Pokémon: Master System.

"Ding."

"Z-Crystal Clue: There is a place in the secret realm with the most concentrated grass-type energy called the Ancient Tree of Wansen. It is also the core location of the entire secret realm. A grass-type Z-Crystal is preserved inside the Ancient Tree of Wansen."

…………

The generous rewards made Xia Yu beam with joy. The dog system had finally become human for once. Although only the first reward was credited directly to his account, the other two were quite valuable treasures that Xia Yu could try to acquire.

The Sceptile Evolution Stone, in particular, delighted Xia Yu. If he could obtain it, the potential of this Treecko would reach a new level, with unlimited future prospects. It would definitely become one of Xia Yu's main fighters.

As for the Z-Crystal, Xia Yu didn't hold out much hope. If nothing unexpected happened, Xu Xiu was probably aiming for the Grass-type Z-Crystal. With Xu Xiu's strength, no one could defeat him without a Champion-level trainer.

However, their limited understanding made them overlook the most precious evolution stones. Xia Yu was looking forward to the day when Mega Evolution was announced, wondering how they would feel if they knew they had missed out on the Mega Evolution Stones.

…………

After capturing Treecko, Xia Yu's mind immediately became active, especially after learning that there was a Sceptile Evolution Stone in the territory of the Sceptile clan, he became even more eager for the Sceptile Evolution Stone.

Just as Xia Yu was thinking about how to ask the Lizard King for the Mega Evolution Stone, the Lizard King suddenly turned and walked towards its territory, while simultaneously calling out to Xia Yu, signaling him to follow.

This delighted Xia Yu, who quickly followed and released the Wood Gecko to spend some more time with its family.

…………

The Lizard King's territory is a towering jungle, not too far from the core of the secret realm, the Ancient Tree of Ten Thousand Forests. This is why the Lizard King's clan prefers to nest in the tall trees of the forest; the closer to the Ancient Tree of Ten Thousand Forests, the larger the surrounding trees become. Their nest is located among the tallest trees in the vicinity.

Following the Lizard King into the tree hole, Xia Yu immediately began searching for the Lizard King Evolution Stone. However, to Xia Yu's disappointment, he did not find the Evolution Stone inside the treehouse.

"Lizard!"

Just then, another female lizard king crawled in through the entrance of the tree hole, holding a shiny stone in her hand.

Sceptile King Evolution Stone!

Upon seeing the sparkling stone, Xia Yu became instantly excited, his eyes widening in astonishment.

At the same time, the female Sceptile King walked up to Xia Yu and handed him the evolution stone. She pointed to the gifts Xia Yu had given her, and then to Treecko, as if to say that the evolution stone was to thank Xia Yu for the Energy Cube and healing potions, and that she hoped Xia Yu would take good care of their babies.

No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to find anything, and it won't take any effort at all!

Xia Yu was surprised that the Sceptile clan would offer up the Sceptile Evolution Stone. It seems that wild Pokémon are mostly simple and kind, especially the wild starter Pokémon, who are quite trusting and grateful to humans.

It's such a good deal to get an evolution stone by trading just some Dragon Energy Cubes and healing items.

"Thank you, Sceptile." Xia Yu was filled with emotion. He then reached out and touched the Treecko he had just caught. At this moment, he made up his mind that he would definitely train Treecko to become the strongest Pokémon: "Don't worry, I will take good care of Treecko and make it the strongest Pokémon."

"Lizard."

Hearing Xia Yu's words, the Sceptile King was also filled with pride. It reached out and touched its child, its eyes filled with reluctance. In fact, it knew that its child had the best aptitude among all its offspring. After fighting against the Golisopod, it also realized that with the same aptitude, human-bred Pokémon were more well-rounded in strength than wild Pokémon.

The tree gecko will have a brighter future with Xia Yu than if it stayed with the others.

"Lizard."

The young Treecko and Sceptile punched each other like warriors, as if making a promise that it would be stronger than its father in the future.

"Ding! Do you wish to upgrade the Wood Gecko's aptitude?"

"Yes."

"The tree tree's aptitude has been improved from Champion level to near Champion level."

Seeing this, Xia Yu silently chose to use the opportunity to improve Treecko's aptitude. Treecko's aptitude was improved from Champion level to near Champion level, and it was only one step away from Champion level.

