An abstract trainer who taught Charmander the Incinerate move

Chapter 78 Tang Long's Brave Journey (A Last-Ditch Effort, Please Read On!!!)

Deep within the Monster Mountain Range, the clouds were dyed crimson gold by the blazing flames.

The Flame Lion King's massive body was perched atop a lava pillar. Its fiery mane had mostly recovered, but the gruesome wound on its left forepaw was still oozing beads of crimson blood, staining the lava pool below with boiling, churning fluid.

Its crimson-gold vertical pupils stared intently at the cloud bamboo that was hurtling through the air, and a low, thunderous roar rolled from its throat.

"Human, how dare you come again! This time I will burn you to ashes!"

Amidst the roar, Yunzhu's white robe fluttered in the wind. Unlike last time when she relied solely on Garchomp, this time she flicked out two Poké Balls from her fingertips at the same time.

Garchomp's overwhelming fighting spirit and Togekiss's soft white feathers exploded simultaneously. The former transformed into a deep blue giant shark phantom coiling around its feet, while the latter flapped its wings and hovered over its shoulders, with star-like radiance flowing between its feathers.

"This time, I won't give you another chance to seal your Pokémon. Togekiss, use [Heavenly Grace Infinite Slash] to seal off the sky! Garchomp, use [Ground Dragon Wave Slash] to tear the ground apart!"

Two figures appeared like lightning. Togekiss flapped its wings, and dozens of crescent-shaped light blades slashed through the sky, continuously pouring out to weave a net of light above the Fire Lion King's head.

Garchomp swooped down to the surface, its giant claws tearing through the rock layers. The blue cracks formed by its fighting spirit spread like a spider web, severing the crimson flames ignited by the Flame Lion King's blazing mane.

"Don't think you can suppress me with just two elves!"

The Fiery Lion King roared, and the flames that exploded from its mane condensed into hundreds of lion-head-shaped fireballs, which slammed into Yunzhu.

Tokkiss flapped its wings and spun rapidly, its wings spreading like a barrier of light, launching all the fireballs high into the sky, where they exploded into golden and red fireworks in the clouds.

While several top experts were engaged in a chaotic battle above the volcano, a cunning orange-skinned lizard was stealthily sneaking into the crater below.

This guy needs no introduction; he is none other than Xiao Huolong, who has taken on the mission to find the Fire Spirit Root.

The Flame Lion King's lair was built inside the molten lava cave deep in the Monster Mountain Range. As soon as Xiao Huolong stepped into the cave, he felt the scorching heat rushing towards him.

The natural lava flow marks on the stone wall are like flowing gold, shimmering in the firelight, as if countless red dragons are swimming inside the wall, branching out into several paths ahead.

Seeing the several forks in the road ahead, Xiao Huolong was instantly dumbfounded.

It thought it could win the trophy as long as it ran all the way to the end, but it didn't expect that it would have to choose a route.

This level of decision-making was still too complex for Tang Long's brain structure.

"Wow, Elder Chi, the paths in this cave are so complicated! Can we find the Fire Spirit Root that Yunzhu mentioned?"

Old Chi smiled slightly, revealing the reliable expression unique to the old man.

【Hehehe, with me here, I guarantee I'll show you the safest and fastest route, so don't worry!】

Old Chi's words were like a stabilizing force, instantly putting Xiao Huolong's mind at ease, and he revealed a wide, unrestrained smile.

Yes, with Elder Chi guiding me, what is there to worry about? Just charge!

After giving his assurance, Old Chi immediately activated the "Shameless Map" app to provide Xiao Huolong with full navigation.

"Second fork in the road on the left, full speed ahead!"

Without saying a word, Xiao Huolong immediately went all out, unleashing his explosive steps, his feet stomping loudly as he strode swiftly through the long passageway.

Just as Xiao Huolong abandoned his brain and sped forward, the scenery in front of him suddenly opened up, and a scorching heat rushed towards him.

What lay ahead was no longer a narrow passageway, but a deep pool of lava that stretched as far as the eye could see.

Because Xiao Huolong's explosive charge was too powerful, he had already flown above the lava, and by then it was too late to use his foot brake.

Looking down at the deep pool of lava churning with scorching heat, Xiao Huolong was immediately horrified and cried out in alarm.

"Caw—Old Red, is this the right way? I'm going to crash!"

The spirit of the old man was seen floating in the air, leisurely watching the show.

Don't panic. Watch your step. There are a few rocks in this lava to use as footholds, right? Be quick and use [Burst Step] to step over them!

Guided by Elder Chi, Xiao Huolong indeed saw several rocks suspended in the boundless magma.

These rocks are arranged in a row, forming a clear path in the deep lava pool.

Xiao Huolong's brain lacked sufficient processing power to ponder why such a strange path appeared on the magma.

