Arriving at the training grounds, the situation was already a mess.
Several Investigation Team members, dressed in blue padded coats with red scarves wrapped around their necks extending into capes, were bending over, searching for Cyndaquil in the grass.
Rowlet skillfully flew back and forth in the air, occasionally diving into the leaves on trees, dodging the Poké Balls thrown by the Investigation Team members on site.
Many thrown Poké Balls had already fallen to the ground, and some Investigation Team members even slipped and fell after stepping on them.
Meanwhile, Oshawott, holding its shell, had just defeated an Investigation Team member's Geodude. Nearby, there were Investigation Team members holding unconscious Buizel and Bidoof, clearly having defeated them as well.
Xu Li, arriving at the scene, was somewhat surprised by the Investigation Team members' performance. He knew that Hisui Trainers in ancient times were less skilled, but he hadn't expected it to be this exaggerated.
Feeling it was time to show his worth and show off, Xu Li said to Professor Laventon, "Professor, I'll handle this."
With that, Xu Li casually picked up a Poké Ball from a nearby bag prepared for the Investigation Team, aiming at the Rowlet that was repeatedly dodging successfully in the air and making triumphant sounds.
"Hoo~hoo~"
Objectively speaking, this Rowlet didn't fly fast, and its rounded body didn't make it particularly difficult to aim at.
The only challenge was that Rowlet seemed to have mastered serpentine movements, flying left and right unpredictably.
Thanks to the Keen Eye he gained yesterday, Xu Li, upon catching the moment Rowlet turned, leaned his upper body back, his body like a fully drawn bow. Then, he threw the Poké Ball with all his might.
Boom—
The Poké Ball hit Rowlet, emitting a loud bang that could be heard across the entire training ground.
Rowlet was directly knocked flying and stunned in mid-air, then absorbed into the Poké Ball, which didn't even wobble, capturing it instantly.
The Investigation Team members present watched Xu Li, who had completed the capture so easily, with an uproar, as if they were looking at some kind of monster.
"No way, how can he be so strong?"
"We worked so hard for so long, and this person comes and catches it in one go…"
"Who is he!?"
Xu Li paid no attention to their commotion and walked straight towards the patch of grass where Cyndaquil was.
He sent out Paras, pointed at the moving grass, and commanded: "Spore, make the area wide."
Upon hearing the command, Paras sprayed Spores with a strong hypnotic scent from its back, covering the large patch of grass. Soon, the moving grass stopped moving.
"Para! Para~"
Paras burrowed into the grass, emerging with Cyndaquil's sleeping body held aloft by its two large pincers. It held it high in front of Xu Li, its eyes sparkling as if asking for praise.
Xu Li smiled, "I'll give you extra food tonight."
He took out a Poké Ball and captured Cyndaquil.
Finally, Xu Li looked at Oshawott.
Although Oshawott inexplicably felt a fondness for Xu Li, given the current situation, a battle was in order first.
Seeing Xu Li look over, Oshawott quickly raised the shell in its hand and pointed it at Xu Li.
"Mew~ Ha."
"Then let's battle. Growlithe, prepare for battle."
Xu Li released Growlithe, intending to let him get used to type-disadvantaged battles.
Oshawott, however, took this battle extra seriously. It took a deep breath, and the air around it subtly flowed.
Clearly, it used the Focus Energy move, entering a state of mental concentration to better discern the opponent's weaknesses.
"Growlithe, Rock Slide, restrict."
Growlithe shook its Head, its eyes fixed on Oshawott, and used Rock Slide.
Multiple rocks suddenly appeared above Oshawott's Head, smashing down fiercely onto it.
Oshawott used its shell to shatter the rocks that were smashing down on it, but then found that the remaining rocks, which hadn't been aimed at it, instead surrounded it, with the only opening being in Growlithe's direction.
