Chapter 685: Combo Style vs. One-Hit Style

"Bei-ah?" (Waterfall training?)

Kubfu blinked, tilted its head timidly, and its fluffy ears twitched involuntarily, seeming somewhat unconfident.

When it used to stay within the pack, it often saw its elders remaining under the waterfall for very long periods.

Kubfu gazed at the waterfall with its astonishing impact force; this was not retreat, but rather it truly did not believe its physique could withstand the waterfall's scouring, let alone achieve what the elders had done.

Even that excellent older brother could at most endure it for a few hours.

Looking at Kubfu's expression, Luo Mu could roughly guess what it was thinking.

Thus, he spoke directly: "I know what you're worried about; it's simply that you feel you won't be able to persist for long, right?"

"Bei-bei-ah." Kubfu nodded honestly.

"But looking at it from another angle, no one starts off perfect; strength doesn't appear out of thin air overnight. Even if you fall quickly after entering under the waterfall the first time, as long as you persist, sooner or later you will reap results."

Luo Mu showed an encouraging smile to Kubfu.

Although from different perspectives, this so-called "theory of hard work" might just be a joke to gloss over reality, where input and output are not proportional, or even result in total loss.

But Luo Mu was certain that at least in Kubfu's case, "hard work" would definitely transform into harvest.

"However, before you enter the waterfall for training, let's first determine your approximate strength."

Saying this, Luo Mu took a Poké Ball out of his satchel.

"Let this child be your opponent; remember to try and display all the moves you have mastered."

Luo Mu pressed the button on the Poké Ball, and a beam of red light shot into the small pond where the waterfall flow gathered, transforming into a cute, blue little sea lion.

It was precisely the Popplio that had come to this world from another parallel timeline together with Seeing Seeing Kapu!

Floating on the clear pool water, Popplio happily patted the surface with its forelimbs.

Compared to its former weakness and congenital deficiencies, Popplio now lived well-fed in the farm, having completely made up for past problems, and had visibly become more lively.

From Luo Mu's perspective, Popplio, which hadn't undergone much training and had only grown up happily under Seeing Seeing Kapu's care, was sufficient to test Kubfu's strength and moves.

The facts were indeed so.

Although somewhat hesitant, Kubfu still tried launching an attack against Popplio, which had jumped onto the shore.

On Popplio's side, having received Luo Mu's instructions, it also dealt quite seriously with Kubfu's offense.

Meanwhile, Luo Mu and Serperior stayed to the side, observing and recording information from both parties.

Before long, the results were out.

To summarize in one word, the gap between Kubfu, which had roughly left the newborn stage and begun growing, and Popplio, which would soon undergo its first evolution if not suppressed, was not large.

If divided using game levels, it would be a state of roughly level eleven to fifteen, having left the novice period of levels five to ten.

Popplio had mastered six moves it learned naturally: "Pound," "Growl," "Water Gun," "Disarming Voice," "Aqua Jet," and "Baby-Doll Eyes."

It had also learned some rudiments of "Aqua Ring" and "Life Dew" through the "Mirror Herb," but still needed to gradually master them through subsequent practice.

However, judging by Seeing Seeing Kapu's attitude of letting Popplio live as happily as possible, this subsequent period of time would likely be very long.

It was also possible that someday, when Popplio was having fun playing, it might suddenly have a breakthrough and master them.

Unlike Popplio, Kubfu's move pool was somewhat meager.

"Leer," "Rock Smash," "Endure," and "Focus Energy" were all the moves it had mastered, hardly resembling a legendary Pokémon with a promising future.

To be in such a state even without the four-move limit could only mean that Kubfu had indeed never received any reliable training methods.

However, for Luo Mu, this was actually quite good.

Compared to having to "mend the fold after the sheep is lost," Kubfu's situation, being a blank sheet of paper, was more suitable for him to splash his ink upon.

The only point where Kubfu was stronger than Popplio lay in its innate physique as a Fighting-type Pokémon.

But that was only relative.

Judging by Serperior's comments and changes in expression, it was:

—Not outstanding; needs more practice.

At the edge of the pool, Popplio's playful sounds mixed with the noise of the waterfall, making the entire pool seem to come alive.

