c38: The Results of Two Months
Immediately after the battle, Gardevoir transformed into a gentle healer, her body glowing with a sacred aura like a holy nurse as she used Heal Pulse on the heavily damaged Metagross.
"Metagross! Well done!"
Hearing Chen Xiaoxiao's praise, Metagross bent forward and raised both massive arms, flexing them in a proud Bulk Up pose.
. . . . . .
Seeing Metagross show off like a bodybuilder, the corner of Chen Xiaoxiao's mouth twitched slightly. She was speechless for a moment.
Damn Machamp… that battle junkie has been a terrible influence on my poor, simple Metagross.
"Gardevoir, give this war-loving Uncle Machamp a Heal Pulse too!"
Watching Machamp, who was recovering visibly under the warmth of Gardevoir's healing aura, Chen Xiaoxiao couldn't help but smile knowingly.
She thought back over everything that had happened in the last two months.
After capturing Conkeldurr, Chen Xiaoxiao immediately placed a bulk order of construction materials via Pokédex, linking directly to a supply chain registered with the Pokémon World Design and Logistics Association.
Then, she asked Conkeldurr about the general terrain layout of the Fukuichi Wild Zone and the approximate locations and strengths of powerful Pokémon living nearby.
With repeated promises that she wouldn't harm or forcibly capture any Pokémon and under the watchful gazes of her elite team—Conkeldurr finally shared what it knew.
According to Conkeldurr, there were over a dozen quasi-Elite level Pokémon and two Pokémon that had reached full Elite-level strength.
After confirming this intelligence, Chen Xiaoxiao tracked them down one by one for formal battles.
Among them, the most dominant figure was the Totem of the area: this very Machamp. A true warrior among wild Pokémon, he ruled the jungle like a martial arts master.
Chen Xiaoxiao vividly remembered their first encounter. Gardevoir had defeated Machamp in a graceful battle, keeping distance and using ranged attacks like Psychic and Moonblast. After healing him with Heal Pulse and Smelling Salts, Machamp had simply lain on the ground… and burst into weird, gleeful laughter.
To most trainers, that laugh would have been creepy. But Chen Xiaoxiao could understand Pokémon speech, so she struck up a conversation.
Machamp was thrilled that someone could understand him. Upon learning that Chen Xiaoxiao was training here, he immediately requested to spar with her regularly.
Naturally, Chen Xiaoxiao didn't refuse. In fact, this was exactly why she initiated the conversation.
How often does one get the chance to train with an Elite-level Pokémon? The EXP and potential points were practically leaping off the screen!
They hit it off instantly. From that day forward, Chen Xiaoxiao began a "fast-track EXP farming journey," visiting Machamp for battles every two to three days.
Initially, she relied on Gardevoir and Solgaleo to kite Machamp—long-range psychic and fairy-type attacks were extremely effective. But Machamp made his displeasure clear.
Chen Xiaoxiao was a bit exasperated. Come on… do you really expect me to send my frail special attackers into melee range with a four-armed brawler just because it's "fair"?!
Eventually, Chen Xiaoxiao began using Metagross instead.
One memorable battle ended with both fighters down. Chen Xiaoxiao had ordered Metagross to finish Machamp with a Zen Headbutt, and while Machamp took the hit, he held out just long enough to launch a final Double-Edge before fainting.
Both Pokémon collapsed.
Chen Xiaoxiao stood frozen for a moment, stunned at the double KO.
After Gardevoir restored both of them, something unexpected happened—Metagross and Machamp began developing a mutual respect.
From that point on, every time Chen Xiaoxiao appeared, Machamp would ignore everyone else and demand to fight Metagross.
As for Solgaleo?
Forget it.
Machamp had fought Solgaleo once, and never again. The combination of type disadvantage (Fighting vs Psychic/Steel) and the overwhelming Legendary stat spread was just too much.
Machamp may be a battle maniac, but he's not into self-punishment.
Besides Machamp, the remaining Pokémon Conkeldurr had identified—including several quasi-Elite and Elite-level Fighting-types—also became regular sparring partners.
Thanks to Chen Xiaoxiao's persuasive "carrot and stick" policy—offering berries, healing, and mutual respect in exchange for battle experience they agreed to participate in her training program.
The Wild Zone around Fukuichi was rich with Fighting-type Pokémon: Hawlucha, Pangoro, Toxicroak, Scrafty, and even the occasional Passimian. While not all were as battle-obsessed as Machamp, most were naturally aggressive and eager to test their strength.
