Bottom-tier trainers in the Pokémon world

At first glance, it looks like a stone, but upon closer inspection, you'll find that it's just that it looks similar; in reality, it's a highly solidified ice crystal filled with rich ice energy.

This should be the precursor to the Ice Stone, the "stone covered in ice and snow." It is actually a crystallization of highly condensed ice energy, and it may become the Ice Stone after a long period of change.

“This should be it…” Xia Yan said, standing at the edge of the “flower” and looking at the deep blue ice stone inside.

"Bu-i~~"

Upon hearing this, Eevee immediately jumped in, its milky-white tail twitching gently as it tiptoed towards the center.

A glimmer of hope appeared in Cynthia's eyes.

"Will this allow Eevee to evolve into the form it wants?"

However, Xia Yan was not as optimistic as her, taking in the entire area.

flower?

This was clearly not formed naturally; it must have been arranged like this by some person or spirit.

"Rather than calling it a flower, I feel it's more like a..."

"What?" Cynthia also sensed that something was wrong with this place.

Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, Xia Yan's pupils contracted sharply. He took a deep breath and exhaled heavily, looking at Cynthia and saying in a deep voice, "Bird's Nest."

Violence—

Chapter Twenty-Six: Articuno!

Bird's Nest!

What kind of elf would build a nest in a place like this?

Violence!!

A loud bird call pierced through the clouds and snow in the distance and reached Xia Yan and Shirona's ears.

Xia Yan's expression suddenly changed.

The name of the person whose voice came from afar was almost obvious.

Articuno!

The legendary elf!

It belongs to the same level as Zapdos, which was once captured by Tomruki!

While it's certainly not the real Articuno with "divine authority," the mere fact that it's called "Articuno" is something that ordinary Pokémon can't compare to.

Cynthia understood the meaning behind Xia Yan's words, and coupled with the voice that came from behind, the rapidly approaching shadow, and the growing sense of oppression...

She never expected that an articulated bird would actually live on Tianguan Mountain!

Most people probably can't imagine it.

The main reason is that Tianguan Mountain is too high, and dense snow and wind blow over it all year round. Even if a flock of Articuno were to hide in the snow and wind, let alone a single Articuno, no one would necessarily find it.

Furthermore, their current location was already quite high, situated at the boundary between Tianguan Mountain and the clouds. The thick, swirling mist further enhanced the Articuno's ability to conceal its movements.

Articuno is a rare Pokémon, and it is a legendary Pokémon, but they do exist in groups, and these groups are quite large.

However, some powerful Articuno will leave their flock to live alone, seeking out frigid peaks or remote islands to inhabit.

Mount Tianguan, in terms of both altitude and coldness, absolutely meets the requirements of articulated birds.

But the appearance of an Articuno is now very disadvantageous for Xia Yan and Cynthia.

No wonder we can find "rocks covered in ice and snow" here; it turns out that this is all because of Articuno's existence.

Whether these rocks attracted the Articuno or their presence inspired the formation of these rocks is now impossible to ascertain.

All I know is that if we don't leave now, Cynthia and Natsuhiko, who disturbed its stone, will definitely become its first targets.

But at this time.

Eevee, running around happily, was only a few seconds away from the rocks, eager to evolve into Glaceon.

Just as Xia Yan was hesitating whether to have Cynthia stop Eevee now and leave, Cynthia spoke first:

"Xia Yan, thank you for telling me about Eevee's evolution. Don't get involved in this anymore, let's go!"

Xia Yan opened his mouth, the words that had just been stuck in his throat suddenly choked back down.

go?

'If you hadn't told me, I really would have left...'

Xia Yan felt helpless.

If Cynthia hadn't said that, he might have really left. Now that she's spoken up, Xia Yan is in a bit of a dilemma.

If you say you won't leave, you might... no, you'll definitely face Articuno's wrath. Although we don't know the strength of this Articuno yet, it's definitely not to be underestimated.

But when Cynthia said "Let's go," he felt awkward and even a little embarrassed to leave.

