Chapter 174: The Heartless One

"This match, I lost." Qi Shi shrugged helplessly, his tone full of admiration, "But I truly didn't expect you to be so bold, going against the grain, directly using Flamethrower to ignite Poison Gas."

"Adventure is also part of the tactics, and it seems I'm getting better at this style." Huo La laughed, retracting Muk, his face full of confidence.

Qi Shi froze for a moment, then shook his head and chuckled, "In the end it's my carelessness, underestimating your hidden cards."

As soon as the words finished, he reached into the Flying Waist Pack behind the chair, pulling out a gleaming Badge and a blue Learning Machine, walked to Huo La and handed them over: "This is the Gale Badge, which is the Futaba Badge you mentioned, and the Hot Wind Learning Machine; both are the rewards you deserve."

Huo La took the Badge and Learning Machine, examined them carefully, then satisfiedly stuffed the items into his backpack: "Thank you, Gym Leader Qi Shi."

Qi Shi patted Huo La's shoulder, tone serious: "I need to make it clear, my loss to you today is my fault, not because Flying-type Pokémon are insufficiently strong."

Huo La nodded in agreement: "Flying-type Pokémon naturally possess air superiority, so their strength is naturally great. Later I'll tell my partner Xiao Gang; he'll surely be glad to meet you and discuss breeding techniques for Flying-type Pokémon."

"Hahaha, that's wonderful!" Qi Shi's eyes lit up, "The former Deep Gray Gym Leader, I've long wanted to exchange ideas with him."

As Gym Leaders both from the Kanto Region, even without having met, they'd long heard each other's reputation.

Back at the Shuangye Town Pokemon Center, Huo La just mentioned to Xiao Gang that Qi Shi wanted to discuss Flying-type breeding knowledge; Xiao Gang instantly perked up, abruptly abandoning his duties for Nurse Joy, and turned to run toward the Gym.

Huo La watched his hurried back, shook his head helplessly—this guy becomes more proactive than anyone when it comes to breeding matters.

He handed the Pokemon needing recovery—Ivysaur, Muk, Beedrill, etc. —to Nurse Joy, asking her to treat them, and planned to return to his room for a rest.

After all, upcoming he still has to conduct high-intensity battle training with Bilan and Xiao Gang, needing to replenish his spirit for the subsequent challenges.

"Wait a moment, Mr. Huo La." Huo La just turned, and Nurse Joy hurriedly caught up, calling out to him.

"Nurse Joy, is there something?" Huo La stopped, turned back with a hint of puzzlement.

"Here's the thing, Professor Oak just left a message at the Pokemon Center in Pallet Town," Nurse Joy explained, "He specifically instructed that all Trainers departing from Pallet Town, upon receiving the message, should contact him immediately."

Huo La felt a sudden thud in his chest—Professor Oak actually sent a message to every Trainer leaving Pallet Town; this is certainly no trivial matter, likely a major situation.

"Alright, thank you, Nurse Joy, I'll go call Professor Oak right away," Huo La said after thanking her, and headed straight to the Pokemon Center's communication area.

He dialed the number, the screen lit up, and Professor Oak's figure appeared on the display. To Huo La's surprise, the Doctor was lying in a recliner, his right leg wrapped in thick plaster bandages, his complexion paler than usual.

Ash's mother, Hanako, was beside him, caring for him.

"Professor Oak, what's this..." Huo La looked at the plaster, his tone full of hesitation.

"Oh, it's Huo La," Professor Oak waved his hand, feigning casual tone, "Nothing serious, just a minor injury; a few days of rest will be fine."

"Then why did you specifically leave a message for all Pallet Town Trainers—what exactly happened?" Huo La, not dwelling on the injury, went straight to the point.

"Actually, it's just one thing." Professor Oak adjusted his posture, speaking slowly, "The League recently distributed a batch of artificially cultivated Rotom, and Pallet Town received some allocations; I wanted you to prepare in advance and receive them."

"Rotom?!" Huo La was initially stunned, then his face lit up—this was an unexpected delight!

Rotom's own combat power isn't particularly strong, but its ability is extremely unique.

It can merge with various electronic devices, turning lifeless appliances into sentient "living things," making it highly practical.

Because of this trait, wild Rotom has become increasingly scarce, but since Rotom itself is an ionized product, the League has developed artificial cultivation methods. Professor Oak, as a core researcher of the League, securing allocations for Pallet Town is unsurprising.

"However, now there's a more urgent matter," Professor Oak's tone shifted, his previously relaxed expression turning serious, "My injury wasn't an accident; I was attacked by an Unknown Force."

"Unknown Force?" Huo La's heart tightened, his brows instantly furrowed—considering the earlier appearance of the Flash Flame Team, could another faction be causing trouble?

"Yes, that guy calls himself 'the person without a heart'," Professor Oak recalled the scene, speaking slowly, "He came to me apparently looking for something, but didn't find it and left."

Huo La was about to ask for more details about the attacker when his gaze fell again on Professor Oak's plaster bandage, and he stammered, "Um... that leg of yours, was it injured by that attacker?"

"Oh, that," Professor Oak's face showed a hint of embarrassment, he waved his hand to explain, "No, when that guy came, I was cooking hot pot; I accidentally got burned by the hot pot. But if it weren't for that guy, I wouldn't have been injured, so you could say I was injured by his attack."

Huo La: "..."

He was instantly at a loss for words; he had expected a wound from a fierce battle, but it turned out to be a hot-pot burn—a contrast far too great.

"Alright, let's not discuss that," Professor Oak cleared his throat, returning to the main point, "Since you've contacted me, later I'll use the Pokemon Center's Teleportation System to send the Rotom to you; remember to watch for its arrival."

He paused, his tone becoming solemn again, "These days the world is unsettled; whether it's the Rocket Team or this Unknown Force, their activities seem increasingly frequent. When you're out in the field, you must be extra careful, protecting yourself and your Pokemon."

"Understood, Professor Oak, rest assured, I will be careful," Huo La nodded earnestly.

Nurse Joy nodded, immediately turned to operate the nearby Teleportation Machine. The screen flickered a few times, accompanied by a faint mechanical whir, and a Pokeball quickly shot out of the Teleportation Cabin.

Huo La stepped forward, took the Pokeball, feeling a faint electric current in his hand. He thanked Nurse Joy, then turned and hurried back to his room—now he couldn't wait to see the Rotom.