Hearing Irida inquire about the King's situation, the pride on Lian's face quickly disappeared.
"The situation is dire, Kleavor's berserk episodes have been increasing recently."
"Previously, after we offered the food He likes, He would at least calm down for a period, but today He won't even approach the prepared food."
Lian turned back to look at the depths of the Grandtree Arena.
"Many trees around have already been cut down by Him, and several Pearl Clan members responsible for guarding have been injured."
Irida's expression instantly turned serious.
Since being influenced by the Golden Thunderbolt, Kleavor's condition has been worsening.
Yet, she didn't expect that the situation had become this severe.
Lian clenched his hands, always believing that the Golden Power on the King came from the Venerable Sinnoh.
Since it's a power bestowed by the Venerable Sinnoh, it shouldn't be easily dispelled.
But this power is causing Kleavor to lose reason, and now He even actively attacks the Pearl Clan members who have been guarding Him for generations.
This was the first time Lian had doubts about that Golden Thunderbolt.
Did the Venerable Sinnoh bestow the King with power to make the King endure pain and harm those who respect Him?
"The situation indeed can't be dragged on any longer." Irida turned and looked at Ash and Cynthia, "This time, I've brought them here to quell Kleavor."
"Ash and Cynthia will first defeat the King and then find a way to restore His sanity."
Lian's expression changed.
"Having Team Galactic people make a move against the King? Captain Irida, is this really appropriate? Moreover, I've heard they're outsiders from overseas regions, we can't verify their true origin at all!"
Irida looked at Lian, and her tone became much more serious: "Although they're from overseas, their strength is undeniable."
"I've personally tested Ash's strength; he defeated my Espeon, indeed possessing the power to quell the King, and his power to restore the King to normal... I believe will also be proven later."
Lian sharply turned to look at Ash.
"He defeated your Espeon?"
"That's right." Irida didn't shy away from this defeat, "The trust between Ash and his Pokemon is also enough for him to maintain correct judgment in danger."
"Them taking action this time is currently the most suitable choice."
The expression on Lian's face was still complex, but he believed in Irida's judgment.
Since Irida had personally battled with Ash and was willing to entrust the task of quelling the King to them, it proved that these two Team Galactic members indeed possessed the corresponding strength.
"I understand." Lian finally stepped aside, "But I will watch the whole process."
"If you really intend to harm the King, I absolutely won't stand by and do nothing."
"Don't worry." Ash responded seriously: "We will restore Kleavor to normal."
To avoid further provoking Lian and to adhere to the rules between the two clans, Adaman willingly stayed near the entrance of the Grandtree Arena.
Professor Laventon also found a position near the entrance to observe the sacrificial altar.
Though eager to document the battle of the King, he understood that staying too close would only add pressure to Ash and Cynthia.
Irida and Lian took them deeper in.
Only a broad path lay between the entrance and the sacrificial altar.
Even with Adaman and Professor Laventon staying at the entrance, they could still see the general situation on the battlefield.
Soon, the four came before a gigantic ancient tree.
The trunk of the ancient tree was extremely thick, with lush branches spreading out in all directions, casting a large area into shadow.
The name of the Grandtree Arena derives from this giant tree.
Legend has it that here was once the area where the Venerable Sinnoh fought the King.
In front of the giant tree, there were two short sacrificial altars, where the Pearl Clan would usually place food favored by Kleavor.
Lian walked to the sacrificial altar, taking one last look at Ash and Cynthia.
"Even in a berserk state, I can perform a ritual to reveal Him."
"But once He appears, He will immediately attack the surrounding people... are you really able to withstand Him?"
Irida had already tested Ash's strength, but Lian had ultimately not witnessed the battle firsthand.
Now that the guards of the Grandtree Arena had been evacuated, only a few of them remained nearby.
If Ash and Cynthia couldn't withstand the King, Irida and Adaman would have to personally intervene.
At that time, the fragile balance between the Pearl Clan and the Diamond Clan would also be affected.
"Irida has already tested our strength." Ash patted his chest, "Just go ahead and summon Kleavor, we will keep Him in check."
It's not that Ash underestimated the King because he defeated Irida.
On the contrary, both he and Cynthia wanted to use this opportunity to personally assess the strength of the berserk King.
So Ash was not planning to send Pikachu into battle just yet, nor did Cynthia let Garchomp join.
Pikachu and Garchomp's power far surpassed that of Hisuian Typhlosion and Hisuian Samurott.
Allowing them to act directly might end the battle in a short time.
But they would still have to face the Kings of other regions later.
Using Typhlosion and Samurott to fight together now would make it easier to gauge what level the King reached under the enhancement of the Golden Power.
If Kleavor's power far exceeded expectations, they'd still have time to let Pikachu and Garchomp intervene.
"Alright then."
Lian stepped onto the sacrificial altar, placing two portions of food favored by Kleavor in the center.
He put his hands together in front, with an expression turning incomparably serious.
"Oh King, who tirelessly dedicates between heaven and earth! I hereby offer my utmost gratitude! Please show yourself!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Lian bowed to the sacrificial altar.
In the first few seconds, the Grandtree Arena remained very quiet.
Suddenly, the ground underfoot shook slightly.
Cynthia turned to look around.
"Was that an earthquake just now?"
"Boom!"
The ground shook again.
This time, the movement was more noticeable than before, and the branches and leaves on the giant tree shook vigorously as well.
The sound of branches breaking echoed continuously from the distant forest.
"Careful!"
Ash stepped forward, shielding Cynthia.
His eyes briefly closed, and the Aura Power rapidly spread around. In the Aura Perception, a massive figure was moving rapidly through the woods.
With each step He took on the ground, a powerful force erupted.
The tremors in the Grandtree Arena were caused by His movements.
The speed of that figure was getting faster and faster.
The next moment, a strong Aura appeared directly on the sacrificial altar.
Ash suddenly opened his eyes.
Dazzling golden light burst before him, briefly affecting his vision.
When Ash could see clearly again, a tall figure had already appeared on the sacrificial altar.
Berserk Golden Power enveloped His body, making it difficult to discern specific features, discernible only by His curving body and two extremely thick arms from the outline.
At the ends of the two arms were a pair of massive, heavy stone axe blades, with edges sharp and surfaces marked by rock patterns of varying depth.
Golden light flowed continuously along the axe blades, causing the weapon to emit a strong sense of pressure.
This is the King worshipped by the Pearl Clan in the Obsidian Fieldlands, Kleavor!
"Is this Kleavor?" Ash examined His body seriously, "The golden light on Him, it shouldn't be power originally possessed by Kleavor, right?"
"Of course not."
Lian looked at the King on the sacrificial altar, his expression still visibly filled with admiration.
"Kleavor's original body was somewhat smaller than it is now."
"Since receiving the power of the Golden Thunderbolt, both His size and power have greatly increased."
"The current King is much stronger than before!"
"Even Captain Irida probably isn't a match for Him now!"
Ash remained silent for a moment. Kleavor had already lost sanity, and Pearl Clan members started getting injured because of His attacks.
In such a situation, the stronger His power, the more difficult it becomes to resolve the problem.
Ash really couldn't understand why Lian could still speak with such pride.
Irida apparently also felt somewhat awkward.
What Lian said sounded almost like schadenfreude.