Chapter 351: I Have a Cheat

On the island volcano, Red cliffs jut sharply, and heat waves roll endlessly.

A few figures are trudging up the scorching mountain path, step by step struggling toward the summit.

"Ah… it's scorching, I can't stand it!" Shan Kui, held securely in the arms of a Super-Armor Wild Rhinoceros, sighs and frowns the whole way.

As someone who lives on the Icefield year‑round, the searing heat rising from the volcano's interior almost suffocates her.

"I told you to stay at camp and not follow," Gua Na says, riding on the back of Wind-speed Dog A2, turning back helplessly.

Behind her, Xiao Zhao sits quietly, obediently basking in the warm breeze, not finding it unbearable.

Shan Kui glances at Gua Na, then looks toward Huo La moving ahead, and can only sigh silently.

She has some thoughts she cannot voice.

Beside them, A Mang notices her embarrassment, smiles and eases the mood: "Don't worry, the summit is just ahead. Beyond that lies the Cinderace Tribe's territory. Since they constantly absorb fire, the peak is actually cooler."

Ahead on the path, Huo La walks steadily, followed closely by a vibrant Fireburst Beast.

The area is rich in fire energy, an ideal spot for Fire-type Pokémon.

The Fireburst Beast simultaneously absorbs the pervasive flame energy in the air to temper itself and shields the group from the surrounding heat, silently cooling a few of them.

Huo La's gaze shifts to the Red summit, and he asks softly, "Field Master A Mang, you said the Cinderace Tribe has a very gentle temperament?"

A Mang nods and replies, "We only enter the Volcano Crater Temple during the Flame Festival, so our contact isn't frequent. Yet each time we come, they never block us, even standing far at the lava's edge to keep watch for us."

"Then have you ever seen the Cinderace Tribe's king?"

At that, Gua Na takes over, her tone tinged with awe: "Of course. A typical adult Cinderace stands about 1.78 m tall, the more robust ones reach 2 m to 2.5 m. The Cinderace King, however, exceeds three meters, astonishingly massive."

She pauses, recalling past scenes: "Its size is just too huge; it dwells deep within the volcano's magma, rarely showing itself. The only time I saw it was at the Volcano Festival three years ago; it rose slowly from the lava, exposing only half its body, yet already surpassing those robust Cinderace."

A mountain breeze suddenly sweeps the path, carrying a rare coolness that dispels the surrounding heat.

"Hm? The wind has cooled," A Mang's eyes flicker as he says gravely, "It seems we've entered the Cinderace Tribe's territory."

Before his words finish, several pairs of orange‑red vertical pupils suddenly flash in the molten shadows ahead, silently locking onto the group.

Behind the pupils, a cold, hard silver metal helm appears, beneath which a massive body of interlaced brown and orange, scarred with mottled patterns, lies coiled between the rocks, its breath steady and solemn.

"It's a Cinderace," Huo La murmurs, and the Fireburst Beast beside him instantly focuses, its eyes blazing, watching the molten beings warily.

"You all wait here," A Mang raises his hand to halt the group, his expression calm, "Gua Na and I will go forward and greet them first."

Xiao Zhao deftly leaps down from Wind-speed Dog A2, and Gua Na lands alongside.

The two walk side by side, slowly approaching the Cinderace group with open, non‑hostile demeanor.

From behind, Xiao Zhao gently leans toward Huo La, gazing at the figures ahead, whispering, "So this is a Cinderace, it looks…"

Before she can finish, Shan Kui, already frowning, bluntly adds, "It's way too ugly."

"Ugly?" Huo La is startled, then shakes his head helplessly and says seriously, "Don't be fooled by their rugged looks; they're exceptionally strong."

"Even the top trainers of later generations dream of capturing a Cinderace."

He knows deep down that Cinderace possess an extremely high species stat sheet, with sharp attribute synergy, and when paired with a trainer's tactics, they are unquestionably Quasi‑Divine Class combat power.

Once fully trained, they can reliably bring their holder to the threshold of Heaven King Tier.

"So powerful, huh?" Xiao Zhao's eyes light up, whispering eagerly, "Then… should I try to capture one?"

Huo La turns to her, clicks his tongue, and says frankly, "The idea's good, but not now."

"Look at that group ahead; there are too many, and each is strong. I reckon if you show hostility, it'll probably…"

He doesn't mean to dampen spirits.

A clustered, unbroken, powerful formation like this is simply unsuitable for a rash capture attempt.

Hearing this, the light in Xiao Zhao's eyes dims instantly, their brows drooping, feeling a bit disheartened.

At that moment, a clear voice comes from ahead: "Come up, they've allowed us to pass."

"Let's go," Huo La says softly, stepping forward first, his fiery silhouette following, with the Fireburst Beast matching his pace.

Wind-speed Dog A2 lowers its head, and Xiao Zhao deftly sits back on its back.

The party follows the path behind A Mang, continuing deeper into the volcano.

A Mang watches the leading Cinderace moving ahead, lowers his voice, and tells Huo La and the others, "Their king is still resting in the magma. The tribe lets us ascend, but whether the king will meet you, we can't say."

Huo La remains calm, nodding lightly, "Being able to approach is enough; the rest, I'll discuss with their king myself."

A Mang hears this, slightly startled, and looks at him with surprise, "You can also communicate with Pokémon, understand their language?"

Huo La shakes his head lightly, but his eyes brim with confidence as he smiles assuredly, "I have a Cheat."