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

Seeing this, Zhang Heng's lips curled into an even colder and cruel smile.

He said, "Don't be too happy yet. This raid will be carried out by you alone. There will be no support and no way back."

"If you lose heart halfway through, or... still miss your former master and try to defect and return to the embrace of South Korea..."

He paused deliberately, then raised his right hand again.

This time, the Dragon Slab did not fully materialize; instead, a constantly rotating indigo phantom floated above his palm, radiating a majestic aura that sent shivers down one's spine.

"Your life force has been permanently locked by the Dragon Slab." Zhang Heng's voice sounded like it came from the coldest spring in the netherworld.

He said, "No matter where you flee to or which secret realm you hide in, as long as you still exist in this world, I can find you through the stone slab."

"At that time, what awaits you will not be a simple death. I will put into practice every single 'solution' that I described to you today."

"Lingchi (death by a thousand cuts), dissection, skinning, bone removal... you will truly understand what eternal torment more terrifying than death is."

Zhang Heng's words were seven parts deception and three parts manipulation.

While the Dragon Stone is indeed wondrous, its ability to lock onto and track the scent of specific Pokémon is something he cannot currently control.

But he doesn't need to be completely real; he only needs to demonstrate a power that transcends common sense and then "endow" that power with a logical and despairing additional function, and that will be enough.

Would Garchomp dare to gamble? It wouldn't!

Having witnessed and experienced firsthand the power of the Dragon Slab that surpassed even that of divine beasts, it believed without a doubt any of Zhang Heng's claims about the slab's abilities!

Its massive body involuntarily shivered, and the slight excitement that had just risen in its eyes was suppressed by a deeper fear, leaving only absolute obedience.

"Roar..." It growled softly, indicating that it understood and dared not have any disloyal thoughts again.

Having completed its mission, Garchomp didn't dare delay. It turned around and prepared to unleash its power, as usual, smashing through the huge floor-to-ceiling window and flying into the sky—its usual mode of transportation.

"Stop!" Zhang Heng shouted angrily, his displeasure evident.

Garchomp's massive body suddenly froze in its semi-activated state, turning around in astonishment to look at Zhang Heng with confusion.

Zhang Heng pointed to the heavy main gate not far away, engraved with the emblem of the Chinese Alliance, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

He said, "Can't you use the door? Have some manners! This is the champion's office, not your wilderness den!"

"..." Garchomp was clearly stunned, a look of bewilderment and comical embarrassment flashing in its crimson eyes.

It glanced at the door, which seemed a bit too narrow for it, and then at Zhang Heng's serious expression. Finally, under the pressure of its survival instinct and the "new rules," it gave up.

It obediently suppressed its restless energy, its massive body clumsily turning around and taking awkward steps toward the door.

When it reached the door, it even carefully hooked its paws on the doorknob, gently pulled it open, and squeezed out sideways.

After it went outside, it paused for a moment, then turned back and very gently closed the door again with the tip of its paw, making almost no sound.

This series of actions, happening on such a ferocious quasi-god, is full of an incongruous yet amusing sense of "well-behavedness".

He is just like a wild "rich young master" who is suddenly disciplined by strict family rules and forced to learn to follow the rules.

"Pfft——!"

Qi Shu, who had been watching nervously and barely daring to breathe, finally couldn't hold back anymore when he saw this scene and pointed outside the door, laughing so hard he almost fell over.

"Hahaha! You're amazing, Brother Heng! Even a near-god has been subdued by you and has to learn how to walk and close doors!"

"And your Martial Arts Bear Master was so cool just now! That pose where you dodged the Dragon God's dive!"

Excitedly, she ran to the Combo-Style Martial Arts Bear Master, who was already standing quietly to the side, and curiously and admiringly poked its arm muscles, which were as solid as refined iron but contained the supple resilience of flowing water.

Zhang Heng relaxed, walked over to Qi Shu, and impatiently reached out to roughly rub her head, turning her smooth hair into a mess.

"Of course! Aren't I great? That's called effective discipline."

"Hey! Stop rubbing it! Your hair is all messed up!"

