Alice couldn't help but fall into a daydream, imagining the adorable and reliable figure of a Charmander.
"Starters are extremely rare," she said, snapping back to reality and looking at Feng Che. "High-quality ones are even rarer, usually kept strictly within Team Rocket's elite breeding ranches."
"Alice, do you think this recommendation letter has any use here?" Feng Che pulled a letter from his spatial bracelet. It was the one Sabrina (Natsume) had written to the ranch manager. He had originally thought he could pick up an elite Pokémon immediately, but it turned out he had to become a formal member first.
"This is a letter from Lady Sabrina to the ranch director... it allows you to claim a Pokémon of 'Elite' (Orange) potential," Alice noted. "But honestly, for people like us, an Elite-potential Pokémon isn't a massive game-changer. My advice? Fight for every point on this island. If the three of us sweep the top spots, we'll likely get 'Excellence' (Green) potential Starters. That is the true key to our rise. In Team Rocket, if you fall behind one step, you stay behind. Quality over quantity is the rule."
Alice was speaking from the heart, truly grateful to Feng Che for saving her Fletchling.
"As for that letter, you could use it to pick out a mount once we're back. A Pokémon suited for land travel doesn't need top-tier combat potential; it just needs to be fast. Speed is what saves a Trainer's life when things go south in the wild."
Feng Che nodded. It made sense. In this world, the wilderness was vast, and human civilization occupied only small pockets. Being able to outrun danger was a fundamental skill.
"Alice, stay here and watch over Fletchling. I'm going to take Rookidee and 'Arbok' for some training."
"Be safe. I'm activating the house's stealth mode, so make sure you remember the landmarks to find your way back," Alice warned.
Feng Che found a clearing a safe distance away. He needed to sharpen his team's edge.
"Ditto, your goal is to master the 'Elemental Fangs' in Arbok form. Use that ancient tree for target practice. Rookidee, you need to master the speed of your 'Peck'."
He spent time explaining the nuances of the move to Rookidee. Peck was the foundation for Drill Run and Fury Attack. Only by mastering the basics could they move on to advanced techniques and combos—like combining Peck with Quick Attack for increased momentum, or stacking Fury Attacks on the same spot to bypass natural armor.
"Rookidee, one thousand Pecks on that trunk, then a five-kilometer flight. That's your daily quota. Ditto, familiarize yourself with Arbok's weight. One thousand Ice Fangs, then practice Dig. If you do well, I'll make that special juice you like. Rewards follow results—that's my rule."
Feng Che was a strict taskmaster. He knew that a solid foundation was what allowed a Pokémon to learn high-level moves without hitting a plateau. The wild Pokémon in this area were around level 10-15, providing a safe but stimulating environment.
While they trained, Feng Che scouted the area. He soon spotted what he was looking for: Crested Grass.
This herb bloomed once a year with yellow, bell-like flowers. When burned, the flowers released a scent that mimicked Sweet Scent. This was going to be his primary weapon for luring the Seviper leader and taking its Golden Key.
In another valley on Death Island.
Seita was staring at his lackeys, his face darkening like a thundercloud. "What do you mean the bags are gone?! Those were our most important supplies! I'd rather lose one of you than those bags—they were full of heavy weaponry!"
The scrawny lackey bowed his head in silence, knowing he had messed up big time.
"Forget it," Seita spat. "The flood came out of nowhere. We'll just have to rely on our Pokémon. Come out, Zubat!"
He released his first tamed Pokémon. "Find us some food. And don't pick any fights you can't win."
Seita was hesitant to use the "clones" Yajiro had given them. Once those Pokémon left their balls, their life-clocks started ticking. Yajiro likely had stabilization medicine, but he clearly didn't care enough about Seita's squad to provide it.
Not far from them, a silver-haired youth lay prone in the brush. He was wearing camouflage and was coated in a scent-masking potion. He watched the group through binoculars.
Beside him sat a Drowzee.
Drowzee's body was yellow and brown, split by a wavy line. It had three fingers, two toes, and a trunk-like nose. Its eyes were narrow and hypnotic.
Next to the Drowzee lay four stolen heavy-duty backpacks.
"I exhausted my psychic energy to get one glimpse of the future," the youth—Jiade Tianchen—thought. "Kongjian is going to dominate this evaluation. I need to stay close to him, and that starts with removing obstacles in his path."
Tianchen had discarded his disguise. His silver hair fell in natural curls, and his eyes sparkled like stars, containing a depth that seemed to mirror the galaxy. Having landed near Seita's group and overhearing their plan to assassinate Feng Che, he had used Drowzee's telekinesis to silently lift their equipment, effectively disarming them before the fight even started.
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