power to Hoopa." Ash nodded in agreement.

His only target this time is the Judgment Pot—or rather, the alpaca's three life sources: water, fire, and earth.

Admittedly, it's normal to have extra gains during a treasure hunt, but Ash didn't take Hoopa's power into account.

He wanted to go to the Valley of Creation to see Hoopa and its guardian in person, and it would be even better if he could see Gulis.

At that time, Ash probably already knew how to deal with Hoopa's power.

...

Desert City truly lives up to its reputation as a metropolis. Ash and his friends set off from the city center, intending to explore their way to Desert Tower, but almost the entire afternoon had passed and they had only crossed one area.

Shopping on an empty stomach was definitely not an option, so the three of them found a highly-rated restaurant, booked a private room with a view, and prepared to enjoy a local specialty dinner.

"Have some of this before we start eating. It's a special donut puff pastry made for the occasion." While waiting for the food to be served, Serena suddenly brought out several boxes of exquisitely shaped donuts and gave some to Ash, Nanami, and the Pokémon outside.

"This tastes amazing!" Nanami exclaimed after tasting it.

The other Pokémon also began to feast. Although Desert City is famous for its special donuts, everyone agreed that Serena's skills were absolutely no less impressive.

"Nanami-neechan is amazing," Serena said somewhat shyly. "Thanks to you for helping me improve the recipe, I've learned to make good use of tree fruits and continuously enrich the flavor of the puff pastry."

“I used to be a trainer, and making different energy cubes from berries was just a basic skill.” Nanami casually grabbed her plate. “Like this hot citrus… wait, hot citrus?”

Only then did she notice that the remaining donuts on the plate were gone, replaced by a fiery hot fruit that would unleash a burst of flames when eaten.

"The donuts are gone?" Serena asked, puzzled.

The Pokémon they raise themselves won't steal food, and they certainly won't play pranks on their trainers.

Who could be in the private room?

Is that it...? A thought struck Xiaozhi.

The scene of a donut being stolen suddenly looks familiar.

(Keep an eye on the dining table, it's about to do it again.) The management sprite secretly reminded him, and also confirmed with Ash that the little guy was the one who took the donuts.

Everyone pretended to continue chatting as if nothing had happened, but secretly kept an eye on the dining table. Sure enough, after a while, a golden ring suddenly appeared above the plate, followed by a small gray-black hand reaching in and groping around.

"Heh, blatantly using your aura to steal things, you're pretty arrogant~" Ash chuckled and grabbed the arm.

Just as the other party was shocked and tried to pull it away, he had already channeled his powerful superpower into the ring and pulled it outward with force!

(Is Porygon-Z okay?) Ash asked nervously in his mind.

(Keep pushing, the seal is about to break!)

"Come out!!" Ash suddenly increased his strength and forcefully pulled the 'thief' out of the circle.

"Oh no... I've been caught! Wait... Where am I?!" The little guy spun around in Ash's hand twice, and upon seeing the unfamiliar surroundings, his surprise immediately turned into delight.

"Hupa!!" Just as the ring closed, everyone heard an anxious female voice coming from the other side.

"Mayali... Could it be that Hoopa really crossed his own ring?" The little guy was anxious upon hearing this, but soon became puzzled by the sudden situation.

It flew around the field for a while before finally returning to Ash.

"Wow, that's amazing! Hoopa was scared!" the little guy asked, blinking his big eyes. "How did you do that? How were you able to pull Hoopa out of the ring?"

“Hoopa…is this it?” “Unexpectedly cute.”

The sudden encounter startled both women. They had just heard the story of the establishment of Desert City and found it hard to connect this adorable little creature with the burly, six-armed demon god from the story.

"You should pick up your friend first, otherwise she'll get anxious," Xiao Zhi reminded her.

"Oh right... Hoopa laolao!" Hoopa suddenly realized and activated the ring again.

Soon, a girl dressed in traditional desert clothing appeared before the group.

Xiao Zhi was immediately drawn to the pendant around her neck; the decoration, identical to the alpaca's golden wheel, undoubtedly indicated her identity.

"Hupa?" The girl immediately grabbed Hupa's head as soon as she arrived. "What just happened? How did you suddenly... Oh right, how did you cross your own circle? And these people... Ah, isn't this Ms. Nanami? I've seen you on TV before!"

"Uh... hello." Nanami was caught off guard when the other party suddenly turned their attention to her.

Generally speaking, female fans are probably there because of Ash Ketchum.

“Let me explain,” Ash said, taking the initiative to greet him. “It’s an honor to meet you, Hoopa’s guardian… a remnant of the Valley of Creation.”

"What are you talking about... I do live in the Valley of Creation, but what the hell is the Washing Green Remnant?" Mayali was completely confused. "Never mind, Hoopa's matter is more important now. Wait for me to call someone first."

As she spoke, the girl pulled a cell phone out of her pocket…

Xiao Zhi's products, no wonder she knows Nanami.

