Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

…………

at the same time.

The live stream of this epic battle was already packed with viewers from all over the world, and Groudon's ability to undergo "secondary evolution" sparked unprecedented heated discussions.

"Holy crap! What am I seeing? Is this evolution? Groudon can evolve again??"

"Didn't you guys notice that that Kyogre doesn't look like its original form either? Groudon should be in the same state too, right?"

"No wonder Kyogre was able to overpower Groudon just now. So this is their true power. This is so exciting!"

"The weather has changed too, from a massive storm to a scorching sunny day. Isn't that a bit too much?"

"By the way, is the sun in the sky real? Isn't it only 5 a.m. in Hoenn?"

"Holy crap, that was a brutal strike! Looks like I should cheer for Kyogre now..."

"The power of legend is truly terrifying!"

While the audience was discussing it enthusiastically, Primal Groudon had already built up the energy for its second move.

The gaping maw, like an abyss, opened, and energy bombs filled with scorching magma erupted from its mouth like a volcanic eruption, shooting precisely toward Primal Kyogre in parabolic trajectories.

It was still a lava-bullet-shaped [large-character explosion], but unlike before, both its energy intensity and quantity had been greatly amplified under the blessing of primordial natural energy and [the Land of the End].

Primal Kyogre, who had just been sent flying by the Precipice Sword, managed to flip over in mid-air and responded with a solemn Ice Beam.

As its old rival, it naturally knew that in this environment, its most proficient Water-type moves would be weakened to almost no power, just like Groudon's Magma Bomb before.

In an instant, the fireball streaked across the sky, transforming into a blazing rain of fire that crashed down from the heavens.

Being able to fly has its advantages. Primal Kyogre nimbly dodged and weaved with a posture completely out of proportion to its massive body, and used its ice beam to resist when it couldn't dodge.

Although it's not very useful, it's better to block it than not, right?

Rumbling--

The deafening explosions echoed across the sea and over Georga's body, so loud that even those in helicopters a kilometer away were buzzing.

However, they didn't complain at all, because looking at the apocalyptic scene over there, the discomfort in their ears was nothing.

thump--

The sound of a heavy object falling into the water rang out, and the sea creatures were once again forced to leap out of the water to breathe.

Undoubtedly, it was Kyogre that was thrown into the sea this time.

Groudon unleashed two powerful attacks after holding back for so long, knocking Kyogre, who was flying in mid-air, into the sea.

It's hard not to suspect that this petty guy wasn't doing it on purpose; he couldn't fly himself, so he wanted everyone else to be unable to fly either.

"Well done, that's it, stomp it!"

Xia Chen encouraged Groudon with a shared sense of righteous indignation.

"Thank you for the crimson jewel, my friend!"

Groudon, having finally vented its anger, seemed to be in a good mood and addressed Xia Chen as a "friend".

"You're welcome. Well, you can keep playing for now. I have something to do and I'll come back to you later."

With both sides evenly matched, Xia Chen felt that a decisive victory or defeat was unlikely to be decided anytime soon, and there was no need to continue watching. It was time to take the Grass Green Orb to the Sky Pillar to find Rayquaza and mediate the fight.

Groudon, unaware that his newly acquainted friend was about to betray him, happily said, "Okay, go ahead. When I come back, I'll have beaten that stinky fish to a pulp!"

Xia Chen chuckled inwardly, knowing that this was Groudon's boasting; it would probably take them three days and three nights to defeat each other.

However, he certainly couldn't say that out loud. Instead, he replied, "Of course, I believe in you, my friend. I wish you great success!"

Having managed to maintain a balance between the two ancient legendary Pokémon and gained Groudon's superficial friendship, Xia Chen set off on his Guradon towards the Sky Pillar in the west.

…………

The Sky Pillar is located on a small island southwest of Ryukyu City.

Legend has it that, like the Temple of Awakening, it also has a history of over a thousand years.

The Sky Pillars were built by the ancestors of the Meteor Dwellers, and it is said that a seven-colored meteorite can be enshrined at the top to summon Rayquaza.

As for why it's said to be "alleged," it's because no one has ever managed to get through the layers of mechanisms designed by the Meteor People to reach the top.

There is also a theory that it was built by the meteorites of that time in preparation for the cataclysmic disaster that would occur a thousand years later.

One thing Xia Chen had always been confused about was why the Meteor Clan, who lived in Kanaz City, the westernmost city of Hoenn, would build this towering, almost sky-reaching giant tower near Sootopolis City, which was quite far to the east.

Now he understood a little better: the Meteor People had predicted this great battle of Gugai that was taking place nearby a thousand years in advance!

This was obviously a joke, but the fact that the Sky Pillar was nearby meant that Xia Chen arrived here in just a few minutes.

This is undoubtedly a huge boon for the precious time we have now.

Upon arriving outside the Sky Pillar Tower, Xia Chen didn't rush in but first took a quick look around from the outside.

The Sky Pillar has fifty floors, and from the outside, each floor is estimated to be about five or six meters high.

That means the total height can approach three hundred meters!

Although it is still tens of thousands of meters away from the ozone layer where Rayquaza is said to reside, this was already the limit for people at that time.

