Pokémon: I have no choice but to do this old thing?

The echo of Gustav's words, "The hellish forging has officially begun," is like a cold, metallic proverb, imprinted on every stone slab of the ancient ruins, carrying an undeniable weight.

"No amount of theory can compare to seeing it for yourself."

Gustav's sharp gaze swept across the entire area, finally settling on Zhang Jianying. "Kid, and you guys, do you really think a trainer's power is merely limited to throwing Poké Balls and shouting commands?"

Zhang Jianying was about to speak when Gustav waved his hand to interrupt him.

"That's an illusion born of peace. Real danger never follows the League rules. Trainers themselves must be an indispensable part of the team, the last line of defense, not someone who needs to be protected."

As he spoke, he strode towards the rocky area at the edge of the plaza. "Follow me."

Zhang Jianying immediately signaled his companions to follow.

Before we could even get close, a dull, rhythmic tremor came from deep within the stone forest!

"Thump...thump...thump..."

With a roar full of primal wildness, a gray-white figure, like a mobile fortress, smashed through the obstructing rocks and appeared!

A rhinoceros with a horned horn!

It was massive, covered in gray skin like rock armor, and the huge drill horn on its head gleamed dangerously in the dim light.

Its scarlet eyes locked onto the intruder, its nostrils spewing out white mist with a sulfurous smell, and it furiously pawed at the ground, clearly in a state of provocation.

Zhang Jianying looked at them with suspicion and told his companions to stay alert.

However, Gustav seemed oblivious to the ferocious beast poised to pounce, simply saying to Zhang Jianying, "Look closely. This is to show you one of the limits that a trainer's own power can reach. Of course, for you, this is nothing but a mirage, unattainable."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the rhinoceros seemed to be enraged by this utter contempt. It let out a roar that shook the mountains and forests, and its massive body suddenly sprang into action. It lowered its head and aimed its giant horn, which was strong enough to pierce through the mountain rocks, at Gustav, and launched a ferocious ramming attack! The ground rumbled and groaned under its trampling, its power terrifying!

"Be careful!"

Zhang Jianying reminded them, and the Pokémon instantly entered battle mode.

But Gustav's actions exceeded their reaction and overturned their understanding!

Faced with that overwhelming charge, Gustav did not retreat. Instead, he spread his feet slightly apart and planted them into the ground like the roots of a mountain!

He didn't even signal Lucario to attack! Just as the Rhinoceros's devastating horn was about to strike—

Gustav moved!

The movements are concise, precise, and extremely efficient! There is no redundancy whatsoever, only combat skills honed through countless hours and integrated into one's instincts!

He slid to the side, narrowly avoiding the direct attack from the angle.

At the same time, his right hand shot out like lightning, not to directly strike the indestructible drilled horn, but to precisely grab a node where the neck armor and head armor were exposed when the drilled horn rhinoceros charged and lowered its head!

"snort!"

With a short exhale, the terrifying power hidden within Gustav's imposing body erupted instantly!

He did not try to stop the enormous kinetic energy, but instead used the momentum of the forward rush to suddenly exert force in his core, combined with skillful and masterful traction techniques, and with a sudden pull and a flick!

A move that perfectly embodies the principle of using minimal force to achieve maximum effect!

"BOOM—!!!"

The enormous and incredibly heavy rhinoceros seemed to have its trajectory forcibly altered by an incomprehensible force. It let out a bewildered roar and its entire body was uncontrollably flung into the air, like a boulder thrown by a catapult, crashing sideways into a pile of rubble!

The earth shook violently, and rocks flew everywhere! The rhinoceros was thrown around, disoriented, and struggled among the rocks, looking utterly bewildered about its existence.

Gustav remained standing in the same spot, his breathing steady, as if he had merely brushed the dust off his shoulder.

The entire ruins square fell into absolute silence.

Zhang Jianying's lips twitched, his mind went blank, and all his knowledge of tactics, attributes, and skills seemed so pale and powerless at this moment.

A bare-handed over-the-shoulder throw at a rhinoceros?!

Could this guy be evenly matched with Zhiye?

Kirullian's crimson eyes revealed disbelief; its cognitive system had been shaken like never before.

Baby Dragon clutched the Everstone, its jaw nearly dislocated, its crimson pupils filled with the ultimate bewilderment: "Who am I? Where am I? Was that old man a human?"

The forest tortoise shook its enormous head, feeling that its proud defensive concepts seemed so rudimentary in the face of a true "cheater".

Gastly was the most outrageous, completely disintegrating into a terrifying purple mist with a "poof," and it took a long time for it to barely re-condense into a dull, trembling ghost face.

It let out a meaningless, ghostly cry: "Heh...heh heh heh?! Is this old man a legendary Pokémon in human skin?! Boss, can you do that too?! Then I can walk around like a madman?!"

Zhang Jianying, through his nascent awakened aura, barely understood Gastly's howling. He stared at Gastly with a complicated expression, thinking, "You little brat, do you want to inherit my legacy?"

Gustav turned around, ignoring the petrified audience, his tone still calm, yet his words seemed to strike the hearts of everyone and every Pokémon:

"Do you understand? This is not a path that can be easily imitated. Rather, it tells you that the application of power lies in the mind. Absolute power is certainly formidable, but skill, timing, and the ability to identify and exploit weaknesses can also determine the outcome. Trainers themselves should not be the team's weak link."

His gaze swept over the Pokémon, lingering for a moment on Gastly, whose eyes shone with longing. "Of course, your trainer is still far from that level. What he needs right now is the most basic, yet indispensable, accumulation."

Gustav's gaze returned to Zhang Jianying, his voice becoming incredibly solemn: "Zhang Jianying, from this day forward, your training will be divided into four parts, proceeding simultaneously without distinction of primary or secondary importance; all are fundamental to your and the team's future!"

"First, physical fitness, reaction time, and the foundation of combat!"

He pointed to the treacherous surroundings, "Starting tomorrow, every day at dawn, we'll cross mountains with heavy loads, climb cliffs, and dodge Lucario's small Aura Missiles within this area. In the afternoon, I'll personally teach you the basics of Fighting, not to have you wrestle with Pokémon, but to hone your abilities in all aspects."

"Secondly, command and tactics!"

Gustav pointed to his temple. "Power without strategy is mere brute force. I've created a complex battle scenario, simulating a hostile environment. You must discern weaknesses and issue concise, effective commands without relying on external aids. Simultaneously, you must attempt to integrate waveguide perception into your command!"

Third, meditation!

Gustav's expression was solemn. "This is of utmost importance, and it will be the greatest test of one's will. Every night, under the guidance of Lucario's waveguide, meditate deeply for two hours. Familiarize yourself with the power of rebirth, familiarize yourself with the feeling of its flow!"

Fourth, team cohesion and mutual encouragement!

Gustav's gaze swept over the Pokémon. "Your growth isn't an isolated island. Every bit of progress you make requires sharing and working together with them. You need to know the cost of each of their moves. True teamwork is forged through sweat and overcoming difficulties together."

He looked at Zhang Jianying, whose expression was resolute, and smiled coldly, "As for you little guys, you all better be on your toes. Tonight I will point out your shortcomings and training plans one by one."