Ash, with his invincible physical body, wants to become a Pokémon Master

"That's not bad."

This introduction is right up Ash's alley, and being a Fighting-type, no wonder he's so good at punching.

He was starting to like the little bear.

Although its base stats are a bit low, I'd still like to train Ash if I want to give it a try.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have triggered a new epic side quest, "The Profound Meaning of Martial Arts!": Please guide your bear apprentice to experience the true essence of martial arts!]

[Mission Requirements: Raise your Kumamon's friendship level to the maximum and defeat 100 Dark or Water-type Pokémon.]

[Rewards: Alliance Coins +5000; Attack +4; Defense +4; Rare Evolution Item: Evil Scroll/Water Scroll +1]

"Evolution item, the bear apprentice can evolve."

As expected, it's a legendary Pokémon, and Ash knew it couldn't be that simple.

My earlier disappointment was all an act, yes, that's right!

Back at camp, Ash released Kuma to treat him.

Unexpectedly, after the treatment was completed, the little bear immediately hugged Xiaozhi's leg excitedly and looked at him with admiring eyes.

"Bea, bea!"

"Want to learn how I kicked that tree just now?"

The bear apprentice immediately nodded, punched the air, and then looked at Ash expectantly.

What a great kid! Ash took off his shirt, revealing his muscular physique, and started to unleash his power.

After a long time, I've entered the Super True Novice form to broaden the children's horizons.

A powerful gust of air ruffled the white fur on the bear's head, and as it sensed the terrifying power emanating from Ash, its eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Although I don't know why I came to this place, it's so lucky to meet such a powerful person!

The bear apprentice, after pulling down his "headband," also became more imposing.

"From now on, you are my student. Let's become stronger together!"

"Be!"

[Ding! Bear Apprentice: Favorability +5; Intimacy +5]

Unfortunately, their ambitions had only just begun when Misty and Rika, awakened by Ash's noise, exclaimed how cute the plush toy was and took the bear apprentice away.

“Eh, cultivation…”

————Explosive Fist————

"The bear apprentice used a headbutt!"

A little bear with a bandage on its head wiggled its short legs and charged at a large, menacing bee.

After some effort, he was successfully bounced off the impact and fell down.

But he struggled to his feet again and crashed into it once more.

At that moment, Ash seized the opportunity and quietly launched a small pebble.

It hit Beedrill squarely on the head, stunning it while the bear apprentice wasn't paying attention.

"Well done, Xiong apprentice! You defeated Dazhenfeng!"

"Be!"

[Ding! Bear Apprentice: Favorability +2; Intimacy +2]

Ash praised his apprentice Kushner highly, then treated its injuries and let it go running with "Suicune" to train its legs.

There was no way around it; after all, Xiong's apprentice had only just arrived.

Its strength is still very poor; it can't beat anyone in Ash's team.

Unfortunately, the wild Pokémon in this forest are all very strong. In order not to dampen the children's enthusiasm and to help them gain experience, Ash had no choice but to resort to this tactic.

But Xiong's apprentice really worked incredibly hard during his training.

It doesn't even need to be called by Xiao Zhi; it will come to urge Xiao Zhi that it's time to exercise.

This moved Xiaozhi to tears; what a wonderful child!

"Even more diligent than Riolu back then."

She's earnest and adorable; she has a bright future ahead of her.

Ash told Pikachu to keep an eye on the bear, then turned to comfort Chikorita.

I've been paying too much attention to my apprentice bear lately, which has made Chicory a little jealous.

And so, Ash and his friends traveled along, stopping and starting, relying on Noctowl's aerial navigation to make way for them, and made their way forward without any major incidents.

Finally, the group traversed the dense forest where day and night were indistinguishable and arrived at the edge of the green grassland.

"Ah, the sunlight is so blinding!"

The bright sunshine as soon as we left the forest lifted our spirits, and the well-lit roads ahead made it impossible to get lost.

"The weather is so nice, something good should happen later."

What you say comes true. Just as Xiao Zhi was marveling at the moment, a light and melodious greeting suddenly came from above.

"Hello, you're a trainer too, right?"

A girl wearing a headscarf came up to them and took out a Poké Ball.

"Since our eyes have met, let's have a battle!"

Someone has offered me a match.

Chapter 209 Your Mommy's Gone

On the way, they encountered a female trainer named Xiaoling who challenged them to a battle. She was also a trainer who was collecting gym badges.

As soon as they saw Ash with Pikachu, they came over immediately.

Pokémon trainers are like this; they'll start hitting each other at the drop of a hat.

