Fang Yuan, Eevee, and Magnemite's commotion did not attract the attention of Jiang Ran nearby.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
As Eevee attempted to use Shadow Ball in various ways, including the Spiral Shadow Ball, its perception and control of Ghost Energy improved due to the surrounding environment, ascending to a new level.
But still.
The benefits Gengar received under Jiang Ran's command were greater than those of Eevee and Magnemite combined.
Because the Spirit World was inherently the most suitable place for Ghost-type Pokemon, and with Jiang Ran's special inheritance, Gengar thrived like a fish in water, greedily utilizing everything here.
"Fang Yuan!"
As his gains grew, Jiang Ran couldn't help but walk over to Fang Yuan and said, "After we return, let's have another battle."
There's no absolute winning or losing in battles between Trainers; if you lose today, you just have to win back tomorrow.
Fang Yuan knew what Jiang Ran was thinking. He guessed Gengar must have indeed received a tremendous benefit...
This battle… Fang Yuan asked Eevee for its opinion. Eevee didn't really want to fight, did it? It had already gone through a week's worth of competitions, and now another battle? Strike, strike!
"How about Magnemite?" Fang Yuan asked.
"My Magnemite says it's okay."
"No, it has to be that Eevee," said Jiang Ran firmly.
"Next time, definitely next time."
...
In the evening.
Nanjing Airport.
Jiang Li, Jiang Ran, and Fang Yuan departed from and returned to the same place.
"That felt great!"
After getting off the plane, Fang Yuan felt exhilarated.
One day.
To be exact, in less than a day, Eevee had developed new tricks with Shadow Ball.
And Magnemite, not only bathed in the Spirit Realm's Radio Waves but also learned the Gravity Technique.
Indeed, the secret locations were marvelous places.
The first time they entered the extremely small, common secret location, they found a rare Sand Scale Fruit Tree, which gave Eevee the power of the sky.
Quick Attack, Shadow Clone, Dangerous Premonition... These moves and abilities related to movement speed and reaction time were all enhanced by the Sand Scale Fruit, laying the foundation for their victory in the Little Phoenix King Cup.
And on their second visit to this Spirit World secret location, Eevee's perception and control of Ghost Energy climbed another step, and Magnemite also reaped benefits.
No wonder they say unexplored secret locations are great places, full of treasures... true to their reputation!
"This is also why Professional Trainers are so strong!"
"From the vast group of Trainers, the Trainer Association selects a group of highly capable and talented individuals through assessments to explore secret locations. This not only prevents the locations from harming the outside world but also fully utilizes their resources, ensuring the Professional Trainer community and the China Trainer Association will only grow stronger."
Fang Yuan pondered.
Professional Trainer, he was determined to become one.
But before that, there were the Mo Da exams and becoming a Researcher, raising six good Pokemon!
Only then would he be eligible to take the Professional Trainer assessment.
...
After returning, Fang Yuan was taken back by Bai Ning, and Jiang Ran was also led away by a teacher from Nan University Middle School.
Champion Jiang Li vanished immediately, eliciting a complaint from Teacher Bai Ning.
"Where's Jiang Li?"
"He left, I guess."
"It's gone so quickly—my autograph is gone!"
Teacher Bai Ning lamented; she had only found out today that Fang Yuan was being taken away by Jiang Li.
Don't look at how young Jiang Li is, but in the profession of trainers, strength isn't judged by age.
In the entire Trainer Association of Jinling, there might not be anyone more capable of fighting than Jiang Li.
As for Teacher Bai Ning, her youth isn't that much, comparable to Jiang Li; they are considered trainers from the same era, just that there is a world of difference between their identities, status, and personal strength... In a sense, Teacher Bai Ning could also be considered one of Jiang Li's admirers.
"Ah? You want an autograph..."
Fang Yuan hesitated for a moment, wondering if Teacher Bai Ning would die of envy if she knew that Jiang Li's picture was lying in his communication software's friend list.
After the experience with school sister Xie Qingyi, Fang Yuan had realized that he should shamelessly get the contact information of these influential figures first.
It wasn't important whether the other party had time or was willing to chat with him.
As long as he diligently improved himself, he would eventually stand at the same height as trainers like Xie Qingyi and Jiang Li!
Looking at their avatars, he used them as motivation.
...
Having returned to the players' village and packed up their belongings, Fang Yuan and his group headed back to Pingcheng overnight, leaving Jinling behind.
The battle with Jiang Ran was postponed until the summer vacation when he had the chance to do so.
When they arrived in Pingcheng, it was close to midnight. The night was very dark, and although there were street lamps, it was late at night, and everything was very quiet.
After declining Teacher Bai Ning's kind offer to drive him home, Fang Yuan got off the car alone and walked toward his residential area.
"It's so dark tonight."
"Eevee, Magnemite, you can come out now."
"The night is dark, and the wind is high—perfect for moon gazing."
If Fang Yuan hadn't become a trainer, walking on a deserted night road would definitely be unsettling, but now...
"Bwoo!" Eevee walked jauntily.
"Magnemite!" The little Magnemite flew beside him.
With the protection of both, Fang Yuan felt fearless.
With Eevee and Magnemite by his side, even if some supernatural event really occurred, they could handle it perfectly. Who would have guessed that the trainer duo walking the streets in the middle of the night had just returned from the Spirit World?
They even brought back some local specialties from the Spirit World.
"Eevee, I want to set something straight in advance: you can't put the stuff you dug up from the Spirit World in my room. Put everything outside," Fang Yuan said.
"Master Jiang Li said that those things aren't clean and easily attract ghosts to possess you. I don't want my house to be haunted, although theoretically, there shouldn't be Ghost-type Pokemon in the city... but I'm still not assured," Fang Yuan mused worriedly.
He wasn't afraid of Ghost-type Pokemon; he was afraid of being plagued by nightmares due to their mischief while he rested.
Everything in a dream is beyond his control.
It's often rumored online about someone being tormented by nightmares created by Ghost-type Pokemon, with drowning, fires, falling from buildings, and death under a peony flower being common occurrences.
That's not a pleasant experience...
"Bwoo bwoo!!" Eevee called out nonchalantly.
Just some Ghost-type Pokemon. Was Eevee not strong enough, or were Magnemite's superpowers not working?
As far as Ghost-type Pokemon go, bring one on and it'll get a beating; it's not like Eevee hasn't fought them before.
If any Ghost-type Pokemon dared to show up and mess with it, Eevee swore it would make sure they regretted it.
"Magnemite, Magnemite!!"
Hearing Eevee's declaration, Magnemite cooed in a flattering tone.
In the Spirit World, because it accidentally placed the Gravity Technique on Eevee twice in a row, Eevee was very angry. If Fang Yuan hadn't held it back... Magnemite might have already been KO'd with a major move.
Magnemite swore it didn't do it on purpose.