The strongest gym leader starts by beating up Gary.

Xiao Mao looked helpless. He was the one who was injured, but he couldn't get a word in edgewise.

Xiaoxia and Xiaogang looked at Xiaozhi and asked him questions with some curiosity.

"Ash, why did you suddenly become Gym Leader Fang's apprentice?"

“Yeah, so you’re not going to continue your trip?” Xiao Gang asked as well.

Upon hearing the word "travel," Ash was momentarily stunned. "Right, can I still travel after I become an apprentice?"

Upon hearing Xiaoxia and Xiaogang's words, Fang Yuan immediately realized that something was wrong.

'You also intend to plot against my disciple?!'

Just as Xiao Zhi was in a daze, Fang Yuan stepped forward and looked at Xiao Zhi with a serious expression, explaining...

"Don't worry, I don't intend for you to stay at the gym forever. It's just that you're not suited to continue traveling right now. Accumulating knowledge, improving your abilities as a trainer, and learning how to train Pokémon are the most important things."

"Travel is a way to test the results of your efforts, not a necessity to become stronger."

"Oh, I see."

"Master is right after all."

Xiao Zhi touched the back of his head sheepishly.

Fang Yuan smiled and nodded, then looked at Xiaoxia and Xiaogang, silently thinking to himself.

"You two shouldn't even think about taking my disciple away from me!"

But looking at Xiaoxia and Xiaogang, Fang Yuan's desire to take on apprentices suddenly rekindled.

But Fang Yuan later abandoned the idea.

Fang Yuan glanced at the injured, pale-faced Xiao Mao and the dazed Xiao Zhi, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"Sigh~ Let's focus on training these two people first."

"None of them give me any peace of mind."

Chapter 39: A Gift Left Behind for Gary, Professor Oak, and Agatha Christie

After dealing with the poachers, Fang Yuan and his group returned to Songzao City.

What Fang Yuan least expected was that Professor Oak and Elite Four member Agatha Christie were actually waiting for him at the entrance of the Pokémon Center.

Just as Fang Yuan was about to say something, Professor Oak cut to the chase and said to him...

"Alright, come over and have a chat, kid."

Professor Oak looked at Fang Yuan with a hint of helplessness and said.

Fang Yuan still wanted to pretend and get away with it, but Professor Oak didn't give him the chance.

"If you don't speak like a human being, I'm taking Xiao Mao and leaving. No one here can stop me!"

Hearing Professor Oak's somewhat exasperated remarks, Fang Yuan couldn't help but mentally complain.

"Have you no shame? Who started this by speaking inhuman language?"

But Fang Yuan still smiled when he saw the Dragonite next to Professor Oak, which was only level 75+ and looked like a champion-level Pokémon.

"Professor Oak, please say whatever you want to say. We juniors should listen."

Professor Oak took one last look at Gary and said helplessly.

"Sigh~ I really don't know what kind of magic potion you gave Xiao Mao, that he actually chose such a weakling like you as his master."

Faced with Professor Oak's sarcasm, Fang Yuan's lips twitched, but he did not refute it.

"Since it's Xiao Mao's own choice, you can continue to be his mentor. But if Xiao Mao can't even make it into the top eight in this league tournament, then you can stop being his mentor!"

"No problem!" Fang Yuan agreed without hesitation to Professor Oak's request.

"Xiao Mao has some likable traits, but he's not a bad person..."

Looking at his injured son, Professor Oak's face revealed for the first time the look of an old man who loves his grandson dearly.

"No matter what, I'm entrusting Shigeru to you, Gym Leader Fang!" Professor Oak said, bowing deeply to Fang Yuan.

Professor Oak's sudden action caught Fang Yuan off guard, and he quickly stepped aside, saying...

"Professor Oak, there's no need for that. Gary is now my apprentice, and I will take good care of him no matter what. I assure you, this will never happen again!"

Professor Oak looked at Fang Yuandao

"Then I'll leave Xiao Mao to you. Although I originally planned to take Xiao Mao with me, I didn't prepare any gift for our meeting. I'll give this to you first."

"Professor Oak, no need. It's already an honor that you're entrusting Gary to me..."

Fang Yuan had intended to decline the gift before accepting it, but after seeing what Professor Oak handed him, he couldn't take his eyes off it.

Professor Oak handed over a book.

Research Reflections

A PhD's research findings: This thing is priceless anywhere!

In the world of Pokémon, raising Pokémon involves more than just leveling them up.

Just like comprehending cultivation techniques in a fantasy world, without sufficient knowledge, you can't even properly raise a spirit, let alone command a battle.

Professor Oak's research findings, if placed in a fantasy world, would at least qualify as a Heaven-Rank cultivation technique.

How could Fang Yuan refuse?

"Don't spread this book around. Some things aren't suitable for everyone." A rare look of pain appeared on Professor Oak's face.

"Thank you, Professor Oak. I will never tell anyone!"

Professor Oak nodded at Fang Yuan, then mounted his Dragonite.

"I've met the person, and I've accepted you as my new master. I still have research to finish, so I'll be leaving now."

After saying that, Professor Oak, without waiting for Fang Yuan to stop him, got on his Dragonite and left.

