Chapter 122: Evolution! Ivysaur

"Sigh, I'm broke."

Huo La lay on the bed sprawled, staring blankly at the ceiling pattern, while Bilan's suggestion to rob the game hall kept looping in his mind.

The more he thought about it, the more absurd it seemed, and finally he let out a heavy sigh—better to drop it, life is more important than money.

"Hehe, little ghost, you look all worried—are you fretting over money?" a teasing voice suddenly rang out, and Gengar's semi‑transparent figure floated out of the wall, circling Huo La's head.

"Exactly," Huo La replied weakly, "I was somewhat well‑off, but after hiring you, I'm just one step away from being poor again…"

"That's easy," Gengar swayed his head, his tone full of encouragement, "The little girl just mentioned robbing the Rocket Team's game hall—that's a quick way to make money, why don't you give it a try?"

"I don't want to die!" Huo La sat up abruptly, his voice full of helplessness, "Putting aside that robbery is illegal, just think of the Rocket Team's strength—where would I get the nerve to raid their base?"

Gengar stroked his chin (if he even had one) and offered another idea: "Then let me think of a plan—let's steal the secret perfume formula of that girl named Li Jia! Get the formula and sell it somewhere, and we could make a fortune."

Huo La looked at it, his mouth twitching, "What secret formula? The basic ingredient for the Rainbow Gym's perfume is the fluid secreted by Gloom, and the real core is Li Jia's control over the herb ratios and her later refinement technique—she keeps all that in her head, how could you steal it?"

At that moment, Huo La's eyes lit up as he stared at Gengar, scrutinizing him from head to toe; Gengar, feeling a bit uneasy, floated back and asked warily, "Little ghost, what are you up to? Don't try to pull a trick on me!"

"Hehe, old ghost, you've lived over two thousand years, traveling far and wide—surely you know some special treasure spots?" Huo La rubbed his hands, his tone hopeful, "For example… that thing on you that can make Pokemon stronger, where did you get it?"

Gengar narrowed his eyes, stared at Huo La for a while as if confirming something, then curled his tongue and spat out a red‑purple gradient jewel that hovered in the air, "Is this what you're talking about?"

It was the Super Evolution Stone Huo La had been eyeing for ages!

Huo La's eyes widened instantly, his head bobbing like a tambourine, "Yes, yes, that's it!"

"I don't know how you learned I have this," Gengar withdrew the Evolution Stone, his tone flat, "But if you ask about its origin, I can only tell you—picked up. Back then I was wandering a deserted valley, saw the light emanating from the stone and felt comfortable, so I casually took it with me."

Even though he had long guessed this outcome, Huo La couldn't help feeling a bit down—Super Evolution Stones are special minerals containing mysterious power, and to this day no one can pinpoint exactly where that power comes from.

He couldn't help recalling Z‑Crystal and Dynamax:

Dynamax was fine; he knew it was due to the energy released by Eternatus in the Galar Region that lets Pokemon Dynamax;

But Super Evolution and Z‑Crystal are different; they require specific stones to trigger, so there must be a similar "energy source" behind them—perhaps a trace of power left by some ancient Pokemon?

"Forget it, I don't want to think about this," Huo La shook his head, his eyes suddenly brightening, "Then there's only one last method left!"

"Hm? Little ghost, you still have a plan?" Gengar tucked away the Super Evolution Stone, leaning in curiously.

Huo La fished a Pokédex Phone from his pocket, his fingers flashing over the screen as he dialed a number labeled "Dad".

The call rang twice and was answered; a voice with a hint of laziness came through, "Hey~ stinky kid, why did you think of calling me? Got into trouble outside again?"

Hearing the familiar yet long‑unheard voice, Huo La cleared his throat, his tone confident, "Dad, I'm out of cash. Transfer me a hundred‑eighty thousand League Coins for spending!"

Gengar, watching him, managed after a pause to mutter, "... Dad‑trapping!"

The next noon, the Pokemon Center's lobby was scented with hot food, and Huo La and Xiao Gang sat at a table having lunch.

At that moment, a familiar figure appeared at the doorway—the green‑haired woman who had snatched Xiao Gang's heart yesterday. She cradled an exquisite wooden box and walked straight toward the two of them.

"Ms. Bamboo! Did you come especially to see me?" Xiao Gang's excitement surged; he sprang up, adjusted his collar, his face plastered with flattering smiles, his eyes even brightening.

