The next scene left everyone utterly dumbfounded.
Daniel and his companions were wide-eyed with shock, and Evan Cross's expression was particularly remarkable. Meanwhile, the regular trainers around them were buzzing with astonishment, speculating, "Why did the Bloodwing Dragon suddenly vanish?"
"Perhaps its energy got depleted?" someone suggested.
"This must mean the secret realm is stronger than a typical S-class!" another chimed in.
"As a resident of Fairview, I'm already excited!" commented a local enthusiastically.
The ordinary folks assumed the Bloodwing Dragon had disappeared on its own, but Daniel and his team understood this was due to Carl's unique methods. Although they hadn't witnessed the exact process, they noticed a purple glow merging into Carl's body.
This was clearly a special reward for defeating the Bloodwing Dragon.
Indeed, Carl had gained an unexpected boon. With just a remote Psychic Blast from his Mewtwo, he had settled the conflict. Notably, Mewtwo, having broken free from previous constraints, had now ascended to a second-tier godly level, making pseudo-legendary Pokémon seem as fragile as infants before her.
Carl marveled at the newfound power coursing through him, recognizing it as the Flowing Cloud Force—more potent than anticipated. By defeating the pseudo-legendary Bloodwing Dragon, he had directly acquired the top-tier Flowing Cloud Force, only a step away from the elite champion level.
The Flowing Cloud Force had varying levels:
- The basic level enhanced keen observation.
- The intermediate level improved dynamic vision.
- The advanced level, akin to hawk eyes, allowed one to track the movements and flight paths of creatures kilometers away, keeping pace with elite champion-level beings.
- The top-tier Flowing Cloud Force enabled mastery over the wind, accelerating and enhancing evasive maneuvers of flying creatures, and acting like radar to track flight trajectories high above, even matching the actions of champion-level beings.
To reach beyond the top-tier level, however, one needed the recognition of a first-tier legendary flying Pokémon. Unlike ordinary blessings, such recognition could only be granted by a first-tier deity or a divine entity and required a long interval before it could be bestowed again.
As far as Carl knew, aside from psychics, no one had yet mastered a special ability to the champion level, not even aura guardians. This time, perhaps due to Mewtwo's defeat of the pseudo-legendary Bloodwing Dragon, Carl had acquired the top-tier Flowing Cloud Force. To advance further, he needed acknowledgment from a first-tier flying deity.
But even at this level, the power was sufficient. Carl's eyes glinted as he infused his vision with the Flowing Cloud Force. Instantly, his sight became extraordinarily clear, allowing him to perceive the flow of energy in the air. Among these, one particularly striking trail was evidently from Rayquaza.
"I'll go on ahead." Without waiting for Daniel and his team to question him, Carl vanished from sight. At that moment, an entrance to the secret realm appeared, and the five of them exchanged glances, deciding to explore it first. As for Carl's secrets, they deemed it wise not to delve too deeply.
Elsewhere, Carl returned to his domain. Lillie and the others were being carried in the air by Mewtwo, watching the intense battle between Groudon and Kyogre.
"Any insights?" Carl asked Mewtwo, eager to learn from witnessing a clash of legends.
Before Mewtwo could respond, Lillie interjected, "Carl, I think the conflict between Groudon and Kyogre is about more than just a simple land-sea rivalry."
"Oh? What makes you say that?" Carl inquired with curiosity.
"Look over there!" Lillie pointed toward the battlefield.
Groudon was unleashing relentless attacks, from Solar Beam to Precipice Blades and Fire Blast, pushing Kyogre back despite its aerial advantage. This was unexpected given Kyogre's supposed elemental superiority.
Carl expanded his domain, tuning into Groudon's defiant roars.
"Roar! (What a thrill!)"
"Roar! (Where's Rayquaza? But this is even better!)"
"Roar! (We'll see if you dare to fly now! You're going down today!)"
"Roar! (Eat my Precipice Blades!)"
"Roar! (Let's see you fly, let's see you fly, let's see you fly!)"
"Roar! (Come down here!)"
Groudon seemed tireless, unleashing one skill after another. Massive rock pillars rose continuously, forcing Kyogre to retreat. Ultimately, Kyogre dove into the water, leveraging its aquatic advantage to narrowly evade the onslaught.
"Roar! (You should be the one going down!)" Kyogre retaliated fiercely, unleashing a powerful water spout.
Groudon countered immediately, gathering sunlight into a blinding beam. The energies clashed mid-air, erupting into a deafening explosion and sending towering waves crashing down. As the aftermath threatened to reach the shore, an invisible barrier dissolved it.
"Roar~ (Not flying anymore? I'll still get you!)" Groudon roared, combining its hands to launch a massive fireball.
Kyogre quickly countered, water cannons intertwining with flames in a fierce back-and-forth of powers.
Observing this spectacle, Carl couldn't help but be amused by Lillie's question. Should he tell her that Groudon simply disliked flying opponents, while Kyogre loved to fly?
"Have you heard Groudon's nickname?" Carl suddenly asked.
"Uh?" Lillie was momentarily taken aback. "Aren't you supposed to answer my question?"
She pondered seriously though, "The Lord of the Land?"
"Not quite."
"The Creator of the Rocks?"
"Try again."
"The Lava Beast? The Fiery Titan..."
Lillie enthusiastically listed Groudon's various titles, some even new to Carl. Each time Carl questioned, she could accurately explain their origins. For instance, "Behemoth" came from Hebrew mythology, symbolizing an invincible primal force, akin to the legendary Leviathan and Ziz. Carl listened with great interest, feeling enriched by the knowledge.
"But you're wrong," Carl suddenly declared with a straight face. "Groudon's most famous nickname is actually 'Can't Fly.'"
This revelation left everyone present stupefied. Mew was the first to react, letting out a playful giggle. Mewtwo tilted its head, clearly puzzled.
The others were still in the dark. Lillie couldn't resist asking, "Why is it called 'Can't Fly'?"
"Isn't it funny that a grand first-tier legendary can't fly?" Carl countered.
"Is that even possible?" the four girls echoed in disbelief.
Lillie began counting on her fingers, "If we're talking about first-tier legends that can't fly, Regigigas might qualify. Ho-oh, Lugia, and Mew all can fly, but Regigigas…"
"Not necessarily," Carl interrupted. "Even though Regigigas seems cumbersome, it can learn the Flying-type move Bounce, allowing short-distance flight." Mew chimed in with a laugh, "Regigigas may be heavy, but it can glide using Flying energy."
Lillie continued, "Rayquaza can fly, what about Kyogre?"
"Weren't you watching Kyogre glide through the air earlier?" Carl replied. "Otherwise, why would Groudon be so desperate to attack?"
Lillie went on, "Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina can definitely fly. Xerneas and Darkrai can fly. Reshiram, Zekrom… and so on."