Chapter 286: Your Reputation Is Known Throughout Unova

The art exhibition was incredibly successful!

Tian Tong, the “Art Omniscient,” has become fully aware of his own fame and has been utterly captivated by art, becoming a devoted fan of mine?

From the anime, Tian Tong has dabbled in nearly every art discipline, including but not limited to subway art, fishing, film, and painting.

“I saw that exhibition at the Feiyun Gallery! It left me utterly moved!”

Tian Tong excitedly grasped Guang Tai’s hands.

“No, it’s only been a few days.” Guang Tai retorted.

It’s been about ten days since the Feiyun exhibition.

The people of Unova really are well-informed.

“Whoa, you’re really famous, aren’t you? To be this well-known?” Zhen Gu’s expression grew tense, then she whispered to Songlu: “I never thought Guang Tai was this famous—will the deputy director position still be given to him?”

Songlu couldn’t bear to look at his sister.

“Here we go again with the fantasies.”

Tian Tong straightened his attire and demeanor.

His two fire-and-water brothers, Bert and Koen, also approached, eagerly seeking autographs; all three brothers were deeply passionate about art, and upon hearing Guang Tai say he was here to challenge the Gym…

“You’re challenging the Tri-Color Gym? What an honor—it fills our humble abode with glory!”

Koen, the Water-type, trembled with excitement in both hands: “Ah, an artistic battle in a restaurant—I can barely contain myself! Please, I beg you, let me be your opponent!”

“Let me fight you! Choose me—I’m stronger, after all!” Bert, the Fire-type, was overly enthusiastic and shoved aside his elegant Water brother.

“No! Choose based on type, as normal.” Tian Tong proposed a solution.

“Though unusual, this is the Tri-Color Gym’s rule—we will battle you according to the type you choose.”

Bert and Koen exchanged glances, both watching Guang Tai with hopeful eyes.

Perfect! This is the fairest way!

“Water,” Guang Tai replied, and Tian Tong’s eyes instantly lit up!

Yes! A Water-type Pokémon—now I have my chance to fight!

“Then, Master, your opponent shall be me!”

Tian Tong was overjoyed, while Bert and Koen looked disappointed.

Oh no! Such a perfect chance to exchange art through battle has slipped away!

“Hmm, Tian Tong seems to have stronger Pokémon.”

Guang Tai mused: in the game, Tian Tong only had Cacnea, Crabrawler, and Mudkip.

But now it seemed likely he’d kept all his strong ones at home for his two brothers to use.

“An honor!”

Tian Tong was in high spirits—time to stretch his legs a bit!

“Since you’ve come to challenge us, we must treat you with proper hospitality!”

The restaurant was still nearly empty when the walls opened fully, revealing the battle arena hidden deep within the Gym!

“My first Pokémon is ‘Cacnea’!”

Of course! Not Cacnea—but its evolved form!

Cacnea stepped onto the field, its tall hair a defining feature: atop its head stood a tuft of upright, grass-like strands, each tipped with three yellow seeds resembling cauliflower.

Its large fan-shaped ears framed an oval face, its eyes sharp and piercing, with two white eyebrows.

“Huhuh—” Cacnea was eager to battle.

And then—

Guang Tai threw out a Dream Ball; the strange Poké Ball stunned all three brothers, and immediately a massive creature landed squarely on the battlefield!

A huge shadow engulfed Cacnea, and most crucially—

“Gaa!”

Cacnea recognized the creature before it, froze for a moment, then frantically clutched its own hair!

Oh no! It’s the Dream Thief Dragon!

This-this-this—this thing has come out to rob me!

Where’s Regigigas! Where’s the Dream King—come save me!

“Roar!” Wave Splash’s tiny paw scratched at its mane.

Its eyes brightened!

Oh! You’re not our old beloved friend?

That radiant cauliflower from the farm? Grown from the flower on your head! Even Regigigas said it was great!

So this battle means I can pluck another one from your head—and this is the real world!

Wave Splash began drooling.

The radiant vegetables really are delicious!

“Roar! (Friend, tasty!)”

“Gaa! (Help!)”

Cacnea panicked, whirling to look at Tian Tong!

No no no—this thing can’t be fought!

“Hmm, never seen a Pokémon like this before! What kind of Pokémon is that?!”

Not only Bert and Koen were confused—Zhen Gu and Songlu were also watching, analyzing.

“That’s the companion he brought out of the dream—looks incredibly powerful.”

“A Dragon-type Pokémon… but the Dream Ball he used seems to be two.”

Songlu reminded her, and Zhen Gu suddenly remembered:

“Right! There were two.”

“The first one’s already explosive—what will the second be?”

Tian Tong was now under immense pressure!

