Chapter 16: The Pure Crystal of Grass Z

When leaving the Lizard King’s territory, Xia Yu’s feelings were somewhat complicated. Watching his Grovyle part ways with the Lizard King, he felt a slight reluctance.

With a near-champion-level Grovyle and the Lizard King Evolution Stone in hand, Xia Yu felt more confident. Once Grovyle matured, a Pokémon League Champion title would be well within reach, allowing him to compete for the title of one of the Four Kings of the Southwest region.

“Ding, task triggered: Dragon-type Pokémon Master.”

[Dragon-type Pokémon Master]: Due to the host having caught a Woobat and a Grovyle, with Woobat’s final evolution being Noivern (Flying/Dragon type) and Mega Sceptile being Grass/Dragon type, a hidden task has now been activated—to become the strongest Dragon-type Pokémon Master.

Task requirements: The first six caught Pokémon must have final evolutions or Mega Evolutions with the Dragon type.

Task rewards: Rewards given according to progress. Catch three Dragon-type Pokémon to receive the permanent TM Dragon Pulse; catch four to receive the Dragon Z-Crystal; catch five to receive six A-grade Dragon Scales; catch six to boost all Pokémon’s stats, promoting Champion-class to near-Champion-class, near-Champion-class to Champion-class, Champion-class to near-Master-class, and so forth. Current progress: 2/6.

Failure penalty: None.

...

The sudden task startled Xia Yu. He had only caught two Pokémon—how did this mean he had to embark on the path of a Dragon-type Pokémon Master?

This was completely at odds with Xia Yu’s life goal. His ultimate dream was to become a Steel-type Pokémon Master. Dragon-types were often easily trounced by Fairy-types; only Steel-types were both handsome and strong, the number one type in the entire universe.

Steel-type: ten resistances, one immunity, and only weak to Fighting, Ground, and Fire. Such a powerful type was unique in the Pokémon world, especially with Pokémon like Forretress and Duraludon, which had only one weakness—Fire.

From an aesthetic perspective, which Steel-type Pokémon weren’t both cool and battle-capable? Heracross, Aggron, Bisharp, Excadrill, Lucario, Aegislash, Metagross—all models of strength and style.

And the Steel-type legendaries: Jirachi, Registeel aside, Melmetal and Cobalion don’t count as top-tier, and while Genesect and Keldeo can be overlooked, Dialga, Solgaleo, Zacian, and Zamazenta are all cover legendaries—four whole cover gods! This was the prestige of Steel-type in Xia Yu’s heart. Steel was, without question, number one.

Why did this blasted system have to issue this task? His dream was to be a Steel-type Master, not a Dragon-type!

Though Xia Yu was resentful, he quickly accepted the task. The system offered too many rewards; just catching six Dragon-types would boost all his Pokémon’s stats. He had no choice but to accept.

It offered too much. At worst, he could catch a Steel/Dragon-type Pokémon later to balance his dream.

But there were only two Steel/Dragon Pokémon: Dialga and Duraludon. Neither was easy to catch. Dialga was a legendary, and Duraludon didn’t exist within the Chinese territory. It seemed his dream of becoming a Steel-type Master was drifting further away.

Farewell, my youth. Farewell, my dream.

Metagross, don’t contact me anymore—I’m afraid Garchomp, Salamence, Garchomp, Hydreigon, Dragapult, Dracovish, Dragapult, or Tyrantrum might misunderstand.

---

Meanwhile, at the core of the secret forest, the Ancient Ten-Thousand Forest Tree.

The silhouette of a Houndoom appeared near the roots of the Ancient Tree. Xu Xiu held the recently obtained Grass Z-Crystal, a smirk curling on his lips.

“Task complete, time to retreat.” Xu Xiu looked up at the sky, withdrew a Poké Ball, and summoned his Mandibuzz, preparing to leave the secret forest.

His identity was sensitive; if discovered, it would inevitably cause trouble.

Just as he was about to depart, a sharp sound wave accompanied by Bug-type energy suddenly struck Mandibuzz from an ambush.

“Struggle Bug!”

