A water-type trainer who specializes in dragon-type water.

Faced with Zhang Heng's candid confession, Shui Jun's deep, lake-like eyes remained calm as a mirror, without the slightest ripple of surprise or anger.

It simply watched Zhang Heng quietly, as if it already knew the whole truth.

This excessive calm made Zhang Heng somewhat uneasy, and for a moment he couldn't quite figure out the intentions of this North Wind God.

In this eerie stillness—

"Bang bang bang~"

The Poké Balls hanging from Zhang Heng's waist suddenly began to shake violently on their own, followed by uncontrollable flashes of white light!

The pink Swampert roared in a deep voice, its solid body standing like a fortress in front of it;

The bluebird of the Double Seventh Festival spreads its beautiful wings and emits a clear and melodious cry;

The fire-breathing dragon's tail flames surged, and it warily scanned its surroundings;

The heavy metal body of the aluminum-steel dragon landed with a dull thud, its eyes flashing blue light.

Beneath Zhang Heng's shadow, Dragoon merely peeked out with its triangular head, staring intently at Suicune ahead.

They all appeared spontaneously, firmly protecting Zhang Heng in the center, displaying a wary posture towards the unknown and powerful Suicune.

Haunter and Milotic are still in the South China Sea assisting with treatment. Zhang Heng did not bring Duan Guanjun with him when he traversed the spatial rift.

And the last one to appear was the Combo Style Martial Arts Bear Master! However, as soon as he appeared, he let out a painful groan and suddenly knelt down on one knee!

His left hand gripped his right arm tightly, and the strong arm was now in an extremely unnatural and bizarre bend, clearly indicating that it had been severely fractured during the battle against Kyurem in the South Seas!

Dark red blood dripped from its trembling fingers, splashing into the clear pool of water, spreading a glaring red.

Its entire bear face was contorted in extreme pain. Although it had received a healing spray in the Poké Ball, such severe bone injuries could not be healed immediately by the spray.

"Martial Arts Bear Master!"

Zhang Heng's heart tightened, and he immediately stepped forward to carefully support him. Zhang Heng also felt a pang of pain in his heart, realizing that as a trainer, he hadn't paid attention to whether his partner needed treatment.

Zhang Leiyuan, standing behind him, raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself, "Good kid, two divine beasts, even more awesome than your old man..."

However, Master Xiong gritted his teeth and, with astonishing willpower, managed to stand up straight again!

He patted Zhang Heng with his left hand to show him that he was alright, because he knew that Zhang Heng had been worried about his family and that was why he had been momentarily careless.

He forcefully activated the energy within his body, and his aura, which had been weakened by his serious injuries, began to rise again. His determined eyes were fixed on Suicune, and he adopted a fighting stance of protecting his trainer even at the cost of his life!

Looking at his companions who resolutely protected him even in the face of an invincible enemy, Zhang Heng felt a surge of warmth and emotion.

But he took a deep breath and gently calmed the restless Swampert and Charizard.

Then, silently and resolutely, he stepped out of the protective circle formed by all the Pokémon and faced Suicune alone once again.

This is not arrogance, but a rational judgment.

He knew that with the rumored gentle nature of Suicune and its overwhelming strength, if they truly harbored malice, they would not still be standing here, and his father would not have been resurrected.

Just then, a strange and gentle northerly wind blew by again, stirring up a light mist.

Suicune didn't speak, but a clear, ethereal female voice, like a mountain stream flowing gently, lingered in the hearts of Zhang Heng and his son, as well as all the Pokémon:

"Human, I have felt your sincerity. Ho-Oh's feathers were not chosen in the wrong way."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Heng was suddenly stunned!

He couldn't help but ponder, "Holy King's feathers chose me? What did the system say? Was it just a middleman? And judging from what Suicune said... it already knew I wasn't the true Rainbow Hero?"

As if to answer the question in his heart, Suijun's ethereal telepathy rang out again.

"Only those who possess the Phoenix King's feather are qualified to enter this secret realm."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Leiyuan, who was standing next to him, immediately looked enlightened!

He finally understood why, after guarding this sea area for three months, he had clearly sensed the surging and restless energy of the secret realm, and with the experts' predictions, it should have opened at any time.

But it could never find the entrance, as if it was forever waiting for a specific moment.

It turns out that it was never waiting for someone with enough power, but for the holder of the one and only "key"—the Phoenix King's feather!

Suppressing his shock, Zhang Heng asked the most crucial question: "So, Water Lord, what exactly is the purpose of waiting for the person who possesses the Phoenix King's Feather to come to the secret realm?"

Suijun's voice remained calm, as if recounting an ancient rule.

"Bearing the feather grants you the qualification to knock on the door of trials. It will guide you to the secret realms of our three sacred beasts and help you pass their respective tests."

"Only by gaining the approval of all three of us will you be qualified to stand atop the Bell Tower and meet Ho-Oh. Whether you can ultimately gain Ho-Oh's recognition and become a true Rainbow Hero depends on your heart and will."

"I see!" Zhang Heng instantly understood the connection.

The Ho-Oh Feather is not proof of identity for the Rainbow Warrior; rather, it is a precious "ticket," a pass that allows the holder to participate in trials set by Ho-Oh's three messengers—Raikou, Entei, and Suicune.

Only by successfully passing these three difficult tests and proving one's strength and character can one have the opportunity to finally meet the Phoenix King and undergo his final assessment.

And this is the true path to becoming a Rainbow Warrior!

Moreover, the legendary Ho-Oh is said to be wary of humans, as recorded in both its original plane and this world.

The Pokédex records that after the three legendary beasts were resurrected, people feared the power of the Pokémon that controlled life and tried to suppress it with violence.

Ho-Oh never retaliated against humans, but instead voluntarily chose to leave this land, as if saddened by their reaction. It is said that Ho-Oh will return when it can trust people again.

Just as Zhang Heng was immersed in this sudden information, pondering the opportunities and responsibilities it contained, Shui Jun slowly turned around.

Its elegant form seemed to merge into the misty vapor, and its ethereal voice left the final choice.

"If you are ready to take the test, you may come to the ancient tower ahead to find me."

"If you still have doubts or are unwilling to embark on this path, there is no need to force yourself. The water energy in the secret realm has extremely strong healing effects, and you can recover from your injuries here. Once you are ready, you can leave safely by passing through the vortex gate at the back."

As soon as he finished speaking, Suicune's figure, though it had only taken a few steps forward, seemed to shrink in size, instantly becoming blurry and finally disappearing completely into the dense moisture and the depths of the rainforest, leaving no trace.

Only then did Zhang Heng, following the direction in which the Water Lord had last disappeared, vaguely glimpse the outline of what appeared to be an ancient and towering tower-shaped building standing silently in the center of this secret realm through the gaps in the layers of rainforest.

Should one accept this unknown and arduous trial, seeking greater power to fight against external enemies and uncover the secrets of Ho-Oh? Or should one heal their injuries and leave this dangerous place as soon as possible?

A choice lay before Zhang Heng. And his decision might change the course of many things.