Chapter 11: Beast Master Xiao Ming

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Xia You turned back to look at him. “Your challenge?”

“That’s right.” The boy straightened his collar and smiled confidently. “My name’s Xiao Ming, known as the ‘Beast Tamer.’ Since I began training, I’ve never been defeated. So, how about it? Do you dare to battle me?”

Beast Tamer Xiao Ming?

Glancing down at the pangolin by his feet, Xia You’s expression shifted to one of understanding.

“I don’t mind either way,” Xia You said, looking around left and right. “But where shall we fight? There’s no battle arena nearby.”

Thanks to the league system’s popularization and standardization of Pokémon battles—much like open-air basketball courts in the streets of the past world—one could often find makeshift battle grounds in parks, schools, riverbanks, or along streets in the city.

Unfortunately, the area Xia You currently occupied was somewhat distant from any public battle facility.

Xiao Ming pointed toward Kuleaf City. “Not far ahead in the wilderness, I built my own personal gym. There’s a battle arena there. Follow me.”

The two of them walked out of Hualan City, one after the other. After about ten minutes, they arrived at a simple camp enclosed by fences and tents.

Outside the camp stood a large signboard that read: “Unofficial Pokémon League Gym—Currently 92 Consecutive Wins.”

Judging from the confident expression on Xiao Ming’s face and the words on the sign, it was clear he was a very self-assured trainer.

And quite eager to draw attention, too.

Yet, his somewhat sturdy build, broad upward-arched eyebrows, and that face gave off a slightly goofy vibe after a while.

Noticing Xia You staring at the sign, Xiao Ming boasted, “My goal is 100 consecutive wins. Once I reach that, I’ll begin traveling to challenge official gyms and earn badges.”

Entering the camp and stepping into this so-called personal gym, Xia You caught sight of a few Pokémon training on their own through the open tent flap.

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Butterfree and Beedrill danced and collided in midair, seemingly practicing fighting moves, while on the ground, three Rattatas equipped with enhancers appeared to be engaged in endurance training.

“How’s that? My gym’s pretty good, right?” Xiao Ming said as he approached the trainer’s command area. “If I defeat you now, that’ll be my 93rd consecutive win!”

“That’s truly something to celebrate,” Xia You replied solemnly as he moved to the other side. “It’s clear you’re a formidable opponent, but I’ve never lost since I began my travels!”

Beneath their feet was a hard-packed dirt field. Though unremarkable, this type of field was the most common battle venue in this world.

“Is that so? Looks like someone’s record is going to be broken today!” Xiao Ming shrugged as if he had no solution to Xia You’s challenge. “Alright, let’s get to the point. The rules are simple: one Pokémon each. Whoever stands last wins!”

Xia You nodded. “Alright, understood.”

From behind him, Xiao Ming produced a whip, flicked it forward, and shouted, “Pangolin, let’s show them our strength!”

At his command, the pangolin beside him slowly stepped onto the battlefield.

In appearance, the pangolin was much like an earth pangolin, standing on two legs but otherwise similar. Overall, it was rounder, with dry, hard soil-colored skin patterned like bricks—resembling a wall made of tiles.

Xia You pulled out his Pokédex and scanned it.

Pokédex: “Beedle, the Mouse Pokémon, Ground type. Dislikes water and digs deep burrows in dry places. When threatened, it curls into a ball to protect itself.”

In terms of type, both Bulbasaur, a Grass type, and Squirtle, a Water type, held advantages over this Ground-type pangolin. Though Xia You couldn’t recall every detail, he remembered this pangolin had once defeated Ash and the trio from Team Rocket. He dared not be careless. After a moment’s thought, he gestured and sent out his ace Pokémon—Kirlia.

Seeing the girl-like Kirlia, Xiao Ming was surprised. “Your Pokémon is quite unique. But no matter who it is, the result will be the same. Let’s go, Pangolin! Use Rollout!”

The pangolin sprinted forward with rapid strides. Gaining enough speed, it curled into a perfect sphere and rolled at Kirlia with great velocity.

“Kirlia, use Double Team!”

Kirlia’s body instantly multiplied into dozens of phantoms, while the pangolin, moving too fast to stop, rolled past its intended path. It turned to look back, only to find it had passed through a mere illusion.

“Kirlia, use Psychic!”

Kirlia raised her hand, and suddenly a glow surrounded the pangolin. In an instant, with the crack of a whip, the pangolin curled tightly again at incredible speed.

Psychic powers lifted the pangolin high, then slammed it down hard. As the dust settled, it stretched, shook its head, and got up from the ground, visibly unscathed.

“Not bad,” Xia You praised. “To curl up instantly to defend against attacks—that’s impressive. You’ve really trained this pangolin well.”

Xiao Ming sneered. “Hmph, this little injury means nothing! My pangolin has undergone rigorous training and has even overcome its weakness to water!”

“Oh?” Xia You raised an eyebrow in surprise. “A Ground-type Pokémon overcoming its Water-type weakness? That’s impressive!”

From their brief skirmish, Xia You had already noticed some clues.

Besides its outstanding strength, the pangolin and Xiao Ming communicated quickly and efficiently.

Often, Xiao Ming would just flick his whip; without words, the pangolin understood his intent through the whip’s sound and changed tactics, using unexpected moves to defeat opponents.

These factors explained their undefeated streak of over ninety battles.

But now, facing Xia You and Kirlia, they had met a worthy adversary.

Xia You and Kirlia were naturally in perfect sync. Kirlia’s red horns allowed her to quickly sense Xia You’s emotions, and as a Psychic-type Pokémon, she could even, to some extent, read his thoughts.