Chapter 16 Grass Z Pure Crystal

When leaving the Lizard King's territory, Xia Yu felt a mix of emotions. Watching Treecko part ways with the Lizard King, he felt a little reluctant to leave.

With a near-champion level Treecko and a Sceptile evolution stone, Xia Yu felt more confident. Once Treecko grew up, becoming an Elite Four member would be within his grasp, and he could definitely compete for the title of Elite Four member of the Southwest region.

"Ding, quest triggered: Dragon-type Pokémon Master."

【Dragon-type Pokémon Master】: Because the host caught Nombat and Treecko, Nombat's final evolution form Noivern is Flying/Dragon, and Mega Sceptile is Grass/Dragon, a hidden quest has been triggered, making him the strongest Dragon-type Pokémon Master.

Mission Requirements: The first six Pokémon you capture must have a Dragon type in their final evolution or Mega form.

Mission Rewards: Rewards will be distributed based on mission progress. Catching three Dragon-type Pokémon rewards a permanent TM for Dragon Pulse; catching four Dragon-type Pokémon rewards a Dragon Z-Crystal; catching five Dragon-type Pokémon rewards six A-rank Dragon Scales; catching six Dragon-type Pokémon rewards an improvement in the potential of all Pokémon, increasing their potential from Elite Four level to Near Champion level, Near Champion level to Champion level, Champion level to Near Master level, and so on. Current progress: 2/6.

Failure penalty: None

…………

The sudden mission startled Xia Yu. He had only caught two Pokémon, so why was he about to embark on the path of becoming a Dragon-type Pokémon Master?

This is completely inconsistent with Xia Yu's life goal. His ultimate dream is to become a Steel-type Pokémon Master. Dragon-type Pokémon will only get beaten up by Fairy-type Pokémon. Only Steel-type Pokémon are cool and strong, the number one type in the entire universe.

Steel type, ten resistances, one type immunity, and weaknesses only Fighting, Ground, and Fire. Such a powerful type is unique in the entire Pokémon world, especially for Pokémon like Forretress and Ferrothorn, which only have Fire as a weakness.

Secondly, in terms of appearance, aren't Scizor, Aggron, Bisharp, Excadrill, Lucario, Aegislash, and Metagross both handsome and powerful?

Finally, let's look at the Steel-type legendary Pokémon. Leaving aside Jirachi and Registeel, Melmetal and Heatran, and Cobalion and Genesect, let's just talk about Dialga, Solgaleo, and the Sword & Shield legendaries Zacian and Zamazenta – a total of four cover legendaries! This is the prestige of the Steel type. In Xia Yu's mind, the Steel type is the best in the world.

Why did the system issue this task?! My dream is to become a Steel-type Pokémon Master, not a Dragon-type Pokémon Master!

Xia Yu was filled with grief and indignation, but he immediately accepted the mission. There was nothing he could do; the system was giving him too much. Just the fact that capturing six Dragon-type Pokémon could improve the aptitude of all Pokémon made Xia Yu have to accept it.

It gave me so much; at worst, I can catch a Steel/Dragon Pokémon later to make up for my dream.

However, there are only two Steel/Dragon-type Pokémon: Dialga and Duraludon, neither of which are easy to catch. Dialga is a legendary Pokémon, and Duraludon doesn't exist in China. It seems my dream of becoming a Steel-type master is only going to remain a distant dream.

Goodbye to my youth, goodbye to my dreams.

Let's not contact Metagross anymore. I'm afraid Dragonite, Salamence, Garchomp, Hydreigon, Goodra, Kommo-o, Dragapult, and Styropod will misunderstand.

…………

Meanwhile, at the core of the secret realm lies the Wansen Ancient Tree.

Houndoom appeared at the roots of the Ancient Tree of Wansen, and Xu Xiu held the Grass Z Crystal he had just obtained, a smile playing on his lips.

"Mission accomplished, we can retreat now." Xu Xiu looked up at the sky, took out a Poké Ball, summoned Vulpix, and prepared to leave this secret realm.

His identity is sensitive, and if it is discovered, it will inevitably cause some trouble.

Just as he was about to leave, a high-pitched sound wave accompanied by insect-type energy attacked, launching a surprise attack on Vulturena.

"Insect chirp!"

[Insect Buzz]: A Bug-type Special Attack move that uses vibrations to emit sound waves for attack. Sometimes it lowers the opponent's Special Defense.

