Through Greninja's somewhat unclear account, Li Xiang gradually understood that during their sparring match, without deliberately thinking about it, Greninja had relied on two-way perception to pinpoint the location of its own duplicate.
And while using Extrasensory, it had "peeked" at the outline of the other being from a spiritual perspective—a pink outline.
Oh ho. Something like that?
Li Xiang was a bit surprised, but also pleased. The first step—perceiving its own psychic waves—was finally complete.
The next step was the second stage.
—[Slaying the Three Poisons].
The video said that greed, anger, and ignorance were the root causes of mental disturbance. If one could slay them and master them, they would achieve the initial mastery of the God-Slaying Sword Art.
Still that stream-of-consciousness approach.
No wonder the inheritor claimed the art emphasized intent over technique.
Li Xiang closed the video and looked at the expectant Greninja, not quite sure how to explain it to him. Explain greed, anger, and ignorance?
He didn't really understand them either—this was something he'd have to consult his senior sister about. He knew his limits. When he didn't understand something, he wouldn't blindly fumble around. He immediately pulled out his phone.
Time to call in outside help—
It seemed his senior sister was quite free after graduation. She was always available whenever he contacted her, unlike during school days when it was harder to reach her.
And it had been half a year, yet he hadn't heard anything about her taking over the martial arts hall. She was still training her Pokémon and still competing in rankings—maybe she'd stick with the trainer path for life. Would their master cry about that?
While seeking her advice, Li Xiang's mind couldn't help but wander. Jiang Shangrong, being the remarkable person she was, immediately noticed his distraction. Embarrassed, Li Xiang quickly apologized repeatedly.
"It's fine. Some things require direct teaching; it's hard to explain clearly over the phone. Once you're back, I'll teach you in detail. For now, just keep practicing the Three-Blind Perception Method."
Jiang Shangrong's voice was gentle yet firm, still carrying that warm, soothing tone.
"Alright, alright."
Li Xiang hurriedly nodded.
Her words were a wake-up call. She pointed out that the practice method for the God-Slaying Sword Art was actually similar to the Three-Blind Perception Method.
The difference was that the sword art required the psychic waves to leave the body and interfere with the opponent, whereas the Three-Blind Perception Method only aimed to observe them.
Slaying the Three Poisons essentially meant operating the Three-Blind Perception Method to heighten focus. "Storms and raging waves cannot shake my heart"—that was the idea.
Maintaining intense mental concentration would increase the precision of the psychic waves when they left the body.
A minor achievement in the Three-Blind Perception Method wasn't enough to meet the foundational requirements of the God-Slaying Sword Art's first stage. To go further, one needed an even higher level.
In short, continuing to practice the Three-Blind Perception Method was absolutely the right path.
As for other things, they would have to wait until Li Xiang returned.
On another note, the Three-Blind Perception Method was not something that could be mastered in a single day. As someone who had experienced it firsthand, Li Xiang knew this all too well.
Greninja was a bit disappointed that it wouldn't happen quickly, but ultimately accepted it.
To that end, Li Xiang decided to practice alongside Greninja to boost its motivation.
On the side, if this technique could be successfully applied, Lucario and the others might also be able to learn and use it. After all, Greninja wasn't the only one who could use Psychic-type moves.
And so, for now, the matter of the God-Slaying Sword Art would have to progress slowly, like Substitute and Giant Shuriken had before.
Next up was Mega Evolution time. Li Xiang hadn't forgotten to borrow the Key Stone from Chao to help Metagross master its Mega Evolution.
If, before the Autumn Tournament doubles began, Li Xiang could get Mega Metagross to obey him, the chances of winning the doubles championship would skyrocket!
What kind of power did Mega Metagross have? What kind of concept was it?
Even without a mind, Incineroar wouldn't dare take a head-on collision from its charge attack a second time. If even Incineroar was like that, imagine the effect on frail Pokémon. They'd shatter on contact, like paper screens.
At that point, dominating the tournament and going head-to-head with the top three schools' ace teams wouldn't be an exaggeration.
The next day, early in the morning, Su Qian showed up at his door with a supermarket shopping cart.
"Anyone home? Anyone home?"
The doorbell rang.
Li Xiang had just finished showering and welcomed the seemingly cheerful senior inside. She had brought him fruits—the first batch of berries had ripened, and the school had allocated him forty-five of them.
"Don't eat the skin, just the flesh."
Su Qian picked up a dark-purple berry that looked like a mangosteen. With a gentle squeeze, she tore off the peel, revealing the pale-yellow flesh inside. Mangosteen on the outside, orange on the inside? What kind of hybrid was this?
Li Xiang took it and popped it into his mouth. To his surprise, it had a refreshing, fruity sweetness—much better than jam.
Su Qian blinked. "How is it?"
"Pretty good, better than I expected."
Li Xiang nodded. Just then, he spotted Song Jie walking in from outside. "Hey! Perfect timing! Try this!"
