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

Zhang Heng felt a sharp, needle-like pain in his brain, and a strong sense of dizziness almost swallowed him up. He began to cough uncontrollably, which was a typical symptom of severe mental exhaustion.

"Cough...cough..."

"Zhang Heng!"

Seeing his pale face and the cold sweat constantly seeping from his forehead, Cheng Lan's cold eyes were filled with unconcealed worry and panic.

"Are you alright? Don't scare me!"

Zhang Heng forced himself to stand up, enduring the buzzing in his head and the feeling of exhaustion in his body. He used the strength of her arm to barely keep his balance and took a few deep breaths.

He shook his head, his voice hoarse and weak: "N-nothing..."

His gaze passed over the worried Cheng Lan and landed on Sidlan, who had just broken free of his shackles and whose momentum was steadily rising.

The fiery steel divine beast was also staring at him at this moment, its previous anger, resentment, and stubbornness had dissipated in its molten gold pupils.

Instead, a complex and difficult-to-understand emotion arises, a mixture of scrutiny, recognition, and even a hint of relief and anticipation after being freed from long-term suppression.

Zhang Heng steadied himself, using all his strength to make his voice clear, and met Sidson's gaze with composure.

“Sidoran, the shackles that bound you are broken. Now, I will ask you one more time…”

He paused, his tone solemn and sincere:

"Would you be willing to truly become my partner, to leave this confined place with me, to see a wider world, and to embrace more challenges in the future?"

There was no roar, no howl, not even a moment's hesitation.

A deep, resonant, yet incredibly clear and resolute thought, like a warm lava flow, poured directly into Zhang Heng's mind, carrying a solemnity akin to a vow.

"I do."

Those two simple words carried immense weight. The recognition and determination to follow they conveyed instantly warmed Zhang Heng's body, easing even his severe headache.

Finally, a genuine, weary yet incredibly radiant smile appeared on his pale face as he softly replied:

"it is good!"

The next moment, he no longer hesitated and acted swiftly.

First, take out a Poké Ball and put the exhausted and overwhelmed Water Ripple back into the ball so it can rest.

Then, he gently patted Cheng Lan's hand, indicating that he wanted to walk by himself. Cheng Lan hesitated for a moment, but still let go of his hand. Zhang Heng then walked towards Xiduolanen.

Looking at the small dent and crack on Sidson's head caused by the massive ball, Zhang Heng's face flashed with embarrassment, and he whispered again.

"I'm sorry, this... I'll definitely find a way to fix it for you later." As he spoke, he picked up the massive ball that was still resting next to Heatran.

Before he even started, he was prepared to bear that weight of several dozen kilograms again.

However, to his surprise, when his fingers touched the shrunken giant ball, the weight he felt was no different from that of an ordinary high-grade ball!

"Hmm?" A hint of surprise flashed in Zhang Heng's eyes. This weight... what's going on? It was incredibly heavy before. Did the density change after the sphere shrank? Or is it some kind of balance at the level of rules after catching the Pokémon?

However, the crisis is not completely over at this moment. Polcanion has only been temporarily repelled, and no one can guarantee that it will not make a comeback.

There was no time left for him to delve into this seemingly small but rather magical detail.

He could only suppress this question in his heart for the time being, and skillfully returned the no longer resisting Sidora to the giant ball.

Now he is not only a legendary Pokémon trainer, but also the trainer of the three legendary Pokémon. In the publicly available information of this world, Zhang Heng is the only one who possesses three legendary Pokémon.

"We have to leave here immediately!" Zhang Heng said urgently, looking at Cheng Lan.

Cheng Lan regained her composure and, realizing the situation was still dangerous, quickly nodded. She swiftly retracted her invisibility dragon.

The two dared not rely on non-Fire-type Pokémon, which might be suppressed, for long-distance travel, and immediately released their flying mounts.

"Come out, Charizard!"

"Peacock, please!"

Charizard and Pelipper appeared at the sound of their call. With Cheng Lan's help, Zhang Heng struggled to climb onto Charizard's broad back. Cheng Lan, on the other hand, nimbly leaped onto Pelipper.

"Cheng Lan, S-grade damp rock!" Zhang Heng warned.

Cheng Lan immediately understood, took the blue rock that emitted cool water vapor from Zhang Heng's hand, and carefully fixed it to the special saddle carried by the great beak.

As the damp rocks were in place, a gentle yet resilient moist force field rapidly expanded, forming a five-meter-diameter aquamarine halo that enveloped the Charizard and Pelipper flying side by side.

