Pokemon: Spiritual Master
Chapter 714: Forest’s Blessing, Light of Evolution! (Two-in-One - )

Chapter 714: Forest’s Blessing, Light of Evolution! (Two-in-One Chapter)

Hoenn region, Champion Road, Ascending Forest.

Towering trees blocked most of the light, with dappled spots of light flickering faintly.

The closer to the mountaintop, the more serious Johan’s attitude became as he walked the path.

Beside him, Indeedee-F and Snivy remained alert to their surroundings.

After passing through the Heracross group, they had encountered several more wild Pokémon attacks.

All were defeated by Snivy and Indeedee-F respectively.

It had to be admitted that the "Champion Road" was so intimidating not just because of the final Elite Four and Champion - the first stage’s journey alone was enough to block most trainers.

No wonder so many top trainers whose strength had plateaued chose to train on the "Champion Road."

Rustle rustle rustle—

The forest leaves suddenly showed irregular swaying.

The next second.

Forest sounds abruptly ceased, and the entire woods seemed to fall into some eerie silence.

"The real deal is coming." Johan lowered his voice.

From the audience’s perspective, they could already see the Pokémon launching this attack - a Hydreigon radiating vicious aura with an extremely fierce appearance!

After brief silence, it suddenly struck!

"Roar!!!"

Sound before sight.

Three attacks representing ice, fire, and electricity flew from the forest.

Rumble!!!

"Indeedee!"

Indeedee-F’s expression suddenly became serious as it dropped both arms, instantly creating a transparent barrier to block this surprise attack.

However, even blocking the frontal assault, the scattered aftershocks still left vicious marks around Johan.

Ice, charring, scattered earth.

A pseudo-legendary Pokémon!

And extraordinarily powerful!

Seeing the destruction caused by Hydreigon’s attack aftershocks, the audience’s hearts jumped to their throats.

They immediately understood.

Perhaps this Hydreigon was the most important and powerful "boss" of this "Ascending Forest."

"I can feel this Hydreigon’s power even through the screen."

"Not just a pseudo-legendary, but a powerful pseudo-legendary!"

"Dark and Dragon types have quite an advantage over Indeedee-F. Teacher Johan should summon other Pokémon now, right?"

The audience voiced their opinions.

Meanwhile, the League’s filming team - Magnemite cameramen and Rotom drone cameras - all locked onto this location.

Moreover, the League’s special medical team was already prepared on helicopters.

Seeing its attack blocked, Hydreigon roared furiously, wings beating violently as it charged toward Johan.

Three heads’ massive jaws looked extremely vicious, wrapped in thick Dark-type energy.

Crunch!

"Snivy!"

Johan called out lightly.

"Snivy!"

Snivy, already prepared, immediately extended its vine whips toward Hydreigon.

Facing the "weak" Snivy, Hydreigon arrogantly showed disdain.

But when the vine whips approached with their sharp whooshing sound and wind that made even its face sting, Hydreigon realized... damn it, this Snivy was playing possum!

One misjudgment handed over the initiative.

Crack!!!

The vine whip didn’t strike Hydreigon but wrapped around its mouth, forcibly tightening and interrupting Hydreigon’s Crunch.

However, this Hydreigon that could become "boss" in an area where all wild Pokémon were very powerful naturally had rich strength and battle experience.

So the moment Snivy’s vine whip wrapped around its mouth, the Dark-type energy dispersed instantly, transforming into rich Dragon-type energy that immediately enveloped its entire body.

Dragon Rush!

"Tsk." Feeling Hydreigon’s change, Johan couldn’t help clicking his tongue.

On one hand, he marveled at this "Champion Road" Hydreigon’s quick reaction, already matching Pokémon commanded by trainers with rich battle experience.

On the other hand, he sighed that "Champion Road" truly lived up to its name, designed to test, wear down, and train challengers’ will, strength, and ability. This Hydreigon’s strength probably already reached ordinary Elite Four main Pokémon level or above.

Wild Pokémon growing to this level wasn’t easy.

Of course.

