Chapter 128: Don't Speak, Kiss Me?

Tang Yi took nearly forty minutes to recover. He noticed that Fang Tianze, who had also been guiding energy earlier, looked even more refreshed than he did, despite being twice his age.

Unfortunately, there was no shortcut to this skill; it could only be accumulated slowly over time. Tang Yi knew he couldn't compare himself to this former champion. During his rest, he had taken a moment to reflect. In truth, increasing the force of his touch to bolster the energy flow was a clumsy, desperate method. What Fang Tianze could accomplish with a single finger, Tang Yi still had to tackle with both hands, going all out.

Once rested, he was eager to try again. The subject had changed to another Hoppip girl, though she was someone Tang Yi had interacted with over the past few days. He had realized that while the clan leader had agreed to provide the opportunity, the choice remained with the Hoppips themselves; they were never forced. Those who volunteered to be his subjects were almost always the girls he had grown familiar with. It seemed they had developed a basic level of trust in him.

"Although energy guidance isn't dangerous, your technique still needs improvement. It’s not suitable to practice repeatedly on the same Pokémon, so we have to keep rotating subjects." Because they were wild Pokémon, Fang Tianze was familiar with and trusted by them all, so neither side minded the arrangement. Tang Yi understood well that if not for these circumstances, he would struggle to find even a single chance to practice back in the city, so he cherished every moment.

By evening, after rotating through several girls, Tang Yi was exhausted to the point of immobility. It was more energy-draining than he had imagined, and the rest intervals grew longer until he could barely move at all. Fang Tianze had been guiding him throughout the day and had ended up being the most relaxed of them all. Seeing that Tang Yi was truly spent, he stopped calling the Hoppips over.

"Let’s call it a day. Rest for a while before we head down the mountain," Fang Tianze said.

"Master Fang, do you think this kind of energy guidance can really help them evolve?" Tang Yi asked, his eyes flickering.

Fang Tianze knew what he was thinking. "You can try it on Ralts when you get home, but be moderate. Ralts has a somewhat fragile constitution, though her psychic energy is actually quite strong. The more someone is like that, the harder it is to guide their energy."

Tang Yi asked again, "Do you think Ralts’s current energy level is enough for her to evolve?"

Fang Tianze pondered for a moment. "It’s hard to say, but it might still be a little short."

Tang Yi trusted his judgment but couldn't help feeling a pang of regret. He had hoped Ralts might evolve before the competition, but he knew such things could not be rushed.

"Still, you can try massage guidance on her when you get back. It won’t do her any harm."

"I understand."

That went without saying; Tang Yi intended to try it regardless. Besides, once the Hoppips migrated, Ralts would be his only remaining practice partner. Tang Yi asked Fang Tianze a few more questions. Previously, because Tang Yi hadn't even reached the entry level, Fang Tianze couldn't be bothered to answer, but today he was uncharacteristically talkative.

"Master Fang, when do you think I’ll be able to learn Skill Unlocking?"

Fang Tianze poured cold water on his enthusiasm. "Don't get ahead of yourself. You’ve barely set one foot across the threshold; whether you can get the other one in is still up in the air. It also depends on Ralts's progress. The conditions are harsh, and not a single one can be skipped."

Tang Yi wasn't discouraged. He joked with a hint of anticipation, "You said it took Lance a long time to learn it. Does that mean I’m more talented than him?"

"Compared to him, you still have a long way to go!" At the mention of Lance, Fang Tianze grew respectful. "He is an outstanding trainer, a rare sight indeed. He’s only a tiny bit less skilled than I am."

Tang Yi had been listening intently, but he couldn't help but feel disdain at that last remark.

Fang Tianze laughed heartily. "Actually, in terms of learning progress for this ability, you are indeed a tiny bit faster than Lance. But it’s not something to be too proud of—after all, not everyone is as much of a freak as you are!"

"I don't think you're in any position to call others a freak," Tang Yi retorted without hesitation.

Fang Tianze sneered. "Did Eevee tell you something? I knew it; she’ll never get over her gossiping habit."

"Did Eevee say anything?" Tang Yi played dumb.

Fang Tianze said meaningfully, "You need to judge for yourself what should and shouldn't be done. I’m not in a position to manage your affairs. Butterfree is just worried about Ralts getting the short end of the stick, but there’s really no need. In this regard, I trust you."

Tang Yi understood, yet somehow, he didn't. They were speaking in riddles—couldn't they just talk normally?

Just then, a cry echoed from the sky.

"Tang Yi! Tang Yi!"

He looked up and saw, to his surprise, it was Ralts. She was embracing a wing-clad girl who resembled a Pidgey with her right arm, while waving excitedly at them with her other hand.

Not far away, Butterfree flapped her snow-white wings, cradling a Vulpix as she circled nearby, her eyes occasionally checking on Pidgey and Ralts.

"Looks like there was a breakthrough over there today, too," Fang Tianze laughed.

Ralts and Butterfree had been helping the wild Pidgey learn to fly. For Ralts, the training was primarily about mastering emotional perception, coordination, and telepathy. Could it be that because of that kiss, even Ralts had achieved a breakthrough?

*Tsk.* To think his kiss had such a powerful effect—Tang Yi couldn't help but feel smug.

Soon, Pidgey landed carrying Ralts, and Butterfree descended with Vulpix. The Hoppip girls knew Butterfree, and though Ralts was a stranger, with the gentle Butterfree there, it was no problem at all.

"Ralts, what made you come over here today?" Tang Yi asked.

"Sister Butterfree said that I seem to have resolved some kind of emotional block, and my emotional perception has suddenly become so much better, so everything went very smoothly today!" Ralts looked quite excited.

"An emotional block, huh? *Ahem*." Tang Yi noticed the stern, questioning gaze from Butterfree and decided to change the subject. "That’s quite a coincidence; actually, over here—"

"Don't speak!" Ralts suddenly interrupted him, looking mysterious. "Let me guess what you're thinking?"

*Huh?*

Tang Yi froze. Before he could react, the surprise on Ralts's little face deepened into a bashful, rosy red, which then shifted into an indignant, ashen blue.

"Don't speak—'kiss me'? You, you, you! Why are you always thinking about such dirty things? You lecher!" Ralts was furious.