Oh my goodness!

Our Tri-Color Gym is brand new—what Pokémon did you just throw out?!

This doesn’t even look like something our Gym can handle!

Is this even legal?!

Tian Tong felt overwhelming pressure.

“A dragon? I never expected to face one right away!”

“Just standing on the field, it looks incredibly powerful—can’t let my guard down. But that elegant posture… it radiates an indescribable artistic charm!”

Tian Tong’s eyes sparkled. Wave Splash seemed odd at first glance, but the longer he looked, the more he saw the strange beauty of wildness fused with flowing water—and most importantly—

Tian Tong didn’t recognize Su Xing.

So his first impression of Wave Splash was excellent!

“Then! Cacnea, use Sunny Day… wait, isn’t that your acquaintance? Why aren’t you attacking?!”

Cacnea nearly spoke in desperation:

“Huhuh! (That dragon? Can’t beat it! You’re still using Sunny Day?! )”

Cacnea lost all will to fight—the shadow of having its cauliflower plucked still haunted it; even after immense effort to evolve, it still couldn’t beat this thing!

Tian Tong!

You’re still too young—you don’t know some Pokémon are double agents!

Sunny Day is Sunny Day’s brother, Rain Dance is Rain Dance’s brother!

You think it’s Water-type!

But it can use Fire too!

Who is Sunny Day really for?

Tian Tong, you can’t handle this Weather Team!

“Hey, why did you just lose all will to fight?!”

Tian Tong was baffled—he quickly recalled Cacnea, then thought for a moment, and sent out his second Pokémon.

Embarrassing! The Gym Leader’s Pokémon just surrendered to the challenger’s Pokémon!

The pressure grew heavier.

Previously, he’d faced only small Pokémon like Yorick, Pidgey, or even Warmonger, Ivysaur—though two days ago someone had pulled out a monstrous Donphan, and Warmonger’s strength had been unusually high, but none had this overwhelming presence!

“Alright, unexpected situation! Now, the evaluation phase—my second Pokémon! Cacturne!”

Cacturne?

Guang Tai mused.

That’s also a World Championship lineup!

As Cacturne stepped onto the field and raised its head—

Wait, isn’t that Wave Splash?!

“Sha! (Oh crap! The evil dragon’s coming! )”

Cacturne immediately raised both hands!

Don’t use Flamethrower on me—I surrender!

That’s the standard Kalos gesture!

Your infamy across Unova is known to all—from little Yorick by the roadside to the Three Dragons of the Path!

“I’m truly, deeply sorry!”

Tiantong was now drenched in sweat, utterly baffled as to why his Pokémon had suddenly surrendered without fighting—but the key point was that a Pokémon losing its will to battle itself counted as a loss, and now he had only one left.

Meanwhile, Bert, the Fire-type, and Koen, the Water-type—Tiantong’s two brothers—were both shaking their heads.

“Just what is that dragon? Some special ability?”

“Tiantong’s Pokémon seem terrified—even the Intimidate ability shouldn’t cause this.”

The Fire-and-Water brothers rubbed their chins, palms up, exchanging glances—completely clueless about what was happening on the battlefield.

Already lost two before the battle even started?

But the Fire-and-Water brothers weren’t concerned—after all, their own waist-level Poké Balls also held Pokémon that had seen Wave Water.

Oh my goodness! That scared us to death!

How did that Robber Dragon come out?! Since Unova has no other members of its kind, we can be 100% certain it’s that Dream Robber!

Good thing it wasn’t us who sent it out!

Inside Bert’s waist-level Poké Ball, Blaziken exhaled in relief—and the enthusiastic Bert, sensing the tremor, immediately teased:

“Oh! Blaziken, you wanna fight that Pokémon too?”

Blaziken: “...”

Bert, if you don’t understand what I’m saying, don’t just jump in—Fire-type Trainers always spout weird nonsense on their own!

Who even understands this stuff?!

Blaziken was speechless.

But it wasn’t just him.

Guang Tai was also utterly speechless, and Wave Water’s two tails impatiently slapped the ground.

Oh my, they’re all old friends—anyone we haven’t met before?!

“Wuuu-lu lu—”

Wave Water let out a low growl, expressing its displeasure.

What’s wrong with you, human Trainer?!

Can’t you bring out a stronger Pokémon?! These are all past defeats!

“Just how many Pokémon did you upset in the Dream?”

Guang Tai mentally questioned Wave Water.

Hasi Bo shook his head.

Who knows about that stuff!

But ever since Lei Jiaisi started farming, we’ve been more careful about what we pick up!

Look—the Dream World still gathers tons of Pokémon!

That proves my “recruitment efforts” are wildly successful!

