Returning from the Grandtree Arena to the Horseshoe Plains, it took Julian a full seven days riding on Salamence. The distance was truly quite far.
Moreover, Salamence's flying speed wasn't slow at all. Although it wasn't flying at full speed, it still took seven days under such condition.
"We're here."
Julian looked at the towering secret realm gate below, the one he had entered from.
Rillaboom was lying asleep in front of the secret realm gate. Sensing the presence of an outsider, it immediately opened its eyes and saw Metagross and Julian.
"Boss," Rillaboom said.
Julian jumped off Salamence's back and looked at the flattering Rillaboom. "It's you. Why are you here?"
Although Rillaboom was the overlord of the Horseshoe Plains, it usually stayed in the western part, while the secret realm gate was located in the south.
Faced with Julian's question, Rillaboom hurriedly explained, "I was just curious and came to take a look."
It couldn't exactly say that it was upset about losing to an outsider like Julian, so it decided to guard the secret realm gate, waiting for the next outsider to enter, convinced it wouldn't lose again.
Julian sensed its inner thoughts clearly but didn't call it out. Instead, he nodded and said, "Just looking isn't enough. How about coming out with me?"
He had no intention of capturing it; he simply wanted to take it out for a stroll in the vibrant outside world.
However, Rillaboom shook its head vigorously. "No, no, I don't like the outside world."
Although Rillaboom had never been outside, it could sense the energy beyond the secret realm gate and knew it was relatively sparse compared to inside. Unless the secret realm was on the verge of destruction, it wouldn't consider leaving.
"Did you meet Lord Kleavor?"
Seeing that Julian and the others were about to leave, it remembered they had originally planned to challenge Kleavor. Now that they were heading out, perhaps the battle was already over.
"Did you lose? Lord Kleavor is incredibly strong after all," Rillaboom said without waiting for Julian's answer.
In its eyes, Metagross, also a Champion, was strong, but Kleavor was even stronger.
"We won. It was indeed quite strong," Julian shook his head, indicating they had emerged victorious.
"So you lost— Wait, you won?!"
Rillaboom's words trailed off mid-sentence. After processing Julian's response, its eyes widened in disbelief as it stared at him, as if questioning whether he was telling the truth or just making things up.
"Mhm."
Julian nodded faintly, then patted Metagross beside him. "Kleavor is indeed powerful, but my Metagross is even stronger."
Rillaboom looked suspiciously at Julian and Metagross. If it weren't for the fact that it was no match for Metagross, it would definitely question the truth behind Julian's words. Was he just saving face and lying to it?
"Well, you're really impressive then," it said dryly, not daring to press further.
"Alright, I'm heading out now."
Julian waved at Rillaboom. But just as he was about to step through the secret realm gate, he suddenly added, "Oh, right, you should leave this place. After I'm gone, others will come in. If you stay here, you might end up getting beaten up."
With that, he took a step and exited the secret realm gate.
After confirming that Julian was truly gone, Rillaboom scoffed, "Tch, talking big. How could you possibly defeat Lord Kleavor?"
"I'll stay right here. Let me see who can beat me up," it muttered defiantly, plopping itself down in front of the secret realm gate.
It wanted to see for itself whether the people coming in next were truly that powerful.
---
Outside, the moment Julian stepped out of the secret realm gate, he was immediately spotted by the soldiers guarding the entrance.
"Champion Walker!"
A soldier ran over, saluting Julian excitedly.
"Mm."
Julian returned the salute and nodded.
He then looked around curiously. In the time since he had entered, the surroundings had changed quite a bit—an artificial landmass had even emerged.
"My dear grandson, you're finally out!"
"You brat, you finally came out!"
Soon after, the voices of his grandfather and father reached Julian's ears. Turning around, he saw the two of them walking quickly toward him.
His father's Lucario was holding an enormous Magikarp, which looked to weigh around three to four hundred pounds. Meanwhile, his grandfather carried a bucket in his left hand and a fishing rod in his right.
Naturally, both were overjoyed to see Julian emerge. After checking him over and confirming he was in one piece, their hearts finally settled.
"How was the harvest?" John asked.
"Quite good," Julian replied.
As soon as he finished speaking, a Poké Ball at his waist began to tremble slightly.
It was Dragonite's Poké Ball. Ever since it absorbed the Dragon Soul last time, it had fallen into a deep sleep. Now, it seemed, it had finally woken up.
Thinking of this, Julian released Dragonite from its Poké Ball.
Pop!
"ROAR!!"
The moment it opened, a dragon's roar resounded throughout the area.
Next came Dragonite's unrestrained aura—fierce, intense, and overwhelmingly aggressive.
Dragonite's original level had been 88. After using the Dragon Soul to breakthrough, its level began to rise rapidly, climbing to 89, then 90.
Once its level reached 90, its aura still continued to surge. Julian clenched his fist slightly, his eyes fixed intently on Dragonite.
"ROOOAR!!"
Another roar echoed, and in the next second, an immensely powerful aura erupted from Dragonite, scattering the clouds in the sky with its sheer force.
Metagross immediately used its psychic power to shield the surroundings; otherwise, the people and buildings around would have been blown away, and the artificial landmass would have suffered significant damage.
Even with Metagross's protection, Dragonite's overwhelming presence as it ascended to the Champion tier still frightened most of the people nearby.
"It's worked!"
Julian excitedly pumped his fist.
Following Aggron, Dragonite had also reached the Champion tier, becoming the fifth Champion-level Pokémon in Julian's team. This meant he was just one Pokémon away from completing the Main Quest issued by the system.
And that day didn't seem too far off now.
---
Pokémon: Dragonite (Dragon/Flying)
Level: 91
Potential: Purple
Ability: Inner Focus
Held Item: Dragon Fang
Gender: Male
Moves: Hurricane, Wing Attack, Roost, Wrap, Leer, Dragon Tail, Twister, Thunder Wave, Aqua Tail, Dragon Rush, Safeguard, Slam, Rain Dance, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Agility
TMs: Protect, Thunderbolt, Hyper Beam, Icy Wind, Hydro Pump, Flamethrower, Substitute, Iron Tail, Breaking Swipe, Ice Punch, Wide Guard, Dragon Claw, Ice Beam, Draco Meteor, Mega Punch, Dragon Pulse, Earthquake, Superpower, Giga Impact, Outrage, Heat Wave, Focus Punch, Fire Blast
Egg Moves: Extreme Speed, Dragon Breath, Dragon Dance, Outrage
Note: Soaked in Dragon Pool—Dragon-type moves deal 25% more damage.
Notes: Used Sky Feather, flying speed increased by 30%, with a certain chance to restore 15% HP while flying.
Notes: Used Dragon Soul, Dragon Origin is tripled, Dragon-type moves' power increased by 50%, suppressing same-type Pokémon by 10%–90% depending on the difference in strength.
*****
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