"Chichi..."

Beyond the halo, the still dense and hostile fire energy within the secret realm clashed fiercely with this water vapor field, emitting a faint burning sound.

However, it was ultimately unable to break through the barrier maintained by this S-rank item and the Pelipper with its rain-bringing properties.

A refreshing coolness dispelled the surrounding heat, providing crucial protection for the two.

"go!"

At a command, Charizard and Pelipper flapped their wings simultaneously and sped along the cave passage they had come from, heading towards the entrance of the secret realm at top speed.

The passageway was still scorching hot, but with the shelter of the damp rocks, it was no longer an unbearable ordeal.

Throughout the journey, Cheng Lan's emotions were complex and difficult to calm.

In less than a day of adventure, she witnessed firsthand the legendary Volcanion, a creature that combines water and fire, and Zhang Heng's incredible subjugation of the equally divine beast, Seadra.

He even personally experienced the powers of Titanium Crystallization, Dynamax, and the Strange Slab...

All of this was like opening a door to a completely new world for her, leaving her deeply impressed.

However, the continuous shocks and the strength and reliability that Zhang Heng displayed, far beyond her comprehension, also invisibly weakened her usual independence and adaptability.

When you have a reliable partner who seems to be able to solve all your problems, a subconscious dependence will quietly grow.

At this moment, her mind was still somewhat confused. She was a little lost about the underwater predicament she would face after leaving the secret realm, and she just subconsciously followed Zhang Heng's actions.

They flew in silence, at full speed.

After an unknown amount of time, the constantly rippling, water-like spatial ripples finally appeared ahead—the exit of the secret realm.

The fire-breathing dragon slowly landed on the solid ground in front of the exit.

Zhang Heng gritted his teeth and, relying on the little strength he had recovered during the short flight, slid off Charizard's back with difficulty, then recalled it into its Poké Ball to rest.

His steps were still unsteady, and his face remained pale.

Cheng Lan immediately jumped off the beak and retrieved it. She quickly walked to Zhang Heng's side, looking into his weak yet determined eyes.

He asked softly, "What's wrong? The exit is just ahead, we..."

"Cheng Lan, come closer to me." Zhang Heng interrupted her, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable meaning.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Lan was slightly taken aback, and then a blush involuntarily crept onto her face.

She glanced at the exit that was just inches away, then at Zhang Heng's uncompromising expression. Despite her doubts, she took a step closer to him as instructed, and could almost feel the faint heat and exhaustion emanating from him.

Zhang Heng simply didn't have the energy to explain the issues of deep-sea pressure and underwater breathing in detail. He didn't say anything more, but answered with action—he threw another Poké Ball.

"Oh!"

A flash of white light, and the majestic, deep blue figure of the Master-level Thorn Dragon King reappeared. Although it had left the extremely uncomfortable core of the fire-type secret realm, the fire-type energy in the surrounding environment still made it feel repelled, and its condition was not at its best.

"Thank you for your help... Dragon King." Zhang Heng's voice was filled with sincerity and trust.

The Thorn Dragon King and Zhang Heng were of one mind, and the Thorn Dragon King immediately understood his intention. It let out a deep and long roar, and its immense spiritual power and pure water energy surged forth.

Two soft yet solid aquamarine light shields rapidly formed like bubbles, precisely enveloping Zhang Heng and Cheng Lan respectively.

As the light shield formed, the Thorn Dragon King let out another guiding cry, controlling the two "water spheres" carrying humans to slowly float up and drift towards the rippling space.

……

Passing through the entrance to the secret realm felt like squeezing through a thick, warm film. After a brief moment of weightlessness and spatial disorientation, the surrounding environment abruptly changed!

The suffocating heat and sulfurous smell vanished instantly, replaced by the deep-sea's unique coldness, immense water pressure, and boundless darkness.

The only light source came from themselves and the faint, dark red glow emanating from the dormant volcano below.

However, unlike the oppressive environment of the secret realm, the deep sea here, though fraught with danger, allows the Thorn Dragon King to thrive!

Its previously listless aura, caused by the unsuitable environment, vanished the moment it returned to the ocean, and it quickly recovered to its peak condition, making its movements of controlling the water sphere even smoother and more stable.

Almost at the same time they appeared on the seabed, several anxious figures quickly surrounded them!

It was Milotic, Gyarados, Sakura, and Rathian that had been blocked from entering the secret realm!

"Woo-no!!!"

