The Monferno, like a War God, returned.
Master Fan, trembling, walked over to the Monferno. Looking at the Pokémon that was unruly and majestic enough to suppress the Holy Fire, he was at a loss for words.
He seemed to see hope in Fang Yuan's passing of the test.
At this moment,
Mashaduo was even more speechless.
It swallowed nervously, its expression one of disbelief.
This trial, Fang Yuan and the others had actually passed by suppressing the Holy Fire?
And not by being tested by the Holy Fire?
Ahhh, Mashaduo felt like it was dying inside.
Emperor Yan, back on the rocky mountain, had finally calmed down, starting to develop some respect for the Monferno.
The Holy Fire, after all, was a flame taught by Ho-Oh, and to see it countered in such a manner was indeed a first.
Such willpower and strength in a Fire-type Spirit were truly rare.
"Roar—"
Emperor Yan acknowledged the Brave of the Rainbow. Under Mashaduo's tearful expression, he left the field to Lei Gong and Shui Jun.
Meanwhile, on the rocky mountain, Shui Jun and Lei Gong exchanged glances and, among them, Shui Jun leaped down, gracefully walking to where Emperor Yan had stood, locking eyes with Fang Yuan and his companions.
Next was the trial of the Cleansing Water.
"Mashaduo..." With the second trial starting, Mashaduo hurried over, fanning the flames, urging Shui Jun to give it his all.
If even Emperor Yan—like that—couldn't test Fang Yuan and the others properly, was there something wrong with the test he'd proposed??
It definitely wasn't.
It had to be that the Three Sacred Beasts were going easy!
Mashaduo had completely forgotten how it had just criticized Emperor Yan for going overboard. Now, it only wanted Shui Jun to put in even more effort than Emperor Yan had. Otherwise, if Fang Yuan passed the trial with ease again, it would make the trial Mashaduo proposed seem insignificant.
Shui Jun: "..."
Shui Jun, looking at Mashaduo reminding him at his side, nodded slightly. His body adorned with blue and white patterns representing water and wind, and gemstone-like blue head ornament subtly shimmered with auroras.
Alright then, he'd listen to the Guide of Shadows.
After all, he was the examiner.
Shui Jun seemed ready to give his all, but in front of him, Fang Yuan remained composed and said, "Shui Jun, wait a moment, please. I'll first treat Monferno's injuries, then we will immediately accept your test."
Although the healing methods they had now could not completely heal the injuries that the Seven Doors Flame Monkey sustained, reducing Monferno's pain was still feasible.
After all, its physical body had also been severely damaged by Thunder and Lightning and Flame, but treating the external injuries was no problem for the Milotic at this moment.
Opposite to Fang Yuan, upon hearing his words, Shui Jun nodded calmly.
Caring for one's own Pokémon was the most basic requirement of The Brave of the Rainbow.
He would wait for Fang Yuan.
After receiving Shui Jun's understanding, Fang Yuan took out Milotic's Poké Ball.
"Whew... Come out, Milotic."
In the next moment, amidst the crystal-clear water flow, Milotic's figure emerged with white light.
Once Milotic appeared, it immediately recognized the Spirit of the same origin—Shui Jun.
And Shui Jun also instinctively looked at Milotic.
Both Pokémon felt the familiar energy in the other.
However, the next moment, Milotic's attention returned to the Monferno, shaking its head slightly upon seeing that the Monferno was injured again, feeling somewhat helpless...
Other Pokémon's injuries it could easily heal, but Monferno's wounds were always so severe, leaving Milotic feeling a bit helpless.
"Please, Milotic," Fang Yuan said, "just treat the external injuries."
"Wuah," Monferno also scratched its head in resignation.
"Milu—~~~"
At the Trainer's request, Milotic reluctantly gathered droplets of Cleansing Water and Life Power to form Life Droplets, directing them to fall upon Monferno.
The transparent droplets, brimming with life and purification powers, seemed capable of healing everything. As the cooling droplets landed on Monferno's palm, the rich Life Power and cleansing force began to slowly flow through Monferno's body.
The gentle wave motion not only made Monferno feel very comfortable but also refreshed the surrounding air, as if it were being purified.
"Is this... the power of purification?!" Master Fan exclaimed from the side.
Why does it feel so similar to Shui Jun's Cleansing Water, in wave motion?
Master Fan looked on in astonishment at Milotic, wondering about something.
