Xia Huanao learned about the news the day after Song Rusi died. Upon hearing it, Xia Huanao was first stunned, then burst into laughter. However, after laughing, he sighed, "Alas, no peace again."
Although Xia Huanao found infuriating Song Rusi to death very satisfying, he had already caused too much trouble in Minglong Country. Song Rusi, despite not having the best reputation among champion trainers, was still a champion trainer. His death by anger was bound to attract more attention to Xia Huanao from other trainers and might even affect Six Spirits University. After careful consideration, Xia Huanao decided to lie low for a while and emerge again when things calmed down.
Without consulting Zheng Xiaoxiao, he left a letter explaining he was going on another trip to reduce attention and asking her to lend his wheelchair to Qi Rongrong. Then, he mysteriously disappeared from Six Spirits University. Upon seeing Xia Huanao's letter, Zheng Xiaoxiao sighed, "Alright, but remember, Six Spirits University is always your safe harbor."
Xia Huanao's disappearance had no impact on the teaching at Six Spirits University. While many students missed their teacher, they were powerless.
After escaping Six Spirits University, Xia Huanao first bought a bicycle. He decided to embark on a road trip across Minglong Country on this bicycle...
Upon hearing Xia Huanao's explanation, the system felt its worldview was being challenged, "Do you know how big Minglong Country is? I don't care if you go on a road trip, but are you taking yourself too seriously by riding a bicycle on this road trip?"
Xia Huanao glanced at his red bicycle. The gleaming red paint held a special aesthetic appeal for him. "Really? I think it's fine. Besides, this is protagonist treatment."
System: "Protagonist treatment, my foot! Are you expecting Pikachu to blow up your bicycle? While that's protagonist treatment, it's female protagonist treatment. What do you need this for?"
Xia Huanao thought it made sense, but the bicycle was already bought. Should he donate it? In the end, he set off on the road with his bicycle.
"System, what's the nearest scenic spot?"
The system pulled up the map, "Looking for scenery, huh? Then the closest and best scenery should be Yuan Yuan River from a few days ago."
"Yuan Yuan River from a few days ago?"
The system said with righteous indignation, "Yes, Yuan Yuan River from a few days ago. That high tide was incredibly beautiful. It's said that due to a small scuffle between Groudon and Kyogre in the sea, this year's high tide was even more magnificent. It was a rare grand spectacle not seen in decades."
Xia Huanao looked at the excited system, "System, what's the use of something from a few days ago? I was hiding then. If I had known there would be a high tide to see, I would have gone. Is there anything else I can see?"
The system pondered, "Why don't we go abroad? You haven't left the country in either of your lives. Now that you finally have money, why not go out and have some fun?"
Xia Huanao heard this and thought it made sense. What fun was there in staying in Minglong Country all the time? Might as well go explore. Perhaps he could even see some rare Pokémon. However, this would require a plan. Aimlessly catching Pokémon was not the choice of a smart trainer.
Xia Huanao pushed his bicycle into the park and took out his tablet, "Hmm, I currently have Froakie, Diancie, and Shedinja. In terms of pure move coverage, I've only confirmed eight types. This gives me coverage for thirteen types, leaving five types with no easy solutions."
As Xia Huanao spoke, he circled Normal, Steel, Water, Electric, and Fairy types on the tablet.
"It's not easy to choose Pokémon to counter these five types."
While Xia Huanao was agonizing, the system said, "Not only is it difficult to choose, but it also depends heavily on luck. If you want to play trickier moves, it's even harder, isn't it?"
Although the system's words were somewhat harsh, Xia Huanao had to admit they were right. Both Froakie and Diancie were chosen based on luck, while Shedinja was a result of Xia Huanao wanting to play a trick. This made his subsequent choices even more difficult.
After thinking for a long time, the system asked him, "What do you think of Lucario?"
Xia Huanao shook his head, "I do like Lucario very much, and it fits the coverage I currently lack. However, Lucario is too common in Minglong Country. If Xiao Yu likes it, I might be able to trick one for her."
The system rolled its eyes, "You want all your Pokémon to be high-rarity?"
"I don't necessarily think that, but too many trainers like Lucario."
After thinking again, the system offered a second option, "What about Arceus?"
Xia Huanao's eyes lit up, "The one known as the little Arceus?"
The system was speechless. What was this "little Arceus" concept? Although Arceus and Arceus are both capable of all types, "little" implies stats of 150!
Xia Huanao nodded, then shook his head again, "Although I like Arceus very much, there are two problems that cannot be solved."
