Chapter 564: The Advantage Lies With Us

Swish, swish, swish—

In the sky filled with flashing lightning and rumbling thunder, shadowy figures resembling twisted ghosts flashed by from time to time, while a wild wind laden with countless pollution particles swept across, making the entire Poni Island look like a setting straight out of a horror or apocalypse film.

From time to time, falling lightning would strike down, blasting deep pits into the already dilapidated land.

The other party was essentially going on a rampant bombing spree just to vent their anger.

Even without venturing out alone to investigate the outside world.

Luxray's eyes, shining with golden light, clearly captured this scene through the thick layers of rock.

The x-ray vision unique to the Luxray species proved extremely useful, fully maximizing its functionality, and had even become one of Luo Mu's primary means of raising travel funds in the early stages.

If there was any single drawback, it was merely that activating this ability consumed a massive amount of electrical energy and left the Luxray feeling exhausted.

Fortunately, an Electric Wood previously repatriated had released enough electricity for the Luxray to absorb its fill.

Recovery from this level of consumption only required a brief mental rest.

However—

"That Brugen seems far more impatient than we anticipated."

Luo Mu remarked with a meaningful tone.

At this moment, a thin layer of milky-white mist had already risen around him, filling this temporary stronghold.

Yet under Tapu Fini's control, the mist did not leak out through those cracks but remained strictly within its original position.

Logically, as the mist's range expanded, more ghosts or departed souls should have appeared.

However, apart from the ghost formed by Sofu, the former Island Kahuna of Poni Island, who remained here, there were no signs of increase.

In Luo Mu's view, Sofu was likely manifesting as the representative of the ghosts.

Merely looking at him, the face of Brother Brother Qingmu inexplicably floated into his mind.

Sofu was an Island Kahuna in life, yet even in death he had to work for Tapu Fini; in a certain sense, Tapu Fini understood how to exploit people better than Geeta did.

Of course, it was also possible that Geeta simply lacked Tapu Fini's capabilities; otherwise—

Just thinking about it made Luo Mu shudder.

With Sofu acting as a translator, communication between Luo Mu and Tapu Fini could be ensured.

"Lai-xi."

Tapu Fini let out an apologetic cry toward Luo Mu.

Even though Luo Mu had used that difficult-to-drink yet highly effective potion to heal his injuries, allowing him to wield a trivial amount of power compared to the past.

Yet with its current strength, it feared it could hardly deal with even a single Electric Wood.

Compared to the cost of that precious bottle of potion, the return received was still too little.

"Ma-ri."

Seeming to sense Tapu Fini's self-blame, after a soft hum, the Popplio in Tapu Fini's arms touched its face with its pink nose, comforting Tapu Fini in its own way.

After nearly a day of rest, the effects of the "Life No. 1" potion, and the Tapu Moumou fresh milk Luo Mu occasionally fed it to supplement its nutrition.

Plus, Tapu Fini had recovered a small amount of power, able to condense a few drops of Purification Water to drive out the contamination within the Popplio's body.

Only now did the Popplio's condition resemble that of a Pokémon newly born.

Aside from some slight anemia, there was basically no longer any danger to its life.

Once it received some additional vitality supplementation later, it probably wouldn't even suffer any aftereffects.

In response to the Popplio's comfort, Tapu Fini revealed a gentle smile, clearly healed by the other party.

The Popplio was now the only native lifeform remaining on Poni Island.

At least for Tapu Fini, the Popplio at this moment was more important than the dilapidated Poni Island.

For the sake of the Popplio's future, it was willing to do anything within its power.

At this moment.

Realizing through Sofu's translation what Tapu Fini was blaming itself for, Luo Mu spoke: "Your recovery is the key to victory; at the very least, without your support, I would not rashly execute any plan of 'capturing the bandit by first capturing their king'."

As he spoke, Luo Mu also shook the breathing mask he had just removed in his hand.

As Poni Island's guardian deity, Tapu Fini had naturally developed corresponding applications for its abilities over the long years.

The thin mist it currently deployed was composed of tiny water droplets formed by diluting and shrinking countless drops of Purification Water.

Within the mist's range lay a quite miraculous continuous purification ability, which was also the key allowing them to breathe without relying on breathing masks.

The mist seemed to possess no combat capability whatsoever.

