Chapter 479: Challenge

Inside the research lab of Zhuoyue Dasha, the atmosphere was scorching and oppressive.

Paipa paced anxiously back and forth, muttering nonstop, his expression extremely frantic.

Futu and Aolin watched their son running back and forth in silence, exchanging a helpless glance. Futu set down his tea cup and said gently, "Paipa, stop pacing, come sit for a while, have some tea to calm yourself."

Paipa looked up at his father, his tone full of urgency: "Dad! What time is it? We've been under house arrest here the whole time, unable to move! Spinel even specifically demanded to find Huo La; we must find a way to escape, we can't let Huo La risk his life to save us!"

Doctor Aolin asked lightly, "Then do you have a safe way to leave?"

Paipa halted his steps, sighing, "…No."

Aolin let out a helpless sigh, "Since there's no way, just sit obediently and recuperate, gather your strength. Your pacing won't solve anything; it only irritates us."

The moment the words fell, the metal doors of the lab emitted a light "clack" and slowly opened inward.

Paipa spun his head to look, and saw Huo La with a calm expression, strolling slowly into the lab.

He hurried forward, circling Huo La from all sides, his eyes full of guilt and panic: "Huo La! You really were taken by him! It's all my fault, all my fault!"

Seeing Paipa on the verge of crying, Huo La raised his hand and patted his shoulder, soothingly, "Don't overthink, it's fine, we can leave now."

"Huh? We can go out?" Paipa froze, eyes wide, his face full of disbelief.

Futu and Aolin exchanged another glance and rose calmly.

"Let's go, dear, we've been stuck in this lab for a whole week; it's time to get some fresh air."

Paipa stared at his unflappable parents, completely bewildered: "What? Mom, dad, why aren't you surprised at all?"

Aolin glanced at him and explained calmly, "What's there to be surprised about? Spinel's mind is deep; no one can read his thoughts. But Huo La walked in unharmed and said himself that we can leave, which shows he and Huo La have already reached some private agreement."

"Whatever terms they reached, our freedom and lives are now completely secure."

Futu laughed in agreement, teasing, "Honestly, I have no idea whose influence made you so impatient. Your mother and I have never been this restless."

Inside the dining hall of Zhuoyue Dasha.

Paipa was hungrily wolfing down food, gulping to fill the gap left by days of fear and irregular meals.

Huo La, Green and Bilan sat nearby, eating quietly, the atmosphere considerably relaxed.

After stuffing himself, Paipa let out a long belch, set down his utensils, and said with a sigh, "Huo La, honestly, I never imagined Spinel would side with us, willing to help restore order to the Pokemon World."

"Not just you, I'm equally surprised."

Huo La set his fork down, spread his hands lightly, then turned to Green and asked seriously, "Brother Green, what's the League's current stance?"

"The League's support team is already on the way."

Green let out a light sigh, his tone tinged with admiration, "But to be honest, in just half a month you've repeatedly resolved the Alola and Paldea crises, bringing the two major regions back under League jurisdiction; that record is truly astonishing."

"We still need to caution the League to be more careful," Huo La said, shaking his head slightly, his expression solemn. "Paldea's waters run far deeper than they appear. Regardless of Spinel's statements, the situation with Aimeijiao alone is no small matter."

He paused, then asked, "By the way, any news from Xiao Gang Ge and Xiaoyin?"

Green shook his head slowly: "None. The Rocket Team's tracking has continuously shown both in the target area, but no matter how we try to contact them, we get no response."

Huo La frowned slightly, murmuring low, "This is troublesome now…"

Just as everyone's mood dimmed, a figure walked slowly into the dining hall.

Yindi's gaze swept the room quickly, finally landing precisely on Huo La's group; he strode forward, sat down without hesitation, and said with a smile, "Huo La, long time no see."

Huo La lifted his eyes and nodded, "Not that long."

"Hahaha, why not say it's long?" Yindi laughed brightly, his tone playful, "It's been over half a month since we last met. In that time your reputation has spread everywhere."

"On Shamouti Island you clashed with the Rocket Team and the Masked Organization, contested Lokia; in Alola you fought the Aether Foundation, directly crushing Zha Ao Bo… each incident enough for the entire League to remember your name."

Huo La helplessly pressed his forehead, too lazy to dither, "If there's something, just say it straight."

Yindi restrained his smile, his gaze sweeping over Green, Bilan and Paipa before settling back on Huo La: "S Chief has placed his bet on you. We trust the Chief's judgment, but before that we want to see with our own eyes whether your true strength truly merits this wager."

"Is this your challenge?" Huo La looked up at Yindi, his tone calm.

"Exactly!" Yindi's expression was open, replying briskly, "This is a sparring challenge that all of us Executives are jointly issuing to you."

"Fine, I accept." Huo La showed no hesitation, nodding lightly in agreement.

Seeing Huo La's eager acceptance, Yindi rose at once and turned toward the exit.

But after only two steps, he abruptly stopped, turned back, his face showing a hint of awkward embarrassment.

"Um… we agreed on the rules beforehand; in this spar, you can't use Divine Beast."

He gave a sheepish grin, stating plainly, "Especially your Space‑Time Trio; if it entered the match, none of us combined would have any chance at all—it would be a total waste."