Trainers returning from the Kingdom of Roc

Chapter 26: Hou Hao's Worries

Luo Yan thought that after three years of experience in the Kingdom of Locke, his heart had become very strong.

However, after obtaining Shiny Eevee, he still couldn't suppress his joy.

So, following Hou Hao's example, Luo Yan also suffered from perfect insomnia.

I can't sleep, I just can't sleep.

What's with this strong desire to show off?

Could it be that I've also been infected by Hou Hao?

The next day, Luo Yan boarded a bus back to the city and left the locust grove area. Now that his conjecture had been proven, there was no need to stay there.

Luo Yan did consider using the Wishing Star to exchange for another Prism Ball to catch a Flying-type Pokémon or a rare Bug-type Pokémon, but after thinking about it carefully, he gave up on the idea.

After confirming the Prism Ball's immense power, Luo Yan turned his attention to some even rarer Pokémon.

The value of the Prism Balls is immeasurable. You have to know that he only has twelve in the Kingdom of Locke. Most importantly, Luo Yan is a little worried that the Wishing Star can only summon "his own" things.

If you manage to summon all twelve Prism Balls, you won't be able to summon any more. In that case, you'll have to carefully consider how to use the Prism Balls, otherwise you'll waste them on Pokémon with low potential, and then you'll have no one to blame but yourself.

Traveling merchant, I miss you so much, waaaaah.

When I woke up, the bus had already entered the city.

Although he slept very uncomfortablely in the car, Luo Yan slept quite soundly the whole way, perhaps because he was too tired, or perhaps because he felt at ease.

Upon returning home, the first thing Luo Yan did was to change the Poké Balls for Iris and Eevee.

Actually, he had wanted to do this for a long time. The screening of trainers in this world is quite strict. Some formal competitions require scanning of Poké Balls. Luo Yan was also a little worried that the Poké Balls in the Kingdom of Rock could not be detected by the instruments.

If someone with ulterior motives discovers the unusual nature of these balls, it could cause serious trouble.

While ordinary Gulu Balls can be considered special Poké Balls, Prism Balls are different. The magic power inside is exceptionally strong, and the light they emit is dazzling every time they are used, clearly indicating that they are not ordinary objects.

After making a phone call to Hou Hao, there was a knock on the door a short while later, and Hou Hao came in strutting around with two Jiangcheng Dojo master balls in his hands.

"Why can't we just say it on the phone, Brother Luo? Do I have to bring two Poké Balls over?"

Hou Hao acted as if he were at home as soon as he entered, put the Poké Ball in Luo Yan's hand, and then sprawled out on the sofa.

But soon, he noticed the backpack next to the television.

"Hey? Brother Luo, with that bag, you went to the wilderness again?"

"Yeah, I went out yesterday. There's something I need to verify." Luo Yan replied, then took the two Master Balls and went back to his bedroom.

Hou Hao raised an eyebrow, heard a few 'bang bang bang' sounds coming from the bedroom, and then saw Luo Yan walk out looking relaxed. He couldn't help but ask.

"What do you need to verify? You didn't even invite me."

"It was a clue left by my parents. They wanted me to go alone, but I didn't know the specifics, so I didn't tell you the details." Luo Yan had already prepared an excuse.

"So mysterious, where did you go?"

"A grove of locust trees."

"The Locust Tree Forest? What are your aunt and uncle sending you there for? Could the rumors from back then be true? That there really are Ghost-type Pokémon in the Locust Tree Forest? Did your parents leave one for you?"

"Yes and no."

"Huh?!" Hou Hao immediately stood up. "Really? Your aunt and uncle really got you a Ghost-type Pokémon?!"

"I did leave one little guy behind, but it's not a Ghost-type Pokémon." Luo Yan smiled and released Eevee. "It's this one."

"Boo~"

As soon as Eevee jumped out, it happily wagged its tail.

Holy crap!!

Before he could even see what it was, Hou Hao couldn't help but scream when he heard its cry. When he finally saw the snow-white little creature, his scream rose several beats higher.

"Holy crap!???"

Having anticipated this, Luo Yan closed her eyes.

Yeah.

That's it.

That's the reaction.

"Shiny Shiny Eevee!!"

Hou Hao practically jumped up, his eyes fixed intently on Ibu.

Ibu was startled and jumped straight into Luo Yan's arms, burying its little head in his chest.

"Why are you yelling so loudly? You scared it." Luo Yan comforted Eevee while holding it, then glanced at Hou Hao.

"Uh, I... I'm just a little excited." Hou Hao opened his mouth, but his eyes didn't leave it. He reached out and tentatively asked, "Brother Luo, can I hug it?"

"cannot."

"Aaaaaah!!"

"Throwing a tantrum won't work, go away, go away."

Luo Yan waved her hand and sat on the sofa with Eevee in her arms, while Hou Hao sat in the corner with a wronged look on his face, looking at Luo Yan with displeasure, like an abandoned puppy.

After a while, Hou Hao spoke.

"Alright, Brother Luo, let's get down to business. The selection competition is in two days. Do you think we can do it?"

"What, are you scared?" Luo Yan looked up. "Weren't you very confident a few days ago? You even said you were going to bring back a championship or runner-up title."

"The past is the past, the present is the present," Hou Hao said in a deep voice. "You know my win rate at the club recently. I'm confident I can win most of them, but when I encounter a team that I'm countered by, I really panic."

"It's alright. The only types that can counter your Poliwag are Grass and Electric, so you don't have many weaknesses. Don't worry too much. Maybe things aren't as bad as you think."

"Are you kidding me, Brother Luo?" Hou Hao's lips twitched. "Those new trainers don't have many choices in the early stages, and Grass-type is the best choice. Not to mention, my dad is the Water-type Gym Leader, so basically everyone in Jiangcheng has a Grass-type Pokémon."

"You mean, your dad screwed you over?"

"That's not entirely true. Grass-types are tough, but my Poliwag is quite fast. If I can kite it properly, I might be able to win. But the key, the key is Electric-types." Hou Hao scratched his head in frustration. "To put it simply, a Pikachu could easily defeat me."

Hou Hao wasn't joking. Poliwag is indeed fast, but Electric-type Pokémon are also fast. If it's difficult to dodge, Poliwag has almost no chance of winning.

"If we can't win by brute force, we'll rely on attribute skills." Luo Yan rested his chin on his hand. "Your old man wouldn't be holding back at a time like this, would he?"

"It's impossible for him, but skills aren't easy to learn either. It took Mosquito Tadpole a lot of time to learn [Chain Slaps], and if he tries to learn another one, I'm afraid..."

"I understand." Luo Yan nodded and patted Hou Hao on the shoulder.

"Don't worry too much. The selection process isn't that outrageous. You won't always be the one being countered, right? Worrying about these things now won't help."

"Let's take it one step at a time; maybe there will be another way later."

Hou Hao sighed deeply. "There's no other way."

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