Due to the unusual climate within Thunder Valley Secret Realm, vegetation was scarce, and the landscape mainly consisted of rocky hills and barren terrain.
As a result, apart from Electric-types, the majority of Pokémon living here were Rock and Ground types.
Just after entering, Guo Yi and Su Qingxue were greeted by a vast stretch of arid desert.
For safety, the first thing Guo Yi did was release his guardian Pokémon, Beedrill.
"Qingxue, let your Nidorina out as well."
"From here to our destination, you'll handle any weaker Pokémon we encounter."
As her mentor, Guo Yi wouldn't miss such a good opportunity to train his student's practical skills.
This was exactly why he'd decided to enter the secret realm four days early.
Otherwise, if Guo Yi had simply relied on Beedrill, they could've reached their destination in little over a day.
There would have been no reason for an early start.
"Yes, Teacher!"
"I won't disappoint you!"
Su Qingxue immediately understood that the wild Pokémon they'd face along the way were tests her teacher had arranged specifically for her.
She definitely wouldn't let him down.
Nodding confidently, she quickly released Nidorina from her Pokéball.
Meanwhile, Guo Yi unfolded the map he'd bought and started reviewing their route.
After confirming their direction, the pair and their Pokémon set off across the barren landscape.
Along the way, they soon understood why Thunder Valley had earned its name.
Even under clear skies, sudden thunderclaps frequently echoed through the valley.
BOOM!
A lightning bolt suddenly crashed from above, violently striking the rocky cliff nearby and leaving a charred, black scar on the ground.
Only Electric and Ground-type Pokémon could thrive in such harsh conditions.
Suddenly—
Without warning, Beedrill swiftly moved in front of the pair, adopting an aggressive stance.
Seeing this, both Guo Yi and Su Qingxue halted cautiously and surveyed their surroundings.
Yet, before them stretched only a desolate, sandy wasteland, seemingly devoid of any Pokémon.
"Teacher, what's wrong with Beedrill?"
"There aren't any wild Pokémon around us."
Su Qingxue glanced around in confusion, failing to detect anything suspicious.
Though she hadn't noticed anything unusual, Guo Yi had already pinpointed the hidden Pokémon with his Eye of Data.
Instead of directly revealing its location, he calmly offered guidance:
"Qingxue, when exploring in the wild, closely observing your environment is crucial."
"You say there aren't any wild Pokémon nearby, but have you considered what's beneath our feet?"
He pointed deliberately at the sandy ground.
"Beneath our feet?"
"It's just sand, isn't it? What else could there be..."
"Wait—sand!"
Su Qingxue's eyes widened with sudden realization. "Teacher, are you saying a Pokémon is hiding underground?"
Guo Yi nodded approvingly.
"Exactly. It's under the sand."
"Now, let's see if you can pinpoint its exact location."
Su Qingxue immediately began inspecting the sand carefully. Soon, she spotted something odd.
"Nidorina, use [Ice Beam] right there!"
She decisively commanded Nidorina, aiming at a suspicious-looking mound of sand nearby.
"Nido!"
Nidorina shook herself slightly, taking aim as she gathered icy energy.
Three seconds later—
A pale-blue beam shot forward, aimed straight at the sandy mound.
Feeling the impending danger, the Pokémon hiding beneath quickly surfaced, launching a counterattack.
A large clod of mud shot from its mouth, intercepting the Ice Beam mid-air. Instantly, it froze solid, falling heavily to the ground as a lump of ice.
Both Guo Yi and Su Qingxue finally saw their attacker clearly:
A Silicobra.
It looked exactly like a small snake carrying a pouch on its neck.
This Pokémon often concealed itself underground, waiting patiently to ambush prey.
At first glance, Guo Yi activated his Eye of Data:
[Silicobra (Ground-type)]
[Gender: ♂]
[Level: Lv28 (Excellence Tier)]
[Ability: Sand Spit (Creates a sandstorm when hit)]
[Moves: Wrap, Sand Attack, Brutal Swing, Headbutt, Glare (common)]
[Egg Move: Poison Tail]
[Held Item: None]
[Potential: Gym Leader-tier]
"A level 28 Silicobra—just right for Nidorina to handle."
After reviewing the data, Guo Yi decisively allowed Su Qingxue to take over.
"Qingxue, this Pokémon is called Silicobra. It's a Ground-type."
"I'll leave it to you."
With that, he stepped back alongside Beedrill, leaving the battlefield to Su Qingxue.
"A Ground-type, huh?"
"In that case, Nidorina, charge forward using [Hone Claws], then follow up with [Double Kick]!"
Though she was facing a Silicobra for the first time, Su Qingxue's commands were unaffected, especially now that she knew its type.
"Nido!"
Nidorina dashed towards Silicobra, swiftly sharpening her claws as she ran.
Having learned extensively from Nidorino, her use of [Hone Claws] had reached a near-flawless level of mastery.
Even at full sprint, the technique didn't hinder her speed.
As soon as Nidorina approached, she leaped powerfully, vaulting high into the air.
Adjusting her position mid-flight, her hind legs glowed white as she launched herself towards the Silicobra.
"Sili!"
But the Silicobra was stubbornly defiant.
Rather than dodge, it charged straight at Nidorina.
Curling up like a spring, it launched itself upward, the top of its smooth head shining with brilliant white light.
[Headbutt]
BOOM!
The two Pokémon collided fiercely in mid-air.
However, Silicobra miscalculated badly.
It had only one head, while Nidorina had two powerful hind legs.
After Nidorina's right leg absorbed Silicobra's [Headbutt], her left leg struck with devastating force, smashing into Silicobra's head.
But that wasn't the end—
Before the stunned Silicobra could even hit the ground, Nidorina's tail suddenly flashed metallic silver. Twisting skillfully, she delivered a powerful [Iron Tail] straight onto its body.
This blow accelerated Silicobra's descent dramatically.
With a heavy thud, Silicobra crashed into the sand.
In mere seconds, the unfortunate snake had been beaten so thoroughly it was left doubting its existence.
It immediately curled up, letting out pitiful sobs.
Su Qingxue stared, momentarily bewildered by the scene.
Weren't you the one planning the sneak attack?
Why are you crying after being hit?
But before she could approach for a closer look—
A fierce roar echoed from the distance.
Seeing this development, a smile spread across Guo Yi's face.
"Well, looks like after beating the child, the parent's arrived!"