Chapter 200: Strong Style and Agile Style

"The crests on the stage... are they depictions of the Pokémon that created the world?"

This sentence could not be ignored by Miss Zhu Lan. Her gaze swept back and forth between the two with burning intensity, a smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

The Shenshan ruins held the lost myths of the Sinnoh region, and those secrets were about to be unveiled today.

Miss Zhu Lan had already seen those crests when she arrived at the Shenshan ruins. She had found some vague records in ancient literature, but... the Sinnoh land no longer possessed the details of those three crests.

"The answer to everything I have pursued is right here!"

Miss Zhu Lan murmured, her smile fading as her expression grew solemn and grave.

"For a long time, I have been engaged in the investigation of Sinnoh's ruins and myths, perhaps just for a day like this."

"I was guided to this stage, but who am I to guide?"

The person who guided her stood right before her eyes.

And to Miss Zhu Lan's murmur, Xiang Guangtai could provide an answer.

Miss Zhu Lan was meant to guide the protagonists of the Johto region, but in reality, it was impossible for Arceus to willingly become a partner to a mortal.

In all official history, only one person had obtained the companionship of Arceus, which was perhaps Arceus's compensation to that individual.

And now, Miss Zhu Lan had lost the object she was supposed to guide.

But now, Arceus seemed exceptionally focused on her; the guide had become the guided, and as for Miss Zhu Lan's original role...

"I will take it on instead."

This was only natural. Xiang Guangtai whispered while taking out his tools and beginning to work right beside the battlefield.

However, if they were to display their power, it would be best to have someone...

"Give—! (A referee!)"

Miss Jieyi flew directly to the center of the field, flapping her shield enthusiastically, expressing her desire to be the referee!

"Oh my, you want to be the referee? You seem to be called... Miss Jieyi?"

"Hmm, Miss Zhu Lan said you exist as the sword of a king? My, we haven't seen each other in a long time. Last time you were just a small sword; I'm not used to you being so big, but you look quite imposing!"

Miss Jieyi's eyes darted toward Yan Ku Shan, clearly satisfied with his "praise"!

Back then, she was still weak, but she already had the potential of a Sacred Sword wielder, didn't she!

You sure know how to talk!

But even so, she wouldn't show him any favoritism!

"Oh my, I intend to let my strength do the talking; I have no desire to flatter the referee." Yan Ku Shan smiled awkwardly.

Miss Zhu Lan was also quite interested: "Miss Jieyi is going to be the referee?" She glanced at Xiang Guangtai, who was working, and understood.

"Then please use your spiritual power to oversee our battle! I believe that with your power, you will certainly be a fair and excellent judge."

"Give—!"

However... Miss Jieyi's spiritual sense reacted; she felt that Yan Ku Shan also harbored a terrifying power.

Because one of Miss Jieyi's specialties was manipulating human hearts with spiritual power, she naturally mastered this ability once she evolved into her final form.

"He is hiding power?" Miss Jieyi whispered to Xiang Guangtai, who was not surprised.

"That makes sense... After all, this guy could hear the voice of Giratina before."

He wasn't Giratina's first "contractor"!

If anything... Yan Ku Shan, who had once joined forces with Giratina to prepare to beat up Arceus, was the first!

And as an ancient Sinnoh person, Yan Ku Shan certainly had some hidden tricks, just like "Elder Jiu Lu," another ancient Sinnoh person still living in the world.

But before the fight began, Miss Jieyi suddenly floated to the center of the battlefield and began to gesture wildly.

"Give— (Two trainers, do you need to choose items to strengthen yourselves before the battle?!)"

"Uh... do you two need items?"

Xiang Guangtai translated from the side. He hadn't expected Miss Jieyi to take the initiative to mention "pre-battle product selection"! He had been thinking about carving the Thousand-Arm Amulet and another item related to Arceus, forgetting to promote battle items to the two.

"Battle items are also important. Since you want to display power and bonds, you should make yourselves the best you can be."

"Ah, I was thinking the same."

Miss Zhu Lan and Yan Ku Shan looked at each other, nodding in sync as if their minds were connected!

Both were trainers chosen by the gods; neither wanted to lose face!

"The choice of battle items..."

"You choose first." Yan Ku Shan smiled at Miss Zhu Lan, who hesitated slightly before nodding: "Then, thank you, I will go first."

Xiang Guangtai: "For the battle, we are using a 'Full Battle' format, is that okay?"

"Exactly. Since we want to display bonds, naturally all Pokémon must take the field!" Yan Ku Shan looked at Miss Zhu Lan: "Miss Zhu Lan has no objections, right!"

"I have no objections." Miss Zhu Lan nodded slightly, agreeing with Yan Ku Shan's proposal!