You can’t just see me picking things up—you ignore my hard work!

“Alright, alright...” Guang Tai rubbed his forehead: “You’ve worked the hardest.”

“Aaaow~ (Of course I have~!)”

Wave Water was in high spirits, but seeing its opponent’s hesitation, it grew annoyed again.

Are you going to fight or not?! Scaring off the opponent outright does show strength, but we want to show off in the real world too!

Pathetic!

Sensing the dragon’s irritation and disdain, Tiantong had planned to send out a certain Pokémon—but now he changed his mind instantly.

Even if he’s a new Gym Leader, he can’t let a single Pokémon look down on him, can he?

“Alright! Come out, my Wangpai !”

Tiantong switched Poké Balls—he decided to use his highest-level Pokémon to face the dragon!

He’d originally planned to say, “You haven’t reached the flavor I expected”—now it was he who hadn’t met the opponent’s standards!

It was a gigantic, serpent-like Pokémon!

Its back was deep green, its belly light green, adorned with golden patterns like royal embroidery. Two curled vines near its neck resembled a suit’s collar and cuffs. Its eyes were red, radiating disdain—exuding nobility and arrogance!

Kingdra! The final evolution of Tengteng Snake!

It can amplify sunlight-generated energy within its long body to dozens of times its original power.

Bert and Koen, watching from the sidelines, exchanged subtle glances.

“Long ago, when the three of us began our journey, the Pokémon we received from Dr. Cedric were Tengteng Snake, Nuannuan Pig, and Shuishui Otter—they later evolved into their final forms and became our Wangpai .”

Tiantong snapped his fingers: “I haven’t let Kingdra battle in a long time. My partner is eager for a fierce fight—I think now’s the time to send it out.”

Kingdra possesses a gaze and bearing so intimidating it makes opponents cower—it raises its head to intimidate, earning it the title “Monarch of the Forest!”

Merely locking eyes can paralyze an opponent. It only truly fights those who remain fearless even under its noble gaze.

And now, Kingdra was staring straight at Wave Water!

Evade with Water Gun!

Wave Water heard Guang Tai’s voice in its mind—but still hesitated.

Evade? Evade what?

That split-second delay cost it the initiative—and Kingdra had already used its move upon landing.

A dark, terrifying phantom eye fixed on Wave Water—and the next instant, faint electric currents flickered across the Ancient Dragon’s body.

“It’s the move ‘Giant Gaze.’”

Guang Tai rubbed his head.

Wave Water had been feral too long—even with mental connection, it still acted on its own impulses.

Hmm, having its own thoughts isn’t bad.

But Wave Water’s mind always wanders into strange places.

Though impulsive, it’s wildly curious.

At this moment, Wave Water scratched at its own body.

Oh my, using a move right after landing? So cheap!

But I’ve seen this before!

In ancient times, wild Pokémon would roar at each other before battle—like warnings and invasion declarations—but some hunters would lie in wait and strike silently.

“Coil!”

Coil—focus, boosting Attack, Defense, and Accuracy.

User’s Attack increases by one stage.

User’s Defense increases by one stage.

User’s Accuracy increases by one stage!

Tiantong commanded Kingdra—the green serpent curled its body, steadily raising its stats, then cast a disdainful sideways glance at Wave Water.

Looks big, but staring won’t win you anything.

Guang Tai’s eyes lit up.

Coil + Giant Gaze—Kingdra’s classic combo... Hmm, will the next move be “Stomach Acid”?

Giant Gaze + Coil + Stomach Acid—Tiantong doesn’t seem so refined after all. Is it because he always holds back against challengers, never letting this snake fight?

“Shadow Clone! Then Coil again!”

Seeing the advantage, Tiantong snapped his fingers—Kingdra instantly split into countless shadow clones, all glaring challengingly at Wave Water.

Shadow Clone—creates countless illusory duplicates, greatly boosting evasion, and in battle, it also confuses the opponent’s Pokémon.

Wave Water looked left and right, growing impatient, unable to tell which was real—then it heard Guang Tai’s voice.

“Aaow~” Wave Water was puzzled, turned to look at Guang Tai—and saw its little dragon Trainer watching it with expectant eyes.

Hmm... Shouldn’t he be disappointed? After all, it messed up at first.

This made Wave Water feel guilty, even a little ashamed.

In the Dream, I ruled supreme—but in the real world, I lost initiative. I shouldn’t be so curious. Better to return to basics: see a Pokémon, bite it first, then figure out what it is.

And the Trainer was gently explaining in its mind:

“The Trainer is the Pokémon’s eyes and ears; the Pokémon is the Trainer’s claws and fangs. Battle is never just between Pokémon—it’s between Trainer and Pokémon together. As partners, you must fight as one, inseparable.”

