Finally, Xiao Zhi called the Pokémon Center in Tokiwa City, asking them to send over the bicycle wreckage, and then he and Xiao Gang left.
— The Next Day
The three of them left Cerulean City early. Xiao Zhi first defeated a Trainer achieving ten consecutive victories, and then, incited by them, went to challenge the Beast Tamer Xiao Ming. Under Li Qingfeng's guidance, he easily defeated the opponent.
After they left, Xiao Ming's voice could be heard: "What are Steel-type moves...? Ground-type got shredded by Electric-type..."
Immediately after, on their way to Kuye City, the three entered a forest, and then they quite reasonably got lost.
"What is this place?"
Xiao Zhi looked around, only to see that the visibility was extremely low, as if shrouded in a layer of white mist.
The forest they were in was full of dense trees and weeds, with tall canopies blocking the sunlight, making the entire forest appear dark and damp.
Except for the occasional bird calls and the rustling of Grass Pledge, the surroundings were silent, making one feel a touch of unease.
Xiao Zhi tried to find some clues to determine the direction, but there were almost no obvious paths or traces on the ground.
The trees around them all looked identical, with no features that could be used for identification. They seemed lost in a maze-like forest, not knowing which way to go.
Just as they were trying to find an exit, a sudden breeze blew, stirring up a few fallen leaves.
Not far from them, a Pidgey perched on a large tree, as if observing them. Xiao Zhi subconsciously looked at the Pidgey, seeking some guidance.
At this moment, the three saw a fire burning ahead. After exchanging glances, they all nodded.
"Since that's the case, let's see what this is." Xiao Zhi, with Pikachu, rushed forward first and saw a treadmill and a few people there.
There was a person on the treadmill, with a few people around holding candles, and the person on the treadmill was answering their questions.
The questions were generally about Pidgey's moves, evolution time, and so on. The young man answered them one by one, except for those related to evolution, which he didn't know.
Finally, the young man fell off the treadmill and landed on the ground.
Seeing this, Xiao Zhi ran forward and shielded the person behind him: "What are you doing? Don't you know this is illegal? Reject school violence, start with me!"
"Mind your own business?" The green-haired man leading them glanced at Xiao Zhi and said to the young man: "Xiao Chun, see you in class. Classmates, let's go."
After the few people left, Xiao Chun finally breathed a sigh of relief. Xiao Gang then said: "Students from the legendary Pokémon class..."
Xiao Xia noticed the confusion on Xiao Zhi's face, took out a flyer from her pocket, and explained to Xiao Zhi: "Pokémon Research Class, a Trainer's school."
Li Qingfeng's voice drifted over faintly: 'Hmm, and it's a full-board Pokémon Trainer cram school. I heard that after graduating or whatever, you can directly challenge the Indigo Plateau Conference. In layman's terms, they're a bunch of whales.'
Xiao Zhi was greatly surprised: 'Eh? This school feels so bad... Li Dage, did you fall in love with someone here at first sight? It's not me saying this, but Li Dage, your taste...'
'Stop, listen to me.' Before Xiao Zhi could finish speaking, Li Qingfeng directly interrupted him:
'I didn't fall in love with anyone here at first sight. The school I want to see is much better than this one, and my taste is definitely not bad.'
Xiao Zhi suddenly understood. After all, it was his Li Dage, so his taste naturally wouldn't be bad. Hmm, he would know when the time came.
To be honest, Xiao Zhi was also a little curious about what kind of person could make his Li Dage so infatuated.
"This is my school." Xiao Chun pointed forward. The mist dispersed, and a seemingly luxurious, but actually genuinely luxurious, school came into view.
It was the first time Xiao Zhi had seen such a luxurious school, but Li Qingfeng said disdainfully: 'Xiao Zhi, a school that only teaches violence is useless. When you have the chance to go to a region called Paldea in the future, you will definitely be shocked by the schools there.'
Xiao Zhi listened to Li Qingfeng's words and nodded repeatedly: 'Then it's a deal, you must come with me when the time comes!'
By then, you'll be the World Champion, Xiao Zhi.
Li Qingfeng didn't say this out loud, but instead said: 'Okay, if I can, I'll definitely follow you.'
Xiao Xia happened to see someone under a tree nearby and asked: "Is that your teacher? He's even reading under a tree."
Xiao Chun shook his head and sighed: "No, that's my senior."
The three: ???
Good heavens, they haven't graduated at that age yet?
Li Qingfeng smiled at this. Some students in Paldea were even older!
"Forget it, Xiao Chun, quickly tell me who the boss here is." Xiao Zhi recalled what Li Qingfeng had taught him earlier and shouted, "I am the embodiment of justice! Any violence will eventually be brought to justice!"
Xiao Chun nodded and took out a photo with a young girl printed on it: "It's her, Yuto Seihiro."
Xiao Gang narrowed his eyes and said: "She's a bit too young, isn't she? She might be a beauty in eight years."
Xiao Zhi remained silent, but was actually discussing with Li Qingfeng: 'Li Dage, do you know her strength? How confident do you think I am?'
'Full marks!' Li Qingfeng's affirmative answer filled Xiao Zhi with confidence.
What if she's cute? In a Pokémon battle, you won't be shown mercy just because you're cute!
I, Xiao Zhi, am destined to be a Pokémon Master, so of course I treat everyone equally!
Xiao Chun sighed softly: "I'll take you to the simulated training room first. Yuto Seihiro sometimes trains there, so you might run into her if we go now."
Along the way, no one stopped Xiao Chun from bringing people into the school; they just pointed and whispered:
"Who are the people Xiao Chun brought? Why does he bring just anyone into the school?"
"I don't know, maybe they're very strong."
"No way? Is a Trainer who allows Pokémon to enter and exit freely really a good Trainer?"
Xiao Zhi felt a bit angry hearing these people's words. It was Li Qingfeng who comforted him:
'Later, you can just use your strength to make them submit. It's normal to experience pointing and whispering on the path to becoming a Pokémon Master. Not everyone will approve of you. All you have to do is make yourself stronger and shut their mouths.'
Li Qingfeng's words made sense to Xiao Zhi, who replied: 'Mm! My Pikachu and I will definitely prove ourselves with our strength and amaze those who look down on us!'