Looking at the handwritten "Research Insights" in his hand, Fang Yuan couldn't wait to start studying the essence of Dr. Oki's years of research.

Kikuko looked at Fang Yuan and said with some emotion.

"I really don't know what that old man saw in you that made him willing to share his research findings with you. That's quite rare."

Then Kikuko looked at Fang Yuan and remembered what Qiao Yixue had said.

Kikuko's expression changed repeatedly as she struggled with her decision for a long time, but in the end, she gritted her teeth and made up her mind.

"I did make some mistakes, but as one of the Four Heavenly Kings, I don't need to apologize to a junior."

"An apology? Something's up?"

Fang Yuan was completely bewildered by what Ju Zi was saying.

Seeing Fang Yuan's clueless attitude, Ju Zi sighed helplessly and decided to get straight to the point.

“I am Qiao Yixue’s direct supervisor, and I’m the one who asked her to come here.”

Fang Yuan's pupils contracted, but he didn't say anything.

Kikuko tapped her cane in frustration.

"As compensation, the rating of the Songzao Dojo has been raised by one level, from D to C. I also recently gave the Meng family a warning, but they are, after all, a family in the league, and there are some things I can't do too much of."

After she finished speaking, a dark hole filled with an eerie aura appeared beneath Kikuko's feet, and she decided to leave.

Suddenly, Kikuko took a small pendant out of her pocket and tossed it to Fang Yuan.

"This is a gift I'm giving to the younger generation. It can help you ward off some unclean things in the wild."

[Ghost Pendant (Blue): Contains unique ghostly power, capable of dispelling weaker Ghost-type Pokémon and Ghosts.]

After saying that, Kikuko completely entered the dark ghost cave and disappeared from the spot.

Fang Yuan picked up the ghost pendant from the ground and couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"Dispel weaker Ghost-type Pokémon and... Ghosts?"

"No, there really are ghosts in the fairy world?"

Fang Yuan suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

When Fang Yuan returned to the Pokémon Center with the items, he was met with different looks from everyone. They were all curious about what Professor Oak and Agatha had said to Fang Yuan.

Especially Xiao Mao, he has only just found his way, and he doesn't want to go home yet.

"Don't worry, you can stay at the Matsuzao Dojo and train diligently from now on. But your grandfather said that if you don't make it to the top four in this league tournament, don't come home!"

"The semi-finals?"

Xiao Mao looked at his arm, which was already in a cast, and said...

"Master, I don't think I need to rest! I want to continue training with Wartortle and the others! With my current strength, it's impossible for us to reach the top four in the league!"

"Alright, let's go back to the dojo and continue training, but also take care of your health."

"As you command, Master!"

Xiao Mao bowed respectfully to Fang Yuan.

Just after Fang Yuan gave Xiao Mao the task, Xiao Zhi stood aside and looked at Fang Yuan with anticipation.

Looking into Xiao Zhi's clear eyes, untouched by the pollution of knowledge, Fang Yuan quickly came up with the most suitable training method for Xiao Zhi.

"There's a Pokémon academy in Matsumo City. Go in there and master the basics. Then get your beginner trainer certificate. Once you pass the theory test, then you can start training!"

"Huh?! Why, Master?"

"What do you mean, 'huh'? Now I'm asking you, does Raichu have higher Attack or Special Attack? If Raichu uses Thunderbolt and Quick Attack on Pikachu, which move will have more power?"

"Physical Attack, Special Attack... Raichu, Pikachu..."

Fang Yuan's question instantly overloaded Xiao Zhi's brain.

"I know you have a strong combat instinct, but you can't become a Pokémon Master by relying solely on instinct."

Xiaoxia and Xiaogang nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Xiaozhi, studying is the most important thing."

Seeing that no one was on his side, Xiao Zhi felt like crying, but he could only force himself to cheer up.

"Great! It's just a beginner trainer certificate, no problem at all!"

For some reason, Fang Yuan became even more worried after hearing Xiao Zhi's assurance.

Chapter 40: A Sudden Increase in Strength, A Tumultuous Time

Matsuzo City, Slowking Pokémon Academy.

As a long-established elf school, it was once considered one of the top five elf academies in the entire Kanto region due to its high level of education.

But this semester, the entire Dadawang Academy faced its most severe challenge in history.

"Xiao Zhi, I've told you before, you can't sleep in class!"

"Ash, it's been almost half a month, and you still can't remember the base stats of every Pokémon in the Kanto region?!"

"Ash... Ash!"

In just half a month, Ash became famous throughout the entire Slowking Academy.

It's certainly not a good reputation.

Finally, Daidaiwang Academy had no other choice but to refund the tuition fee to Fang Yuan.

Let Fang Yuan take Xiao Zhi as far as he can.

The principal even hinted to Fang Yuan that if he was willing to send Xiao Zhi to the neighboring Pokémon Academy, he would even be willing to pay the tuition himself.

This series of actions left Fang Yuan somewhat bewildered, both amused and exasperated.

"Alright~ Memorizing the base stats of all Pokémon in the Kanto region is indeed a bit difficult."

But Ash acted as if nothing had happened.

However, those two weeks of study weren't wasted.