The off-road vehicle slowly drove from the country road into the cave, and there were no incidents along the way, safely delivering Xu Li and Zhu Lan to the Professor Sanari Research Institute in Sandgem Town.
Xu Li and Zhu Lan got out of the car.
Professor Sanari, with a white handlebar mustache and a casual shirt, personally came to greet Xu Li and his companions.
He laughed heartily as soon as he spoke: "Hahahahaha, so you are Professor Jie Zi Lan's grandchildren? Your bond is truly strong."
Xu Li smiled and said: "Yes, hello Professor Sanari."
Professor Sanari welcomed them: "Welcome to the Professor Sanari Research Institute. It's late, so I'll take you to your room first. Get some good rest."
With that, he made a welcoming gesture, led Xu Li and Zhu Lan to a room, and then left.
In front of the room door, Xu Li and Zhu Lan exchanged glances. Xu Li scratched his head and said: "Maybe I should ask Professor Sanari for another room."
Zhu Lan was silent for two seconds, then directly pulled Xu Li into the room.
At Professor Jie Zi Lan's house, Xu Li and Zhu Lan each had their own room. This was their first time sharing a room.
The room was quite large, with all kinds of furniture, but there was only one bed.
————
The next morning.
Xu Li was still woken up by Zhu Lan. Opening his eyes, he saw Zhu Lan's delicate face flushed and glaring at him. Feeling the soft touch below his abdomen, Xu Li quickly released his legs that were entangled around Zhu Lan.
It turned out that after Xu Li fell asleep, he unconsciously treated Zhu Lan as a body pillow and wrapped himself around her, holding her all night.
Zhu Lan, blushing, got out of bed to wash up. With this commotion, Axew and Gible, who were nestled in the room, also woke up, chirping. Xu Li had no choice but to get up as well.
Then, the two people and two Pokémon enjoyed the breakfast prepared at the research institute together.
For the next few days, Xu Li and Zhu Lan followed Professor Sanari to learn about Pokémon, how to raise them, how to battle, and various survival and self-rescue methods for exploring in the wild.
Although Professor Sanari was an authority in the field of Pokémon evolution research, he was not a defenseless researcher. In his youth, Professor Sanari loved to explore deep into various places.
Professor Sanari also said that even now, when he occasionally travels with Pokémon, he still retains the excitement of exploration.
————
These days continued until the 13th day. Today, Professor Sanari was invited by Professor Oak and Professor Sanari to help them research wild Pokémon.
Xu Li and Zhu Lan were left alone at the research institute. Professor Sanari's research institute didn't have many people; most were service staff for the kitchen, cleaning, etc.
Professor Sanari's two researcher assistants were also busy with their own research, and no one was managing Xu Li and Zhu Lan.
Zhu Lan approached Xu Li and said, "Let's go find Researcher Hui Tang's daughter."
Researcher Hui Tang was one of Professor Sanari's two researcher assistants, and Xu Li and Zhu Lan had become familiar with both researchers at the Professor Sanari Research Institute.
Professor Sanari was not here today, so Hui Tang was even busier and entrusted his 4-year-old daughter, Xiao Guang, to Xu Li and Zhu Lan's care.
Xu Li got up, picked up Axew, and said, "Let's go~ We're going to play with Xiao Guang."
They walked together with Zhu Lan to Researcher Hui Tang's house in Sandgem Town, knocked on the door, and soon after, Xiao Guang opened the door by herself.
Xu Li learned from chatting with Hui Tang that Xiao Guang's mother, Caizi, was a professional Coordinator Trainer, so she rarely stayed at home and was currently participating in Super Grand Festivals across the country.
Actually, Xiao Guang also had an older sister, Plantina, who was currently living with her other mother, Dr. Yanase, in the Bel Berlitz Family, but Hui Tang seemed to want to bring Plantina back to live with Xiao Guang.
Xiao Guang opened the door and, seeing Xu Li and Zhu Lan, exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Xu Li, Sister Zhu Lan! Why are you here!"
Zhu Lan squatted down and looked at Xiao Guang, saying, "Today your dad entrusted you to us, so let's go out and play."
Sandgem Town is close to the sea, and its name comes from Verity Beach to the south of the town.
Xu Li, with Axew on his shoulder, and Zhu Lan took Xiao Guang to Verity Beach.
Stepping on the soft sand and feeling the crisp sea breeze, Xiao Guang and Zhu Lan were overjoyed when they arrived at the beach. Xiao Guang ran around, laughing.
"Xiao Guang... be careful!"
Zhu Lan was worried about Xiao Guang's safety and ran behind her. Gradually, Zhu Lan also started laughing with Xiao Guang.
Because of her parents' work, Xiao Guang often couldn't be accompanied by them, only having brief interactions with her father after his research work. Therefore, Xiao Guang, who had been lonely for a long time, played like crazy when she had such a joyful opportunity.
...
The joyful time was short. The sun slowly set, and soon, it was dusk.
As Xu Li and his companions were preparing to return, suddenly, two strangers walked up to Xu Li and his group.