Having witnessed Bewear in the Alola region, such a Hydreigon couldn’t give him "surprises."

"Snivy, Leaf Storm!" Admiration aside, Johan’s movements and reactions were never slow.

"Snivy!"

Standing on the ground, Snivy was dragged across the earth by the vine whip, carving two deep furrows.

But despite being small, the little one showed no fear.

Moreover.

Hydreigon’s arrogance and previous disdain toward it stirred Snivy’s inner pride.

I, Snivy, won’t allow such arrogant beings to exist.

Rustle rustle rustle—

Forest leaves shook violently. Snivy simply released its power struggle with Hydreigon, its tail swirling as countless leaves danced and swirled toward it.

Instantly, a tornado of leaves swept toward Hydreigon.

Boom!!!

"Roar!!!"

Breaking free from the vine whip’s restraint, Hydreigon’s three massive jaws opened again, roaring while three blazing fire columns swept forward.

Flamethrower!

What Hydreigon excelled at was ultimately special attack, and against Grass-types, Fire-type was naturally the best approach.

Johan watched Snivy, his aura clearly sensing a faint connection establishing between Snivy and the surrounding forest, his heart stirring.

"Snivy, again - Leaf Storm!"

"Indeedee-F, Helping Hand!"

"Indeedee~!"

Indeedee-F seemed to sense Snivy’s fighting spirit and naturally gave its all to help its teammate. Gentle light fell on Snivy, granting it stronger power.

Simultaneously, the "Contrary" ability also gave Snivy’s special attack a huge boost.

Leaf Storm swept out again.

Boom!!!

Leaves against flames - surprisingly matched again!

This time, even Hydreigon was surprised.

But Snivy wasn’t satisfied with Hydreigon’s surprise. Its short tail swayed again, surging Grass-type energy bursting forth.

At its feet, clusters of grass sprouted, and surrounding leaf rustling became increasingly obvious.

Once more.

Leaf Storm!

"Snivy!!!"

At this moment, Snivy’s special attack had reached the maximum through "Contrary" ability!

Countless leaves fell from the forest, wrapped in shimmering green light, the leaves traced spiraling arcs in the air, charging toward Hydreigon.

Hydreigon didn’t sit idle. Dodging was definitely too late, but it refused to believe it couldn’t match such a small Snivy.

Three massive jaws snapped shut, with wisps of blazing flames seeping through its teeth.

Then transforming into a terrifying blazing orb like magma and fire, after spitting it out, it instantly split into dozens of searing red lights like missiles, meeting the Leaf Storm!

Draco Meteor!

Rumble!!!

The explosion again created massive commotion, the resulting shockwave nearly knocking Snivy over.

Hydreigon was also sent flying backward!

"Indeedee-F, Psych Up." Johan said softly.

"Indeedee~"

Light blue energy waves appeared in Indeedee-F’s eyes as it "copied" Snivy’s momentum fluctuations onto itself.

[Psych Up: Through self-hypnosis and suggestion, gain the same stat changes as the target!]

With three Leaf Storms, Snivy’s special attack had been maximized, and through Psych Up, Indeedee-F gained identical stat boosts.

Special Attack, maxed!

"Dazzling Gleam."

"Indeedee!!!"

Indeedee-F’s aura rapidly climbed as it called out excitedly. A brilliant beam of light shot from its fingertip, dispersing the explosion’s smoke and striking the unstable Hydreigon.

Hydreigon’s eyes widened in shock.

Unfair - how did it become two-on-one?!

However.

Wild battles had no rules anyway. Quickly ending fights and conserving stamina was the best choice on the "Champion Road."

Moreover.

Indeedee-F was inherently one of the best Double Battle Pokémon. Pairing with Gengar worked, and pairing with Snivy could likewise unleash tremendous battle power.

Boom!!!

Hydreigon was swallowed by Dazzling Gleam’s light, sent flying solidly.

Thud—

Falling to the ground with spiraled eyes, unable to battle.

"Snivy!"

Snivy extended its vine whip, hovering before Indeedee-F.

