Chapter 182: Wood Horn and Test of Strength

"We will be searching for traces of the criminals near Jones Farm for the foreseeable future; if you encounter anything suspicious, please call the police to contact us. Mr. Luo Mu, since you also operate a farm, you must pay extra attention to the safety of your farm's environment during this period."

Miss Miss Junsha had intended to elaborate at length on safety matters, but she suddenly recalled the battle between that slightly plump Talonflame and the Swampert on Luo Mu's farm, as well as the thunderstorm cloud she had witnessed that one time; upon reflection, she felt reassured.

With those several Pokémon present, even if a rampaging herd of wild Pokémon were encountered, that farm would likely remain unharmed; it was truly strange that the farm owner possessed such formidable strength as a Trainer.

Luo Mu nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Could you tell me under what circumstances they were poisoned? Were they attacked, or was their food tampered with? I usually pay extra attention to such matters as well."

Miss Miss Junsha and the police officer exchanged a glance, then said in a grave tone, "It was food poisoning; they were poisoned after tasting crops that had just been harvested. It's so pitiful; one family had originally planned to go on a trip during Grandma Ju Zi Academy's spring break, but now the entire family is lying in the hospital, and their travel plans have completely fallen through."

Walking back to the farm, Luo Mu was greeted by Luxray and the Guard Squad members, Growlithe and Mudbray, who were already cutting an impressive figure. No one knew where they had learned it, but they held their heads high and chests out, looked straight ahead without glancing sideways, and walked as if carrying the wind with them, truly possessing something of the demeanor of police dogs.

"Meow-ao?"

Luxray rubbed its head against Luo Mu's palm, its expression somewhat puzzled, as if inquiring about something, its gaze directed toward the direction from which Luo Mu had returned.

Luo Mu knew that the sounds of the police car and ambulance earlier must have alarmed Luxray as well, so he directly explained the poisoning incident at Jones Farm to it, instructing it to remain vigilant regarding movements within the farm during this period and to maintain maximum alertness upon spotting any suspicious persons or Pokémon.

Luxray also understood the gravity of the situation; after solemnly accepting its duty, it led Growlithe and Mudbray away to strengthen the defenses.

Regarding the matter of poison, Luxray had deep personal experience.

During the Champion Match, the terrifying toxin of Geeta's Glimmora had caused it no small amount of suffering; if not for the fact that its bond with Luo Mu ultimately proved superior, it might well have lost.

Listing this matter as the top priority, Luxray's gaze was extremely serious, after all, many Pokémon within the farm lacked resistance to toxins, especially those Grass-type Pokémon that deployed Grassy Terrain.

Luo Mu walked in the opposite direction of Luxray's departure; his destination was Thunder Lake, and taking advantage of the night, he intended to release Swampert and that huge Damp Rock from their Poké Balls.

Sinking the huge Damp Rock to the bottom of Thunder Lake would reduce the possibility of it being coveted by wild Pokémon; normally, it would suffice to let the Water-type Pokémon go underwater to absorb the energy of the Damp Rock.

Such a massive Damp Rock represented an immense amount of Water-type energy, holding an attraction akin to catnip for any Water-type Pokémon.

Just like these Politoed and Poliwag currently staring as Swampert hugged the Damp Rock and swam toward the lake bottom, they held an almost instinctive interest in this Damp Rock, knowing that as long as the Damp Rock was present, they could absorb its energy to become stronger.

Not to mention the Water-type Politoed and Poliwag; even those Hakamo with their profound connection to water were eyeing it greedily, and even the Dragonite leader kept casting frequent glances at the Damp Rock, seemingly coveting the Water-type energy contained within.

"This huge Damp Rock will last for a very long time; everyone, do not fight over it, and use it harmoniously together."

Luo Mu emphasized this with a smile, then briefly mentioned the poisoning incident at the nearby Jones Farm, urging them to be careful while also instructing the Pokémon to inform him immediately if they discovered any relevant clues.

Being poisoned is extremely unpleasant; even if it can be treated, the pain is undeniably endured, and Luo Mu did not wish for the Pokémon on his farm to suffer the torment of toxins.

After settling matters at Thunder Lake, Luo Mu took a flashlight and headed toward the pasture area, which was still quite empty; as for the Grass-type Pokémon, Luxray would notify them, so Luo Mu felt completely at ease.

Before even entering inside the fence surrounding the pasture area, the series of collision sounds emanating from within caused Luo Mu's brows to furrow slightly; what was going on?

Had an outsider Pokémon intruded here, or was there a conflict between the Meng Ya Lu and the Deer and Heavy?

Luo Mu quickened his pace, arriving at the source of the noise, where he discovered the male Meng Ya Lu currently engaged in a test of strength with the Deer and Heavy, while the female Meng Ya Lu stood quietly to one side, neither intervening nor participating.

At first glance, it appeared as though the Meng Ya Lu and the Deer and Heavy had come into conflict, but in reality, Luo Mu understood that was not the case at all.

Leaving aside whether the Deer and Heavy, with its steady temperament so similar to Tapu Tapu Moumou, would ever pick a fight with a Meng Ya Lu.

Even the two Meng Ya Lu were not the type of Pokémon to actively seek trouble; after all, the reason Luo Mu had chosen to bring them back to the farm was because the Meng Ya Lu's courage and qualities had moved him, and Meng Ya Lu, who valued their partners, would never provoke others intentionally.

Thus, there was only one answer.

After the male Meng Ya Lu and the Deer and Heavy had tested their strength against each other for a long time without determining a winner, they ceased their actions; then the male Meng Ya Lu slowly stepped aside, while the female Meng Ya Lu stepped forward at that moment, her pair of thick, long horns glowing with green light and expanding several times in size before charging directly at the Deer and Heavy.

That was the move "Wood Horn."

The Deer and Heavy also raised its head and let out a roar, its head covered by a layer of metallic sheen; that was the move "Iron Head."

The two Pokémon thus collided and tested their strength against one another using their moves.

For a moment, the ground trembled slightly, dust flew into the air, and the pasture grass was bent by the shockwaves generated from the collision of both parties.

So that was the source of the collision sounds he had heard earlier; Luo Mu quietly observed the test of strength between the two Pokémon.

The power displayed by the Meng Ya Lu at this moment was worlds apart from what they had shown previously at Big Pot Lake; even if they were to face that Lycanroc again, the two Pokémon would likely be able to defeat it with ease.

Luo Mu had also anticipated the changes in these two Pokémon; after all, he had expended considerable effort merely on their food, ensuring their daily energy intake was absolutely sufficient.

Not to mention that the farm was filled with powerful Pokémon; with a few casual sparring sessions added to Luo Mu's occasional guidance, it was not particularly strange that the Meng Ya Lu were improving so rapidly.

The fact that the Pokémon were becoming better and better under his care made Luo Mu feel very pleased; the sense of accomplishment brought by raising them was truly high.

When the three Pokémon finally stopped their test of strength, having been so engrossed in the fight, they only then noticed Luo Mu's figure nearby and promptly gathered around him.

The Deer and Heavy first licked Luo Mu's face full of saliva, while the Meng Ya Lu obediently rubbed against Luo Mu's clothes, expressing their purest affection.

Luo Mu did not dodge.

The ways Pokémon express their affection are always bizarre and varied; for instance, the heavy "love" of James's Victreebel, Cacnea, and Carnivine, or the unique flamethrower of Ash's Charizard.

Luo Mu felt that as Trainers, they ought to accept the ways their Pokémon express affection as much as possible.

After all, in the eyes of most Pokémon, there is only you.

(End of Chapter)