Meanwhile, Luo Mu stepped onto the slippery stones, and fine water droplets immediately wet his trouser legs.

The general strength test was complete; next came the matter of cultivation.

The small waterfall before them was not high; a flow about two people wide poured down from the rock wall, shattering into countless crystal-clear silver threads upon the uneven stone surface.

When the water curtain struck the deep pool at the bottom, it emitted a crisp rushing sound, like someone continuously shaking strings of jade beads, while also stirring up rings of fine ripples on the pool surface.

Splashing mist refracted tiny rainbows under the sunlight, wetting the dark green moss along the shore.

Kubfu curiously extended its paw, only to immediately shrink its neck, startled by the cold spray.

The rock walls on both sides of the waterfall were covered in green ferns, nourished by the water flow to appear bright and plump, swaying gently with the surging air currents as if echoing the rhythm of the water sound.

Occasionally, larger water droplets bounced onto the rocks, emitting a light "pat" sound, like some transparent fruit suddenly bursting open.

Now that they were extremely close to the waterfall, the shirt on Luo Mu's upper body quickly became soaked due to the splashing water.

But he paid this no mind, instead speaking seriously to Kubfu: "Try to persist to your limit; do not be afraid."

"Even if you run out of strength, Serperior will immediately bring you out."

In many animations and comics, characters often temper their bodies and wills by enduring the scouring of waterfalls.

At first glance, this might seem somewhat absurd, but in reality, this method can indeed produce effects.

The impact force brought by the waterfall's scouring from top to bottom can effectively train the body's resistance and, over the passage of time, gradually serve to strengthen the physique.

At the same time, enduring the waterfall's scouring will inevitably bring pressure.

If one can persist, lasting longer each time than the previous, over time, one's mental strength will also receive ample tempering.

And then—here is the key point.

Kubfu has only one Ability, which is "Inner Focus," an ability that seems ordinary and can only resist flinching caused by attacks.

But this Ability is closely related to Kubfu's own talent.

Every Kubfu's growth requires arduous training accumulated day by day, diligently studying moves and Quan Fa to reach a certain realm, even touching the conditions required for evolution.

Although Luo Mu currently cannot judge whether this Kubfu's talent is better suited for the Fighting and Dark attribute "Single Strike Style" or the Fighting and Water attribute "Rapid Strike Style."

But one thing can be confirmed.

—Waterfall training for Kubfu, regardless of which style it chooses to cultivate in the future, will serve as a bridge between the past and the future, forging a solid foundation.

This is what is called "practicing the basics."

Even though this will take a longer time, it will definitely play a positive role in Kubfu's future.

Encouraged by Luo Mu, Kubfu tried to cross several rocks mostly covered in moss, attempting to make contact with the waterfall's current.

But when the splashing water hit its body, a hint of hesitation rose in Kubfu's Emperor Yan Di, along with fear hidden deep within its heart.

After all, not long ago at sea it had nearly met with disaster, so developing some psychological shadows was a normal occurrence.

Kubfu could sense the attention from Luo Mu and Serperior behind it, and even from the Brionne that, despite having absolutely no combat experience just moments ago, had fought it to a standstill.

It felt somewhat nervous, also fearing whether it might not even last a single second.

The lack of self-confidence accumulated over a long period was frantically emitting voices of giving up in its mind: "Give up," "You were never as good as other bears," "Hard work yields no returns," and other sounds of self-abandonment.

Luo Mu could also observe the changes in Kubfu's state, but he did not speak, and also signaled the Serperior beside him not to act for the time being.

—In this situation, the effect his personal encouragement could achieve was already negligible.

It could only depend on how strong Kubfu's own determination to become stronger was, and whether it could overcome its own psychological shadows and timidity.

This is also the path it must experience if it wishes to grow into an Urshifu in the future.

Fortunately, having already taken the first step, namely choosing to open its mouth and "ask for help" from Luo Mu, Kubfu no longer lacked the courage to go further.

After a brief hesitation, Kubfu took a deep breath, its gaze suddenly becoming resolute, and stepped into the cascading waterfall.

In an instant, the roaring sound of water swept in from all directions, as if the entire world had been occupied by the turbulent current.

Cold water columns, like thousands of silver needles, densely stabbed every inch of its fur.

