The next day, after enjoying breakfast, Wen Qi carefully arranged various matters with Wenhua, Meilihua, and the Sandslash, then shouldered his backpack and left the farm.
Wen Qi rode his beloved Gogoat, leisurely making his way along the paths between the fields. Sunlight filtered through the thin clouds, draping the vast land like a golden veil, casting the patches of golden wheat fields in a dazzling glow. A gentle breeze swept by, and the wheat rippled in waves, like the soft breath of the earth.
The scenery along the way gradually grew lush and verdant, with dense trees and interwoven branches forming green barriers. Wen Qi felt the steady, powerful strides of his Gogoat beneath him, his heart filled with anticipation and curiosity. He imagined the mysteries and wonders of the forest and unconsciously quickened his pace.
Finally, they crossed the last stretch of fields and stepped into the domain of the forest. Towering trees reached into the sky, and sunlight streamed through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled, shifting patterns of light and shadow on the ground. The air was filled with the fresh, refreshing scent of grass and wood, soothing the soul. Wen Qi took a deep breath, fully immersing himself in the forest's tranquility and mystery, his heart brimming with joy and expectation.
Along the way, Wen Qi encountered many Pokémon, though most were common species like Caterpie, Rattata, and Oddish. He noticed that their levels and aptitudes were quite low, barely surviving at the forest's edge, and they appeared malnourished, their living conditions far from ideal.
Originally, Wen Qi had considered picking a Caterpie to train, but then he remembered he already had a Venonat, and their abilities were similar, so he abandoned the idea.
At the edge of the forest, Wen Qi dismounted from his Gogoat, deciding it was better to walk on foot for now and let the Gogoat carry him later when he grew tired. Thinking about the dangers lurking in the forest, he realized that relying solely on the Gogoat wasn't enough, so he released his Venonat. The Venonat's Run Away ability made it highly sensitive to danger, allowing for early warnings.
As for the Torterra, its massive size meant that if released, its movements would surely scare off all the Pokémon nearby—and any that weren't frightened would likely be extremely dangerous and formidable. So, he had no choice but to leave the Torterra quietly in place. If the Torterra knew it was being left behind because of its size, it might feel a pang of sadness.
As soon as the Venonat appeared, it sensed the unfamiliar environment. After a moment of stillness, confirming there was no danger, it tried to climb onto Wen Qi's shoulder. Seeing this, Wen Qi quickly stopped it and said, "You little one, don't you know how heavy you are? We have a long journey ahead today, and I can't carry you the whole way—even an iron body couldn't handle that. So, you have two choices: either stay on the Gogoat or walk alongside me."
Hearing Wen Qi's words, the Venonat was momentarily speechless. It had been called out only to be rejected, but there was nothing it could do. It thought about hopping onto the Gogoat for a free ride, but one look at the Gogoat's fierce little eyes, which seemed to say, "If you try to ride me, you'll regret it," made the Venonat reluctantly decide to walk alongside Wen Qi.
As soon as Wen Qi stepped into the forest, he felt an atmosphere completely different from the outside world. The deep jungle was like a mysterious realm, with lush trees crisscrossing to form emerald-green barriers. Sunlight filtered through the layered leaves, scattering fragmented, hazy patterns of light. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, mingled with faint traces of floral fragrance, intoxicating and mesmerizing.
Suddenly, a rustling sound broke the forest's silence. Wen Qi followed the noise and saw an Arbok slowly emerging from the grass. Its body was long and agile, covered in shimmering green scales that blended perfectly with the surrounding leaves. Its eyes gleamed with a cunning, sharp light, as if surveying everything around it.
The Arbok crawled forward slowly, its tail swaying gently, rustling the leaves nearby. Its movements were light and nimble, like an elegant dancer hidden in the jungle, silently performing a mysterious dance. Noticing Wen Qi's presence, it continued crawling closer, stopping not far away.
At the forest's edge, the Arbok, as one of the local overlords, had a fierce, menacing appearance and a strong sense of territory. Seeing the unfamiliar face of Wen Qi, it instantly bared a vicious expression, ready to attack. However, just as the Arbok was about to lunge, it noticed Wen Qi's two companions—the Venonat and the Gogoat.
The Venonat looked cute, but its aura wasn't strong, so the Arbok paid it little mind. But when its gaze fell on the Gogoat, it felt an inexplicable pressure. The Gogoat's appearance wasn't flashy, but its aura was deep and powerful, as if it harbored boundless strength. The Arbok tried to gauge the Gogoat's power, but its aura seemed shrouded in a mist, making it difficult to discern.
This feeling unsettled the Arbok, causing it to doubt its own judgment. The Arbok knew well that in this forest, the law of the strong reigned supreme. Though fierce, it also possessed keen instincts and precise judgment. At that moment, it sensed that the Gogoat's strength might surpass its own, forcing it to reconsider its actions.
After weighing the situation, the Arbok decided to abandon the idea of attacking Wen Qi. It didn't want to provoke a powerful existence out of momentary impulse. So, it retracted its vicious expression, turned around, and quietly slipped away.
Wen Qi watched the Arbok's retreating figure, feeling a wave of relief. To be honest, Wen Qi had always been afraid of snakes in his past life, and seeing the Arbok had genuinely frightened him. He knew that his safety this time was thanks to his companions, the Venonat and the Gogoat. Especially the Gogoat—its powerful aura not only intimidated the Arbok but also gave Wen Qi an indescribable sense of security.
Wen Qi had just checked the Arbok's information through the system.
Pokémon: Arbok Level: 36 Type: Poison Ability: Shed Skin (By shedding its skin, it sometimes heals status conditions) Talent: Deep Yellow Moves: Wrap (Proficient), Leer (Proficient), Poison Sting (Proficient), Bite (Proficient), Glare (Proficient), Screech (Proficient), Acid (Proficient), Stockpile (Proficient), Spit Up (Proficient), Swallow (Proficient), Acid Spray (Proficient), Sludge Bomb (Proficient), Gastro Acid (Proficient), Crunch (Proficient)
Wen Qi understood that while his Gogoat could defeat this Arbok, it would be pointless. After all, they had just entered the forest. If the Gogoat got poisoned or injured in battle, its combat effectiveness would be greatly reduced, leaving Wen Qi vulnerable to danger later on. It seemed he still had too few powerful Pokémon on hand. If he had brought Meilihua today, he might have chosen to fight.
Wen Qi hadn't expected such bad luck—encountering such a formidable Pokémon right at the forest's edge. Still, he was glad both sides had kept their cool and avoided a conflict.