“Go, you have been recognized by the Water Tower. Take the water scroll with you.”
This ethereal voice echoed in Zhang Heng’s mind for a long time, not dissipating. After persisting for so long, his efforts finally paid off, and he would ultimately obtain this Super S-rank item.
Although there was an element of luck involved in this process, Zhang Heng also relied on his exceptionally high battle IQ, excellent observational skills, and the inseparable trust he had formed with his Pokémon to finally acquire it.
Psyduck's body, glowing with blue light, slowly floated to the side, clearing a path for Zhang Heng and allowing him to see the water scroll clearly for the first time.
Under Zhang Heng’s gaze, this mysterious scroll, as if possessing life, slowly unfurled in the air. As it moved, an ancient and mysterious aura gradually diffused.
Upon closer inspection, the scroll was approximately two meters long, with a deep black base and a pure white canvas covering it, the canvas feeling as delicate as velvet.
The canvas depicted a phantom ocean as its background. Surging waves rose and fell, extending in layers towards the distance, with faint twinkling starlight interspersed within them.
But what was most striking were the sprawling golden characters on the canvas.
These characters seemed to bear no resemblance to any language we are familiar with, yet they exuded a unique charm and power.
Rather than words, they were more like symbols of the essence of water—agile and ever-changing, as if every stroke contained endless Water-type energy.
Zhang Heng walked a few steps forward, and the water scroll slowly floated in front of him.
Zhang Heng communicated with the system in his mind: “System, open the Mall space and see if I can put the water scroll into the system space.”
Ding~ A mechanical sound rang out.
“Responding to the Host, Super S-rank items are products of this world’s rules. Besides z-crystals, Mega Stones, and Key Stones, which are relatively common and non-unique Super S-rank items that can be stored without issue, it is not recommended to place unique rule-based products like this into the system space, to avoid being detected by certain existences that defy common sense.”
Zhang Heng was stunned: “Huh? How should I understand ‘existences that defy common sense’?”
Ding~ The system’s mechanical voice responded:
“Existences that defy common sense, such as Pokémon with divine duties in this world, or other Trainers who possess systems…”
A hint of worry suddenly appeared between Zhang Heng’s brows. The system’s reminder had truly awakened him.
The reason Zhang Heng knew about the water scroll’s existence was because of a search item function the system had granted him when he previously caught Mudkip.
If other people also had systems, and also possessed the ability to search for items, and discovered an item on Zhang Heng but it was completely hidden, then it was conceivable that his own system space would naturally be exposed.
Zhang Heng continued to respond in his mind: “So, I’m not the only one with a system, right? This is also one of your system’s self-protection mechanisms.”
Ding~ The system responded:
“Whether there are other systems is currently unknown. The rules of this world are relatively complete, and the system can only grant rewards to the Host by exploiting loopholes in the rules, but it cannot completely rule out the possibility that this world’s rules can erase the abilities possessed by the system.”
After hearing the system’s response, Zhang Heng also gained a deeper understanding of this world’s rules.
As mentioned before, the system can only grant Pokémon without divine duties, which indicates that Pokémon with divine duties are like rules in this world and are also among the objects protected by the rules.
Zhang Heng did not continue to communicate with the system, instead wanting to put the water scroll into his backpack first. He was just about to reach out and roll up the scroll.
But the water scroll seemed to know Zhang Heng’s intention. The scroll became smaller and smaller, finally transforming into a wristband-sized object, floating before Zhang Heng’s eyes.
Zhang Heng then put the z-ring and Dark z-crystal he was wearing on his wrist into the system’s storage space, and the water scroll also happened to turn into a light blue wristband emitting a faint Water-type energy, tightly worn on Zhang Heng’s right wrist.
Zhang Heng raised his right hand and slid it in the air from left to right. The water scroll on his wrist returned to its original size, and as Zhang Heng’s hand slid, it slowly opened, appearing before his eyes.
This scene was as if Zhang Heng had not entered the Pokémon world, but a cultivation world, particularly fantastical, as if he could be struck by lightning and ascend at any moment.
Psyduck’s blue glow around its body seemed to slowly disappear at this moment. Its body also slowly descended to the ground, and then its ethereal voice rang out.
“Human, the water scroll is ultimately one of Kubfu’s exclusive items. Its greatest use is to allow Kubfu to complete its evolution into another style.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Heng interrupted Psyduck’s words and asked directly: “Right. Then, will the Water Tower still have trials without the water scroll? Can Kubfu still evolve into Rapid Strike Style Urshifu through the trial?”
The ethereal voice responded to Zhang Heng’s urgent question: “This trial has already stopped after you obtained the water scroll, and Kubfu has been forced to terminate its trial. Only when you bring the water scroll back to the Water Tower will the trial resume.”
Zhang Heng was speechless: “Uh… does that mean Kubfu’s trial has been terminated because of me? Can I put the water scroll back now?! Let it complete the trial first.”
When Zhang Heng saw Kubfu on the second floor, his desire to capture it reignited. After all, it was the dream Pokémon of so many players.
Psyduck suddenly reverted to its signature adorable, blank expression, hugging its head and looking at Zhang Heng in confusion. Then the ethereal voice responded: “You can, but you will have to wait for the Water Tower trial to open again, and you will have to start from the first floor and work your way up again.”
Zhang Heng immediately felt frustrated. He had thought that the third Pokémon for his team was settled, but he didn't expect to have picked up sesame seeds and lost a watermelon. After all, the water scroll is one of Kubfu’s exclusive items. Without Kubfu, the item’s usefulness is halved.
Psyduck seemed to have seen through Zhang Heng’s thoughts and also tried to comfort him, saying: “Although the water scroll is Kubfu’s exclusive item, it can also allow Water-type Pokémon to comprehend and improve their Water-type aptitude, and it can also allow non-Water-type Pokémon to improve their control over Water-type energy.”
Zhang Heng no longer had time to weigh the gains and losses, because the situation outside was very unclear, especially his father’s apprentice—Qi Shu—who might be in danger, so he needed to go out.
He said: “Okay, when we have a chance, we will come back here to start and complete the trial. For now, please send us out of the Water Tower.”