Chapter 123: The Water Lord's 'Duel'!

After walking for an unknown amount of time, Ash and his group finally arrived at the first gym in the Johto region, the Balloon Flower Gym.

This gym is a Flying-type gym; its leader, A Su, is a trainer skilled at using bird-type Poké Balls, and his ace is still Compare Eagle.

Facing the Flying-type gym, Ash still sent out the recently captured Chrysanthemum Grass Leaf to battle Coo.

Ash is still a reverse-type master, naturally he would conduct a reverse-type battle.

Everyone was startled; how come reverse-type again? Without sufficient strength, don't use such a dangerous tactic—could it be that not wasting early on means no command of battle later?

Or perhaps the Chrysanthemum Grass Leaf

The Chrysanthemum Grass Leaf's Flying Leaf Swift Blade and Vine Whip failed to hit the agile Coo effectively, so Coo's consecutive attacks defeated the Chrysanthemum Grass Leaf like that.

The reverse-type tactic didn't work, so switch to same-type, send out Pikachu.

Pikachu proved strong, defeating Coo and the following Duoduoli.

A Su's final Poké Ball is a Compare Eagle.

Ash then sent out a Charizard to meet the challenge.

A Su's Compare Eagle focuses on speed, so the Compare Eagle is very fast, but its effect on the Charizard is negligible.

The Charizard took many hits from the Compare Eagle, yet remained standing, successfully counter-killing the Compare Eagle.

Ash successfully obtained the first Badge.

【Xiaosheng: Should we say the Charizard is as tough as a Snorlax, or that the Compare Eagle lacks attack power?】

【A Su: Maybe both, but more likely my Compare Eagle lacks attack power; I only focused on training its speed, not its attack.】

【Xiao Erlang: Or maybe only the Charizard can resist!】

Black Light Screen lit up.

Ash and his group walked through the forest.

"Ash, this Silver Conference will have more strong trainers participating."

"Exactly to my liking!"

Brock looked at Ash, full of confidence, youthful and fearless.

"I heard even the Elite Four will appear at the Silver Conference, and the Champion can challenge them!" Brock's words carried a barely concealed excitement.

"Um, Kenan the Heavenly King told me that if I could become the Silver Conference Champion, she would battle me in that undecided match at the Silver Conference."

Ash lightly nodded, his thoughts drifting back to his earlier conversation with Kenan the Heavenly King; back at the villa, he had told him and even imparted battle techniques.

And Ash also took the opportunity to ask her about the Phoenix King.

Just like what Professor Damu said, but more detailed.

According to that legend, he now possesses the Rainbow-Colored Feather, making him a Rainbow Hero; he must also undergo the Phoenix King's trial, which is to defeat the three sacred beasts the Phoenix King once rescued, only then can he meet the Phoenix King.

"What, you actually met Kenan the Master?"

Brock was greatly astonished, his eyes widened.

"Um, not just me, but also Xiaoxia and Xiao Jiang."

Ash nodded and continued, "We also drank coffee and chatted at her villa."

As they spoke, Brock lowered his head and stayed silent.

"How come? Could you also be a fan of Kenan the Master?"

"I don't think you're a fan."

Xiaoxia glanced at Brock; they've traveled together so long, Brock probably just regrets not having seen Kenan.

"Then I understand!"

Suddenly, Ash felt a strange yet familiar ripple gently brush his heart, like a breeze stirring the lake's surface into ripples, yet also carrying some ineffable profundity and mystery.

This ripple resonated with the warm, ancient ripple he felt when touching the Rainbow-Colored Feather, as if a subtle connection existed between them.

His gaze unconsciously turned toward the lake.

There, a Poké Ball emitting a soft blue glow all over its body quietly appeared, like the brightest star in the night sky, silently illuminating the surroundings. Its form was elegant and solemn, two light ribbons swaying gently in the wind around its body, adding an air of transcendence.

"What kind of Poké Ball is this?"

Ash and his group stared in astonishment at this Poké Ball, their eyes filled with both curiosity and awe.

Brock couldn't help but whisper softly, his voice tinged with an undisguisable shock.

"You......"

Ash felt the Rainbow-Colored Feather in his pocket emit a surge of heat.

What relation does this have with the Rainbow-Colored Feather?

"Water Lord?"

Ash said softly, it is a legendary Poké Ball from the Johto region, namely the sacred beast Kenan spoke of.

"Is that the Water Lord that possesses the instant Evolution of murky water power?!"

Brock's voice trembled slightly from excitement, unable to believe as he widened his eyes.

"It should be."

Ash noticed the Water Lord's gaze, he also looked over, unfolding the Wave Guide to communicate with the Water Lord.

"Your strength is still insufficient; keep training."

After the Water Lord finished speaking, it didn't linger; instead, its limbs lightly jumped a few times and vanished into the lake's depths.

"What did it say?"

Brock looked at Ash; the Water Lord was speaking to Ash, could it be waiting for Ash to become strong enough to battle him again?

Made an appointment to battle the sacred beast!

After following Professor Damu for a while, Brock learned a lot about Poké Balls, and he still knows plenty about the sacred beasts.

It seems the Water Lord just now is the sacred beast rescued by the Phoenix King.

"Pikachu, did you hear that?"

Ash looked at Pikachu.

Pikachu nodded vigorously; from now on it has to train harder, otherwise if that guy shows up, they won't have the strength to deal with it.

【Kenan: So the Water Lord was just checking whether Ash currently has the strength to battle them.】

【Ash: Oh, I see.】

【Shujing: Is this the chosen Trainer? I also want to find the Water Lord.】

Shujing searched for the Water Lord for a long, long time, but still couldn't find the Water Lord.

Black World—

Ash and his group went to Young Leaves Town to sign up for the Silver Conference, and moreover, Professor Damu's disciple—Professor Kongmu—was in Young Leaves Town; Professor Damu told them to stop by and have a look.

Moreover, Professor Damu also commissioned Professor Kongmu to deliver a special gift to Xiaoxia, saying it was to thank Xiaoxia for traveling together with Ash, for helping Ash a lot along the way, and also for helping him with some matters, such as the Fossil Pokémon from Stupid Valley and the Fossil Helmet Island incident.

After asking Ash, they learned that Xiaoxia likes Water-type Pokémon, so they had his disciple Professor Kongmu prepare an extra little saw crocodile to give to Xiaoxia.

Xiaoxia, who had a special fondness for Water-type Pokémon, learned she could have a little saw crocodile; her eyes flashed with excitement and joy, her steps unconsciously quickened, and her heart filled with anticipation and curiosity for the little saw crocodile.

However, upon arriving at Professor Kongmu's laboratory, they discovered that the little saw crocodile had been stolen.

Miss Junsha was looking for the culprit.

"Who is it?"

Xiaoxia is now furious; someone actually stole her little saw crocodile.

And yet, seeing Xiaoxia this angry.