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

“Those are Ultra Beasts. You should be grateful for your luck that you managed to survive until they left.” Just as the woman was muttering to herself, a blond-haired, cold-faced boy arrived late.

The artificial Pokémon beside him had removed its heavy mask, revealing a sharp eagle head.

However, it remained restless, constantly pawing at the ground with its forelimbs.

"Silver Companion... Could it be that there are other hidden ones?!" The boy looked around warily.

“Biyi…” In a patch of grass some distance away, the little guy, all purple, was shivering.

Only after everyone had gone far away did it cautiously stretch out its body and fly crookedly towards the streetlights shining in the night...

Chapter 759 Crossing the Haina Desert

After concluding their free-for-all in the quiet city of Marie, the students' next task was to travel to the Harvest Ruins to observe the great test battle between Naz and Merdan.

To be honest, Kukui really loves extracurricular hands-on learning now.

With Ash providing after-school tutoring, he basically covers all the expenses, including food, lodging, venue, and teaching content. Kukui doesn't even need to prepare lesson plans, and can spend plenty of time every day flirting with Barnet and having long phone conversations.

The key point is that this is indeed helpful to students.

Ash is one of the world's top trainers and has caught many different kinds of Pokémon. By following him, you don't even need to listen to what he says; you can learn a lot of useful things just by watching.

"Are you all ready? Let's set off now." At the crossroads on the outskirts of Marie-Lay, Mordan and Acerola were already fully prepared to depart.

Many large, heavy mud-drawn horses were parked there, their backs stuffed with large and small packs for outdoor camping.

Besides being used to carry luggage, they also served as the group's mounts.

"To reach the Harvest Ruins, one must pass through the Haina Desert, where sandstorms rage year-round, requiring heavy mud-bearing horses to traverse," Merdan explained.

Everyone put on the prepared dustproof goggles, which Xiaozhi had instructed in advance, otherwise the sand and wind would make it impossible to open their eyes when crossing the desert.

"Although it's unlikely we'll get separated, I'd still like to reiterate the safety issue, as a way of giving Tapu Bulu a heads-up."

Before setting off, Ash signaled to Pikachu, which immediately sent a dazzling arc of electricity into the air, crackling as it flew towards the southern part of the island.

"Amazing!" Kukui was taken aback by this move. Ash's Pikachu was clearly stronger than when it battled Tapu Koko.

"All the mud-bearing horses will be linked together. If someone unfortunately falls behind, try to find the direction of the lightning and set off."

Ash gave a final instruction, signaling that everyone could mount their horses and set off.

The mud-drawn horses had very broad backs, and the students usually rode in pairs. Serena and Lillie were also assigned one.

However, Ash and Sabrina were left alone, and there were no horses prepared for them here.

"Ash, what are you going to do?" Mallow asked, puzzled.

"Sara doesn't need to ride a horse, but I... have it." As he spoke, Ash sent out Ursaring.

Long-awaited land vehicles~

Strangely enough, among the Pokémon Ash caught, there are many that are taller and more powerful than Ursaring, but perhaps due to preconceived notions, Ash still feels more comfortable being carried on the shoulders of the giant bear when moving on land.

And so, a group of N horses, a bear, a girl who could fly with superpowers, and Alakazam set off into the desert in a grand procession.

Shortly after they left, a small purple beast flew over eagerly.

It circled the spot where Pikachu unleashed its lightning a few times, and finally seemed to have made up its mind, starting to chase after it into the distant desert.

...

The Haina Desert, located in the southern part of Ula Ula Island, and the adjacent Ranakira Mountains are the two most treacherous areas on the entire island.

Unlike the snow-capped peaks that are constantly hit by hail, this desert can only be described as a land of scorching hot sand.

The unobstructed sunlight has created this barren desert. Strong winds blowing from the sea enter this area surrounded by mountains, and unable to find a way out, they can only swirl around in the desert until they unleash terrifying sandstorms that last year after year.

Being in such an environment, with sand and gravel constantly hitting their faces, the students couldn't help but complain.

However, Ash really likes the environment here.

"This is indeed a good place for training. Pelipper and Torkoal, come out!" After assessing the surrounding environment, Ash decisively sent out his two weather masters.

They sensed something was wrong as soon as they appeared; the sandstorm was actually affecting their ability to perform their special characteristics!

However, this did not deter them; on the contrary, they began to eagerly try!

"Getting excited, huh? Then let's try to conquer the sandstorms here!"

"Peri!" "Knock-tap!"

Upon hearing Ash's words, Pelipper and Torkoal simultaneously activated their abilities, and the alternating hot and cold ripples instantly swept outwards, not only clearing away a large area of ​​sand and dust but also maintaining the balance of the weather by constantly battling each other.

