Outside the cave, the oasis nourished by the stream was full of life.
Jiang Han's figure appeared silently at the edge of the oasis, his gaze scanning through the grass.
He needed a bait, a living bait, to test the background of that mysterious creature in the stream.
Soon, a Nidoran gnawing on berries entered his sight.
This Nidoran looked very young, with a strength level of only about 4 or 5; it was perfect as bait.
Without the slightest hesitation, Jiang Han's figure flashed, pouncing out like a cheetah.
The Nidoran had only just sensed danger when, the moment it raised its head, a large hand had already gripped the back of its neck.
It didn't even have time to let out a cry before it was slammed into the ground by a massive force, instantly losing consciousness.
The entire process was clean and efficient, without a single wasted movement.
Carrying the unconscious Nidoran, Jiang Han turned and returned to that eerie cave.
Inside the cave, it was still just as deep and dark, with only the yellow spots of light in the stream flickering quietly, like countless prying eyes.
Jiang Han dropped the Nidoran on the dry ground by the stream, neither too far nor too close to the water's surface, perfectly placed in an enticing position.
After finishing this, he quickly took out a set of pure black, tight-fitting combat gear from his backpack and changed into it.
This outfit could absorb light to the maximum extent; in such a dark environment, it was almost equivalent to invisibility.
"Sandile, you come back first too," Jiang Han whispered, recalling Sandile into its Poké Ball.
He was most hidden when he was alone.
He found a hollow in the rocks and curled his entire body into it, slowing his breathing to the extreme, as if merging with the surrounding darkness.
Now, he had become a hunter waiting for the prey to take the bait.
"It's already passed out, aren't you going to make a move yet?" Jiang Han thought to himself.
The spots of light underwater continued to flicker in place without any movement, seemingly uninterested in the delicacy on the shore.
Jiang Han was in no hurry.
What a qualified hunter lacked least was patience.
Time passed minute by minute, and the cave was terrifyingly silent; only the sound of dripping water from afar echoed in the empty space, tugging at one's heartstrings.
After an unknown amount of time.
The Nidoran on the ground let out a faint groan, its body twitched once, and it slowly woke up.
It looked blankly at the unfamiliar dark surroundings, its purple skin appearing somewhat terrified under the faint light.
At that very moment, the yellow spots of light underwater finally moved!
These originally scattered spots of light began to converge as if receiving some command, slowly approaching the Nidoran on the shore.
The spots of light swayed in the water, emitting a strange rhythm, as if playing a silent lullaby.
Nidoran's eyes began to glaze over; as if pulled by invisible strings, it involuntarily stood up and walked step by step toward the depths of the cave.
And those yellow spots of light were in the stream ahead of it, leading the way.
"It's hooked."
Jiang Han sneered inwardly and slid silently out of his hiding place, following from a distance like a black shadow.
This time, perhaps because the distance had increased, that dizzying feeling disappeared.
This further confirmed his suspicion—that eerie mental influence was the work of the creature underwater!
The surrounding rock walls grew narrower, yet the yellow spots of light in the stream became brighter, casting a hazy glow over the entire passage.
The air was filled with the scent of damp rock and a faint, heart-pounding energy fluctuation.
Finally, the view opened up ahead.
Jiang Han's footsteps stopped, his pupils suddenly shrinking!
This place was actually a massive underground karst cave; at its center was a naturally formed spring, with clear water bubbling out to form the source of the stream.
And right in the middle of the spring, on a massive flat rock, sat a robustly built pokémon!
Its skin was a mix of rough deep blue and red; on its ferocious head, a single eye was tightly shut, and even in sleep, it exuded a fierce and violent aura.
Druddigon!
What made Jiang Han's heart race even more was that beneath that Druddigon, there were stones emitting a soft white light!
These stones weren't as blindingly bright as ites; instead, they had a texture as warm and smooth as jade, as if containing some kind of life energy.
What is this?
Jiang Han's brain worked rapidly; he was certain he had never seen this kind of stone in any pokédex data or books.
Could it be a new type of Pokémon item that hasn't been discovered in this world yet?
At the thought of this possibility, Jiang Han's heart grew fervent, but his body became even calmer as he continued to observe without making a sound.
He quietly raised his pokédex and aimed it at the sleeping Druddigon.
"Druddigon, the Cave pokémon, Level 33, Ability: Sheer Force (secondary effects of moves are removed, but the power of moves is increased), robust physique, hard skin... Potential Evaluation: advanced!"
Looking at the information in the pokédex, Jiang Han gasped.
This level was an existence he absolutely could not contend with at his current stage.
Even if his Sandile fought with its life, it wouldn't be able to withstand a single move from the opponent.
Just then, the yellow spots of light in the stream had led the delirious Nidoran to the edge of the spring in front of the Druddigon.
Then, under Jiang Han's watch, ripples appeared on the water's surface, and a little fellow that looked like a squid slowly floated up.
It was entirely blue, with two large eyes that looked somewhat dorky, and several tentacles swaying gently in the water.
On top of its head was a white, transparent glowing organ that looked like a pirate captain's hat.
Jiang Han knew that was the source of its Psychic power.
"Is this... Inkay?"
Jiang Han recognized the little thing's identity. A Psychic and Dark-type pokémon, famous for being able to control luminous bodies and confuse opponents.
So, it was the one behind the yellow spots of light all along!
Jiang Han understood instantly.
This Druddigon and Inkay had a symbiotic relationship.
Inkay was responsible for using mental power and luminous bodies to lure prey here, while the powerful Druddigon was the absolute guardian of this area.
The lured Nidoran was, without a doubt, their food.
Sure enough, that Inkay gently touched the Nidoran with its tentacles, and the Nidoran shuddered, waking up completely.
When it saw the colossal creature coiled before it, it was scared out of its wits and let out a shrill scream, turning to run.
But it was already too late.
Seemingly awakened by the scream, the sleeping Druddigon slowly opened its single eye.
What kind of eye was that!
Within the cloudy yellow pupil, it was bloodshot, revealing endless violence and cruelty.
A mere glance made the Nidoran freeze in place, its body shaking like a leaf.
Druddigon opened its bloody maw, and a fishy wind blew into its face.
Jiang Han could even see shreds of meat remaining between its sharp teeth.
Without suspense, the Nidoran was swallowed in one gulp, sliding down Druddigon's thick neck without even being chewed.
Having done all this, Druddigon yawned, seemingly unsatisfied; it glanced at the Inkay in the water and let out a low grumble from its throat, as if expressing dissatisfaction.
"In... In..."
Inkay seemed to understand; its body shrank back aggrievedly, and the spots of light on its head dimmed a bit.
Druddigon ignored it, closing its eyes again to continue sleeping.
From the depths of the cave, Jiang Han took all of this in.
He aimed the pokédex in his hand at Inkay.
A combination of Dark-type and Psychic; after evolving into Malamar, it would have superb hypnosis techniques!
If it had the Contrary ability and then learned the Psychic-type move Skill Swap!
Then its tactical value could undoubtedly be raised very high.
Moreover, the Psychic attribute itself is very rare!
"Inkay, the Revolving pokémon, Level 10, Ability: Contrary (reverses stat changes; stats that would be raised are lowered, and stats that would be lowered are raised), excellent development, abundant Psychic energy... Potential Evaluation: Gym-level!"
Gym-level!
Looking at Inkay, Jiang Han's heart raced uncontrollably.
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