At that time, the research team was in a stalemate, caught between a rock and a hard place.
The primary objective of this deep dive into the Wilderness Area was, firstly, to locate the Swamp Monster Clan, which completed the first phase of the mission.
However, the more crucial task was to find an ideal habitat that could support the Swamp Monster Clan's reproduction and healthy growth.
Dr. Chen broke the silence: “We finally found the Swamp Monster Clan, and someone must stay behind to protect them.
Whether it's a poaching gang like the Water Blade Gang or harassment from other Pokémon clans in the Wilderness Area, the current Swamp Monster Clan has no way to cope.
But it seems we've been targeted…” The atmosphere immediately grew heavy.
Chen Xue took over Dr. Chen's words: “So, our best option now is to split up.
Some people will guard this camp, while others will go to Lake Heart Island to search for a habitat.”
Zhang Heng: “Why is there no reinforcement? With our current manpower, resisting the pressure from poaching gangs, searching for a habitat, and protecting the Swamp Monster Clan is a bit stretched.”
Zhang Heng wondered, the Pokémon Lab paid a significant price to create a suitable habitat, trading with Ou Yishu's family for an S-grade ground gem.
Why, after such extensive efforts, were there so few reinforcements? There was even an insider leaking information and hiring the Water Blade Gang to ambush the research team.
Suddenly, the scene became somewhat awkward and uncomfortable, with no one eager to speak.
Ou Yishu, seeing Chen Xue's eyes dim slightly, gently nudged Zhang Heng with her elbow, signaling him not to continue the topic.
Chen Chunjiang, after all, had been famous for a long time and was relatively calm and composed in the face of many things.
With a hint of helplessness in his voice, he said: “Research is also divided into factions.
I lean towards the conservative faction, which prefers Pokémon to be naturally bred in the wild.
Of course, there are also the impatient, quick-success factions that want to raise rare Pokémon in captivity.”
Zhang Heng roughly understood the key point and said: “So they want to change the inherent model of the Wilderness Area, eliminate most of the Pokémon clans with poor aptitudes, and only raise rare Pokémon?”
Dr. Chen nodded slightly, indicating that he was correct, and continued: “Currently, the Blastoise, Feraligatr, Feebas, and Horsea in this Water-type Wilderness Area are the rarest and most sought-after popular Pokémon, making them key targets for captive breeding.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Heng also understood that the Swamp Monster Clan was among those abandoned.
Although they are one of the Water-type starters, like Blastoise and Feraligatr, and are the perfect initial Pokémon for new Trainers.
As we mentioned earlier, due to insufficient Ground-type energy in this Wilderness Area, the Pokémon within the Water-Ground dual-attribute Swamp Monster Clan have low aptitudes and are not popular.
Furthermore, their breeding and rearing costs are considerably higher than those of the single Water Attribute Blastoise, Feraligatr, and the highly potential Feebas, hence they were abandoned.
Zhang Heng thought: “It seems that the official or other researchers at the Research Institute are not satisfied with Dr. Chen's research results, which has sparked factional disputes.”
Chen Chunjiang continued: “Alright, your and Yi Shu's mission ends here.
You came to rescue the Swamp Monster Clan, and you did an excellent job.
You don't need to worry about finding a habitat; we will take care of the rest, and I will fulfill what I promised you.”
Bang~ With a flash of white light, Dr. Chen released his Shiny Elgyem, preparing to use Teleport to leave, to make preparations and arrange manpower.
Zhang Heng raised his eyebrows, looked at Chen Chunjiang and his daughter, and solemnly said: “Dr. Chen, when it comes to rescuing Pokémon, we are on the same page.
As someone from a medical family, I cannot and will not let Pokémon fend for themselves.
I am not a conservative; I only seek to act with a clear conscience and without regret.
Please consider me a member of the team and assign me tasks.”
Hearing Zhang Heng's declaration, Dr. Chen once again recognized this 17-year-old young man.
Yi Shu, having been surprised multiple times, was now immune; Zhang Heng was no longer the troublesome rich young master but a responsible person.
Chen Xue's eyes sparkled repeatedly.
——————
Luo Hong, relying on a Lunatone emitting strange fluctuations, concealed his figure and aura, secretly observing Zhang Heng from a nearby rocky mountain.
Luo Hong dialed a number, and the call connected, “It seems Xiao Heng wants to accompany the research team to the island, and he's very determined.”
The person on the other end pondered for a moment and said: “Let him go.
If I stop him, I'll lose the original intention of letting him gain experience.
The official side should send people to the island very soon.”
Luo Hong: “Are the guys on the island coming out?”
The other side: “No definite news yet…”
Luo Hong: “It seems I still need to go to the island in advance and clear some obstacles…”
——————
On the research team's side, as departure approached, Zhang Heng meticulously performed another check on the Swamp Monster Clan.
The last one he checked was the pregnant female Swampert.
Zhang Heng's eyes narrowed slightly, and he used his system ability to examine the fetus in her belly.
He saw a light pink egg already formed within the Swampert's abdomen, which should hatch within a week.
Zhang Heng suddenly froze, wait!
Light pink eggshell? Isn't that…
At this moment, Yi Shu suddenly interrupted Zhang Heng's thoughts, saying: “Zhang Heng, are you done checking? We should leave!”
Zhang Heng: “Oh, oh, okay, coming.” He replied, but his gaze remained on the Swampert's abdomen.
Then, he concentrated and used his Water Attribute affinity to try and establish a faint connection with the Pokémon egg inside her.
Through this method, he could gain a deeper understanding of the fetus's condition.
The group arrived at the lake, watching the sunlight spread across the water, shimmering like a golden veil covering the surface.
A gentle breeze blew, bringing fresh air that lifted one's spirits.
The lake surface was as calm as a mirror, reflecting the sky and the surrounding scenery.
Occasionally, Magikarp would leap out of the lake, splashing water and adding a touch of life and vitality to the surface.
This time, five people embarked on the journey to Lake Heart Island together.
They were Chen Chunjiang, Chen Xue, Zhang Heng, and two other highly combat-proficient researchers.
These two were experienced, agile, and had a keen perception of danger.
Their presence made the entire team more capable in combat and in handling emergencies.
Each carried a heavy equipment bag filled with various experimental instruments and research materials.
At Chen Chunjiang's signal, a researcher pulled out a Poké Ball shining with dazzling light from his waist—a Great Ball.
As he pressed the button, a brilliant white light flashed instantly, followed by a deafening roar: “Boom!”
Amidst this tumultuous wave, a colossal and astonishing Pokémon slowly emerged.
It stood approximately three meters tall, weighing about 180 kilograms, its massive body like a small mountain standing on the lake surface—a Wailmer!
Accompanying its enormous body, the lake immediately churned with surging waves, like a powerful torrent, violently crashing against the shore of Lake Heart Island.
This was a riding Pokémon raised by the Research Institute, used for daily outdoor research, and not strong in combat.
The five people climbed onto Wailmer's back one by one, waved to their companions behind them, and Wailmer began to swim towards the center of the lake.
They carefully avoided potentially dangerous areas on the lake surface while remaining vigilant, paying attention to the surroundings.
Every step was filled with caution and care, ensuring that no potential crisis would be triggered.