Dr. Chen, Ou Yishu, and Chen Xue, who were nearby, also rushed over when they heard Swampert's heavy, low groans.
The people who arrived saw white light flashing rhythmically on the pregnant Swampert's abdomen; it would flash once every 15 to 20 minutes, with each flash varying in duration.
Zhang Heng watched Swampert with slight tension, his hands trembling slightly. He took a deep breath, telling himself to calm down. He concluded that Swampert had entered labor contractions.
Aside from these four, the remaining researchers were packing up research equipment inside the camp and had not noticed the situation here.
“Dr. Chen, it’s evening now. The sky is about to darken. Lin Yue’s Golduck still needs treatment as soon as possible. So, you should leave first by riding Tropius,” Zhang Heng suggested to Dr. Chen.
Dr. Chen silently stroked his chin, beginning to consider the team's next move.
Chen Xue: “Zhang Heng, do you want to stay here alone to look after Swampert?”
Zhang Heng did not speak, only nodding slightly.
Yi Shu understood Zhang Heng's meaning and had great faith in his medical skills. She knew that others staying here would not be of much Helping Hand to Zhang Heng.
She then spoke up for Zhang Heng: “Doctor, Sister Chen Xue, Zhang Heng's medical skills are the greatest asset to the Swamp Monster Clan, and he has Pokémon for self-preservation, so he will be fine.”
The Doctor said to Chen Xue: “Xiao Xue, take Yi Shu and retreat to the Wild Area Research Institute first. I will stay here to back up Zhang Heng and protect his safety.”
Just as Chen Xue was about to express her thoughts, a sharp gasp was heard.
Hiss—a sharp intake of breath sounded, and the light on Swampert's abdomen began to flicker, and Swampert's breathing became rapid.
Boom—a flash of white light, and a large-bodied Bastiodon appeared. The damage from the Ground-type move, which was four times super effective, had mostly healed, and it had recovered to 70% of its peak condition.
Zhang Heng gave the command: “Bastiodon! Use Stone Edge on the area around Swampert! Enclose it!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Bastiodon lifted its front limbs and slammed them onto the ground, a heavy Rock energy surged around its body. A circle of stone pillars suddenly erupted from the ground around Swampert, enclosing it.
Those stone pillars acted like a solid barrier, isolating it from the outside world, forming a simple medical cubicle, with only one opening left for Zhang Heng to enter and exit.
Chen Chunjiang also commanded very quickly: “Beheeyem! Teleport—bring Zhang Heng's medical backpack over.”
In a flash, within two breaths, Beheeyem, carrying a heavy backpack with some difficulty, placed it beside Zhang Heng. Indeed, Psychic-type Pokémon of this smaller stature are somewhat lacking in physical strength.
The Research Institute staff's execution was still very precise. In an instant, the equipment was packed and ready for withdrawal.
Yi Shu and Chen Xue exchanged glances. Neither of them, one a researcher and the other from a prominent family, had the personality of a saint. They knew that sometimes, having more people did not lead to a qualitative change, so they returned to the camp, boarded Tropius, and prepared to withdraw.
Lin Yue and the other researchers noticed that the Doctor and Zhang Heng had not arrived, so they asked Chen Xue.
“Xiao Xue, are the Doctor and Zhang Heng not withdrawing with us?”
Chen Xue nodded slightly and said, “No, Dr. Chen and Zhang Heng have other matters to handle. Lin Yue’s Pokémon's injuries cannot be delayed. Let’s withdraw first.”
Tropius flapped its wings, stirring up a cloud of dust, and lifted off with everyone.
After the Research Institute personnel flew into the sky, they saw Zhang Heng, dressed in a white coat, squatting not far from the camp, tinkering with his medical equipment, while the Doctor looked up at them, nodding slightly to signal that everything was fine.
Subsequently, Tropius flew towards the Wild Area Research Institute, leaving only the Swamp Monster Clan, the Doctor, and Zhang Heng in the vast camp.
Zhang Heng took out a disposable syringe and needle, along with medicine in an ampoule. He held the bottle steady with his non-dominant hand, simultaneously pinching the back with his index finger to break it open, then drew the liquid into the syringe. This standard pre-operative procedure made Dr. Chen nod repeatedly in approval.
As Zhang Heng prepared to administer the injection, he narrowed his eyes slightly, activating his system ability.
Pokémon: Swampert (About to give birth, dying)
Attributes: Ground, Water
Level: 36 Lord-level combat power
Potential: Gym level (Potential continuously dropping)
Held item: Broken Ground Z (Already absorbed)
Zhang Heng focused on a few attributes, clearly remembering that it was Quasi-Champion potential. Can potential also drop? He wondered, but his hands didn't stop moving, injecting the medicine into Swampert's arm and leaving a venous cannula in place, ready for intravenous infusion if the situation worsened.
With the mother's condition stabilized, the focus now shifted to the vital signs of the little life within her abdomen. There was no equipment here to observe the internal situation, but fortunately, Zhang Heng's Water-type affinity could solve this problem.
But... using the ability would be noticed by the Doctor.
“Doctor, I...”
Dr. Chen nodded slightly: “Go ahead. Ever since the Aqua Ring treatment for Golduck, I knew you had a special ability with Water-type.”
Zhang Heng said no more, kneeling on one knee, placing his hand on Swampert's arm, closing his eyes, and using his Water-type affinity to sense the condition of the young Pokémon in its abdomen.
In his mind, he could sense two Pokémon eggs within Swampert's abdomen. In fact, Pokémon reproduction is often very strange, exceeding the biological systems inherent in Zhang Heng's original world; they are clearly oviparous, but the birthing process is very similar to viviparous animals.
These two eggs were in a very strange state, unconsciously but very frantically absorbing energy from the mother's bloodline.
Zhang Heng opened his eyes and first connected two bottles of nutrient solution to Swampert. He looked at the painfully prostrate Swampert, then at the other members of the Swamp Monster Clan nearby.
Recalling the values in the system, the Ground Z energy being absorbed, and the pregnant Swampert's potential continuously dropping. Combining this with the Swamp Monster Clan's previous encounters, being hunted and driven away everywhere. He sighed softly at this, alas.
Dr. Chen saw this and asked, “Zhang Heng, what’s going on?”
Zhang Heng softly said, “There are two eggs in Swampert's abdomen, growing rapidly at the cost of the mother's life.”
Dr. Chen frowned slightly, looking around at the Pokémon, and then said knowingly, “In other words, these two eggs are the last hope of the Swamp Monster Clan. The Swampert leader couple allowed them to absorb all the clan's accumulated resources, hoping to give birth to powerful offspring that would lead the clan out of its predicament.”
Zhang Heng nodded and said, “Swampert's potential has already dropped to Lord-level, and its life energy is rapidly draining.”
Zhang Heng trembled all over. He felt extremely distressed by this helpless situation, where he could only witness death.
“Doctor, I only have one method left.”