After climbing a small hill to the left, they entered Horseshoe Plains.
Continuing through Horseshoe Plains, one could feel the wind, freely traversing the grassland, causing the nearby trees to sway slightly under its influence.
Paras rested on Xu Li's head, while Axew was in his arms. Oshawott and Growlithe walked on either side, all strolling together through Horseshoe Plains.
After walking for an unknown period, three Shinx appeared before them, running over and growling at Xu Li.
Their blue-black bodies had large, four-pointed star-shaped ears, and their similarly patterned tails wagged high, their fur glowing faintly as a warning, aiming to drive away the outsiders who had entered their territory.
One of the Shinx couldn't hold back. Its blue hind legs tensed slightly, and it let out a fierce roar, activating Intimidate. Its body vibrated, glowing with Electric Light, and it launched a ball of electricity towards Xu Li.
Xu Li immediately rolled to the side, dodging the electric ball. Oshawott and Growlithe immediately rushed forward.
"Double-Edge, Shell Blade"
Growlithe's head was covered in a rocky sheen, and Oshawott's shell unsheathed, with water adhering to it to form the shape of a long sword. Each of them targeted a Shinx.
In less than four or five seconds, the outcome was decided, and two Shinx were sent flying.
The remaining female Shinx, the one who had attacked first, was also hit by a Sticky Glob from Xu Li and stood unsteadily, dazed.
But seeing her two companions lose their ability to battle so quickly, her gaze towards Xu Li turned to fear.
Xu Li suddenly let out a sinister chuckle.
"Shinx, you wouldn't want you and your companions to be left here unconscious, would you?"
"Speaking of which, you were the one who attacked first, you know. Look, your friends ended up like this because of you."
As he spoke, under Shinx's dim and self-reproaching gaze, he took out a Poké Ball.
"If you want to make amends, then enter this Poké Ball, and I will heal your companions."
Shinx looked at the devil before her, like a girl sold into a brothel; even if she was unwilling, she could only enter this abyss.
"Shinx… Shinx…"
Shinx transformed into white light, was sucked into the Poké Ball, shook once, twice, the third time most violently, and finally submitted, settling into stillness.
Xu Li raised the Poké Ball in his hand.
"Hehehe, I caught Shinx~"
[Shinx ♦
Type: Electric
Level: Lv14
Ability: Intimidate
Moves: Thunder Shock, Charge, Electric Light, Thunder Wave, Thunder Fang, Tackle, Bite, Glare
Affection: 5]
Axew looked at his sometimes erratic master, sighed, jumped up and pressed the Shinx's Poké Ball, releasing Shinx. He patted Shinx.
"Axew~ Axew (Don't worry, Xu Li is very good)"
"Shinx? (Really?)"
"Axew!"
Shinx still looked at Xu Li with a bit of fear, hesitated for a moment, and then called out:
"Shi… nx~ (Heal… companions)"
"Alright~ alright, healing them right away."
Xu Li pulled out a Potion and healed the two unconscious Shinx companions. Once they regained consciousness, he let Shinx bid farewell to her companions.
Under the angry but dare-not-speak gazes of the two Shinx, Xu Li set off again.
Field Camps are generally chosen in areas where the threat from wild Pokémon is relatively low. Additionally, with more investigators active near the camp, the wild Pokémon in this vicinity tend to be of lower levels.
Continuing deeper into Horseshoe Plains, Starly were pecking at the grass in the distance, seemingly searching for food, but they flew away warily as Xu Li approached them.
As they walked, a body of water appeared ahead, surrounded by numerous bushes. Xu Li took out Professor Laventon's request and compared it.
"This is the body of water where the Ponyta (Shiny) was reported to appear. There should also be many Pokémon coming here to drink, and it's lunchtime, so let's rest here."
"Paras~ Paras"
Paras wholeheartedly agreed.
Xu Li took out various ingredients and a barbecue grill from his backpack. Paras skillfully helped Xu Li set them up. He simply lit a fire and sprinkled seasonings, and the aroma gradually wafted out, attracting the attention of various Pokémon.
This was intentional on Xu Li's part; what kind of Pokémon would it attract? There was a thrill like opening a blind box.
Sure enough, Pokémon soon took the bait.
"…Eevee~"
A Pokémon poked out from the nearby bushes.
It was an Eevee, even thinner than normal, its body like a slender willow branch, with ribs faintly protruding. The edges of its fur were slightly curled and dry, and its heart-shaped tail was somewhat shriveled.
All these features indicated this Eevee's small size and malnutrition.
Xu Li was stunned when he saw this Eevee. He saw Eevee staring at the grilled meat in Xu Li's hand with pleading eyes, and he immediately threw the grilled meat in front of the little Eevee.
The little Eevee, seeing the grilled meat in front of it, didn't even mind the heat, devouring it ravenously.
Indeed, hunger had made the typically shy Eevee bold enough to come out and beg humans for food, so it naturally didn't care about the heat.
"You can come in, little Eevee, there's more food here."
Eevee finished the grilled meat in front of it, still licking the oil from the corners of its mouth. Hearing Xu Li's words, its ears twitched, and it looked towards Xu Li's side.
There, Axew and Growlithe also looked at the little Eevee, trying their best to show goodwill, while Shinx and Paras were feasting on plenty of food.
Feeling the goodwill from Xu Li's side, and seeing that there was indeed a lot of food, Eevee hesitated for a moment.
"Ee… Eevee~"
Seemingly sensing no danger from Xu Li, it cautiously took small steps, then trotted towards Xu Li.
"Come, eat. There's more if you need it."
Xu Li smilingly offered grilled meat, berries, and energy cubes to the little Eevee, finding it somewhat cute as it was dazed by the sudden appearance of so much delicious food.
Axew held grilled meat, eating and watching Eevee devour its food, sighing that there might be another companion joining them.
Xu Li held out a bowl of water to the little Eevee, gently stroking its somewhat dry fur.
"Eat slowly, no rush."
After Eevee was full, it realized how much food it had eaten. Blushing, it rubbed its head against Xu Li, becoming much closer to him.
"Eevee~"
A very polite Eevee, seemingly very young.
"Where are your family and companions? How did you end up like this?"
Xu Li was a bit curious; Eevee usually lived in groups.
"Eevee——"
Eevee's mood seemed to sour upon hearing Xu Li's words, but it still used vivid body language to explain the situation.
First, it spread its arms, mimicking a monster wading through water and attacking. Then, it mimicked Eevee getting lost after its group fled. Finally, it had wandered for a long time, starving, until it arrived here.
"Are you saying you got separated from your family after being attacked by a monster?"
Eevee nodded.
"Then come with us. At least you won't be hungry anymore."
"Eevee~!?"
Eevee was somewhat surprised, as if asking, "Can I? I eat a lot of food."
"Of course you can, so it's settled."
Xu Li took out a Poké Ball and offered it to Eevee.
Eevee curiously looked at the Poké Ball, nudged it with its nose, turned into white light, and entered the Poké Ball without resistance.
"Eevee, come on out."
"From now on, please take good care of me, little Eevee~"
"Eevee!"