A Full Battle refers to a 6v6 type of combat! Both trainers use 6 Pokémon, and the side whose 6 Pokémon all lose the ability to battle is defeated!

However, five of the Pokémon in their lineups were the same. After a hundred years, it was hard to say if Yan Ku Shan's team was still the same as before.

"This is..." Miss Zhu Lan had already bought some items before. Besides the Pure Amulet, Focus Sash, Light Clay, Glass Whistle, and Leftovers she was familiar with, there were also Shell Bell, King's Rock, Silk Scarf, three types of Herbs, Heat Rock, and Soft Sand, often seen in outside battlefields.

However, two certificates caught Miss Zhu Lan's attention.

"Blunder Policy; if a move misses due to accuracy, speed increases significantly." Xiang Guangtai pointed to the golden certificate, then pointed to the silver-green one: "Weakness Policy; if hit by a super-effective move, Attack and Special Attack increase significantly."

"These are unique items not sold in the online shop, as the materials are very rare, so I cannot make many."

After saying this, he brought out a batch of new items:

"This batch is also about to be sold. You can experience their power first, and I can promote them along the way."

"The Choice series: Choice Specs, Choice Scarf, Choice Band. Their effect is to increase Special Attack, Speed, or Attack by 1.5 times when held, but only the same move can be used, so they must be used with rotation tactics."

"Eject Button: If the Pokémon holding it is hit by a move, it can escape battle and switch with another Pokémon in the party. However, because it is a mechanical product, it is not very sturdy and easily breaks in battle, so be careful."

"Black Iron Ball, Black Glasses, Spell Tag..."

"Indigo Chiffon, Sky Feather, Dragon Fang; Purple Chiffon, Shadow Gem... these items can increase the power of Dragon and Ghost-type Pokémon. Their effects are more geared toward breeding."

"Phantom Cloak." Xiang Guangtai picked up a yellow, ancient cloak: "For a Pokémon like Garchomp, this is very useful. When a Dragon-type Pokémon is hit by an Ice-type move, it takes no damage and instead recovers HP!"

Miss Zhu Lan and Yan Ku Shan stared simultaneously at that ancient cloak!

"Oh my, Garchomp has a hard time resisting Ice-type moves. The Dragon+Ground typing puts it at an absolute disadvantage against freezing attacks. Shouldn't you take it immediately?"

Upon learning this effect, Yan Ku Shan was filled with surprise. The craftsman before him actually had such an outrageous item... In that case, as long as one wore this cloak, all Dragon Pokémon would no longer fear Ice-type attacks, effectively removing a fatal weakness!

Although he was very tempted to get this magical cloak, Yan Ku Shan thought for a moment.

No!

Perhaps this item had high tactical value in other battle situations, but in the current matchup, it clearly wasn't that important. Other battle items were more useful, at least for now!

"An item that can completely protect against a weakness is something I've never seen. This item is indeed tempting, and I will certainly buy it, but not now. Sometimes, focusing on offense is more my style than protecting against weaknesses."

"If you only think about protecting your own weaknesses, this item is useless if you don't encounter Ice-type attacks. Other items have better functionality, at least for the moment."

After all, the real world has two styles: "Dodge" and "Endure." So as long as one's own Pokémon has sufficient mobility, there are ways to dodge and counterattack even when facing disadvantageous elemental attacks!

Miss Zhu Lan quickly made her decision, picking the "items" she felt were most suitable for her! Although there were many items here she was seeing for the first time, as a Champion-level trainer, she could simulate the results of item combinations in her mind!

Although there were many varieties, items must always be used in conjunction with tactics!

And Miss Zhu Lan's own Pokémon also carried some special "items"!

"With the help of these items, I have built a near-perfect battle model! Now, let's prepare!"

"It seems you are full of confidence." Yan Ku Shan stepped forward. Now it was his turn to choose, but like Miss Zhu Lan, as a material merchant who had traveled for so long, he naturally had some "stock"! He only picked three items.

"I also found some rare good things on my travels. You'll see them when we fight in a moment."

Yan Ku Shan smiled, took off his backpack, and took out a "bead" that Xiang Guangtai was very familiar with!

"This is a Life Orb!"

"My, you have a good eye. This is a very rare orb that can significantly increase a Pokémon's power!"

Yan Ku Shan summoned his Pokémon, gave the Life Orb to his Garchomp, and... suddenly started taking off his clothes.

"Eh?" Miss Zhu Lan froze.

Well, taking off his clothes to face the battle meant he was entering "Serious Mode"?

"Today is the happiest day since I started my journey. That is the truth."