"Indeedee~"

Indeedee-F smiled gently with some excitement, lightly tapping Snivy’s vine whip.

Clap—

Great cooperation.

"One Dazzling Gleam KO’d Hydreigon?"

"Snivy and Indeedee-F - one with Contrary for strengthening and combat, the other either using screens for defense or pairing Psych Up for one-hit kills. Such good coordination."

"Wait, this Snivy could actually face such a strong Hydreigon head-on without falling behind?"

"Heh! Haven’t you heard Teacher Johan’s nickname? These are Pokémon specifically for beating babies. The last Larvitar, during its consecutive evolution, could fight Groudon!"

"..."

Another uproar among the audience.

Rescue teams began moving.

Naturally for Hydreigon and the wild Pokémon Johan had previously defeated.

But Johan suddenly began quickening his pace.

Snivy and Indeedee-F with +6 special attack.

Shouldn’t he maximize their advantage?

"Indeedee-F, Expanding Force!"

A group of Ariados fell in succession.

"Snivy, Leaf Storm!"

Graveler and Golem hiding in rock piles were swept away.

Though still unobstructed as before.

The visual impact was far beyond previous comparisons.

Sweep!

Sweep!

Sweep!

Regardless of what Pokémon or groups, none could withstand the Indeedee-F and Snivy combination.

"If this were a game, I could max out all Pokémon levels here."

Johan mentally complained while walking.

Really no better "grinding" spot than here.

"Others said the early ’Champion Road’ was boring - the hell was boring about this? So exciting!"

Someone posted on the livestream forum.

"Obviously! Previous ’Champion Road’ challengers, confident or not, who didn’t sneak around conserving stamina? Who charged through like Teacher Johan?"

"It’s only been an hour since defeating Hydreigon, but he’s already covered twice the distance."

"Whoa! Just swept another group of Breloom - so fierce."

Meanwhile.

On the "Champion Road."

Johan chose to accelerate for two reasons.

One was indeed because of Indeedee-F and Snivy’s special attack boosts, and neither currently faced stamina crises.

The other was Johan’s keen sense that Snivy had established resonance with this rarely-trodden primeval forest.

The more they battled, the more power Snivy wielded, the stronger this resonance became, and the mysterious connection grew more stable and solid.

The green luminescence on Snivy’s body became increasingly obvious.

Only Snivy itself hadn’t noticed.

Instead, it was completely immersed in battle’s joy and excitement.

It didn’t even notice that besides Contrary and Leaf Storm’s stat boosts, its own strength and aura were also improving through repeated battles and clashes.

Of course, while Snivy didn’t notice, Johan and Indeedee-F sensed it clearly.

Therefore.

Whether Johan or Indeedee-F, both silently yielded the main battle, or rather main damage dealer position, to Snivy.

"Snivy!"

Snivy slashed out dozens of wide leaves, instantly defeating the blocking Pokémon.

Rustle rustle rustle—

Forest leaves swayed, as if cheering, as if celebrating.

Here, they had crossed the "Ascending Forest" and entered the "Sleeping Forest."

"Woo woo woo!!!"

Leaves and branches shook violently again, accompanied by noisy calls as Vigoroth after Vigoroth swung their arms, rapidly shuttling through the forest toward them.

Johan’s eyebrow twitched.

Vigoroth?

If there were Vigoroth, that meant...

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Ground tremors.

A Slaking actually wasn’t lazily lying somewhere sleeping, but was grabbing branches, also approaching them.

"This guy couldn’t be... a Slaking that can suppress the ’Truant’ ability, could it?"

If so, Johan would accept this "surprise."

But seeing the Slaking approach then yawn long and lie down.

Still manageable.

Not a Slaking that could ignore "Truant" ability restrictions.

Otherwise, this would be more troublesome than pseudo-legendary Pokémon.

Pseudo-legendary Pokémon had only 600 base stats, while Slaking had a whopping 670 - same as normal Groudon.

If this Slaking could truly overcome "Truant" restrictions, Johan would consider capturing it.

Not for battle power, but researching it could probably bring great changes.

