The hour hand quietly pointed to around nine in the morning.
The surrounding temperature was also undergoing subtle changes. Initially, the refreshing coolness of the early morning still lingered, but gradually, it receded like a tide, replaced by a steadily rising warmth.
This was Guangdong Province, a place known for its unique climate. Here, the large temperature difference between day and night often amazed people.
At this moment, Zhang Heng was in the temporary camp. He gently held the Pokémon egg, sitting cross-legged on the ground. His gaze was soft and focused as he watched the lively and adorable Mudkips playing happily nearby.
In this Wilderness Area, full of unknowns and dangers, such a peaceful and harmonious scene seemed so out of place, yet it gave people an unusually warm and pleasant feeling.
However, Zhang Heng, seemingly calm on the surface, was far from it internally. In reality, his thoughts had already drifted far away, secretly pondering how to find the Super S-tier water scroll hinted at by the system.
Ding ding ding ~ Zhang Heng's satellite communication phone rang.
In the Water-type Wilderness Area, due to the lack of signal base stations, ordinary mobile phone signals were severely restricted, making the use of regular phones basically impossible. Therefore, satellite devices were used in the Wilderness Area.
Zhang Heng unhurriedly reached into his pants pocket, fumbling until he found the small device. He pressed it gently, and the device connected.
After a burst of static, Yi Shu's anxious and urgent voice came through: "Zhang Heng, Zhang Heng, how are things on your side? Are you and Dr. Chen both safe? And Swampert, did it give birth successfully? How are the Mudkips doing now? When can you come back? Uncle Luo isn't here either, I'm a little nervous."
This series of rapid-fire questions, like a barrage, assailed Zhang Heng. Perhaps because the information was too much, it was as if his brain's CPU couldn't process so many questions at once.
Zhang Heng, in as lighthearted a tone as possible, told Yi Shu not to be too nervous, saying, "Dr. Chen and I are both safe. Swampert has successfully laid two eggs, and the Family members are all doing well."
Yi Shu's nervous emotions eased, and she let out a sigh of relief, saying, "It's good that you're safe. When are you planning to come back?"
Zhang Heng began to prevaricate: "Dr. Chen might plan to return to the Wilderness Area Research Institute today, I'm not sure. Oh right, Yi Shu, I have a question for you."
"What's the question? Ask away."
Zhang Heng asked: "What are the levels of Pokémon held items, and how are they distinguished?!"
Zhang Heng was not very clear about the classification of item levels and the concept of Super S-tier. For questions about items, asking the heir of the Ou Corporation, which manufactures and trades items, was the best option.
Yi Shu thought for a moment and said: "Normal held items are divided into four levels: S, A, B, and C. The function of the same item is the same, but due to different manufacturing materials, the quality will vary, and the effect will also have different enhancements."
Zhang Heng's mind began to become active, verifying some of his conjectures: "Did Chen Xue tell you about the Water Blade Gang bandits we encountered on the mudflats?"
"She did tell me. You want to ask what level of item that skinned Sharpedo can be made into, right?" Yi Shu's thinking was still very clear when it came to items.
"Exactly."
Yi Shu had no intention of showing off and directly said: "Pokémon with the Rough Skin ability are excellent raw materials for making Rocky Helmet items. Currently, only three types of Pokémon have been found with this ability: the Sharpedo Family, the General Gible Family, and Druddigon. Sharpedo's size is slightly smaller, so the items made from it are normally only C-tier. However, if the Sharpedo's aptitude is high, it's possible to make B-tier or even A-tier Rocky Helmets."
Zhang Heng continued to ask: "So that means item levels are distinguished by the quality of the raw materials used in their creation. Where are the specific numerical distinctions reflected?"
Yi Shu replied: "The effect of Rocky Helmet is that when attacked by a contact move, the attacking party loses HP. A C-tier item causes 1/10 of the attacking party's maximum HP in damage, a B-tier is 1/8, an A-tier is 1/6, and an S-tier is 1/4."
Yi Shu then added: "If an item is used in long-term battles and not promptly inspected, recharged, or maintained, it may be downgraded."
Zhang Heng understood: "I see. Oh right, Yi Shu, is there a classification for Super S-tier items?"
Yi Shu said with a slight surprise: "Yes, but these items have already transcended the category of items. They are not manufactured but are products of the world's rules, such as z-crystals. And even more terrifying are the tokens bound to certain Legendary Pokémon or regions. For example, the heart-shaped droplet gem from Qiongdao is also a Super S-tier item, whose usage has not yet been developed."
Heart-shaped droplet gem? Could it be the Soul Dew? Qiongdao? Never mind, I'll explore it later.
"Thank you, Yi Shu, I've got the answer I wanted. I forgot to tell you, I've already caught my first Pokémon! You need to work hard! Let's talk more when I get back."
Just as Yi Shu was about to ask him what kind of Pokémon it was, the communication device went dead, beep beep beep...
"That dense guy, how could he do that? He just hung up after asking his questions, it's infuriating..."
Zhang Heng learned from Walking Wake that there were other Legendary Pokémon on Lake Heart Island, coupled with the Super S-tier water scroll hinted at by the system. The true identity of the Legendary Pokémon on Lake Heart Island was already obvious; it was a Legendary Pokémon with two evolution forms, potentially a Water-type Legendary Pokémon like Walking Wake.
Zhang Heng thought to himself: "It also fits my condition of only being able to capture Water-type and Dragon Attribute Pokémon. I'll just have to go there again."
After making his plans, Zhang Heng found Dr. Chen, who was writing research notes in the camp. Zhang Heng did not disturb Dr. Chen, but simply waited quietly for him to finish his notes.
Dr. Chen then softly said: "Xiao Heng, our mission has ended in failure. I will not restrict you; you can act freely and do not need to wait for my permission."
The older generation had all made their way through hard work, and they deeply understood that flowers cultivated in a greenhouse could not withstand the test of wind and rain. It was better to let them go and do things on their own.
Zhang Heng nodded: "What about you, Dr. Chen?"
Dr. Chen said: "I'll stay here at the temporary camp. The Alliance and the Goose City Bug-type Gym Leader will come to support. I'll wait here for the handover and use this place as a transit station."
Zhang Heng murmured: "Goose City Bug-type Gym Leader?!" Suddenly, like Watson discovering a blind spot, his mouth twitched, and an annoying child appeared in his mind.