Chapter 423: Absorbing the Never-Melt Ice
Learning that the Never-Melt Ice had arrived, Basalt departed from the Cydonia Desert and rushed to Saffron City.
In the small western-style house, Basalt met Zhou Yuan, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.
"So this is the high-grade Never-Melt Ice? Sure enough, it's full of icy power!"
On the table was a password-protected case. Upon opening, it revealed a crystal-clear white ice crystal with sharp edges and corners, shaped somewhat like a crown.
As soon as this ice crystal appeared, countless chills emanated from it. More accurately, the low temperature of the ice crystal instantly liquefied the water vapor in the air, creating a hazy ice mist.
Basalt also felt waves of chill, his body trembling slightly. It was no exaggeration to say that the appearance of this Never-Melt Ice lowered the room temperature by at least ten degrees.
"How do you plan to use this Never-Melt Ice?" Zhou Yuan raised an eyebrow.
"Good things are meant to be used. I think I'll just have it absorbed directly!" Basalt was noncommittal.
Hearing this, Zhou Yuan's mouth twitched slightly.
There were two main ways to use type-enhancing items.
The first was to carry it during battle to boost the power of moves. Unfortunately, type-enhancing items were banned in most official competitions, unless it was a wild battle or a Masters Tournament. The advantage was obvious: it could be rotated among different Pokémon or even resold, offering the highest cost-performance ratio.
The second was to absorb the pure energy within the item directly to improve the Pokémon's cultivation. However, this would consume the item, making it a one-time use.
Trainers without significant capital wouldn't bear to use the second method. But Basalt clearly didn't lack money now.
"You're awesome!" Zhou Yuan gave a thumbs up; he had to admire him.
Never-Melt Ice, this was a treasure worth a hundred million! Basalt decided to absorb it without even frowning.
But this was Basalt's philosophy: only with strength could he earn more money. One must look long-term and never be a miser.
As far as Basalt knew, after winning the league MVP, a desert motorcycle brand had approached him, hoping to sign him as a brand ambassador and film commercials. Abdullah's secretary was currently negotiating the specifics. But it was certain that the remuneration for this business deal would not be less than eight figures.
This was the benefit of fame! And fame came from strength. So Basalt would never relax in improving his strength.
"After absorbing this Never-Melt Ice, Swampert's strength will definitely increase significantly. It's not impossible for it to catch up with the three main forces!"
Full of anticipation, Basalt released Swampert and handed the Never-Melt Ice to it.
"Swamp-pert~"
Swampert held the Never-Melt Ice and went directly to a corner to absorb it.
In Basalt's team, avoiding competition was impossible. Carbink's addition put a lot of pressure on Swampert. Plus, with Numel potentially evolving at any time, if Swampert didn't strive to improve its strength, its status would be in danger! Moreover, Basalt would be playing 6v6 in the First Division League next season. If Swampert's strength lagged behind, how could it justify Basalt's cultivation?
"Oh right, Chief Zhou, could you help me check the quality of this Hard Stone?"
Slapping his forehead, Basalt quickly took out the Hard Stone given by Mother Tyranitar from his backpack.
"Where did you kid get so many good things? One type-enhancing item after another, you're like a treasure boy!" Zhou Yuan sighed with emotion.
Over these years, Basalt had changed too much. The simple young man who got excited over a single type gem was gone. The current Basalt was practically half a tycoon. Even Zhou Yuan envied Basalt's wealth!
"The quality of this Hard Stone..."
After taking the Hard Stone and examining it carefully for a moment, Zhou Yuan's casual attitude changed immediately. He straightened up, his face serious.
He examined the Hard Stone in his hand thoroughly from all angles, finally stammering, "High... High-grade! Another high-grade type-enhancing item!"
Zhou Yuan looked at Basalt with unconcealed envy and curiosity. "Where on earth did you get so many treasures?"
"It really is high-grade?" Basalt looked delighted.
Hard Stone, a Rock-type enhancing item, was equivalent in value to the Never-Melt Ice. Calculating that, it was another small fortune.
Happily taking the Hard Stone back, Basalt chuckled, "To be honest, this was a meeting gift from my mother-in-law!"
"What? You have a partner?" Zhou Yuan was even more shocked.
How come he hadn't heard a whisper about this?
However, given Basalt's conditions and talent, being scouted by a wealthy family as a son-in-law seemed reasonable to Zhou Yuan. He was just curious: which great family's daughter was Basalt's partner? Giving a meeting gift worth over a hundred million just like that! So damn rich!
"My baby's surname is Sha (Sand), and my mother-in-law's surname is Ban (Tyranitar's Chinese name starts with Ban)!"
Basalt laughed heartily, turned, and left the room to find Swampert, leaving a bewildered Zhou Yuan behind.
"Surname Sha? Which prestigious family is that? Why don't I have any impression?"
Zhou Yuan scratched his head, puzzled, guessing, "Could it be not a prestigious family, but a super-rich merchant family?"
Prestigious families had long Pokémon heritages and strong strength, with most outstanding disciples holding important positions in the Alliance and wielding certain power. Super-rich merchant families had money but no power; they were more eager to marry genius trainers and invested more unsparingly in their sons-in-law.
In the backyard, Swampert was absorbing the severe cold energy from the Never-Melt Ice with all its might.
The current Swampert was a Pro-level Pokémon, and its physique had been greatly strengthened by resources from the West Lake Spring Eye and the Fountain of Life. Consequently, its body vessel could hold several times more elemental energy than peers of the same rank.
So, although the energy from the Never-Melt Ice was frantically drilling into its body, causing thick frost to form all over Swampert, it still didn't feel satisfied, absorbing and refining like a bottomless pit.
This was the benefit of a strong physique: large capacity and fast refinement speed.
Until night fell, Swampert finally absorbed all the pure energy from the Never-Melt Ice.
"Swamp-pert~"
Swampert opened its eyes, feeling full of power. And its body was like a huge refrigerator. Without even consciously circulating Ice-type energy, just by gently pressing its palm on the ground, the green grass instantly froze into ice shards.
"Swamp-pert~"
Swampert raised its palm, then with a thought, condensed the water vapor in the air into a crown-shaped ice sculpture, exactly resembling the Never-Melt Ice before it melted.
Swampert was slightly surprised. This ice control ability was probably not inferior to Pupitar's sand control ability!
"Swampert, you're awake?"
Hearing Swampert's call, Basalt rushed over and scanned it with his Pokédex.
"Should have learned Ice Beam, right?" Basalt looked expectant.
Ice Beam, a high-level Ice-type move, with power and coverage much greater than Icy Wind. It was perfect for hitting Flying and Dragon types.
Scan successful; Swampert's data instantly appeared on the Pokédex.
And in the move list, sure enough, three new moves appeared: Ice Beam, Blizzard, and Hail!
"Learned even Blizzard and Hail?" Basalt was shocked.
This was a buy-one-get-two-free deal! The Never-Melt Ice truly lived up to being an Ice-type treasure; the effect was indeed astonishing.
If Swampert had its current strength a few days ago, he would definitely have sent Swampert out against Gan Lin's Haxorus without hesitation.
"Really want to find someone to fight!"
Basalt licked his lips, eager to find someone for a battle to test Swampert's strength.
☆☆☆
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
-> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS CHAPTER
☆☆☆
-> 20 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Inkshaper
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you