It landed directly on a rock, shaking its head as it searched for the next one.

Just then, Elder Chi urged him urgently.

[Don't stand still, hurry! The rock under your feet won't hold for long. You must react immediately and use your explosive step to move to the next rock!] As soon as Elder Chi finished speaking, the rock under Xiao Huolong's feet began to slowly sink into the magma.

Feeling the scorching heat beneath his feet, Xiao Huolong had no time to think. He immediately took a step forward and instinctively leaped to the next rock.

It landed precariously on the rocks in front of it, but before it could even steady itself, the rocks beneath Xiao Huolong's feet began to sink again.

In the face of life and death, Xiao Huolong's full potential was squeezed out!
A sense of urgency propelled Xiao Huolong's body forward, and he took explosive steps, landing precisely on the unstable rocks in front of him.

Like a level set up by humans, the distance between the rocks becomes farther and farther as you go on, and the rocks sink into the lava faster and faster.

Xiao Huolong had no chance to adapt and could only constantly unleash stronger potential to push his Burst Step to a higher level in order to deal with the crisis at hand.

Watching the proficiency of [Explosive Step] gradually increase on the panel, Old Chi revealed a knowing smile.

The famous trainer Lu Xun once said: Potential is like water in a sponge; as long as you are willing to squeeze, there will always be some left.

Old Chi was well aware of this principle. He knew that he couldn't be too lenient with Tang Long and had to put immense pressure on him to unleash its full potential.

However, even the water in a sponge can be completely squeezed out one day.

"Ah-"

With a resounding shout, Xiao Huolong slipped and his bulky body somersaulted three and a half times in the air, about to fall into the lava like a diver.

Just as the great Tang Dynasty's Heavenly Dragon was about to perish in the magma, an invincible Wind God Leg came whistling through the air and kicked Xiao Huolong hard.

With the wind whistling past his ears, Xiao Huolong flew like a cannonball across a vast expanse of lava and landed on an open ground.

"Old Master Chi... I will never forget your life-saving grace..."

Seeing Xiao Huolong panting for breath, Elder Chi almost burst out laughing.

You have to whip this top hard! Look, this kid should thank us!
Having just undergone the ultimate training, Xiao Huolong's [Explosive Step] skill has advanced by leaps and bounds, gradually approaching the [Proficient] level from the [Beginner] level.

Before Xiao Huolong could even finish panting on the ground with his eyebrows twitching and half his tongue lolling out, Elder Chi immediately urged him on the front lines.

[Get up, Xiao Huolong! Now is not the time to relax! Who knows how long that woman can hold off the Flame Lion King? If that guy comes back, you're finished!]

Upon hearing Elder Chi's command, Xiao Huolong did a Magikarp somersault and rolled off the ground. Without saying a word, he took off running towards the depths of the cave.

This kid's strengths are his ability to endure hardship and his exceptional execution skills.

Compared to these advantages, the disadvantage of "Tang" seems insignificant, and sometimes it even complements those advantages.

As Xiao Huolong ventured deeper into the cave, he sensed a powerful fire-attribute fluctuation calling to him, most likely the fluctuation of his Fire Spirit Root.

This made Xiao Huolong even more convinced that, under Elder Chi's guidance, he was on the right path!
Before long, Xiao Huolong's vision suddenly opened up, and a circular hall with a diameter of one hundred feet appeared before him.

Around the main hall, dozens of towering lava stone pillars support the dome, each pillar carved with a different flame totem.

As for what might be guarding the main hall, could it be a fire lion cub?

Hahaha, what a joke! Of course, it's a group of beauties in the harem!

As we all know, lions are social animals, and even a magical beast like the Fire Lion is no exception.

Behind every successful male lion, there are countless lionesses following him.

The crimson lava flowing from the dome of the main hall resembles a solidified waterfall, dyeing the entire space amber. Dozens of female fire lions lie coiled inside the hall, casting swaying, eerie shadows on the stone walls.

The female fire lion's mane is no longer a fierce crimson gold, but has transformed into rose-colored fiery strands coiled on its head, much like the long, gilded hair meticulously braided by a human woman.

The sight of the lion lying sprawled before him, resembling a leisure club, made Xiao Huolong gasp in astonishment. He couldn't help but exclaim, "The mountain lions really know how to have fun!"

"Hey—Old Chi, there are so many lionesses here! Look, they're not wearing any clothes..."

Snapped!
Having no time to listen to Tang Long's nonsense, Elder Chi delivered a [Wisdom Infusion Palm] directly to the other's forehead.

[Shut up! I'm not blind. What are you talking about? Run!]

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A new month begins, so here's an early update. Hoping for some guaranteed monthly votes!

(End of this chapter)