The use of Rock Slide was something Xu Li and Growlithe had discussed, to restrict agile Pokémon and force them to face Growlithe's terrifying frontal assault.
"Growlithe, don't hesitate, close the distance directly."
Growlithe pushed off with its hind legs and charged straight at Oshawott.
Now, the injuries Growlithe sustained when it met Xu Li were almost completely healed, and its body had become stronger and more agile after several days of wilderness training and experience.
Oshawott understood that it was restricted. It could only stand still, holding its shell, staring at Growlithe.
"Crazy Volt."
Current gradually spread over Growlithe's body until it covered him entirely, accelerating him further without reservation as he charged into Oshawott.
Facing Growlithe, Oshawott, even sensing a slight tingle of electricity in front of him, did not flinch. A sharp stream of water condensed on its shell, and it actually cut into Growlithe's Crazy Volt.
The two Pokémon's attacks clashed Head-on without reservation. With both using super-effective moves, the smaller Oshawott was struck by Crazy Volt, sending the rocks behind it flying and rendering it unable to battle.
Growlithe wasn't doing well either; his body was slightly hunched, and his lower abdomen was clearly injured, but he held on with strong willpower.
"Good job, Growlithe."
Xu Li quickly pulled out a Potion to treat Growlithe's injuries.
Meanwhile, the girl who had run to deliver the message earlier ran to Oshawott's side to give it some basic treatment.
At this point, all three Pokémon had been returned.
Professor Laventon looked at Xu Li with shining eyes, stepping forward and gesticulating wildly as he praised Xu Li: "My young friend Xu Li, you keep surprising me! May I invite you to join the Galaxy Team? You truly possess all the qualities I envision for an Investigation Team member; you are simply a perfect Investigation Team member!"
"Let's complete the first Pokédex together! This is my dream, and with your help, young friend Xu Li, I believe our efficiency in completing it will be astonishing!"
Regarding joining the Galaxy Team? Xu Li had long considered this situation. After a brief thought, he formally replied, "I apologize, but I must decline joining the Galaxy Team. However, completing the Pokédex is indeed a great endeavor that will benefit countless future generations, and I am very willing to offer you my help, Professor."
"I only have a few small requests, such as being able to have a long-term residence in Jubilife Village and normal access to its facilities. I might live here for a long time, and then we can help each other."
Upon hearing this reply, Professor Laventon wasn't very disappointed; instead, he felt proud that his ideal was recognized, and he said with a smile, "Alright, alright, I'll just submit a report to the captain about the housing issue, there should be no problem. My young friend, feel free to tell me if you have any other needs, after all, we can consider ourselves friends now, can't we?"
"I'm going to go apply to Magamu now. You must be tired after just retrieving the three Pokémon, so why don't you explore Jubilife Village? Come to the Galaxy Team Headquarters office this afternoon, and we'll organize the Pokédex data. Perhaps I'll even have some surprises for you then!"
With that, Professor Laventon left in a hurry. After all, listening to Xu Li's answer, Xu Li had the idea of living in Jubilife Village long-term. If the housing issue was resolved for Xu Li, they would have a lot of time to interact in the future.
After all, Jubilife Village was the largest human settlement in Hisui.
Watching the quick-moving Professor Laventon, such enthusiasm truly touched Xu Li, who shook his Head helplessly.
But joining the Galaxy Team, he couldn't join. Not to mention that joining the Galaxy Team meant obeying them and being restricted.
Just Magamu's attitude towards the player in the game, and his act of expelling the player from Jubilife Village after an incident, which could have cost an ordinary person their life in the wilderness, was something Xu Li strongly disliked when playing the game.
Perhaps Magamu's intentions were good, and the other members of the Galaxy Team were also kind.
But joining the Galaxy Team would clearly bring continuous trouble. Xu Li could help the Galaxy Team, but only if he was willing.
Jubilife Village could only serve as a base for Xu Li; the matter of joining the Galaxy Team, he would leave to others.