After Zhang Heng gave Kubfu a simple treatment and check-up, he didn't waste any time there, as the situation outside was still unclear.
He immediately stood up and told Kubfu, "I'm going to the top of the tower. Walking Wake, Mudkip, and I have all completed the trials. From now on, it's up to you."
Kubfu was momentarily stunned, then he raised a hand and opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
Kubfu probably hadn't had time to thank Zhang Heng, or to express some other thoughts he had.
Zhang Heng had already led Mudkip and Walking Wake towards the oval-shaped entrance to that space on this floor.
A ripple flowed and spread. Their figures completely disappeared into the entrance. Then, Psyduck also scurried after them, holding his head.
Suddenly, in this vast space, only Kubfu was left sitting alone on the ground.
Perhaps this space sensed the presence of another trial taker. Instantly, the Water-type energy in this space began to become active again.
The Water-type energy, which had been as calm as a mirror and flowed silently, suddenly began to churn violently, as if stirred by some invisible large hand.
And beneath this river, Water-type energy converged into a blue figure. It seemed to be very good at swimming, completely unaffected by the turbulent river, and was rapidly rushing towards the surface.
A figure with well-developed, strong muscles leaped out of the river, using his developed muscles to move quickly across the water, reaching the riverbank in an instant.
It was Poliwrath, the other guardian who had not been chosen by Zhang Heng as the final trial opponent.
However, this time, Azumarill's figure did not reappear. Perhaps the part of Water Tower's energy that had transformed into her had completely dissipated with the activation of the Z-Moves.
So, unlike Zhang Heng's trial, Kubfu had no choice this time; his final trial could only be to defeat Poliwrath head-on.
"Roar!" A furious roar from Poliwrath seemed to echo throughout the entire vast space.
Poliwrath roared at Kubfu, signaling that the final trial had officially begun!
Kubfu was not to be outdone. He stood up and took his fighting stance.
Both Pokémon pushed off the ground with their hind legs, leaping into the air, and unleashed Close Combat, one of the major Fighting-type moves. A flurry of wild and dense punches exchanged, relying on their battle instincts for offense and defense.
For a moment, it was impossible to tell who had the upper hand.
...
Zhang Heng stepped into the portal, feeling a flash of light before his eyes. The next moment, he stood steadily in the attic at the top of the Water Tower.
Looking around, he saw that it was a small attic with ancient and elegant walls, and an ancient aura assailed him.
Upon closer inspection, one could see that the inner walls of the attic featured an antique design, with wooden structures interwoven with bricks and stones. The slightly aged stone bricks seemed to silently recount the long years and countless stories that this tower had experienced.
It seemed the Water Tower's space had finally returned to its normal size. After all, the space on the third floor earlier was ridiculously large.
It was baffling that the interior of an ancient tower could contain an area as vast as an ancient village in a secluded paradise.
And the attic at the top of the tower, where he was now, though limited in space, was filled with dense Water-type energy. Yet, the sense of refinement and tranquility here was unparalleled elsewhere.
Here, time seemed to slow down. In this serene space, the air no longer seemed calm and still, but rippled with strange, wave-like patterns.
These ripples were not static; they gently twisted and rotated, and his gaze gradually focused on the center of the attic, following the rhythm of the ripples.
There, a scroll was displayed, hanging high. This scroll exuded an indescribable aura, as if it were the very source of the incredibly dense Water-type energy throughout the entire Guangdong Province Wilderness Area.
That's right, it was the legendary water scroll!
Stepping into this small attic, the Water-type energy here had already surpassed the realm of what was called "pure"; it could simply be described as the purest Water-type elemental energy.
Being in such an environment would greatly influence and enhance the potential of any Water-type Pokémon. Even Pokémon not naturally of the Water-type could gain a deeper mastery and understanding of Water-type energy here.
Under the continuous nourishment of this pure Water-type energy, Walking Wake and Mudkip were undergoing astonishing, earth-shattering changes.
Already possessing great potential, they were now like fish in water, their bodies glowing even more dazzlingly.
Zhang Heng began to use his system abilities to observe Walking Wake and Mudkip's conditions.
Pokémon Name: Walking Wake
Level: 50
Potential: Master
Status: Injured, healing in progress
...
Pokémon Name: Shiny Mudkip
Level: 17
Potential: Quasi-Master (Stable)
Status: Healthy
Mudkip had risen from its original Level 12 to Level 17, and its potential was confirmed as Quasi-Master level. It had reached the level where it could evolve into Marshtomp, but it had not evolved. Zhang Heng currently did not know the threshold required for evolution.
Standing quietly to the side, observing all of this, Zhang Heng could no longer contain the surging excitement in his heart.
He knew that if he could acquire the water scroll, he would be one step closer to reaching the pinnacle of Water-type Pokémon Masters in this world.
Moreover, it would not only greatly benefit the realization of his dream, but even the Water-type Pokémon he currently possessed would undoubtedly gain superior training conditions and growth opportunities because of it.
Thinking of this, Zhang Heng clenched his fists tightly, his gaze fixed on the high-hanging water scroll, as if he saw his future path.
"Human~"
An ethereal voice echoed in this small attic. Zhang Heng followed the source of the voice, looking behind him.
He found Psyduck's eyes flickering with an eerie blue light, and he floated to the front of the water scroll. The ethereal voice was coming from within Psyduck.
"You are?" Zhang Heng asked, puzzled.
"I am the true guardian of the Water Tower, and the embodiment of the tower's will." The ethereal voice came from within Psyduck again...