Dragonite didn't even need commands for Sleep Talk; it seemed to have the move inscribed in its DNA, able to accurately receive Long Xu's commands even while asleep.
Salamence did not expect that a sleeping Dragonite could still act; it elegantly dodged Salamence's fierce Dragon Claw with a well-timed Dragon Dance.
Under Long Xu's guidance, Salamence was completely led into Dragonite's rhythm.
Each of Salamence's attacks was somewhat sluggish, like a child being toyed with, provoking a burning fury within the once-mighty Salamence.
No longer attempting to use Dragon Claw or Thunder Fang to tear at Dragonite, Salamence suddenly halted. The sky overhead darkened, and swirling black clouds gathered ominously.
"Everyone back away! All gym leader-level trainers, be alert and protect the area!"
Long Xu's expression changed for the first time; this was the precursor to the Dragon-type ultimate move—Draco Meteor.
As the most powerful known Dragon-type move, it also had a considerable coverage area.
Salamence abandoned close combat, opting instead to use Draco Meteor, a skill that would leave Dragonite with nowhere to hide.
What caused a shift in Long Xu's demeanor was not just the move's high power but the fact that a wild Salamence should not ordinarily know this move.
This also applied to Thunder Fang from before.
Trainers generally categorize moves into three types:
Level Moves: These are moves that each Pokémon can learn naturally as they reach certain levels, like instinctively unlocking a hidden ability.
Inherited Moves: These moves are passed down from a Pokémon's parents, such as how Charmander has three inherited moves.
Taught Moves: Trainers teach their Pokémon moves through TMs or other methods to fill gaps in their skill sets or to make them stronger.
The key difference between wild Pokémon and those trained by trainers is that, apart from a few with inherited moves, wild Pokémon typically can only learn their level moves.
This Salamence, however, lived in the Mystery Dungeon for a long time, unlike Charizard's leader, which had close contact with humans.
So, ordinarily, this Salamence should not have learned non-level moves like Thunder Fang and Draco Meteor.
Unless they were inherited moves—could it be that this Salamence's parents had been trained by humans?
A subtle sense of pressure washed over Long Xu.
"Hydreigon, Haxorus, Noivern, Sceptile, go!"
Including Dragonite, which was already battling Salamence, and Altaria, which was protecting Long Xu, six Pokémon in total were all Elite Four-level. Among them were two near-Legendary Pokémon.
This luxurious lineup left the other trainers in awe and jealousy, but there was also a sense of unease. Why had Dragon King Long Xu suddenly deployed all six Pokémon? The battle rhythm had clearly been taken over by Dragonite.
"Senior Su Chuan, have everyone immediately withdraw from the Mystery Dungeon," Long Xu instructed grimly.
He needed to take down Salamence as quickly as possible and investigate this Mystery Dungeon further.
This Mystery Dungeon was definitely far from simple.
However, just as everyone except Su Chuan, Long Xu, and a researcher had retreated, Salamence, left with no fighting chance, screamed in defiant pain, soaring into the sky. Its shriek echoed hauntingly throughout the Mystery Dungeon.
In less than a minute, the five Elite-level Pokémon's attacks landed, and Salamence lay battered and bruised on the ground.
Yet, the researcher standing by Su Chuan suddenly detected something unusual, trembling as he said, "Dragon King Long Xu! The energy concentration in the Mystery Dungeon is rising rapidly!"
Long Xu didn't have time to capture Salamence or carry it away. Instead, he hurriedly led Su Chuan and the researcher toward the exit.
"What level is the alarm at now?"
"It's... close to level one!"
A level three alarm indicated a high probability of Elite-level Pokémon appearing, and nearing level one meant something ominous was about to happen. Cold sweat soaked Su Chuan's back, and beads of sweat rolled down the researcher's forehead as he frantically typed on his keyboard atop Altaria's back.
"Data shows the energy source is in the center of the Mystery Dungeon!" The researcher instinctively looked to the west, where the energy fluctuations were emanating from.
No need for further prompting, Long Xu and Su Chuan soon felt the energy waves radiating outwards.
At the center of a towering snow-capped mountain in the Mystery Dungeon, the clouds dispersed, and trees swayed violently. Yet, all the Pokémon fell eerily silent.
Whether flying in the air, swimming in the water, or cautiously observing from the forest, every Pokémon turned their attention toward the mountain in unison.
This tranquil sense of reverence, heightened by the continuously rippling energy waves, seemed particularly strange.
"Reshiram~"
A clear, ethereal voice echoed through the Mystery Dungeon, an unprecedented calm settling over the space.
If not for the ominous atmosphere, Su Chuan would have found the voice enchanting. But now, he just wanted to escape the Mystery Dungeon as quickly as possible.
He even hoped the voice's owner would only call out a few times and then disappear.
As if to counter Su Chuan's thoughts, a Pokémon burst forth from the snow-capped mountain, tearing through the clouds.
The pure white Pokémon bore no blemish; in Su Chuan's mind, only the word "sacred" could describe it.
Its appearance was a combination of a white bird with the massive claws of a Western dragon, its entire body covered in soft, feather-like white fur.
Its vibrant blue eyes contrasted with its pitch-black sclera, adding to its mystery. A long, cloud-like tuft atop its head flowed, like the streamers of a spear poised for battle.
With a visage resembling that of a white wolf, two metallic rings adorned its neck, encased in soft white fur around its abdomen. Its feet bore hard, clearly defined textures, lending a slender shape to the lower parts of its legs. The silver claws on its front feet were long and sharp, while the claws on its back feet resembled high heels, creating an overall sharp appearance.
Similar to its neck, its tail was encircled at the base by two metallic rings, with an engine-shaped object lying beneath them. The tip of its tail seemed to dance like flames or smoke, resembling the torch of a Phoenix cup.
"Pursuing the real White Dragon, Reshiram..." Long Xu muttered while watching Reshiram soar through the clouds like a fighter jet.
Su Chuan had never seen such a complex expression on Long Xu's face, filled with longing, fear, eagerness, and confusion...
However, Reshiram did not allow either Long Xu or Su Chuan the luxury of contemplating their emotions. It swiftly targeted the two intruders that dared to flutter in its skies.
Blue flames erupted from Reshiram's mouth, a move Su Chuan had never witnessed before. Long Xu quickly snapped from his daze into battle mode.
"Use Protect!"
Except for Altaria, which was carrying Long Xu and the researcher, the remaining five Pokémon formed a stack behind them, a light green shield shimmering into existence.
Meanwhile, Su Chuan and Long Xu urged Pidgeot and Altaria to retreat.
The green light shield collided with Reshiram's blue flames, as silent and unyielding as snow meeting fire, it began to evaporate.
The first layer...
The second layer...
It wasn't until the fourth barrier that the blue flames began to dissipate.
Curiously, Reshiram showed no intent to chase them down; it merely observed Long Xu and Su Chuan as they fled from the sky.
The moment Long Xu and Su Chuan exited the Mystery Dungeon, the spatial passage of the Mystery Dungeon immediately vanished like a closed dam, disappearing without a trace. If not for the throngs of workers and trainers in the mountainous area, everyone would have thought the Mystery Dungeon had never existed.
"Dragon King Long Xu, what's going on?" Wang Zhushi arrived at the Mystery Dungeon, followed by a group of high-ranking officials.
"Let's talk about it later," Long Xu gestured for Su Chuan and the researcher to follow.
Taking a deep breath, Su Chuan sensed that some mysteries were finally about to be uncovered.
--------🌟🌟--------
Your support is my motivation to update.
100 Power Stones stones for an extra chapter!