Whoosh, whoosh~ A sound of rushing wind, produced by a Rapid Spin, came from far to near, as Wartortle’s rapidly spinning shell hurtled towards Mudkip.
Seeing this, Zhang Heng, who was observing from the side, couldn't help but chuckle, “Using the same move against us again and again?! I just didn't want to increase the difficulty for you.”
Just as Wartortle's whirlwind-like Rapid Spin was about to close in on Mudkip, Zhang Heng calmly ordered, “Mudkip, give Wartortle a round of applause for its performance!”
Hearing its master’s command, Mudkip quickly reacted. Instantly, a layer of black, eerie Dark Pulse energy enveloped its body, its light flickering as if containing infinite mysterious power.
At the same time, Mudkip’s eyes revealed an expression of near adoration. It stared intently at Wartortle, who was rushing towards it, then unhesitatingly extended its two adorable pink paws and began to clap rhythmically, desperately applauding Wartortle.
It looked exactly like a fervent fan, seeing their idol, filled with immense excitement and joy, doing their utmost to cheer on their beloved idol.
Originally, there was no Dark Pulse energy within the Water Tower, but the two mysterious ancient towers, the Water Tower and the Evil Tower, interacted with each other, and their energies intertwined in that independent space, thus filling the Water Tower with Dark Pulse energy.
Normally, no one would manipulate these Dark Pulse energies within the Water Tower, but the sudden arrival of the challengers disrupted this balance.
Those strange Dark Pulse energies quickly gathered, then spread like ripples through the space, gradually affecting Wartortle and influencing its mind.
Wartortle, which had been in a Rapid Spin, suddenly stopped its movements. Its limbs, head, and tail stretched out from its shell, its hands on its hips, and its chest puffed out high, but its eyes glowed with confused stars.
“The move worked. Wartortle is in a confused state.”
Flatter, a Dark-type status move, can cause the opponent to become confused, but it also raises their Special Attack by one stage.
Although the benefits of the Flatter move are considerable, the opponent also gains a certain buff. Moreover, Wartortle is inherently a Special Attack Pokémon. If it overcomes the confused state, a Wartortle with an increased Special Attack and two stages of Speed will directly overwhelm Mudkip.
Therefore, Zhang Heng considered the Flatter move as the key to deciding the outcome and did not use it from the beginning.
This move was not originally in Mudkip’s species’ move pool. Earlier, while still in the egg, it received the divine beast blessing from Urshifu and Kubfu, which added two moves that shouldn’t have been there to Mudkip’s move pool.
This was also Zhang Heng’s first time using it, and he wasn't sure if status moves would affect the energy body Pokémon within the Water Tower.
However, according to the rules, since Dark Pulse energy could be used, Dark-type status moves should be effective, and indeed, the actual situation confirmed Zhang Heng’s view.
“Mudkip, continue to use successive Mach Punch attacks.”
Zhang Heng seized the opportunity to command Mudkip. Mudkip seemed to have been holding back a grudge. Its figure flashed, its hands gathering and enveloped in reddish-brown Fighting-type energy, as it pounded Wartortle's shell with punches like a torrential storm.
Wartortle, in a confused state and under Mudkip’s relentless assault, could only passively take the blows, unable to make an effective counterattack.
After this series of Mach Punch attacks, the energy around Wartortle began to slowly dissipate, and Mudkip still seemed not to have vented enough of its frustration.
It pushed off with its hind legs, leaping into the air, concentrating Water-type energy in its mouth. Poof~ A bowl-sized jet of water attacked Wartortle, and finally, using gravity and a slight weight advantage, it delivered a final Tackle in the air.
Boom~
Wartortle was not a real Pokémon. Finally, the Water Tower energy on its body was dispersed, turning into specks of blue starlight that vanished into this space.
Zhang Heng looked at the adorable pink Mudkip and then thought of its series of instinctive battle behaviors just now, feeling a chill down his spine.
Zhang Heng internally mused, “I wonder if my Pokémon has a bit of a contrasting personality?”
Just then, the blue text located directly above the second-level space gradually dissipated like clouds scattered by the wind.
Immediately after, these scattered text fragments began to reassemble and combine, forming a completely new segment of text. This newly appeared text clearly displayed in the air, prominently stating: “Congratulations on passing the second trial. Please proceed to the final trial.”
Almost simultaneously, Zhang Heng noticed a blue light curtain materializing out of thin air in the deepest part of this space.
This mysterious light curtain, like a gate to another world, emitted a faint blue yet hazy, strange light. Undoubtedly, it was the entrance to the next trial.
However, before Zhang Heng could even begin to consider his next move, a sudden “pat-pat” sound broke the tranquility.
This strange sound came from behind him, appearing particularly abrupt. Zhang Heng’s heart tightened, and he couldn't help but turn around with a hint of doubt.
He saw a yellow figure slowly walking out from the entrance of the first level. This figure seemed to walk in a somewhat comical manner, holding its head tightly with both hands, slowly approaching. As the distance grew shorter, Zhang Heng finally saw the figure’s appearance…
“Hmm??? Psyduck???”
Psyduck also tilted its head, looking at Zhang Heng with a questioning gaze and expression.
“Quack quack??”
As if time had somewhat frozen, it was Mudkip that broke the eerie silence. Mudkip joyfully ran towards Psyduck on all fours, happily waving its pink little paws to greet it.
Unlike last time, this time Psyduck actually lowered its hands from holding its head and waved one of its small hands back at Mudkip. Mudkip happily ran two circles around Psyduck.
“Hmm? Can energy bodies break free from the Water Tower trial’s restraints? Running from the 1st level to the 2nd level? Why does it especially like Mudkip, while I and Walking Wake, one a Water-type divine beast and I, the owner of Hydro, cannot attract it?”
Wait, since Psyduck can ignore the Water Tower’s rules and come to the second level, it means there are no challengers left on the 1st level. Does that mean Kubfu also has a chance to come…
Zhang Heng stood quietly in place, his mind filled with many thoughts. As he pondered, he involuntarily raised his eyes, gazing directly towards the entrance from the first level to the second level.
His eyes were filled with anticipation, as if the small figure he had been hoping to see would suddenly appear there.
After waiting for about a quarter of an hour, there was still no fluctuation from the entrance.
Zhang Heng couldn't help but sigh in his heart, “It seems it still didn’t choose this path.”