Dazzling light surged out from Wang Shóu's body as he underwent the process of evolution once again.
His body began to swell, growing larger and rounder. Raichu's shoulders broadened, his limbs thickened, and claws extended from his round paws.
The tips of Raichu's ears sharpened into firmer, horn-like structures. Then, from the front of his head, two jagged horns erupted, growing larger until they sat firmly atop his skull. Raichu's tail also lengthened, its end morphing into a larger bolt shape.
Soon, the brilliant light of evolution faded once more, revealing Wang Shóu's new form.
What once stood as a three-feet-tall, upright rodent creature, was now a four-feet, compact yet muscular rodent creature, still standing upright.
The most immediately noticeable change was the fur that was once yellow, now turned into a deep orange, with brown marking all over the body. The electric pouches on both cheek had morphed into tomoe shapes, and on the forehead, there is a third tomoe.
The most striking feature, however, was the pair of sharp, orange, horn-like structures protruding from the top of his head, resembling the horns of an oni. On each side of his round belly were two brown thunderbolt markings. His tail had become longer and ended in a large, orange-hued thunderbolt.
[Congratulation! You have leveled up! You are now level 81!]
[Congratulation! You have leveled up! You are now level 82!]
Softly opening his eyes and hearing the system's announcement, Wang Shóu smiled. He had survived the heavenly tribulation.
But a split second later, as he took his first step, Wang Shóu sensed something was off.
Something is off... but what is it? I did evolve into Raichu, right?
Looking down at his body, Wang Shóu instantly became confused.
"What is this!? Why am I... so fat!"
Pinching the skin of his belly, Wang Shóu could hardly believe the huge round stomach was actually his own.
And why is my skin so orangish...?
"System! Did something go wrong with my evolution?"
[No. After absorbing the Heavenly Tribulation, you evolved into Gorochu, the final evolution after Raichu, and a Mythical Pokémon.]
After hearing the system's answer, it only deepen Wang Shóu's confusion and doubt.
"Gorochu?... Was there such a Pokémon?"
Munching on the name, Wang Shóu had a sudden realization.
"Wait a minute! Are you referring to that one from Pokémon Red and Blue?"
Wang Shóu recalled watching an interview with a developer who spoke about a scrapped evolution originally intended to come after Raichu in the very first Pokémon game.
Though Wang Shóu hadn't paid close attention at the time, one part of the interview lefted an impression on Wang Shóu.
---
"Were you told to make Gorochu look cute?"
"No, I was told to make its final form look strong. It had fangs and horns and looked like a god of thunder."
---
"Like a god of thunder... no wonder."
If Pikachu was meant to evolve into a mythical Pokémon, that would explain the specialness of Pikachu, even if Gorochu design was scrapped.
Sure, favoritism from Nintendo played an undeniable role, but even so, no ordinary Pokémon would have multiple evolution forms, a Gigantamax form, a signature move, an exclusive item like the Light Ball, and even two exclusive Z-moves.
Looking at all the Legendary Pokémon, some of them were clearly not as "special" as Pikachu.
Though Gorochu may have been scrapped in the Pokémon game, don't forget it is real life now. Those scrapped ideas will manifest itself, whether it is reasonable or unreasonable.
"System, show me the specific information of Gorochu."
A large panel popped up in front of Wang Shóu, showcasing detailed information of Gorochu.
[Pokédex Entry #: ???
Name: Gorochu
Type: Electric/Dark
Category: Thunder Oni Pokémon
Height: 1.2 m
Weight: 72.6 kg (160 Ibs)
Ability: Supercell Tempest
Gorochu's presence warps the weather around it. Upon entering battle, the weather automatically changes to a Supercell Thunderstorm and cannot be replaced by normal weather conditions. (Electric-type moves are increased by 50% and ignore accuracy while the ability is in effect. All non-Electric special moves have their accuracy lower by 2 stage.)
Pokédex Description:
A Mythical Pokémon from ancient tales, said to appear only within raging supercell storms. Old murals depict a horned, orange beast wreathed in lightning. Some believe it was a misidentified shiny Raichu—but no Raichu are capable of surviving such storms.
Base Stats:
HP: 78
Attack: 120
Defense: 72
Sp. Atk: 115
Sp. Def: 85
Speed: 130
BST: 600
Signature Move:
Name: Supercell Blitz
Type: Electric
Category: Physical
Power: 100
PP: 10
Accuracy: 80%
Effect: Charge toward the target like a supercell bolt, ignoring the target's ability and type resistance. It always results in a critical hit and has a 30% chance of paralyzing the target. The move always goes first. During Supercell Thunderstorm, the move's power is increased by 50%.]
Carefully reading through the information of Gorochu, Wang Shóu couldn't help but marvel at the absurd power of Gorochu.
The jump in power from Raichu to Gorochu are so extreme that it wouldn't be strange to believe that they have not related at all.
Only the evolution of Solgaleo and Lunala that evolve from Cosmoem could compare to it.
However, looking at the description of Gorochu, Wang Shóu noticed an information gleaned from it.
"So Gorochu actually did exist in the Pokémon world?"
[Yes. But after a long period of time, Gorochu, a very rare existence, gradually died out. Since then, no one has figured out that Gorochu evolved from Raichu.]
"Then what's the specific criteria to evolve into Gorochu?"
