The battle ended, and Xu Li walked barefoot on the sunny beach with Paras standing on his shoulder.
After the mission was completed, Xu Li released the three Machop and Machoke he had just captured in that battle.
After all, suddenly having four more Pokémon to feed would put a bit of pressure on Xu Li's current outdoor survival.
Furthermore, in ancient Hisui, capturing Pokémon to fight for you required more effort, unlike modern times where even wild Pokémon understand the relationship between Trainers and Pokémon, making communication much easier. This is one of the reasons why there were not many Trainers in ancient times.
Continuing to walk on Ginkgo Beach, a gentle breeze brushed against Xu Li's cheeks, making him feel comfortable.
The beach was covered with fine golden sand, reflecting the footprints of Xu Li, Axew, and Growlithe. Every step brought a soft touch, making one feel pleasant.
"Achievement Unlocked: Captured Six Pokémon"
"Reward: Specified Three-Choice Skill Learning Machine Plus x3"
"Already in System Inventory"
"Specified? Three-choice?" Xu Li was a bit puzzled.
"Specified Three-Choice Skill Learning Machine Plus"
"Select a Pokémon, and three options will randomly appear from the moves the Pokémon can learn (including inherited and taught moves). Choose one to have the Pokémon directly learn that move."
Xu Li thought that Growlithe was currently the most suitable Pokémon for him to use.
Axew didn't need teaching, and Paras's role was in support. Its current moves were sufficient, so using a Skill Learning Machine wouldn't have much effect.
Xu Li summoned Growlithe in front of him and used the Specified Three-Choice Skill Learning Machine Plus on Growlithe. Three options appeared in his eyes.
"Agility," "Double-Edge," "Solar Beam"
Undoubtedly, he got lucky; Growlithe's STAB ultimate move appeared.
Xu Li chose Double-Edge, watching the learning machine form a brown disc, which then turned into light dust and merged into Growlithe's body.
He squatted down, patted Growlithe's Head, and asked, "How is it? Do you feel anything?"
Growlithe paused, and a rocky sheen gradually appeared on its Head. It then charged towards a rock in front.
Boom!
The rock shattered. Although Growlithe was dizzy, the excitement of learning a new move made it still run back excitedly, circling Xu Li.
Xu Li looked at the excited Growlithe and smiled, "Alright, alright, there are two more moves."
Saying that, he continued to use the learning machine.
"Sleep Talk," "Thief," "Take Down"
This time, his luck wasn't as good. He chose Take Down, picking the best of a bad bunch.
Then he used the remaining learning machine.
"Crazy Volt," "Iron Head," "Double-Edge"
These were all quite good this time. With Take Down, he first ruled out Double-Edge, and then chose between Iron Head and Crazy Volt.
Considering Growlithe's type, Xu Li still chose Crazy Volt to counter Water-types, which were quadruple effective against Growlithe.
Xu Li watched Growlithe excitedly experiment with its newly acquired moves, getting new injuries from its collisions. Remembering something, he called Growlithe over and took out an Ability Patch from his backpack.
"Ability Patch"
"A patch that can change a Pokémon's Ability. When used on a Pokémon with a common Ability, its Ability will change to a rare Ability."
After using it on Growlithe, Growlithe's Ability changed to Rock Head.
"Growlithe (Hisui) ♦"
"Type: Fire, Rock"
"Level: Lv24"
"Ability: Rock Head"
"Moves: Flame Wheel, Fire Fang, Rock Slide, Double-Edge, Take Down, Crazy Volt, Bite, Tackle, Ember"
"Affection: 75 (Trusted Partner)"
The Rock Head Ability means that even if a move causes recoil damage, the user will not take recoil damage.
This was very suitable for Growlithe, who had just gained three recoil moves.
Now, it truly became a crazy dog in name and fact.
————
Walking on the beach, Growlithe seemed to discover something and quickly ran towards a large rock ahead. Xu Li and Axew also quickly followed.