At this moment, feeling the change in the atmosphere, Lei Gong, Emperor Yan, and Mashaduo all frowned as they looked towards Milotic, then towards Shui Jun, each also having a certain special feeling...
Your powers... are they the same kind?
What Milotic was displaying at this moment was undoubtedly the same kind of Cleansing Water power that Shui Jun possessed.
Although Tapu Fini also mastered Cleansing Water, the Cleansing Water that Milotic possessed ultimately originated from The Lake of Purification where Shui Jun resided, and was therefore a bit closer to Shui Jun's power.
Under the baptism of the Cleansing Water,
Apart from the interwoven injuries in the mind, soul, spirit, and energy which Milotic had difficulty healing, the pure bodily burns on Monferno were all restored in an instant.
After making Monferno feel a bit better temporarily, Fang Yuan said to Shui Jun, "Come then, Shui Jun, the second trial."
"Mmmmh~~~~" Milotic also turned its gaze towards Shui Jun with Fang Yuan.
However.
At this moment, Shui Jun fell silent.
It had confirmed that this Milotic possessed Cleansing Water that originated from the same source as its own, a hint of surprise sparkling in its red eyes.
"Mmm~~~—" Shui Jun didn't immediately start the trial, instead, it seriously questioned Fang Yuan and Milotic.
"Where did you obtain this power?"
Shui Jun's voice, like the wind, turned into Mind Induction, reaching the hearts of Fang Yuan and Milotic.
"Are you referring to Cleansing Water?"
"At a place called The Lake of Purification, it's rumored that you, Shui Jun, once resided there. It's there that we learned your power," Fang Yuan said, looking straight at Shui Jun and smiling, "If I can become The Brave of the Rainbow, please give Milotic some guidance…"
Milotic also stared at Shui Jun. It could feel that the other's power, the ability to purify, was countless times stronger than its own, no wonder it could give birth to such a lake...
"The Lake of Purification... originating from myself."
After pondering for a while, Shui Jun shook its head and said, "Your trial is passed."
"A Spirit that can comprehend Cleansing Water has a soul that has perfectly unified with the power of purification; it cannot be cleansed by another purifying force."
"I have nothing left to test."
"However, its use of Cleansing Water is still quite rudimentary."
Observing the process of Milotic healing Monferno earlier allowed Shui Jun to gauge Milotic's full effort. It contemplated for a moment, and the white ribbons, like wind around it, began to lightly float up. A stream of water-blue aura playfully encircled Milotic.
"You are very talented. This is the Power of the North Wind. Feel its strength, it will greatly aid you in using Cleansing Water," Shui Jun said.
After speaking, Shui Jun turned around slowly, under the bewildered expressions of Fang Yuan and Milotic.
Fang Yuan: Huh...
Fang Yuan thought that Milotic, with its Cleansing Water, could easily pass through the trial of Shui Jun's Cleansing Water, but unexpectedly, Shui Jun didn't even test it, and instead, directly gave Milotic a chance to perceive its own strength derived from the Wind and Rain God's Power of the North Wind.
Feeling the Power of the North Wind swirling around it, Milotic felt its control over the Water flow come to life, celebrating jubilantly.
The combination of Wind and Water seemed to elevate its power...
"Masha!!!" At this moment, the most stunned was Mashaduo, who upon seeing Shui Jun foregoing the trial and even offering an opportunity, was simply dumbfounded and called out to Shui Jun.
Shui Jun merely responded to Mashaduo with a faint look.
This Brave of the Rainbow, it was very satisfied; Milotic could potentially inherit the mantle of Wind and Rain God, replacing it to accompany the Brave of the Rainbow in purifying all the world's filth. This Brave of the Rainbow had unexpectedly high quality...
It supported this Trainer becoming The Brave of the Rainbow.
Mashaduo was dumbfounded.
It stared at Milotic, whose aura was growing stronger, falling into deep thought.
The second trial, passed so easily by the other party?
Also silent was Fang Yuan. On Fang Yuan's shoulder, Eevee observed Milotic's strength increase, revealing an 'I knew it' expression, glancing toward the puzzled Monferno above.
It was as if saying to Fang Yuan, see, it can't be fully cleansed.
There is a Strengthening BUFF.
"Nonsense. Meeting Shui Jun was indeed part of my plan, although it was supposed to be after meeting Ho-Oh. But it happening early is still reasonable. It's just Shui Jun taking a liking to Milotic, what does it have to do with Monferno."
Fang Yuan believed it was all coincidence, a mere coincidence.