Chapter 107 Substitute_1

Eevee had figured out how to use the Substitute technique in under two months, which surpassed Fang Yuan's expectations.

After giving it some thought, Fang Yuan realized that while the Shadow Clone move certainly played a role, it should mostly be the changes brought about by the Retribution Training Method.

He touched Eevee's Substitute, indistinguishable from the real body, and then, upon Fang Yuan's command, the Substitute executed the Collision move. Fang Yuan observed the flow of energy on its body's surface.

"Perfect..."

To achieve this level, Eevee needed to have a deep understanding of itself.

It sounds simple, but it's actually quite difficult.

The changes within a living being are not so easily mastered.

The only way Eevee could understand itself was through the Payback move.

Not only did the use of Payback significantly improve Eevee's physical condition, but it also allowed it to better understand its internal structure through the exploration of its own potential.

Without this aspect, who knows how long it would've taken for Eevee to transition its Shadow Clone towards being a Substitute.

"Let's have Eevee try it out then," Fang Yuan said.

"Right, Eevee, how long can you maintain this Substitute?"

"Bwoo..."

Eevee looked embarrassed, expressing its dilemma.

Substitute is different from Shadow Clone; it has more physical strength, about a quarter of the real body's. As long as it doesn't overexert itself, it should be able to last for a long time.

Time isn't the issue.

But there's one thing...

"Ah... I see, after using Substitute, Eevee seems unable to effectively engage in battle with both the real body and the Substitute simultaneously."

Lin Jing crouched down to look at the Substitute, whose gaze alternated between being spirited and vacant, and came to a realization.

"Isn't that quite normal? Unless there's a split personality, how could you possibly control two bodies at the same time..." mumbled Liu Le.

"..." Fang Yuan.

"It has nothing to do with split personality," Fang Yuan said. "It seems the main issue is the inability to multitask effectively."

This multitasking is quite different from when Fang Yuan had Eevee watch TV while practicing the Counter Shield move.

People often encounter multitasking in the sense of switching attention back and forth between two tasks through habitual thinking, to achieve the effect of doing both simultaneously. But this is not truly multitasking.

In fact, for normal life forms, it's very difficult for the brain to do two tasks at once.

For Eevee to control both the real body and the Substitute simultaneously, given the current situation, it's simply not possible.

Therefore, Eevee's current Substitute move can at most be considered to have been mastered at a basic level. It can't perform too many complex maneuvers, and its limitations are significant.

"Even though Pokemon are magical creatures, their brains aren't capable of true multitasking. Based on scientific research, it's probably only those Psychics who have deeply developed their brain domains, as well as Psychic System Elves, that might be able to truly multitask," Fang Yuan said.

Can the Retribution Training Method excavate brain domain potential and train spiritual power?

Fang Yuan had this idea for quite some time but he really didn't dare let Eevee try it.

Overexertion of limbs and tail could be recovered through simple medical treatment and nutrition supplements; the Spirit Center was in charge of this, so Fang Yuan rather felt at ease... But the brain domain was a mysterious place, and the Spirit Center didn't have the corresponding medical services. If Eevee turned into an idiotic Bwoo, Fang Yuan would regret it beyond measure.

Fang Yuan stroked his chin, decided that with the current mastery of Substitute, it was enough; as long as he protected Eevee's real body, there would be no problem at all.

"I understand. Later, when your substitute draws Beedrill away, Growlithe and Little Kabigon will protect your real body by your side. Go ahead and fight with your substitute without worrying about this side," Fang Yuan said.

Eevee hesitated for a moment, okay... There should be no problem then.

...

Four-thirty in the afternoon.

The ranger defense line at South Service Town Back Mountain.

Zhuang Xin, who was observing the performance of the three through drone surveillance footage, suddenly widened her eyes.

Half an hour later, Forest Ranger Team Leader Wang Dahu hurried over and communicated with Zhuang Xin, "The ranger following and protecting those three kids reported... the venom has been taken."

"And throughout... they didn't even get a chance to make a move. From beginning to end, Beedrill was completely played around, posing no threat at all."

Zhuang Xin fell silent, pointing at the image of Eevee on the screen, she said, "I've seen it. This was my mistake. I didn't expect this Eevee to also know the Substitute Technique. They used Eevee's substitutes to draw Beedrill away in turns. Even though Eevee's substitutes got killed by Beedrill, it created a perfect opportunity for the three to take the venom..."

"Substitute... How exactly did Fang Yuan's Eevee come to understand Substitute? It's not a move that can be comprehended as easily as Shadow Clone," Zhuang Xin frowned.

"Does that mean, Miss Zhuang, that your plan has gone down the drain? Such a difficult task and they completed it with such ease; instead of realizing their limitations, they are probably even more arrogant now." Wang Dahu laughed, a Professional Trainer falling to a New Trainer, that's too interesting.

Zhuang Xin huffed, yet she found herself looking at Fang Yuan more favorably; worthy of being a genius rookie... He really had some skills.

"Let it be a failure then, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future," Zhuang Xin said.

She didn't believe Fang Yuan could continue to create miracles.

This kind of blunder wouldn't happen a second time.

...

"Hahaha, Eevee, you were really impressive. I didn't expect your Substitute performance to be so vivid and lifelike. It was hilarious seeing the group of Beedrill you taunted chasing you halfway across the mountain," Fang Yuan laughed after returning to Pingcheng.

Liu Le treated Fang Yuan and Lin Jing to a meal because this outdoor practical training turned out to be much easier than he had imagined, making him overjoyed.

And all this was thanks to Eevee.

"Eat up, eat up, it's on me," said Liu Le as Eevee voraciously chowed down, displaying a "I won't stand on ceremony" expression.

"How should I put it... This mission was pure luck; we mustn't let our guard down." Remembering Zhuang Xin's unfriendly look before departing, Fang Yuan felt quite pressured. Did Eevee perhaps perform too well? If the difficulty of the next mission increased because of this, they would be in trouble.

"Lin Jing, can your Growlithe learn the Flamethrower attack in a week?" Fang Yuan asked.

If they relied solely on Eevee again next time, there would surely be a problem.

"Flamethrower... shouldn't be a problem within a week," Lin Jing nodded her head. With the family breeding method, learning moves wasn't a difficult task for her Pokemon.

"Liu Le, what about Little Kabigon? How is it doing with learning the Rest move and Sleep Talk?"