Chapter 18: Li Yun Yao

“Champion Li Tianwang.”

“Two gym leaders, I rushed here as soon as I received your message.” Li Yunyao had a classic square-shaped face and a tall, upright posture. Dressed casually, he looked gravely at the three of them. “Where is Xu Xiu?”

He, too, had clearly seen the devastation on the ground—three Pokémon had died in battle, a grim testament to how fierce the fight had been.

“He just ran off,” Xia Yong said with difficulty. “We weren’t a match for him; his Tyranitar is incredibly strong.”

“As expected,” Li Yunyao sighed, then asked seriously, “I need you both to recount the entire battle in detail. Nothing must be withheld.”

“Alright.”

...

Xia Yong recounted the events thoroughly, also explaining that Xu Xiu had come for the Grass Z-Crystal. Despite their best efforts to stop him, they were no match for Xu Xiu; the three bodies beneath the ground were proof enough.

Li Yunyao’s expression grew increasingly solemn as he listened. From Xia Yong’s account, it was clear that Xu Xiu had already risen to the ranks of Champion-level trainers. Although he had only one Champion-level Tyranitar, it did not diminish his strength in the slightest.

“The Grass Z-Crystal?”

Li Yunyao felt a deep regret over the lost Z-Crystal. Since the development of Z-Moves, Z-Crystals had become strategic-grade weapons for every nation. One powerful Z-Move could turn the tide of battle and break deadlocks. Capturing Xu Xiu and intercepting the Grass Z-Crystal would have been a tremendous achievement. The Pokémon Association might even have rewarded the Xia family with a near-legendary Pokémon. Such a pity.

Though inwardly disappointed, Li Yunyao showed no sign of despair. Instead, he comforted Xia Yong and Xia Luo. He understood that with their strength, it was impossible to stop Xu Xiu. If they had encountered irresponsible gym leaders, they might not have dared to confront him at all. Such courage deserved encouragement.

“You have done your best; this is not your fault. The Pokémon Association will not forget your efforts. For the Pokémon who fell in battle, the Association will do its best to compensate you and will surely allow you to select Pokémon Eggs.”

“Thank you, Champion Li,” Xia Yong felt a weight lift from his heart. He had feared the Association might hold the Xia family accountable despite their sacrifices.

“This is what the Pokémon Association should do. We are sending personnel to take over this secret realm. You can rest first. It may take several days for the realm to stabilize. Though the Grass Z-Crystal was lost, the realm itself remains highly valuable. You’ve done well. After the Association evaluates the realm’s worth, you will receive your reward.” Li Yunyao reassured them, “Now, go home and get some rest.”

...

Back at home, Xia Luo went straight to his room and locked the door, isolating himself.

Xia Yong watched helplessly, unsure how to comfort his eldest son, and sighed before returning to his study.

This expedition to the secret realm had been disastrous for the Xia family. Having lost two ace Pokémon, Xia Luo was undoubtedly no longer qualified to serve as the Fire-type Gym Leader of Crimson City. It was likely that the Pokémon Association would soon announce his resignation, a severe blow to the once ambitious Xia Luo.

Even with compensation from the Association, retraining a near-Champion-level Pokémon under ideal conditions would take at least one to two years.

These next couple of years would be the most difficult for the Xia family.

Fortunately, Xia Yong’s own shiny Scizor was still alive, or else he might have lost his position as the Bug-type Gym Leader as well. If he lost that too, the Xia family’s enemies, who had long coveted their power, would surely seize the opportunity to tear them apart and divide their territory.

“Ah, I forgot to ask how Xia Yu ended up in the secret realm—this kid,” Xia Yong murmured.

Compared to a worried father and a crushed elder brother, Xia Yu had undoubtedly gained much from the journey.

Not only had he caught a Grovyle, but he had also obtained a Kingdra Evolution Stone—one of the few pieces of good news.

Xia Yu lay on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Nearby, Grovyle was using fitness equipment to strengthen itself, while Woobat flew cheerfully in the air, playing like a carefree child.

Grovyle and Woobat had very different personalities. Woobat was innocent and carefree; despite its innate draconic fierceness, being so young, it behaved like a child around Xia Yu and was very affectionate with him.

In contrast, Grovyle, having been separated from its Kingdra parents and bearing their hopes, was like a child who had come down from the mountains—resilient and persistent. Its determination to grow stronger exceeded anyone’s. It had its own dreams and pursuits, so as soon as Xia Yu released it from its Poké Ball, it began training immediately.

“Woobat, you should learn from Grovyle and train with it,” Xia Yu said, patting Woobat’s head.

“Woobat!” Woobat chirped happily in response, fluttering beside Grovyle and imitating its training.

Xia Yu’s thoughts drifted again to his elder brother, whom he worried about deeply. Having lived a second life, Xia Yu valued family more than anyone else. Family meant selfless devotion—they would find joy in your happiness and pride in your success.

Usually, it was Xia Luo and their parents who silently sacrificed. This time, Xia Yu decided to do something.

He resolved to take out a box containing an S-rank Thunder Stone, holding it tightly as he walked to his elder brother’s door.

Because of the Dragon-type Pokémon Master quest, Xia Yu would most likely only catch Dragon-type Pokémon, so this S-rank Thunder Stone would probably go unused by him. It was better to give it to his brother.

Xia Yu knocked on Xia Luo’s door.

“Who is it?” Xia Luo’s tired voice came from inside.

“It’s me, big brother.”

“Click!” The door opened, revealing Xia Luo’s weary face.

“What is it, Xia Yu? Do you need something?”

Seeing Xia Luo forcing a smile, Xia Yu felt a pang in his chest. No matter how painful inside, Xia Luo always showed his best side to the family.

“Big brother, the Pokémon Association will compensate you this time and let you choose a Pokémon. I want to go with you,” Xia Yu said sincerely.

“We’ll see. We can go together then,” Xia Luo replied nonchalantly. His mind was elsewhere.

“Big brother,” Xia Yu said earnestly, his expression unusually serious, “You have to choose an Electric-type Pokémon this time. This is a treasure I found last night on the underground black market. It’s for you. I hope you can cheer up.”

Xia Luo looked at the box Xia Yu offered him. Though he didn’t know what was inside, he felt a slight warmth in his heart and couldn’t help but ruffle Xia Yu’s hair.

“Xia Yu, I’m fine. I just need some time to recover. Besides, I’m well off financially. Since you found this treasure, you should keep it. No need to give it to me.”

“Big brother, you have to open it first,” Xia Yu said mysteriously. “It’s something good. I really had to part with it reluctantly.”

“What is it? Why the mystery?” Xia Luo was curious and opened the box.

Inside, the box slowly revealed an S-rank Thunder Stone.

“A Thunder Stone?” Xia Luo examined the stone carefully. It was of excellent quality, at least B-rank or above. The exact grade would require further appraisal. “The quality is good, at least above B-rank. Thanks for your kindness.”

A Thunder Stone of such quality was not cheap. It seemed Xia Yu had truly found a rare treasure.

“Big brother!” Xia Yu was speechless, half laughing, half crying. “This Thunder Stone is an S-rank item.”

“S-rank?!” Xia Luo’s previously low spirits instantly sharpened upon hearing this. If it was truly an S-rank item, it was a treasure beyond chance.

Because an S-rank Thunder Stone could potentially enhance the aptitude of Electric-type Pokémon!

“Really?”

“Really.”