Chapter 504: Hearing Hearing Nimo's Challenge, A Battle Between Master and Disciple!

After a small interlude.

Inside the spacious and bright battle hall, the central heating vents hummed loudly, and Luo Mu looked at the three standing in a row before him—who had become much more steady and mature compared to when they had set off on their journey and treasure hunt two months ago—and showed a gratified smile.

"You have all accomplished your goals very well; for each of you, it is a unique treasure."

Speaking just a few simple words without any nonsense, Luo Mu clapped his hands together and began distributing the promised rewards.

With the help of Shizuka, Boton, and Shinji, three blocks of peat came to rest in the palms of the three.

After handing the peat block to Pepa, Shinji stared at it for a long time, a glint of longing flashing in Emperor Yan Di's eyes, making the resolve born in his heart since the end of the Silver Conference even firmer.

Holding the slightly heavy peat block, Hearing Hearing Nimo said with slight surprise, "So this is the item that can make Ursaring evolve? It's really heavy."

Pipahe looked at her helplessly. "After two months of hiking, why hasn't your physical fitness improved at all?"

And yet, Hearing Hearing Nimo's current outfit made her look like a star athlete!

"Is this... peat?"

As the descendant of two professors after all, Pepa possessed a rich reserve of knowledge and immediately recognized the true nature of the item.

It was just that he felt it differed quite significantly from ordinary peat.

A brief discussion was inferior to actually observing the effect.

Glancing out the window, Luo Mu said with a smile, "Let's go; we'll evolve them outside."

At this time, both teachers and students had already returned to the campus dormitories, which were quite a distance from the battle hall, so even if there was a loud commotion, there was no need to worry about disturbing the residents.

"Awesome!"

Upon hearing this, Hearing Hearing Nimo excitedly jumped up and rushed toward the exit, taking the lead.

"Slow down, don't fall."

Pipahe followed closely behind, nagging like an old mother hen.

Pepa propped his forehead and sighed, as if accustomed to this scene, and followed at a leisurely pace.

Boton watched the backs of the three with a thoughtful expression, a trace of loneliness flashing in Emperor Yan Di's eyes as she murmured softly, "After all, it was a two-month journey; their bond has grown even stronger."

However, even though she had not participated in this journey because she needed to care for Flareon to ensure its healthy recovery, Botan did not regret it.

It was only when Shizuka took her hand that Boton, coming back to her senses, helplessly followed her pull and walked outward.

As for Shinji, he was also very enthusiastic; rarely acting cool with his hands in his pockets and strolling slowly, he instead jogged all the way to follow them outside.

By the time Luo Mu came out, the six of them were already gathered in a circle, looking up at the sky with faces full of confusion.

Didn't Teacher Luo Mu say that tonight's moon would be very round, a full moon?

But... they couldn't see this full moon at all.

Sometime earlier, a layer of clouds had gathered in the sky, firmly blocking the moon; even the moonlight could not penetrate this thick barrier to spill down.

Luo Mu, having come outside, also noticed this, but he had already confirmed it from high altitude while riding Moltres to Grape Academy.

Tonight's moon was indeed very round, commonly known as a full moon; it was merely blocked by clouds right now.

Whether it would affect Ursaring's evolution would be known once they tried.

If it didn't affect it, then they would not interfere with nature.

If it did affect it, then they would simply disperse the clouds temporarily.

"Roar—"

Without needing any preparation, at Luo Mu's signal, Hearing Hearing Nimo and the others released their Ursaring one after another.

The four Ursaring looked at each other, and looking at each other, as if seeing so many of their own kind for the first time, they sniffed and rubbed against one another, becoming familiar with each other.

Ursaring generally live alone; after evolving from Teddiursa, they leave home to find their own territory in the wild and settle down.

Three of the Ursaring were the partners of Hearing Hearing Nimo, Pipahe, and Pepa, while the fourth one was released by Shinji for observation.

According to him, letting Ursaring witness a member of its species evolving would surely make its training even more diligent afterward.

After all, for most Pokémon, the instinct to pursue evolution is carved into their bones.

They wanted to improve so badly! The personality traits of Hearing Hearing Nimo's, Pipahe's, and Pepa's Ursaring were all different; Hearing Hearing Nimo's had inherited the cunning and tricky personality from its Teddiursa days, being extremely sly.

Pipahe's Ursaring threw bear punches with such vigor that the wind whistled around them; one could tell at a glance that it had trained.

