By average estimation, the Pokémon in the corps were now approaching Level 30.
This alone proved that battling death beasts was by far the most efficient method for Pokémon to gain experience and grow stronger.
Even Su Bai couldn't help but be astonished by their pace.
After all, from the moment they set out until now, only two days had passed.
Although these Trainers had already been caring for their Pokémon diligently before the mission, the rate of improvement here was nothing short of light-speed.
But what surprised Su Bai most was the appearance of a Floatzel in the Pokédex.
This meant that Zhu Jianyuan's Pokémon Corps—on a separate path—was progressing just as fast as theirs...
Maybe even faster.
Floatzel evolves from Buizel at Level 26. It's not the easiest evolution to reach.
Once evolved, Floatzel boasts a base stat total of 495—not quite on par with starter Pokémon, but impressively well-balanced.
With a Speed of 115 and Attack of 105, it may not be overwhelming, but it certainly counted as a serious threat in battle.
What made it even more astonishing was that most of the Trainers here had Pokémon that, in terms of overall development, were still lagging behind Floatzel.
Yet from the moment that Buizel had been deployed until now, barely six days had passed.
Even if the Pokémon Corps' starters didn't begin at Level 1—like Corvisquire, which only evolves from Rookidee at Level 18—it still meant their gains from 18 to 26 happened in record time.
Which implied only one thing:
Zhu Jianyuan's unit had likely defeated even more death beasts than Su Bai's team.
Their efficiency was off the charts.
Pokémon Corps Formation and Progress
The Pokémon Corps had been divided into three tactical sub-groups based on species.
At the moment, the Buizel Corps Commander stood proudly with ten straight-standing soldiers at his back.
Each one had a newly evolved Floatzel standing tall at their side, gleaming with confidence as they reported to Zhu Jianyuan, whose face was lit with joy.
"Another Buizel has evolved!"
"That makes ten Floatzel in total!"
"They're fast, strong, and perfect for spearheading operations!"
The commander gave the Floatzel beside him a fond pat, his eyes overflowing with affection.
It was a feeling only a true Trainer could understand.
Even the thrill of advancing in strength as an Awakened individual paled in comparison to the joy of watching a partner Pokémon evolve before your very eyes.
Zhu Jianyuan was grinning from ear to ear.
During every battle of the past three days, he'd found some new surprise on the battlefield.
And now, one thing was clear:
Pokémon training speed far surpassed that of human Awakened progression.
A human Awakened, like the City Lord's Secretary, might take years to reach A-rank.
It involved strict schooling, endless training, and worst of all—a high chance of dying at the hands of death beasts before reaching maturity.
But Pokémon?
As long as they weren't instantly killed, and there were enough Potions…
They were practically unkillable.
To a society long plagued by high casualty rates, these Pokémon were like walking cheat codes.
"Marvelous! Simply marvelous!"
Zhu Jianyuan looked upon the ten Floatzel before him with heartfelt admiration.
Pokémon had such vivid personalities, and Floatzel in particular had a naturally energetic and mischievous nature.
Even now, it clearly understood Zhu Jianyuan's praise and proudly puffed out its chest.
Gone was the adorable look of its previous evolution.
Now, with its full-body flotation ring, twin black streaks, and fin-like forearms, it exuded the swagger of a mob boss on the move.
Tactical Developments – New Skills
"It's not just Buizel evolving. Corvisquire and Falinks, though not evolved, have learned powerful new moves."
The City Lord's Secretary adjusted his glasses and rattled off a list of fresh updates:
"According to the Pokédex, Falinks has learned Bulk Up and Endure."
"Bulk Up works like a berserker's rage, raising both Attack and Defense at once—but without the side effects of frenzy."
"Endure, on the other hand, allows the user to survive an otherwise fatal blow, no matter how strong it is."
"Even if struck by an all-out assault from an S-rank death beast, Falinks that used Endure cannot be one-shot."
"And we have 100 of these units."
"As for Corvisquire, it's learned Taunt."
"This move forces enemies into a rage, compelling them to attack the user exclusively for a set duration—similar to a Knight's Provoke."
"It might seem trivial at first glance... but it's far more useful than it looks."
The Secretary rubbed the ring on his finger.
Suddenly, a ferocious two-headed hound-like death beast appeared before the group.
"This is a contract beast I purchased before I became Secretary," he said, looking at the creature with thinly veiled annoyance. "Watch closely, my Lord. This should be interesting."
Zhu Jianyuan narrowed his eyes, already sensing the direction of the demonstration.
At the Secretary's command, a massive Corvisquire flapped its wings and soared upward.
"Corvisquire, use Taunt!"
A misty aura formed above the bird's head—though vague to others, in the deathbeast's vision, it morphed into the face of the very Awakened who had once captured it.
The beast's already bloodshot eyes flared with savage hatred.
"Awooooo!"
A furious roar ripped through the air. Flames ignited around the beast's body and surged toward the Corvisquire in a brilliant crimson arc.
"Once Taunted, a target becomes obsessed with the user—blindly attacking without strategy," the Secretary explained. "Death beasts aren't exactly geniuses. When enraged, they lose what little logic they have."
"This contract beast is fire-type—very strong offensively."
"But all that strength… means nothing if it can't reach its target."
Indeed, the fireline climbed only partway into the sky before burning out.
Corvisquire had immediately pulled up to a higher altitude after using Taunt, but the effect remained in place.
The two-headed dog continued howling and firing futile flame attacks into the sky—completely ignoring everything else.
With a cold glint in his eyes, the Secretary quietly unsheathed a longsword.
Shhhhk!
One clean thrust into the beast's abdomen.
Its burning hatred couldn't save it.