Chapter 274: Xi Pu's Attitude

"Evening Reed Field Master, this is a Relic Fragment we retrieved from the Three Bandit Sisters; please examine it and see if it is a casually lost part of the Ruins." Huo La handed forward the Relic Fragment wrapped carefully in coarse cloth, his tone respectful and appropriate.

The Evening Reed Field Master before them had a head of graying hair, his hunched, short figure, yet his gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, scanning the three with a hint of scrutinizing coldness.

She first glanced at the cloth bag in Huo La's hand, then looked over Huo La, Ming Yao, and Xiao Zhao one by one, remained silent for a moment, then slowly extended her gaunt yet strong hand, took the fragment, her fingertips tracing the chiseled edge, her tone as cold as the night fog of the Red Lotus Wetland: "I did not ask you to intervene in this matter, but I have taken note of this goodwill."

She clenched the fragment in her hand, lifted her gaze and spoke again, her dismissal clear: "If there is nothing else, the Three Bandit Sisters are to be dealt with by me; the Pearl Team will handle it according to the rules. You may leave now."

That expression was icy and indifferent, not a hint of gratitude, but rather a distance that repelled anyone.

"Evening Reed Field Master, how could you do this!" Xiao Zhao instantly puffed out his cheeks, couldn't help muttering, his tone full of grievance and dissatisfaction, "We deliberately sent the fragment over and even helped you stop the thieves digging the Ruins, yet you make it seem as if we owe you."

"Hmm?" Xi Pu's gaze darkened, her icy eyes suddenly fixed on Xiao Zhao, the pressure around her dropping a few degrees, her tone bearing unmasked rejection, "I have never been able to accept your Galaxy Team's barbaric practice of forcibly capturing Pokemon with Pokeballs. If you hadn't brought this Stone Tablet, my Pearl Team's camp would never have allowed you to set foot even a step."

Huo La, upon hearing this, did not become angry; instead he stepped forward, his gaze landing on Xi Pu's hand clutching the Relic Fragment, his tone calm yet weighty: "Evening Reed Field Master, besides returning the Stone Tablet, we also wish to Help you resolve the Moonbear issue."

Xi Pu's fingertips tightened sharply, she lifted her gaze and coldly glanced at Huo La, her tone tinged with impatience and guard: "The Moonbear matter does not require your Galaxy Team's involvement; as for the Stone Tablet you seek... there is none."

Xiao Zhao still wanted to argue, but Huo La stopped him with a look.

Huo La looked at the anxiety hidden in Xi Pu's eyes—an anxiety of a Field Master worrying about the Pokémon King within her jurisdiction—and suddenly shifted his tone, his voice firm: "If I'm not mistaken, Moonbear's recent rampages have become increasingly frequent; your Pearl Team is probably already at a loss."

Xi Pu's body tensed abruptly, her already sharp gaze turning even more fierce, locking onto Huo La as if chilled steel, her tone full of warning: "How do you know?"

"I am the one chosen by Arceus," Huo La's voice was not loud, yet each word was clear, bearing undeniable weight, "I personally resolved the rampages of the Axe Mantis King and the Mysterious Antler Deer King. This matter, Evening Reed Field Master, you must have heard of it, right?"

Xi Pu fell into silence.

She had naturally heard of what Huo La said; Zhu Bei had also suggested inviting Huo La to help, but she flatly rejected it.

She bore no personal grudge against Huo La; what she truly could not accept was the Galaxy Team's method of forcibly binding Pokemon with Pokeballs, which in her view was disrespectful to Pokemon.

"Evening Reed Field Master does not actually have a very poor impression of us," Huo La, seeing through her thoughts, said slowly, "What you truly object to is the Galaxy Team's method of capturing Pokemon."

Xi Pu remained silent, neither admitting nor refuting, only the fingers hanging at her side tightened slightly.

Seeing this, Huo La seized the moment to ask, "Then, Evening Reed Field Master, in your view, without Pokeballs, how long would a ordinary person take to earn a Pokemon's genuine trust?"

"How long?" Xi Pu blinked instinctively, her brows slightly furrowed, thought seriously for a moment, then unintentionally replied, "From first meeting to lowering defenses, then to mutual trust and understanding, at least two years. Pokemon are pure of heart but also sensitive; they cannot be moved in a single day."

"Two years?" Huo La turned his head to Ming Yao beside him, asked with a smile, "Ming Yao, how long did it take you from first meeting to fully establishing trust?"

Ming Yao recalled, his tone gentle and nostalgic, "The Magic Wall Puppet has been with me since the time of Mounini, always accompanying me as I grew; our rapport was already deep. Yet even so, getting it to completely lower all defenses and fully trust me still took over a year."

Huo La lightly nodded, then drew three Pokeballs from his waist, flicked his fingertips, a red light flashed, and a Fire Rock Mouse, a Leaf Eevee, and a Claw Tail Scorpion landed before him.

He pointed at the three Pokemon one by one, looking at Xi Pu: "Evening Reed Field Master, what do you think of them?"

Xi Pu's gaze fell on the three Pokemon, examining them closely.

The Fire Rock Mouse's flames were gentle yet powerful, the Leaf Eevee moved with agile poise, the Claw Tail Scorpion, though spiky in appearance, had clear eyes. All three Pokemon's auras were stable, their condition excellent, clearly having been carefully tended.

She remained silent for a long while, then slowly spoke, "They've been cultivated quite well; their vital energy and spirit are abundant."

"Thank you for the Field Master's approval," Huo La smiled, his tone a bit proud, "These three little fellows, from when I obtained them until now, have only been two months. Yet between them and me, we have already coordinated seamlessly, needing no extensive commands; a single glance conveys each other's intent. When I first dealt with the Axe Mantis King and the Mysterious Antler Deer King, it was entirely thanks to their full assistance that the task was completed smoothly."

As soon as the words finished, the Fire Rock Mouse affectionately nudged Huo La's ankle; the Leaf Eevee's tail brushed against Huo La's pant leg repeatedly; the Claw Tail Scorpion carefully hooked its tail claw onto his clothing, climbed onto his body, its demeanor so gentle it bore no hint of a poisonous Pokemon.

A look of disbelief instantly flashed in Xi Pu's eyes, her sharp gaze filled with astonishment.

In just two short months, to forge such a deep bond with the three Pokemon; this level of rapport and trust even surpasses many partners who have worked together for years.

She watched the natural affection between Huo La and the three Pokemon, and the walls in her heart subtly loosened a bit.

Huo La gently stroked the top of the Leaf Eevee's head, his gaze sincere as he looked at Xi Pu: "Pokeballs are merely a medium; between me and them, it's never the Pokeball's restraint, but mutual choice and entrustment. I can calm the rampages of other Pokemon Kings not through Brute Force, but largely through love for Pokemon. As for the Moonbear issue, I truly have confidence in solving it."

Xi Pu watched this scene, silent for a long while.

She recalled the painful sight of Moonbear's rampage, the anxious faces of the team members, and then looked at the determination in Huo La's eyes; finally, she slowly exhaled, the tightness of her mouth relaxed a bit, and her gaze softened considerably.

"Very well." Xi Pu gave a firm nod, her tone still bearing some seriousness but already loosened, "I will take you to see Moonbear. But I warn you, if you dare harm it even a fraction, or merely placate me with empty words, I will certainly not spare you."