Back in the courtyard, Zhang Tian released the sleeping Arzuros and the Escuregot.
"Escuregot, use Healing Mist on the Arzuros," he commanded.
The Escuregot let out a soft cry and trembled, releasing a green mist that enveloped the Arzuros. Under the mist's effects, the Arzuros's wounds began to heal at a visible rate.
"Such a powerful healing ability," Zhang Tian marveled. "But it makes sense. Even in the late game, the Escuregot can still heal the player. Once it levels up, its healing effects will probably be even better." Seeing the Arzuros's rapid recovery, he grew even more satisfied with his new medic.
"Now, it's back to the old routine: train hard until the food runs out."
"My motto is simple: lay low, develop safely, and don't get reckless. There's no shame in surviving." With that in mind, he took out a pen and paper and began to formulate a training plan for the Great Izuchi and the Arzuros.
"The Great Izuchi has learned three new skills: Bounce, Power Tail Swipe, and Dragon Claw. All of them are excellent and fit its abilities perfectly. We'll focus training on Bounce, Power Tail Swipe, Dragon Claw, and Agility."
"As for the Arzuros, after becoming a Pokémon, it learned Bulk Up. We'll focus on training that and its Predation Attack. Its other skills are too flawed; they all have significant recovery animations. And Predation Attack is only effective against smaller creatures. It seems the Arzuros's role is destined to be a specialist against smaller Pokémon." He shook his head with a slight sense of helplessness.
With the plan set, the training for Pidgeotto, the Great Izuchi, and the Arzuros began as usual. Even with two new elite-tier powerhouses on his team, Zhang Tian felt no sense of arrogance and had no intention of capturing other monsters just yet.
The Monster Hunter world was incredibly dangerous. For instance, the Shrine Ruins he frequented were also home to Magnamalo an Elder Dragon-level creature capable of fighting Elder Dragons themselves. If Zhang Tian ever ran into one and couldn't escape in time, he would likely be killed instantly. His Great Izuchi and Arzuros would probably be lost, too. To bring them with him when he traversed, he either had to be touching them or recall them to their Poké Balls first.
Therefore, Zhang Tian's strategy was to be cautious, lay low, and develop safely. As long as he survived, he would eventually become strong. Whether that happened sooner or later didn't make much difference. He was in no mood for unnecessary risks.
Ten days passed in a flash. After a decade of training, Pidgeotto finally reached Level 30. The Escuregot was Level 26. The Great Izuchi had reached Level 31, and the Arzuros was now Level 39. Zhang Tian himself had also reached Level 30.
"Once my Pokémon and I reached the elite tier, our growth rate slowed down by a factor of ten. It used to be almost one level per day; now it's about one level every ten days," he noted in his journal. "It seems the meat from normal-tier monsters like the Bombadgy is no longer effective enough. If we were eating the meat of elite-tier monsters, like a Great Izuchi, our growth rate would probably be just as fast as before maybe even a level a day."
He paused his writing. His phone was ringing. Setting his notes aside, he answered it. A new notification had appeared in his class group chat.
NOTICE! NOTICE! NOTICE!
All students who wish to become traveling trainers, please submit your application forms.
Ten days from now, on the day before graduation, an examination will be held for you. Students who pass will become certified traveling trainers.
Note: This year's exam will include an actual combat portion. Train your Pokémon well. Unlike previous years, simply having an elite-tier Pokémon will not be enough to pass.
"Actual combat?" Zhang Tian's brow furrowed as he read the notice.
"Although Pidgeotto has reached the elite tier, it hasn't evolved into a Pidgeot yet. Compared to other elite-tier Pokémon of the same level, it's significantly weaker. This means I could fail, and the probability is high."
"Pidgeotto needs to be Level 36 to evolve into Pidgeot. That means I have to raise its level by six in just ten days. It looks like I have no choice but to hunt an elite-tier monster. Only the meat from an elite-tier monster can get Pidgeotto six levels in ten days."
"I wanted to lay low, but it seems I'll have to take a small risk after all." A determined glint appeared in his eyes as he began his preparations. He was dead set on becoming a traveling trainer. Using the Great Izuchi or the Arzuros for the exam was out of the question; that would only invite disaster. At his current strength, he couldn't protect two completely unknown species of Pokémon from prying eyes. To use his Pokémonized monsters openly, he would need to be at least Elite Four-tier in strength.
Around 3 p.m. that afternoon, his preparations complete, Zhang Tian activated the system. He appeared in the bamboo forest of the Shrine Ruins. The first thing he did was throw out the Poké Balls for his Great Izuchi and Arzuros.
Fwoosh!
The two monsters appeared beside him.
"No danger. Good." Only after releasing them did Zhang Tian begin to survey his surroundings. He saw no monsters.
"Same plan as always. Scout with the drone." He opened his backpack and took it out.
Whirrr...
The drone lifted off and ascended into the sky.
BOOM!
Just as it reached an altitude of one hundred meters, a fireball shot out of nowhere, instantly blowing it to smithereens.
"ROOOAR!"
An enraged roar echoed through the forest, like that of a tiger whose territory had been invaded. A massive, dark green wyvern appeared in the sky directly above them. It was the "Queen of the Land" herself a Rathian.
This Rathian was nineteen meters long, an immense creature that dwarfed even his Great Izuchi. With two legs and two wings, it resembled a classic western dragon, but covered in dark green scales.
Rathian
Level: 46 (Gym Leader Tier)
The moment he saw it, Zhang Tian acted with swift precision. He recalled the Great Izuchi and the Arzuros to their Poké Balls and immediately activated his traversal ability to escape.
"ROAR!"
The instant he vanished, another massive fireball slammed into the spot where he had been standing, blasting a deep crater in the earth. If he had been even a second slower, he would have been burned to a crisp.
Zhang Tian reappeared in his living room.
"Shit, that was close. Good thing I got out of there fast," he panted. "To run into a Rathian right off the bat... I'm speechless. I'll wait an hour before going back in."
He dropped his backpack and collapsed onto the sofa, pulling up the information on the Rathian.
"As expected, Gym Leader tier. I'm really lucky I escaped," he thought, a wave of relief washing over him.
"Pidgeo," Pidgeotto, perched on his shoulder, nudged his cheek with its head, its cry full of concern.
"Don't worry, Pidgeotto, I'm fine," Zhang Tian said with a reassuring smile, stroking its head. "Just a little shaken up, that's all."