As for Pepa's Ursaring... it was currently rubbing its back against a tree like a bear.

The three trainers, holding the slightly heavy peat blocks, approached their Pokémon and handed them over.

The three Ursaring also seemed to realize something; becoming much more serious, they raised their hands and accepted the peat blocks.

The "Peat Block" is an evolution item similar to the "Fire Stone" or "Thunder Stone."

Besides needing to meet the condition of a night with a full moon, just like an Eevee touching a Fire Stone, mere contact can trigger the energy existing within the evolution item, completely activating the evolution factors inside their bodies.

In everyone's expectation, after the three Ursaring touched the peat blocks, they should have been enveloped by a dense light of evolution and begun advancing to a higher level of life.

Luo Mu had already found the right angle, set up his camera, selected video mode, and prepared to record what was very likely the first footage of Ursaring evolution in modern times.

If it were any other transmigrator, they could completely rely on such an achievement to obtain the title of Pokémon Professor.

But the reality was that nothing happened.

The Ursaring stood dumbfounded; Hearing Hearing Nimo and the others blinked their eyes, and Luo Mu lifted his buried head.

In that instant, it was as if a passing Honchkrow flew overhead, crying out, "Idiot, idiot."

Feeling immense pressure under the gaze of several confused lines of sight, Luo Mu cleared his throat and said, "It seems they haven't bathed in the moonlight."

Saying this, he directly threw out the red-and-white Poké Ball he had already taken out and commanded, "Moltres, blow away the clouds."

Moltres, having been instructed beforehand by Luo Mu, did not cry out as usual but merely flapped its wings, which burned with bright flames, and soared straight up.

Grape Academy Dormitories.

Many teachers and students witnessed this scene; seeing that mass of luminous object rise straight into the heavens, followed immediately by—

A gust of wind swept outward; the thick clouds that had obscured the moonlight could not stand firm against the blowing wind, and within a few breaths, they vanished without a trace.

The star-filled night sky, along with the bright full moon, saw the light of day once again.

"Oh my god!"

The teachers and students who noticed this scene whispered in astonishment, their eyes flashing with shock.

It was not only that shocking full moon, but also the power of that Pokémon.

To actually change the weather phenomena by its own strength! Luo Mu's mouth corner rose slightly; Moltres was, after all, a Legendary Pokémon of Fire and Flying types. Having learned wind-control techniques from Dragonite, even though its move pool lacked targeted moves like "Defog," it could still perform miracles through sheer force, directly using a gale to flip the table.

Hearing Nimo and the others were equally stunned, but the naturally occurring events that followed immediately seized their attention.

They didn't even notice that Luo Mu had taken out another Ultra Ball and released Ursaluna.

As the moonlight from that golden full moon in the sky showered down, the three Ursaring holding peat blocks let out a cry, their bodies beginning to heat up while a dense Bai Guang burst forth, enveloping their forms.

Their body sizes also began to change dramatically.

Their upright postures shifted, gray fur expanded, covering their upper bodies and limbs.

Brown fur mixed with square, flake-like patterns appeared; while their limbs became thicker, their sharp claws also grew sharper.

Most importantly, above the pale yellow muzzle of the evolved Ursaluna, a yellow circular pattern appeared on its forehead, just like that full moon in the night sky, partially obscured by gray eyebrows within the circle, presenting the appearance of "the moon veiled by clouds."

This was Ursaluna, an evolutionary form originating from ancient Sinnoh and the Hisui region, which modern Ursaring had gradually forgotten!

Luo Mu recorded the entire process, and incidentally captured the shocked expressions on Hearing Nimo and the others' faces, feeling very satisfied.

Meanwhile, Hearing Nimo, Arven, and Penny approached their own Ursaluna, carefully wanting to stroke their fur.

Fortunately, given their rank as Trainers and the impeccable atmosphere of their usual interactions with Ursaring, even after evolution, the Ursaluna did not undergo drastic personality changes like Charmeleon had.

Those meant to be cunning remained cunning; those throwing bear punches threw bear punches; those rubbing against trees to scoop honey rubbed against trees to scoop honey.

The three Ursaluna squatted before their Trainers, beginning to curiously feel their brand-new power.

Paul stood side by side with his Ursaring, gazing at the Ursaluna that looked undeniably powerful, silently strengthening his resolve.

A few minutes later.

Luo Mu put away his camera and tripod, approaching with Ursaluna.

