Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

With a "plop," the orange-red shadow quickly disappeared into the shimmering waves.

Xiaoxia sighed, "...Whatever makes you happy."

Time slipped away quietly in this repetitive cycle of "catching, checking, and releasing".

The sunlight changed from crisp to scorching, and then gradually took on the warm gold of dusk.

Xiao Zhi's patience seemed bottomless; he cast the rod with the same focus every time and uttered almost the same lines every time he released an animal.

Only he himself knows that his "fishing rod" is not just the bamboo pole in his hand, but also the system in his mind that can explore potential.

He is waiting.

He's waiting for a Magikarp that's truly worth his investment of resources.

And I'm waiting for... a day of weather that will change my destiny.

Thick, leaden-gray clouds had gathered in the sky, pressing down heavily, and even the wind carried the damp, earthy smell.

The birdsong in the woods became sparse, and the air was so stuffy that it was hard to breathe.

"Is it going to rain?" Xiaoxia looked up at the sky and began packing up her fishing gear. "Looks like I'll have to call it a day early."

Ash's heart skipped a beat and then started pounding wildly!

coming!

He suppressed the excitement that was about to burst from his throat, and on the surface he just casually hummed in agreement, but his gaze involuntarily drifted towards the deepest part of the clouds.

"Crack-!"

The long-brewing downpour finally poured down, with large raindrops hitting the river surface and creating countless dense bubbles that instantly blurred the view.

The whole world was shrouded in a gray curtain of rain and the sound of water.

"Hurry! Let's go back to the tent to avoid the rain!" Xiaoxia, carrying a bucket, called to Pikachu and Pidgey, and turned to run into the woods.

"Let's go!" Ash followed closely behind.

As the two walked, the sky suddenly cleared up and became clear.

Even a rainbow appeared.

"Wait! Misty!" Ash suddenly grabbed Misty, his voice trembling slightly with barely perceptible excitement.

"Look over there!" He casually took out his Pokédex and turned on the recording function.

I definitely have to make a video about this and show it to Professor Oak!

Professor Oak has already given Ash such a super Pikachu, so Ash should at least be more dedicated.

Xiaoxia looked in the direction he was pointing, puzzled.

There is a rainbow there.

Beneath the rainbow, a dazzling golden light appeared.

The light was so sacred, so magnificent, carrying a majesty that transcended all things.

The golden light was not still; it moved slowly through the clouds.

Each time the wings of light spread, they scattered countless fine golden dust particles. Even from a great distance, the light was still clearly imprinted on the retina, carrying a soul-stirring heat.

A distant, ethereal cry, seemingly from the very beginning of time, resounded directly in Ash and Misty's hearts!

"Wow—!"

That was not a sound heard by the ears, but a tremor felt by the soul.

Majestic and sacred, carrying an indifferent yet compassionate gaze upon all living beings.

Pikachu's fur instantly bristled, and golden arcs of electricity crackled uncontrollably.

Its small body stood frozen in place, golden traces reflected in its bright black eyes.

Bobo immediately shrank his neck, his sharp gaze completely captivated by the miracle in the sky.

Xiaoxia was completely stunned, her mouth agape, her orange hair sticking wetly to her forehead.

Her eyes were wide open, filled only with the golden sky burning in the torrential rain, and with that cry etched deep in her soul.

"This is... Ho-Oh?" she murmured absentmindedly, her voice as soft as a feather.

Ash's heart was pounding wildly in his chest, almost shattering his ribs.

He's been waiting!

This is the legendary being who controls the flame of life!

Golden light reflected in his black pupils, burning intensely.

He looked up, as if he wanted to etch this glorious scene into the depths of his soul forever.

As the two watched, Ho-Oh disappeared into the clouds.

The lingering echo of that sacred cry seemed to still resonate deep within the soul, lingering for a long time.

The world seemed to have been paused, leaving only the sound of heartbeats and that magnificent figure stretching across the sky, burning with ancient majesty.

Ho-Oh looks really good from a distance.

As for looking at it up close...

Uh... let's not talk about the Shiny Finch like that.

After all, we had just witnessed something sacred, so it wasn't appropriate to make jokes.

Chapter 8 How did you know I caught the Golden Magikarp?

Another new day.

Ash and Misty are still fishing.

It seems that they are already living a retired life at a young age.

The river was calm, the floats looked lazy, and the overall atmosphere was quite leisurely.

