Chapter 262: Black Odd Stone, Jade Insect Stone Tablet

After agreeing to Gangshi's request, Huo La's gaze turned back to Captain Zhu Bei, his tone carrying a hint of concern: "Captain Zhu Bei, how's the Axe Mantis situation now?"

Zhu Bei, hearing this, turned and walked to the wooden crate in the corner of the ShuWu, bent down to rummage for a moment, then returned holding two items.

In her hands she cradled a Stone Tablet that glowed with a warm emerald sheen, and on the tablet lay a gray‑black stone, its texture appearing especially hard.

"Here, Huo La, this is for you." Zhu Bei gently handed the items to Huo La, her tone even.

Huo La quickly reached out and took them, his fingertips first touching the tablet's patterns; the rustic carvings were relief and depth, bearing a weight of ages.

"These are the Jade Insect Stone Tablet and the Black Odd Stone that the Axe Mantis asked me to pass to you," Zhu Bei explained, "The Jade Insect Stone Tablet is a treasured heirloom of its tribe and also one of Arceus's stone tablets; as for the Black Odd Stone…"

"Is the Axe Mantis King okay?" Huo La interrupted her; compared to the tablet and the odd stone, he cared more about the Pokémon King that had just broken free from frenzy.

"Much better, its body is no longer in serious trouble, and the Abnormal Energy has been completely cleared," Zhu Bei nodded, her tone tinged with a sigh, "But after this incident its power was drained so much that it can no longer serve as the tribe's king."

"That's the rule of the Flying Mantis tribe: only the strongest can bear the title of king."

"Ah!" Huo La opened his eyes in surprise; he hadn't expected this outcome.

In his view, the Axe Mantis King had given its all to suppress the Abnormal Energy, and even with the power loss it deserved the tribe's respect.

"You don't need to make such a fuss." Zhu Bei laughed at his intense reaction, "It's the Flying Mantis tribe's centuries‑old inheritance rule: there is no strong or weak, only survival of the fittest. This Jade Insect Stone Tablet is a token of gratitude from the Axe Mantis King before its abdication, thanking you for saving its life and the whole tribe."

She paused, then continued, "Also, that Black Odd Stone is the key item that lets the Flying Mantis evolve into the Axe Mantis; Ju Yi specifically asked me to give it to you. He said it's a personal token of appreciation for you preserving the Axe Mantis King."

"The Black Odd Stone that lets the Flying Mantis evolve into the Axe Mantis?" Gangshi stepped forward, staring at the gray‑black stone in Huo La's hand, his tone a bit surprised, "As far as I know, this Black Odd Stone is extremely rare even in Hisui; your Pearl Team is really generous."

"What's the matter? Our Pearl Team always repays kindness in kind," Zhu Bei retorted instantly, her tone a bit tsundere, "Huo La saved the Axe Mantis King and averted the crisis at the Giant Tree Battlefield; that debt merits this treatment. Unlike your Diamond Team, which insists on equal exchange for everything, showing no sentiment."

"We're just being pragmatic!" Gangshi frowned.

Huo La had no mind to heed their bickering; he refocused his attention on the Black Odd Stone in his hand.

The stone appeared unremarkable, its gray‑black surface even a bit rough, yet he knew exactly how precious it was.

In later ages, the Axe Mantis branch had completely vanished, leaving only the Giant Claw Mantis that evolves with a metal membrane, showing that the Black Odd Stone had long been extinct in the river of history.

He gently set the Black Odd Stone down, cradling the Jade Insect Stone Tablet with both hands to examine it carefully.

The tablet as a whole displayed a translucent emerald hue, as if carved from fine jade, hardly distinguishable from the Fist Plate he had obtained earlier.

The moment his fingertips fully covered the tablet's pattern, a mechanical voice from the system suddenly rang in his mind.

"Host detected acquiring 'Jade Insect Stone Tablet'… After system integration, reward unlocked: permanent +5% Pokemon Bug attribute skill."

Huo La's body trembled slightly, a flash of delight crossing his eyes.

When he previously obtained the Fist Plate, the system triggered a collection quest; this time, with the Jade Insect Stone Tablet, the system issued no new quest but directly granted the integration reward.

It sparked a thought in his mind: this system seems to have a strong expectation for Arceus's stone tablets, or rather, the system needs these tablets!

He carefully stored the Jade Insect Stone Tablet and the Black Odd Stone, ensuring they wouldn't be damaged.

After finishing all that, he looked up and said earnestly to Zhu Bei, "Please thank the Axe Mantis King for me, and also Field Master Ju Yi. I accept this gift."

"You're welcome, it's what you deserve," Zhu Bei waved.

Gangshi, seeing this, stepped forward, "Since the items have been given and thanks said, can we set out for the Obsidian Fieldlands? If we wait longer, night will fall and traveling will be dangerous."

Huo La lifted his gaze to the window; the setting sun was already tilting westward, golden afterglow spreading across half the sky. Delaying departure would only add danger to a night trek.

"Alright, I'll go back and quickly pack my things; we'll set out shortly," he nodded, picking up the Black Odd Stone and Jade Insect Stone Tablet, turning and briskly walking back to the ShuWu.

A moment later, Huo La emerged with his organized backpack, following Gangshi to the edge of the Giant Tree Battlefield.

There, two lithe Mysterious Horn Deer were already standing, their silvery‑white fur shimmering softly in the sunset, their massive antlers spiraling and interlacing, looking especially majestic.

Gangshi deftly flipped onto one of the Mysterious Horn Deer, sat steady, then pointed at the other beside Huo La, "Get on. I brought both of them. With them as transport, we can reach the Obsidian Fieldlands tonight, straight to the Mysterious Horn Deer gathering under Diamond Team's jurisdiction."

Huo La stared at the Mysterious Horn Deer before him, glanced at Gangshi perched on the other's back with a slightly smug expression, then turned his gaze to Zhu Bei beside him, his eyes showing a hint of hesitation—this was his first time riding such a Pokemon.

Zhu Bei, seeing this, snorted at Gangshi, "What's there to show off?"

Then she turned to Huo La, her tone much softer, "Huo La, ignore him. If you ever come to the Pearl Team's territory, I'll let you ride a Moonbear; its back is far roomier than a Mysterious Horn Deer, its fur thick and soft, making for a very comfortable seat."

"Let's go, Huo La, stop dawdling." Gangshi didn't argue with Zhu Bei, just urged, gently squeezing the Mysterious Horn Deer's belly with his foot, and the deer obediently tapped its hooves.

Huo La no longer hesitated, mimicking Gangshi's manner, and carefully stepped onto the Mysterious Horn Deer's back.

The deer's fur was indeed smooth, its back's curve fitting his shape perfectly, making the ride unexpectedly steady.

Gangshi let out a low shout, urging his deer forward first. The Mysterious Horn Deer beneath Huo La followed closely, picking up a brisk stride toward the Obsidian Fieldlands.

"Be careful on the road!" Zhu Bei stood at the entrance of the Giant Tree Battlefield, calling loudly at the two's receding backs, her voice wavering in the wind yet still clearly reaching Huo La's ears.

He turned back, waved at Zhu Bei, as a farewell.