Vigoroth swarmed.

Indeedee-F’s Psychic Terrain instantly spread and covered the surrounding forest.

"Expanding Force."

How to face groups of Pokémon - after dozens of encounters, they were already familiar.

"Indeedee~!"

Powerful psychic force burst from Indeedee-F’s eyes, directly suppressing many weaker Vigoroth until they lost battle ability.

"Snivy!"

Meanwhile, Snivy, with battle desire maxed, directly targeted what appeared to be the strongest Slaking.

"Slaking?"

Slaking propped its head with one hand, lying horizontally like a reclining Buddha. Seeing Snivy challenge it, its eyes twitched.

It wasn’t like Hydreigon, looking down on Snivy.

Rather, the "forest aura" on Snivy was why it appeared here with the Vigoroth.

"Slaking..."

Facing Snivy’s challenge, Slaking slowly stood up, patting its knees and brushing dust and dead leaves from its body.

Corner of mouth curving.

It beckoned to Snivy.

"Snivy?" Snivy looked surprised, exchanging glances with Johan.

Johan watched Slaking with interest, suddenly smiling:

"If that’s the case, Snivy, Sunny Day!"

"Snivy!"

Snivy immediately called skyward, the emerald luminescence on its body seemingly becoming brighter as overhead sunlight intensified.

And Slaking, without hesitation, launched a fierce attack while Snivy used Sunny Day.

"Slaking!"

Blazing flames wrapped around Slaking’s fist.

Its footstep suddenly advanced, instantly appearing before Snivy at shocking speed that even surprised Snivy.

You know, Snivy itself relied on speed for "meals."

"Magical Leaf, block it!" Johan was also surprised but continued commanding.

"Snivy!"

Hastily, large leaves wrapped in magical luminescence gathered before Snivy, quickly forming a Magical Leaf shield.

However.

Bang!!!

The fist wrapped in flames, after brief obstruction, "boom" - punched through the leaf protection, then directly struck Snivy’s small body, sending it... flying hard!

Snivy cried out in pain, its body flying uncontrollably backward.

Massive disparity in raw power.

This gap exceeded Snivy’s expectations and somewhat exceeded Johan’s expectations.

"Snivy!"

Johan frowned and immediately moved, catching the flying Snivy.

Bang!!!

Even through Snivy, even after flying some distance, catching Snivy made Johan stagger backward several steps with a muffled grunt.

Whoa! This truly counted as a "surprise," right?

Drake’s group couldn’t have called over Norman’s Slaking, could they?

"Snivy?"

Snivy bit its teeth, looking up somewhat surprised at Johan whose face contorted from catching it.

Eyes showing distress.

"I’m fine. Are you okay, Snivy?" Johan quickly smiled, rubbing the little one’s head.

His own body - Johan had some concept of it.

"Snivy! (#｀Д’)" Snivy looked fierce.

Who, who would have problems?!

But Snivy’s heart suddenly flared with anger.

This collision involving Johan changed the situation’s nature for Snivy.

Even though Johan intervened himself.

"Snivy!"

Snivy landed.

"Good you’re fine. Solar Beam!" Johan breathed lightly, commanding again.

Hum—

Intense sunlight became starlike points of light, gathering toward Snivy, quickly forming a blazing brilliant beam striking toward Slaking.

According to "Truant" ability characteristics, after using one move, Slaking would temporarily lose action capability.

But next second.

Slaking again exceeded Johan’s expectations, facing Solar Beam by punching again, flames wrapping.

Boom!!!

Solar Beam and Fire Punch collided. Slaking staggered backward but quickly steadied.

Hm?

Could it really suppress "Truant"?

However.

After forcibly countering Snivy’s Solar Beam, Slaking’s eyelids drooped, its entire state appearing tired.

Finally "truant."

So.

This Slaking hadn’t completely overcome "Truant" ability, just changed from resting after one move to resting after two moves?

Even so, it was surprising enough.

"Snivy, Giga Drain!"

Taking this opportunity, Johan commanded again, letting Snivy recover some condition.

