Bottom-tier trainers in the Pokémon world

But then Joanna threw out a Poké Ball, and a fierce and terrifying aura rushed out from within the red light.

"Roar!!"

Its massive, azure-blue body, two magnificent, signature blood-red wings, sharp eyes, and three small delta wings resembling airplane forewings on each side of its head.

Salamence!

When Joanna's Salamence appeared, a loud dragon roar echoed through the mountains and forests.

Xia Yan was slightly shocked as he looked at the pseudo-legendary Pokémon in front of him, which had evolved to its final form. It was also the first pseudo-legendary Pokémon he had ever seen that had completed its final evolution.

Then Joanna's identity becomes quite obvious.

The future hunter J!

Moreover, judging from the aura of this Salamence, it should at least have the strength of a Gym Leader.

Most importantly, once a pseudo-legendary Pokémon reaches its final evolution, its strength will experience a rapid surge.

This is probably the source of Joanna's confidence in setting her sights on those twenty-six seats, or even the highest seat.

After all, the Hunter Guild isn't an organization that solely values ​​strength.

She is a very ambitious woman.

This is Xia Yan's assessment of her at this moment.

Joanna had been watching Xia Yan's expression closely. When she saw that he only showed surprise when he saw the Salamence appear, without showing the fear that a normal person would have, she became even more certain.

"You want to know the reason? Then I'll tell you."

As he spoke, he gently stroked the Salamence's neck, feeling its jagged, hard scales, and slowly said:

"First, you knew about the guild's arrangements for the Snow Peak Temple, yet you still dared to approach it, and even more so, you meticulously chose to join a guild member first, so that you would have a suitable excuse to get close to Snow Peak Mountain. To do this, you are either crazy or you have a certain degree of confidence and assurance in protecting yourself. I believe the latter more."

Raise your second finger.

"Second, if I'm not mistaken, you were thinking of killing me, weren't you? Don't deny it, my Weavile has other abilities, but it's most sensitive to these things."

Before Xia Yan could say anything, he raised a third finger.

"Third, when you saw my Salamence suddenly appear, you only showed surprise, not fear. This is not the behavior of a normal hunter, unless you are confident in your ability to handle it."

He tucked in three fingers, clenched his fist, and said the last thing with a smile.

"Finally, how can you be so sure this is the first time we've met?"

Hearing her slightly teasing words, Xia Yan suddenly realized what she meant.

"Have you been spying on me these past few days?"

Xia Yan recalled the feeling of being watched from afar five days ago. He had initially thought it was some Ghost-type Pokémon from the Hunter's Guild, and he had even tried to find it.

But now it seems that the gaze was probably from the heavens.

His gaze swept over the Salamence.

Because he was afraid of attracting more attention, Xia Yan did not have Pidgey monitor the area from above.

Salamence is strong enough, if it so chooses, to evade Kadabra's senses.

“Calling it surveillance is a bit of an exaggeration. I initially just found someone interesting, but it turns out you’re even more interesting than I imagined,” Joanna shrugged.

After she explained everything from beginning to end, Xia Yan wasn't too surprised by her actions.

However, her actions and behavior also served as a warning to Xia Yan.

Don't treat everyone like fools; some things can't be taken for granted based on your own subjective assumptions.

Having Snorlax as a trump card also influenced some of his actions and judgments.

Deep down, I assumed that my safety was adequately guaranteed.

This is a dangerous change that occurs without anyone noticing.

He might be fine most of the time, but if he really runs into trouble, it could really get him into serious trouble.

"I've said my piece. Make your choice: become my subordinate... no, cooperate? Or do you want to fight?"

"Roar!!"

Salamence roared in perfect unison.

The Beedrill and Kadabra around Xia Yan felt immense pressure and focused their attention, maintaining the highest level of vigilance.

Seeing this, Xia Yan showed a helpless expression.

"You didn't give me a choice at all, did you?"

Joanna smiled.

He strode forward, without Weavile and Salamence, and stopped in the middle.

She is showing her sincerity.