"Hey, brother, there's been a bit of a problem here. I'll have Hoopa bring you over right away."

"Hupa, scoop some more out!" Hearing Mayali say this, Hupa cooperated by activating the ring and pulling out another young man dressed in the same style.

"Let me introduce you. This is my brother, Balza. Hoopa is someone we've taken care of together," Mayali introduced the two. "Brother, Hoopa just crossed the ring on his own! And this person also mentioned the Valley of Creation, and said I'm a remnant of the Washing Green tribe or something..."

“Washing Green?” Balzac frowned. “Sir, can we have a proper talk?”

"Okay, let's eat and chat, it's on me~" Xiao Zhi smiled and gestured for the brother and sister and the mischievous child to sit down.

It came to him effortlessly; he was just planning to go to the Valley of Creation when the other party delivered itself right to his doorstep.

Chapter 686 The so-called 'prophecy' is just watching a movie.

"Mr. Ash, how exactly did you break Hoopa's ring seal?"

After the two introduced themselves and shared some information, Balzac asked seriously.

“Yes, our great-grandfather clearly said that Hoopa needs to understand the meaning of punishment in order to cross the ring on his own,” Mayari said, also puzzled.

"Do you two siblings know the specific meaning of the punishment that Mr. Gulis mentioned?"

Xiao Zhi's question completely baffled the two siblings.

They simply lived with Hoopa; they never considered what 'punishment' truly meant.

“I don’t know either, but as a superhuman, as long as my power surpasses that of Gulis, I can naturally forcefully break the seal.”

That's right, Ash actually used his psychic powers to pry open the ring seal.

Gulis may be a powerful trainer, and he has also obtained the authorization from the alpaca... but Ash is also a superhuman at the top of humanity, and the power left by the old man really can't withstand his brute force.

"By the way... if I may be so bold as to ask, what about Mr. Gulis...?"

“He’s gone…it happened just recently,” Balza said in a low voice.

Mayali and Huba both lowered their heads in disappointment.

"I'm sorry..." Ash quickly offered his apology, and did not intend to discuss the topic of Gulis himself any further.

After all, a hundred years have passed, and even Pokémon trainers can't escape aging...

"What I'm trying to say is that I found this on my way here." Ash took out the Judgment Bottle.

“That’s…”, “The Judgment Pot!”

Balza and Mayali were both stunned... but Hoopa's face was full of terror!

"Ugh... How scary! That thing, how scary... Hoopa is going to disappear!" The little guy huddled in Mayali's arms, trembling uncontrollably.

"Hupa, what's wrong?" Mayali immediately hugged Hupa tightly with concern.

"It's affected by resentment... This should be enough." Ash immediately released his Aura, and the powerful energy, like a burning flame, sealed off the dissipating resentment.

“Little Ash…” Hoopa looked at Ash gratefully. Although it no longer felt that sense of being devoured, it still did not want to touch the Punishment Bottle too much.

"What happened just now?" Balza asked, frowning.

"Hoopa's resentment at having its power sealed, brewing for a hundred years, has finally transformed into a burning hatred," Ash explained. "It's trying to break the Smite Pot and even wants to take Hoopa's place..."

"No!" Mayali screamed in alarm. "Hoopa is a friend we grew up with, and he can't be replaced by something like that!"

"This is what I wanted to tell you," Ash said seriously. "My goal is to obtain the three life sources used to create the Judgment Pot, so the pot must be destroyed. At that time, I can return the power sealed within the pot to its rightful owner, and at the same time, I can help clear away the resentment within it."

"Returning it to its rightful owner... does that mean returning the power to Hoopa?" Mayari was overjoyed, but then hesitated.

In fact, the siblings had been researching this matter ever since their great-grandfather, Guliss, passed away.

Find the Jar of Punishment and then return its power to Hoopa… This is their way of giving back to Hoopa, their family.

But seeing Hoopa's expression just now, they were unsure whether they really should do it.

As for Ash taking the Smite Bottle, the Balzac siblings weren't too bothered by it.

Ash could easily keep it from them and take possession of the Smite Pot and its power; they wouldn't be able to stop him... or even verify it.

The fact that they were willing to take this out of their own hands is already enough to show their sincerity.

“I can return the power to Hoopa, but in return, you must also monitor its behavior and prevent it from wreaking havoc like it did a hundred years ago!”

“How could it be? Can’t you clear away resentment?” Mayali immediately retorted.

"Negative emotions can exist at any time. When power is lacking, one becomes timid; when power returns, one becomes arrogant, and gradually swells into unbridled behavior!" Ash said seriously. "Humans are like this, and so are Pokémon."

“Is that so…” The Balza siblings fell into deep thought, becoming increasingly undecided.

"How about I show you a prophecy first?" Ash thought for a moment, then waved his hand to summon Alakazam and Gengar, using their psychic powers to pull everyone into Gengar's nightmare world.