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Considering the growing number of family members—and the addition of Corviknight, which took up even more space than Feraligatr—Li Zhexin had rented a large RV bus for this year's trip.
The interior was spacious enough for all the Pokémon to stay inside rather than being crammed into the back.
Sure, the door was still the same size, but when traveling, it wasn't a big deal to recall and release the larger Pokémon as needed.
After all, an RV wasn't designed to let massive Pokémon move around freely.
The modifications at home—like the oversized doors and windows—were specifically for Corviknight and the others, allowing them to come and go without constantly relying on Poké Balls.
To reach Saizhou, they had to pass through Dianzhou first.
In the Zhu Xia region, Dianzhou had the most mountains and forests, teeming with wild Pokémon.
Humans and Pokémon coexisted harmoniously with nature, protecting the abundant greenery.
While its urbanization might lag slightly behind other regions, Dianzhou's natural beauty was unmatched—if it claimed second place, no other region would dare claim first.
But since the family had visited several times before, they were a bit tired of it and didn't plan to stop this time.
They were just passing through.
Interestingly, the Dianzhou Ranger Union held immense prestige there, more beloved by locals and Pokémon alike than even the Pokémon Association.
Its headquarters was based there, along with numerous Ranger schools that trained countless Rangers before dispatching them across Zhu Xia's cities and wilderness.
"Mom, if the Rangers and the Association ever clash, which side would you take?" Li Xiang scratched Purugly's back and asked quietly.
The Conservation Base was technically an affiliate of the Association, but it also collaborated closely with the Ranger Union.
To put it bluntly, it was a fence-sitter—playing both sides, avoiding conflict, and reaping benefits from both.
"The Conservation Base was born from the cooperation between the Association and the Rangers. If they ever clash, it's our job to mediate—we don't have to pick a side," Mrs. Yin replied cheerfully. "We just stand on our own side."
The Conservation Base was an organization that drew salaries and benefits from the Association while aligning itself with the Rangers' philosophy.
Who knew how much autonomy they really had?
Li Xiang felt that if a real conflict broke out, the Conservation Base would be in an awkward position—far from as smooth as his mom made it sound.
'The Ranger Union and the Association… Is this to prevent any one faction from dominating?'
'The founders of the League really had foresight.'
Li Xiang left Purugly—now thoroughly relaxed—and climbed up to the RV's sunroof, pushing it open to poke his head out and check on Corviknight.
The massive steel raven was perched on the roof, gripping a railing with its claws, eyes half-closed as it enjoyed the cool breeze.
"Wanna come back inside?"
Li Xiang reached out but could only pat Corviknight's armored belly, unable to reach its chin.
Corviknight opened its eyes, saw Li Xiang, and immediately brightened, shaking its saddle with a low caw.
"Gah!"
Hop on! Let's fly again!
Ever since carrying Li Xiang on a few flights at the start of the trip, Corviknight had grown fond of the experience and kept urging him to ride.
Unfortunately, the weather was freezing. Even bundled up, Li Xiang couldn't withstand the biting wind for more than ten minutes in the air.
In this season, even Pidgey and Spearow refused to leave their nests, preferring to huddle inside with stored berries or migrate south until spring.
"...Let's wait until we stop for a break," Li Xiang tapped Corviknight's belly.
Flying mid-drive?
He wasn't about to risk his life like that.
"Are you sure you don't wanna come inside?"
A gust of wind made his hair stand on end. How was Corviknight completely unaffected?
"Caww…"
Corviknight shook its head. A free bird couldn't be confined to a cramped space!
—Well, it just wanted to enjoy the scenery without getting dragged into another round of cards with Riolu and the others.
It had already lost most of its strawberry thumb cookies!
This is bullying!
Corviknight was convinced the three seniors were ganging up on it. No way was it playing with them again.
....
Border of Dianzhou and Yuzhou
The family got out of the RV and headed toward the campsite.
Unlike the previous mountain campsite, this one was built beside a lake. A short walk led to a vast body of water, shimmering under the winter sunset.
A lone mountain stood far in the distance—this was clearly flat terrain.
"Capturing wild Pokémon near the campsite is prohibited. Violators will be fined or detained…"
Signs with similar warnings were posted everywhere.
—A Dianzhou specialty.
Wild Pokémon here were mostly unafraid of humans, wandering around the campsite and even begging for food. The lake in the distance was packed with them.
The two sides coexisted peacefully.
That said, capturing wild Pokémon wasn't completely banned—just restricted near the campsite.
Li Xiang glanced at the distant lake. Fishing was allowed, but netting was strictly forbidden.
Probably because people abused it before.
