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

After obtaining the Glacier Badge, Zhang Jianying decided to stay an extra day.

He remembered the owner of Xiaosong's suggestion about natural ice springs and planned to take the ice goose to experience the pure ice energy.

Passing through the jungle covered with thick snow, a sapphire-like icy spring nestled in a mountain valley came into view.

The spring water exuded a chill, and glistening icicles condensed around it, while pure ice-attribute energy permeated the air.

"Iceman! (✧◡✧)"

The ice-cure goose seemed particularly excited as soon as it arrived.

It struggled to jump off Zhang Jianying's arms, ran to the spring with shuffling steps, and then jumped in with a splash!

The ice goose didn't sink; instead, it floated comfortably on the water like a small boat, relying on its square ice head.

Its small black and white body was soaking in the cool spring water, its two little wings occasionally splashing the water, its diamond-shaped mouth making comfortable humming sounds, and the tuft of hair on its head swaying gently with the ripples.

What's even more baffling is that the gym owner, Xiaosong, and her several Ice-type Pokémon were also soaking in the spring.

They seemed to be enjoying themselves, as if it were a warm hot spring rather than a cold icy spring.

"Master Xiaosong, aren't you...cold?"

Zhang Jianying couldn't help but ask, as he felt the biting cold just standing on the shore.

"Cold? How could it be!"

Xiao Song scooped up a handful of icy water, her smile radiant. "This is paradise for Ice-type Pokémon! For us trainers who spend all our time with ice and snow, a little soak now and then can be good for our health! Want to come down and try it?"

Seeing how content Xiaosong and her Pokémon looked, Zhang Jianying admitted that he felt a momentary flutter in his heart.

He activated the waveguide power within his body, forming a weak heat insulation layer on his skin, and then carefully extended one foot to probe into the spring water.

The biting cold instantly pierced through the waveguide's protection, causing him to shiver.

"hiss--"

He quickly pulled his feet back and rubbed them vigorously. "Never mind, at this temperature, I'm afraid soaking them for too long won't make me stronger, but will just freeze me into an ice sculpture."

He exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, "Your constitution is truly unreasonable."

Upon hearing this, Xiaosong and her Pokémon burst into laughter, with Glaceon even playfully blowing a breath of cold air in Zhang Jianying's direction.

Soaking in the spring water, Xiaosong stroked the Glaceon that snuggled up to her while continuing their previous conversation, explaining in more detail the key points of raising Ice-type Pokémon:

"...In addition to gradual environmental adaptation, appropriate items are also very important. Pure, non-melting ice can not only enhance the power of Ice-type moves, but its slowly released pure cold air is also very beneficial to the energy accumulation and physical growth of young Ice-type Pokémon."

She pointed in a direction from Snowpeak City: "In the alley behind the commercial street, there's an old shop called 'Icebound Abode.' The owner is a taciturn old man. The Unmelting Ice he sells is of extremely high quality; it's a secret hideout known only to the locals of Snowpeak City. The chain stores outside can't compare to his stock at all. He also has other items suitable for Ice-type Pokémon, such as Cold Rock. You can go check it out."

"Ice Condensation Cottage?"

Zhang Jianying wrote down the name.

Without Xiaosong pointing it out, he would have had a hard time finding this shop hidden deep in the alley.

After saying goodbye to Xiaosong and the others who were still enjoying themselves in the ice spring, Zhang Jianying, carrying the ice goose that was soaking contentedly and exuding a cool aura, found the small shop according to the directions.

The shop's facade is old-fashioned, and the lettering on the signboard is somewhat blurred.

Pushing open the door, a refreshing coolness hits you, unlike the cold outside; it's a pure and refreshing chill.

The store is not very spacious, but it displays various ice-related props.

As Xiaosong said, the shop owner was an old man with white hair and beard, silently wiping the counter.

After Zhang Jianying explained his purpose, the old man simply nodded silently and took out a wooden box from under the counter.

The moment the box was opened, an even purer, colder aura wafted out.

Inside were several pieces of non-melting ice. They were not the transparent ice blocks one might imagine, but rather a restrained milky white color. Their surfaces were smooth and warm, and they were cool to the touch but not piercing, as if they contained the chill of life.

[Non-melting ice (premium)]

[Status: Full of energy, with internally contained coldness, of exceptional quality.]