One was fat and the other thin. The thin one wore green sunglasses, a black jacket, and combat boots, and was chewing on something, muttering indistinctly to Xu Li, "Kid, where's the Professor Sanari Research Institute?"
Seeing that the newcomers had ill intentions, Xu Li cautiously replied:
"I know where the Professor Sanari Research Institute is, but what do you want to do?"
Hearing Xu Li ask him back, the thin one instantly became impatient and waved his hand, quickly saying, "Kid, don't ask so many questions, just tell me quickly."
At this moment, the fat one patted the thin one and said, "Boss Gao, look at the color of that Axew on the kid's shoulder."
Boss Gao suddenly looked at Axew, seemingly thinking about something. Xu Li quickly put Axew behind him.
Suddenly, Boss Gao clapped his hands and exclaimed, "It really is a shiny Pokémon! This job is much more profitable than stealing from the Professor Sanari Research Institute! Kid, be sensible and hand over your Axew, otherwise, hmph hmph~"
Seeing this stance, Xu Li quickly signaled Zhu Lan to take Xiao Guang, then squatted down in a surrendering posture, suddenly grabbed a handful of sand, and threw it at the two people.
And shouted: "Run!!"
Zhu Lan immediately picked up Xiao Guang and turned to run, with Xu Li following behind them.
"Damn it!"
The two covered their eyes, but still fumbled for Poké Balls from their waists and released their Pokémon.
"Houndoom, Mightyena, chase them."
Their Pokémon ran much faster than Xu Li and Zhu Lan. Before long, they caught up to Xu Li from behind.
Houndoom's mouth contained a dark orb, which it slammed towards Xu Li. Xu Li dodged to the side, but the ripple effect forced Zhu Lan and Xiao Guang to fall to the ground.
They couldn't run. Someone had to stop them.
"Axew, get ready to battle! We'll stop them."
"You two, go quickly! Getting help now is the best option."
Zhu Lan, lying on the ground, touched her belt but found nothing. Damn it, she had rushed to pick up Xiao Guang with Xu Li at noon, and Gible wasn't brought out today.
Zhu Lan also understood the current situation. Looking at the unconscious Xiao Guang on the ground, she gritted her teeth, not hesitating, and suppressing the Tears in her eyes, picked up Xiao Guang and continued to run towards the research institute.
Xu Li turned to face the two Pokémon, observing them with the system.
[Houndoom ♦
Type: Dark, Fire
Level: Lv39
Ability: Early Bird
Moves: Tear, Dark Pulse, Fire Fang, Nasty Plot, Flamethrower]
[Mightyena ♦
Type: Dark
Level: Lv34
Ability: Moxie
Moves: Tear, Sand Attack, Thief, Thunder Fang, Fire Fang, Howl]
Barely able to contend, Axew used Dragon Dance on the spot and then charged towards Houndoom and Mightyena, raising its small stubby hand and delivering a Brick Break to Houndoom's dog head.
Bang!
Brick Break collided with Houndoom's hard skull, making a loud bang. The somewhat dazed Houndoom shook its head, bared its teeth at Axew, and opened its mouth, gathering dark light in its teeth.
But Axew twisted its body, dodging Houndoom's Tear, causing Houndoom's Tear to hit Mightyena, who was also using Tear behind Axew.
The two dog heads instantly collided, almost shattering their teeth.
"Woof!"
The tricked Houndoom and Mightyena were enraged. Houndoom furiously opened its large mouth, using Flamethrower at close range, but Axew barely dodged it.
However, the Mightyena behind it, with lightning in its mouth, used Thunder Fang and bit Axew's arm.
Axew countered with a Brick Break on Mightyena, causing Mightyena's tightly clenched teeth to loosen.
Although Axew was facing two Dark-type Pokémon of much higher levels, it could still fight them to a stalemate due to its rich combat experience.
Haxorus as a species has a commonly criticized weakness: even though its Attack stat is among the best, its move coverage is very narrow.
Even if Axew had learned almost all the moves it could learn, it still only had U-turn for Bug-type, which only hits once, Reversal for Fighting-type, which only has power when its HP is very low, and Brick Break, which can effectively hit Dark-types.
Next, Houndoom and Mightyena increased the pressure with continuous attacks. Axew, relying on its rich combat experience, entangled with Houndoom and Mightyena, repeatedly dodging enemy attacks and occasionally finding opportunities to counter with Brick Break.
However, being caught in a pincer attack by two much higher-level Pokémon, it inevitably accumulated some injuries.
This stalemate lasted for more than ten minutes, until the thin and fat individuals arrived.
Boss Gao, rubbing his still somewhat red eyes, said fiercely, "You damn brat, today I'm going to make you taste what pain is!"
He then released two more Pokémon to join the attack on Axew.
[Garbodor ♦
Type: Poison
Level: Lv37
Ability: Stench
Moves: Poison Gas, Metal Claw, Acid Spray, Pound, Take Down]
[Honchkrow ♦
Type: Dark, Flying
Level: Lv32
Ability: Insomnia
Moves: Wing Attack, Haze, Sucker Punch, Night Shade]
With the added pressure from two more Pokémon, Axew's dodges became increasingly unsuccessful, and even Axew gradually couldn't hold on.