Qishu screamed and covered his head, while the two of them laughed and joked around. The cold, suffocating atmosphere in the room was finally dispelled.

"Alright, you two, stop fooling around."

Zhang Leiyuan's calm voice rang out, carrying the authority of the head of the family.

"Come sit down, it's time to talk about serious business."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Heng's expression immediately turned serious. He knew that the relaxed and warm time was over.

What her father was about to discuss next was the core issue concerning the future and the crisis. He patted Qishu on the shoulder, signaling her to be quiet, and the two of them walked to the tea table and sat down.

Zhang Leiyuan personally refilled hot tea for his son and Qishu. The rising aroma of the tea slightly dispelled the lingering stench of blood and energy fluctuations. He put down the teapot and looked intently at Zhang Heng.

"Xiao Heng, you're an adult now, and your strength is vastly different from what it used to be. There are some things you should know."

"This concerns my future plans, and even the future plans of the entire China Alliance. It is also closely related to you, and I would like to hear your thoughts." Zhang Leiyuan's tone was unusually solemn.

Zhang Heng sat upright, and he could clearly sense that his father's aura and style of doing things had undergone subtle but profound changes since his "resurrection."

It has lost some of its former grandeur and domineering air, but gained a more restrained sharpness and far-sighted planning. Its perspective on issues has also become more comprehensive and... aggressive.

“Dad, please speak, I’m listening,” Zhang Heng replied in a deep voice.

Zhang Leiyuan spoke slowly, his voice low: "Actually, what I'm truly worried about has never been those opponents who are out in the open, whether they are overseas champions or those clown-like traitors and spies in China."

A hint of disdain flashed in his eyes: "Just like this time in the East China Sea, I single-handedly faced the combined attack of three champions and still managed to win."

"I will capture Garchomp alive and make them pay a heavy price. It's easy to dodge a direct attack, and I am confident that I can take on any direct challenge."

His tone shifted, and his expression became extremely serious: "However, it is difficult to guard against hidden arrows. Especially when these 'hidden arrows' come from some ancient organizations that are lurking in the shadows of history and whose strength and foundation are no less than that of a medium-sized state apparatus, things become extremely troublesome."

"They are the real threat, and the ones I fear most right now."

Zhang Heng's heart stirred. He recalled the war that had broken out on both the eastern and western fronts of China. The main forces in East and South China were firmly tied down, and even Shi Guanjun in the southwest was inexplicably restrained and unable to provide reinforcements.

The entire country nearly found itself in a huge strategic predicament. Behind all of this, it seems, an invisible hand was skillfully manipulating the pieces and stirring up trouble.

"You mean... the Temple of Creation?" Zhang Heng uttered the name that had lingered in his mind for so long.

Zhang Leiyuan did not answer immediately, but picked up his teacup. However, the fingers gripping the cup tightened slightly, and the anger and coldness accumulating in his eyes were almost impossible to suppress.

Seeing this, Uncle Luo took over the conversation, his voice carrying a sense of historical vicissitude as he slowly spoke.

"The Temple of Creation... This organization has a history far longer than most national alliances. According to the fragmented intelligence and ancient records we have, their origins seem to be related to a certain lineage family in the ancient Sinnoh region."

"It is said that the family had direct contact with Arceus, the creator god, and was given a certain mission. The original doctrine of the Temple of Creation may indeed have been 'to assist the creator god in maintaining the balance of the world'."

Uncle Luo sighed, his tone turning heavy: "However, with the passage of time, the corruption of power, and the dramatic changes in the leadership's ideology... the Temple of Creation has long since deviated from its original purpose."

They gradually evolved into an extreme theocratic organization, claiming to be the sole representative of Arceus on earth, and believing that only they were qualified to interpret 'divine will' and guide the world's direction.

"Their ultimate goal is to overthrow the existing order, which is dominated by regional alliances and nations, and to establish a new world under their theocratic and absolute control."

Immediately, Zhang Heng's mind flashed back to the crazed and arrogant face of the Second Divine Fiend on the East China battlefield, along with their indifferent air of regarding all living beings as ants. This perfectly matched Uncle Luo's description.