Two Vulcan moths appeared in the jungle; it was these two Vulcan moths who had just unleashed their powerful insect chirping skill.

"Bald Eagle Na, hold the line!"

Xu Xiu, who was about to leave, was interrupted by the sudden attack. He turned around, his whole body shrouded in a black robe, and looked up at the person who had come.

"Xia Yong, the Bug-type Gym Leader of Xingguang City, Xishu Province".

"Xia Luo, the Fire-type Gym Leader of Honglian City, Xishu Province".

Xu Xiu recognized the two. He had done his research before coming to Starlight City, so he naturally recognized Xia Yong. As for Xia Luo, the youngest potential Champion in China and a recognized future Champion-level trainer, how could he not know him?

"Someone's in the way." Xu Xiu didn't care about Xia Yong; his attention was entirely on Xia Luo. Xia Yong was the weakest of all the gym leaders in the entire Western Shu Province. His strongest Pokémon was only a gym leader-level Volcarona, which was no match for him at all.

The only thing to worry about is Charlotte and his fire moth.

Looking at Charlotte, he seemed to see himself ten years ago, just as spirited and a near-Elite Four level trainer. However, he never managed to become an Elite Four level trainer. In the end, he betrayed the Pokémon Association and wiped out the entire Zhao family, all for that Elite Four level Larvitar.

If given another chance, Xu Xiu would definitely take the same path without hesitation, or even earlier!

At the same time, Xia Luo and Xia Yong also saw the Grass Z Pure Crystal in Xu Xiu's hand. They already knew Xu Xiu's identity before they came and were full of fear of him, but their duty as the head of the hall made them stand up and shout at Xu Xiu: "Put down the Grass Z Pure Crystal in your hand."

"Oh?" Xu Xiu looked at Xia Yong and his son with a sneer: "Anyone can talk a good game. Let's fight. Let me see the strength of the Fire-type Hall Master of Xishu Province."

Xu Xiu looked at Charlotte with a mocking expression, took out two Poké Balls from his waist and threw them out: "Go, Zoroark, Krookodile."

The appearance of Zoroark and Kroos, both near-Elite Four level, along with the menacing Houndoom, greatly increased the pressure on Xia Yong and his son.

Xia Yong, in particular, has almost all of his Pokémon at the Gym Leader level. His only Pokémon at the near-Elite Four level is a Shiny Scizor, which he has only recently trained.

Bug-type Gym Leaders have always been the weakest of all Gym Leaders, mainly due to the inherent weaknesses of Bug-type Pokémon.

It is an indisputable fact that Dragon-type Pokémon are inherently stronger than Bug-type Pokémon, and only a few Bug-type Pokémon can rival Dragon-type Pokémon.

Scizor is one of the few powerful Bug-type Pokémon and Xia Yong's ace.

"Go, Shiny Scizor."

Xia Yong recalled Volcarona and released Shiny Scizor. In a battle at the near-Elite Four level, a Gym Leader-level Volcarona couldn't play a significant role.

"A Shiny Pokémon?" Xu Xiu looked at the Scizor with great interest. "Is this your trump card, the secret weapon you prepared for this year's Gym Leader Ranking Tournament?"

Shiny Pokémon in the real world are not just good-looking; they also represent exceptional talent and immense strength. Because Shiny Pokémon symbolize mutation, they are generally the apex predators and the most powerful of their kind.

"Charlotte, what about you?" Xu Xiu looked at Charlotte: "What are your trump cards? I don't believe you only have Volcarona, a Pokémon that is almost at the Elite Four level."

"As expected, you found out. In that case, I won't hide anymore. Go, Groudon!"

Charlotte's words startled Xu Xiu. He looked at Charlotte in disbelief, shocked. How could Charlotte possibly have a legendary Pokémon like Groudon? In his panic, he looked at the location where the Pokémon had appeared and realized that the Pokémon Charlotte had thrown was Blaziken.

Xu Xiu suddenly realized what was going on. Then, looking at the smile on Xia Luo's face, he was furious. How dare Xia Luo make fun of him! Recalling his panicked and embarrassing appearance just now, Xu Xiu's anger intensified!

Chapter 17 Bangiras

A near-Elite 1 level Zoroark, Krookodile, and Houndoom battle a Shiny Scizor, Blaziken, and two Volcaronas.