[Note: Long-term wear can slowly improve the energy purity and control of Ice-type Pokémon, and slightly promote their growth.]

The data provided confirmed Xiao Song's statement. Zhang Jianying bought one without hesitation and also purchased an additional [Cold Rock] of equally high quality.

With the old man's help, he threaded the high-quality, non-melting ice onto the neck of the ice-carved goose.

The ice cubes were the perfect size, fitting its small body perfectly.

"Ice Cream? (◍•ᴗ•◍)"

The ice goose curiously touched the cool, comfortable stone on its chest with its wing, and soon it grew to like the little pendant.

It felt a gentle and continuous flow of ice energy slowly flowing into its body from the stone, making it feel very comfortable. As a result, its perception and absorption of ice energy in the surrounding environment seemed to have become much more acute.

Watching the ice goose, adorned with unmelting ice, happily pacing around his feet, and feeling the ice energy gradually condensing and growing on its body, Zhang Jianying nodded in satisfaction.

……

In the evening, Zhang Jianying and his friends returned to their room at the Pokémon Center.

The Ice Goose seemed still immersed in the excitement of acquiring a new item, running around the room and fiddling with the unmelting ice on its chest.

However, joy turned to sorrow.

The little guy wasn't paying attention and slipped. The square ice cube head slammed into the corner of the table with a "thud"!

The room fell silent.

Several clear cracks spread out from the point of impact on the hard ice block atop the ice-carved goose's head.

"Ice Cream...? (⊙ˍ⊙)"

The ice goose itself was stunned, remaining in the head-banging position, staring blankly ahead.

Then, under everyone's stunned gaze...

"Crack... snap..."

A series of crisp, cracking sounds came from the fine ice.

The iconic square block of ice atop the ice goose's head shattered into several pieces and crashed to the ground!

Ice shards shimmered on the ground, and where the ice had been, the true head of the ice goose was now revealed!

A round little head covered with fluffy blue down, and a long, tuft of hair that looks even longer.

The eyes on its round head were no longer the blurry dots seen through the ice, but a pair of melancholy eyes that shimmered with a watery light, carrying a hint of confusion and helplessness.

"(´•ω•̥`) Ice... Ice Qi."

It let out a timid, tearful cry, its little wings instinctively covering its smooth, round head, its teary eyes looking around.

Her eyes were filled with fear, as if asking, "Who am I? Where am I? I'm so scared!" This was a stark contrast to her previous cheerful, outgoing, and adventurous self!

All the Pokémon: "!!!"

The baby dragon curiously approached, poked at the broken ice on the ground with its claws, then looked at the ice goose that seemed to have a new "skin," its scarlet pupils filled with confusion: "Who are you?"

Gardevoir floated closer, gently soothing the trembling little creature with its psychic powers, its telepathic message carrying a hint of surprise: Don't be afraid, it's just that the shell is broken.

Looking at the melancholy, teary eyes of the ice-covered goose, Zhang Jianying suddenly had an extremely absurd thought pop into his mind.

Look at that look, that aura—it's like it's urging the trainer to buy Q coins and skins for its pet.

He suppressed a laugh, squatted down, and gently stroked the icy goose's smooth, round head, comforting it, "It's alright, it's alright, don't be afraid. Your icy head will regenerate. Once we find a place where it snows, it will freeze again."

Ice-crushed goose: (´д｀)ゞ

Ice Goose sniffed its non-existent nose, a hint of expectation appearing in its melancholy eyes, but overall it still exuded a skinless,颓废 aura, as if it didn't want to see anyone.

Several little creatures gathered around the thawed-headed Ice Goose, marveling at its appearance. Gastly excitedly flicked its tongue, sniffed the ice shards on the ground, and then tentatively licked one: "Hehehe! Tastes good!"

Overwhelmed with curiosity, Baby Dragon approached the smooth head of Ice Goose and suddenly took a slurp, startling Ice Goose.

And so, the two unfortunate souls were once again thrown out the window by Gardevoir...

At the crucial moment, the tortoise was surprisingly reliable, leading the ice goose into the yard. As the snowflakes fell, icicles began to appear on its bald head, then slowly froze, restoring it to its original square ice block shape.

The little penguin, now masked again, became cheerful once more, babbling back to its nest. Its tiny wings still tightly clung to the ice cube head, and with two contented chirps, it slowly drifted off to sleep…