Pokémon, start your journey from the East Glory Alliance

"It's not that exaggerated. I just said it casually based on my feelings."

"You are always too modest in these matters. Sometimes it's okay to be more generous and admit your own strengths. If they are your strengths, why don't you admit them?"

Su Yuan was stunned, then smiled and nodded.

"Brother Zhuang Yan is right. I have learned these from you."

"Well, it should be said that we learn from each other."

"So are you planning to take the train home next?"

However, Zhuang Yan shook his head.

"No, I bought a ticket to Yun Province."

"Yun Province? Didn't you say you wanted to go home?"

Zhuang Yan grinned.

"Yeah, we'll go to Yun Province to challenge the gym and then go home. It won't delay us anyway. Speaking of which, it seems like we're going the same way, so please give me your guidance on the rest of the journey."

"Yeah, we're going the same way."

Su Yuan didn't expect that he would have a companion on his journey, which he thought was going to be a journey alone.

Soon the station broadcast sounded that the train from Lingnan to Yunnan Province was about to depart.

Su Yuan and Zhuang Yan carried their bags and boarded the train. It turned out that Zhuang Yan was sitting not far in front of Su Yuan. After discussing with another passenger, the two of them switched seats together.

"By the way, Brother Zhuang Yan, you now have five badges. Counting the Yun Province badge, you have six badges. What are your plans for the remaining two badges?"

Su Yuan asked curiously on the train.

"Yes, my last two badges have been decided since I started my journey."

"Oh, you've decided so early? About those two gyms?"

Su Yuan was somewhat curious about which two gyms Zhuang Yan had chosen.

Donghuang is different from other regions. Because of its vast territory, there are a total of 16 large gyms built on the land of Donghuang. Of course, these 16 are top-level gyms, and below these gyms there are also large and small second-rate and third-rate gyms.

The badges of these gyms are also recognized by the Donghuang Alliance, but the badge levels of the contestants will be reviewed when participating in the league. The lower the overall level of the trainer, the lower the ranking. Relatively speaking, trainers who rank lower will have to play more games than other trainers.

In short, if you get eight top badges, you can directly enter the top 128 in the knockout stage. If not, you may need to play in the points competition, and only by making it out of the points competition can you enter the knockout stage.

Zhuang Yan replied.

"One is the Tianlu Dojo in the Tibetan area, and the other is our Dojo in Dongshan Province."

When Su Yuan heard about these two gyms, he immediately understood what was going on.

One is his mother’s hometown, and the other is where he grew up. The gyms in these two places are of extraordinary significance to Zhuang Yan. No wonder they were chosen as the last two to challenge.

"By the way, Brother Zhuang Yan, you have been traveling for so long, you must have captured a lot of Pokémon. In addition to Charizard, Crossbat, and Ouroboros, what other Pokémon did you bring with you?"

"Actually, I haven't captured many Pokémon."

Zhuang Yan counted with his fingers.

"Charizard was my first companion, brought back from the Kanto region by one of my uncles. Xylobat and Panther were the first two Pokémon I captured. In addition to these three, I also have an Umbreon, an Alakaza, and a Rhydon.

These are my main players. As for the others, I use Electabuzz and Steelix quite often. I have my mom take care of the others. I will only use them when I encounter a gym that Charizard and the others can't defeat. These are the ones that usually accompany me on my trips."

Su Yuan's eyelids twitched as he listened to Zhuang Yan's words.

My goodness, Aledo and Rhydon, plus the Charizard and Werewolf we've seen before, do you think there will be any gyms you can't beat with this lineup? I'm afraid your other Pokémon won't even have a chance to appear.

Chapter 54: Arrival in Yun Province

"Dear passengers, this train has reached its final stop. Please take your luggage and prepare to get off the train. Please note that there is nothing you have forgotten in the net bag under the seat. I wish you a pleasant journey."

As the train arrival announcement sounded, Su Yuan and Zhuang Yan successfully arrived at their destination, the Poison Gym, Dali, the capital of Yunnan Province.

"Ah~ hoo! We're finally here. This train ride took longer than I thought."

At the station, Su Yuan yawned. It was still daytime when they set out, but it was already evening when they arrived in Dali.

"Okay, this speed is fast enough."

Zhuang Yan was patted by the travel bag and Su Yuan smiled.

"If I had followed my previous travel plan, it would conservatively take half a month to get there."

"Does it take so long?"

Su Yuan asked with some curiosity.

"Can't you let Charizard carry you? Wouldn't that save a lot of trouble?"

"It's not that simple."

Zhuang Yan explained.

“Flying is prohibited in many cities in Donghuang. You can fly in the wild, but many Pokémon have a strong sense of territory. If you disturb some powerful Pokémon, an air battle is inevitable.

Once a conflict with a Pokémon occurs in the air, it is extremely dangerous."

"Oh, so that's how it is. I thought I could just fly."

In Su Yuan's impression, in all previous Pokémon works, players could fly freely after learning the flying skill and obtaining the gym badge. He did not expect that there would be so many troubles in reality.

But come to think of it, if it were that simple, it would have been a mess a long time ago.

Zhuang Yan continued to explain.

"There are times when you can fly. In many places, there are Pokémon aviation routes specified by Donghuang. Within the specified routes, your Pokémon can take you flying."