Haxorus as a species has a rather criticized shortcoming: even though its Attack stat is among the best, its movepool is very narrow.
Even if Axew had learned almost all the moves it could, it still struggled to deal with the newly added Garbodor and Honchkrow.
Axew gathered its last-ditch effort into its fist, smashing it into Mightyena's waist, sending Mightyena flying. After that, Axew dodged Garbodor's attack and returned to Xu Li's side.
Instantly.
All four Pokémon surrounded Xu Li and Axew. Axew's eyes widened as it watched them, panting heavily, seemingly at its wit's end.
Head Gao shouted arrogantly, "Kid, you've fallen into my hands. I'll torment you until you beg me to kill you."
Xu Li pursed his lips. Facing such a situation, he couldn't hope for rescue from others anymore.
He sighed, squatted down, and picked up Axew: "You've done wonderfully, thank you for your hard work."
Then he took out an item resembling a Koffing from his system backpack.
[Koffing Self-Destruct]
[Koffing stores a large amount of poison gas in its body. In hot places, the accumulated poison gas in its body will expand and cause an explosion]
[Effect: Creates a 30m x 30m area poison gas explosion with a 100-ton equivalent yield]
This was Xu Li's third-anniversary achievement reward. Xu Li looked back in the direction of the research institute, steeled his heart, then pressed the activation button on the Koffing's Head and threw it towards the two.
Next, he opened the system and pulled up the task.
[Hisui's Dawn]
[Task content will be revealed upon acceptance. Note: You will be immediately teleported to Hisui upon acceptance, please be prepared before proceeding]
Accept task.
The Koffing Self-Destruct gradually heated up in the air, arcing gracefully before landing between Head Gao and his subordinate, emitting a dangerous glow.
Head Gao's mind had never been so quick. He immediately realized what was happening, his eyes bulging, and he screamed, "Bomb!!!"
Unfortunately, before he could even turn around, he was engulfed in white light.
——————
Hisui, Cobalt Coastlands, Aipom Hill.
A unique phenomenon of Hisui occurred here: a space-time distortion. Half of Aipom Hill was enveloped by a massive dome-shaped force field. Beside this force field, time seemed to slow down and twist, creating a strange illusion.
Within the force field, several thunderclap-like sounds brought many things that didn't belong to this time, including Xu Li and Axew.
Xu Li was awakened by a rock. The rock, accompanied by a tingling electric current, stimulated Xu Li's body. Startled by the current, Xu Li quickly woke up and looked at the culprit that had woken him.
It was a bright stone, displaying a vivid and impressive green, with lightning-like patterns, its surface shimmering with faint electrical energy.
[Thunder Stone]
[A miraculous stone that can evolve certain specific Pokémon]
It was a Thunder Stone, also brought by the space-time distortion. Xu Li put the Thunder Stone into his system backpack and observed his surroundings.
Axew was also Sleeping nearby, its injuries seemingly recovered. He held Axew, who was also Sleeping on the ground, in his arms.
Xu Li looked around. He was on a high ground, and the sky was enveloped by a huge dome-shaped force field, making the surroundings somewhat dim.
On the ground, there were many sparkling items, as if waiting to be picked up. Xu Li first opened his system panel, and the task content appeared.
[Main Quest: Hisui's Dawn]
[Dialga and Palkia have become enraged due to an unknown influence, simultaneously causing the Noble Pokémon, known as "kings" or "queens" throughout Hisui, to fall into a frenzied state. Behind this lurks a schemer's plot, affecting thousands of years. If not quelled, the world will suffer severe disasters, and the trust newly established between humans and Pokémon will be broken. Now, as the savior who has come to Hisui, quell them and restore peace to the Pokémon world]
[Pre-requisite Reward: Unlock more achievements, increase task trigger probability, you will have a higher chance of obtaining additional rewards]
[Completion Reward: Return to the present world, unlock hidden system functions]
Xu Li stood at the sole high point of Aipom Hill, still somewhat dazed, looking at the dome-shaped force field in the sky.
"I originally wanted to travel with Zhu Lan. Where is my big Zhu Lan wife?"
He had arrived in Hisui... Xu Li was silent.
But there was also a chance to return, to prevent the Space-Time Duo from raging... The current Xu Li was far from capable of achieving that.
Before that, he needed to improve his strength.
He looked around again. Was this a space-time distortion? There were far too many items generated compared to the game, and no Pokémon were in sight yet.
Axew gradually woke up as Xu Li pondered.
"Axew, let's go! We're going to get stronger. First step, pick up trash."
"Axew~!"
After several cautious probes, Xu Li and Axew confirmed that no Pokémon had spawned here, and they gradually let loose, frantically picking up items from the surroundings.
What's this, a Fire Stone, pick it up.
What's this, a Linking Cord, pick it up.
What's this, a Metal Coat, pick it up.
They were loaded to the brim.