The only certainty is that with his departure, his relationship with Cynthia has completely ended, and he and Cynthia are now even, with neither owing the other anything.

It wasn't a big deal originally.

But if he's going to settle down in Sinnoh and establish a gym, then he absolutely can't avoid this future champion.

If he doesn't leave, then regardless of the final outcome, whether he succeeds or fails, Cynthia will owe him a favor.

Moreover, these favors become increasingly valuable as Cynthia's strength increases.

This is a trade-off.

At last.

Xia Yan gritted his teeth.

Forget about leaving!

It's just Articuno. Zapdos has done it too. What's there to be afraid of with Articuno?

I just don't know if Dorambaruto can hold on...

Articuno is different from Zapdos after all. The Ice type's advantage over Dragon-type Pokémon will put Dragapult under more pressure when facing Zapdos.

Having made his decision, Xia Yan said coldly to Cynthia, "What kind of person do you take me for?"

This was the first time Cynthia had ever heard Xia Yan speak to her in such a cold tone, but she felt no aversion at all; in fact, she was even a little moved and impressed.

There aren't many people who dare to face Articuno directly.

She pursed her lips and sincerely said to Xia Yan, "Thank you."

"Even so, be prepared to face Articuno's wrath," Xia Yan said, as he produced several Poké Balls.

They opened one after another.

Beedrill and Twin Scabbard were summoned.

"The opponent is very strong, be prepared."

Upon hearing Xia Yan's words, both Beedrill and Dual Blades nodded with solemn expressions, especially Dual Blades, who looked genuinely worried.

It seemed like I was safer following Xia Yan, but for some reason, there would always be a few moments of excitement.

On the other side, Cynthia also threw out a Poké Ball.

In addition to Eevee entering Articuno's nest, in order to fight against Lucario, a Gruul summoned by an Ice-type Pokémon, and Garchomp, which was very familiar with the area, Eevee also summoned a Rockruff and a Roselia.

Of Cynthia's Pokémon, apart from Rockruff which doesn't quite fit her identity and temperament, the rest are all pretty good.

As for the poisonous rose...

Clearly, he is the controller in Cynthia's team.

Although Grass-type Pokémon are weak against Ice-type Pokémon.

The two were on high alert, ready to welcome Articuno.

the other side.

The excited little Eevee didn't sense anything unusual. Its mind was filled with the "ice-covered rocks" in front of it. As it got closer, it could feel a resonance with them, as if the cells in its body were cheering because of its approach.

The genes within the body also begin to stir as it gets closer.

Eevee finally understood why it was so happy to see ice and snow when it was a puppy; it was born for this attribute.

And so.

When it approached the extremely cold rock, it did not feel cold at all, but rather felt an unusual sense of intimacy.

It felt so familiar that it couldn't help but want to place its hand on it.

"Bu-i~~"

Unable to suppress its impulse and desire, Eevee leaped lightly to the stone and placed its paw on the most dazzling and eye-catching one.

In an instant.

Eevee trembled slightly as a chill crept up its arm and into its body, instantly waking up the dormant genetic fragments within its cells.

Immediately afterwards, his whole body burst forth with dazzling white light.

And as the cold currents continued to flow into the stone, the milky white light became more and more obvious until it completely enveloped the stone.

In the hazy light, Eevee's form began to change.

It has entered an evolutionary state!

Xia Yan and Xiluona were also startled by the dazzling white light.

"It seems it does indeed have a similar effect to the Ice Stone," Xia Yan nodded to himself.

"It evolved!" Cynthia's eyes shone with undisguised excitement. Her little fists clenched without her noticing. She was happy for her Pokémon and pleased that Eevee had made its favorite choice.

But while they were happy, one elf felt completely different.

The Articuno, rushing towards them from afar, also saw the white light and sensed that the energy in one of its stones was rapidly dissipating.

It unconsciously quickened the flapping of its wings.

I hadn't been out of the house for long when my hideout was raided.