An abstract trainer who taught Charmander the Incinerate move

Chapter 7 Combat Skills: Fire Claw
[Xiao Huolong! How is your practice of the Burning Flame Technique that I taught you?]

"what?!"

The aged and majestic voice boomed like thunder, startling Xiao Huolong and instantly waking him from his cultivation state.

An aged, phantom figure wearing a red hat appeared before it, like smoke or mist.

Originally, Xiao Huolong was in seclusion inside that dark and deep wooden barrel, focusing intently on circulating the Burning Technique, meticulously transforming the fire-type energy accumulated in his body throughout his life into pure Burning Technique battle qi.

However, at this moment, the surrounding scenery has changed. It is no longer the dark and narrow space in the wooden barrel, but has transformed into a lush and vibrant Elf Mountain Range.

In a daze, Xiao Huolong fell into a brief state of confusion.

Who am I? Where is reality, and where is the dream...?

I can't tell them apart, I really can't tell them apart!

After Huozige went into a mental lapse for three seconds, the subjective initiative of its lizard-like Down syndrome brain came into full play.

Its simple mind stopped it from getting caught up in switching between dreams and reality, and instead it quickly adjusted its state, straightened its back, and answered Old Chi's question with utmost respect.

"Elder Chi, your disciple is unworthy. After days and nights of arduous cultivation, I have barely managed to cultivate my technique to the fourth level of Dou Qi!"

After dedicated training in the wooden barrel, Xiao Huolong's accumulated strength finally paid off. Relying on his level 15 fire-type energy, he had raised his battle qi from the third low-level stage to the fourth low-level stage.

Upon hearing this good news, Elder Chi stroked his long beard, nodded slightly, and a hint of approval flashed in his eyes.

"Hmm... You're a promising student! I knew long ago that this Burning Incineration Technique was tailor-made for a dragon with such extraordinary talent as you!"

Old Chi's voice carried a hint of smugness, which then turned to worry.

[However, you started cultivating far too late. You might find yourself struggling in the upcoming academy competition!]

"Oh—(Down syndrome trill)? The grand competition in the courtyard!"

Xiao Huolong's eyes widened in shock.

At this moment, as the words "Grand Competition in the Academy" exploded in his ears like thunder, memories that did not exist in Xiao Huolong's mind suddenly surged up like a tide.

The Grand Competition in the Academy is a coming-of-age ceremony for the elves bred within the Xiao Mu Research Institute before they leave the institute.

Only by undergoing this trial can one become a qualified Pokémon and leave the Xiaomu Research Institute to begin their own journey with their trainer.

Seeing Xiao Huolong's bewildered expression, Elder Chi slowly spoke after the other party had processed this sudden setting.

This match is somewhat difficult for your current strength, so I've decided to stop holding back and teach you some real skills! That is—combat techniques!

Combat skills?!
Upon hearing these two words, Xiao Huolong's dragon body trembled, sensing an inexplicable yet awe-inspiring aura!

"May I ask Elder Chi, what... what is combat skill?"

The old man stood in mid-air, his face solemn, his voice like a great bell, echoing through the valley.

[Battle techniques are skills driven by battle qi! They are divided into four ranks from highest to lowest: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow! Each rank is further divided into three levels: high, medium, and low! Today, I will teach you a battle technique tailor-made for you. Memorize this technique thoroughly!]

Snapped!
Old Chi reached out with one hand, his palm glowing with a faint red light, and slapped Xiao Huolong's smooth head hard.

In an instant, a warm current surged in, and incredibly detailed information was deeply etched into the other person's mind like a brand.

【Combat Skill: Fire Claw】

This is a fighting technique that gathers and concentrates battle energy in the claws, propelling them to strike the enemy.

This technique is divided into three levels: Blazing, Burning, and Explosive. Reaching each level unlocks a unique special ability, multiplying its power.

[Once this technique is mastered, it can split mountains and shatter rocks, becoming indestructible and sweeping away all powerful enemies!]

Upon receiving the transmission of power from Elder Chi, Xiao Huolong was overjoyed and deeply felt the exquisite beauty of this fighting technique.

It never imagined that it would one day have such good fortune and learn such ingenious skills!