No sandstorms, no sunny days, no rainfall – a standard weather-free condition.

"Wow, that's amazing... to be able to use an ability to counter natural weather." Kiawe was secretly surprised when he saw this.

"This is the most important skill they need to hone. If they can't do this, then I'll be in trouble," Ash casually explained.

The gull carrying a damp rock and the coal turtle carrying a scorching rock are almost identical weather-hands.

Ash's requirement for them is to hone their abilities to the maximum extent possible while ensuring their basic strength.

There are differences between the real world and the game. Whether it's items, weather, or special moves, they won't work properly when there's a significant difference in the strength of the Pokémon.

You can't expect a level 5 Torchic to steal the rain weather that Kyogre uses its ability by using the move Sunny Day; similarly, Sunny Day won't boost Ho-Oh's Fire-type moves either.

This awkward situation also exists for coal turtles and gulls today.

Due to factors such as capture time and training level, Ash's Pokémon inevitably experience power gaps. For example, Charizard and Typhlosion can no longer enjoy Torkoal's sunny days.

Similarly, the rainfall from the big-billed gulls is almost ineffective against the water lizard.

But Ash believes they can still improve. As long as they continue to develop their abilities, even if their companions really reach god-level strength, they can still provide weather boosts!

"Mumpmitv, Goodra, Togepi, Rotom, Chimchar, you guys come out too." After arranging the training for the weather setter, Ash called out the other five, "From now on, you will separate from the main group and head to the Harvest Ruins in small groups... Don't get separated on the way."

"Should we let them act alone? Wouldn't that be too much to ask?" Mao asked worriedly.

“Yes, the sandstorm is so strong, the environment here is very dangerous.” Shui Lian also felt it was inappropriate.

"It's alright. Goodie might be more dangerous than the sandstorm." Ash shook his head, while secretly sending out Metagross as a safety net.

He instructed the five little ones, whom he had only recently subdued, not to get separated. Did he really think he was worried about the desert environment?

"As expected, Ash is amazing," Mamane exclaimed. "He doesn't seem like the type to be a training fanatic, yet he doesn't waste a single moment..."

As he spoke, he glanced at the sandstorm not far away, and his admiration deepened.

"Speaking of which, that person is even more impressive..."

Sabrina and Alakazam separated from the main group from the beginning, relying on their psychic powers to travel through the sandstorms alone.

This powerful performance undoubtedly shocked all the students throughout the entire process.

They went from complaining bitterly to becoming silent and serious, seemingly pondering their respective future paths...

Kukui saw all this and couldn't help but feel secretly fortunate.

As peers, students lead too comfortable lives and don't have as many experiences as Xiaozhi, so their growth is naturally slower.

Most obviously, they don't have the same awareness as Ash, who pays attention to his surroundings at all times and seizes every second to train.

In their environment, lecturing them with grand principles is sometimes less effective than Ash occasionally showing off his skills.

After this, we should be able to talk to them about the captain selection...

Bell~

As it rang, Kukui's phone suddenly rang.

"Hello, what's wrong? Hello... Sorry, my signal is too bad!" After a series of intermittent and ineffective communications, Kukui had no choice but to hang up.

"What happened?" Mordan asked, leaning closer.

"It was a call from the Haonohaono Resort. They said Kashiri has returned, but I didn't hear the details. I'll call back after we get out of the desert," Kukui explained helplessly.

He and Cassie were old acquaintances; she was not only a gifted golfer but also a highly talented trainer.

Before the captains gradually stopped coming, and before the Island Tour process was greatly simplified, Kashiwagi was the last trainer to complete the entire Island Tour, and she holds the record for the fastest completion time previously held by Ash.

Incidentally, she is also the daughter of the owner of the Haonohaono Resort, making her arguably the most eligible bachelorette in the Alola region.

Kukui didn't know why she suddenly contacted him, and the tone of her voice sounded rather urgent...

Did something happen?

Chapter 760 Special Training, The Path of an Unrivaled Assassin

"Moo!"

"Pikachu, Iron Tail!"

The group had just crossed the Haina Desert and arrived at the oasis near the Harvest Ruins when a black figure suddenly attacked, thrusting a huge wooden horn in Ash's direction.

Ash reacted immediately, with Pikachu leaping up and using Iron Tail to meet the attack head-on. After a brief stalemate, Pikachu forcefully pushed its opponent back.

Only then did everyone realize that the one who had made the move was none other than the guardian deity of Ula Ula Island.

"That's a unique way to welcome you, Tapu Bulu," Ash greeted with a smile.

"Moo~" the guardian spirit responded casually, then turned around and returned to the lawn where it had been lying, seemingly intending to continue sleeping.