The force of the heavy water smashing onto its head and shoulders made it almost unable to stand steady, and the bones throughout its body emitted tremors of being overburdened.

The slippery rocks beneath its feet shook incessantly, seeming as if they could be washed away by the torrent at any moment.

The deafening sound of water completely drowned out all other noises; every breath carried fine water mist, and the cold dampness poured straight into its nasal cavity and throat.

Kubfu tensed all its muscles; its limbs trembled slightly due to the continuous impact, yet it still nailed itself firmly to the spot, allowing the torrent to batter its body.

At this moment, the only belief that could keep it going was that single sentence Luo Mu had just spoken.

No matter what, it could not be timid; it must persist until its limit.

Even break through its limit!

Time seemed to be infinitely stretched; the soaked fur clung tightly to its skin, and the bone-piercing cold seeped into every inch of its muscles and bones, yet Kubfu's eyes became increasingly bright, staring stubbornly forward with a hint of defiance, unwilling to retreat even a fraction.

Finally, just when Kubfu felt its strength was about to be exhausted, Luo Mu's voice penetrated the water curtain: "One minute, very well done!"

Kubfu trembled violently, only then realizing it had truly persisted.

Yet an unprecedented brilliance flashed in Kubfu's eyes; it should have collapsed around the thirty-second mark, but it had persisted for a full minute.

—This also meant it had broken through its own limit.

Kubfu panted heavily, stumbling as it tried to walk out of the waterfall; trembling all over, it did not notice that the stride it took was completely insufficient to reach the next rock.

Because it stepped into empty air, Kubfu was about to fall into the pool water.

Just at this moment, accompanied by a "Swish," a vine came from afar, instantly piercing through the water flow, and firmly caught the Kubfu that was about to slip and fall, holding it steady.

"Bei?"

Kubfu cautiously opened its tightly closed eyes and discovered Luo Mu on the shore smiling and giving a thumbs-up toward it.

Serperior still maintained that arrogant demeanor, but its vine whip had firmly grasped itself.

Even the Brionne quickly swam over, blowing a huge water bubble that enveloped Kubfu's body.

Serperior retracted its vine at this moment, and after feeling a slight sensation of weightlessness, Kubfu landed on the water surface with a completely bewildered expression.

—Because the Brionne's water bubble strangely caused it to float on the water surface.

Scooping the somewhat weak Kubfu out of the water bubble, Luo Mu looked at it with eyes full of appreciation.

"Originally I thought you could at most persist for thirty to forty seconds, but I didn't expect you to break your limit and persist for a full minute."

"Very well done."

Do not look at one minute as seemingly quite brief; for a Pokémon like Kubfu that is still at the novice level, this is already a quite remarkable achievement.

"Right now you should feel unable to exert strength anywhere in your body, and your head feels somewhat dizzy, correct?"

"Do not pay too much attention to this state; once you have rested well, you will be able to clearly perceive your improvement."

"Furthermore, this kind of improvement will return with a vengeance every time you break through your current limit."

Luo Mu spoke in an orderly manner.

His training attitude toward Kubfu was basically focused on encouragement.

After all, this child visibly had a sense of lack of self-confidence; at the very least, his affirmation could allow it to gradually become confident.

Not to mention that Kubfu's performance today was indeed quite brilliant, so Luo Mu naturally had to praise it.

Kubfu, with its entire fur soaked, shyly lowered its head; having received such praise for the first time, it was still somewhat at a loss.

Seeing its appearance, Luo Mu did not hastily make it test again, nor did he choose its main cultivation goal for the future.

According to common sense, the "Rapid Strike Style" and the "Single Strike Style" cannot coexist, and Kubfu has not yet revealed any talent leaning more toward one side or the other.

—Even though the encounter between Luo Mu and Kubfu, and Kubfu's current main cultivation task, are inseparable from water, this remains the case.

Looking at the Kubfu approaching exhaustion, Luo Mu silently finalized his goal completely.

First is basic training like the current situation, exercising the physique and mental strength.

Next, supplement this with training in combat techniques, and also the improvement of combat experience.

Once Kubfu reaches a certain realm, even if it is still unwilling to tell its story, Luo Mu can also take it to the Armor Island of Galar.

There lay the secret manuals essential for its evolution.

(End of Chapter)