After a period of waiting, the faint light ahead gradually intensified, like a beacon of hope piercing through endless darkness.
However, having stayed in this pitch-black environment for too long, their eyes had already grown accustomed to the shroud of darkness.
Now, facing such a drastic change in light, they simply couldn't bear the stimulation, feeling so uncomfortable that they just wanted to tightly close their eyes to avoid the discomfort.
Thus, both of them, by unspoken agreement, tightly shut their eyes.
Time quietly slipped away, and not long after, a crisp and loud sound echoed—"Tss!" It was like a sharp arrow piercing the air, followed by the sound of water violently impacting the cave entrance.
This sudden noise made the two of them snap their eyes open, surprised to find themselves in a stone lake.
The originally calm, mirror-like lake surface rippled in layers due to their sudden intrusion, and groups of startled Magikarp scattered like arrows shot from a bow, instantly breaking the pre-existing tranquility.
Under Araquanid's skillful control, a water bubble slowly rose from the bottom of the water, gently lifting them towards the surface.
Once their heads emerged from the water, they vigilantly observed their surroundings, finding that apart from the startled Magikarp, everything was unusually quiet, seemingly without any hidden dangers.
After confirming their safety, they cautiously climbed ashore.
Qi Shu gently stretched her somewhat sore shoulders, then reached into her backpack to retrieve her satellite device.
She carefully examined the data and map displayed on the screen, and a look of joy gradually appeared on her face.
She was certain that she was currently on Lake Heart Island.
The confusion in her heart grew stronger, and Qi Shu finally couldn't hold back her curiosity.
She turned to Zhang Heng beside her and asked, "Xiao Heng, how did you discover this mysterious passage?"
Zhang Heng's certainty about a passage to Lake Heart Island at the bottom of the lake wasn't a random whim; it was based on his Hydro's perception of Water-type energy.
He deduced that such pure Water-type energy couldn't appear at the bottom of the lake for no reason.
It must be energy released by the water scroll in the Core area of Lake Heart Island, causing the Water-type energy to surge and leak out from an undercurrent.
Therefore, by finding the undercurrent, they could directly reach Lake Heart Island.
"Puff puff puff!" A series of sharp and rapid sounds of air being torn suddenly erupted, as if countless arrows were hissing through the air.
Strings of Grass-type energy, shimmering with emerald green light, enveloped verdant leaves, whistling in at astonishing speed.
These green leaves, surrounded by Grass-type energy, were like incomparably sharp scimitars, rapidly spinning in the air, creating gusts of fierce wind.
Qi Shu reacted just by hearing the sound: "Wide Guard!"
Araquanid also felt angry; how dare it try a sneak attack?
Its front limbs rose, and Rock energy converged into a light barrier, blocking all attacks.
The Gym Leader's combat prowess was evident at this moment, dealing with a sneak attack with ease.
One by one, Pokémon emerged from the trees.
Their bodies were brown, with two small black dots on their chests.
Their light brown thighs were thick, with fine stripe patterns.
Their noses were pointed, and they had light brown masks with pointed patterns extending to the back of their heads, topped with a leaf.
Qi Shu clearly identified the attacking enemy: "Nuzleaf? They are Pokémon that live deep in dense, flourishing forests, occasionally coming out to scare people.
Why are they so aggressive?"
"The Evil-type energy here is unusually active; the Grass-type and Evil-type Pokémon must be affected."
Another Pokémon leaped down from the tree.
Long, shaggy white mane covered most of its face.
It had long ears, a very long and pointed nose, and a large mouth with teeth that were always clenched.
Its eyes were murky yellow, with black sclera and pupils.
Its hands were three broad leaves with brown spokes.
Its feet were very distinctive, resembling Japanese geta.
Qi Shu spoke: "Something's wrong.
A wild Quasi-Champion Shiftry in the Water-type Wilderness Area?!
Those geta on its feet really annoy me."
Zhang Heng began to use his system's ability to examine the Shiftry before him.
