Pokemon: I refuse to be a supporting character!

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As a token of gratitude, Li Xiang didn't hesitate to tell Lin Feng about the Water of Life.

Of course, to avoid causing trouble and to protect Song Jie, who had shared the information, he sternly warned Lin Feng not to divulge the detailed specifics of the Water of Life.

Lin Feng and Lin Lan were both delighted upon hearing this and solemnly agreed to Li Xiang's request.

Lin Feng himself was also tight-lipped about the origin of the Pokéblocks.

He didn't dare casually reveal that he had Pokéblocks made by the head of the Ho-Oh Temple. Otherwise, his home would have been flooded with visitors.

There were countless people who wanted to buy such items.

Moreover, as the saying goes, "A man's wealth is his own ruin." Lin Feng couldn't explain why, during his visit to the Ho-Oh Temple, he had wandered into an empty courtyard and seen a large tree glowing red under the sunlight.

Nor could he explain why an old man with white eyebrows and a white beard, after chatting with him for a while, had gifted him a large box of Pokéblocks and told him to keep it a secret, not to mention the glowing tree.

Additionally, he couldn't guard against Pokémon thieves.

If thieves stole the Pokéblocks and quickly sold them at a low price, even if they were caught, Lin Feng would suffer a huge loss.

So, he decided to keep it under wraps and planned to sell the Pokéblocks through Xu Wan's connections.

Xu Wan was resourceful and would likely get him a good deal.

By then, his sister could also afford to choose more expensive Pokémon, and a significant portion of the money for a new house could be saved.

...

After the battles and sharing of information, Li Xiang brought up the idea of revisiting the Seaside Cave.

"I've been waiting for you to say that!"

Lin Feng slapped his thigh enthusiastically. When it came to seeking thrills, Lin Feng had never backed down from a challenge.

Lin Lan, unaware of what the Seaside Cave was, curiously asked for details.

Upon hearing the specifics, she became excited.

"I want to go on an adventure too! Take me with you, Brother Li~ Brother Xiang~!"

Lin Lan began to wheedle.

"No, this time it's just me and Lin Feng."

Li Xiang firmly refused. "We've only been there once, and many mysteries remain unsolved. Taking you along would be too dangerous."

The Seaside Cave was quite a distance from areas frequented by humans.

If something went wrong, Lin Lan would only be a liability.

Lin Feng was already enough of a liability. If it weren't for the possibility that he might have some protagonist's luck, Li Xiang would have considered going alone.

"Aw, come on~" Lin Lan pouted. Like Lin Feng, she had a natural inclination for seeking thrills. Now that she knew about such an "interesting" place, how could she let it go?

"Brother~~~"

She turned to Lin Feng, pleading.

However, having been there once before, Lin Feng had complete trust in Li Xiang's cautious approach. Seeing Li Xiang's refusal, he also declined. "I think Li Xiang is right. That place is too dangerous."

Lin Lan wasn't about to give up and immediately turned into a persistent pest.

This was the first time Li Xiang had seen such a tenacious little girl. Reluctantly, he said, "How about this? After we explore it this time and confirm it's safe, we'll take you—promise!"

He raised a hand, his expression serious.

"...Really?" Lin Lan pouted, realizing that there was no way she could go this time.

"Really. My word is my bond."

Li Xiang said firmly.

Lin Lan grumbled but eventually agreed.

To be safe, Li Xiang repeatedly warned the little girl not to secretly follow them.

He even used horror and thriller movies as examples.

In films and animations, there were always these thrill-seeking little girls who usually ended up meeting the most gruesome fates.

The eleven-year-old Lin Lan, seeing how serious and terrifying Li Xiang made it sound, immediately abandoned any thoughts of sneaking along.

Finally.

They agreed to meet at the park entrance on the afternoon of the third day of the Lunar New Year.

Li Xiang's family didn't have many relatives, mainly a few on his mother's side, but they would be done visiting by the second day.

Lin Feng's family was even more efficient. On the first day, they visited his father's relatives, and on the second day, his mother's.

Very efficient.

...

Time flew by, and it was New Year's Eve.

This was Li Xiang's first real New Year celebration in this other world.

The tradition of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new hadn't been abandoned here either.

Although there weren't many relatives on his grandparents' side, the presence of Pokémon made the atmosphere lively.

With so many Pokémon around, it felt just like having relatives over.

As usual, Li Zhehan tried to coax Li Xiang into drinking, this time with yellow wine.

Li Xiang didn't refuse, but after just a sip, he was caught by Mrs. Yin.

"Kids aren't allowed to drink!"

He remembered that even at twenty-five in his previous life, Mrs. Yin would still say the same thing.

So, he ended up giving the rest to Floatzel, who had a penchant for alcohol.

This guy had a strange fascination with alcohol. He didn't drink often, but during major holidays, he would indulge to his heart's content.

Riolu and Torracat were curious about the alcohol and came over to try a bit.

Li Xiang found some cups and gave them each a small amount.

Not long after drinking, while Riolu was still savoring the taste, Torracat was already drunk.

Lying on the ground, it looked as if it had found a paradise filled with endless female cats and catnip.

But Li Xiang had only given it about a bottle cap's worth.

The little cat couldn't hold its liquor!