Though type-wise it didn’t counter Slaking, the maxed special attack could definitely restore considerable stamina.

Especially...

Snivy had learned some Giga Drain techniques from Tapu Bulu.

"Snivy!"

Snivy looked fierce, baring teeth as Grass-type energy burst from its body, extending like thousands of threads, wrapping toward Slaking, attacking while draining Slaking’s stamina.

But then, a scene that somewhat stunned both Johan and Snivy appeared.

Rustle rustle rustle—

Surrounding lush leaves suddenly swayed in unison, as if responding to Snivy’s Giga Drain.

Hum—

Glowing green points like fireflies emerged from the forest one after another, quickly merging into Snivy’s body.

And Snivy’s aura began climbing with this forest power infusion.

Hm?

This was...

The same connection method Snivy had with the "Miracleberry" tree?

Similar to... Tapu Bulu drawing power from its cultivated plants to strengthen itself.

"Forest’s Blessing..."

Johan murmured, suddenly understanding and feeling moved.

Viridian Forest’s blessing was Viridian Power.

And Viridian Power’s most exaggerated user wasn’t Giovanni or Lance, but Yellow!

A bunch of Pokémon under level thirty, after Yellow’s Viridian Power enhancement, directly shot to level eighty-plus, rivaling Red!

Snivy wasn’t as exaggerated as Yellow.

After all, Special manga protagonists - whether Red, Blue, Gold, Silver, or Yellow - were all Bug-level existences.

But Snivy’s current state and the forest’s "feedback" gave Johan ideas for further developing this ability.

"Slaking!!!"

The stamina-drained Slaking suddenly exerted force, forcibly breaking Snivy’s Giga Drain energy restraints, suppressing "Truant" limitations.

Leaping into mid-air, a seemingly simple kick aimed at Snivy!

Breaking air sounds exploded as energy instantly wrapped its foot.

Mega Kick!

"Snivy, dodge!"

After one punch collision, Johan understood that purely in power terms, Snivy couldn’t face Slaking head-on. Guerrilla tactics were what Snivy should do.

Whoosh—

A vine whip shot from Snivy, quickly wrapping around a nearby tree trunk.

Vine whip retracted.

Snivy dodged.

Boom!!!

Ground shook violently, instantly exploding a huge crater with debris flying.

In rising smoke.

Slaking that missed continued pursuing, black aura wrapping.

Sucker Punch!

Catching the opponent’s action gap, striking vital points directly!

However, after realizing Slaking could somewhat suppress "Truant" ability, they were prepared.

"Leaf Storm!"

During vine whip retraction, Snivy’s tail swayed vigorously.

A massive tornado of leaves like an incredibly thick whip swept toward the charging Slaking.

Boom!!!

But Slaking chose to take Leaf Storm’s hit without stopping its movement.

Whoosh—

Vicious palm slapped directly at Snivy’s face, sending it flying again.

"Snivy—!!!"

Slaking landed, breathing heavily.

After all, this was Snivy with maxed special attack - the attacks weren’t easy to withstand.

Slaking just relied on its robust physique, believing mutual attrition favored itself.

But it clearly hadn’t expected.

The forest would become Snivy’s massive support.

Sliding and stumbling to land.

Seeing the emerald luminescence on Snivy had reached its peak, Johan understood it was about time.

"Snivy, Giga Drain the forest’s power, Energy Ball!"

"Snivy—!"

A green Grass-type energy orb formed in its hands.

Moreover.

Massive green forest aura emerged from surrounding primeval forest, gathering.

"Ka-kaah!

Gengar, hidden in Johan’s shadow for protection, emerged for the first time, pointing at Snivy somewhat surprised, then at itself.

This move, I’m familiar with!

At first glance.

Snivy’s move really resembled Gengar borrowing "Ghost Legion" ghost energy to condense giant Shadow Balls.

Forget Gengar.

Johan naturally understood too.

His heart stirred.

"So Elite Four Agatha’s move might really relate to ’Viridian Power,’ inspired by ’Viridian Power’?"

