Chapter 165: Physiology and Shopping

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There were many types of blades.

Long blades, short blades, curved blades, straight blades—differences lay in weight, thickness, and even grip techniques.

The blade practiced at Zhenxing Dojo was four chi long (about 80 cm), 4 cm wide, and 0.8 cm thick. It was a straight blade with a slight inward curve, a subtle arc, and a teardrop-shaped tip.

Similar to the Japanese swords from his past life, yet with distinct differences.

But overall, it still looked pretty cool.

—Assuming it was a real blade.

"This wooden sword is identical in shape and weight to the real one. It was passed down to me by your grandmaster—take good care of it."

Duan Tianxing handed Li Xiang a polished reddish-brown wooden sword.

Only in this unscientific world could a wooden sword share the exact dimensions and weight of a real one.

Li Xiang nodded respectfully as he took it. The sword was clearly an antique—the guard was worn smooth from years of use, and if not for the cloth wrapping, the hilt would have been just as polished.

"Master, what's the name of this sword?"

Li Xiang ran his finger along the "blade." Though wooden swords couldn't be sharpened, he could still imagine the cold gleam of a real edge.

Hmm… Just thinking about it makes my finger hurt.

Duan Tianxing replied calmly, "Zhenxing Longblade."

"…And Third Sister's sword?"

"Zhenxing Greatblade."

"Master, is the staff called Zhenxing Staff? The sword, Zhenxing Sword? The spear, Zhenxing Spear?"

"Correct."

Duan Tianxing nodded.

Li Xiang grinned in realization—so the founder was just as bad at naming things as he was.

Zhenxing was a fine name…

…But it was also incredibly lazy.

Suppressing the urge to facepalm, Li Xiang began practicing the basic stances of the Zhenxing Longblade under Duan Tianxing's strict guidance.

The wooden sword was meant to help him master the forms before moving on to actual techniques. If the form is wrong, the intent won't follow.

Given Li Xiang's mediocre martial arts talent, if he couldn't even get the basics right, there was no point in dreaming of anything else. His candies didn't work on himself—he couldn't become a superhuman.

Even if they did work…

What was the point? He wasn't foolish enough to think he could brawl with Groudon or wrestle Kyogre barehanded.

Why risk his life when Pokémon could handle it?

After a morning of training—

Li Xiang wiped away his sweat, watching Duan Tianxing leave. The old master was as strict and sparing with words as ever. The moment Li Xiang made even a slight mistake, the teaching whip in his hand would come down, correcting his posture.

Corporal punishment might be outdated, but it was undeniably effective.

Under Duan Tianxing's relentless demands, Li Xiang had managed to memorize the ten basic forms of the Zhenxing Longblade in just one morning. A few more practice sessions in the afternoon, and he'd have them down pat.

But memorization alone wasn't enough.

He had to use them.

Some beginners could flawlessly perform routines yet flail like amateurs in actual combat.

Li Xiang had learned through brutal experience—thanks to his seniors' "affectionate" beatings, his body had memorized the applications of the Explosive Fist. Otherwise, after just over a year of training, he wouldn't be much stronger than the average kid his age, let alone capable of defeating opponents older and bigger than him.

His abs weren't just for show.

Rubbing his stomach, Li Xiang noted that his childhood belly had long since vanished, replaced by six well-defined abdominal muscles.

Not as bulging as a bodybuilder's, but firm and strong enough to withstand Duan Yu's side kicks.

Hopefully, this won't stunt my growth.

Duan Yu had grown just fine.

Glancing at his sixteen-year-old senior, Li Xiang noted that the once-reserved boy had shot up to over 180 cm, with a lean, handsome build—though his fair complexion gave him an almost feminine delicacy.

Wasn't he only around 170 cm last year?

Do kids grow that fast?

"Hm? What's wrong?"

Duan Yu set down his staff, and Riolu—who had been mimicking his movements—paused as well.

"Nothing, just thinking how tall you've gotten."

Li Xiang grinned.

Duan Yu looked down at himself, then at Li Xiang. "I did grow quickly. But you're only twelve—you'll probably surpass me."

"Mhm! Thanks for helping train my Pokémon, Senior."

"Reviewing the basics helps me spot my own flaws. Master allows it."

Duan Yu waved him off.

Nearby, Riolu glanced at the staff in Duan Yu's hands, envy flickering in its eyes.

Currently, it was laying the groundwork for Bone Rush.

As always, the goal was to absorb techniques useful to Pokémon while discarding those designed for humans.

But one problem remained unavoidable— Riolu had three fingers.

Zhenxing Staff techniques required five for proper grip and control, ensuring the staff wouldn't slip during swings.