Milotic let out a long, worried cry, its slender, elegant body immediately wrapping around the water sphere where Zhang Heng was. Its jewel-like eyes anxiously scanned the trainer inside the light barrier, filled with heartache and anxiety.

It keenly sensed Zhang Heng's unusually weak mental state and physical exhaustion.

Gyarados roared and approached, its once fierce eyes now revealing obvious concern as it slowly swam around the water sphere, as if confirming Zhang Heng's safety.

"Okay, okay, Milotic, I'm fine..."

Zhang Heng reached out and pressed lightly through the water cover, forcing a reassuring smile on his face, his voice sounding somewhat muffled through the water cover.

"I'm just a little tired, I'll be fine after a rest."

But Milotic clearly didn't believe his explanation. It could clearly sense the trainer's depleted mental energy.

Its tail swayed gently, and its body emitted a soft yet vibrant blue halo.

Immediately afterwards, it gently touched the water sphere shield maintained by Kingdra with the fleshy fins on its head.

The Thorn Dragon King understood and precisely opened a tiny entrance, just large enough for water to pass through, on the water sphere shield where Zhang Heng was located.

Milotic immediately followed the entrance and gracefully burrowed into the water sphere. Its cool, smooth scales gently brushed against Zhang Heng's arm and cheek, bringing a touch of comfort.

Immediately, its slender body encircled Zhang Heng, and it raised its head to let out an ethereal chant, with brilliant life energy falling like a drizzle—this was the Life Drop skill.

The clear water droplets, imbued with powerful healing energy, merged into Zhang Heng's body. Although they couldn't directly replenish his depleted mental energy, their vibrant vitality effectively relieved his muscle soreness and extreme fatigue.

It was as if the parched land had been nourished by sweet rain, making him feel much lighter and more comfortable, at least no longer as difficult to even stand as before.

"Thank you, Milotic," Zhang Heng said sincerely, gently stroking Milotic's cool scales.

On the other side, Cheng Lan quickly regained her composure and found her usual competence as a water-type trainer.

Through the water shield, she gave clear instructions to her companions.

"Gyarados, be on guard for the surroundings and watch out for any possible underwater threats!"

"Cherry blossom fish, spotted fish, dive together, lift the water ball, and rise at full speed to escape the deep sea!"

Cherry Fish and Spotted Fish immediately swam to the energy ball formed by the Spiny Dragon King, their water energy surging around them, and then condensed again outside the Dragon King's energy shield to form a smoother and more powerful water film.

The two Pokémon worked together, lifting the double-protected water sphere, and began to rise rapidly towards the faint light above at a speed even faster than Kingdra could control it alone.

Gyarados let out a low growl, like the most loyal guardian, circling around the rising water sphere, its blood-red eyes warily scanning the surrounding dark seawater, any unknown creature that tried to approach would be met with its fierce gaze.

……

The process of surfacing is no longer as novel and exciting as the process of diving; all that remains is the tension of racing against time.

The light gradually changed from dark blue to indigo, and then to bright azure, and the surrounding marine life became abundant again.

“Crash——!!!”

Finally, thanks to the tireless efforts of the cherry blossom fish and the spotted fish, the water sphere carrying Zhang Heng and Cheng Lan broke through the sea surface, bringing with it a shower of sparkling water droplets.

Kingdra timely deactivated the water shield, allowing the two to breathe again the salty yet incredibly fresh sea air.

It, along with Cherryfish, Spotted Fish, Milotic, and Gyarados, floated on the surface of the sea, surrounding them.

Zhang Heng took a deep breath and felt the tightness in his chest completely disappear.

He turned his head and saw a magnificent and serene scene.

The sun had already set in the west, and a huge orange-red fireball was half-submerged below the sea level, dyeing the boundless sea a magnificent golden and crimson hue.

The clouds and rosy hues were like burning ribbons, blazing brilliantly on the horizon.

The soft golden light shone on the shimmering waves, outlining the Pokémon around them and Cheng Lan, as if draping them in a warm veil of light.

They set off at eight or nine in the morning and have now spent nearly seven or eight hours in that perilous underwater volcano paradise as the sun sets.

The relief of surviving the ordeal, the warmth of reuniting with his companions, the joy of recruiting new allies, and the momentary peace brought by the sunset seascape intertwined, washing away Zhang Heng's weary body and mind.

He looked at Cheng Lan beside him, whose cheeks were also flushed red by the setting sun, and saw the lingering fear in her eyes followed by a renewed sparkle...