The fickle and promiscuous Xiao Zhi naturally accepted all comers and beat them mercilessly! (Just kidding!)

Moreover, it's a rare six-on-six all-out battle, so Ash is going to teach the new trainer a lesson and have a good time.

"Night Hawk, Air Slash!"

With a clean and decisive air wave, the Swamp King on the opposite side cowered and was defeated instantly after being hit by the psychic force.

Ash easily won 0-6 using only Pokémon caught in the Johto region!

This was after Xiaoling sent out a Dark-type Sneasel, and Xiaozhi sent out his Kushala Daora to get some kills.

"It seems my training of Pokémon in the Johto region has been quite successful." Ash was very satisfied.

"You're really strong. I thought I was pretty good, but I didn't expect to lose so badly."

"With a trainer as powerful as you participating in the League Tournament, I'm starting to wonder if I should continue traveling."

The girl, who had just been brutally beaten by Ash, was in a daze.

The poor young girl, still in the prime of her life, was brutally "humiliated" by a muscular man. What a heinous crime, Xiao Zhi! (Hey, don't talk nonsense!)

"Xiao Ling, you can't think like that. There's more to being a trainer than just winning or losing."

"The bond that grows between you and your Pokémon during your travels is the real treasure."

Ash can now utter such high-sounding words with the demeanor of a senior.

And judging from the girl's appearance, the effect is outstanding!

"Xiao Zhi is right."

[Ding! Xiaoxia: Affection +1]

It was also extremely effective for Xiaoxia.

To comfort her, Xiaozhi invited her to lunch.

This is definitely not something done just because the other person is a beautiful girl.

It was merely a small helping hand from a senior on the path of becoming a Pokémon Trainer to a junior.

Even if the other person is a tall, stunningly beautiful woman, Xiao Zhi will still comfort her.

Why does it seem like it gets darker the more I wash it?

During lunch, I learned that Xiaoling's destination was also the Green Grassland, and that she knew the location of the only Pokémon Center near the grassland.

Since it was on the same route, Xiaozhi and his friends set off with Xiaoling.

"The green grassland has the best scenery in the city, and there is only a small town there. The natural environment is extremely beautiful."

Along the way, the girls chatted excitedly about the scenic spots on the grassland, eagerly anticipating their upcoming trip.

"Xiaoling, have you been there before?" Xiaoxia really wanted to get to the green grassland right away.

"Of course, it's so beautiful, all you can see is green."

"Uh, Xiaoling, are you sure it's green?" Xiaozhi suddenly pointed into the distance, his lips twitching.

Then the group arrived at the stone platform at the town's crossroads and looked out from the high vantage point.

What should have been a lush, green grassland was now covered in large swathes of crystals, as if frozen in ice.

"What happened? How did the green grassland turn into this?" Xiao Ling was stunned.

In the center of the grassland, a tall crystal tower rose up, resembling a demon king's castle.

The group immediately sensed that something was wrong.

The Pokémon Center was located at the town's crossroads, and Ash and his friends quickly ran over to ask what was going on.

Unexpectedly, a large number of reporters had already gathered at the entrance of the center, with cameras and microphones of all kinds, making it impossible to get in.

Suddenly, Xiao Zhi spotted a familiar face in the crowd.

Surrounded by reporters was none other than a leading figure in academia.

Professor Oak!

"Oh, Ash, you're here!"

"Honestly, I couldn't get through to you when I called this morning!"

"The signal was probably bad in the forest at the time..." Ash gave an embarrassed smile.

Actually, he saw Professor Oak's call when he left the forest, but he was in a battle and forgot to call back.

Pushing through the crowd, Professor Oak quickly led Ash and his friends into the center.

At this moment, Professor Oak's expression showed some anxiety.

"Xiao Zhi, I have some bad news for you. I hope you can calm down later."

"What news?"

Seeing Professor Oak's serious expression, Ash immediately became serious as well.

Your mother is gone.

"Oh, why is Professor Oak swearing?"

"Oh no, sorry, my thoughts are a bit jumbled right now." Professor Oak quickly gathered his thoughts again and spoke to Ash again.

"It's your mother, Hanako. She was just kidnapped by the suddenly appearing Emperor Yan."

"what!"

Professor Oak's words were even more incomprehensible to Ash.

"What captured you, Emperor Yan?"

"And why is my mother here? Why did Emperor Yan capture my mother?"

There are too many questions, and now Xiaozhi's thoughts are in turmoil.

What is this all about? I recognize every single word, but I can't understand it when they're put together.