In other words, Riolu had hit a major roadblock right at the start.

How did the three-fingered Lucario in the anime use Bone Rush?

After some thought, Li Xiang recalled that when Lucario formed its energy staff, one finger curled inward like a thumb.

But Riolu's "thumb" couldn't bend that way—it could only flex slightly, offering no real grip strength.

Thus—

For now, Riolu could only pretend to hold a staff, familiarizing itself with the movements conceptually. Only after evolving could it truly begin training.

"Different physiology…"

Li Xiang sighed. Despite their similarities, Riolu and Lucario had so many small but crucial differences.

"Rii…"

Riolu lowered its head, staring at its paws in frustration.

It had hoped to master another skill, but reality had dashed those hopes.

"Don't rush. We'll take it slow."

Li Xiang pinched its cheeks reassuringly.

Too much at once will spoil the broth.

Riolu already had enough on its plate—training was just one part of life, not everything.

November.

The weather turned colder, ending Torracat's dominance. As compensation, however, it gained the favor of Riolu and Corvisquire.

Whenever it was time to rest or sleep, the three would huddle together—whether on the couch watching movies, on Li Xiang's bed playing cards, or simply dozing in Corvisquire's warm nest.

Frogadier, however, remained unfazed by the cold, seemingly unaffected by the weather. It went wherever it pleased, even daring to hide in the fridge—only to stroll out unharmed when Mrs. Yin opened it to grab something.

—Which brings us to Frogadier's bad habit.

Convinced it was an assassin, Frogadier loved lurking in random corners of the house, doing nothing but hiding, then startling everyone when they least expected it.

Extremely obnoxious behavior.

Mrs. Yin and Li Zhehan had complained multiple times—finding Frogadier perched on their nightstand or lurking in a dark corner when they woke up.

At this rate, someone was going to have a heart attack.

But Li Xiang couldn't do much about it. Scolding Frogadier would only make it sulk in the toilet—sometimes for an entire night.

Worse—

Frogadier seemed to have combined the Sanmō Sōsa technique with its natural low presence, developing a form of stealth aura—akin to the presence dilution of the Wolf Girl from Blood Blockade Battlefront.

Once activated— Even Torracat's whisker radar couldn't sense it.

Riolu had to scan three times with its Aura Sense to locate it—the first two attempts subconsciously overlooking it.

A fantastic ability—

But it affected allies just as much as enemies.

Li Xiang could only take things one step at a time, hoping Frogadier would gain better control upon evolving into Greninja.

At this stage, there was simply no solution.

A blessing and a curse.

One day—

Li Xiang and Mrs. Yin went shopping, mainly to buy clothes for their Pokémon.

Most Pokémon didn't need clothing, but cities weren't their natural habitats, and some adjustments made life more comfortable.

Plus, Pokémon had their own preferences.

For example— Pyjama Heart Flagship Store.

"The clothes we bought you last time are too small now that you've evolved. Want a bigger Tyrantrum or Gyarados onesie this time?"

Li Xiang cupped Torracat's face. The outfit bought during its Litten days no longer fit, though Riolu's scarf was still wearable.

"Meow!"

Torracat pushed his hand away—not because it disliked the touch, but because it despised his fashion sense.

What kind of self-respecting cat wears a Tyrantrum or Gyarados outfit?

"Eh… Not a fan? I think they look cool. How about Incineroar?"

Li Xiang pulled an Incineroar onesie from the rack and, ignoring Torracat's protests, dressed it up before lifting its upper body for inspection.

Honestly? It kinda looked like a baby Incineroar.

"Nice! Mom! Torracat wants this one!" Li Xiang called out cheerfully.

Torracat hissed in outrage. "MEOW!!"

Lies! I never agreed to this!

I wanted the Pyroar one!

Nearby—

Riolu, clad in a Lucario onesie, admired itself in the mirror, eyes sparkling.

"Rii~"

Why is this outfit so perfect?

As a humanoid Pokémon, it was easier to find clothes that fit, and it adored its future evolution's design.

"Well? Looks good, right?"

Mrs. Yin smiled. She'd had her eye on this outfit for a while, but it was always out of stock.

"Rii!"

Riolu nodded vigorously.

In the resting area— Corvisquire, wrapped in a soft scarf, dozed off with half-lidded eyes.

Beside it, Frogadier stared at a bracelet made of unknown material, torn between wearing it or not.

Of the entire family, it was the only one who disliked accessories, seeing them as pointless—but it couldn't refuse Mrs. Yin's enthusiasm.

It would never wear pajamas, so a bracelet would have to do.

But this thing looked fragile.

Frogadier's expression twisted slightly as it examined the bracelet.