The bus drove out of the city and traveled on country roads.
As for why it didn't go on the highway, if you asked, the car belonged to the company, so gas fees could be reimbursed, but highway tolls could not.
Thus, Zigong, which should have been reached by noon, now, with all the stops and starts, numerous traffic lights, and wild Pokémon crossing the road from time to time, would probably not be reached until close to evening.
A three-day journey, and just getting there took most of a day; if the return trip was also like this, Chen Kai and the others wouldn't actually spend much time in Zigong. How could they possibly dig up fossils then…
Zhao Jie, who had initially been cheerful, now looked very uncomfortable. As a clerical worker who spent years working at a desk, some chronic ailments were inevitable, so long hours on the bus were truly torture for her.
She somewhat regretted joining the tour group for fun. She should have just gone directly to Zigong if she had known.
The scenery outside the window continuously unfolded like a scroll. At first, everyone watched with great interest, pointing and exclaiming at the lush green fields by the roadside and the undulating mountains, but this scenery was no different from Qu County.
Wang Yi and the others initially chatted with laughter, but as time passed, the bus continuously bumped and turned on the winding road. The monotonous hum of the engine, like a lullaby, gradually wore down everyone's excitement, and within an hour, they were all drowsy.
By noon, the driver stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch, and only then could Chen Kai and the others get off and stretch their legs.
Chen Kai couldn't help but think of how it used to be when he traveled on Earth: sleeping on the bus, taking photos when getting off, always like this except when arriving at restaurants or hotels.
After lunch, the driver needed to rest for a bit.
With nothing to do, Qin Ying directly said, “Chen Kai, let’s have a Pokémon battle, shall we?”
“Sure!” Chen Kai didn't think much of it and readily agreed.
During their casual chat in the morning, Chen Kai learned that Qin Ying’s Pokémon was a Mankey that was almost Normal Class (Level 20).
It was a good opportunity for Grovyle to practice.
Qin Ying’s father ran a Taekwondo training class in town, and influenced by her family, she loved martial arts and had been undefeated against all the children in Zi Ning Town since she was young.
As classmates, she had long wanted to spar with Chen Kai, and now that she had the chance, she issued the battle invitation.
They arrived at an open parking lot.
Wang Yi served as the referee.
Chen Kai threw out a Poké Ball: “Go, Grovyle.”
Qin Ying was stunned for a moment, but then she quickly realized that her Mankey probably couldn't defeat Ampharos or Hydrapple, so Grovyle was a good opponent.
So she sent out her Pokémon: “Go, Mankey.”
With Wang Yi’s call of “Start.”
Both of them commanded simultaneously:
“Mankey, Fury Swipes.”
“Grovyle, Quick Attack.”
Grovyle glowed with white light and charged towards Mankey with lightning speed.
Mankey was quick-witted, seizing the moment to quickly swing its claws twice in front of it before being knocked back.
Instead, Mankey’s two Fury Swipes hit Grovyle first, resulting in a mutual attack.
Chen Kai gave a thumbs-up: “Alright, you can even predict movements!”
Qin Ying smiled: “It’s nothing.”
While waiting for Grovyle to regain its footing, Chen Kai continued to give instructions:
“Grovyle, Leafage!”
When it was a Treecko, it could only use this move by throwing leaves. Now that it had evolved, three leaves had grown on each of its forearms, and Grovyle could now use ‘Leafage’ with an elbow strike.
“Mankey, Throw Down!”
The small Mankey sidestepped, nimbly dodging Grovyle’s ‘Leafage’ elbow strike, and kicked Grovyle on its supporting knee, causing Grovyle to tumble.
Qin Ying didn't give Grovyle a chance to catch its breath and continued to command:
“Mankey, don’t stop, keep using Throw Down.”
Mankey wrapped its arms around Grovyle’s waist, lifting Grovyle, which was twice its size, high into the air.
“Grovyle, break free!”
Chen Kai saw that the situation was not good and quickly spoke, but it was too late.
Grovyle had already been struggling to break free from Mankey’s grasp, but with its feet off the ground and no leverage, it was futile.
Mankey roared, throwing Grovyle into the air, causing Grovyle to draw an arc in the middle before falling heavily to the ground.
Chen Kai excitedly said:
“Alright, alright, your Mankey is really fierce!”
No matter how Grovyle engaged in close combat, it was always beaten down. It truly lived up to its Fighting-type.
And a faint green light began to emanate from Grovyle, as if echoing Chen Kai’s excitement, but in reality, it was just the Overgrow ability activating.
Qin Ying continued to have Mankey engage Grovyle:
“Mankey, charge in and use Fury Swipes again!”
Chen Kai now began to change his strategy:
“Grovyle, calm down and use Detect.”
This time, it was Mankey’s turn to charge, and Grovyle sidestepped, dodging Mankey’s flurry of punches.
“Quick Attack.” Chen Kai said, seizing the opportunity.
Using Quick Attack’s priority, Grovyle fiercely struck Mankey’s side, pushing it back.
“Continue, Leafage!” Chen Kai had Grovyle use the combo it used against Alakazam.
Grovyle’s combo was extremely fast, and Qin Ying had just thought of having Mankey respond.
Grovyle’s right arm glowed with a brilliant green light, and the three leaves on its hand, under the influence of Grass-type energy, merged into a large ‘Leaf Blade,’ slashing towards Mankey.
Mankey protected itself with both hands, trying its best to block the damage, but was still knocked back several meters.
Qin Ying also excitedly shouted:
“You’re not bad either!
We’re both on our last move now!”
Chen Kai nodded, affirming Qin Ying’s statement:
“That’s right, it’s the last move.”
But he immediately changed his tone:
“But I’m sorry, we will be the ultimate winners.
Grovyle, Super Drain.”
Qin Ying and Mankey both showed surprised expressions:
“What?”
Grovyle pointed its claw forward, and a green light shot out from its fingertip, hitting the distant Mankey.
Mankey’s last bit of strength was drained away by this light, and it fell to the ground, its eyes spinning in circles.
The light then partially returned to Grovyle, causing the green glow it emitted due to Overgrow to dissipate, and it recovered some of its stamina.
“The winner is Grovyle.” Wang Yi promptly shouted.
Qin Ying first scratched her head in frustration, then immediately relaxed. Pokémon battles weren't martial arts competitions; you could use ranged attacks.
Her usual training partner was only Wang Yi, and Wooloo didn't have many ranged attack options, so Grovyle’s ‘Super Drain’ caught her off guard for a moment.
Chen Kai stepped forward, extending his hand, and said to Qin Ying:
“Thanks for the match.”
Qin Ying shook Chen Kai’s hand gracefully: “Thank you, you helped me find a weakness. Mankey and I will definitely figure out how to overcome ranged attacks in the future!”