Chapter 258: Again, It's Me?

The air of the Giant Tree Battlefield still lingered with the charred smell of last night's battle and the acrid odor of poison.

The members of the Pearl Team and the Galaxy Team spread out in a fan shape, sealing the battlefield's perimeter tightly; each clutched their Pokeball, eyes alert.

Under the towering giant tree at the battlefield's center, the Axe Mantis King rested, propping itself on its twin axes, its body curled; each breath trembled violently, and beneath its Rock Armor, a restless violet‑gold energy churned.

"Dr. Laventon…" Huo La gazed at its suffering form, his voice a little hoarse.

"Huo La, I know what you're thinking." Dr. Laventon patted his shoulder, his tone grave, "But there's no other way. While it still has reason, before the Abnormal Energy fully devours it, a swift decisive strike is the best outcome for it and for us."

Huo La sighed, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the Pokeball: "I know this is a reluctant move. What worries me is, if it really comes to that, what about the Stone Tablet?"

"You needn't worry about that." Zhu Bei stepped forward, eyes fixed on the Axe Mantis, "The king of the clan is chosen collectively; if the Axe Mantis King perishes, a new successor will naturally emerge. The process just takes time; when the new king is born, I will personally go speak with it."

"Do you have a way to communicate with Pokemon?" Huo La snapped his gaze to Zhu Bei, surprise filling his eyes.

Zhu Bei nodded, his tone tinged with apology: "Yes, but I'm sorry, I can't teach you; it's an innate ability."

"Transcendent Power?" Huo La blurted out.

"Hm? You actually know?" Zhu Bei was genuinely surprised this time.

Huo La merely nodded, offering no further explanation—turns out the captains of the Golden Fang and Pearl Teams both possessed the Transcendent Power, no wonder they could become leaders of Hisui.

With doubts cleared, Huo La inhaled deeply: "Then we follow the plan, while it's still conscious."

He tossed three Pokeballs; Fire Rock Mouse, Leaf Eevee and Claw‑tail Scorpion landed steadily.

"You three, stick to last night's coordination. Remember, prioritize consumption, protect yourselves, don't force a head‑on clash."

The three Pokemon all nodded, no hint of fear in their eyes, only resolve.

"Captain Zhu Bei, I have no issues on my end." Huo La looked at Zhu Bei.

Zhu Bei's gaze met the Axe Mantis beneath the giant tree.

It slowly lifted its head, and in its scarlet eyes shone a tenderness and determination incongruous with its size, as if already prepared.

Zhu Bei's heart sank, and she whispered to the Vaporeon beside her: "Vaporeon, it's time."

"I'll go first!" Huo La, unwilling to delay further, ordered, "Leaf Eevee, Magic Leaf!"

Emerald‑green leaves, brimming with energy, surged toward the Axe Mantis like a torrential rain.

"Fire Rock Mouse, Flame Vortex!" The orange‑red flames instantly rose, forming a massive fire ring that trapped the Axe Mantis within.

"Claw‑tail Scorpion, add Poison Liquid Impact!" The dark scorpion tail gathered deep‑purple poison, spewing it fiercely at the figure inside the flame vortex.

The attacks flowed as smoothly as yesterday, yet the battlefield's atmosphere was entirely different.

The Axe Mantis, caught in the flame vortex, clearly endured both scorching heat and poison erosion, yet never swung its axes in retaliation.

It only gritted its teeth, crossing its axes over its chest, exerting all its strength to suppress the constantly agitated Abnormal Energy inside, each roar filled with restraint.

"It's… self‑suppressing?" Dr. Laventon observed the Axe Mantis, his voice trembling.

Time slipped by second by second; ten minutes vanished in an instant.

The Axe Mantis's movements grew slower, its Rock Armor turning crimson under the heat, and a scarlet hue brewed in its eyes, ready to erupt at any moment.

"Almost there!" Dr. Laventon suddenly shouted, "The Axe Mantis's body has reached its limit, Captain Zhu Bei!"

"Understood." Zhu Bei nodded, looking at Huo La, "Stop now, hand it over to Vaporeon."

"Fire Rock Mouse, cease attack!" Huo La ordered immediately; the Fire Rock Mouse, hearing the command, abruptly withdrew its flames, and the flame vortex vanished instantly.

"Claw‑tail Scorpion, Leaf Eevee, keep the harassment!" The two Pokemon instantly adjusted their rhythm, alternating Magic Leaf and poison attacks.

Zhu Bei inhaled deeply, her gaze complex as she looked at the Axe Mantis; the "Water Wave" that had been at the tip of her tongue was finally replaced by a stronger move: "Vaporeon, Muddy Water!"

She knew this strike might cause it more pain, but to shatter the armor and inject the Sedative, it was the only way.

Vaporeon let out a clear cry, gathering a massive torrent of murky water around its body, then surged toward the Axe Mantis.

The Muddy Water crashed unimpeded into its cracked Rock Armor, a series of "crack—" sounds rang out, the armor shattered in half, even the rock axe in its hand broke into fragments.

The Axe Mantis emitted a mournful wail, could no longer hold itself, its massive body collapsed with a thunderous thud, sinking into a deep coma.

"The Axe Mantis is already in a coma, go ahead, Huo La." Dr. Laventon adjusted the hat on his nose, handed a heavy packet of special Sedative to Huo La, his tone urgent and unquestionable.

"Again it's me?" Huo La stared at the packet emitting a faint fragrance, his mouth twitched, a face of helplessness.

Having to handle this dangerous creature all by himself?

"You're the only one suitable here." Dr. Laventon said confidently, his eyes directing Huo La toward the fallen Axe Mantis, "You just fought it, know its condition, and your Pokemon can respond at any moment; letting anyone else take over carries too much risk."

Huo La swept his gaze along his line of sight, pointed at Zhu Bei beside him: "Can't Captain Zhu Bei do it? She's strong too, and we have Vaporeon."

Dr. Laventon cleared his throat dryly, his eyes drifting: "She's still a girl; letting her approach such a dangerous Pokemon king isn't appropriate."

"What about you?" Huo La pressed, his eyes full of "don't try to fool me."

"Me? I'm not a combatant." Dr. Laventon spread his hands, his tone self‑justifying, "If I go up and the Axe Mantis suddenly awakens, I won't even have time to react; then not only I would be in trouble, the whole plan would be thrown into chaos."

Huo La: "......"

He seemed to understand; the two were determined to push him to the front. On one side a powerless researcher, on the other a "needy" female captain, together making him the brick they could move wherever danger lay.

Although he also wanted to mention Field Master Ju Yi and the other Galaxy Team members around, he glanced at Dr. Laventon's smile, sighed, and took the packet of Sedative.