Chapter 82: Shared Spirit of the Underdogs? Xiao Zhang’s Pokémon!

"Pokémon are truly special creatures… full of spirit."

Su Bai watched the scene before him and smiled knowingly.

What set Pokémon apart from other beings wasn't just their immense power.

Their most remarkable trait was the ability to connect emotionally with humans.

That's why Su Bai always emphasized the importance of bonds.

If a trainer couldn't connect with their Pokémon on a deeper level, they could never truly nurture them to their full potential!

"Come on… let's take a look."

At that moment, Xiao Zhang was completely dejected.

Sure, he knew that a Pokémon's strength wasn't determined by its size or looks.

But that Rhyhorn looked so imposing—if he could just get it, he might finally be able to beat Pawniard!

He didn't even get close though—he got launched before he could blink…

"Forget the big guy… even the other Pokémon barely gave me the time of day…"

Xiao Zhang sighed in frustration.

"Am I really not cut out to be a trainer…?"

Ever since his loss to Pawniard, he'd been captivated by Pokémon.

That curiosity alone had pushed him through an entire mountain of notes in just one night.

And the more he learned, the more excited he became.

He was convinced that Pokémon held the key to finally stepping out of his "eternal second place" curse!

And yet… things had gone so terribly wrong.

Just then, someone gave him a light tap on the shoulder.

Startled, he turned around—

And found himself staring into the eyes of a blue-skinned, humanoid Pokémon, gazing at him with what could only be described as… sympathy?

More than that—it felt like the Pokémon was encouraging him.

The blue Pokémon raised a muscled arm and pounded its chest, letting out two loud snorts from its nose.

"Wait… you mean… don't give up? That failure is the mother of success?"

The Pokémon nodded, then pointed toward a nearby Graveler lazing about.

It casually picked up the large Graveler and began lifting it—up and down—like a barbell before setting it gently back down.

Graveler gave the Machop a side-eye and walked off, arms swinging in irritation.

But Xiao Zhang?

He and the Machop had already entered a strange rhythm—communicating seamlessly.

"Li-li!"

"You're saying that if I keep training, I'll reach my goals someday?"

"Don't give up, right?!"

"Li-li!"

"You're right! I can't give up now!"

"Li-li! Li-li!"

"Let's do this! Let's do this!"

"Li-li! Li-li-li!!"

By now, Su Bai and the others had arrived nearby.

They paused at the sight of Xiao Zhang and the Machop.

And then slowly fell into silence.

Why… why did it feel like they were having a real conversation?

Where did reality go wrong?

Su Bai scratched his head.

Back in the Pokémon world, there were some people who could mysteriously connect with Pokémon emotions.

Could it be that Xiao Zhang and this Machop were… naturally compatible?

This blue-skinned Pokémon wasn't just any random creature.

Among Poké-fans, it had a solid reputation.

It was none other than Machop, a beloved Fighting-type Pokémon with three stages of evolution.

Could it be that… Xiao Zhang and Machop had something in common?

"Xiao Zhang," Su Bai called out. "Seems like this Pokémon really likes you. Are you planning to buy it?"

"Ah! Teacher Su! Good day, teacher!"

Some things, once set in motion, can't be undone.

Ever since learning who Su Bai really was, Xiao Zhang hadn't once addressed him by name.

Not even a casual "Boss Su."

When it came to respecting teachers, Xiao Zhang was the perfect role model…

"Yes! I want to buy it!"

He turned to look at Machop—and they both nodded at the same time.

Perfect synchronicity.

"…Well then, I guess I'll give you a quick rundown," Su Bai said, at a bit of a loss for words.

"Machop has excellent potential. It evolves into Machoke, and then into Machamp."

"And like you, it's a Fighting-type—which might explain why it warmed up to you."

"This little guy's strength lies in its raw power. It belongs to the Superpower Pokémon category."

He pointed at the Graveler now walking away in annoyance.

"It trains by repeatedly lifting heavy Graveler to strengthen every muscle in its body, striving for peak physical form."

"Thanks to its unique muscle composition, no matter how hard it trains, it never feels sore."

"It also knows tons of fighting moves—it's incredibly strong."

"They say a single Machop can easily toss 100 grown men."

As Su Bai spoke, Machop proudly puffed out its chest, hands on its hips like a true muscle champ.

The pose was so exaggerated it had everyone bursting into laughter.

Liu Yunlan giggled.

"Su Bai, you forgot one thing—Machop's pretty gentle too! It even went out of its way to comfort poor Xiao Zhang."

Su Bai looked conflicted.

"Uhhh… yeah… 'gentle' isn't really in Machop's profile…"

As a power-focused Pokémon, Machop was a textbook tough guy.

Honestly, when Su Bai first saw it comforting Xiao Zhang, he thought he was hallucinating.

"…Hey Diancie, can you help translate for me?"

Suddenly inspired, Su Bai turned to the mythical Pokémon floating nearby.

"I want to know why Machop did that."

If Meowth in the anime could understand humans, then surely Diancie—a mythical Pokémon—could serve as a translator.

Diancie giggled and floated over to Machop.

"Of course! Leave it to me!"

She leaned in and began whispering back and forth with Machop.

After a few moments, she pointed toward a large Pokémon in the distance—

A Rhyhorn, who had just sent a trainer flying with a slap.

"Machop says he just challenged that Rhyhorn and got totally beaten."

"Right after that, he saw Xiao Zhang get launched through the air."

"And from Xiao Zhang… he sensed a familiar aura."

"That's why he went over to encourage him."

As Diancie translated, Machop nodded enthusiastically.

The atmosphere… grew strangely still.

Everyone glanced between Machop and Xiao Zhang.

Was this… the spiritual bond of underdogs?

"Come to think of it," someone murmured, "Machop really is a lot like Xiao Zhang…"

"Every Machop constantly trains and challenges bigger opponents like Rhyhorn…"

"Just like Xiao Zhang, who's always chasing after Pei Jingguo…"

Su Bai looked between Xiao Zhang, Machop, and then Pawniard and Pei Jingguo.

In a way… they were kindred spirits.

Xiao Zhang, too, never gave up.

Always losing—but always fighting again.

Just like Machop.

The group exchanged glances, clearly sharing the same thought:

Machop and Xiao Zhang… were a perfect match.

"Well then… congratulations."

Su Bai turned to him with a smile.

"Welcome, Trainer Xiao Zhang."

"This Machop's Ability is Guts—when it suffers a status condition, its attack power actually goes up."

"It's perfect for someone with your unbreakable will."

"…And that'll be 800,000 yuan."

The moment he got his Machop, Xiao Zhang practically sprinted out of the Pokémon Room straight toward the Training Center.

Pei Jingguo was a training fanatic—and Xiao Zhang had always followed him around.

So it was no surprise that Xiao Zhang himself was just as obsessed.

And now that he had Machop, a fellow training maniac?

He'd probably become the Training Center's next VIP…

Just as everyone was still marveling at the bond between people and Pokémon—

A sudden cry rang out from Li Xiaoyu!