The green‑haired lady, known as "Bamboo," smiled faintly but did not return Xiao Gang's enthusiasm; instead she gently placed the wooden box before Huo La and explained in a calm tone, "This is the Leaf Stone the Li Jia Guan Zhu promised you. The master originally wanted to deliver it personally, but a Trainer with a Pikachu just came to challenge the Gym, so the master got busy and asked me to run this over."

After speaking, she turned to the still‑expectant Xiao Gang, her tone courteous yet firm, "As for you, Mr. Xiao Gang, I'm sorry—you aren't my type. I prefer mature, steady uncles."

When her words ended, Ms. Bamboo did not linger, turning gracefully and leaving the Pokemon Center, leaving Xiao Gang frozen in place as his smile slowly hardened.

"Ugh…" Xiao Gang, like a popped balloon, slumped back into his seat, his shoulders drooping, even the grilled meat on his plate lost its appeal, his face gloomy as he stared at the table.

Huo La looked at his demeanor, helplessly tapped the table and said casually, "Alright, alright, don't wear that frown. When you're ten or so years older, a seasoned Breeder uncle, maybe she'll like that version of you."

After that, he ignored the still‑moody Xiao Gang, reached for the wooden box before him.

The moment he lifted the lid, a warm green light washed over him—inside lay a wholly emerald Leaf Stone, its surface smooth and lustrous, radiating abundant energy, clearly a top‑grade gem.

Huo La satisfiedly closed the box, cradling it as he hurried to the service desk and said to Nurse Joy, "Nurse Joy, please rent Training Room 5 for an hour; I need to evolve a Pokemon."

"No problem, Training Room 5 has just been cleaned; you can go straight there," Nurse Joy smiled, handing over the key.

Inside the training room, Huo La cupped the Leaf Stone in his palm, slowly squatted, his gaze fixed on the Bulbasaur before him.

Bulbasaur seemed to sense the impending change; its emerald leaves quivered gently, its eyes full of anticipation.

"Bulbasaur, are you ready? After evolution, we'll become stronger together," Huo La asked softly.

"Bulba!" Bulbasaur nodded vigorously, emitting a crisp reply.

"Alright, let's begin the evolution!"

Huo La gently pressed the Leaf Stone against Bulbasaur's forehead.

The next second, the Leaf Stone burst into dazzling green light, the gentle energy flowing through the contact point into Bulbasaur's body, resonating strongly with its own power.

Soon, Bulbasaur's body was enveloped by a rainbow‑hued aura that grew brighter, eventually turning into a blinding white flash that completely shrouded its form.

Huo La rose, instinctively stepping back two paces, quietly watching the changes within the white light—he could clearly hear faint rustling sounds, like stems sprouting and petals unfurling.

After a moment, the white light faded slowly, revealing a massive figure in the center of the training room.

It was a deep‑green, robust Ivysaur:

Its previously budded back bud had now blossomed into a huge pink flower, its petals edged with sparkling dew, supported by a light‑brown stalk resembling a palm trunk;

Its body was covered with natural‑patterned warts, and two thick vine whips dangled from beneath its leaves, swaying lightly, exuding sheer strength.

"Ivysaur~~~" Ivysaur took a slightly unsteady yet steady gait, slowly walked to Huo La's feet, gently brushing his pant leg with its huge flower; its voice was much deeper than before, full of affection and dependence.

Huo La's system panel refreshed in sync; looking at the information, he nodded with satisfaction.

Sure enough, after evolution Bulbasaur's aptitude rose steadily from B to A, its level jumped to 32, and its skill pool expanded considerably.

He suddenly recalled the Skill Machine Li Jia gave, hurriedly pulled the silver "Mega Drain" Skill Machine from his pack, and said to Ivysaur, "This contains the Grass-type skill 'Mega Drain'; learn it. Later, we'll go report the good news to Mother and her Ivysaur."

"Ivysaur~" Ivysaur obediently extended two vine whips, lightly touching the Skill Machine.

The next second, a soft green flash flickered, the Skill Machine turned into specks of light, merging into Ivysaur's body—clearly it had successfully mastered "Mega Drain."

When Huo La led Ivysaur out of the training room, the previously sulky Xiao Gang was instantly drawn in, his eyes widening, he rushed over, circling Ivysaur twice, exclaiming with awe, "Ivysaur! No wonder you're the Pokemon I once cared for; look at that sturdy body, that plump flower, and those vibrant leaves—simply perfect!"

Seeing Xiao Gang instantly regain his vigor, Huo La shook his head helplessly.

Sure enough, only a new big sister and a Pokemon could pull Xiao Gang out of the shadow of a broken heart quickly.