Zhang Heng waited for a quarter of an hour on approximately the second floor, but he still didn't see the figure he wanted to see.
He immediately stopped dwelling on it; although he felt some regret, the priority was still to improve his own strength.
Then Zhang Heng began his old routine: first, observing Mudkip's health, as ensuring the well-being of accompanying Pokémon is a duty a medical professional should fulfill.
He squinted his eyes to check Mudkip's attribute panel.
Pokémon Name: Shiny Mudkip
Status: Injured
Level: Level 14
New Skill: Rock Throw
Before Zhang Heng could check the gains, he first sprayed the injured, swollen skin of Mudkip with a healing mist, then applied a special mucus to help moisturize its skin, alleviate pain, and accelerate healing.
After completing all of this, he began to check the other gains on Mudkip's panel; it seemed that this trial was an extraordinarily meaningful and fruitful experience for Mudkip! This trial was not simple; it not only successfully awakened and stimulated the fighting instinct deeply hidden within Mudkip.
Fighting instinct is an important course that every Pokémon primarily focused on physical attacks must cultivate.
Moreover, through this trial, Mudkip greatly improved its mastery of various skills.
This means it can use these skills more proficiently and freely, thereby exerting even more powerful strength in future battles.
However, the most crucial point was undoubtedly the massive amount of experience Mudkip gained after defeating a Wartortle whose level was roughly equivalent to a normal Pokémon's Level 16.
Mudkip successfully achieved a level leap, directly advancing from its original Level 12 to Level 14! This huge progress made Mudkip stronger and more confident, and it also laid a solid foundation for its future growth.
Zhang Heng then shifted his gaze to Psyduck, who was still standing in place, clutching its head, and couldn't help but feel troubled.
He pondered, "This energy body, after we passed the trial, neither dissipated nor showed hostility towards us; it just kept following us. What's going on?"
After much deliberation, Zhang Heng still couldn't find any useful clues or signs in his mind. And that Psyduck's communication ability was incredibly poor, almost zero, one could say.
Facing this situation, Zhang Heng, full of doubt, questioned Psyduck, but to his amusement and frustration, Psyduck also looked bewildered, responding with eyes full of question marks, as if it had even more questions in its heart than Zhang Heng did.
Since that's the case, there's no need to beat around the bush or probe indirectly! Zhang Heng thought to himself, after all, he didn't have that much free time to figure out what was going on with Psyduck.
So, he directly asked without hesitation, "Hey, Psyduck, are you planning to keep following us?"
At this moment, Psyduck, who was playing happily with Mudkip, was startled by Zhang Heng's sudden question. It then slowly extended its two chubby little hands to hug its small head, while tilting its head to the side and staring at Zhang Heng with its round, big eyes.
Then, as if remembering something, it suddenly turned its head to look at Mudkip beside it.
Immediately after, it looked back and forth between Zhang Heng and Mudkip at least four or five times, seemingly comparing or thinking about something.
Finally, when it looked back at Zhang Heng again, it nodded gently, indicating affirmation.
"Can your body pass through the entrance of the second floor?"
This time, Psyduck's reaction was quite swift; it quacked twice, then nodded directly without hesitation.
Zhang Heng didn't really care about this, as normally, this Psyduck was indeed unlikely to leave this mysterious tower. Since it was so persistent in wanting to follow him, he might as well let it come along.
"In that case, let's set off immediately!" Zhang Heng waved his hand, decisively issuing the command.
Before he finished speaking, he carefully picked up Mudkip, gently placing it on his broad shoulders. At the same time, Walking Wake walked alongside him, both heading towards the entrance to the final trial.
And not far behind them, Psyduck still followed Zhang Heng's footsteps with its unique gait, pattering its cute webbed feet. Each step seemed so firm and powerful, as if full of anticipation for the upcoming challenge.
Just as Zhang Heng and his group gradually moved away, their figures finally disappearing into the entrance leading to the third floor's final trial, something unexpected happened.
The incredibly dry ground that was originally on the second floor suddenly began to ripple with a clear stream of water. This water flow, as if alive, continuously gushed out from all directions, slowly submerging the entire ground until it was completely covered by water.
As the water continued to gather, the Water Tower's energy in the space also began to re-condense. In the blink of an eye, the powerful Blastoise reappeared, standing majestically in place, guarding this mysterious domain.
At this moment, the second floor of the Water Tower had returned to its state before Zhang Heng came to challenge it. Everything appeared so serene and peaceful, as if the fierce battle that had just occurred had never happened.
However, just then, a petite figure quietly appeared at the entrance of the second floor...
...
At this time, on Lake Heart Island, various parties began to gather.
The first to arrive were Champion Li Guanjun, riding Charizard, and his subordinate Yu Xingken, riding Braviary, both slowly descending to the outer area of Lake Heart Island.
Li Guanjun lightly leaped from Charizard's wide and strong back, and after his feet firmly landed on the ground, he took a deep breath, fully enjoying the fresh air of the Wilderness Area, rich with the scent of grass and earth.
Then, a rare smile appeared on his serious face, and he casually reached out to gently pat Charizard's broad, solid shoulder, saying softly, "Old buddy, you've truly worked hard. It's been a long time since we could personally experience nature like this, today."
However, Charizard did not respond much to Li Guanjun's words, which were full of gratitude and affection.
It merely squinted its eyes slightly and gently leaned its large, majestic head over, rubbing against Li Guanjun's body tenderly.
This simple action alone was enough to show the profound intimacy between them.
Just then, Xing Ken, who had been silently observing the surroundings, suddenly looked puzzled and asked Li Guanjun, "Champion, I don't quite understand. Why aren't we continuing deeper? According to the coordinates Elite Zou Tianwang sent us, it seems we still need to go further in to reach the designated location."
As he spoke, Xing Ken's clear and bright eyes were fixed on Li Guanjun, hoping to get a satisfactory answer from him.
But Li Guanjun did not immediately turn to look at Xing Ken, who had asked the question. His gaze remained fixed on the lush, mysterious jungle not far away.
After a while, he looked critically and softly replied, "Xing Ken, you are a Ghost-type Trainer. Could it be that with your Pokémon's perception, you haven't noticed the unique aura emanating from the jungle ahead?"