Everyone Else Awakened, But I Just Opened a Pokémon Pet Shop

Diancie's translation instantly shifted Xiao Zhang's expression. He looked up toward the snowy peak, where the chilling white mist had thickened dramatically.

The freezing air had begun condensing into sheets of frost, drifting downward like pale fog.

From afar, it looked like white clouds were being poured from the summit itself.

"As expected of a Lucario with the Justified Ability!"

Xiao Zhang gave a solemn nod, then raised his fist toward the peak.

"I understand now! Let's calm that Tier 2 Legendary Pokémon down—together!"

Behind him, Machamp threw up both its arms and let out a boisterous, "Machaaamp!"

Even the baby Cubone, not quite sure what was going on, waved its bone club energetically and joined the cheer with a squeaky cry.

…The scene took on a hilariously dramatic flair.

Pei Jingguo chuckled and shook his head, turning around.

And that turn instantly eased his concerns—because a teasing voice called out from ahead.

"I always thought Liu Yunlan was the biggest chuunibyou in our team… but it looks like you're catching up fast, Xiao Zhang."

Wang Tao sat atop his Torterra, pointing at Xiao Zhang with a grin.

"Who're you calling a chuuni, you fat idiot?!"

Liu Yunlan glared at him from her Arcanine, too far to smack him—lucky for Wang Tao's kidneys.

Thanks to Arcanine's speed, she and Murong Nan had managed to catch up, even from a considerable distance.

"You're finally here…"

Pei Jingguo nodded, embracing Wang Tao after he jumped off his Torterra. He glanced at the group's new Pokémon with a satisfied smile.

"Looks like your exploration levels have been pretty high."

A newly evolved Golduck, Ponyta, Lapras, and a well-fed Munchlax, fresh from some of Ding Yue's energy cubes—this lineup clearly screamed progress.

"You're not doing too bad either!"

Ding Yue proudly stroked her Ponyta's flaming mane. Now that its fire no longer hurt her, she loved touching it—its warmth was soothing and strangely comforting.

"This little guy—Cubone, right? So cute!"

"And this one… looks really cool. What's its name—Lucario? Whoa, it gives off serious strength vibes."

Though it hadn't been long since they split up, everyone had made solid progress.

In a world now inhabited by Pokémon, Trainers were growing stronger fast.

Facing down a Tier 2 Legendary capable of altering the weather was no small matter. But standing shoulder to shoulder with their old teammates gave them the confidence to face it head-on.

Of course, if Su Bai were here, they'd feel even more reassured.

But they also knew—until that Sub-beast showed itself, Su Bai had to stay put. After all, Haicheng was still their base of operations.

After a quick reunion, the team set off immediately.

The falling boulders had already stopped—not because Articuno had calmed down, but because there were no loose rocks left to knock loose.

Snow wouldn't trigger an avalanche anymore either. The temperature had dropped so sharply that even the falling snowflakes were freezing into solid crystals within seconds.

Ding Yue and Li Xiaoyu, the only two without riding Pokémon, hopped onto Torterra's broad, steady back. Above them, Gyarados floated through the air.

Seated atop Gyarados, Liu Qiaoqiao curiously reached out her hand into the frosty air.

A delicate, glittering snowflake landed in her palm.

"Wow… this is snow!"

She gently blew the flake away, watching it swirl and disappear into the snowy landscape.

"Yeah. It's already snowing. We must be getting close to the summit."

Zhou Xiaofei said gently, trying to keep her calm. But his own brows were furrowed tight.

His Force of Bonds stemmed from the purity and strength of his mental energy—because it was so pure, the Pokémon never rejected him.

The effective range of this power was directly tied to the strength of his own mind.

And Zhou Xiaofei… was a genius, no doubt about it.

Right now, his spiritual reach covered this entire snow-covered domain.

As they neared the summit, Zhou Xiaofei extended his mental "feelers" further—like tendrils, cautiously searching for their target.

If he could establish contact and communicate with the furious Articuno, maybe they could avoid a direct confrontation with a rampaging Tier 2 Legendary altogether.

"Such… an enormous presence."

Soon, in his spiritual perception, Zhou Xiaofei "saw" it—a massive form.

In the mental realm, size didn't correspond to physical dimensions. Instead, it reflected power.

Among the human Trainers, Pei Jingguo had the largest presence.

Most of their main Pokémon were similarly powerful—save for Zhou's own Gyarados, which stood at the top.

But even so, none of them—not Gyarados, not Lapras, not even the mysterious Lucario—came close to the immense presence of Articuno.

In the spiritual world, each entity's aura rippled like waves, giving clues to their mental state.

And Articuno?

It was like a torch made of frost, blazing with freezing rage—undeniably the most dominant force in the entire domain.

"I'll give it a shot… Just once."

Zhou Xiaofei took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and guided his spiritual feelers toward that massive, surging presence with cautious friendliness.

In the spiritual plane, the glowing tendrils moved carefully toward the enraged Articuno.

And in reality, the situation wasn't any better—Articuno was indiscriminately attacking its surroundings, releasing shockwaves of cold.

That was why the summit's temperature kept plummeting.

"Calm down… please, calm down…"

The tendrils, carrying Zhou Xiaofei's goodwill, finally approached the frozen giant's side—and released a pacifying signal.

A being of this level… Zhou Xiaofei couldn't directly enter its mind.

To put it simply, he was like a polite visitor standing at the door.

But if the host refused to open up? He was powerless to force entry.

For a brief moment, Articuno's spiritual form paused.

Zhou Xiaofei's brows rose—was it working?

Then suddenly—a surge of overwhelming anxiety and furious rage surged back through the tendrils.

"Crap!"

Zhou Xiaofei's head throbbed in agony. He instantly severed his Force of Bonds connection.

But it was too late.

A piercing shriek thundered down from the summit.

"Brrreeeeeeeahhhhhh!"

Articuno… had noticed them!