As Zhang Heng said, Xia Yong and the Little Boss were like two loyal guard dogs, not allowing anyone to go deeper, lest someone ruin Captain Shi’s meticulously planned operation.

At this moment, Zhang Heng was seen tightly clutching the Mudkip egg, frantically running towards the Core area of Lake Heart Island.

Seeing this, the Little Boss instantly became furious, like a hound whose tail had been stepped on, roaring wildly: “Did I allow you to leave here?! Stop! Jellicent, use Water Spout on them!”

A powerful stream of water erupted like a surging torrent! In an instant, the entire scene was enveloped by this immense water pressure.

Qi Shu looked at the opposing attack: “Araquanid, stand in front of Xiao Heng and use Wide Guard.”

Wide Guard, a Rock-type status move, allows the user's side of the field to enter a Wide Guard state for the current turn, protecting all allied Pokémon from moves that target all allies or the entire field.

The Rock energy around Araquanid began to surge wildly, like a torrent converging towards Araquanid’s forelegs. In the blink of an eye, this Rock energy condensed into a thick light screen.

However, Jellicent’s Water Spout move was incredibly powerful! When the surging tide erupted from its body, it instantly collided violently with the Rock light screen constructed by Araquanid.

For a moment, water splashed everywhere, and the seemingly sturdy Rock light screen lasted for only two and a half seconds before collapsing under the fierce impact of the tide.

The moment the light screen shattered, the Rock energy that had been condensed together also bloomed like fireworks, turning into specks of starlight that gradually dissipated into the air.

After such a powerful blow, Araquanid’s massive body involuntarily retreated. Its hard shell appeared somewhat disheveled under the impact of the tide, being forcibly pushed back a full 5 meters.

After finally stabilizing its body, Araquanid laboriously propped up its six limbs, its body swaying slightly. Its large head shook, seemingly not yet recovered from the dizziness brought by the tide’s impact earlier. After regaining consciousness, a hint of ruthlessness appeared in its eyes.

However, the two and a half seconds gained by Wide Guard were enough for Zhang Heng to run to a safe distance.

Qi Shu said with concern: “Araquanid, are you alright?”

Araquanid snorted, indicating it was fine, and then turned back to glare fiercely at Jellicent.

The Little Boss spat lightly: “Running quite fast, but going deeper inside, what you’ll face will be even more terrifying.”

Xia Yong looked at Araquanid and said with a smile: “Hehehe, little sister, I really don’t like the look in your Araquanid’s eyes. It’s not good to raise this kind of crawling Pokémon.”

The Little Boss also burst into laughter upon hearing Xia Yong’s remarks: “Hahaha, little sister, don’t be scared, Uncle will help you swat this little spider to death right now.”

These two from the Water Blade Gang truly showed no awareness of Araquanid and Qi Shu’s aura, giving a feeling of gradually turning dark.

If Zhang Heng were here, he would have arranged a full funeral service for them, because they precisely stepped on Qi Shu’s landmine.

When Qi Shu lived in the orphanage, she was overly lively, active, and impulsive, making it difficult for her to form friendships and play with other children. In contrast, she preferred to go alone to the tranquil pond.

There were many cute Pokémon there, such as the tiny Dewpider and Joltik. They became Qi Shu’s best companions. Whenever Qi Shu came to the pond, these little creatures would greet her enthusiastically.

Qi Shu would burrow with the Dewpider and Joltik into a small cocoon meticulously woven from spider silk. For this young and lonely soul, that seemingly inconspicuous small cocoon seemed to become the safest, warmest, and most reassuring corner in the world.

However, such behavior did not receive understanding or acceptance from the other children. They often ridiculed Qi Shu, teased her, and even gave her an unpleasant nickname— “Spider Woman who only plays with crawlers.” Those harsh words were like sharp thorns, deeply piercing Qi Shu’s immature heart.

This experience became an indelible shadow deep in Qi Shu’s heart before she was adopted. Even after leaving the orphanage, those painful memories still resurfaced from time to time, making her feel incredibly lost and sad.

Qi Shu spoke: “Hey hey hey, you rats who usually can only hide in dark sewers, why are you barking so wildly today? Have you crossed species?”

Xia Yong and the Little Boss’s faces were not looking good after hearing this, after all, being lectured by a minor would not sound good if it got out.

“Araquanid, X-Scissor!”

“Vikavolt, cover, Sticky Web!”

Araquanid flashed agilely, swiftly pouncing on Jellicent from the side, its two sharp forelegs gathering dark green Bug-type energy, striking in an “X” shape.

Meanwhile, Vikavolt spat out a nearly two-meter wide web in the air, aiming to directly cover Quagsire and Jellicent to restrict their movements.

The two members of the Water Blade Gang, however, were not flustered at all, unaffected by Qi Shu’s previous remarks.

Xia Yong: “Quagsire, block Araquanid.”

Little Boss: “Jellicent, Water Gun through the Sticky Web.”

In the Core area of Lake Heart Island, with such pure Water-type energy, Water-type moves are faster and more powerful.

Jellicent unleashed an exaggerated water jet, directly shattering the nearly two-meter wide Sticky Web.

And Quagsire stood to Jellicent’s side, its entire body filled with Fighting-type energy.

Bang ~

A muffled thud, as if the entire ground trembled. Quagsire endured Araquanid’s STAB move—X-Scissor—with its sturdy body!

Despite enduring such a fierce attack, Quagsire’s lips still curled slightly upward, forming a meaningful smile, as it quietly gazed at the slightly surprised Araquanid before it.

“Not good! Araquanid, quick, go!”

“Too late! Double Team!”

Before the words fell, Quagsire’s thick and powerful arms instantly clamped down on Araquanid’s forelegs like iron pincers, making it completely unable to break free.

At the same time, a strong Fighting-type energy surged from within Quagsire, like a violent heavy hammer, smashing fiercely onto Araquanid’s body.

In an instant, Araquanid’s body shot out like a cannonball, directly crashing into the dense grass five or six meters away, instantly disappearing without a trace. Only the dust stirred up by the violent shaking of the grass lingered in the air.