Under the large rock lay three Spheal. Two of them had several injuries, one of which was similar to the injury Xu Li first saw on Growlithe, also glowing purple, looking in bad condition.
The remaining Spheal was anxiously rolling around nearby, seemingly helpless.
Seeing this situation, Xu Li took out a Full Restore and Potion from his backpack and gave the Spheal emergency treatment.
The remaining Spheal seemed to know Growlithe. Upon seeing Growlithe, it seemed to see hope, anxiously telling Growlithe something.
"Pidgey~ Pidgey"
"Woof woof"
Growlithe sniffed them simultaneously, confirming something. After a while, it barked at Xu Li.
"Woof woof (Their companion has been captured)"
"Can you pinpoint the location?"
Growlithe nodded.
"Then let's go take a look."
————
Following Growlithe to a protruding rock, Xu Li looked at the three Skorupi below and a Spheal tightly surrounded and controlled by the Skorupi, feeling somewhat comical.
Because unlike the situation where Skorupi captured Spheal, in terms of size, the Spheal was larger than all three Skorupi combined, yet it was firmly controlled by the Skorupi, secretly wiping away Tears.
"Axew, Growlithe, prepare for battle!"
Xu Li put down Paras and commanded, "Stun Spore, scatter it fiercely!"
Paras opened its mouthparts, spraying a large amount of yellow powder towards the Skorupi. Then, Axew and Growlithe charged straight towards the paralyzed Skorupi, one using Aerial Ace and the other using Double-Edge.
The sudden attack caused some panic among the Skorupi. One waved its pincers, trying to fight back, but electricity flashed across its body, paralyzing it and preventing it from using moves.
One Skorupi saw the fierce enemies, abandoned the Spheal, and tried to escape, but the paralysis in its body prevented it from taking steps, causing it to stumble and fall after running a short distance.
Growlithe's eyes were slightly red, using Double-Edge and Flame Wheel with almost full power, attacking the scattered Skorupi.
Axew, on the other hand, was rationally finishing them off, while also paying attention to the surroundings. Soon, the Skorupi group quickly perished under the fierce offensive of Growlithe and Axew.
"Axew!"
Xu Li was about to go down to check Spheal's injuries when he suddenly heard an urgent cry from Axew.
Looking up, a massive Drapion was approaching them with red eyes, seemingly sensing that its Skorupi were in unknown condition, letting out a mournful roar.
"Drapion (Head) ♦"
"Level: Lv52"
"Ability: Battle Armor"
"Moves: Tear, X-Scissor, Cross Poison, ??, ??, Swords Dance, ??"
"Affection: -15 (It would devour you whole if it could)"
"Run! Spheal, run too!"
Xu Li recalled Growlithe, whose eyes were bloodshot and was brewing an attack move upon seeing Drapion, then turned and shouted.
But he saw Spheal standing still, its eyes wide, and electricity flashing around its body.
"Ah, I forgot, Spheal, don't resist."
Saying that, he quickly took out an empty Poké Ball and threw it at Spheal. Spheal was captured into the Poké Ball without resistance.
Axew used Scary Face on Drapion, attempting to lower Drapion's speed, but seeing that it wasn't very effective, it immediately carried Spheal's Poké Ball and ran towards Xu Li, tossing it to him.
Receiving the Poké Ball, Xu Li ran back without looking back.
On Xu Li's shoulder, Paras, clinging tightly to Xu Li's clothes, sprayed Stun Spore and Spore backward without reservation.
Drapion's speed didn't seem that fast. Listening to the roars from behind, Xu Li was just thinking this when—
Suddenly, Axew crashed into Xu Li, sending him tumbling sideways. A loud boom came from where he had just been, and dirt splattered.
Looking back, a powerful beam of light spat from Drapion's mouth had slammed into Xu Li's previous spot.
"Holy crap! Hyper Beam!"
Xu Li quickly scrambled up and sped up. Hyper Beams continuously slammed down around Xu Li.
But it seemed Drapion didn't use this move often, as the next few Hyper Beams were off target and missed.