Yan Ku Shan smiled, and this time his smile didn't seem hypocritical. He was genuinely happy, looking at the not-so-distant Shenshan ruins, his heart filled with excitement, fighting spirit, and longing... complex emotions surged in his chest like a turbulent current!

"Whether it's you or me... whether it's anyone who can step onto the stage of light..."

"Show all your power. Which of our bonds can be recognized by the gods?"

"I don't have absolute confidence that I will win, but failing to win will make me very unwilling! So I will steadily secure the victory!"

Yan Ku Shan's look had changed. He had taken off his bulky merchant clothes and replaced them with a strange new look: a white short-sleeved top, green pants, and his body was covered in amulets and decorations in the image of the Thousand-Arm Amulet!

And those eyes no longer held any gentleness or playfulness, already filled with coldness and fanaticism!

Miss Zhu Lan's expression was equally confident and serious:

"You said it yourself, Pokémon exist as the claws and fangs of humans. I do not recognize this bond; it is too cold. Then, would the Pokémon called a god, 'Arceus,' recognize this bond?"

"If there is a chance to meet Arceus, I will not miss it either! I once dreamed that if only I could meet the Pokémon in Sinnoh myths... So, I am full of confidence for this battle!"

"Of course, even if I lose, I will have no regrets, because this is the history I have created with my Pokémon! I am the Champion of Sinnoh, but I will surpass this title and move toward a higher realm!"

"Go!" Both spoke at the same time. After a flash of white light, two identical Pokémon roared and landed on the earth!

"Garchomp (x2)!"

Garchomp looks like a hammerhead shark, with a deep blue body, a shark fin on its back, red from the lower jaw to the upper abdomen, yellow on the lower abdomen, white single-toed claws, and some white bone spurs on its body. The overall image is like a combination of a shark and a dragon.

Both Garchomps stared tightly at each other, growling and exchanging simple communication, feeling the powerful pressure coming from the other side!

Garchomp (Yan Ku Shan): Ha! To have such strong momentum at such a young age is quite impressive! But in battle, age doesn't matter! Respecting the old and loving the young is impossible! Don't blame me for being despicable!

Garchomp (Miss Zhu Lan): It seems to be a Garchomp of great age... Fighting such an old thing is really troublesome, but with Miss Zhu Lan behind me, believing in my trainer, I will not lose!

"Unlike you, I pursue Arceus to realize my ideals." Yan Ku Shan looked at the two Garchomps landing on the battlefield to confront each other, listening to Miss Zhu Lan's heartfelt pre-battle declaration, and vaguely saw someone from hundreds of years ago:

I investigated the myths thoroughly, clearly so obsessed with Arceus...!

Do you have a dream?

That's right, you do. Your dream and mine must be at odds...!

Is that so? You don't know. But perhaps one day, you too will feel troubled and pained.

I am a Pokémon trainer, and you are someone who fights alongside Pokémon. In the end, I am still alone, but you are different... I think you will realize your dream with your Pokémon!

The origin of my story... the plate I obtained from Giratina, I will give it to you. Because my story has ended with the defeat just now.

Past memories surged; the crushing defeat at the Temple of Sinnoh in the Hisui era was vivid!

And that young figure gradually overlapped with his great-granddaughter before his eyes!

"Is that so... You are also someone who fights alongside Pokémon!"

"But I am also different from before! Arceus, if you want to test me, then come on!"

"Zhu Lan, do you know about the Spear Pillar?"

"What?" Miss Zhu Lan froze slightly. Yan Ku Shan showed a hearty smile for the first time: "That is the place where you can see Arceus, located on Mount Coronet in the Sinnoh region! And I gave it that name!"

"The broken pillars look like spears, one after another! It was an ancient temple that held the highest status in the Sinnoh region a long time ago! Now, Mr. Xiang Guangtai, you also know that legend, right!"

"Mentioning ancient myths during battle will distract Miss Zhu Lan." Xiang Guangtai saw through Yan Ku Shan's thoughts. Miss Zhu Lan was very obsessed with ancient myths. If these things were suddenly mentioned in the tense moment of a high-level confrontation, a single moment of distraction could lead to a loss of opportunity and instant defeat!

Now, Miss Zhu Lan's interest had been piqued!

"Mount Coronet... the place in the literature that the Galactic Team is searching for and cannot find... No, now is not the time to think about these things!"

Miss Zhu Lan took a deep breath. Just then, Yan Ku Shan's Garchomp had already moved first!

This Garchomp was a hundred years older than Miss Zhu Lan's! It was the very one Yan Ku Shan had raised in the Hisui era!

Dragons are legendary creatures; as Pokémon, they have long lifespans! This should be something for Lance to say!

Yan Ku Shan showed that fanatical smile and waved his hand fiercely:

"Dragon Claw, Strong Style!"

(End of chapter)