If I can learn this amazing skill, I'll have it for life!

Overwhelmed with excitement, it hurriedly asked in a trembling voice, "May I...may I ask Elder Chi, this [Fire Claw] is so powerful, what level of combat skill is it...?"

Xiao Huolong clenched his fists, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Old Man Chi smiled slightly, revealing an expression of disdain for all the heroes, and slowly uttered four large words.

[Lower Yellow Rank!]

"Ah this..."

Xiao Huolong's expression froze instantly, as if he had been doused with a bucket of cold water.

Even Xiao Huolong's lizard brain could understand that this Yellow Rank Lower Level was the lowest level of fighting skill.

You probably couldn't find a lower-level fighting technique even if you searched the entire Doujing Continent!
Sensing the other's disappointment, Old Chi immediately became serious and gave the ambitious but unrealistic young man a stern rebuke.

[Heh! Kid, it's not that I'm holding back, but the higher the level of a fighting technique, the more demanding the requirements are on the user's own qualities. With your current meager fighting spirit and skinny arms and legs, if I were to teach you a high-level fighting technique, you'd probably self-destruct before you even got a chance to unleash it!]

Upon hearing this, Xiao Huolong trembled, cold sweat pouring down his face. He immediately became extremely respectful, and his earlier sense of loss vanished completely.

"Ah... Elder Chi is right! This disciple is foolish and almost went astray!"

It understood that Elder Chi's words were not an exaggeration; it had long heard of the practice of self-destruction during training.

It seems like that's how Ishigaki and Voltorb died...

Of course, Mo Zhen, who plays Old Chi, speaks eloquently, acting as a teacher instructing his apprentice not to be overly ambitious and to learn to proceed step by step.

Actually, he also wanted to teach him something ruthless, and he couldn't wait to teach this kid the Yan Emperor's signature skill - hand-made nuclear bomb.

Unfortunately, dreams can only unleash the potential of spirits; they cannot truly detach themselves from reality and build castles in the air.

If you directly teach some seemingly world-destroying divine skills, the result will be that in reality, Heaven-rank combat skills can only produce the effect of small flames.

That would completely destroy the power system of the Battle Through the Heavens world, leading to a stacking effect where the Buddha's Fury Lotus only has a power of 30, and a level two divine beast can instantly kill a Battle Emperor...

Therefore, a tall building starts from the ground up; the more solid the foundation, the more stable the building above will be.

Seeing that Xiao Huolong had been thoroughly reprimanded, Elder Chi's expression softened, and he then slowly began to make grand promises.

【Although this is only a low-level Yellow Rank combat skill, you shouldn't underestimate yourself. This move has extremely high potential for growth. As long as you cultivate it to its highest level, it can even unleash the power of a Profound Rank combat skill! I believe this move will definitely shine in your hands and create new glories!】

Encouraged by Elder Chi and given a promise of a bright future, Xiao Huolong's enthusiasm for cultivating this technique was instantly ignited, and his eyes seemed to be burning with fire.

It straightened its back, clenched its right paw into a fist, and solemnly declared.

"Elder Chi! I will certainly not let you down! I will definitely master this technique and make it a unique skill that I can use on my own!"

Seeing the other party's enthusiastic expression, Old Chi stroked his beard and smiled without saying a word.

Because this fighting technique was entirely improvised by the old man on the spot, and he performed it by hand.

In the original story, the Yan Emperor Gouba was always either slapping a ruler or conjuring nuclear bombs; he didn't have more than two proper fire-type skills.

Moreover, this hairy lizard's only combat skill is its "catch" move.

It couldn't quite master the fancy tricks that the other party had, so it simply used the "grab" as a base and tailored a fire-based grabbing game for the other party.

As for just how powerful this move is...

Just believe in its boundless potential!
As they parted, Old Man Chi's figure gradually became transparent.

But his powerful voice still echoed in Xiao Huolong's ears, continuing to encourage him and imprint the boy with the right ideology.

[Remember, as long as you're fired up enough! The potential of this fighting technique has no limit! One day, even the heavens will be shattered by your flames!]

[Cut—The second act of "Battle Through the Spirits," to be continued...]

(End of this chapter)