The difference was.

’Viridian Power’ and Snivy’s ’Forest’s Blessing’ came from forest, natural power, while Elite Four Agatha’s move came from her self-built "Ghost Legion."

Self-built "special ability"?

Veteran trainers really had something...

The thought flashed by.

Snivy had already borrowed forest aura to condense a sizeable emerald energy ball, taking advantage of Slaking being limited by "Truant" to strike hard.

Boom!!!

Surging Grass-type energy instantly engulfed Slaking.

"Snivy!" Snivy bared teeth, somewhat proudly raising its head.

"Final strike, again!" Johan waved grandly.

Hearing this, Snivy quickly launched a second Energy Ball!

With first experience, this second time was much faster.

And power was enhanced.

Boom—!!!

In massive rumbling, forest "rustled" as if cheering for Snivy.

When smoke cleared.

Slaking lay in ruins.

Unable to battle!

"Ka-kaah~!" Gengar gave Snivy a thumbs up.

Has my spirit - not bad!

Just as the words fell.

Hum—

Brilliant white light burst from Snivy’s body.

Evolution light!

Johan’s eyes brightened.

Indeed.

Honestly, his Snivy’s power had long exceeded what ordinary Snivy should possess. Its inability to evolve was due to ’Forest’s Blessing.’

Now.

Snivy’s own accumulation was sufficient, it understood more about "Forest’s Blessing," even able to somewhat borrow forest power.

Defeating Slaking became the final trigger.

In brilliant white light, Snivy’s small form rapidly grew taller.

Overall body outline didn’t change much, but became more slender. Originally only the tail had leaves, now the back also sprouted them.

Eyes became brighter, mouth curved in a smile with some pride and disdain.

During Snivy’s evolution, surrounding leaves didn’t quiet down, still having massive forest aura merge into the evolving Snivy.

When white light faded and forest sounds diminished.

Its appearance was revealed in Johan’s vision again.

Servine!

Twenty centimeters taller.

"Snivy~"

Voice seemed much steadier.

"Congratulations, Servine." Johan smiled.

He’d worried Snivy would resist evolution.

Now it seemed he’d worried needlessly. When truly facing evolution, Snivy - no, should say Servine - didn’t resist.

Seeing Snivy evolve into Servine, the happiest weren’t Johan or Servine itself, but the audience watching the livestream.

"Whew— finally, finally evolved..."

"Too damn terrifying. Teacher Johan’s Snivy beat such a Slaking - can’t imagine what would happen in ’baby cups.’"

"Good it evolved, good it evolved."

"Cough Though I don’t want to discourage everyone, isn’t Servine still half a baby?"

"Don’t speak if no one thinks you’re mute!"

"Stop arguing! Is there a possibility that for Teacher Johan, what competition isn’t a baby cup?"

"..."

Snivy defeated Slaking while Indeedee-F had already cleared the Vigoroth.

"Snivy~"

Servine showed fatigue.

"Servine, rest a bit." Johan took out a Poké Ball, recalling it.

Continuous battles plus evolution - though evolution could restore stamina, mental exhaustion wouldn’t decrease.

Moreover, borrowing forest power was actually a burden for Servine, not usable as regular means, like Viridian Power, Aura Power, etc.

However, Snivy evolving into Servine.

This already exceeded Johan’s expected goals.

Rest when needed - his eager Pokémon were numerous.

Resuming the journey.

In the "Elite Four Fortress."

"The Vigoroth and Slaking from Norman’s breeding still couldn’t cause Teacher Johan much trouble." Phoebe said, chin propped.

"That’s Johan after all." Glacia said.

Also true.

Everyone understood after thinking.

That was Teacher Johan - someone aiming for Champion.

"Heh." Drake grinned like an old child.

"Let’s see if this old man can bring Johan a bigger ’surprise.’"

The more difficult the "Champion Road," the higher the Champion title’s value.

Too high difficulty?

Might be problematic for others, but for Johan... nonexistent.

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Powerstones?

For 20 advance Chapters: /michaeltranslates