Saying that, Xia Huanao held up two fingers, "First, the rarity of Arceus might not be lower than Diancie's, making it hard to obtain. Second, with over a dozen type plates, how many lifetimes would it take to collect them all?"
Temporarily placing Arceus in the T2 of potential Pokémon, Xia Huanao continued to discuss Pokémon selection with the system.
The system had another flash of inspiration, "What about Ditto?"
"'Learn from foreign countries to control them'? There's nothing wrong with that. But although Ditto can transform into anything, it can only transform after seeing it. What if it encounters a Pokémon that resists transformation? Would that be troublesome? Are you saying you have the ability to make Ditto transform at will?"
The system shook its head, "That would be genetic engineering, I can't do that. It's too sci-fi. But speaking of which, you could use Smeargle, right? Just write down whatever you need. Normal types also have few weaknesses. What do you think?"
Xia Huanao nodded upon hearing this and placed Smeargle next to Arceus, "More, more."
Xia Huanao and the system continued their research. After a long time, they hadn't come to any definitive conclusions, only writing down a long list of Pokémon names such as Wailord and Skarmory.
Xia Huanao sighed, "Forget it, let's just take it one step at a time. After thinking for so long, we still have to play it by ear."
At this moment, the system raised another question, "We were supposed to decide which country to visit, how did we end up discussing Pokémon?"
Xia Huanao replied, "I've already decided which country to go to. Of course, it's Man Ying, our close neighbor. Firstly, I've always wanted to see cherry blossoms. Secondly, I have two ninja-type Pokémon, Froakie and Shedinja. It would be a shame not to visit Man Ying Country."
The system rolled its eyes at him, "Really? Are you sure you're going to Man Ying to see cherry blossoms and explore ninjas? Are you sure you're not trying to visit Man Ying's red-light district?"
This sentence seemed to have hit the mark of Xia Huanao's true intentions, "What nonsense are you talking about? What red-light district? I don't know anything about that."
The system chuckled, "Is that so? Then I'll pretend I didn't say anything."
Xia Huanao argued with the system for a while before finally admitting defeat and unilaterally stopping the debate. He pushed his bicycle towards the dock, "Let's go, we're going to Man Ying Country now. It's a pity about my bicycle; I'll have to find a place to store it."
After storing his bicycle at the dock, Xia Huanao called Shen Yu, "Hello, Xiao Yu, have you had lunch?"
"Yes, I have. What's up?"
"Xiao Yu, I'm going to Man Ying for a trip. Is there anything you want? I'll bring it back for you."
Shen Yu thought for a moment, "I do want quite a few things, for example..."
As Shen Yu listed items, Xia Huanao's expression grew more troubled, "Xiao Yu, the things you're listing are a bit strange. I can understand the earlier ones, but the latter ones... Is Zhang Hong that kid next to you?"
Zhang Hong's voice came from the phone, "Boss Xia, can't you just bring me something back from Man Ying? I'll trade you information for it."
Xia Huanao chuckled, "What information do you have to trade? I never heard you had intelligence capabilities."
"Boss Xia, don't underestimate me. Let me tell you, I know all the major treasure spots in Man Ying Country. For example, Chun..."
As Zhang Hong uttered the word "Chun," Shen Yu slapped a bun over his mouth, "Shut up! Xia Huanao, listen carefully, if you dare to go, I'll fall out with you!"
Xia Huanao was amused, "I never expected this, Xiao Yu. You know about such places too. It seems you're not as innocent as you seem, playing quite a few games, aren't you?"
"No, no, Sister Tong Ruo told me all about it. I don't know anything about..."
Xia Huanao could imagine Shen Yu's blushing face and stuttering on the other end of the phone, and he couldn't help but smile, "Alright, Xiao Yu, don't worry. I won't go to that kind of place."
The system added from behind, "Even if you did, I wouldn't let you know."
Xia Huanao chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up and focusing on arguing with the system, "System, what nonsense are you talking about again?"
"Isn't that what you were thinking? Why are you pretending with me?"
"But you shouldn't have said it. Don't you think I have dignity?"
"Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know. Your dignity is not harmed at all."
...
The sea was blue, the wind was light and the clouds were thin. Xia Huanao stood on the deck of the ship, watching the approaching coastline. He spread his arms and said, "Man Ying, here I come!"
Just then, a voice came from behind Xia Huanao, "I should be the one doing this pose. You should be behind me, wrapping your arms around my waist."
Xia Huanao turned around, "This pose is classic, but it's too ominous. What if we sink before reaching the shore, sister?"