Chapter 72: The Xicui Pikachu

“Wah wah!”

In the forest.

Lili Gen Wa Wa walked at the front, hopping and skipping, leading Guang Tai and Shuang Jian Qiao; this route went straight northwest with no detours.

The forest was filled with sounds, and in the shadows, some Bug Pokémon watched Guang Tai curiously—they rarely saw humans in the forest, especially one dressed unlike the locals nearby.

“Time to use Silence Spray.”

Guang Tai sprayed himself with Silence Spray to reduce movement noise, then sprayed the two Pokémon as well; though Shuang Jian Qiao said it floated and didn’t need it, Guang Tai insisted it couldn’t hurt—maybe it would even muffle its flight sound.

When giant trees blocked the path, Shuang Jian Qiao used Continuous Slash to swiftly cut through them; when large rocks appeared, it shattered them to search for rare minerals. They kept chopping all the way until Lili Gen Wa Wa’s pace slowed.

At this point, Guang Tai had no idea how deep into the forest he was—only that the surroundings had grown dim.

Dense, towering trees pierced the sky; streams wound through roots and stones; moss and epiphytic plants covered everything; deep green vegetation grew wildly. You could see the burrows of Diglett and scraps dropped by Pokémon.

Guang Tai picked up a Poison Needle—it looked like a Beedrill’s stinger, indicating a Beedrill swarm was nearby. Such Pokémon never appeared alone.

【Rare Material: Poison Needle.】

【Effect: A toxic pin dropped by Pokémon. Carrying it increases the power of Poison-type moves.】

【Acquired Knowledge: Toxic Endurance: Poison resistance increased by 15%.】

【Rare Material: Kecleon’s Hair and Skin Fragments.】

【Effect: Brown, leather-like skin fragments from Kecleon. Made into ornaments, they slightly enhance mental power.】

【Acquired Knowledge: Mental Insight: Your mental power has improved—this is knowledge on cultivating mental strength.】

【Rare Material: Paras’s Spores.】

【Effect: Can be blended to create more potent herbal remedies; it’s said Paras spores are added to secret medicinal formulas.】

【Acquired Knowledge: Alchemy Insight: Your alchemy talent has improved—this is knowledge on crafting better potions.】

【Rare Material: Steelix’s Steel Fragments.】

【Effect: Steel skin shed by Steelix during digging. Can be used to craft “Metal Film.”】

【Acquired Knowledge: Steel Forging: Quality of forged items increased by 10%. Gained partial forging knowledge.】

【Rare Material: Misdreavus’s Tear.】

【Effect: The Tear of Fear worn around Misdreavus’s neck. Staring at it too long may cause Frightened status.】

【Acquired Knowledge: Fear Spirituality: Your spiritual power has increased, along with knowledge of fear and fright-based spiritual techniques.】

【Rare Material: Valuable Bone.】

【Description: An extremely valuable bone in Pokémon archaeology; collectors and experts pay high prices for it.】

【Acquired Craft: Unique Bonecraft (C+): Can process Pokémon bones to grant them special effects—Ground, Ghost, and Psychic-type Pokémon gain bonuses.】

Thus, collecting materials along the way, crossing the deep, dark woodland, watching Pokémon hidden in the forest or boldly appearing nearby, the Pokémon traces gradually vanished—until a barren, Pokémon-free zone appeared.

Rotting pinecones lay on the ground; Xicui Pikachu seeds had parasitized them for nutrients, yet still failed to grow into new Pikachu eggs.

“Seeds don’t guarantee survival after planting—their quality, soil conditions, climate, planting technique, proper depth, timing, and method—”

“Soil type, fertility, moisture; temperature, humidity, light—these factors are all critical.”

“Though Xicui’s land and Shendu share similarities, they differ greatly overall. Xicui’s form here mutated under this environment, rather than remaining normal.”

“We’re almost there.”

Guang Tai tossed the rotting pinecone aside; Lili Gen Wa Wa had grown tense.

“Pika pika!”

Beyond the damp, leaf- and moss-covered earth, a fruit grove appeared—various fruits and pinecones grew wildly together, as if compressed into one area. Guang Tai also spotted traces of ruins!

This place was once a grove cultivated exclusively by Shendu’s people!

After humans left, nature reclaimed the area, covering it with forest.

Five Pikachu rolled on the ground, bumping into fruits and pinecones; when some pinecones fell, they joyfully sprayed seeds. But when Lili Gen Wa Wa leaped out again, the five Pikachu’s laughter stopped instantly!

“Pika pika!”

One Pikachu confronted Lili Gen Wa Wa—but its expression was permanently fixed as “silly,” so it looked anything but serious!

“Yowoo~!”

Shuang Jian Qiao began translating:

The Pikachu said: “Again you? This is our territory now—leave before it ends the same as last time!”

