Chapter 17: The Purple-Quality Ugly Fish with Splendid Scales!

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“Ding dong, it has been detected that Miss Joy’s affection for you has increased, and she has a gift for the host. The Divine Selection System triggers the following options:”

“Option 1: Decline Miss Joy’s gift, resulting in a decrease in her affection and receiving nothing!”

“Option 2: Accept Miss Joy’s gift, increasing her affection and obtaining an Everstone!”

“Option 3: Accept Miss Joy’s gift and promise to treat her well, increasing her affection and receiving a Shiny Scale!”

Upon seeing these three options, Zhang Feng was momentarily stunned.

He honestly had no idea what gift Miss Joy intended to give him.

However, judging by the choices, the first option was clearly out of the question. Between options two and three, Zhang Feng naturally hoped to get the Shiny Scale, as this item was essential for the evolution of the Feebas native to the Hoenn region.

Compared to the Everstone, Zhang Feng, who wanted all his Pokémon to reach their final evolutions, naturally chose the third option.

“Ding dong, congratulations, host! You have obtained the Shiny Scale item, which has been placed in your system storage!”

Having received what he wanted, Zhang Feng addressed Miss Joy.

“Miss Joy, what gift do you have for me?”

Just as Miss Joy instructed Blissey to begin healing Zhang Feng’s Pidgeotto and Ash’s Rufflet, she pulled out a Poké Ball.

“Xiao Feng, this is a Pokémon I once caught. Although it is just a Feebas, unlike the usual Feebas that only stare blankly, this one is more lively and intelligent!”

“Through my observation these past few days, I know you’re a trainer with great potential. Perhaps with you, this little one can receive better training!”

“If you’re willing, I want to entrust this little one to you!”

Hearing Miss Joy’s words, Zhang Feng suddenly realized why the system had rewarded him with a Shiny Scale.

It turned out that Miss Joy was giving him a Feebas!

Feebas is a Pokémon very similar to the Magikarp from the Kanto region—commonly found in various bodies of water and notably weak.

However, their evolutions, Gyarados and Milotic, are extremely powerful.

Gyarados is known as a ferocious Pokémon with great strength, while Milotic is famed as one of the most beautiful Pokémon, with power rivaling Gyarados.

Yet, evolving these Pokémon is notoriously difficult. Feebas can evolve by increasing its beauty or by using a Shiny Scale.

Gyarados’s evolution depends solely on Magikarp’s own determination.

Now that Zhang Feng had a Shiny Scale and the Feebas Miss Joy entrusted him with was of exceptional quality, Zhang Feng was more than willing to accept her trust.

The next moment, as the Poké Ball opened, a massive creature nearly a meter long appeared in the Pokémon Center’s water tank.

Normally, a Feebas is just over half a meter, but this one was almost twice that size, indicating its physical prowess far surpassed that of an ordinary Feebas.

A larger size also meant higher potential.

When Zhang Feng used the system to scan this Feebas, its status panel appeared before him:

Pokémon: Feebas
Level: 20
Ability: Adaptability
Type: Water
Potential: Purple
Bond Evolution: Locked
Mega Evolution: Locked
Moves: Splash, Tackle...
Friendship: 0
Background: A unique, outcast Feebas determined to become the most beautiful Pokémon
Hobby: Becoming beautiful

Upon seeing that this Feebas also had purple potential, Zhang Feng was delighted.

With purple potential and such size, once it evolved into Milotic, it would undoubtedly be a formidable Pokémon.

Looking at the Feebas before him, Miss Joy spoke:

“Feebas, as a Pokémon doctor, I can only stay inside the Pokémon Center and cannot travel. So hoping you can evolve and become stronger may be wishful thinking!”

“I know you’ve always wanted to become a Milotic, right? So, I found a very capable trainer for you. With his help, I believe you can achieve evolution!”

At that moment, the Feebas turned to look at Zhang Feng.

Usually, a Feebas would just foolishly blow bubbles upon hearing this, but this one showed a human-like flicker of sadness.

“If you’re willing to travel with me, I promise to help you evolve successfully!”

Saying that, Zhang Feng looked at Feebas intently.

After a long pause, Feebas nodded firmly.

Seeing Feebas agree, Miss Joy released it from her Poké Ball, and Zhang Feng captured it with a Luxury Ball.

“Miss Joy, rest assured, I will take good care of Feebas. Once it evolves into Milotic, I’ll let you know immediately!”

With Zhang Feng’s assurance, Miss Joy smiled happily.

After retrieving Pidgeotto, Zhang Feng prepared to leave Vermilion City.

Before departing, he called Professor Oda.

“Xiao Feng, you’ve arrived in Vermilion City? How have you been lately?”

“Professor, I’ve already obtained the Scale Badge from Vermilion Gym and caught two partners. I’m preparing to head toward Kanaz City!”

Upon hearing that Zhang Feng had defeated Senri, Professor Oda was quite surprised.

“Well, well, Xiao Feng, it seems I didn’t underestimate you. Keep up the effort in future Gym battles. When the Saikyo Tournament opens, Joy and I will come cheer for you!”

“Thank you, Professor. I’ll contact you once I reach Kanaz City!”

Just as Zhang Feng was about to hang up, Ash, now rekindled with fighting spirit, happened to see the conversation between Zhang Feng and Professor Oda.

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The hot-blooded fool promptly inserted himself into the scene.

“Zhang Feng, you know Professor Oda too?”

Hearing this, both Zhang Feng and Professor Oda turned to Ash.

“Oh, Ash, May, you’re at Vermilion Gym too? So, you know Zhang Feng as well?”

With Professor Oda’s question, Ash naturally recounted recent events.

When Professor Oda learned that Zhang Feng, who had just started his journey, not only won the Vermilion Gym but also defeated Ash—who had years of travel experience—in a friendly match, he thought even more highly of Zhang Feng.

Fortunately, the Treecko that had accompanied Zhang Feng had now evolved into Grovyle!

After hanging up, Ash said:

“Zhang Feng, let’s battle again next time! I definitely won’t lose!”

To which Zhang Feng replied:

“Alright, see you at the Saikyo Tournament. I hope you can surprise me then!”

Meanwhile, May turned to Zhang Feng.

“Sorry about what my brother said earlier. I apologize on his behalf. We already asked Dad about you, and he said he got utterly defeated!”

“But Dad is grateful to you. After battling you, he and Professor Kyu seem to have gained a lot and have recently gone into seclusion!”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Feng waved off the shyness of May’s brother, Shō, signaling it was no problem. Out of respect for Mr. Senri, Zhang Feng didn't want to argue.

After purchasing supplies, he set off toward Kanaz City.

“What a tsundere guy!” Shō muttered as Zhang Feng left.

Seeing this, May, as the older sister, scolded Shō properly.

Even Brock couldn’t help but say:

“Shō, Zhang Feng is very strong. Clearly, in his battle with Ash, he only used recently caught Pokémon.”

“The fact that he defeated Mr. Senri’s ace means he’s truly impressive!”

Encouraged by these words, Ash and Pikachu’s fighting spirit was greatly boosted.

“All right, Pikachu, since we can’t battle Mr. Senri now, let’s do some special training. We must defeat Zhang Feng at the Saikyo Tournament!”

“I’ve regained the passion I had when competing with Gary!”

Pikachu responded excitedly to Ash’s words.

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