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

"Little Heng! Are you up yet? The sun's already high in the sky, don't stay in bed!"

That familiar and infectious voice instantly dispelled the last trace of laziness in the morning, making the air feel bright and cheerful.

Zhang Heng couldn't help but laugh, rinsed his mouth, and replied, "I've been up for a while now. What's up? The youngest and most popular Electric-type Gym Leader in South China, calling me so early, is there some big news to report?"

When Qi Shu heard Zhang Heng mention her honorary titles, her voice became even more cheerful and high-spirited, filled with undisguised pride.

"Hehe! Guess where I am right now? Never mind, you'll never guess! I'll tell you—I'm in East China! Right here with Master!"

"Master?" Zhang Heng was taken aback, then realized that the master Qi Shu was talking about was his father, Zhang Leiyuan.

Before he could ask any further questions, Zhang Leiyuan's calm and authoritative voice came from the illustrated guide, interrupting their conversation.

"Xiao Heng, come to the East China Champions' office later. I have something to discuss with you."

Zhang Heng's heart stirred slightly, thinking that his father was about to give him some important instructions about the alliance's purge or investigation of internal traitors, after all, East China had just experienced a major earthquake.

He immediately stopped smiling and replied seriously, "Okay, Dad, I'll be right there."

After ending the communication, Zhang Heng quickly washed up, changed into clean casual clothes, and carefully clipped the Poké Balls that had restored his companions to health onto the tactical storage belt around his waist.

He took a deep breath and quickly walked out of the rest area for employees and their families in the East China Alliance.

Standing at the door, he was about to call Gengar for transportation as usual when a thought suddenly crossed his mind, and he remembered his newly captured "cool" partner.

"Oh right, a big charcoal cart! Riding it must be really cool!"

With that thought in mind, he took out the Poké Ball containing the Shiny Charcoal Cart and gently tossed it out.

"boom!"

A flash of white light, and the dazzling charcoal car, with its unique blue-gray color and shimmering metallic luster, made its grand entrance!

Compared to its disheveled state after yesterday's battle, it now shines brightly, with the coal piled up like mountains on the "mining cart" it's pushing, radiating healthy heat and vitality.

Zhang Heng stepped forward, gently stroked the slightly rough but warm body of the charcoal cart, and said sincerely, "Charcoal cart, please guide me in the future!"

“Lululu…”

The large charcoal cart emitted a light and satisfied hum, the whole body shook happily a few times, and some small stones and charcoal pieces fell down with a "rustling" sound. A simple and happy expression appeared on its face.

"Haha, could you please give me a ride? To the Alliance headquarters building."

The large coal cart did not respond directly, but cleverly adjusted its direction, pointing the spacious rear of its "mining cart," which resembled a small truck bed, at Zhang Heng, its meaning all too clear.

Zhang Heng smiled slightly, leaped up, and easily stood in the center of the "cart bed".

The pebbles and charcoal blocks there seemed to have been deliberately leveled, and there was enough space that you didn't feel cramped or awkward standing there.

"Let's go!"

With Zhang Heng's command, the wheels of the large charcoal cart began to turn slowly, then gradually accelerated, making a rumbling, powerful sound as it steadily drove towards the East China Alliance headquarters building.

Standing on the "Pokémon convertible," facing the morning breeze and watching the scenery rushing past, Zhang Heng experienced the exhilaration and novelty of "driving" in the Pokémon world.

Before long, a towering and imposing giant building came into view.

The East China Alliance headquarters building, like a drawn sword piercing the sky, is made entirely of silver-gray special alloy and reinforced glass, reflecting a cold and solemn light under the morning sun.

The building entrance was heavily guarded, with uniformed soldiers and their Pokémon partners, such as Arcanine and Xeno'jiiva, scanning the surroundings with sharp eyes, and an invisible pressure permeating the air.

Just as Zhang Henggang brought the large charcoal cart to a stop in the designated area, a petite and lively figure skipped and hopped out of the building—it was Qi Shu.

"Brother Xiao Heng! Over here!" Qi Shu waved his arms, his face beaming with a bright smile.

Her gaze was quickly drawn to Zhang Heng's "vehicle," her eyes lighting up. "Wow! Is that a rare charcoal truck? The color is so unique! Is it glittery? It's so cool!"

Zhang Heng jumped off the large charcoal cart with a smile, and habitually reached out to ruffle Qi Shu's brightly colored and distinctive hair.

"Hmm, it's a new partner, the Shiny Charcoal Cart."

Qi Shu squinted his eyes contentedly, like a kitten being stroked.

But the next second, when she looked up and looked closely at Zhang Heng, a barely perceptible, instinctive fear flashed across her eyes.

Zhang Heng, standing before her, had a gentle smile, but her keen intuition sensed an indescribable composure emanating from him, as if he had been tempered by countless battles.

And a kind of awe-inspiring majesty that subtly surpasses ordinary people.

This feeling was somewhat similar to the aura of her master Zhang Leiyuan's divine beast, the Thunder Drum, as if it was another level of crushing her.

However, this fear was quickly replaced by her closeness and trust in Zhang Heng.

To her, Zhang Heng was like a brother to her family, and that would never change no matter what he became.

Zhang Heng also carefully examined the strange tree. After not seeing it for a while, this quirky young female dojo master, although still full of energy, seemed to have quietly gained a sense of composure between her brows.

He also began to faintly exude an aura similar to that of his father, a powerful figure who could control the situation.

It seems that serving as a dojo owner and handling various affairs has indeed helped her grow a lot.

"Let's go, Master is waiting for you in the office." Qi Shu quickly regained his liveliness and pulled Zhang Heng's arm to walk inside.

Led by Qi Shu, Zhang Heng walked through a spacious, bright, and technologically advanced lobby, took a private elevator, and went directly to the champion's office area on the top floor.

The corridor was quiet and solemn, and the floor was so shiny it reflected light like a mirror.

Arriving at the heavy door of the champion's office, engraved with the East China Alliance emblem and lightning bolt pattern, Qi Shu winked slyly at Zhang Heng, signaling him to push it open himself.

Zhang Heng was a little confused, but he still reached out and pressed his hand on the door, gently pushing it open—

"Bang bang bang! Bang bang bang!"

A series of dense, confetti-spraying sounds suddenly exploded! Countless colorful fireworks and ribbons fell from above the door frame like a shower of flowers, instantly engulfing Zhang Heng.

Immediately afterwards, a burst of enthusiastic cheers rang out from inside the office:

Happy birthday, Zhang Heng!