When Zhang Heng saw the space form an entrance similar to the one that appeared after passing the trial, he knew what was happening.
He said, "It seems my guess was correct. As an energy body, Azumarill will not be released after being swallowed by the Dark Void skill, so we have passed this test."
Walking Wake was still very excited at this time. This was the first time it had achieved a complete victory. Although the process was a bit convoluted, under Zhang Heng's command, they achieved a hard-won first victory.
At this moment, Zhang Heng slowly walked to Walking Wake's side and stroked the light purple fluffy mane on its neck.
With emotion in his eyes, he said, "Walking Wake, we have different strategies for different opponents. If we encounter an opponent stronger than us, we can only use our strengths to bridge that gap. I hope we can continue to move forward hand in hand and support each other on the path to becoming stronger."
Zhang Heng's time with Walking Wake was not long. It was one of the cheat codes given to him by the system at the beginning, but it was not just a cold data point in a game; it was a living individual, whose emotions needed to be cared for and whose feelings needed to be valued.
In this battle, Walking Wake fully trusted Zhang Heng's command, and Zhang Heng responded to Walking Wake's trust with an excellent battle.
The battle ended in a way Walking Wake had never imagined, without even needing close-quarters combat, which was completely different from its usual preference for physical skills.
When Shiny Mudkip saw Zhang Heng and Walking Wake successfully defeat Azumarill, the guardian of this floor, it excitedly scurried over and jumped onto Zhang Heng's shoulder, first affectionately rubbing against Zhang Heng's cheek.
Then, it waved its small paws, gesticulating enthusiastically towards Walking Wake, making happy "Grar-grar" sounds, as if congratulating its elder brother on this significant victory, achieved in a relatively crushing manner.
Following behind was a Psyduck, scurrying over with its head covered. It stood in front of Zhang Heng and Walking Wake. This time, unlike its usual dazed cuteness, it uncharacteristically lowered its hands from its head and held them at its chest, clapping a few times, also congratulating Walking Wake and Zhang Heng.
"Gak gak~ gak"
Zhang Heng also looked at this strange Psyduck and said, "I've completed the trial. As one of the guardians, will you still not disappear?"
Psyduck, which had been woodenly clapping its hands, heard Zhang Heng's question, covered its head with its hands again, tilted its head to the right, and let out a questioning Growl.
"Gak gak??!"
Zhang Heng was speechless and too lazy to bother with it. He had only been thinking about how to choose an opponent earlier and hadn't had time to look at this space, so he began to look around this peaceful space that resembled a paradise.
His eyes darted around, and when his gaze reached the entrance, he suddenly discovered a small, scarred black figure.
Zhang Heng frowned slightly and asked in confusion, "Hmm? Kubfu?!"
Kubfu didn't know if it was too tired from the second-floor trial, or if its accumulated injuries were too severe, but it hadn't recovered yet, or perhaps it was replaying Zhang Heng and Walking Wake's roundabout combat style, standing still in a daze, its eyes glazed over.
Zhang Heng's gaze was fixed on Kubfu, who was still in a daze. A surge of worry welled up in his heart.
So, he slowly took steps, walking towards Kubfu one by one. As an experienced healer, this instinct drove him to care for and understand the condition of this small divine beast.
When he finally reached Kubfu's side, he gently and slowly knelt down. The first thing that caught his eye was Kubfu's lifeless, glazed, and stiff pupils.
Zhang Heng frowned slightly, carefully extended his hand, and gently waved it a few times in front of Kubfu's eyes.
Then, he softly asked, "Hey, Kubfu, are you alright? Is anything bothering you?" However, only silence answered him.
Seeing this, Zhang Heng hesitated for a moment, then moved his hand upwards, gently stroking Kubfu's furry forehead.
Just then, Kubfu, which had been immersed in a stiff, blank state, suddenly jolted awake as if struck by lightning!
Its reaction was extremely fast; its legs instantly burst with power, leaping backward to create a safe distance from Zhang Heng.
At the same time, its previously somewhat dull eyes now regained their sharp brilliance, staring intently at Zhang Heng, who had just touched its forehead.
Immediately after, Kubfu clenched its hands into fists, leaned slightly forward, and assumed a standard combat stance, as if ready for an intense confrontation at any moment.
"Don't be too nervous, Kubfu, it's me, Zhang Heng."
After Kubfu recognized the person, it also relaxed its tense combat stance. Kubfu and Zhang Heng were not exactly friends, but they had fought side by side as comrades, so it held no hostility towards Zhang Heng.
Kubfu relaxed, its legs gave out, and it collapsed back onto the ground.
Zhang Heng looked at the scarred Kubfu and knew that Kubfu had not given up halfway, but had followed him to the second floor and challenged its guardian, Blastoise.
Especially seeing its slightly swollen right foot, he knew it must have used Fighting-type leg skills to attack Blastoise's hard shell, igniting its combat instinct during the battle, confronting the enemy head-on with punches and kicks, and finally defeating the second-floor guardian.
While assessing its injuries, he also stood up and walked towards Kubfu again, saying, "Congratulations! You've successfully passed the trial of the second floor of the Water Tower. It seems you've also mastered one of the essential courses for Fighting-type Pokémon: combat instinct, haven't you?"
It wasn't just Kubfu who was surprised by Zhang Heng's words; Psyduck, who had been standing next to Shiny Mudkip, was also astonished.
A hint of wisdom appeared on Psyduck's face, as if it had a strong interest in how this human could so clearly see through the Water Tower's trial.
Of course, no one noticed Psyduck's expression, which did not fit the usual set up of such a Pokémon.
Kubfu laughed upon hearing Zhang Heng's praise, and gave a hearty sniffle, wiping the snot hanging from its cheek. Then, it raised its small hand and showed off its arm, which was the size of a baby's, as if flexing its muscles.
"Ah~ dada"
Zhang Heng, while fumbling for potions in his backpack behind his back, also walked to Kubfu's side, squatted down, and gave Kubfu a simple treatment.
As the cool mist spray was applied to Kubfu's slightly swollen right foot, its previously triumphant expression was immediately replaced by the pain from the wound.
"Hiss~"
The pain of the treatment still made Kubfu gasp, but its heart felt warm because it had no other companions besides Urshifu.
Looking at this human who was meticulously treating, bandaging its wounds, and applying medicine, its heart was filled with a different kind of gratitude.
After a while, he performed a simple examination and treatment on Kubfu. Its condition was no longer serious, but it might be difficult for it to proceed to the next trial.
Zhang Heng didn't want to waste time here. The situation outside was unclear, so he stood up and told Kubfu, "I'm going to the top of the tower. Walking Wake, Shiny Mudkip, and I have all completed the trials. The rest is up to you."