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

"Stop fooling around, come out."

As Cheng Feng finished speaking with a hint of helplessness and gentleness, the eerie purple hand that had emerged from behind the tombstone paused slightly.

Immediately, the soil behind it loosened, and a complete figure slowly floated out.

That's a Haunter.

Its main body is composed of a pure purple gas, as pure as the night sky, connected to two large, gaseous purple hands that are separate from the body.

Its face bears a signature smile that is somewhat mischievous and cunning, with white eyes curving into crescents and a wide grin that reveals a malicious yet not truly frightening expression.

Zhang Heng recognized it; it was the Gastly he had met once before in the South China water system wilderness area, and it had even played a "prank" on him. It could be considered a semi-acquaintance.

Hehehe!

When Zhang Heng's shiny Gengar saw its own kind, especially a Ghost-type, it immediately became excited.

Its chubby body floated forward, waving its short arms and emitting a friendly, but somewhat eerie, laugh.

Gastly responded with a "hehe," and the two Ghost-type Pokémon seemed to have instantly established some kind of peculiar communication channel.

They floated and spun around each other, their four separate large hands clapping and playing in the air, making soft popping sounds, as if they were having a silent exchange and frolicking.

The two ghosts brought a touch of... eerie life to this solemn and sorrowful cemetery.

Looking at the two playful Ghost-type Pokémon, Cheng Feng's gaze became even more complicated. He turned to Zhang Heng and explained in a low voice.

“My fellow disciples and I made a pact... if one day, one of us were to perish, but his Pokémon partner still survives in this world…”

"Then, these partners will be sent to the guard unit, where they will be uniformly assigned by the alliance and handed over to trustworthy new trainers, so that their power can continue to fight to protect China and not be wasted because of our departure."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Heng was deeply moved, a surge of emotion welling up within him.

What a selfless and noble ideal! Fighting for the country in life, and even sacrificing their comrades in death, all for the prosperity and peace of the nation.

It is this spirit of selflessness and dedication passed down through generations that has forged the solid position and backbone of the Chinese Trainers League today!

Cheng Feng's gaze fell back on the Gastly playing with Gengar, his eyes filled with even deeper sorrow.

"But... this Gastly is special. It's not actually that strong, it refuses to evolve, and... it's very stubborn."

"It didn't want to go to the guard unit, and it didn't want to be commanded by a new trainer. It had only one wish: to stay here and accompany its owner who lies buried underground."

Zhang Heng listened quietly, his gaze falling on the Gastly, which seemed playful but actually carried an aura of unyielding sorrow and obsession.

He understood that Ghost-type Pokémon have a unique life form, and under normal circumstances, they have almost endless lifespans.

This Gastly intends to use this almost eternal time to guard this small tombstone until the end of time.

This bond that transcends life and death is heartbreaking.

The atmosphere became heavy again. Cheng Feng seemed to want to change the subject, or perhaps out of genuine concern, he asked.

"Zhang Heng, what are your plans next? Things in East China should be back to normal for now, right?"

Zhang Heng composed himself and replied, "After I finish dealing with things here, I plan to return to the academy first. I've missed almost a month of classes."

"Moreover, the selection trials for the National College League - South China Region are about to begin, and I must go back to prepare."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Feng nodded, a smile of encouragement on his face: "The National College League? That's an important stage for young trainers to showcase their skills. I wish you the best of luck in achieving great results and bringing glory to yourself."

"Thank you, King Cheng," Zhang Heng said sincerely.

Suddenly, he remembered that the person in front of him was a local from Shanghai and a Champion-level trainer who was proficient in Fire-type Pokémon. He might know more about the extinct volcano in that mysterious sea area.

"By the way, King Cheng, I have a question for you."

As Zhang Heng spoke, he quickly took out his Pokédex, brought up the map, and showed Cheng Feng the coordinates that Mo Lao had given him.

"Do you know this location? I've heard there might be an underwater dormant volcano there, inhabited by a special kind of Fire-type Pokémon."

Cheng Feng glanced at the coordinates, seemingly unsurprised, and said directly.

"I do know this location. There are some related detection records and scattered reports within the Alliance. It is said that energy signs of lava snail and platypus firebeast activity have been observed."

"Logically speaking, extinct volcanoes are indeed a preferred habitat for Pokémon that love high temperatures and magma. But..."

He then changed the subject, with a hint of uncertainty, "That place is hundreds of meters deep in the ocean, with an extreme environment and enormous water pressure, completely different from a typical volcanic environment."

"Therefore, I cannot give you any definite information about what exactly lives inside or whether any special mutations have occurred. I'm afraid you'll have to explore it yourself to find out."

Zhang Heng nodded upon hearing this. Indeed, even a former Heavenly King like Cheng Feng couldn't offer a definitive conclusion regarding this unverified secret realm.

Cheng Feng then reminded him, "If you are interested in that place and decide to explore it, I strongly suggest that you bring a Pokémon that has mastered the 'Diving' skill."

"Based on limited detection data, the depth there is at least several hundred meters below sea level, and the exact value may be even deeper."

Dive, a water-based physical attack with a power of 80. Its effect is to dive into deep water and attack in the next turn.

In the game, it is also an important secret skill, and an indispensable skill for exploring the open world.

Zhang Heng was puzzled and asked, "Can't I just have my Water-type Pokémon, like Milotic or Swampert, take me diving? Why does it have to be the specific move 'Dive'?"

Cheng Feng smiled and patiently explained, "Having your Water-type Pokémon carry you down the river is indeed a solution, but it carries a great risk."

"First, you can't determine the exact depth of the target location, and is the oxygen tank you're carrying large enough to support a round trip? After all, humans can't breathe underwater."

"Secondly, the deeper you go, the greater the water pressure becomes, which is difficult for the human body to withstand without special training or protective skills."

He pointed to the coordinates on the Pokédex and continued, "But Pokémon that have mastered the 'Dive' skill are different. When they use this skill, they can dive to greater depths and at a faster speed."

"Most importantly, when they use their skills to carry trainers, the water energy generated by the skills forms a temporary protective water shield. This water shield not only provides limited breathing support and slows down oxygen consumption, but also effectively counteracts the enormous pressure brought by deep water, protecting the trainer's safety."

"This is an advantage that ordinary swimming or Pokémon carrying cannot match."

Zhang Heng suddenly realized! He had been thinking too simply. In the game, "diving" is a key skill for riding and exploration.

Unexpectedly, it is so important for deep-sea exploration in reality, involving the two core survival issues of breathing and pressure resistance!

For underwater exploration, a Pokémon with diving skills is almost a necessity.

However, Zhang Heng immediately realized the problem. Although he had quite a few Water-type Pokémon under his command—Mildano, Swampert, Urshifu with its combo style, and Tidecaller.

But none of them can learn the skill of "diving"! Swampert can learn a similar skill called "digging," but it cannot be used underwater.

Of course, he can also choose to use the water-themed hanging scroll or the water-drop stone slab, whose unique water energy will help him dive down.

Although this method is very safe, it consumes a huge amount of his mental energy. If he encounters an emergency and his mental energy is depleted, he will not be able to use those powerful combat systems.