chapter 79

While the team was resting and chatting, Yoimiya's Galarian Ponyta suddenly noticed something.

"Ril!!"

It neighed a warning, its hooves stamping the ground, eyes fixed on a distant point in the jungle.

"Huh?"

Beidou, Kazuha, Yoimiya, and the others immediately stood up, sensing the powerful aura approaching from that direction.

The leaves rustled, and a Champion-level Pokémon appeared.

It was roughly as tall as a human, slender, elegant, and strikingly beautiful.

Its head resembled an insect, its body had plant-like elements, and its coloring was a blend of white and light pink.

However, this Champion Pokémon didn't seem to notice Beidou and the others. Its pale red eyes were filled with a fierce determination, and its green antennae stood sharply upright.

Rustling softly, it took heavy, unsteady steps, staggering forward.

"It's hurt!" Yoimiya whispered, watching the creature's graceful yet weakened figure.

Xingqiu and Chongyun nodded.

"The Champion Pokémon is covered in scars," Xingqiu observed.

"But even in defeat, it still looks majestic," Chongyun added.

Kazuha glanced in another direction, raising his eyebrows. "Another Champion is coming."

The group quieted down, holding their breath, as they carefully used their Pokédex to record the battlefield.

The injured one was Lurantis, a Grass-type Pokémon resembling an orchid mantis. Its opponent, Breloom, exuded a sense of disdain for the wounded Lurantis.

With fierce resolve, Lurantis launched itself forward, executing a X-Scissor attack, its body becoming a swift streak aimed straight at Breloom.

Breloom responded with a crushing punch, powerful enough to topple a massive tree.

With a thundering Hammer Arm, Breloom sent Lurantis hurtling backward at incredible speed. Lurantis crashed through a series of ancient trees before collapsing in an open area directly in front of Beidou's team.

Watching this, Breloom beat its chest triumphantly, roaring as if to announce itself as the new king of the forest. It cast one last cold glance at the defeated Lurantis before turning and walking away.

"Beep!"

The Pokédex lit up with data about Lurantis.

Champion Lurantis

Grass-type Pokémon

Level: 60

Ability: Leaf Guard

Moves: Petal Blizzard, Leaf Blade, Synthesis, Solar Blade…

"Gulp!"

No one could stay calm in the face of this data.

A Level 60 Champion Pokémon! Despite its scars and unconscious state, Lurantis was still as stunning as a rare, delicate blossom.

Even in defeat, it radiated an awe-inspiring beauty that captivated everyone.

For a moment, Beidou, Yoimiya, Kazuha, Chongyun, and Xingqiu looked at each other.

Excitement sparked in their eyes.

"It's powerful, beautiful… and defenseless," they thought. Should we… pick it up?

In the group chat, members were discussing other topics when they saw the flurry of excited messages from Beidou's team.

Tartaglia: Got any proof?

Eula: If it's really as beautiful and powerful as you say, where's the picture?

Hu Tao: Come on, share a pic already!

Xiangling: Up until now, I thought Yoimiya's Ponyta was the most enchanting…

Beidou: (Image)

Yoimiya: (Image)

Kazuha: (Picture)

Chongyun and Xingqiu eagerly snapped multiple shots, capturing Lurantis from every angle, making sure the beauty of this Champion Pokémon was displayed in all its glory.

Tartaglia: Level 60 Champion? Go ahead and capture it! What are you waiting for?

Xiangling: I take back what I said—Lurantis is officially the most beautiful! It's giving me a nosebleed!

Jean: Is that… safe?

Ningguang: A Level 60 Champion… Can you even just capture it like that?

Albedo: Send coordinates—I'm in the forest, and I want to see it too!

Meanwhile, Takumi, who had been guiding Klee through a new team setup in Pokemon Auto Chess, took a moment to check the group chat.

Seeing the photos and data of the Lurantis, Takumi mused to himself, "That battle scar… it seems the ecological zone's Champions have been fighting for dominance since it arrived. This must be the struggle for forest territory."

He had previously examined both Lurantis and Breloom, knowing that while both had potential up to the Champion level, Breloom held a clear advantage in this clash.

Takumi: I would advise against trying to capture it while it's down. Strong Pokémon are often very proud. Even if you managed to get it into a Poké Ball, it could be disastrous when it wakes up!

Hongyi: Takumi is right. In the past two days, we've had several incidents at Liyue Harbor involving people who captured Pokémon through questionable methods—Pokémon that haven't truly accepted their trainers.

Seeing Takumi and Hongyi's warnings, Beidou's team quickly dropped the idea of attempting to capture Lurantis.

Yoimiya: True, such a beautiful Pokémon must be proud and wouldn't accept a trainer so easily.

Xingqiu: I'd rather avoid experiencing a Champion Pokémon's wrath.

Kazuha: Strength means nothing without trust. It's better to raise one from a young age.

Beidou looked around. "So, what now?"

"Should we leave it here to recover on its own?"

As soon as she spoke, Takumi suddenly appeared beside them, smiling at the surprised group.

"You guys carry on with your adventure," he said smoothly. "I'll take this badly injured Lurantis back to the research institute for treatment."

With a slight wave of his hand, Takumi used his psychic powers to lift the unconscious Lurantis, disappearing in a flash.

The group stood there, momentarily speechless, watching the spot where Takumi had vanished.

After a long silence, Beidou finally shook herself from her stupor, waving her hand.

"Alright… let's keep adventuring!"