[Struggle Bug]: A Bug-type special attack that uses vibrations to emit sound waves. It sometimes lowers the opponent’s special defense.

Two Volcarona emerged from the jungle—the ones who just unleashed that powerful Struggle Bug attack.

“Mandibuzz, hold the line!”

Xu Xiu’s retreat was interrupted by the sudden attack. Turning around, his entire body was cloaked in a black robe as he stared at the approaching figures.

“Xia Yong, Bug-type Gym Leader of Starlight City, West Shu Province.”

“Xia Luo, Fire-type Gym Leader of Red Lotus City, West Shu Province.”

Xu Xiu recognized the two. Before coming to Starlight City, he had done his homework and naturally knew Xia Yong. As for Xia Luo, the youngest near-Champion in China and a widely acknowledged future Champion-level Trainer—how could he not know him?

“The nuisances have arrived.” Xu Xiu didn’t care much about Xia Yong; his focus was entirely on Xia Luo. Xia Yong was the weakest Gym Leader in West Shu Province, with his strongest Pokémon only at the Gym Leader level—his Volcarona was no match for Xu Xiu.

The only concern was Xia Luo and his Volcarona.

Looking at Xia Luo, Xu Xiu saw a reflection of himself ten years ago—just as spirited, just as near-Champion-level. Yet, he never managed to step into the Champion ranks. Eventually, he betrayed the Pokémon Association, wiping out the Zhao family, all for that Champion-caliber Larvitar.

If given another chance, Xu Xiu would have no hesitation to follow the same path—perhaps even earlier!

At the same time, Xia Luo and Xia Yong noticed the Grass Z-Crystal in Xu Xiu’s hand. They had known his identity before arriving and were wary of him, but their duties as Gym Leaders compelled them to confront him loudly: “Put down the Z-Crystal in your hand.”

---

“Oh?” Xu Xiu looked at the Xia father and son with a sneer. “Everyone can talk big. Let’s see the strength of the Fire-type Gym Leaders of West Shu Province.”

His face full of mockery, Xu Xiu turned to Xia Luo and threw out two Poké Balls: “Go, Zoroark and Krookodile.”

The near-Champion-level Zoroark and Krookodile appeared, alongside the menacing near-Champion-level Houndoom on the sidelines. The pressure on Xia Yong and Xia Luo immediately surged.

Especially Xia Yong—all his Pokémon were Gym Leader-level, except for one near-Champion-level Shiny Heracross raised only in recent years.

Bug-type Gym Leaders were always the weakest among all Gym Leaders, mostly due to the inherent weaknesses of Bug-type Pokémon.

It was an undeniable fact that Dragon-types were naturally stronger than Bug-types; only a few Bug Pokémon could match Dragon-types.

Heracross was one of the rare powerful Bug-types and Xia Yong’s trump card.

“Come on, Shiny Heracross.”

Xia Yong withdrew his Volcarona and released the Shiny Heracross. In near-Champion battles, a Gym Leader-level Volcarona couldn’t play much of a role.

“A Shiny Pokémon?” Xu Xiu regarded the Heracross with interest. “So this is your secret weapon saved for this year’s Gym Leader ranking tournament?”

In the real world, Shiny Pokémon aren’t just visually striking; they represent extraordinary aptitude and strength. Being a mutation, they are usually the kings of their species, the most powerful of their kind.

“And what about you, Xia Luo?” Xu Xiu’s gaze turned to Xia Luo. “What’s your secret weapon? I don’t believe you have only one near-Champion-level Volcarona.”

“Looks like you saw through me. Since that’s the case, I won’t hide it. Go, Groudon!”

Xia Luo’s words startled Xu Xiu, who stared incredulously, shocked. How could Xia Luo possibly have a legendary like Groudon? Just as panic surged within him, he looked at the Pokémon’s appearance spot and realized the Pokémon Xia Luo had actually thrown out was a Blaziken.

Xu Xiu’s puzzlement melted into realization, then anger at Xia Luo’s prank. Thinking back to his own embarrassed panic, Xu Xiu’s fury only deepened!