Xiaoxia cast her line and sighed, "Sigh, another day only goldfish..."

As for Magikarp?

That doesn't count at all.

Before he could finish speaking, there was a loud splash of water from the side!

Xiao Zhi flicked his wrist, and the fishing rod bent into a breathtaking arc.

Thank goodness the fishing rod is so good, otherwise I really wouldn't have been able to catch the king carp.

After all, Magikarp is quite heavy.

Amidst the splashing water, an exceptionally dazzling golden shadow was pulled from the surface, tracing a shimmering trail in mid-air.

and many more?

gold?

Shiny Magikarp?

Even if all his individual stats are zero, we still have to tame him!

Even if the golden Magikarp has no fighting ability, its ornamental value is still off the charts!

Ash took out a Poké Ball without hesitation.

Magikarp slammed onto the grass with a "thud," its tail slapping the ground with a "thud," full of energy.

"Pikachu!" Upon hearing Ash's call, Pikachu simultaneously used Electric Shock.

Before Ash could throw the Poké Ball, Pikachu's Electric Shock hit him first.

The crackling sound completely immobilized Magikarp.

After this period of training, Pikachu has been able to control its own electricity quite easily.

At least when not using its full power, Pikachu can control the release of electricity.

[Electric shock] can already be considered a common technique that can be used skillfully and easily.

"Alright! Go, Poké Ball!" Ash moved with lightning speed, and the red and white Poké Ball accurately hit Magikarp on the head.

"Ding dong!"

The locking sound is crisp and pleasant.

Ash's gaze immediately swept to the top left corner of his field of vision.

[Target detected]

[Pokémon: Magikarp]

[Level: 13]

[Feature: Free and easy movement]

[Skill: Water Splash Leap LV5]

［个体值：生命·31、物攻·31、物防·31、特攻·31、特防·31、速度·31］

coming!

Xiao Zhi's pupils contracted slightly, and his heart skipped a beat.

that's it!

The "good fortune" brought by Ho-Oh has indeed landed right on the blade!

Although this statement is quite mystical.

But I'll believe it if there's a benefit, and I won't believe it if there's no benefit. JPG!

"Pikachu?" Pikachu approached the Poké Ball on the ground, sniffing it with its little nose, seemingly sensing the unusual nature of its companion inside.

"Coo—!" Just then, Pidgey, which was hovering above Ash's head on guard, let out a clear cry and flapped its wings suddenly!

A visible, swirling airflow instantly formed, whistling as it swept towards a dense thicket on the opposite bank of the river!

"Whoosh—!" The leaves were torn and swirled by the strong airflow, like a green whirlwind, revealing several peeking, panicked sparrows behind them.

[Popo's level has been raised to LV9!]

[Popeye learns a new skill: Gale!]

"Well done, Pidgey!" Ash cheered loudly. "That timing for Hurricane was perfect!"

"Pikachu!" Not to be outdone, Pikachu transformed into a golden bolt of lightning that tore through the air the instant Ash finished speaking.

"Zi la——!"

It was barely visible in its trajectory; it had already appeared on a wet bluestone a dozen meters away, moving so fast that it left only a burning afterimage on my retina!

[Pikachu's level has been increased to LV6]

[Pikachu has learned a new move: Quick Attack!]

"Pikachu!" Pikachu stood on the rock, flicked its tail triumphantly, and several strands of golden electricity, more refined and powerful than before, crackled across its cheek pouches.

Xiaoxia: "..."

The fishing rod in her hand fell to the rock with a "thud".

Her orange ponytail was still wet with water droplets. She stared wide-eyed at the Poké Ball containing the golden Magikarp in Ash's hand, at Pidgey hovering in the air, having just learned a powerful new move, and then at Pikachu, which was crackling with electricity and its speed had skyrocketed on the blue stone.

A huge, absurd sense of unreality gripped her.

She fished diligently for three days, but all she caught were goldfish and mosquito tadpoles!

This guy released a bunch of Magikarp into the wild, and ended up catching a golden Magikarp?

Could it be that every time Ash catches a kingfish and releases it, he says some nice things, and it actually works?

Fishing enthusiasts' metaphysics?

And his Pikachu's Quick Attack... is that the speed a rookie trainer's Pokémon Quick Attack should have?

Even that Bobo seemed to have a lot of talent.

Xiaoxia was a little jealous.