Chapter 422: The Fight Is No Challenge

"Hehe, you two, are you planning to betray the Explorer Team!" A cold, sharp shout rang out suddenly from behind the two.

Terapagos was frightened and immediately tucked in its little head, scrambling to hide in the water.

Huo La and Paipa turned their heads at the sound and saw three silhouettes standing quietly behind them, unmistakably three members of the Explorer Team.

The leading one was the member who had previously delivered their uniforms.

Huo La sighed helplessly, slipped a Hisui‑style Pokeball from his pocket into Paipa's hand, then rose slowly: "Watch this side and keep Terapagos from getting scared. I'll handle these people."

"Utterly arrogant!" the leading man's face darkened as he scolded sharply.

Huo La, too lazy to say another word, raised his hand and tossed three Pokeballs in succession.

Red light flashed repeatedly as Fireburst Beast, Leaf Eevee, and Dragon King Scorpion appeared together, firmly blocking in front of him.

"Attack, take care of them."

The three Pokemon coordinated seamlessly, launching a simultaneous assault in an instant; the attack was swift and fierce, catching the opponents off guard.

The three members had no time to react, forced to retreat repeatedly, fleeing the Cave in a disheveled scramble.

After steadying themselves, the three's faces turned ashen, and they immediately released their respective Pokemon.

"Motor Lizard!"

"Fur Cliff Crab!"

"Aiya Mushroom!"

After the brief surprise attack, both sides faced off formally; a battle was inevitable.

"Lai Yi!" the leading member shouted loudly, his tone full of anger and rebuke, "Give up now and admit your mistake; it's not too late! Si Bu has always been generous to you, don't be oblivious!"

Huo La curled his lip, his face full of contempt, his tone indifferent: "When did I ever intend to betray the Explorer Team? The ones truly double‑crossing and betraying the squad are clearly you."

The leading member's face darkened, and he retorted sharply: "You're spouting nonsense! We followed Si Bu's orders the whole time, loyal to the core; how could we betray the Explorer Team? It's you who tried to capture Terapagos on your own!"

Huo La scoffed, his gaze slicing over the three, and said word for word: "All our actions obey Chief Ji Bei Weng's orders; don't forget, the true leader of the Explorer Team has always been Chief Ji!"

"Spinel's ambition is too great and his scheming is treacherous; I act on Shoushou's command, covertly monitoring and restraining his every move. You are the ones abetting evil and betraying the Explorer Team!"

The three members heard this, their faces instantly turning sour, a hint of panic flashing in their eyes, but they quickly forced a calm façade.

The leading member gritted his teeth and said harshly: "Hmph, all flowery words! Don't try to confuse anyone; we'll take you down first, and when Si Bu returns, he'll deal with you, the traitor, properly!"

"Motor Lizard, use Rapid Spin!"

"Fur Cliff Crab, execute Rockfall Attack!"

"Aiya Mushroom, use Intimidate Skill!"

At the leader's command, the three Explorer Team members simultaneously ordered their respective Pokemon.

The three Pokemon immediately responded, lunging at Huo La's Fireburst Beast, Leaf Eevee, and Dragon King Scorpion; the battle outside instantly reached a fever pitch, with collision clangs and skill booms rising and falling, shaking the Cave ever so slightly.

Meanwhile, deep within the Cave was a hush, starkly contrasting the fierce melee outside.

Terapagos now cautiously climbed onto the shore, its tiny body settling steadily before Paipa; its round, sparkling eyes fixed intensely on Paipa, no longer wary but showing a touch of reliance and anticipation.

Paipa looked at the obedient Terapagos, shook his head helplessly, and said gently and sincerely: "Don't listen to Huo La's nonsense just now; he was only trying to coax you into helping. But truly, we do need your assistance now."

He paused, his gaze turning serious, and said slowly: "The world a hundred years from now will be completely different from today; there will surely be many changes you can't imagine."

"I don't know why Huo La suddenly fell out with Spinel and caused this rift with the Explorer Team, but I think he has his reasons; it's not without cause."

At this point, Paipa's tone grew firmer as he looked earnestly into Terapagos's eyes: "And I trust him; he should be able to save that world a hundred years from now, and protect us, and you as well."

Paipa carefully handed the Pokeball Huo La had given him to Terapagos, speaking gently yet solemnly: "Little one, it's time for you to choose. If you're willing to help us, step into this Pokeball on your own; if not, hurry away, because the people outside might break in soon, and that would be trouble."

Terapagos shook its tiny blue head, its round eyes first glancing at Paipa's earnest face, then looking down at the Pokeball in his hand, seeming to ponder for a moment before gently nodding its little head.

A soft glow flared instantly, enveloping its tiny body; in the blink of an eye, Terapagos was captured by the Pokeball, which gently bobbed twice before settling securely in Paipa's hand.

At that moment, the fierce battle roars outside the Cave abruptly ceased, and the surroundings fell silent in an instant.

Paipa's heart tightened, his brows furrowing; he quickly clenched the Pokeball containing Terapagos, turned, and sprinted out of the Cave, fearing any mishap with Huo La.

As soon as he stepped out of the Cave, the sight before him let him exhale in relief.

On the ground, the Pokemon of the three Explorer Team members lay sprawled, eyes closed, clearly having lost all fighting ability;

Meanwhile, Huo La's Fireburst Beast, Leaf Eevee, and Dragon King Scorpion formed a triangular formation, tightly encircling the three members in the center; their faces turned deathly pale, their expressions disheveled, the earlier swagger gone.

"Lai Yi, you're way too fast!" Paipa ran to Huo La's side, saying with a shocked face, his tone full of disbelief.

Huo La shrugged, a nonchalant expression on his face, his tone laced with a hint of sarcasm: "Just a splash of water, no big deal. Those three are utterly useless; they can't even reach Gym Leader level, let alone Heavenly King class. Fighting them is literally no challenge."