What should I do if my pet loves watching anime?

That speed was too fast! That posture was too stable!

Gu Beiri couldn't even see the Pidgeot's exact flight path; he only saw it as if it were a meteor falling to earth, yet it possessed an indescribable lightness and control.

The turbulent air currents and hidden cyclones that caused Scyther so much trouble and peril seemed to have no effect on Pidgeot.

It would sometimes turn its body slightly to the side, and sometimes fold its wings slightly. Every subtle adjustment was just right, turning the raging wind and snow and turbulent waters into an aid to its dive. Its speed increased, but its figure became more and more stable!

This is the true way to ride the storm!

Pidgeot's speed far surpassed that of the falling Scyther, and in the blink of an eye, it overtook the green figure that was being swept away by the wind and snow, had lost consciousness, and was rapidly falling towards the pile of rocks at the bottom of the valley.

Just as it was about to crash into the jagged ice wall on one side of the valley, Pidgeot's huge wings suddenly flapped diagonally downwards!

"call--!"

A gentle yet powerful current of air precisely caught the falling mantis, not only offsetting the downward force but also gently deflecting its trajectory to the side onto a relatively thick snow slope.

At the same time, Pidgeot swiftly extended a sharp claw covered in tough keratin, and just before Scyther grazed the ice wall, it firmly and gently grasped its shoulder.

The entire rescue operation took place in the blink of an eye.

This Pidgeot's control over its own strength, airflow, and timing has reached an unparalleled level.

After catching the Scyther, Pidgeot didn't stop. It suddenly raised its wings and made a graceful and powerful lift. With the help of an updraft in the valley, it was like a rocket against the current, carrying the Scyther and rushing back towards the platform above, braving the swirling snow!

They departed like lightning, and returned like a roc soaring into the sky.

In a few breaths, the Pidgeot landed steadily on the platform in front of the cabin, its wings folded, calm and composed, as if it had just completed a trivial stroll.

It gently placed the unconscious flying mantis in its claws onto the thick snow in front of Gu Beiri.

Gu Beiri immediately pounced on it and began to check on the condition of the Scyther.

Fortunately, there was no serious injury.

Gu Beiri quickly took out the best medicine and a warm blanket, carefully treated the wound, and wrapped it tightly with the blanket.

Old Hong walked over to the Pidgeot and patted its thick chest feathers. The Pidgeot lowered its head and gently rubbed its beak against Old Hong's hand, its eyes gentle, a stark contrast to the majestic aura it had displayed just moments before.

"Thank you for your hard work, old friend," Old Hong said in a low voice.

"Phidden Eagle~"

The eagle raises its head and cries out to the sky.

"Don't worry, I'm careful. It won't be long before it wakes up."

Old Hong waved his hand, speaking with a hint of reminiscence.

"This is my old friend, Pidgeot, my only Gym Leader-level Pokémon."

At this moment, Gu Beiri's mood had already calmed down. He recalled the Scyther into its Poké Ball, looked at the almost perfect Pidgeot, and then looked at the vast Mount Taibai. The meaning behind his gaze was self-evident.

"You're right. Pidgeot and I spent three years at Mount Taibai, and it was here that we broke through to the Gym Leader level."

Gu Beiri asked with some hesitation.

"Mr. Hong, isn't it a bit too early for Scyther to be playing now?"

Mr. Hong nodded in agreement, but then shook his head.

"Taibai Mountain is indeed too early for a beginner-level Scyther."

This flight was less of a training exercise and more of a seed planted in its heart.

"seed?"

Gu Beiri didn't understand. Did it mean yearning for the sky?

However, Scyther is not Pidgeot; it will evolve into Scizor in the future, where flight is just a secondary function.

"No, do you know about the Heavenly King level?"

Old Hong shook his head and looked at the dazzling sunrise.

Gu Beiri nodded.

Elite Rank refers to Pokémon of level 70 or above, with level 85 as the dividing line. Every trainer with an Elite Rank Pokémon is entrusted with important tasks by the League.

"To advance a Pokémon from Gym Leader level to Elite Four level, a Seed of Will is required."

Pidgeot and I will only ever reach the Gym Leader level, but Scyther is different. Its talent far surpasses Pidgeot's. With you around, it will go much further than the two of us combined.

No matter what will drive it to reach the Heavenly King level in the future, it will still bear the marks of today, which can be considered as fulfilling our regret about the Heavenly King level.

Let's just assume it's my personal bias.

Looking at Gu Beiri, Old Hong's eyes were filled with longing for his future. At this moment, he seemed to have turned back into the old man next door.

Gu Beiri fell silent.

He didn't know what the future held; his future was a blur.

I will do my best.

Gu Beiri looked up and met Elder Hong's gaze.

"That's enough."

Old Hong smiled with relief, turned around, and looked at the main peak in the distance, half-hidden by a sea of ​​clouds, his gaze distant.

"Dojo Master level... Elite Four level..."

Ah, when you're young, you always feel like the sky's the limit and you can do anything.

Later I realized that some hurdles cannot be overcome by just working hard.

My old friend and I have been stuck at the dojo master level for so many years, but we're still missing something.

Perhaps it's talent, perhaps it's opportunity, or perhaps it's simply the loss of that reckless, mad spirit from back then.

The Pidgeot seemed to understand its master's sentiments, letting out a low cry and gently bringing its huge wings together in silent comfort.

"Alright, old man, I'm used to it after all these years."

Old Hong waved his hand dismissively.

Gu Beiri listened quietly.

He knew that these words from Old Hong were not so much meant for him, but rather for his own past self, who was once just as young and ambitious.

"Alright, enough of this old, trivial stuff. Why bring it up again?"

Old Hong waved his hand, and the sadness that had flashed across his face returned to his usual, slightly rough, and straightforward manner.

"I've planted the seed. How it grows depends on itself and on you."

For the next few days, let's skip the fluff and get down to business.

He pointed down: "Pack your things, we're moving today to the hot spring valley halfway up the mountain."

The little guy is quite cold; he needs a hot bath to improve blood circulation and remove bruises. And…”

A sly glint flashed in Old Hong's eyes: "There's an old friend there who can give your two little ones a lesson in defiance."

…………

Hot Spring Valley is located in a sheltered valley on the southeast side of the main peak of Mount Taibai.

Thanks to geothermal activity, the climate here is relatively mild, with misty fog and numerous hot spring pools of all sizes scattered throughout, creating a wonderful contrast between the rising steam and the surrounding ice and snow.

With Pidgeon around, moving heavy supplies becomes a breeze.

Gu Beiri carried a Poké Ball containing a Scyther, with a fluffy sheep following closely at his feet, curiously observing the warm valley that was so different from the icy and snowy landscape.

The air was filled with a faint smell of sulfur and moist moisture. Some cold-resistant ferns grew tenaciously on the edge of the hot spring, and there were even a few wild peach trees with a few fruits hanging on them, nourished by the heat.