But—

Even if the mist itself could not produce a confusing effect due to Tapu Fini's insufficient energy, it didn't matter; as long as it allowed Luo Mu to fight without any reservations, it held strategic significance at the T0 level.

Luo Mu hoped Tapu Fini understood this point.

"It doesn't matter if you dislike fighting; I need you, so, can you lend me your power?"

Extending his hand toward Tapu Fini, Luo Mu asked with an unprecedented seriousness in his expression.

Despite appearing calm and rational since crossing over, moving with the rhythm of a machine devoid of emotion.

In reality, a fire of anger had long been stifled within his heart; it was simply that the situation at the time did not allow him to let emotions overwhelm his body and act impulsively.

For Brugen, the chief culprit who turned Poni Island and the sea into this state, even punching him a hundred times would not be enough to vent this rage.

Seeming to sense Luo Mu's seriousness, Tapu Fini froze for several seconds, as if having figured something out.

Immediately after, it revealed a smile and without hesitation grasped Luo Mu's hand.

"Pu-ka-lai!"

From start to finish, it was always the one being helped; what did it mean to lend power to you?

It was clearly I who needed your power.

The Popplio in Tapu Fini's arms poked its head out and playfully placed its front flippers atop their joined hands as well.

"Mari!"

Popplio will work hard too! "You just stay obediently inside your diving ball."

Seeing its adorable appearance, Luo Mu couldn't help but smile, directly rubbing its little head.

Popplio was not afraid of strangers either, rubbing affectionately against Luo Mu's palm.

It felt extremely close to this aura that had saved it when its life was in peril.

It was the second closest bond it had formed since birth, surpassed only by the first being it saw upon emerging: Seeing Seeing Kapu Finneon.

Watching their interaction, Seeing Seeing Kapu Finneon, having withdrawn its hand, gazed with gentle eyes.

Perhaps, just as Sofu said, there were still many trustworthy existences among humans.

On the other side, Dragonite gnawed on its fleshy large paw with a hint of worry.

"Bo-wu." Something isn't right; it's nine-tenths, no, ten-tenths not right.

It always felt that Big Sister Serperior might encounter an formidable rival in the future.

Thunderstorms gathered, lightning flashed, and thunder roared.

At this moment, the power plant, which occupied most of the canyon's land, was still operating, billowing thick black smoke that rose straight into the sky.

Pitch-black wastewater was discharged directly through pipes into the utterly dark sea, requiring no extra funds for treatment whatsoever.

This was the wealth code for Brugen's growth and strength; suppressing profits to the extreme allowed him to defeat countless competitors.

Brugen looked at his subordinate with an unpleasant expression, while the Electivire beside him was also restless and eager to move.

Under the subordinate's frantic efforts, sweating profusely and working several times faster, the entire resplendent room finally returned to its former spotless state.

Snorting coldly, Brugen set down the silver-style briefcase in his hand and sat directly into the comfortable boss's chair.

Although his work focus had shifted away from Poni Island, and he hadn't visited here for some time.

But since they took his wages yet dared not to clean with care, he decided to cut their pay immediately upon his return.

Read the error-free version one by one!

However, before that, catching the little mice running amok on his Poni Island was the most important task.

"How is the progress?"

Sipping the hot tea freshly brewed, Brugen asked carelessly.

"We haven't discovered the opponent's tracks yet for the time being."

Looking at the data on the screen, the subordinate replied with a guilty conscience.

As expected.

What followed was Brugen's furious shouting, along with orders to deploy more Xurkitree for the search, specifically commanding them to destroy mountains and underground areas where people might be hiding.

"Then what about your safety, my lord President?"

Feeling that something was amiss, the subordinate attempted to offer an opinion.

Although Brugen disliked hearing others' opinions, since the item serving as the foundation of the "Rainbow Happy Development and Construction Company" was currently carried by Brugen, for the sake of his stable job, he had to try to dissuade him.

"Scram, scram, scram! Take Xurkitree numbered 200 to 1200 and conduct a search across the entire island."

Brugen's impatient voice rang out immediately after.

"Not to mention that besides having an Electivire by this Great One's side, even if there is danger, the opponent would have to break through the siege of 200 Xurkitree guarding outside, and then precisely locate where this Great One is."

"Not to mention that this thing is currently in this Great One's hands."

Sneering, Brugen patted the silver briefcase in front of him.

This thing was something he found from the dissolved Aether Foundation; it seemed to be a failed development due to a broken capital chain.

