“So we’ve made an enemy.”
Zhang Tian shook his head slightly.
“I’m starting to understand what people mean when they say that once you enter the martial world, it’s impossible to avoid getting hurt.”
After saying that, he turned and left as well.
Finding a cool place to sit, Zhang Tian took out his phone and began looking through this year’s Starter Pokémon.
The three Starter Pokémon provided by the Pokémon Research Institute were different every year.
Therefore, even though Zhang Tian knew which Starters had been distributed in previous years, he had no idea which three would be available this year.
“Fuecoco, Sprigatito, and Quaxly.”
When Zhang Tian saw this year’s three Starters, his eyes immediately lit up.
“I didn’t expect this year’s Starters to be the Generation IX trio. What good luck.”
Zhang Tian was very satisfied with this year’s choices.
Among the Starter Pokémon from Generations I through IX, the Generation IX trio belonged to the stronger group.
Fuecoco in particular was quite impressive.
After evolving into its final form, Skeledirge, it became a powerful special attacker in the games.
Zhang Tian had personally used one to steamroll numerous bosses.
The reason Skeledirge was so powerful was because it gained a signature move called Torch Song.
Every time the user employed this move, its Special Attack increased by one stage.
Besides that, Skeledirge could also use Yawn, while moves such as Roar gave it ways to disrupt its opponents.
Its Base Stats were also quite solid.
Although it couldn’t compare with the truly monstrous defensive Pokémon, its physical bulk was still considerably better than that of ordinary Pokémon.
Combined with its Blaze Ability, it could often turn a battle around when its HP was low.
Of course, it had weaknesses.
Its Speed Base Stat was rather poor, sitting at only 66.
But even so, Skeledirge was still extremely powerful.
It could disrupt opponents, deal heavy damage, and even serve as a defensive Pokémon.
And in the real world, Skeledirge was even more troublesome.
After all, Skeledirge was also a Ghost-type Pokémon.
Ghost-type Pokémon generally possessed two abilities that were extremely useful in reality:
They could hide inside shadows, and they could become invisible.
That was why Zhang Tian couldn’t understand why Hao Fei had chosen Meowscarada.
Wasn’t Skeledirge better?
Sprigatito was certainly cute, and Meowscarada, its final evolution, looked great too.
But looking good couldn’t fill your stomach.
This was the world of Pokémon.
When it came to actual battles, appearance didn’t matter.
It wasn’t like Gardevoir, which was both beautiful and powerful—and could even use Teleport.
…
At four o’clock in the afternoon, the Pokémon Research Institute began distributing the rewards for the newly qualified Traveling Trainers.
“Student Zhang Tian, this is your Pokédex.”
“It serves as your identification card as well as proof of your status as a Traveling Trainer, so don’t lose it.”
“If you do, replacing it will cost quite a bit of money.”
“Also, we’ve entered your seed candidate qualification into the system. Whenever you purchase items at a Pokémon Center, simply show your Pokédex to receive a 20% discount.”
“I understand. Thank you.”
Zhang Tian accepted the Pokédex and politely expressed his gratitude.
“You can collect your Starter Pokémon in the room behind us. Just show your Pokédex.”
The staff member pointed toward the large door behind him.
“Got it. Thank you.”
Zhang Tian nodded and walked toward the door.
When he entered, he saw a large group of Fuecoco, Quaxly, and Sprigatito running around.
“New Traveling Trainer, huh? Go ahead and choose your Starter.”
A bald professor looked at Zhang Tian with a smile.
“I’ll take this one.”
Zhang Tian glanced around casually before choosing the Fuecoco with the highest level.
Fuecoco
Type: Fire
Ability: Blaze — When severely injured, the power of Fire-type moves increases by 50%.
Level: 12 (Beginner Class)
“You have a good eye.”
The bald professor recalled Fuecoco into a Poké Ball before handing it to Zhang Tian.
“This one has the best natural talent among all the Fuecoco at the institute.”