These intense training sessions helped Chen Xiaoxiao's team reach new heights. Gardevoir's Calm Mind became faster to set up, Meowstic's Trick Room was more precise, and Metagross's reaction time under pressure improved dramatically.
And in other good news…
After two months of effort, the house in the Pokémon Space—designed by a top architectural firm and constructed by Conkeldurr was finally complete.
Built from the specialized materials Chen Xiaoxiao had ordered, and shaped with the precision of Conkeldurr's construction knowledge, the home was a fortress of tranquility amidst the chaos of Pokémon battles.
Chen Xiaoxiao looked around her new training base—strong Pokémon, reliable teammates, and now, a fully furnished sanctuary in another dimension.
Not a bad two months at all.
Looking at the castle-style villa within her Pokémon space, Chen Xiaoxiao felt a spontaneous wave of satisfaction rise in her chest. With only the furniture left to purchase, she was finally ready to bid farewell to two months of roughing it in a tent.
Trainer Profile: Chen Xiaoxiao
Gender: ♀
Age: 16
Special Ability: Advanced Psychic Communication (can fully understand and converse with Pokémon)
Pokémon Team:
Solgaleo, Level 83 (Champion Primary)
Gardevoir, Level 78 (Elite Peak)
Sun Pokémon (Espeon), Level 74 (Elite Advanced)
Metagross, Level 72 (Elite Advanced)
Meowstic, Level 64 (Elite Primary)
Togekiss, Level 64 (Elite Primary)
Lapras, Level 49 (Quasi-Elite Intermediate)
System Points: 13,342
Opening her Pokédex-integrated training system, Chen Xiaoxiao reviewed her updated stats and battle data. The last two months of constant sparring had greatly boosted her team's strength.
Solgaleo had advanced by one level through high-intensity battles, and both Gardevoir and Sun Pokémon had gained two levels, refining their control over powerful special moves like Moonblast and Psychic.
Metagross, however, had seen the most dramatic improvement—leveling up by four stages after repeatedly fighting the Elite-level Totem Machamp head-on, earning full EXP and developing tactical depth under pressure.
Meowstic and Togekiss had both climbed five full levels, crossing from quasi-Elite peak into true Elite tier—a major breakthrough that had unlocked more advanced techniques and stability in battle.
With the area teeming with strong quasi-Elite and full Elite-class Pokémon, point gains and EXP had been abundant. Upon accumulating 20,000 points, Chen Xiaoxiao redeemed an Aptitude Enhancement Potion and used it to raise Lapras' potential.
Later, when her total crossed 100,000 points, she exchanged for a Double EXP Card—causing Lapras's growth to surge. Once a lagging party member, Lapras had now reached solid quasi-Elite strength and was rapidly closing the gap with the rest of the team.
Now, with her system still showing 13,342 points remaining, Chen Xiaoxiao knew it was time.
"My Pokémon are stronger. The goal of this training arc is complete. It's time to leave."
At that moment, the ever-warlike Uncle Machamp, freshly restored with Gardevoir's Heal Pulse and Smelling Salts, stood up again.
"Machamp, I've been training here for over two months now. It's time for me to go," Chen Xiaoxiao said gently, holding out several large pouches of Fighting-type Energy Cubes that she had just exchanged from the system. "Take these and ration them wisely."
Machamp looked stunned at first—then his expression darkened.
Was he sad about Chen Xiaoxiao leaving? Or upset about losing his battle rival, Metagross? Or maybe… he just didn't want to part with those tasty Energy Cubes?
Well, maybe all three.
"I'll come back to visit when I can—but by then, Metagross might already be too strong for you to handle!" Chen Xiaoxiao teased, recognizing the subtle twinge of reluctance in Machamp's aura.
Machamp's response was classic: he bent his knees, roared, and flexed all four muscular arms in a display of defiance and pride, declaring that he would only grow stronger.
Not to be outdone, Metagross—who had been watching silently—also mimicked Machamp's bodybuilder pose by raising his massive steel arms.
Chen Xiaoxiao's expression immediately darkened.
"Damn it, Metagross! You're made of metal, not muscles! You're a tactical AI, not a bodybuilder!" she screamed internally.
"Metagross, Gardevoir return to your Poké Balls. Togekiss, it's your turn!"
With practiced fluidity, she recalled Gardevoir and the clearly corrupted Metagross, releasing Togekiss into the air. With a gentle flap, Togekiss hovered gracefully, ready to carry her trainer.
Chen Xiaoxiao climbed up on Togekiss's back, turned toward Machamp, and gave a small wave.
"All right then, we're off. Take care, Machamp—bye!"
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