"Ursaluna, a Ground and Normal type, is a Pokémon extremely adept at close combat, rarely engaging in long-range attacks, while possessing formidable damage resistance."

"Their strength can crush hard rocks underground and dig freely; they have unique talents in finding items, and might even discover true treasures."

Looking at Hearing Nimo and the other two, Luo Mu spoke, simply introducing this kind of Pokémon to them.

The few of them listened intently, including Paul, Marnie, and Shizuka standing nearby, who also focused their attention.

As Luo Mu finished speaking, the few of them also saw the Ursaluna following behind him.

"Teacher Luo Mu, this is—"

Shizuka asked in surprise.

It seemed similar to Hearing Nimo and the others' Ursaluna, but there appeared to be many differences in the details. "It is also an Ursaluna, only its appearance and abilities have become somewhat different with the passage of time."

Luo Mu briefly explained Ursaluna's origin, specifically mentioning that Ursaluna excelled at energy attacks, while Ursaluna excelled at physical attacks.

"I call it—Ursaluna."

As Moltres flapped its wings and descended from the sky, Luo Mu's voice slowly settled.

And when Hearing Nimo, unsurprisingly, made a request to spar with Luo Mu and Ursaluna, once the battle began, they understood why Ursaluna bore the name "Ursaluna."

Hearing Nimo, with a face full of longing and excitement, submitted a challenge request to him; Luo Mu did not find it unexpected.

Rather, it was surprising that Hearing Nimo could hold out until now.

Given her personality, she should have demanded a battle the very first second she saw Luo Mu.

It just so happened that tonight the full moon hung high, perfectly suitable for Ursaluna to engage in battle.

Luo Mu did not refuse Hearing Nimo's request, intending to personally experience how much Hearing Nimo, who had cleared all eight Gyms, especially the full Gym Leader trials, had improved.

If her level was insufficient, he would not recommend Hearing Nimo to directly participate in the Champion Assessment.

The group found a more secluded spot, an edge area of the Naranja Academy, to serve as the battlefield.

This place already bordered the wilds and was almost no longer within the scope of Mesagoza.

Battling here would not disturb anyone, and furthermore allowed them to fight at full power without holding back.

Luo Mu gave Hearing Nimo and her Ursaluna some time to adapt to their new bodies and practice the moves learned after evolution.

After all, his identity within the academy was that of a teacher.

Not to win, but to teach.

As time approached ten o'clock at night, having spent an hour patiently adjusting their condition, Hearing Nimo and Ursaluna stood on one side of the open ground.

Cold gusts blew in waves, making her cheeks turn slightly red.

But even the coldest wind could not suppress the pounding of Hearing Nimo's heart at this moment, nor her body boiling with blood due to excitement.

She had finally waited for this day.

Having been a Trainer for merely a little over seven months, she now finally possessed the qualification to challenge her teacher.

Even if it wasn't a showdown between Pawmi and Luxray, a conflict between Ursaluna was enough to make her heart surge with excitement.

She shouted with full energy: "Ursaluna, get ready!"

Although Ursaluna was initially forced to be caught by Hearing Nimo, during these seven months of interaction, it was gradually conquered by Hearing Nimo's personal charm and sincerely wanted to fight for her.

Even if the opponent was an ancestor that made it feel its aura was bottomless and had survived since hundreds of years ago.

There was no referee for the battle; Marnie, Arven, Penny, Shizuka, and Paul stood to the side. Those with Ursaluna huddled into their fur to avoid the cold, while those without sought out the Moltres watching the battle or their own Ursaring.

They certainly wouldn't let them freeze.

Seeing that Hearing Nimo and Ursaluna were ready, Luo Mu and Ursaluna also took their positions opposite them, and went with the flow as he spoke: "You attack first."

"Yes!"

Hearing Nimo nodded lightly, saying without hesitation: "Headlong Rush!"

Coming out immediately was the new move Ursaluna mastered after evolution; boosted by Ursaluna's own physical attack and type, its power was considerable, and both its name and effect were told to her by Luo Mu.

One could only say that Hearing Nimo had already developed her own battle style.

"Aowu!"

The Ursaluna slammed its front paw fiercely onto the ground, shrouded in an earth-yellow light, and charged straight at the Bloodmoon Ursaluna with a ferocious momentum.

With every step the Ursaluna took, the ground shook violently; within a few breaths, it had rushed before the Bloodmoon Ursaluna and smashed into it fiercely.