Pokémon Name: Shiftry
Type: Grass + Evil
Level: 52 (Quasi-Champion strength)
Potential: Quasi-Champion
Terastallization Type: Grass
Nature: Hasty (no change)
Ability: Wind Power
Special Ability Bonus: Affected by Evil-type Legendary Pokémon energy
Learned Moves: Leaf Blade, Razor Leaf, Rollout, Self-Destruct, Abyss Thrust
Egg Moves: Night Slash
Zhang Heng looked at the prompt bar in the system and thought, "As expected, it's affected by the Legendary Pokémon in Lake Heart Island's Core area."
Shiftry looked at the two with a sinister gaze, then Zhang Heng said to Qi Shu, "This Shiftry has a strong scent of blood on it, and the killing intent in its eyes can't be hidden.
It must have killed many people."
Shiftry's three leaf-like hands made a throat-slitting gesture.
Qi Shu threw a Poké Ball, and with a pop, Vikavolt appeared, its wings buzzing.
She then said, "Since you've killed humans, you can't be allowed to live!"
"Vikavolt! Bug Buzz!"
Bug-type moves are four times super effective against the Grass-type and Evil-type combination.
A direct hit would end the battle immediately.
Unfortunately, while Vikavolt has excellent special attack base stats, its speed is very slow, only 43.
Shiftry, however, darted through the bushes, Evil-type energy gathering at its leaf fingertips, leaping to Vikavolt's side-rear and slashing down, hitting Vikavolt.
Although Vikavolt didn't take much damage, as it inherently resists Evil-type moves, its charge was suddenly interrupted, and it could no longer make a sound?!
Qi Shu, however, wasn't nervous: "It's Abyss Thrust, it sealed my sound moves."
Shiftry, having succeeded with one strike, leaped backward, its body covered in Rock-type energy, using Rollout.
Rollout is also a nightmare for many game players, dominated by Miltank.
The move attacks the opponent with Rollout for five turns.
If it hits, the move's damage stacks, up to a maximum base damage of 480.
Coupled with Vikavolt's weakness to Rock, it might be knocked out in three hits.
Zhang Heng thought, "Wild Pokémon can't have such high combat prowess.
It can only mean it has encountered many human Trainers and honed its skills.
And it likes to use slow, grinding methods like Rollout to attack opponents."
Qi Shu showed no sign of panic.
She faced the situation with a solemn expression, calmly shouting, "Sticky Web."
In an instant, a massive net woven from countless fine, tough bug threads appeared out of thin air, and with lightning speed, it enveloped the Shiftry that was rapidly approaching using Rollout.
Although this Shiftry, relying on its powerful impact, successfully broke through the Sticky Web's restraint, its speed was noticeably slowed down.
Even so, this Shiftry still showed no intention of giving up the attack, continuing to charge straight towards Vikavolt.
Just then, Vikavolt opened its mouth, and a thick, snow-white stream of bug thread spewed out, shooting directly at Shiftry.
This thread seemed to possess infinite power and stickiness, instantly pinning Shiftry tightly to the ground, rendering it immobile.
The other Nuzleaf nearby, seeing this, immediately became enraged.
They were clearly displeased that their leader had been captured and began to mobilize the energy within their bodies, preparing to jointly rescue their trapped leader.
At the same time, Zhang Heng, who had been closely observing the battlefield, swiftly acted, unhesitatingly throwing a faint glowing healing potion towards Vikavolt.
As the potion bottle arced gracefully through the air and landed accurately on Vikavolt, a soft light instantly bloomed, healing the negative effects caused by the previous Abyss Thrust.
Qi Shu naturally noticed Zhang Heng's action; there seemed to be an unspoken understanding between them.
Thus, Qi Shu, comprehending his intent, ordered, "Maximum power Bug Buzz!"
Upon receiving the command, Vikavolt immediately took a deep breath, then let out a deafening Bug Buzz.
The sound, like rolling thunder, echoed across the entire battlefield, making both Qi Shu and Zhang Heng cover their ears tightly.