“You’ve just returned from feral life, entering formal battle for the first time. Confusion is normal.”

“The Trainer devises tactics. Pokémon in battle are far more flexible, adaptive, and creatively paired than those in the wild.”

“With your strength, that Kingdra shouldn’t be able to stop you—just unleash your full power.”

“How did you fight in the distant past? Not in the Dream—but in ancient times. Recall that state, then merge your mind with mine—I’ll become your eyes.”

Guang Tai transmitted his emotions to Wave Water—Hasi Bo let out two low rumbles, and its mind finally understood.

Indeed, this battle isn’t one-on-one—it’s two-on-two. The Trainer can’t just stand behind cheering like a spectator. They choose which moves the Pokémon use.

Wave Water calmed its impatience, its aggressive posture steadying.

Peaceful emotion flowed fully—Wave Water could now fully feel its Trainer’s mood, and entered a strange perspective—like... the Trainer’s perspective?

So that’s how it is!

The Trainer sees what I can’t!

He gives instructions—I just need to trust my partner!

Now, the Trainer fully believes in me—with not a hint of doubt or hesitation—as if from the very start, everything had already been foreseen.

Treat this battle as a feast of gluttony!

And I, as my partner’s claws and fangs!

This immense power exists precisely for this!

Huh—

The dragon’s pressure slammed onto Kingdra, and Bo Yangshui’s eyes shifted.

“Roar”

I will hunt you!

The savage, ancient aura startled Kingdra—the giant dragon before its eyes no longer looked comical as it had at first; it instantly became a terrifying high-level predator!

This is no ordinary battle—it’s a true life-or-death struggle where you might be preyed upon! How could such a thing happen in a Gym battle?

Kingdra’s heart panicked, but Bo Yangshui heard Guang Tai’s voice.

The Trainer’s voice came through!

Bo Yangshui’s gaze hardened; the paralysis effect still lingered, but an unparalleled strength surged from the Trainer, rendering the paralysis powerless.

After all, the chance of being unable to move is only one in four!

Bo Yangshui raised its twin tails high, and immense power combined with dragon-type light erupted!

Twin tails swept sideways, striking all opposing Pokémon at once!

Guang Tai silently issued the command:

“Wide Destruction!”

Strike with resilient tails to weaken the opponent’s attack!

But Bo Yangshui’s tails were too long, and there were two of them—each wielding colossal power!

Kingdra’s clones were swept clean, then struck hard in succession!

“What move is that? Dragon Tail?”

Tian Tong was stunned. As a special dragon-type move, only a handful of Pokémon learn it naturally through leveling up—and among them, the Unova region’s Double-Edge Dragon is one.

Yet, just as Dragon Tail is Xia Ka’s secret technique, only dragon-type Trainers receive Xia Ka’s instruction.

The move Wide Destruction has yet to be recognized by most Trainers!

Bo Yangshui’s twin tails coiled around Kingdra and hurled it into the air!

Intense flames erupted from its fangs!

Flamethrower!

“A water-type Pokémon used Flamethrower?”

Tian Tong wanted to say he must be dreaming—how absurd! But it was true: the dragon before him didn’t just use dragon-type moves—it wielded water-type and fire-type moves with equal ease!

Boom! Kingdra was struck dead-center by flames, and Bo Yangshui let out a thunderous roar.

Shockwaves rippled through the air, slamming Kingdra across the Gym floor and shattering the walls!

The battle ended in an instant!

Tian Tong: “.W-what was that move?”

“Iron Will—its power doubles while the user is status-affected.”

Tian Tong’s brother Koen recognized the move. Iron Will isn’t rare—many Pokémon carry it.

So when an opponent is status-affected, it’s not necessarily an opportunity to win.

“There’s nothing to be done—this dragon is too strong.”

Tian Tong sighed, watching Kingdra knocked out and unconscious outside the arena, forced to accept his terrible luck, overwhelmed by helplessness.

This was one of his strongest teams—he’d spent hours strengthening it, yet was defeated in mere moves, and the opponent moved with terrifying speed!

Not the Pokémon’s speed—but Tian Tong couldn’t put it into words—this battle had opened a new door for him.

【Defeated Gym Leader Tian Tong—New Power of the Three Radiance has been strengthened!】

【Your Pokémon’s EVs and growth levels have increased!】

Turn others’ strength into your own, and grow ever stronger!

“Please accept this Three Radiance Badge.”

The three brothers presented the Three Radiance Badge in a box.

Tian Tong half-sighed, half-smiled: “Your strength matches the rumors! Now, let us properly host you!”

“Please enjoy the cuisine at the Three Radiance Gym!”

(End of Chapter)