Li Xiang looked down on it with disdain, reaching out to feel the temperature of the bell on its chest. Sure enough, it was starting to heat up.

"Pathetic."

Beside him.

Riolu licked its lips, its expression a bit odd. It had a better tolerance for alcohol than Torracat, but it quickly realized that the stuff didn't taste good.

It immediately took the cup to pour some juice to cleanse its palate.

"Burp!"

Floatzel let out a hiccup, slightly tipsy, its eyes squinting as it smacked its lips.

Kids these days just didn't appreciate the good stuff.

"Audino?"

Grandma's Audino came over to Li Xiang, pointing at Torracat on the ground.

Li Xiang smiled. "No need, let it sleep. This guy deserves a good rest."

Although there hadn't been any training today, Torracat and Riolu had still helped out with a lot of housework.

Torracat was clearly tired.

The usual program.

The Spring Festival Gala.

The Spring Festival Gala with Pokémon participation was a fresh experience for Li Xiang.

However, Grandpa still criticized the show for getting worse every year, and Li Zhehan chimed in as well.

Halfway through, Grandpa went downstairs to play mahjong with a few old friends.

Li Zhehan wasn't much of a gambler but loved to join in the fun, so he went along, leaving only three people at home.

Mrs. Yin, for some reason, held Li Xiang in her arms for a good half hour, until Li Xiang couldn't take it anymore and she finally let go.

Grandma watched from the side, smiling without a word.

Then, a second wave of middle-aged women started calling from downstairs, and the two women in the house immediately left Li Xiang behind.

It seemed a night market had opened somewhere, and things were cheap due to generous discounts.

Hmm.

These words always seemed to attract women. Li Xiang watched them leave, declining their invitation to join.

After all—

"Li Xiang!"

Lin Feng shouted from downstairs, accompanied by Charmeleon and Lin Lan.

Some people liked to stay home on New Year's Eve, but others preferred to go out and have fun.

Coincidentally, Li Xiang was the type who couldn't sit still.

With his friends calling, he took the still-energetic Feraligatr and Riolu and hurried downstairs.

Once downstairs, Lin Feng grabbed his arm and dragged him toward the park.

"Let's go! The battles in the park must be intense!"

After eating, people always wanted to do something.

For trainers celebrating the New Year, that usually meant battles, and their entertainment was almost always tied to battles.

But on New Year's, who would travel thousands of miles to arenas or gyms?

After dinner, it was only natural to head to the nearest park.

Therefore, powerful trainers who were rarely seen could be spotted in the park tonight, if you were lucky.

However, Li Xiang didn't plan to have Riolu and the others battle tonight. They deserved a break on New Year's Eve.

...

Deep in the park's battle area.

The place was bustling.

People were everywhere, and Pokémon of all kinds were coming and going.

It was even livelier than usual.

The battle area here was different from what Li Xiang had seen before. It was sunken, like inverted trapezoidal pits, and quite spacious.

By the time the trio arrived, not only were there no available battle spots, but there was barely any standing room for spectators, but that didn't deter them.

With Feraligatr around, they could easily sit on its shoulders to watch.

Three teenagers wouldn't tire out Feraligatr.

"Look over there!"

Lin Feng pointed to one of the pits.

That was where the most people were gathered, several layers deep. Based on the rumbling sounds and special effects, it was clear that the trainers battling there were no weaklings.

The trio sat on Feraligatr's shoulders and neck, squeezing in but at least having a clear view.

In the arena.

The two battling Pokémon were a Blaziken, which looked like a Muay Thai fighter with a face resembling a Kamen Rider mask, long straight feathers at the back of its head, and a fiery red body.

And a Barbaracle, a Pokémon covered in limbs, with even its head shaped like a hand, its body composed of rocks.

Both were humanoid and countered each other.

The battle was intense.

Especially when the former's fists burst into flames, and it used its muscular legs to dodge the blue blades on Barbaracle's claws, it was heart-stopping!

Razor Shell!

Li Xiang instantly recalled the name of the move and noticed that Barbaracle had cornered Blaziken.

At this point, there were only two options: either Blaziken jumped, or it took the hit.

It chose—the former!

Blaziken leaped high, its powerful leg muscles allowing it to easily reach five meters, looking down at Barbaracle from above and clearing its body, but since it was a chicken, not a bird, it couldn't fly and had to obey gravity, descending rapidly.

This gave Barbaracle an opportunity.

Without hesitation, it charged toward Blaziken, swinging its arms! After all, a jumping opponent's trajectory was the easiest to predict—

Suddenly!

An unexpected twist!

Blaziken's feet erupted with flames, propelling it forward!

It used the force to kick Barbaracle, which was rushing toward it!

Caught off guard, Barbaracle could only block with its claws!

Boom!

Flames scattered!

Barbaracle was surprised to find that the kick wasn't very powerful, not even breaking the water blades on its claws. Looking up, it saw that Blaziken had already created some distance!

It wasn't an attack, just a feint to create distance again!

But the earlier move had seemed like a full-powered strike!

Outside the arena.

Li Xiang watched thoughtfully.

Feints within feints, real within fake. Though there were no visible changes, why was there a difference in power?

A variation of Feint?

Could Riolu, in its Electromagnetic Float state, learn such a technique?