Wang Shóu find it hard to believe that in over thousand of years, no one had found a way to evolve Raichu into Gorochu. Unless... the evolution method is so convoluted and difficult that it was practically impossible to achieve it.
[In order to evolve, regardless of the evolution stage, they must challenge and defeat a legendary Pokémon.]
"Oh."
Well, that explains everything.
Though legendary Pokémon are not invincible, they are still godly beings capable of causing disasters on an unimaginable scale.
Even powerful trainers wouldn't dare challenge a legendary Pokémon with Raichu and even more so with a Pikachu.
But...
"Since when did I defeat a legendary Pokémon?!"
In the past ten years since Wang Shóu was reincarnated into Douluo Dalu, Wang Shóu was absolutely certain that he had never even met a legendary Pokémon, let alone defeat one!
[Heavenly tribulation, while not a legendary Pokémon, it inherent contains a divine nature. So, by default, it is equivalent to a legendary Pokémon.]
"Yeah, and I'm Arceus, the God of Pokémon."
Rolling his eyes, Wang Shóu scoffed at the system's explanation. Only a fool would believe the system's excuse.
Though heavenly tribulation does have divine nature, but legendary Pokémon is a completely different concept that cannot be expressed by just divine nature.
If it was the case, then any random God or creature with divine nature can be called a legendary Pokémon!
Resisting the urge to rant, Wang Shóu simply sighed.
"Thank you, system."
It was obvious the system had opened a backdoor for Wang Shóu, allowing him to evolve into Gorochu through other means.
Though Wang Shóu doesn't know why the system did it, but this kindness is undeniable.
[No problem, Wang Shóu.]
Hearing the system's answer which is akin to a confirmation, Wang Shóu smiled. After ten years, the system had become an irreplaceable companion and also family.
"Anyway, what happens now that I've finally reached level 80?"
[You have two choices. One, continue to stay in your Pokémon form. Two, start over and transform into a human.]
Wang Shóu was not surprised to hear the system's answer.
All soul beasts that reach the cultivation age of 100,000 years-old, has to faced two choice.
They can either transform into a human being and cultivate again for the possibility of Godhood. Or they can continue to remain in their soul beast form and face heavenly tribulations every 100,000 cultivation years.
Now he is faced with this choice too.
Though it was presented as a choice, but in truth, he only has one option.
Wang Shóu never considered himself particularly smart but even he knew that staying in Great Star Dou Forest wasn't sustainable. The Spirit Pagoda had turned the once majestic forest into a a prison for soul beasts that would only grow smaller with time.
Wang Shóu could choose to wait for the plot of Douluo Dalu 3 to be over before exposing himself. But knowing humanity's greed and selfishness, it may instead bring danger to himself.
Leaving the Great Star Dou Forest, however, was any better either too. The moment his existence is exposed, the spirit masters would swarm him like a ravenous vulture.
Even major organization like Shrek, Spirit Pagoda, and the Sun-Moon Federation, would hunt after him the moment they realize how valuable Wang Shóu can be.
No matter how strong Wang Shóu was, even he was powerless facing multiple Titled Douluo equipped with Battle Armor.
At that time, there is only one ending for Wang Shóu.
Death.
The only way out of this is if Wang Shóu manage to become a God.
But that dream was next to impossible. The energy from the previous Heavenly Tribulation would be enough to push him from level 70 to 80 in one sweep. But now, it could barely raise him by two levels.
Worse still, after level 90, the requirements would only grow harsher. And with the scarce resources left in Great Star Dou Forest, reaching level 100 would be a distant dream.
Which meant he had only one path left. To step into human civilization, mingle among them, and silently develop his strength until he has the strength and capital to challenge the entire world.
By then, perhaps he could change the precarious situation of the soul beast race.
Wang Shóu doesn't see himself as a savior that can selflessly save the soul beast race. That duty belongs to Di Tian and Gu Yuena.
But when Zhu Zhu, Xiong Yong, and soul beasts in the inner region are among them, Wang Shóu could not stand by and do nothing.
He had already lost his family twice. This time, it will not happen again.
But just in case, Wang Shóu asked the system a few final questions.
"So, no one will be able to detect my true form, right?"
[Yes. Even if a God were to stand before you, they would not be able to detect that you are non-human.]
"Will I be able to still access my Pokémon form?"
[Yes, you will be able to access them at any time.]
Wang Shóu nodded, clearly relieved. Being able to access a Titled Doulou combat power will be able to provide a lot more leeway in the future.
"Very well. I have made my choice. I'll transform into a human."
[Good. I wish you a successful journey.]
The system said and perhaps it was Wang Shóu's imagination but he heard a hint of gratification in system's tone?
Before Wang Shóu could dell on it, countless thin, glimmering white strands suddenly erupted from nowhere like a reverse waterfall, pouring upward and outward like a chaotic storm.They slithered and snapped like living threads, wrapping around Wang Shóu's body with terrifying speed.
"Whoa! What is thi-"
Before Wang Shóu could exclaim, the strands coiled around his limbs, torso, neck and face. Within mere seconds, his figure vanished beneath a shroud of white silk, rapidly thickening into a cocoon the size of a man.
Inside, within the cocoon, an embryonic creature in a fetal position could barely be made out.
Then the cocoon began to throb. Once. Twice. A steady rhythm emerged, beating as if akin to a human's heart beating.