Chapter 429: Long‑Awaited Reunion

Following the guidance of the Beedrill and the Flying Mantis, Huo La quietly arrived at a remote forest.

The forest's trees were sparse, yet everywhere exuded an untimely sense of fragmentation—fine shards of stone littered the ground, some as sharp as blades, jutting straight into mottled branches and stout trunks, as if a fierce battle had taken place, and the air still held lingering breath.

Huo La furrowed his brows, his expression growing ever more solemn, tracing the stone marks on the ground, placing his steps extremely lightly, and slowly moving deeper into the woods.

At that moment, the Beedrill beside him suddenly tensed its wings, assuming a defensive stance, its wing tips trembling slightly;

Not far away, the Flying Mantis soaring in the sky also abandoned its former lightness, its twin blades tightly overlapped, its sharp gaze fixed on the same direction.

Following their line of sight, a massive snake head suddenly loomed, its cold vertical pupils staring intently at the Flying Mantis, exuding a powerful aura—it was the Steelix he had been especially wary of.

Suddenly, a clear command came from behind Huo La: "Bay Leaf, use Vine Whip!"

Almost the instant the voice sounded, Huo La, relying on his keen battle instinct, lunged sideways, barely evading the incoming emerald Vine Whip.

At the same time, he barked, "Beedrill, Cross Cut!"

The Beedrill flapped its wings swiftly, instantly changing direction, its twin stingers gathering a fierce aura, forming sharp blades that slashed hard toward the Vine Whip.

With a "crack—", the Vine Whip was cut in response, falling to the ground, still trembling faintly.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Steelix had already launched an attack—Iron Tail!

Its massive tail, bearing a sweeping, overwhelming force, swung hard at the Flying Mantis.

Where it passed, low shrubs and slender trees were all snapped at the waist, leaves fluttered, dust billowed, fully displaying its formidable power.

Huo La immediately barked, "Flying Mantis, Brick Break, Hard Block the incoming!"

The Flying Mantis gathered its focus, its twin blade arms enveloped in fierce energy, slashing heavily, precisely cutting the sweeping Iron Tail.

The two massive forces collided with a boom, energy rippling outward, dust flying.

Alas, Steelix's power was too domineering; the Flying Mantis could not hold steady, and was blasted away by the overwhelming force.

Fortunately, Brick Break had already shed most of the force; it spun deftly in the air, quickly regaining its stance without injury.

"Bay Leaf, Razor Leaf!" the attack from the other side followed immediately, countless sharp leaves wrapped in gusts charging straight forward.

Huo La clicked his teeth and promptly ordered, "Beedrill, Insect Cry! Shatter the Razor Leaf!"

A sharp, piercing Insect Cry erupted, sound waves sweeping all directions, the incoming Razor Leaf instantly shattered and scattered.

When the smoke cleared, the Bay Leaf emerged behind the leaves, and beside it stood a short‑haired, red‑haired youth with a defiant expression.

Before Huo La could recover, Steelix struck again, its massive Iron Tail sweeping toward the Flying Mantis once more.

Huo La no longer hesitated, raised his hand and tossed a Pokeball: "Nidoqueen, come out! Use Earth Power!"

A red light struck the ground, and Nidoqueen thundered into view, stomping heavily. The earth rippled and trembled, layers of ochre energy waves surging toward Steelix, pressing it.

The once rapid Steelix now seemed mired in quicksand, its form stiffening, steps laborious, its body sinking bit by bit.

Seeing this, the person controlling Steelix did not rush to act again; a voice tinged with age and doubt drifted from afar, "Huo La?"

That voice carried a few more years of wind and frost than he remembered, yet Huo La instantly recognized it and shouted back, "Xiao Gang, it's me!"

Upon confirmation, the voice immediately brightened with excitement, shouting, "Xiaoyin, stop! It's Huo La, an ally!"

Hearing Xiao Gang's order, the red‑haired, defiant Xiaoyin reluctantly withdrew the attack, halting the Bay Leaf.

Immediately after, behind a massive boulder not far from Steelix, Xiao Gang's figure slowly emerged.

Compared with their first meeting four years ago, Xiao Gang now bore a head of white hair, heavy dark circles under his eyes, a weary, weathered expression, a deep scar on his chin, adding a touch of desolation and sharpness.

Huo La looked at his appearance, his heart a mixture of many emotions.

He could not know how many hardships he had endured in those four years, but a glance showed that those years had surely been extremely hard.

Xiao Gang stepped before Huo La, his gaze scanning him up and down.

Seeing this, Huo La spread his arms, forcing a faint smile, "Long‑awaited reunion, shall we hug?"

Xiao Gang said nothing, stepped forward and embraced him tightly, releasing slowly after a moment.

"How did you become like this?" Huo La asked, his tone tinged with concern and puzzlement.

Xiao Gang gently shook his head, his expression solemn, "This place just saw a fight; it's not safe. Let's move to a secluded spot first, then talk slowly."

Having said that, he raised a hand toward Xiaoyin beside him, leading the way toward the deep jungle.

Mikan Island, in a beachfront inn of the area where Huo La first set foot on the island, on the balcony of a sea‑view room, Huo La stared at the scene, unable to help but gape.

Having just seen Xiao Gang's white hair, gaunt face, and deep scar, he had assumed that Xiao Gang and Xiaoyin had endured a wandering, miserable existence these years, yet never imagined they could stay in such a comfortable sea‑view room.

Opening the window to the sea, the evening breeze, salty and damp, brushed his face; distant beach lights twinkled, a comfort beyond words.

Yet despite the surprise, Huo La's curiosity deepened; what mattered most was what Xiao Gang had endured these four years to become this way.

The two sat side by side on the balcony's rattan chairs; Xiao Gang's gaze drifted over the sea, landing on the illuminated, night‑frolicking young women not far away, his eyes a bit vacant. After a long pause, he spoke slowly, his voice carrying a distant melancholy: "Four years ago…"

He slowly recounted the events of those four years—the hidden struggles, the arduous battles, and the days he and Bilan silently defended together, each detail surfacing in his words.

After listening to Xiao Gang's account, Huo La remained silent for a long while, then let out a soft sigh, his eyes full of emotion.

It turned out that Xiao Gang's experiences over those four years were no easier than his own.

He had once given his all in Hisui to save the world, battling countless dangers; and Xiao Gang, too, had been fighting in the shadows, alongside Bilan, giving his all to protect this land.

Seeing Huo La lost in thought, Xiao Gang withdrew his gaze and said lightly, "And you?"