Chapter 355: I Haven't Arrived Yet, Why Did You Leave Again!

"Damn... this move is too ruthless!" Standing on the safe lakeside bank, Huo La looked at the volcano in the distance that had been literally cut away half its side, and genuinely let out a sigh of admiration.

The scalding lava still gushed along the mountain's fissures, merging into the lake and stirring up a sky‑full of mist; that world‑shattering after‑effect, even from afar, still made one's breath pause.

Before the words finished, a flash of violet light streaked by, and Deoxys's figure materialized beside Huo La.

At this moment, the Cosmic Pokémon was in the utmost state of distress.

Its once sleek and fierce body was now covered with soot‑blackened scorch marks, some areas burned so deep the bones were visible, displaying shocking damage and completely lacking the previously fierce aura.

It said nothing, raised its hand, and gently tossed a Stone Tablet etched with intricate patterns to Huo La.

Immediately after, a cold voice resonated in Huo La's mind, with a barely perceptible hint of disdain: "His strength truly surpasses mine. This is the Stone Tablet he promised you, here for you."

It paused, then its tone shifted, regaining a bit of breath: "Besides, don't you have that future medicine? Give me a bottle, it heals wounds quickly."

Huo La steadily took the Stone Tablet, feeling its warm and heavy weight.

He didn't have time to examine it closely, so he reached into his pack and handed over a bottle of burn medicine, then after a moment considered it and also pulled out a bottle of Healing Medicine, shoving both to it.

Deoxys unceremoniously took them, slipped them into a Master Ball, and instantly became motionless.

Huo La looked at the quiet Pokeball at his waist, let out a soft sigh, and felt a mix of emotions.

He could, of course, hear the stubbornness and resentment in Deoxys's tone.

As a Pokémon birthed from Arceus's sweat, even though this individual is not as old as Xi Duo Lan En Wang Jiu Yuan, its inherent pride would never let it be defeated so miserably.

This battle was already its full‑power resistance.

"Huo La, that volcano... half of it vanished; there shouldn't be any big problem, right?" Xiao Zhao stepped forward cautiously, pointing at the crumbling mountain in the distance, her voice full of unease.

Huo La put away the Stone Tablet, shook his head helplessly: "I don't know. But what we should worry about now is probably the shrine niche of the Huo Shan Kou Ci."

A Mang heard that, let out a long sigh, stepped forward and gave Huo La's shoulder a heavy pat, saying openly: "Stop worrying, half a volcano is gone, that statue surely can't be saved either."

"But this wasn't caused by us, no need for guilt. Once the situation here stabilizes, Gua Na and I will go back up and remake the shrine niche."

His casual remark left Huo La petrified on the spot.

A Mang looked at Huo La's shocked expression and smiled calmly: "Anyway, that statue before was also molded by my own hands."

Huo La's heart shook violently, then wore a bewildered grin.

It turned out that the mysterious statue, whose face no one could see and that inspired awe, was actually crafted by Field Master A Mang's "artisan".

Considering the rough texture of that statue, Huo La simply couldn't associate the word "holy" with it, thinking to himself: This craftsmanship truly defies praise…

The massive Gyarados glided steadily through the air.

Xiao Zhao rode steadily on Gyarados's back, legs tightly gripping its spine, craning her head toward Huo La ahead, and asked softly: "Huo La, shall we head straight to Heart-Equal Lake now? Not rest any longer?"

Huo La sat at the front, facing the wind off the lake, and said with a hint of urgency and anticipation: "Sigh, I want to see those three Pokémon at Heart-Equal Lake as soon as possible."

Shan Kui, sitting behind Xiao Zhao, was perched on her shoulder, curiously watching the scenery around the lava battlefield below, and couldn't help interjecting: "Aren't those three Pokémon together? The cavern should still be sealed, why rush?"

Huo La remained silent, his thoughts drifting to the future Shen'ao Region.

In the future he knows, Ai Mu Li Duo, Ya Ke Nuo Mu, and You Ke Xi, three Legendary Pokémon, do not live together.

Ai Mu Li Duo dwells in Heart-Equal Lake; Ya Ke Nuo Mu resides in Li Zhi Hu; You Ke Xi hides in Rui Zhi Hu. Each fulfills its role, living in separate lakes, never having gathered together like this before.

He had previously asked Field Master Bin Lian, but Bin Lian looked bewildered, having never heard the names Li Zhi Hu or Rui Zhi Hu.

That means, in the current Xicui Era, those two legendary lakes have not even emerged yet.

Xiao Zhao faced the wind, tucked her head in, and with a hint of anticipation asked again: "So now we go straight to Heart-Equal Lake?"

Huo La turned his head, glanced at her, then looked toward the hazy horizon, and nodded lightly: "Hmm, at Gyarados's current speed, if we set off now we should reach a suitable campsite near Heart-Equal Lake before nightfall. Tomorrow morning we'll find a way into the lake to meet those three Pokémon."

On the other side, at the edge of the lava battlefield, among jagged rocks and overgrown grass, a figure hurried deeper into the field—it was none other than Ming Yao.

He was dusted with a bit of grime, clearly having been on the road for a long time, his expression showing some urgency.

Suddenly, a massive shadow instantly enveloped him.

Ming Yao instinctively stopped, let out a long sigh, and looked up at the sky.

A wholly Red Gyarados swooped low, its massive wings stirring the air, and three familiar silhouettes sat steadily on its back—Huo La, Xiao Zhao, and Shan Kui.

Ming Yao blinked slightly, surprise in his eyes, and instinctively opened his mouth to shout for them to stop, but before any sound formed, the Gyarados vanished like an arrow, disappearing swiftly, leaving only a faint breeze.

"Damn it!" Ming Yao couldn't help cursing, his tone full of helplessness and sarcasm, "I haven't arrived yet, why did you leave again!"

After the rant, he relaxed, plopped onto the rough rock, grabbed his water bottle, unscrewed the cap and gulped down a mouthful, easing his travel fatigue.

Then he looked toward the direction where the Gyarados vanished, murmuring thoughtfully: "Looking that way, they must be heading to Heart-Equal Lake. Sigh, lucky we saw them; if we turn now and hurry, we should still make it in time."