Xia Yan thought for a moment, then gestured for Beedrill and Yuzuriha to stay put, and stepped forward.

"Now, can you tell me your name?"

As he spoke, he extended his hand.

“Bee sting, the hunter’s ‘bee sting’.”

He immediately shook hands with Joanna, establishing a preliminary cooperative relationship.

Chapter 148 The Superpowers of Fusion

Watching Joanna depart on a flying dragon, Xia Yan removed the mask that Ditto had transformed from his face, and his expression darkened.

How much trust can one have in someone who, for their own benefit, disregards the goals of their own faction and even seems to have designs on their superior?

It's impossible for the two to have complete trust; their interactions are more about mutual benefit.

Joanna needs influential subordinates to aim for the 26th position. Even if Xia Yan doesn't actively promote his hunter rank in the Hunter Guild, she will help him to do so.

Xia Yan needs her to gain access to the Snow Peak Temple.

She may have said this to Xia Yan more than just that; he may have already recruited many of the core and peripheral members of the Hunter's Guild.

The Hunter's Guild is about to undergo a major reshuffle, and who will disappear and who will rise to power will depend on their abilities.

Joanna was confident that she could take the lead in the "cooperation".

But Xia Yan is also very confident in himself.

This might also be an opportunity for him.

"It's really hard to say who will ultimately take the lead."

Xia Yan might not have much confidence in people like Hitotsu, Daigo, and Cynthia.

But as a hunter... he still has some confidence as his strength grows.

Otherwise, if you come into this world and fight so hard, and you still can't even reach this level, it would be too embarrassing for the vast number of "transmigrator" big shots.

Gradually.

He has transformed from a nobody struggling at the bottom of the world into a trainer who is gradually becoming goal-oriented, thoughtful, and confident.

These are all changes in mindset brought about by the evolution of strength.

"Don't end up doing all the work for someone else."

After muttering something to himself in the direction Joanna had left, he turned and walked towards the Snow Peak Temple.

According to Joanna, it is safe for him to approach the Snow Peak Temple now.

But she mustn't cause any trouble at this time, otherwise, as the one who has been monitoring the Snow Peak Temple during this period, it will be difficult for her to explain to her superiors.

Xia Yan walked at a brisk pace.

Soon we arrived at the ancient entrance of the Snow Peak Temple.

Two massive, towering stone pillars supported the rocky roof at the entrance, the heavy doors were tightly closed, and the entire temple was completely embedded in the mountain.

After indicating that Kadabra had left a superpower "anchor" at the door, he didn't linger and used it to teleport away.

Upon returning to Xuefeng City, they did not linger and took the earliest flight to Binhai City.

He didn't want to delay any longer because of this.

According to Joanna, the Hunter's Guild has set its sights on the Snow Peak Temple due to an upcoming major operation, and has even gone so far as to contact Team Ocean, demonstrating their strong determination.

Xia Yan wanted to finish this as soon as possible and then get away without getting involved.

Because of the frequent snowfall in Xuefeng City, flight schedules are not fixed; they are arranged whenever the snow stops.

Fortunately, Xia Yan was lucky enough to have weather without snowfall.

So they successfully arrived in Binhai City before dark, saving Yongjira the cost of using teleportation.

Arrive at the Pokémon Center.

I saw the grandfather and grandson again, who stayed obediently in the room and didn't leave for a single moment.

"Brother Togepi!"

When Xiao Meiyu saw Xia Yan, she immediately jumped off the bed and ran to him. Her little face was flushed, and she had long since lost the timidity she had when they first met.

Xia Yan smiled and rubbed her head, then looked at Kaiji, who was walking towards him with a hunched back.

He was already old, and he suffered such serious injuries last time. Even if he survived, some of the damage would be permanent for someone with his physique.

Keji didn't speak, but looked at Xia Yan with slightly greater anticipation.

Seeing Xia Yan nod silently, Kaiji relaxed and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Pack your things and let's leave now," Xia Yan said.

"We've always been preparing."

Cage pointed to the package in the corner.

"very good."

Xia Yan liked this clean and efficient behavior.