Chapter 136: Jianzi Cotton’s Parting Gift

Upon arriving near the Hoppip camp, the girls were already prepared to depart. Tang Yi found it somewhat amusing to see that each girl was carrying a backpack of a different color.

The backpacks were small and delicate, roughly the size of those used by human children; given the size of the Hoppip, they couldn't carry anything too large. Inside were supplies of food. They did not intend to touch the ground again until they were completely clear of the city.

The clan leader, a Jumpluff, knew Fang Tianze was coming and was waiting at the front. She seemed a bit surprised to see Tang Yi and Ralts. This girl possessed a maturity the other young ones lacked, and beneath the cotton tufts on her head grew three or four vibrant green leaves—the sign of her recent evolution.

"Thanks to your help and care during this time, I would like to express my gratitude on behalf of the entire clan."

Fang Tianze waved a hand. "You've already said your thanks; there's no need to be so formal."

The Jumpluff sighed. "No, it must be said. The previous clan leader really disliked you humans and warned us never to trust you. I, too, was once wary of humans, but fortunately, I met you."

As they reached the final moment of parting, the Jumpluff spoke in fragments, as if reminiscing about stories from her youth. A dozen years ago, this area was still wild and desolate. Besides the Hoppip, there were many more wild Pokémon girls here, but as human activity became more frequent, the girls gradually became scarce. Some left, migrating to the more remote, deep mountain forests. Others were relocated to new homes in the cities that humans were gradually building.

The Jumpluff mused, "Actually, we know that humans don't necessarily have ill intentions toward us. From what I know, those relocated Pokémon are living better lives; they no longer have to endure the wind and rain, and they never worry about food. But my people and I, after all, do not care for your cold human houses. We want to enjoy the feeling of flying freely with the wind."

Fang Tianze fell silent for a moment. Neither refuting nor agreeing, he said, "It is time to go. I hope you find a settlement where no one will disturb you."

The Jumpluff shook the map and compass in her hands and smiled. "With these, I am very confident."

It was time to leave. This specific time had been chosen because the wind direction was perfect, so they could not afford to delay.

"Oh, right. There are still some fruits in the little orchard we cultivated—we planted them in our spare time, and we can't take them with us. I figured you wouldn't need them, Mr. Fang, so I'll leave them for him."

The Jumpluff smiled kindly at Tang Yi. "You have worked hard during this time, too. Many of the Skiploom's evolutions were thanks to your help."

This was the most unexpected surprise for Tang Yi. He had originally thought that his massages for the Hoppip were ineffective, or at least that they would take a long time to show results. He never imagined that many of the Skiploom had actually completed their evolution guided by the energy he had provided. Even if it was only a tiny bit of help, Tang Yi suddenly felt much more at ease.

"Ah, you are too kind. We really only did something trivial." Tang Yi hesitated, wondering whether he should accept this goodwill; essentially, they had come to help only to learn skills.

"Take them. Those fruits are useless to me, and if you don't take them, they'll just rot and go to waste," Fang Tianze said.

"Alright, then thank you."

The Jumpluff nodded and glanced at the refined-looking girl beside Tang Yi. Ralts hadn't spoken much today; this was not an occasion for words, and besides, she had spent the least amount of time with the Hoppip, having spent the previous two weeks with the Pidgey.

"The fruits were just a token of thanks for your trainer. Since we are both Pokémon, I should give you a gift of my own."

Ralts was startled and waved her hands repeatedly. "There's no need... I—I didn't really do anything."

The Jumpluff smiled. "It’s not about what you did. I have often heard the old gentleman mention you. You and your trainer are truly enviable. It is just a small gift, a token of my best wishes. I’m not even sure if you can make use of it."

Ralts wanted to decline, but Tang Yi said softly, "Accept it. Don't waste time."

In truth, he was curious about what the gift for Ralts could be. He glanced at Butterfree and the others; they all looked calm, giving nothing away, though it was clear they had known about this all along.

"Come closer," the Jumpluff beckoned.

Ralts took two steps forward. Although the Jumpluff was older, she was more petite than Ralts. She shook the two cotton tufts behind her slightly, floated a little, and then pressed her forehead against Ralts's.

A bewildered Ralts was at a loss for what to do.

Butterfree smiled at the right moment. "Ralts, don't resist with your psychic power. The Jumpluff means well; accept it with your heart."

Ralts trusted her sister Butterfree, so upon hearing this, she calmed down, closed her eyes, and began to feel carefully. A faint green light gradually bloomed from where their foreheads met, flickering before sinking into Ralts's body.

Tang Yi suddenly understood what the Jumpluff was doing, but now was not the time to interrupt. It lasted for about five or six minutes.

Fang Tianze finally spoke up: "Alright, Jumpluff, that's enough. You need to save your strength."

The Jumpluff pulled her forehead away, looking a bit tired. "Yes, that's about it. I actually thought of it at the last minute yesterday; otherwise, I could have helped you sooner."

Ralts already knew what this was and expressed her gratitude repeatedly. When she returned to Tang Yi's side, Tang Yi couldn't wait to ask in a low voice. Although Ralts felt it wasn't the time for chatter, she nodded secretly, confirming Tang Yi's guess: "Yes, it was Grass-type energy and the technique for using Grass Knot."

Grass Knot is a move that uses grass to entangle and trip an opponent; the heavier the opponent, the greater the power of the move. Fang Tianze had mentioned in passing before that in wild Pokémon clans, the leaders often had the ability to pass on move techniques to their kin, allowing the girls to learn them more quickly. For wild Pokémon without access to various training classes, this was indeed the primary channel for learning intermediate and advanced skills.

It was a very special ability, and even among wild Pokémon, few possessed it. He never expected that just before parting, the clan leader would give them such an unexpected surprise.