Even in modern times, it would be considered a tall building, let alone in ancient times when production conditions and technology were scarce.

This is a magnificent building that can only be described as a miracle!

Chapter 332 The Kind Dragon God

The Sky Pillar's entire structure is extremely enclosed, making it virtually impossible to enter the top floor directly from the outside unless brute force is used.

Using brute force... not to mention whether a normal Pokémon could break through the tower's sturdy defenses, even if it could, it would most likely displease Rayquaza.

Xia Chen didn't want to summon Rayquaza only to have it swat his tail at him first.

So he and Gu Leton obediently entered the first floor, preparing to climb up from the top to show their sincerity.

The good news is that Cynthia, who arrived here first, has already demonstrated her sincerity. After some simple, already deciphered mechanisms, the door to the second floor is wide open.

Xia Chen and Gu Leton went uphill and soon arrived at the thirtieth floor.

It's clear that the higher you go, the more complex and ingenious the mechanisms designed by the Meteor Dwellers become, somewhat reminiscent of the puzzle-solving shrines in Zelda.

The original intention was probably to test the wisdom of the trainers who came here to awaken Rayquaza, and the skills of their Pokémon.

However, by the thirtieth floor, signs of "brute force" had already begun to appear... probably because Cynthia couldn't come up with a way to clear the level in a short time.

I wonder if the Meteor Dwellers, who meticulously designed these traps and obstacles, would faint from anger upon seeing this...

However, Xia Chen felt that since it was a test, this kind of "overpowering all skills" approach was probably reasonable and legal, right?

After climbing a few more floors after the thirtieth floor, at the entrance leading from the thirty-sixth to the thirty-seventh floor, Xia Chen finally heard Cynthia's voice.

"Garuda, Dragon Dive!"

Good grief, they've even stopped acting at this point...

Although Xia Chen was inwardly complaining, he understood that Xilona did this so that he could reach the top floor sooner. He quickly went upstairs to prepare to help.

Hearing the noise behind her, Cynthia knew it was most likely Xia Chen arriving, but she still cautiously glanced at Lucario beside her—

The dog, possessing waveguide abilities, also serves as a scout.

"Luca!"

Seeing Lucario nod calmly, Cynthia finally lowered her guard.

…………

"You've arrived? How's the situation in Liuli City now?"

Despite her somewhat disheveled appearance, Cynthia's beautiful face remained undeniable as she asked with concern.

"Don't worry, things are stable for now. I used the Crimson Orb to lure Groudon to the uninhabited area near Kyogre and then let it complete Primal Reversion. Right now, the Hoenn duo are fighting, and I don't think there will be a result anytime soon."

Xia Chen deliberately answered in a lighthearted and teasing tone, trying to ease Xilona's nervousness.

It was actually quite effective; at least, the slight upturn of her lips proved that she had begun to relax.

"What do you mean by 'Hoenn duo idiots'? You're giving them random names again. They're legendary Pokémon, after all... Ice Beam, Ice Beam, Lucario with Superpower."

As she spoke, Cynthia commanded her Pokémon to use brute force to break open a passage to the next level.

The multi-tiered door, seemingly constructed of some kind of stone, was clearly no match for the destructive power of a champion-level Pokémon. After three attacks, it collapsed with a deafening roar, and the entrance opened.

"Cough cough..."

Covering their mouths and noses as they walked through the dust generated by the violent demolition, the two continued their conversation.

Xia Chen asked, "How's it going on your end? Any response from Meteor Village?"

"Ahem... I came over as soon as I notified Chairman Zvoich, but he's always reliable, so there's probably no problem. If I take Devon's private jet directly, it won't take long; I should arrive around dawn."

Cynthia gave a brief introduction to the situation over there.

Finally, unable to contain her curiosity, she asked, "What did you leave at Meteor Village?"

Xia Chen replied, "Not really. I found that thing in the Meteor Village, but it's definitely not mine. By the way, you should pick one too. It will definitely be of great benefit to you in the future."

Cynthia's main team also includes Pokémon capable of Mega Evolution, Garchomp and Lucario. While Garchomp has its flaws, the boost that Mega Evolution provides to Lucario is undeniable.

With this system, Cynthia's strength will surely reach a new level.

Xia Chen's tone was unusually serious, and knowing his personality, Xilona nodded knowingly, "Okay, I understand."

The time spent clearing the last dozen or so levels did not increase with the increasing difficulty of the puzzles; in fact, it was significantly reduced.

Therefore, although Leighton can't beat the two idiots outside for the time being, it's still easy for him to bully Stone Gate.

Xia Chen wasn't worried that Lie Kongzuo would hear the noise inside the tower. The ozone layer was tens of thousands of meters above the ground; how tall was this tower anyway?

They made their way to the top floor without any obstacles, where the blue-gray sky was almost within reach.

…………

"Completion time: 12 minutes and 36 seconds. That should be a record, right?"

Xia Chen joked, "We could put up a monument here with the record of our clear times. We'd definitely be number one."

Ignoring the unserious Xia Chen, Cynthia surveyed the top floor of the Sky Pillar.