After the enhancement, even the strength that couldn't be improved before directly rose by three levels, now reaching level 44.
Wen Qi checked Heracross's information.
Pokémon: Heracross Level: 44 Type: Bug + Fighting Ability: Guts (If afflicted by a status condition, it shows tenacious willpower, greatly boosting its Attack stat.) Talent: Deep Green Moves: Tackle (Mastered), Leer (Proficient), Low Kick (Proficient), Fury Attack (Mastered), Endure (Proficient), Aerial Ace (Proficient), Horn Attack (Mastered), Counter (Proficient), Brick Break (Proficient), Pin Missile (Proficient), Throat Chop (Proficient), Thrash (Proficient), Swords Dance (Proficient), Bug Bite (Proficient), Bug Buzz (Proficient), Bulk Up (Proficient), Stomping Tantrum (Proficient), Bullet Seed (Proficient), Close Combat (Mastered), Horn Leech (Mastered), Protect (Proficient), Reversal (Proficient), Hyper Beam (Proficient)
Seeing that Heracross's ability was Guts, Wen Qi couldn't help but sigh. No wonder it had persisted in training despite suffering such severe internal injuries before—this tenacity was truly incredible.
The mastery of its moves was also impressive, all either Proficient or Mastered—really remarkable.
After the enhancement, Heracross happily hugged Wen Qi again. Fortunately, this time it knew its own strength and only gave a gentle embrace.
Wen Qi was equally delighted. With its talent improved and strength boosted, once they further developed their synergy, it would become another powerful battle companion.
After arranging Heracross's training regimen, Wen Qi left the area.
He then checked on the Pokémon in various zones, seeing them all training diligently. He didn't disturb them, only offering a few casual pointers on their training before leaving.
However, watching Dratini devour so many energy cubes in such a short time made Wen Qi's heart ache with worry.
No help for it—his own dragon, no matter how painful it was, he had to raise it even while crying.
With a gloomy mood, he left the small world. Looking at the bright, sunny weather outside, he lost all desire to relax under the big tree.
So he just continued lazing around at home like a couch potato.
While Wen Qi was thoroughly enjoying his lazy days, Zhou Zhiwen's situation was far from pleasant.
Although his Arcanine was powerful and elite-level, almost no forest welcomed Fire-type Pokémon.
Thus, the Grass- and Bug-type Pokémon in the forest utterly despised Arcanine.
Because of this, many Pokémon attacked Arcanine. If Zhou Zhiwen hadn't released his Ninetales to help fend them off, he probably wouldn't have held out.
Along the way, no matter how hard Zhou Zhiwen tried to conceal himself, he was constantly discovered and attacked, ending up in an utterly miserable state.
The Pidgeotto along the way watched this scene, secretly relieved that they flew high enough not to get caught up in it.
Fortunately, Zhou Zhiwen's strength was decent. Moving in fits and starts, he finally reached the outskirts of Venusaur's territory.
By the time Zhou Zhiwen arrived at Venusaur's entrance, his clothes were torn and tattered, and both of his Pokémon had sustained some injuries. He looked utterly disheveled.
At least he had finally reached his destination.
By then, the Pidgeotto had already gone into the valley to find the Alpha Venusaur. Venusaur recognized this Pidgeotto, having seen it during Wen Qi's previous visit.
So when the Pidgeotto came before it, Venusaur didn't attack.
After fully recounting the entire situation to the Alpha Venusaur, the Pidgeotto left directly. Since Zhou Zhiwen no longer needed its guidance on the return trip, it simply departed.
At the entrance, Zhou Zhiwen was stopped. Without Wen Qi's Aura of Serenity, the Venusaur at the gate treated him extremely poorly.
If not for the recent order from the Alpha not to attack others or Pokémon indiscriminately, they would have driven Zhou Zhiwen away long ago.
Just as Zhou Zhiwen was repeatedly explaining that he was sent by the League on important business to see the Alpha, the Venusaur at the gate received a telepathic message from the Alpha. It gave Zhou Zhiwen a cold glare and stepped aside, signaling that they could follow it inside.
Seeing this, Zhou Zhiwen let out a long sigh of relief and quickly followed the Venusaur in.
Soon, he arrived before the Alpha. The scenery along the way truly amazed Zhou Zhiwen, and he couldn't help but repeatedly marvel at how breathtakingly beautiful the environment was.
He quickly reached the Alpha's location, and the Venusaur left directly.
Seeing the familiar Alpha, though not for the first time, the Alpha's imposing aura still deeply intimidated Zhou Zhiwen.
This strength was truly overwhelming.
As he looked around, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure—it was Boss Wen's Torterra.
Zhou Zhiwen swore he hadn't misidentified it; this Torterra was definitely Boss Wen's.
Although there were many Torterra, none had ever been like Boss Wen's—so massive in size and containing such extraordinary energy.
The one before him was exactly that, so it could only be Boss Wen's.
Curiosity stirred within him. How did Boss Wen's Torterra end up here? Earlier, when Boss Wen said he had some connection with the Alpha, Zhou Zhiwen had been skeptical. But seeing this now, it seemed their relationship was indeed deep.
It looked like quite a close bond, too.
Gazing at the massive forms of the Alpha and Torterra, Zhou Zhiwen couldn't help but wonder if the Alpha Venusaur intended to pass the Alpha position to Torterra.
But then he reconsidered—they weren't the same species, so it probably wasn't that.
At that moment, the Alpha's tightly shut eyes slowly opened, a pair of bright, sharp eyes fixed directly on Zhou Zhiwen.
Zhou Zhiwen spoke first.
"Alpha, I'm sorry to disturb you again. How have you been feeling lately?"
The Alpha's voice directly entered Zhou Zhiwen's mind.
"Thank you for your concern. My recovery is going well. What brings you here this time?"
"Alpha, I've come for two matters."
"First, the Captain asked me to inform you that the bounty hunter has been sentenced to life imprisonment, with all possessions confiscated. He'll spend the rest of his life in prison."
"Second, the Captain is concerned about whether the Bulbasaur has been found and if we can offer any help."
Hearing Zhou Zhiwen's words, the Alpha Venusaur understood that the guesses Wen Qi had shared with it earlier had essentially come true.
It seemed the League had indeed noticed the Bulbasaur's uniqueness and was trying various ways to learn its whereabouts.
But they had already discussed this with Wen Qi, and Venusaur knew how to handle them.
To make it more convincing, the Alpha's transmitted voice this time was exceptionally cold, angry, and tinged with a hint of sorrow.
"Since that person has been punished, I won't pursue it further. However, that Bulbasaur has been found—unfortunately, it died in an accident, killed by that Kecleon Alpha. I've already avenged it. There's no need for you to trouble yourselves with what comes next."
"I hope no one else will come to disturb us. Though I am old, if you provoke me again, I will not let it go easily."
Zhou Zhiwen, hearing these words, felt some doubt about their truthfulness, especially regarding the Bulbasaur's death.
He had initially wanted to see the body, but faced with the Alpha's murderous aura, he felt that pressing further might mean he wouldn't leave unscathed today.