Chapter 63: This Hypnosis Move Is So Effective!

There was no doubt—it was the move “Water Slash”!

Moreover, Luo Mu could discern from the faint sharpness radiating from the water blade that this Corsola’s ability was likely “Sharpness,” which enhances cutting moves.

This Water Slash was probably Corsola’s strongest move, and its power was quite impressive.

The Water Slash cut through the rain, leaving brief gaps in its path; its sharp, watery edge targeted the Staryu directly.

Blocking it head-on was impossible—Staryu’s current strength couldn’t handle it. Luo Mu stepped back, withdrawing from the attack range, and uttered four words: “Jump away!”

Staryu leapt upward, barely avoiding the Water Slash’s maximum reach. Seeing its signature move dodged by the slippery Staryu, Corsola grew angrier—water gathered before its mouth into a trembling sphere, then erupted as a Water Pulse.

Staryu repeated its earlier tactic, leveraging its Rain Dance-boosted mobility and its daily habit of walking on land to evade Corsola’s ranged attacks, which couldn’t reach the shore.

Corsola seemed to know only two ranged moves—Water Pulse and Water Slash—with the latter consuming far more energy and stamina. After alternating them roughly four or five times, Corsola began panting, its condition visibly deteriorating.

Luo Mu wouldn’t let this opportunity slip. Among all the moves Staryu had learned, only one could deliver the best effect against Corsola.

As Corsola drew closer to the shore and the distance between it and Staryu slowly narrowed, Luo Mu seized the brief pause between Corsola’s attacks and ordered: “Now! Hypnosis!”

To seize the chance, Staryu unavoidably grazed the edge of the Water Slash, leaving a deep gash along its right side. Ignoring the pain, Staryu leapt before Corsola’s eyes, releasing a faint Psychic energy through the vortex pattern on its body. Corsola’s furious gaze instantly dulled.

Moments later, Corsola’s eyes closed, floating silently atop the storm-churned waters of Thunder Lake—defeated in another sense entirely.

Luo Mu’s tense heart settled. He exhaled, mentally replaying the entire “gamble” he’d just made.

As a Water/Psychic-type Pokémon, Corsola’s mental strength was far superior to Staryu’s. The fact that Hypnosis succeeded on the first try was thanks largely to the vortex pattern on Staryu’s body—perfectly suited as a medium for the move.

But.

Regardless, victory was victory. Even if it was messy and desperate, Staryu had once again proven that weak Pokémon can defeat strong ones.

The lone Qingxing Staryu minion gazed at its leader with awe—how had their boss defeated the Corsola that had chased them all this time?

Luo Mu, holding his umbrella under his armpit, was about to crouch down and treat Staryu’s wounds—it had expended considerable energy dodging attacks—when he pulled out the wound spray, only for Staryu’s body to suddenly radiate pure white light.

Luo Mu: “!!!!!!”

Pikachu’s motion of scooping up Corsola with Shadow Claw froze mid-action; the two tiny black eyes on its plush belly widened in shock.

The other Staryu minions watched, eyes wide with surprise and anticipation, as their leader was gradually wrapped in the sacred glow of evolution.

Within the white radiance, Staryu’s body twisted and reshaped like clay being kneaded—its tail faded, its size slowly increased, its legs grew stronger, and even a pair of arms sprouted.

Moments later, the evolution light vanished, revealing the transformed Staryu... no, Starmie.

Its skin remained blue, still coated in a slick, sticky fluid.

Starmie’s eyes had risen to the top of its head, spherical and, from behind, resembling ears. The two new arms were covered in what looked like white mittens.

Additionally, the vortex pattern on Starmie’s belly had subtly changed—from clockwise to counterclockwise.

Starmie adjusted to its new body, especially fascinated by its new arms, constantly chasing falling raindrops to catch them.

After a while, its curiosity faded. It turned its gaze toward Luo Mu, raised its two new arms enthusiastically, as if introducing them to him.

Looking at the now much sturdier Starmie, Luo Mu smiled and said: “Congratulations on your evolution, Starmie!”

Back home, Starmie immediately drew the attention of nearly all the Pokémon—how had Staryu evolved just from going out once?

After Luo Mu briefly explained the events, the Pokémon were furious at Corsola’s attack on the Staryu, yet praised Starmie’s courageous performance.

The two injured Staryu had no serious injuries; under the effect of the wound spray, they soon woke up.

Sipping the now lukewarm Sacred Fire–simmered carrot and pork porridge, Luo Mu and the Pokémon discussed and unanimously decided to return Corsola to the wild river.

Even though Corsola’s discarded fat tasted delicious, this Corsola had clearly angered everyone. Luo Mu would rather re-capture a Corsola elsewhere or buy one from another place than let such a threat remain in Thunder Lake.

As for how Corsola had entered Thunder Lake, after speculation, Luo Mu had a rough idea.

This Corsola likely used its ability to shed excess fat to forcibly sneak through the barrier net into Thunder Lake.

Considering Corsola needed energy to regenerate its shed fat, it probably remained motionless beneath the lake during this time, only surfacing after the Gyarados and Staryu had left.

Today, it was likely because the Staryu had lingered in Thunder Lake longer than usual, directly crossing paths with Corsola, which had begun its routine at the usual time.

Given this mix-up, Luo Mu didn’t know what to say.

He could only take Gyarados and scour Thunder Lake again, ensuring no hidden threats remained as ticking bombs.

Still, at least Staryu’s leader had evolved into Starmie thanks to this incident, drawing one step closer to becoming Starmie’s final form, the “Rain Captain,” Starmie.