Chapter 117: Huo La vs. Li Jia (1)

"Sigh." Huo La sighed, his tone carrying a hint of concern, "Uncle Hongzhi isn't having any trouble now, right?"

"Father's health is fine; it's just that he holds Silph Company's latest core technology, which has already been placed under protection in a secret Oak Research Institute by the company, so there's no need to worry about safety," Li Jia replied softly, and the worry in her eyes eased a bit.

Huo La nodded, then asked about another matter, "What about the Silph Company traitor? The one who cooperated with the Rocket Team before—have they been caught?"

"I don't know the details," Li Jia shook her head, then added, "But Father can still conduct his research at the company with peace of mind, so I suppose that batch of traitors has already been dealt with properly."

Huo La understood internally.

In the capacity of a Secretary Zhenniao, the Rocket Team secrets he holds are far from few; if he were truly captured by the League or Officer Jenny, he couldn't simply post bail like an ordinary member and walk free—he would have already faced a rigorous interrogation.

But given that Zhenniao was able to bring him Chou Ni, it seems Zhenniao has long since escaped.

He stopped dwelling on it, changed the subject, and looked at Li Jia, "Miss Li Jia, if there's nothing else, can we start the Gym battle now?"

"Of course," Li Jia smiled and nodded, about to turn, then as if she suddenly remembered something, "Wait for me a moment."

She said that while briskly walking into the office inside, faint sounds of rummaging could be heard from within.

A moment later, Li Jia emerged holding a delicate small glass bottle, handing it to Huo La.

Huo La quickly reached out to take it, and at Li Jia's cue unscrewed the cap—a fresh, subtle scent of herbs instantly filled the air, not as sharp as ordinary perfume but with a natural, gentle warmth.

"This is the latest perfume developed by our Gym's laboratory, specifically designed for the Pokémon Contest; it's still just a sample," Li Jia explained, "I heard you were looking for something to mask the smell of Chou Ni; this might work—it lingers long, can neutralize odors, and doesn't irritate Pokémon."

Huo La nodded, not feeling the gift was particularly valuable—though the Pokémon Contest is on par with the League Tournament, this is still merely a sample, not a mass‑produced core product, so to him it feels more like a practical "trial item."

Seeing him accept it calmly, Li Jia added with a smile, "If you find it works, once it officially launches later, I'll send you one each month as a token of thanks for saving Father."

Huo La didn't mince words, replying cheerfully, "Then I thank you already, Miss Li Jia."

"Alright, private matters done, now comes the Gym battle you've been looking forward to. Follow me," Li Jia stood and led the way out the door.

As the three passed through the Gym hall, Huo La spotted Xiao Gang still discussing perfume with the green‑haired big sister—his sack was even fuller than before, clearly completely "overrun."

Huo La shook his head helplessly and didn't disturb him.

Meanwhile, the Gastly that had been in the green‑haired sister's shadow quietly returned to Huo La, evidently more interested in the upcoming battle than the big sister in the hall.

Walking into the side hall battle arena, Li Jia stood at the opposite end and announced the rules loudly, "The Rainbow Gym battle rules are 3v3, no items allowed, both sides may switch Pokémon, and the side whose Pokémon all lose the ability to fight loses. Any questions?"

"No!" Huo La replied briskly and cleanly.

"Alright, I'll send out a Pokémon first. Go, Man Teng Guai!" Li Jia tossed a Pokéball, a red flash, and a Pokémon enshrouded in emerald vines landed on the field, emitting a "wa‑wa" Cry.

Huo La's system panel popped up instantly:

Pokémon: Man Teng Guai

Gender: Female

Level: Lv. 30

Su Xing: A

Status: Healthy

Nature: Conservative

Type: Grass

Ability: Chlorophyll (speed doubles under intense sunlight)

Height: 1 m

Weight: 35 kg

Carried Item: None

Moves: Wrap (mastery 100%), Mega Drain (mastery 100%), Vine Whip (mastery 100%), Stun Spore (mastery 100%)

Improvement Count: 0

"All four moves at full mastery… a textbook Gym mainstay Pokémon," Huo La thought, impressed that Li Jia's breeding skill lived up to its reputation.

"Alright, using a Grass‑type against a Grass‑type, Bulbasaur…" he began, his hand reaching for a Pokéball, then stopped abruptly.

Bulbasaur is on the brink of evolution; if it evolves during battle, the sole chance to boost its Su Xing would likely be lost.

"Can't take that risk." Huo La quickly withdrew his hand, switched to another Pokéball, "Then it's you, Beedrill!"

"Bzz—" a yellow‑black figure darted out like lightning, the sound of its wings flapping echoing across the arena.

"Using Beedrill?" a flash of surprise crossed Li Jia's eyes, then she calmly ordered, "Man Teng Guai, use Vine Whip!"

Two thick vines shot out like long snakes, lashing toward the airborne Beedrill.

"Beedrill, use Multi Slash to cut the vines!" Huo La shouted without hesitation.

Beedrill's twin stingers glinted coldly, its body darted agilely to evade the vines' trajectory, then a flurry of blade‑like strikes flashed, snapping Man Teng Guai's vines into several pieces that fell to the ground.

"Quick reaction." Li Jia, unhurried, continued, "Man Teng Guai, scatter Stun Spore!"

Pale yellow powder drifted from the vines enveloping Man Teng Guai, spreading toward Beedrill.

"Beedrill, charge forward and use Cross Cut, slash!" Huo La's gaze sharpened; Beedrill already had the speed edge, now it surged like a yellow lightning, its twin stingers overlapping like a shield, breaking through the Stun Spore cloud and thrusting fiercely at Man Teng Guai!

The cold flash of Cross Cut struck Man Teng Guai precisely; a heavy "puff" sounded, the emerald vines instantly lost strength, sagging limp to the ground, and without a whimper its eyes turned white, losing the ability to fight.

"Come back, Man Teng Guai." Li Jia gently recalled the Pokéball, her gaze landing on the wing‑flapping Beedrill in the arena, her tone adding a note of praise, "Bug‑type does have an advantage over Grass‑type, but to defeat my Man Teng Guai in a single strike, this Beedrill's speed and attack are quite well‑bred. Looks like I need to step up."

As she spoke, she lifted her hand and tossed a second Pokéball, "Go, Gloom!"

"Stink~" accompanied by a slightly lazy Cry, a fully blue Pokémon crowned with a red flower landed on the field.

Its face bore a natural grimace, a strand of white slime hanging at its mouth corner, yet oddly, the Gloom that should emit a pungent odor was now surrounded by a faint fresh fragrance.

Clearly it had been cultivated by Li Jia with special herbs.