Song Jie was holding a cake that, by the look of it, was definitely made by Abigail. This guy was practically a delivery boy at this point, constantly bringing over cakes that Abigail and the others had shoved at him and he couldn't finish.
Because in his mind, Li Xiang was a sugar addict who always carried powdered sugar with him.
"Oh."
Song Jie responded, handing the chocolate-matcha cake to Lucario, whose tail was wagging furiously and whose eyes were full of anticipation. He came over.
"I've had these before, but only a few."
He pinched a piece of the flesh and said casually.
At Mist City University, some students in need of quick cash would use credits to buy Jianmu Fruits and then sell them off. As long as it wasn't large-scale reselling, the school usually turned a blind eye. After all, emergencies happen.
Given Song Jie's family wealth, it wasn't surprising he'd tried them.
But after tasting it, Song Jie frowned. "Inferior quality..."
"Huh?"
Both Li Xiang and Su Qian were stunned.
"Oh, not this one. I meant the ones I had before—they weren't this sweet; they had a bit of sourness." Song Jie quickly clarified.
"Scary."
Su Qian let out a relieved breath. If the berries she personally brought had turned out to be inferior quality, where would that leave her reputation?
Li Xiang played peacemaker, smiling as he brought out cold drinks made by the Galarian Meowth. Naturally, the ingredients were all natural products from Mist Island.
"Mmm~ Things from a good place really are delicious!" Su Qian took a sip, her face full of bliss. She couldn't help but reminisce about her past trips to Mist Island.
Song Jie's expression also flickered with admiration.
The three chatted for a while before Su Qian and Song Jie took their leave. The trip to Haizhou was in about two days, but until then, they would make the most of their time to grow stronger.
Li Xiang watched them go and began packing, preparing to head to Mist Island for supplies.
By the misty lake, Li Xiang used a stone ocarina to summon his exclusive ride to Mist Island.
"It's you again. Always you."
He smiled, stroking Lapras's chin, which let out a whale-like call.
This Lapras was, of course, the same one he had "harassed" before. Every time he went to Mist Island for supplies and used the ocarina to call it, it was always this same one—this... young lady?
"Here, your fare."
Li Xiang placed an Energy Cube into its mouth. Unlike its grandfather, who would just drop people off at Mist Island and leave, this Lapras would carry Li Xiang to wherever he wanted to go even deep inside Mist Island.
This overly responsible behavior had once led Li Xiang to misunderstand and wonder if Lapras liked him and wanted to follow him.
When he finally asked, he found out—
He was half right.
Lapras really did like him—liked the way his eyes lit up with uncontainable joy when he looked at any Pokémon, liked the way he gazed at it when stroking its chin.
But Lapras wanted Li Xiang to stay with it on Mist Island, not to leave with him. The order was reversed.
Li Xiang could never agree to that. He wasn't ready for retirement—he wasn't about to become a hermit in another dimension.
But Lapras also didn't want to leave its homeland; it had no interest in the outside world.
So what then?
They'd just be friends.
Not every Pokémon he met had to live with him, be caught by him, or fight for him. Making friends was fine too.
Every time he wanted to go to Mist Island, Lapras was willing to come pick him up and take him exploring. That was already great.
The relationship between humans and Pokémon didn't have to be limited to trainer and partner.
Inside Mist Island, the air was still as wonderful as ever. Li Xiang released the Galarian Meowth from its Poké Ball, letting it take deep breaths of air so different from the outside world. Maybe it would help its condition improve.
His supply runs were still to the City of Wisdom and Shuckle Island—the former had the widest variety so he wouldn't have to run around, and the latter always had jam ready for him.
As for time, the outside world moved faster—two days there equaled one here—but that was fine since he wouldn't be staying long.
First, he checked in at the outpost. To better identify unauthorized entrants, Li Xiang always notified the stationed rangers whenever he entered, so they could tell whether a figure they spotted was him or an intruder.
The rangers never gave him trouble. In fact, a female ranger stationed there had even made him a cart to make hauling supplies easier.
For rangers who stayed for long stretches, Li Xiang's visits really did add a bit of variety to their otherwise isolated lives.
Pokémon were lovely, but humans were social creatures—going too long without seeing others could take a toll on the mind. A casual chat every now and then lifted their spirits.
"How'd the matches go?"
This time, the ranger was a bearded man.
"Made it through."
Li Xiang gave a thumbs-up. "If I hadn't qualified for the Autumn Tournament, how could I have made such bold claims?"
"Haha, congratulations!"
The ranger laughed, tossing him a small bundle. "Here, a little congratulatory gift."
"Oh, that's too kind..."
Li Xiang smiled but still accepted it practically—accepting gifts made the rangers happier.
The contents weren't anything extravagant—just some gold nuggets and small agates. Mist Island was rich in resources, both plant and mineral.
If Mewtwo had wanted, it could have used Mist Island as a base for its operations, but it had given up the idea to avoid competing with metal-eating Pokémon for food.
It said it would earn its own way.
And then it had earned several tons.
Simple and straightforward.