He said he would take away two-thirds of the fighting force.
In practice, however, it was not as simple as Cang Zhilang made it sound.
The Quicksand Team is not a disciplined army; the organization is barely held together by money and loyalty. Expecting them to easily abandon everything to save the boss far away in Silicon City with just a few words was not realistic.
Fortunately, the upper echelons were firm in their commitment to saving the boss. After all, they had just wiped out a similar organization that collapsed due to the absence of a boss, and nobody wanted to end up like the Evil Dog Team.
Thus.
With some critical information hidden, a mission called the Return of the King of Quicksand was launched.
The upper echelon, led by Cang Zhilang, offered some profits to be distributed as rewards, which successfully motivated the middle and lower ranks, launching a grand registration effort.
Quicksand Team members eagerly participated, and former Evil Dog Team members also actively responded to secure a place in the new organization.
Baimu, who was not on the preliminary list, watched all this with indifference.
"The Quicksand Team will delay the arrival of Silicon City's secret forces, giving us more time to gain the valuable chance to survive in this upheaval."
Shanren no longer spoke in his usual relaxed tone.
Clearly, he saw everything happening in Pyrite Town and even had his plans, yet some situations were not what he wished to see.
"You need to keep growing. This mission is simple yet arduous. You should realize that even though Chester is involved in the effort to bring back the Quicksand Team's boss, his lack of effort is inevitable."
Shanren whispered, "If Chester takes the opportunity to return, you need to be equipped with a power that can contend with him."
With power to contend.
When he mentioned this sentence.
Baimu inadvertently looked at the Pokémon Cang Zhilang had given him—
Steelix.
In forming a complete battle team, Steelix and Aggron share many similarities, including but not limited to extreme physical defense, slow speed, and several weak attributes.
Even their proficient moves and traits have many in common.
But the two Pokémon are different after all, and more factors outside the basic game data must be considered—such as size, personality, intelligence, proficient moves, body structure, and attack habits.
For Baimu, since he did not reject taking this Pokémon from Cang Zhilang, he must explore the exclusive potential of Steelix.
Of course.
All of this must be based on the premise of being able to tame Steelix.
The information obtained from the Pokémon Center and the Illustrated Guide is enough to prove this guy is not easy to deal with, no wonder Cang Zhilang put it aside temporarily after being injured.
[Pokémon: Steelix]
[Attribute: Steel + Ground]
[Gender: Female]
[Height: 1835cm/1531kg]
[Trait: Solid]
[Level: Level 60]
[Moves: Charge/Tie Tight/Knock Down/Dragon Breath/Curse]
[Rockslide/Quicksand Hell/Gyro Ball/Slam/Sandstorm]
[Dig/Iron Tail/Sharp Stone Attack/Heavyweight Charge/Cultivated Land]
While the moves are many, they have clearly not been refined by a Trainer, otherwise at this level the number of moves would definitely exceed twenty, suggesting it grew naturally to this stage as a wild Steelix.
But more than that, Baimu is concerned about its exaggerated size.
Eighteen meters...
He checked the average length of a Steelix, which is just over nine meters, and eighteen meters means it is twice that size. Even if Steelix is only about two-thirds of its length standing upright, it still reaches almost twelve meters high.
Usually, one floor is about three meters high, in other words, this Steelix is as tall as a four-story building!
Although its weight is only three to almost four times as much, considering Steelix's inherent weight is unusual, resembling a hollow metal shell, it isn't worth overthinking; likely a result of its special body structure.
The Illustrated Guide says it is harder than any metal, comparable to diamond. It equates to a special light metal with diamond hardness.
In any case.
The boss Pokémon is nothing special, no wonder it garnered Cang Zhilang's favor, but ultimately benefited Baimu, the opportunistic follower.
Such is fate.
"Level 60."
Baimu looked at Steelix's level with a slight hesitation in his heart.
This level to him is like Mawile once was.
Given the current strength of his team, taming this Level 60 Steelix is extremely difficult, with Aggron and Mawile being Level 50 and just reached Level 51 yesterday, both being nearly ten levels lower.
Coupled with Steelix's exaggerated weight, taking it down one-on-one is nearly impossible.
While a group attack would surely defeat Steelix, whether it would be genuinely convinced is a big question mark.
However.
The simulator reward levels he had stocked up had already exceeded ten levels; once used on Aggron, it could immediately match Steelix's level, greatly aiding in survival and taming Steelix during the ensuing chaos.
What made him hesitate was, Level 60 is an untouched field for him; would abruptly elevating Aggron to this level have negative effects?
Such as an excessive amount of energy causing it to rampage.
As for disobedience, it wasn't a concern of his.
Aggron, being his first Pokémon he captured by himself, parallels Pikachu.
And aside from initially ignoring Ash Ketchum, Pikachu always maintained an intimate bond with him, even creating the iconic Z-Move of bond, Z-Move.\nThere's no reason Aggron would be disobedient.
Moreover, with Cang Zhilang's departure, the Quicksand Team's territory would surely attract other surrounding forces; if this reserved level isn't used now, then when? The moment of rapid progress is today!
Thinking thus.
Baimu made his decision.
——
Backyard battle arena.
Baimu faced Aggron sitting on the ground, speaking softly.
"The situation is turbulent; we've barely secured a place to live, and it must not be taken away."
"Roar!"
"Just like I once said, Aggron, we'll support each other, striving for our respective dreams and goals. At this moment, I earnestly seek your power, and fervently hope you'll stand with me."
"Roar!"
Aggron did not understand why its Trainer suddenly said these things, but it knew that at this time as long as it gave an affirmative response, that was enough.
It would firmly stand in front of Baimu, no matter what enemies they faced or desperate situations they encountered.
Even death could not separate them!
As if sensing the resolution in Aggron's heart, Baimu activated the simulator, slowly channeling the reward levels into it through touch.
Level by level...
His eyes remained fixed on Aggron's appearance, ready to halt should any signs of rampage emerge.
But throughout, Aggron maintained a calm and steady posture, its azure eyes as placid as an undisturbed lake, reflecting its character.
There was some noise.
Regarding Aggron's physical growth.
While energy levels mostly boost its Attribute energy, they also somewhat reflect on Aggron's physical body, directly impacting its Sixth Dimension, from endurance to speed and six ability values.
Ten levels is already quite an alarming number.
Soon enough.
The accumulated levels had fully transformed into Aggron's strength.
As it slowly stood up, its previously two-meter-three frame had undeniably grown again!