For humans and Pokémon to live in harmony, the former couldn't constantly try to shove the latter into Poké Balls.
"Caww!"
Corviknight flapped its wings impatiently, urging Li Xiang to get on.
Li Xiang told it to wait. The priority right now was helping his parents set up camp.
Slacking off would earn him a scolding.
After a flurry of activity—
"Wanna sleep in the RV? There's a big, soft bed," Li Zhexin said casually as he set up a cooking pot.
"No, it's stuffy in there," Li Xiang declined. He'd slept in an RV before and didn't want a repeat.
Li Zhexin shrugged, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. "Alright."
Finally free, Li Xiang climbed onto Corviknight's back and called out to his parents, "We're gonna fly around for a bit. Be back soon!"
"Be careful."
"Don't catch a cold."
They waved him off without much concern.
The three Pokémon glanced at each other, pretending not to notice Li Xiang's departure.
None of them wanted to fly in this weather—freezing wind, faces stiff from the cold, zero enjoyment.
Winter was a terrible season for flying.
Li Xiang gave them a look, realizing none would join him, and sighed before adjusting his goggles and mask.
With a firm pat, Corviknight took off.
A few other trainers were already in the air, riding their own Pokémon.
One was even on a Salamence—a fearsome sight with its blood-red wings and draconic blue body.
Most riders kept their distance, wary of its infamous temper.
"Head toward the lake!"
Li Xiang shouted into Corviknight's ear before securing his mask.
The steel raven tilted slightly, changing direction with surprising agility.
Soon, they were circling the lakeshore, but Corviknight didn't approach further, opting to glide along the perimeter.
At the lake's center—
A man sat cross-legged on top a Starmie, facing off against a ferocious Gyarados lurking in the water.
Further away, a massive, blue-and-white Walrein—half-submerged, with long tusks and tufts of white fur around its face and neck—watched calmly.
Behind it, another trainer hovered above the water, held aloft by a Pelipper.
"A water battle?"
Li Xiang murmured, intrigued. He patted Corviknight's back, signaling it to stop.
The steel raven adjusted its wings, hovering in place.
'Fighting in a lake instead of a proper arena? Rare.'
Below, the Gyarados let out a thunderous roar.
The three horns on its head and the fin on its back crackled with electricity before unleashing a devastating Thunderbolt attack straight at Walrein!
BOOM!!
A thick bolt of lightning crossed the twenty-meter gap in an instant, striking Walrein dead-on!
The dim afternoon sky lit up in a blinding flash!
"A special-attack Gyarados?"
Li Xiang pulled down his goggles, eyebrows raised. A Pokémon quadruply weak to Electric moves using one so effectively was impressive.
Must be high-level.
But to his surprise, Walrein—despite its Electric weakness—barely flinched. Only a charred mark on its belly hinted at the attack's impact.
With a cold smirk, Walrein spun like a top, transforming into a massive ice ball before slamming into Gyarados!
Back and forth, like turn-based combat.
"Tch. All flash, no substance."
A mocking voice came from above.
Li Xiang looked up to see the dreaded Salamence hovering nearby.
On its back sat a stunning woman with wine-red hair tied up, gleaming faintly in the sunset.
Spotting Li Xiang's fair, youthful face, her eyes lit up. "Hey there, kid. Where're you from?"
She nudged Salamence, which descended to match Corviknight's altitude.
"Qingcheng," Li Xiang replied, blinking innocently. "Big sister, what did you mean by 'all flash'?"
"You're quite sweet~" The woman grinned, pleased by his politeness. "That Gyarados's Thunderbolt looked powerful, right?"
"Yeah?"
"But it only looked powerful." She pointed at Walrein's slightly singed belly. "See the burn marks? Direct hit, yet it's barely reacting. Why?"
"Walrein's just that tanky?"
"Nope. Because Gyarados wasted over half the attack's energy dispersing it uselessly."
She shook her head. "Thunderbolt is a single-target move. That blast was pure inefficiency. Watch—that Gyarados won't last against Walrein—"
Before she could finish—
CRASH!
The Gyarados was sent flying out of the water by Walrein's Ice Ball, only to be flash-frozen midair by a Blizzard and dropped back into the lake with a splash.
"See?"
The woman smirked. "A good trainer teaches their Pokémon to control their moves' scale and precision. Bigger isn't always better—don't be fooled by appearances."
Focusing power into a single point…?
Li Xiang thought of Torracat's moves. Aside from Heat Wave and Inferno—which were naturally wide-range—even its Overheat was too spread out.
'Give it your all, but hold back just enough…'
'Wait, isn't that contradictory?'
He frowned, sensing something off about her logic.