At this moment, on the lake's mudflat, both sides engaged in a new round of confrontation.

Following the Night Owl's command, a low Growl echoed from beneath the lake, and a massive, heavy Ground-type energy surged towards Bastiodon. The ground beneath Bastiodon's feet turned into quicksand, collapsing downwards to form a whirlpool, firmly trapping Bastiodon.

Zhang Heng and Dr. Chen quickly retreated.

Zhang Heng: “This is…”

Dr. Chen: “A Ground-type move, Quicksand Abyss!”

This move damages the target and binds them to the ground. The binding lasts for 4-5 turns, during which the Pokémon continuously takes damage and cannot be switched out.

Zhang Heng understood. For Bastiodon, which is quadruple weak to Ground-type, this was truly troublesome! Troublesome!

Bastiodon let out a muffled grunt, its huge and sturdy body trembling violently, clearly exerting all its might to resist the fierce attack from the Ground-type move.

At this moment, it was as if it had fallen into a bottomless Quicksand Abyss, sinking deeper and deeper, unable to extricate itself. The surrounding mudflat, previously solidified by the lake water, became soft and unstable, as if it could collapse at any moment.

The power unleashed by Quicksand Abyss was truly terrifying, engulfing almost a third of the entire field. Whether it was sand, soil, or lake water, everything was stirred up at this moment, forming a surging torrent of power.

“I didn’t even see the opponent’s figure, yet they can use such a powerful Ground-type move on the lake.”

The Bombirdier in the sky let out a villainous standard shriek at Zhang Heng, “Jie jie jie jie~”, interrupting Zhang Heng’s thoughts.

Zhang Heng looked up closely, “This Bombirdier is the one that attacked the Swamp Monster Clan. So it was you all along hunting Pokémon in the Wilderness Area.” Zhang Heng said.

The Night Owl, standing menacingly on the Bombirdier in the sky, stared at Zhang Heng with a playful expression: “It seems you were the one who injured Bombirdier before.”

Saying that, he looked at Bastiodon, which was controlled by Quicksand Abyss. “A Steel-type Pokémon, how annoying. Immune to Poison-type. Otherwise, it would be interesting to see Bastiodon, trapped like this, take Poison-type moves. Hahaha~”

Bombirdier opened its sharp and slender beak, emitting a series of eerie and malicious calls. The sound was as piercing as a Night Owl’s cry, and it seemed to mock the Bastiodon below.

“To counter you annoying Steel-type Pokémon, I’ve specially cultivated a powerful helper. Come out, Drednaw!”

Bastiodon endured the continuous damage from Quicksand Abyss. It looked up, staring at the lake surface ahead.

About 10 meters in front of the mudflat, a turtle-shaped Pokémon slowly surfaced, making no sound, only the lake water around it rippled outwards, and the oppressive aura of an Elite Four Pokémon swept over.

Drednaw’s appearance resembled a real alligator snapping turtle, with a horn on its head that looked like it was made of rock. Its shell was segmented, with protrusions on each segment. Drednaw’s serrated teeth were both sharp and powerful, capable of biting through even rock and steel.

Zhang Heng observed intently.

Pokémon Name: Drednaw

Type: Water, Rock

Level: 66 (Elite Four combat power)

Potential: Elite Four

Tera Type: Water

Nature: Hasty (No nature bonus)

Ability: Strong Jaw

Affection: None

Held Item: ground gem (C-rank item)

Special Ability: None

Learned Moves: Water Gun, Protect, Crunch, Shell Blade, Body Slam, Head Smash

Egg Moves: None

TM Moves: Quicksand Abyss, Poison Jab

“Level 66?! Approaching high-tier Elite combat power, another tough battle.” Zhang Heng thought, unconsciously gripping Walking Wake’s Dive Ball.

The Night Owl’s sharp voice rang out: “And the way you trapped and then poisoned just now, this young researcher friend is quite interesting. I’ll give you a chance to become my subordinate; I can make you a one-in-a-million Poison-type Trainer.” He shifted his gaze to Lin Yue, who was holding Golduck to his chest.

Unexpectedly, this fellow had a soft spot for talent; he greatly admired Lin Yue’s impressive Poison Cage.

Lin Yue tightly hugged Golduck and roared at the Night Owl standing on Bombirdier in the sky: “If anything happens to my partner, I will never let you off! I’d rather die than become one of you despicable bandits.”

The Night Owl calmly said: “It’s a pity you’ve already lost your only chance to survive.”

At this moment, Xia Yong, who was on the speedboat, slowly spoke with a grim expression: “It seems you’ve decided to give up the only opportunity for you to survive. Qwilfish! Poison Thousand Needles!”

As his words fell, the previously calm lake surface suddenly stirred up a surging wave. And Wailmer, located behind the mudflat, suddenly let out a heart-wrenching, tragic wail.

Immediately after, everyone saw Wailmer’s massive body densely covered with countless Poison Sting that gleamed with an eerie light!

These Poison Sting were clearly condensed from Poison-type energy, and even more terrifyingly, the dark purple energy, clearly visible to the naked eye, spread like terrifying venomous snakes along Wailmer’s broad back.

“It’s poisoned! Chen Xue, quickly return Wailmer to its Poké Ball! Delay the poisoning time!” Zhang Heng turned around and quickly commanded.

Chen Xue pulled out Wailmer’s Poké Ball, and with a flash of white light, recalled it.

“It’s not as badly hurt as Golduck. Take this aerosol and inject it into the button on the Poké Ball.” Saying this, he handed over a bottle of antidote aerosol.

Behind, Qwilfish began to drink a lot of water again to inflate its body. Qwilfish’s round body is not very good at swimming. To launch the Poison Sting all over its body, it swallows ten liters of water in one go to inflate its body.

Qwilfish resembled a plump pufferfish, with upturned eyes, a pink mouth, a dark green back, and a light yellow belly, with distinct colors on its back and belly.

Xia Yong spoke: “Having lost your riding Pokémon, you have nowhere to escape. We intentionally forced you onto this mudflat, and surprisingly, the plan went so smoothly.”

The Little Boss was utterly arrogant: “Surrender, or I’ll throw all of you in to feed Sharpedo! Hahaha”

Dr. Chen began to observe the situation. The team was trapped on a mudflat only one-third the size of a basketball court. The crucial combat power Bastiodon was tied up, and Beheeyem had to restrain the accelerating Sharpedo. The opponent still had other combat powers they hadn’t brought out. Our side was already struggling to cope.

He concluded that they couldn't form effective means to deal with the enemy. Dr. Chen sighed and looked up at the Night Owl.

The Night Owl spoke: “Hand over the S-rank ground gem, and I can let you go.”

Xia Yong immediately became unwilling: “Captain, our Crawdaunt and Sharpedo were…”

“Shut up!”

Xia Yong became silent as a cicada in winter, no longer speaking.

The Night Owl looked calmly at Dr. Chen: “How about it?”

Dr. Chen raised his hand and threw the ground gem into the lake. Under the effect of its Speed Boost ability, Sharpedo, like a tracking hound, quickly retrieved the S-rank ground gem.

“Dr. Chen made a very clever decision. I was very afraid that you would have Beheeyem take the gem and leave, but the researchers behind you have become your burden.”

“But you no longer have any use!”

Xia Yong immediately understood: “Qwilfish! Poison Thousand Needles, fire!”