No, that's not right. Zhang Heng began to re-examine the clues regarding the first floor's trial in his mind. He felt that Mudkip's action must be the core that links the entire event.
Zhang Heng suddenly happily picked up the Mudkip on his shoulder, gently squeezing its small chin and stroking its forehead.
"Thank you, Mudkip." Zhang Heng's sudden thanks completely confused Mudkip.
"Glar-glar~" Although Mudkip was puzzled, it didn't stop him from comfortably enjoying his Trainer's petting.
Zhang Heng then shifted his gaze to Psyduck and began to elaborate on his thoughts about the first floor's trial.
"The core meaning of the first floor's trial is to hope that the challenger doesn't solve everything through brute force, but rather uses another subtle approach. This might resolve some unnecessary disputes or conflicts. Treating everything calmly, like water, will instead yield unexpected rewards!"
Psyduck's pupils trembled, as this was the first time he had received this correct answer from a challenger.
The first floor's trial can be described as using softness to overcome hardness. As long as you approach it with the intention of befriending Psyduck and communicate with him as an equal, or pet him without malice, you can directly pass this trial.
Zhang Heng's Mudkip had only recently arrived in this world. He loved seeing all sorts of people and things and wanted to befriend everyone. Because of this innocence, Psyduck wouldn't make things difficult and would directly let him pass.
If you show any hostility or fighting intent towards the guardian of the first floor, then Psyduck will directly accept your challenge. Just like Kubfu, the Iron Head user, who was easily defeated by Psyduck in an overwhelming manner after he directly attacked Psyduck upon entering the trial tower.
Buzzing~
The entire Water Tower began to shake. This strange tremor was even felt by Single Strike Style Urshifu outside the tower.
Urshifu, who had been staring at the entrance to the independent space, turned his head to look at the sound coming from the Water Tower, observing its movements with a worried gaze.
In the past, there had never been so many challengers undergoing the trial simultaneously. He wondered if the increase in the number of people would also change the difficulty of the trial.
For Single Strike Style Urshifu, he was more curious to know if Kubfu could forge his own path and become a completely different fighting style—Rapid Strike Style Urshifu.
At this moment, Kubfu, undergoing the trial on the third floor, was locked in an intense battle with the guardian, Poliwrath. Poliwrath's wide-open, head-on assault was the kind of fierce battle Kubfu had always yearned for.
The two sides exchanged blows, a punch from one, a kick from the other. Although Kubfu did not have an advantage in size, with Poliwrath's fist being as large as Kubfu's body, the battle, despite the disparity in size, did not turn into a one-sided affair.
Although Kubfu's body appeared relatively small compared to his opponent, he possessed more agile and flexible movements, as well as lightning-fast speed.
He was seen weaving and darting like a ghost amidst Poliwrath's heavy punches, which roared like a storm, and his incredibly sharp whip kicks, a dazzling sight.
For a time, the two sides were locked in a stalemate, unable to determine a winner.
Just then, the entire tower body suddenly began to tremble violently! This sudden change brought Kubfu's originally effortless and strange state to an abrupt halt.
Poliwrath, keenly sensing this momentary change, unhesitatingly threw a powerful punch, gleaming with dazzling electric light and accompanied by crackling sounds, striking Kubfu's body with the force of thunder.
Kubfu, having suffered such a heavy blow, was instantly sent flying. Kubfu endured the pain brought by the skill. He performed a backflip in the air, alleviating some of the impact, and landed with stumbling steps, nearly falling to the ground.
Kubfu was breathing heavily, struggling to regulate his breathing rhythm, which had become chaotic from the start. His chest heaved violently.
Despite this, Kubfu still gritted his teeth, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his arm, and forcibly stabilized his tottering figure.
He stared fixedly at Poliwrath not far ahead. Kubfu slightly hunched his body, assuming a posture ready to launch an attack, all his strength converging on his limbs, preparing to attack Poliwrath again.
However, just then… something unexpected happened!
Poliwrath, who had been standing there ready for battle, suddenly, as if under a spell, began to emit a dazzling blue light all over his body after successfully hitting Kubfu.
As this blue starlight grew stronger, Poliwrath's figure gradually became blurred.
Finally, with a soft "pop" sound, Poliwrath unexpectedly transformed into countless blue starlights without any warning, slowly dissipating in this vast space until completely disappearing.
Kubfu, witnessing this scene, was instantly stunned. He widened his eyes, his face filled with an expression of disbelief.
"Dah? Dah???"
Kubfu couldn't help but let out a confused Growl, his small head now filled with large question marks.
The culprit behind this phenomenon was none other than Zhang Heng in the attic. Just after Zhang Heng gave his answer, the entire Water Tower seemed to stop functioning, and even Kubfu, who was undergoing the trial, was forced to stop.
Psyduck's ethereal, clear voice rang out: "Incredible insight and ability to analyze things. Human, tell me, how did you discern the core meaning of the first floor's trial?"
Zhang Heng's expression remained calm, because the water scroll had not yet actually reached his hands. It was still too early to celebrate prematurely.
He responded, "It's simple. Because the answer lies with this child, Mudkip. Because he is pure enough, he didn't show any hostility towards you on the first floor. This is the key for us to pass the trial without harm. And it is this child's innocence that made you see the hope that the core of the trial would be known, which is why you have followed us all the way here, right?"
After Mudkip gently patted Psyduck's head, Psyduck had followed Mudkip closely until they reached the final attic, indeed attracted by this child's innocence, seeing the gentle power that a Water-type Pokémon should possess in Mudkip.
However, excellent Pokémon need to be guided by upright Trainers. Without a doubt, Zhang Heng is one of the best candidates to become a Water-type Pokémon Trainer; he would not let this item, the water scroll, go to waste.
"Go. You have received the Water Tower's approval. Take the water scroll with you."