That momentum made Luo Mu's eyes light up.

Even with the boost from evolution, the Ursaluna's progress was far greater than Luo Mu had imagined.

Since that was the case, he would also fight seriously and fulfill his duties as a teacher.

"Block it."

These three lightly spoken words fell.

The Bloodmoon Ursaluna curled the corner of its mouth upward, steadied its stance, and spread its arms wide.

It clearly had no intention of dodging, preparing instead to take the Ursaluna's "Headlong Rush" head-on.

Boom—! A massive sound of flesh colliding with flesh echoed out, and the Ursaluna, discovering that the target it had hit hadn't budged an inch, was stunned.

Didn't Hearing Hearing Nimo say that just as the Bloodmoon Ursaluna wasn't good at energy attacks, it also wasn't very skilled in close-quarters combat?

Seeing the junior freeze up, the Bloodmoon Ursaluna, who had been slacking off for a long time, let out a scoffing laugh and decided to teach its junior a lesson.

Grabbing the Ursaluna's arms, the Bloodmoon Ursaluna looked down at it and slowly opened its mouth.

Luo Mu silently put in earplugs and reminded Hearing Hearing Nimo and Penny to do the same.

The next second.

"Roar—!"

The Bloodmoon Ursaluna's roar resounded through the sky; sound waves nearly solidified like a cannonball slammed fiercely into the Ursaluna, stunning its head while sending its sturdy body flying directly backward.

The move "Hyper Voice."

Because it could be used flexibly, it had always been the Bloodmoon Ursaluna's favorite ranged move.

As for the effect? Just look at the Ursaluna, which took half a day to climb back up, its head and ears still buzzing, and you'll know.

"Ursaluna!"

Hearing Hearing Nimo cried out in worry.

"Aowu!"

The Ursaluna swayed slightly, then stood up again, signaling to Hearing Hearing Nimo not to worry about it.

It could still endure, and it could still fight!

The Ursaluna let out a ferocious roar and, under Hearing Hearing Nimo's command, continued its fierce assault.

"After Swords Dance, use Earthquake!"

The Ursaluna roared once, and illusory red long swords immediately appeared around its body.

At the same time.

It lifted its right foot high and slammed it down fiercely.

Boom! In an instant, a thunderous roar erupted; under the heavy strike of the power released by the Ursaluna, the earth trembled violently, countless spiderweb-like cracks appeared, and shockwaves composed of Ground-type energy surged outward like waves.

The power of an Earthquake following a Swords Dance was terrifying; even the Bloodmoon Ursaluna found it somewhat uncomfortable to withstand.

It simply created identical earthquake waves to cancel out the Ursaluna's earthquake waves.

Simultaneously, with agility unfitting its size, it leaped skillfully, arriving directly before the Ursaluna.

Locking eyes with the Ursaluna, the Bloodmoon Ursaluna let out a sinister laugh, swung its arm, and swept it in a full circle toward the Ursaluna's face.

"Hammer Arm."

Luo Mu's voice followed immediately.

The force of that arm, shrouded in brownish-red light, was enough to smash even the most solid rock directly to pieces.

The Bloodmoon Ursaluna knew its own former kin very well; where their weak points were and where their defenses were harder were things the battle-hardened Bloodmoon Ursaluna knew inside out.

As the second greatest contributor to Hearing Hearing Nimo's conquest of the eight Gyms, the Ursaluna, having familiarized itself with the combat style of its new body, had also regained its reaction speed.

It let out a wild roar, exerting all its strength to fiercely attack the Bloodmoon Ursaluna's sweeping arm with "Superpower."

With a "Bang," flesh collided with flesh, and the Ursaluna was horrified to discover that, in terms of raw power, it was actually slightly inferior.

But now it had no time to think too much about that.

That move was coming again!

"Ursaluna, watch out for that move!"

Hearing Hearing Nimo also quickly warned.

Once trapped in a close-quarters stalemate, the Bloodmoon Ursaluna would definitely resort to the same trick again.

The Ursaluna released its force and retreated a few steps, crossing its arms in an attempt to block the incoming shockwave.

But—

A scarlet light suddenly ignited in the Bloodmoon Ursaluna's mouth; astonishing energy began to gather, and a terrifying wave of pressure surged outward.

Luo Mu's voice sounded once more.

"Hyper Beam."

(End of Chapter)