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

Meanwhile, Haunter's training grounds welcomed a new mentor.

When the enormous Night Demon, with its eerie runes on its belly and a chilling aura, appeared, even the lively Gastly became somewhat quiet.

"The Night Demon is a master of controlling shadows and the passage to the spirit world."

Gustav explains, "It will teach you how to truly merge into the shadows, how to suppress all energy fluctuations, and become an invisible ghost that even waveguides cannot easily detect."

Under the silent yet oppressive guidance of the Night Demon, Gastly began its true "assassin" training.

It learned how to suppress its ghostly energy fluctuations to a minimum, like a drop of water merging into the ocean; how to move at high speeds without stirring up any air currents; and how to use blind spots in the environment and light for perfect stealth.

At the same time, the Night Demon also began to teach it a unique advanced Ghost-type technique.

"The ordinary 'Night Demon Shadow' has limited damage and a scattered form."

The Night Demon's voice was cold and direct, "I will teach you a special way of constructing energy, highly compressing and shaping your ghostly energy and willpower into an energy entity that combines offensive and defensive capabilities. I call it the ultimate improved version of the Night Demon!"

"..."

An awkward silence followed.

Gastly, trembling, raised its claws as it stared at the inexplicably oppressive Night Demon. "Heh heh heh. B-boss, isn't this name a bit lacking in imposing presence? It doesn't quite match your aura. Can we perhaps change it to something more domineering?"

The Darkrai's crimson single eye stared at the trembling Gastly, saying nothing. Only the slightly swaying lines on its abdomen and its increasingly red head revealed its inner embarrassment.

It didn't say anything more, but simply grabbed Gastly with its large hand, turned, and headed towards the training ground...

Under the "gentle" guidance of the Night Demon, Haunter began to experiment.

Initially, it condensed into a vague, constantly disintegrating purple energy cluster.

But after repeated failures and adjustments, a giant purple energy shadow, roughly the size of a forest tortoise and with a more stable structure, appeared tremblingly around it.

Although it only lasted for three or four seconds before dissipating, the energy intensity emitted by that energy shadow far exceeded the skill effect of ordinary Night Demon Shadow when used for attack, and even carried a faint sense of substantial oppression!

"Hehehe!! Success! This is great!"

Gastly flailed its tongue wildly, waving its claws with tears streaming down its face. Heaven knows what it went through to learn this trick.

Afterwards, Zhang Jianying looked at the dissipating giant shadow and still wanted to complain that its shape resembled the "Susanoo" from the movie next door, or piloting a Gundam.

However, it must be admitted that this technique is indeed ingenious, transforming the originally lackluster "Nightmare" into an offensive and defensive skill that can compensate for Gastly's defensive shortcomings to some extent.

Master Gustav's unique vision in Pokémon move development is truly admirable.

"Practice diligently, and the improved Night Demon will be the key to turning the tide of battle."

Gustav to Gastly: "Remember your role. Use Trickery to harass your opponent, use Speed ​​to find openings, and at crucial moments, combine offense and defense to deliver a fatal blow!"

Gastly excitedly piloted its Gundam to find the little girl and show off. It could already imagine the glorious image of teasing Baby Dragon in the future, no longer needing to dodge but instead facing it head-on in its Gundam!

The training of baby dragons is still accompanied by pain and stubbornness.

During this period, Zhang Jianying spent most of his time with it after completing his physical and combat training.

He watched as the baby dragon struggled painfully in each energy conflict, and watched its contorted expression—a mixture of pain and near-mad joy—revealed when it succeeded in a tiny cycle. His heart was filled with complex emotions.

Gustav's words echoed in his ears:

"...It will be the craziest and most unpredictable trump card in your hand."

"Baby Dragon isn't afraid of getting hurt; it's only afraid of not being strong enough, not fast enough to tear apart anything that threatens it. Guide this obsession that stems from an extreme desire to protect. In the future, when the power of its 'flying skin' is truly guided, combined with its fearlessness, the evolved version of it will be a mad machine that exists solely for slaughter."

Zhang Jianying knew that he had to become stronger faster, strong enough to control this emerging power, strong enough to become the most solid rational pillar and the only "reins" behind Baby Dragon's madness.

……

As night fell and the exhausted group collapsed once again at the campsite, the atmosphere was much more relaxed than in the morning.

"Hehehe~ Watch my new trick!"

Gastly excitedly tried to condense a Gundam again. This time, the giant shadow was much clearer and more stable, lasting for five seconds. It looked triumphantly at its little sister, Baby Dragon, and gently punched Baby Dragon with the fist formed by the shadow Gundam. This prompted Baby Dragon to ignore its fatigue and breathe the dragon breath it had just mastered at Gastly.

Kirlian finished her training with the Iron Warrior and was carefully using her telekinesis to clean the dust off her skirt.

Kirlia looked at the crazy Gastly and the furiously rooted Pokémon, shook its head helplessly, but deep in its eyes, a doting and gentle smile flashed.

It raised its hand and used its telekinesis to precisely push a tree fruit that had rolled to the side of the baby dragon back to its claws.

Baby Dragon stood with his hands on his hips next to Zhang Jianying's knees, baring his teeth and howling.

While enjoying the rare soothing massage and waveguide immersion after training.

It saw the fruit, sniffed it, then carefully picked it up and nibbled on it.

Baby Dragon glanced at Kirlia with its scarlet pupils, but in the firelight, its eyes, usually volatile, were now filled with a sense of reliance on the peace of the moment.

The forest tortoise moved its massive body to shield everyone from the night wind blowing from the valley entrance. The bushes on its back emitted a gentle life energy, like a natural healing field, slowly restoring everyone's depleted strength.

It tried to slightly expand the area of ​​the grassy field, and the emerald green light gently enveloped each of its companions.

The turtle's good friend, Pot Pot, leisurely climbed onto the forest turtle's shell and poured his tired companion a full bowl of freshly fermented tree juice for efficient recovery.

Seeing this, Zhang Jianying's tired face broke into a genuine smile.

Despite the arduous training and the unknown future, there are paradoxical Pokémon, legendary insights, and unique skill development...

This world is full of wonders, but with these partners by my side, supporting each other and growing together, everything is full of hope and challenges.

Gustav, accompanied by Lucario and the others, stood in the shadows not far away, watching his "apprentice" family with a deep gaze.

The team's potential is being gradually unleashed under his guidance, developing in a direction that transcends the norm.

He plans to hand over the formula and equipment for a new type of nutritional cube that the League does not sell publicly, which can comprehensively improve Pokémon's six stats.

Gustav decided to entrust the task of collecting materials to them, as this was an essential step in their future growth.

"Keep it up, guys."

He muttered to himself, then turned and disappeared into the shadows of the ruins.

"Let me see what kind of tower you, the foundation stones I personally crafted and who blend the present with the future, can ultimately build."

The starry sky above Tianguan Mountain silently witnessed everything, but the light in the camp seemed even more dazzling than the starlight in the sky…