Using Rock Slide for defense?
Bruh, that's not how it works! You trolling?
Four thicc rock walls shot up, forming a square fortress around Excadrill like a Pokémon panic room! Total lockdown!
What the—?!
This reasonable?!
Walls that high and you're not hanging Bidoof jerky on 'em? Wasted!
Rock Slide can flex like that? Jiang Feng's eyes popped—Perfect-tier move, no cap!
In the wild? No tent needed.
Sky's your blanket, earth's your bed.
Add some Viridian silk sheets, and it's chef's kiss!
Windproof, cold-proof, soundproof, cozy—fits any spot, any position!
Camping MVP!
But here's the bad news: Rock Slide can randomly boost stats as the fight drags on, making Excadrill chonkier by the minute!
Fatty Wei's playbook? Defend, buff, then smash.
Start with a turtle-up, stack Rock Slide boosts, then flex with overwhelming force!
Counterattack meta!
Gotta end this quick!
Master Scratch!
Clang, clang, clang…
Rock chips flew!
Combusken went ham, clawing off chunks, but the wall wiggled and patched itself up!
Combusken froze, dumbfounded, staring at the wall.
How do I fight this?!
Even Add-on Teacher's claw-fu couldn't scratch that!
Then, the wall moved—collapsing like a giant door!
A massive shadow loomed. Combusken looked up and yeeted its courage!
Bro, ever seen a skyscraper-sized slab drop from the sky?!
BOOM!
Rumble rumble…
Combusken got buried—game over!
Jiang Feng facepalmed: Sand Tomb? Nah, just hang Clucky on that wall!
"Some progress, but not much."
"Half a month left. Can't beat me? You're stuck as Spikemuth's milk dad." Fatty Wei tossed Excadrill an Energy Cube, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
This kid's leveling up fast!
Maybe he's the best wingman for Mali!
Zicai, spectating, cackled like he'd lit firecrackers. "Master moves? So what? No tigers in the mountains, the monkey's king!"
"Haha, bet that scared ya! Spoiler: Excadrill's Rock Slide is Perfect-tier!"
"In front of Perfect, Master moves are babies!"
Zicai's taunts faded as Jiang Feng closed his eyes, zen mode activated.
The author's at it again, buffing side characters to crank the difficulty…
He silently chanted: All reactionaries are paper Torkoal!
Grunting, Jiang Feng heaved the coffin slab off, dragging out a battered Combusken to check its wounds.
With Zicai's hater energy, we can still save this chicken.
Footsteps approached—Mali, no doubt.
"Don't take Fatty Wei's words to heart. He's just messing with you."
"Here's the Gym's special potion."
Mali handed over a blue vial.
"Admit it, you're worried about me."
Jiang Feng snatched the vial, grabbing her hand, smirking teasingly.
This hand? Built for tractor-driving!
"Jerk, let go!"
"I-I-I… no dating 'til I'm Champion!" Mali yanked her hand free, stepping back, cheeks pink.
She glanced away, eyes firm.
No one knew how much she'd sacrificed for Champion dreams.
To others, she's the lofty Dark-type princess, mysterious, rich, carefree. Only she knew it's all temporary. No strength, no future!
To grow, to win, she'd give everything!
Pausing, she looked at Jiang Feng, conflicted. "You… don't need to try that hard. Rest sometimes."
She'd seen him training Combusken 'til midnight daily.
Her pure heart brain-cannoned that Jiang Feng's grind was to impress her.
A little smug, but mostly torn.
Her plan? No romance yet.
Men slow my Poké Ball toss!
She wanted to focus on strength, Champion goals, reviving Spikemuth, and facing the stormy future.
Jiang Feng knew she misunderstood but didn't clarify.
He sprayed the potion, stood, and strolled over.
Mali lowered her head, eyes dodging, heart thumping like a Deerling in headlights.
She backed up—wall, no escape.
As expected, Jiang Feng's demon claws struck, lifting her chin, staring with smug disdain.
"Woman, you telling me how to live?"
"I'm not!"
Mali turned away, dodging his predator gaze.
"Oh, so you are worried about me."
"No way—mmph!"
Ding! Host shamelessly kissed Mali and kneaded buns, reward: Charm +10, Master Skill Trial Card ×1!
"Jiang Feng, you jerk!"
Mali, red-faced, clutched her chest, panting, her buffet heaving.
Ugh, every serious talk, he goes rogue—never listens!
"You—you—where're you touching?!"
No random grabs—it'll grow!
Licking his lips, Jiang Feng grinned slyly. "Not bad, but room to grow."
"Papaya and Moomoo Milk—solid combo."
"Or my hands could shape your future." He mimed a grip. Mali got it, clutching her chest, backing off.
Fuming, she stomped and fled, face tomato-red.
Stubborn girl. Jiang Feng shook his head. He didn't know Mali's burdens, but her fierce look always made him wanna tease.
Dumping blue pills into Combusken's beak, he reflected on the loss.
The fight was a flop, but not pointless—Perfect moves are nuts.
Sand Tomb? No Naruto crossover.
It's Perfect-tier mastery, morphing moves freely—attack, defend, flex.
Combusken's lightyears behind.
But…
There's a way.
Shockingly, while Combusken was KO'd, the Smiling Card's Proficiency skyrocketed in a weird way…
Ding! Combusken's rage blazed, Anger +1077!
Ding! Combusken's rage blazed, Anger +977!
Ding! Combusken's rage blazed, Anger +857!
What the—?!
This glitch is wild!
Still raging while passed out?
Not scared of burning your conscience?
Truly dead but shaking with rage?
What if it's like Primeape, dying from its own anger?!
New plan: beat Combusken senseless daily 'til it faints!
Proficiency go brrr!
Nah.
Deep down, Jiang Feng's chubby conscience twitched.