The destination for this year's freshman training camp at Jiangnan Pokémon University was located in a city on the outskirts of Hangzhou.
The area was known as the Sea of Clouds.
Around the Sea of Clouds, there was only one D-rank Secret Realm, but there were three C-rank Secret Realms, all rich in resources and home to large numbers of wild Pokémon.
The training site selected for the Class of 2022 freshmen was one of those three C-rank realms—
The Sequoia Secret Realm.
As the name suggested, towering redwood trees filled the entire area.
"The terrain here is mainly hilly," the counselor explained on the bus.
"There are river valleys, slopes, basins, dense forests, open grasslands—many different environments."
"It's an excellent place to test your ability to survive and battle in the wild."
She paused, her tone growing serious.
"Everyone must act within their limits. Don't rush into dangerous areas just to show off or earn points. Risking your life is never worth it."
"If you encounter an emergency, press the distress button on your locator. The school will respond within five minutes. Make sure you stay calm and protect yourselves."
This was no drill.
For the university's first real outdoor freshman training camp, they hadn't chosen the safest D-rank realm.
Instead, they went straight for a C-rank Secret Realm.
At the same time, safety precautions were thorough.
The school had already cleared the outer areas and stationed powerful Trainers near zones with especially dangerous wild Pokémon, ensuring the freshmen wouldn't accidentally wander into lethal situations.
Each locator also contained a camera.
Battles, captures, and point accumulation would all be recorded and registered in real time.
Everything was ready.
As soon as they disembarked, the freshman training officially began.
Before setting out, Chen Ran spoke briefly with Ma Gang, Wang Bo, Chen Xiang, and Wen Xiaoke.
"My goal is first place," Chen Ran said calmly.
"If we move together, it'll slow everyone down. I'm going solo."
They all understood.
Once the training began, Chen Ran separated from the group and headed deeper into the Sequoia Secret Realm alone, with Charmander by his side.
Along the way, he didn't linger in the outer regions.
When weaker wild Pokémon appeared, Charmander knocked them aside effortlessly and kept moving.
"According to the rules," Chen Ran recalled,
"ordinary Pokémon are worth 100 points, rare Pokémon 500 points, and starter-tier Pokémon are worth 1,000 points."
Pokémon like Riolu and Zorua were extremely rare in the wild. Even though they weren't starter Pokémon, their rarity placed them at the same 1,000-point value.
"If it's an evolved Pokémon, the points double.
Second-stage evolutions are worth four times as much."
Chen Ran quickly concluded that grinding weak Pokémon was pointless.
If he wanted high scores, he had to target rare species—and preferably evolved ones.
"Charmander," Chen Ran said.
"We're moving fast."
Plenty of freshmen around him shared the same idea, pushing straight toward the inner regions without stopping.
Many of them were accompanied by starter Pokémon or clearly powerful partners.
All of them were potential rivals.
Even the rumored Champion's son didn't intimidate anyone.
Chen Ran certainly wasn't backing down.
"Char!"
Charmander was brimming with energy.
After sleeping soundly the night before, it was in peak condition—and only one or two battles away from Level 16.
"Jirachi will do its best too!"
Invisible to others, Jirachi floated nearby, holding a pink lollipop and smiling as it cheered them on.
At Level 50, it could easily turn the tide if things became critical.
Chen Ran slipped away from the main path and entered a quieter trail.
Once he was sure no one was watching, he took out a Silver Whistle.
According to the system, simply equipping it was enough—there was no need to blow it, which would have drawn attention.
The Sequoia Secret Realm was filled with tall, straight redwoods.
Scarlet leaves blanketed the ground, giving the forest a festive appearance—yet danger lurked beneath the tall grass.
This was a C-rank Secret Realm, not a playground for beginners.
The moment Chen Ran finished equipping the whistle—
A sharp presence appeared.
Charmander stiffened.
"Char—!"
A familiar silhouette emerged from the trees.
Scyther.
"Five hundred points," Chen Ran said calmly.
"Don't let it escape."
Charmander's eyes burned with fighting spirit as flames flared along its tail.
The battle began.
-------------Author---------------
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