It possessed the effect of opening an Ultra Wormhole and summoning Ultra Beasts in a designated direction.

It was just that due to the rarity of some materials, he still could not replicate a second unit, and that group of good-for-nothings in the research team he funded could only develop functions for controlling the electrical signals of Xurkitree.

Brugen was highly vigilant and trusted no one, always carrying this box, which equated to the company's foundation, on his person.

He only needed to operate it slightly and provide sufficient energy to open an Ultra Wormhole leading to infinite worlds to summon hired hands, or to gather his subordinate Xurkitree to rush over.

Even the Island Guardian would be reduced to a ignominious flight in the face of this power.

Although he was famous for his cunning, with this thing, the infinite expansion of Wu Li had long made Brugen arrogant and disdainful of all others.

Seeing that he could not persuade Brugen no matter what, the subordinate could only leave with hurried steps, hoping to take the lead in bringing Xurkitree with the determination to level the island and find their hiding place.

As for Brugen, he stroked his shiny Mediterranean bald spot, smoothed his beard, and leisurely considered which female star he should have dinner with tonight after catching the presumptuous intruders and the Island Guardian.

In his view, in the face of absolute superiority, any stratagem was completely meaningless.

This was what was called: The advantage lies with me!

【Hostile target is departing the Power Plant Headquarters with a total of 800 Ultra Beast Xurkitree, intending to disperse across various parts of the entire island for indiscriminate bombing】

【Hostile target leader is currently at coordinates "114.3157, 219.6733", surrounding defensive combat power consists of: 200 Ultra Beast Xurkitree, 1 Electivire, holding a key item】

【Suggested infiltration route is (updating in real-time)】

"Hu."

Looking up at the "ceiling" where nothing existed, Luo Mu let out a long sigh of relief under the puzzled expressions of Seeing Seeing Kapu Finneon and Sofu.

Luxray, Swampert, and Dragonite were long accustomed to this, still closing their eyes to conserve their energy.

There were still several tough battles to fight ahead.

Withdrawing the label of "basically useless" he had stuck on the Hint System, Luo Mu had to admit that the other party was terrifyingly reliable at this moment.

And as for himself right now, he was purely the one playing with exposed cards.

What difference was there between this and playing a MOBA game with map hacks, or playing Fight the Landlord and Mahjong while the opponents' hands were all revealed? Just look.

Based on the opponent's movements, that optimal infiltration route was constantly updating as time passed.

In this case, what worries were there left to speak of?

Thinking of this, Luo Mu simply stood up directly and said to Seeing Seeing Kapu Finneon and Sofu, who seemed to sense something: "It's about time."

"Shouldn't we scout a bit more? By now, the enemy's forces might already be—"

Sofu tried to make Luo Mu exercise more caution.

To this, Luo Mu's answer remained that it was unnecessary.

Sofu, or rather the many ghosts he represented, wanted to say more, but at that moment, Seeing Seeing Kapu floated up and stood firmly by Luo Mu's side.

Since it had chosen to trust, it would not question Luo Mu's decision.

Seeing that persuasion was futile, Sofu could only vanish helplessly.

At least the Island Guardian's power had recovered somewhat; if a true crisis arose, they could still contribute their strength.

For now, they could only place their faith in Luo Mu, this supporter from another world.

"Popplio, return to your Dive Ball. You too, Luxray."

Before setting out, facing several puzzled expressions, Luo Mu made his final arrangements.

"Seeing Seeing Kapu will carry me; we'll take the water route."

The optimal infiltration route tailored by the Hint System to the current situation was to enter the power plant's massive sewage pipes via the polluted sea, thereby avoiding most enemies.

Furthermore, there was a detailed plan for how to travel from the Altar of the Sunne to the sea.

Although Seeing Seeing Kapu, having recovered part of its power, could not engage in high-intensity combat, it was still capable of using its abilities to shield Luo Mu from the polluted seawater.

They must avoid battle as much as possible along the way, not only to avoid alerting the enemy but also to minimize the danger of being surrounded by hundreds or thousands of Ultra Beasts.

Understanding Luo Mu's intent, Seeing Seeing Kapu nodded seriously and condensed a water bubble capable of holding him using Purifying Water.

This move was something it had learned from those Popplio, Brionne, and Primarina in the ocean long ago.

(End of Chapter)