Pokémon are aggressive creatures; though sometimes cute and childish, when survival or battle is involved, they become fiercely passionate, even stubborn and terrifying!

Wild Pokémon with flawed temperaments are even more fearsome and merciless in battle!

“Mara!”

A massive shadow rolled in from the edge of the fruit grove and thudded right before Lili Gen Wa Wa’s eyes!

It was the Xicui form of Pikachu—current leader of this grove!

Its shape resembled an upside-down Xicui Poké Ball: red below, wood-toned above; its surface closely resembled pinecones, covered in wood grain. Its eyes were hollows in the wood, and its expression was the opposite of normal Pikachu—forever angry, perpetually agitated!

Guang Tai silently assessed it.

In size, it was far smaller than “Cave King.”

Cave King was a Xicui Pikachu from the Xicui era, guardian of Arceus’s Plates, descendant of the legendary Ten Hero Pokémon—its body was enormous, capable of absurd continuous explosions!

This one? Far inferior.

“Mara?”

The Xicui Pikachu noticed Lili Gen Wa Wa, then Guang Tai and Shuang Jian Qiao, and made a sound.

So it brought allies! But we’ve got big explosions too—let’s blow them all up!

“Wait, Pikachu! I’m now Lili Gen Wa Wa’s Trainer—I challenge you for this territory!”

Guang Tai decided to communicate with the Pikachu, who sensed something unusual about Guang Tai’s aura.

I see—it’s the aura of Shimbai, the Forest God!

“Mara. Mara!”

The Xicui Pikachu spoke; Shuang Jian Qiao translated carefully:

“O Forest Child blessed by the Forest God, I have no reason to refuse your challenge. But even if you defeat me, we will not leave this grove!”

“What a cheek! No wonder its body resembles pinecones! Whatever—I never expected wild Pokémon to follow rules anyway. Let’s just fight.”

Guang Tai awkwardly scratched his head, recalling the Dreamwave in his dreams.

The Pikachu not attacking the Trainer outright was already generous—no need to ask for more.

He hadn’t expected Shimbai’s lingering aura would let Pokémon communicate calmly with him—but even if defeated, they’d refuse to leave? That was…

“Then I have no choice. I foresaw this, so I had Lili Gen Wa Wa wear protective gear. Now, I’ll just knock you all down—don’t say I’m not playing fair!”

“Mara!!!” The Xicui Pikachu roared in fury; the five Pikachu surged toward Lili Gen Wa Wa, all glowing with electric light!

“Spark!” A move that coats the body in electricity and slams into the opponent—sometimes paralyzing them!

“Hey, no fair! Shuang Jian Qiao, Reflect Wall!”

“Lili Gen Wa Wa, use your gear to bounce them back!”

Shuang Jian Qiao floated forward and unfolded a transparent wall—real Reflect Walls were truly invisible barriers, halting any charge!

Lili Gen Wa Wa used its gear to block the first electric surge; then the gear glowed with Steel-type energy!

The first charging Pikachu was instantly bounced back, colliding mid-air with another Pikachu—both flew far away like marbles!

The remaining Pikachu were the same—flung back by Lili Gen Wa Wa’s illegal move!

Only the Xicui Pikachu remained.

“Mama?!”

The Xicui Pikachu’s angry expression flickered with surprise.

You—this Lili Gen Wa Wa uses Steel-type power?!

What kind of Grass-Steel hybrid is this?! Is this even legal?!

“Wah wah!”

After blasting the Pikachu away, Lili Gen Wa Wa had Shuang Jian Qiao remove its damaged protective gear.

It was only small gear—taking multiple hits made damage inevitable.

But no matter—it was one-on-one now!

He would defeat this big ball with his true strength!

“Bai—” Lili Gen Wa Wa’s battle spirit surged; all the effort and work of these days would be shown now!

“Well? Now it’s one-on-one—will you accept our challenge? If you lose, you must leave this grove!”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with your habitat, but if we talk, everything can be negotiated. If you refuse to talk, we’ll settle it with strength!”

“If you seize another’s home, isn’t it fair for them to grow stronger and take it back? That’s the rule of the wild.”

The Xicui Pikachu gurgled, speechless—then rallied itself:

“Mara. Mara mara mara!!”

It accepted Lili Gen Wa Wa’s challenge!

The situation had gone this far—do it. Lili Gen Wa Wa had shown terrifying power; the human and the other Pokémon were clearly strong too.

“What’s it saying?” Guang Tai asked Shuang Jian Qiao.

Shuang Jian Qiao: “Yopu.”

It said: “Bearing the lives and future of the entire tribe, I cannot lose this battle. It’s not about winning or losing—I must stand before them all as leader!”

“Hey, now you’re the Rexue manga protagonist?”

(End of Chapter)