Chapter 426: Bilan

Huo La let out a satisfied belch, casually pulled out his phone, flicked his fingertips rapidly, refreshing the latest news updates over and over, his expression tinged with laziness.

Beside him, Paipa had already quietly released Terapagos, squatting on the ground, gently petting its tiny body, whispering to it, patiently nurturing their bond, the scene unusually gentle.

Suddenly, Huo La's gaze fixed on the phone screen hardened, his brows furrowing tighter, his complexion growing more serious, and the aura around him instantly darkened.

A moment later, he could no longer hold back and shouted a harsh curse: "What the hell!"

Paipa jumped at the sudden shout, quickly turned around, and looked at Huo La with confusion: "What's wrong? What happened? Why are you suddenly so angry?"

Huo La didn't answer immediately; he simply handed the phone to Paipa, the headline on the screen glaringly bright—

"Collector Gilbert, together with Rocket Team members, completely surrounded the Orange Archipelago's Fire Island, Ice Island and Thunder Island, successfully captured the Moltres King, Articuno King, and Zapdos King, and their next target is the Sea God Lugia!"

In fact, just this news alone wouldn't have made Huo La lose his composure.

After all, his most urgent matter right now is to go to the League to seek help and rescue Lugia, which isn't currently his top priority.

But the crucial point was the illustration in the news: the figure standing beside Gilbert—a black‑haired woman wearing a Mask. Even though Huo La hadn't seen her for four years, he recognized her at a glance; he would never mistake that familiar silhouette and demeanor.

Paipa leaned in, scrolling through the phone screen bit by bit, his complexion gradually turning angry, his fist clenching involuntarily, yet his eyes still full of confusion. He turned to Huo La: "This… this is just too much! What does this have to do with us? Why are you so worked up?"

Huo La took the phone back, gave a helpless wry smile, and said in a heavy tone: "We can't go to the League for now; I have something more urgent to handle."

"Huh? Why can't we go suddenly? What exactly happened?" Paipa asked, his face full of bewilderment, pressing on.

Huo La picked up the phone again, pointing at the masked black‑haired woman in the illustration, his tone complicated: "Did you see that masked person? She's my friend, Bilan. With her involved, this isn't simple at all."

Paipa stared blankly, then instinctively asked: "So, you're going to help her capture Lugia?"

Huo La gently shook his head, his gaze firm: "It's not as simple as capturing Lugia. Given Bilan's nature, she would never mingle with Gilbert and the Rocket Team without reason; she's infiltrated them and is probably plotting something bigger. I have to go to the Orange Archipelago to give her a hand."

"Alright, we'll go to the Orange Archipelago together!" Paipa didn't even think, immediately nodding in agreement.

Huo La was silent for a moment, then gently shook his head: "No, you have something more important to do."

"Huh? Something more important?" Paipa's face was bewildered, he scratched the back of his head, looking at Huo La with a puzzled expression.

"You need to head to the League as soon as possible." Huo La said gravely, his eyes full of calculation. "We still don't know how Spinel and Chi Ri will react when they learn we've tamed Terapagos and obtained the Paradise Key. But to be safe, you and Terapagos can only be truly secure under the League's protection."

"But… I want to go with you to help Bilan; it's too dangerous for you to go alone." Paipa still tried to argue, his tone full of worry.

Huo La lifted his hand lightly, cutting him off, his tone serious: "Listen to me first; this matter absolutely requires you."

"Besides the League's ability to protect you and Terapagos, I also need you to get in touch with your parents." He paused, then continued, "The things we've done so far, although under Jibeiweng's name, we have no idea what Jibeiweng's actual stance is, nor whether he'll side with us."

"So, after you reach the League, tell Jibeiweng that we've already obtained the Paradise Key. Also make it clear that Spinel harbors rebellious intent and has already teamed up with Chi Ri."

Paipa frowned, still a bit puzzled: "Hmm? But… if we tell him this, will it really work? Might he not believe us?"

Huo La looked at him, slowly shaking his head, his tone firm and steady: "Whether it works is irrelevant; what matters is that we must tell him this."

"Oh." Paipa scratched his head as if half‑understood, then asked, "So when are you setting off?"

"Let's say tomorrow morning." Huo La let out a lazy yawn, his tone very relaxed, "A night won't bring any mishap, and besides I have Palkia to open a spatial portal; travel speed is extremely fast, so it won't delay anything."

Paipa nodded earnestly: "Alright, I'll make you a few extra sandwiches for you to take as rations on the road."

As the words finished, he didn't wait for Huo La to decline, stood up straight, and busied himself with preparations.

Huo La watched Paipa's busy back, and the Terapagos that never left his side, felt a wave of calm, relaxed his body and mind, and simply lay down on the spot, slowly closing his eyes to fall asleep.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Huo La solemnly bid farewell to Paipa.

The two exchanged a glance, said little, then turned and set off in opposite directions, officially parting ways—Paipa headed straight for the League, while Huo La went to the Orange Archipelago to search for Bilan's trail.

Above the Orange Archipelago, a twisted spatial gate suddenly materialized; Huo La rode Palkia, slowly emerging from the gate, the massive Spatial Power gradually fading as the gate closed.

Then, Palkia flapped its wings to accelerate, carrying Huo La at breakneck speed across the archipelago's skies, finally selecting a nearby Lake Center Island and landing steadily.

Huo La rolled over, leapt off Palkia's back, gently pressed the Pokeball, and stored it.

Immediately after, he pulled out his phone, swiped his fingertip to open the map, wanting to confirm his current location.

"No name detected for this island, Rotom—" a light, slightly puzzled voice of Rotom came from the phone.

As it readjusted to this era, the long‑dormant Rotom finally revived.

"No name?" Huo La frowned, grinding his teeth, muttering, "Could this be some nameless island?"

Just as his words ended, the phone suddenly emitted a rapid "Beep‑beep" alarm, and Rotom's voice instantly turned tense: "Beep‑beep‑beep! Detected someone rapidly approaching the island from the water… Please beware! Please beware! The target is moving at extreme speed, closing in!"

Huo La's heart tightened; he immediately pocketed the phone, his gaze sharp as it fixed on the nearby sea surface.

On the glittering sea, an abnormally massive Carp King thrashed its tail, towing a tiny wooden boat, soaring toward the Lake Center Island like an arrow shot from a bow.

On the boat, a vague human silhouette could be faintly seen; the distance made the figure appear especially indistinct.