“Have a safe journey, young man. I hope to see you at the Champion Tournament or the Elite Four Challenge someday.”
The bald professor repeated the same blessing he’d given countless young Trainers that day.
Most of these youngsters would probably never become Champions or members of the Elite Four.
But who wouldn’t enjoy hearing a blessing like that?
“Thank you for your blessing. I will definitely become a Champion.”
Zhang Tian accepted the Poké Ball and thanked him sincerely.
“Young people really are something.”
Watching Zhang Tian’s departing figure, the bald professor was reminded of his younger days.
When he had been young, he had also been ambitious and full of confidence, dreaming of becoming a Champion admired by millions.
Unfortunately, he had failed.
Becoming a Champion was never that easy.
Talent, strength, and financial resources were all indispensable.
Zhang Tian clipped the Pokédex to his waist before casually walking into a nearby gold shop and selling all the gold coins in his backpack.
Just as he had expected, his status as an Elite-Class Trainer meant that selling this amount of gold caused absolutely no trouble.
Each gold coin weighed roughly 33 grams.
The 504 gold coins totaled approximately 16,632 grams.
The gold buyback price was 442 yuan per gram.
Zhang Tian received more than seven million yuan.
“Finally, I have some money.”
Looking at his bank balance, Zhang Tian nodded in satisfaction before confidently heading to the Pokémon Center.
“What should I buy?”
Looking at the dazzling selection of products inside the Pokémon Center, Zhang Tian began thinking.
“A large-capacity Space Backpack, some Psychic-type Pokémon, and suitable Held Items.” This chapter is updated first at g.com.
“Pokémon don’t eat that much, so I might as well buy several more Pokémon to raise.”
After thinking for a long time, Zhang Tian finally decided what he wanted to purchase.
One: The Largest Space Backpack
Description: Can store up to 1,000 cubic meters of items, equivalent to a huge ten-meter-long, ten-meter-wide, and ten-meter-high storage space.
Price: 1,000,000 yuan.
Two: Ralts
The basic form of Gardevoir.
Price: 700,000 yuan.
As a Pokémon Trainer, how could Zhang Tian possibly go without Gardevoir?
Back when he played Pokémon games, he would catch Gardevoir regardless of which version he played.
After all, Gardevoir was his favorite.
More importantly, Gardevoir could use Teleport.
Whether he needed to escape from danger or pursue an enemy, Teleport was incredibly useful.
There weren’t many Pokémon capable of using Teleport.
Combined with its excellent appearance, this was why Ralts was so expensive.
It was one of the most expensive Pokémon below the pseudo-legendary tier.
Of course, Pokémon with powerful Hidden Abilities were an exception.
Some Pokémon with exceptionally powerful Hidden Abilities weren’t any cheaper than pseudo-legendaries.
Contrary Serperior was one such example.
Three: Gastly
The basic form of Gengar.
Price: 80,000 yuan.
Zhang Tian’s reason for choosing Gastly was simple.
Gengar was one of the best bodyguards he could ask for.
It could hide inside shadows and protect its Trainer while remaining difficult to detect.
Its combat ability was excellent as well.
Four: Growlithe with Intimidate
Price: 260,000 yuan.
Most monsters in the Monster Hunter world relied heavily on physical attacks.
Diablos, Tigrex, and Glavenus were all examples.
Intimidate could lower an opponent’s Attack by one stage, reducing its Attack to two-thirds of its original value.
That made it extremely effective against the physical attackers of the Monster Hunter world.
Therefore, Zhang Tian specifically chose a Growlithe with Intimidate.
At Level 34, Growlithe could learn the powerful move Extreme Speed.
That was one of the reasons Growlithe was so expensive.
After evolving into Arcanine, it was both powerful and handsome.
It could truly be described as a Pokémon with both strength and looks.
Five: Thirty Assorted Held Items
Total Price: 3,000,000 yuan.
Six: One Hundred Luxury Balls
Total Price: 100,000 yuan.