"I see. In other words, as long as we follow the prescribed route, we can fly wherever we want, right?"

"That's right. When I came to Lingnan from Hunan Province, I asked Charizard to fly me here via the Hunan-Guangxi Air Route."

The two chatted as they walked out of the train station. Although night had already fallen, there were still people coming and going outside the station. Some came to pick up their relatives and friends, some came to see them off, and there were also many taxi drivers soliciting passengers.

"It's getting late. The gym is definitely closed at this time. Let's find a place to stay first."

Zhuang Yan glanced at the time and said.

Upon hearing where he lived, Su Yuan said subconsciously.

"Where to stay? Going to the Pokémon Center?"

"Where are you going?"

Su Yuan was stunned and replied.

"Didn't you say you were looking for a place to stay? Can't trainers stay at the Pokémon Center while traveling?"

He remembered that in the animation, Ash often stayed at the Pokémon Center.

Zhuang Yan scratched his head and smiled.

"The Pokémon Center does provide free food and lodging for trainers, but that's only when you have no other choice. Besides, why would you go there if you have money on you? Come with me, I'll make sure everything is arranged for you."

Su Yuan followed Zhuang Yan like a child.

As a trainer with extensive travel experience, Zhuang Yan quickly found a place to stay.

A Pokémon hotel with reasonable prices and a good environment, its main feature is the value for money.

After putting down their things, the two did not rest, but decided to go out for a walk. In Zhuang Yan's words, since they were here, they must experience the local characteristics. Otherwise, why would they travel? Wouldn't it be the same if they just stayed at home?

Walking on the street, passing by several signature specialty shops without stopping, Su Yuan asked curiously.

"Brother Zhuang Yan, isn't that a restaurant with special dishes? Why are you still walking forward?"

Zhuang Yan explained with a smile.

"You don't understand. Any store next to a hotel, especially one near a train station, is not a legitimate store. It's designed to rip off tourists from other places. Locals don't eat there at all."

Su Yuan was stunned for a moment, as if there was indeed such a saying.

"Then do you know where there are authentic specialties?"

"Of course, just follow me."

Following Zhuang Yan, Su Yuan walked through two more streets.

"arrive."

A bustling night market appeared in front of Su Yuan. The various stalls were dazzling. The night market was crowded with people, pedestrians and Pokémon came in an endless stream.

"Wow, it's really lively. No, Brother Zhuang Yan, this is your first time in Yun Province, right? How did you know there is such a place?"

Zhuang Yan said proudly.

"Hehe, this is my experience. Every time before I go to my next destination, I will prepare a corresponding travel guide in advance, so that I won't have any regrets when I travel."

Su Yuan couldn't help but give a thumbs up. He was indeed amazing as he was someone who had been traveling for a long time.

"Let me tell you, the food you buy in some big local restaurants is not authentic and is very expensive. Only street stalls frequented by locals are the most authentic."

Zhuang Yan patted his shoulder.

"Come on, I'll take you to try some of the most popular specialties here."

Although it was the first time for both him and Su Yuan to come to Yun Province, Zhuang Yan took Su Yuan around like a local.

The two of them spent more than an hour strolling around the night market, and suddenly noticed that a lot of people were surrounding a stall, as if they were watching the fun.

"What are they doing?"

"I don't know if it's not mentioned in the guide, let's go check it out."

The two of them came forward curiously.

"Come on, come on, Pokémon Strongman Contest, there's a prize for whoever rings the bell up there."

There was a vendor standing there shouting, and next to him was a tall machine with a copper bell on top. By hitting the target on the ground, the steel ball could be ejected, and those who could ring the copper bell with the iron ball would be considered successful.

Many onlookers were eager to try it out, and paid 50 yuan for a ticket to release their own Pokémon.

"Let's see how strong you are. I haven't climbed this far yet. Come on, Haoli, show them how powerful you are!"

"Haoli!"

Remind that the muscular Gou Li was released and walked towards the machine. Gou Li is also a famous strongman among Pokémon, and many people are very optimistic about him.

"Haoli, show everyone what you can do!"

"Haoli!"

Hao Li showed off his muscles and then punched the target.

The iron ball flew out in an instant, flying higher and higher, but unfortunately, it fell short in the end.

"Alas! What a pity, we were almost there. Next one!"

Goli's trainer shook his head regretfully and gave up his position with Goli.

Soon another confident trainer decided to give it a try, but still failed.

Although the first two failed, there were more and more onlookers, the atmosphere became more and more lively, and people kept coming out to try.

Finally, a Snorlax trainer successfully rang the bell.

The vendor also took out his own prize, a random secret skill machine, and the trainer opened it in front of all the onlookers, and it turned out to be Super Strength, which was very suitable for this activity.

Looking at the lively crowd, Su Yuan spoke.

"How about you give it a try, Brother Zhuang Yan? Your Super Armored Rhino is as strong as theirs."

"Haha, of course we should participate in such an interesting event together."

Zhuang Yan simply dragged Su Yuan out.

“We want to try it, too.”

As he said this, he took out a hundred-dollar bill.

Chapter 55: Whose Charizard doesn't have a lightning fist?

"Okay, please wait for a moment, guys. Let the guests in front finish their challenge first."