As Zhang Tian scrolled through the news, one headline caught his eye.
"Global Unification of Pokémon Strength Tiers"
"They're standardizing the tiers?"
He opened the article to read more. In the past, every country had its own naming convention for Pokémon strength levels. For example, what was called "Elite" tier in the Daxia region was known as "Advanced" tier in the Neon region. These different names sometimes caused minor confusion.
The new unified strength tiers were as follows:
Level 1–9 = Novice Tier
Level 10–19 = Entry Tier
Level 20–29 = Normal Tier
Level 30–39 = Elite Tier
Level 40–49 = Gym Leader Tier
Level 50–59 = Elite Four Tier
Level 60–69 = Heavenly King Tier
Level 70–79 = Champion Tier
Level 80–89 = Sub-Legendary Tier
Level 90–99 = Legendary Tier
Level 100 = Mythical Tier
Zhang Tian finished reading the list of the new global standard. "Simple and easy to remember. Not bad." He nodded slightly and continued browsing other news.
"SHOCKING! Neon's Strongest Champion, Red, Appears in Tokyo!"
Zhang Tian's brow furrowed as he glanced at the headline. This world included many characters from the Pokémon universe, such as Team Rocket, Red, and Professor Oak. As a result, the Neon region in this world was incredibly powerful, unlike the one from his original world.
"Red..."
"We'll meet someday, on the world's grandest stage."
Zhang Tian stared at the name, his eyes burning with a competitive fire. As a Pokémon trainer, he too aimed to become the strongest and challenge the champions of every nation.
"Time for bed."
After scrolling for a little longer, he put his phone down, closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
One week later.
"Twenty-one days until graduation. That's plenty of time." Zhang Tian glanced at the calendar before carrying a large iron basin full of meat out to the courtyard.
After a week of intense training, Pidgeotto had reached Level 26, while the Izuchi was now Level 29, on the verge of breaking through to Level 30. Zhang Tian himself had reached Level 20, a rapid rate of progress. He wasn't too concerned about it, however; growth was always fastest at lower levels and would naturally slow down later on.
"Dinner time!" Zhang Tian shouted as he set down the basin.
"Pidgeo!"
"Roar!"
The Izuchi, which had been resting in the shade, bounded over eagerly. Pidgeotto was just as enthusiastic, spreading its wings and flying down.
"After this meal, the Izuchi should break through to Level 30," Zhang Tian thought as he watched it feast. "We're almost out of food, too. It's about time for another hunt."
As if on cue, a brilliant white light suddenly enveloped the Izuchi's body. Within the light, its form began to grow larger.
"It's breaking through, just as I expected." A smile spread across Zhang Tian's face as he watched the evolution.
The white light faded, revealing a massive Great Izuchi. It looked almost identical to its previous form, only much larger. A typical Great Izuchi was about 11 meters long and 3.8 meters tall a monster in the truest sense. However, Zhang Tian's Great Izuchi was 13 meters long and 3.9 meters tall, the largest possible size for its species, what would be known as a "gold crown" in the game.
The moment the evolution completed, a new prompt appeared.
[Your Izuchi has evolved into a Great Izuchi!]
[Great Izuchi's data is as follows:]
Great Izuchi
Level: 30 (Elite Tier)
Type: Dragon/Fighting
Ability: Razor Claw (+50% power to hook and claw attacks)
Unique Skills: Bladed Claw Charge, Triple Tail Swipe, Water Spit, Power Tail Swipe
HP Base Stat: 80
Attack Base Stat: 130
Defense Base Stat: 80
Special Attack Base Stat: 60
Special Defense Base Stat: 60
Speed Base Stat: 130
Total Base Stats: 540
"Congratulations, Great Izuchi. You've gotten stronger." Zhang Tian walked up to it with a smile.
"Pidgeo," Pidgeotto chirped, looking at the Great Izuchi with envy, wondering when it would evolve and become so magnificent.
"Roar." The Great Izuchi lowered its head and happily licked Zhang Tian. Evolving in just seven days was something it could never have imagined. Normally, it would take an Izuchi several years, perhaps even more than a decade, to grow into a Great Izuchi.
"Take a break. We'll be going hunting soon," Zhang Tian said, patting the Great Izuchi's head. He signaled for both of his Pokémon to rest while he began his preparations.
Scent-masking potion, drone, tranquilizer darts, Poké Balls. He carefully organized the contents of his backpack. Once he was finished, he recalled the Great Izuchi into its Poké Ball it was far too large to fit through the door. He then walked into the living room and activated the system.
He materialized in the Shrine Ruins, in the same spot where he had hunted the Slagtoth.
"Huh?"
The moment he appeared, his pupils contracted. He quickly threw out the Great Izuchi's Poké Ball.
Not far away, a towering green bear was feasting on a Slagtoth carcass. This was another one of the Monster Hunter world's large monsters: an Arzuros. In terms of ecological standing and strength, it was on par with a Great Izuchi.
Arzuros
Level: 38 (Elite Tier)
Fwoosh!
A red light flashed as the Poké Ball opened, and the Great Izuchi appeared before Zhang Tian. Its sudden arrival instantly caught the Arzuros's attention. The beast, which had been eating, immediately stood up and eyed the Great Izuchi with vigilance.
"Great Izuchi, use Agility," Zhang Tian commanded.
Although the Arzuros was Level 38, eight levels higher than his Great Izuchi, the latter had the advantage of being a Pokémon with access to stat-boosting moves. In Zhang Tian's opinion, his Great Izuchi was stronger and could definitely win this fight.
"If I can injure the Arzuros badly and then capture it, I'll have another elite-tier Pokémon." A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes as he sized up the green bear.
"Roar!" The Great Izuchi let out a low growl and used Agility. A faint pink aura enveloped its body. The move Agility raised its Speed stat by two stages, effectively doubling it.
"Great Izuchi, use Agility again," Zhang Tian ordered. The Arzuros hadn't rushed to attack, so he was in no hurry either.
"Roar!" The Great Izuchi used Agility once more, raising its Speed stat by another two stages for a total of four.
The Arzuros looked on with some confusion, not understanding what its opponent was doing. If it were an Elder Dragon with near-human intelligence, it would have attacked by now. But the Arzuros's intelligence was not particularly high, so it just stared dumbly.
"Lucky me, it didn't attack." The corners of Zhang Tian's mouth lifted. "Great Izuchi, one more Agility, then attack with Power Tail Swipe."
Upon evolving, the Great Izuchi had learned a new unique skill. Its execution was similar to Triple Tail Swipe, but it was a single, much more powerful strike.
Power Tail Swipe
Category: Physical
Type: Fighting
Power: 80