Ash Asendant: Chapter 23

Hi all, 

Here’s the third chapter for the week. A day late, but I’m still on track to produce all the chapters I listed in my schedule post.  

Chapter 23

The sudden Psycho Cut from the Alpha Absol tore through the undergrowth, forcing Ash and his team to abandon their concealment. Soil and shredded vegetation exploded outward as the psychic blade carved through their hiding spot.

"Now!" Ash shouted as his Pokemon burst into action.

Blaze shot forward like a crimson bullet, his wings buzzing furiously as he closed the distance to the Alpha. The rest of the Scythers followed their leader's example, green blurs streaming across the clearing towards the Absol pack. 

Ash hung back at the edge of the battlefield, his eyes darting across the chaotic scene. He needed to coordinate his team effectively from the rear. Blaze wanted to confront his nemesis without any assistance.

"Blitz, provide aerial support! Focus on crowd control!" Ash called out. 

The Magnemite rose higher, electricity crackling between its magnets as it targeted Absol pack members that tried to flank the Scythers.

"Bastion, defensive line! Don't let any through!" 

The Aron charged forward, planting itself firmly between the bulk of the Absol pack and the more vulnerable Scythers. 

"Blade, terrain control!" The Drilbur nodded once before diving underground. 

The Scythers fought with newfound discipline, their previous training sessions paying dividends as they worked in coordinated pairs rather than rushing in individually. They were outnumbered, even with Ash’s Pokemon helping them, but they weren’t at a disadvantage.

Meanwhile, Blaze engaged the Alpha directly. The massive Absol easily outmatched its pack members, its movements fluid and powerful as it maneuvered across the battlefield. 

When Blaze struck with Metal Claw, the Alpha seemed to anticipate the attack seconds before it launched. It pivoted on its front paws, using just enough momentum to redirect Blaze's strike. The Alpha's horn caught the edge of the pincer, deflecting it upward with a shower of sparks before countering immediately with Night Slash. Darkness coalesced around its horn, extending its reach by several inches as it scythed through the air.

Blaze barely managed to twist his armored body, the Night Slash carving a deep groove across his crimson carapace instead of penetrating a vital point. The impact still sent vibrations through his newly evolved form. The Alpha pressed its advantage without hesitation, following with a Quick Attack that slammed into Blaze's torso before he could reestablish his footing.

Ash frowned as he watched Blaze struggle against the Alpha. Despite his evolution into Scizor, Blaze was having difficulty adjusting to combat with his transformed body. His movements lacked the fluid grace they'd possessed in his Scyther form, each attack slightly delayed as he compensated for his heavier steel exoskeleton.

The Alpha, meanwhile, moved with surprising speed for its size, weaving between Blaze's strikes with an almost precognitive awareness of where each attack would land. Its counter-offensives struck with devastating precision, targeting joints and thinner sections of Blaze's armor. Each impact sent the Scizor skidding backward.

Blood now seeped from several points where the Alpha's attacks had found purchase, the crimson fluid almost indistinguishable from Blaze's natural coloration. Yet despite these injuries, Blaze's eyes burned with undiminished determination. Each exchange taught him more about his new form's capabilities, and Ash could see his Pokemon gradually adapting, movements becoming more economical with each clash of steel against horn.

Pulling out his Pokedex, Ash aimed it at the Alpha. The device whirred as it scanned the powerful Pokemon.

"Absol, the Disaster Pokemon," the Pokedex reported. "Level 50. Warning: This specimen significantly exceeds typical parameters for wild Absol."

"Level 50?" 

No wonder Blaze was struggling. The evolution to Scizor had boosted Blaze to around level 42, but that still left an eight-level gap—a substantial disadvantage against such a powerful opponent.

Ash stepped forward, intent on joining the fight to help Blaze. The Scizor was now bleeding from several cuts, crimson fluid dripping from gaps in his armour where the Alpha's attacks had found purchase.

But before Ash could intervene, Blaze turned and hissed sharply, mandibles clicking in agitation. The message was clear even without their mental bond—Blaze wanted to handle this alone.

Ash nodded, understanding Blaze's intentions. 

"At least let me even the odds," Ash called out.

He waited for Blaze's slight nod before unleashing Thunder Wave. The paralysing current struck the Alpha, temporarily locking its muscles. It wasn't enough to immobilise such a powerful opponent completely, but it created a crucial opening.

Blaze seized the moment, rushing forward with X-Scissor prepared. His pincers glowed with bug-type energy as they slammed into the Alpha's side, drawing a pained howl from the white-furred beast.

The Alpha recovered quickly, shaking off the paralysis effects and retaliating with another Psycho Cut. Blaze twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding the psychic blade as it sliced through the space he'd occupied moments before.

Meanwhile, the tide had turned against the Absol pack. With their superior numbers and the tactical advantages created by Ash's Pokemon, the Scythers were steadily gaining ground. Several Absol lay unconscious, while others retreated to the forest's edge, unwilling to continue what had become a losing battle.

The Alpha, sensing its pack's defeat, grew more desperate. It unleashed Night Slash in quick succession, forcing Blaze into a defensive posture. When Blaze attempted to counter with Metal Claw, the Alpha sidestepped and delivered a punishing headbutt that sent the Scizor crashing into a tree trunk.

Ash winced. He almost stepped forward to enter the battle but he restrained himself, trusting in Blaze's determination.

Blaze rose slowly, his wings buzzing erratically. For a moment, it seemed the fight might be over. Then the Scizor's body began to glow with the distinctive sheen of Iron Defense, his metallic exoskeleton hardening further.

The Alpha charged, horn lowered for a finishing blow. At the last possible moment, Blaze sidestepped and grabbed the Alpha's horn with one pincer. Using the Absol's momentum against it, he pivoted and slammed the creature into the ground.

Before the Alpha could recover, Blaze delivered a devastating X-Scissor directly to its exposed flank. The slash cut deep, and when it tried to rise, its legs buckled beneath it.

The battlefield fell silent as the combatants realised the fight was reaching its conclusion. The remaining Absol pack members watched anxiously as their leader struggled to stand.

Blaze positioned himself over the fallen Alpha, pincers raised for a final strike. The Alpha looked up, meeting Blaze's gaze with defiant red eyes. Then, slowly, it lowered its head in submission.

A victorious chittering rose from the Scythers as Blaze stepped back, allowing the defeated Alpha to rise. The Absol limped away, its pack following as they retreated into the forest.

Ash approached Blaze, who stood watching his enemies disappear among the trees. Despite his injuries, the Scizor's posture radiated pride and satisfaction.

As the last Absol vanished into the undergrowth, a faint cry cut through the night air. Ash's head snapped towards the sound.

"Help! Is someone there?"

The voice was weak but distinctly human. Ash signalled his Pokemon to stay put as he moved cautiously towards the source. It seemed to be coming from a small, concealed cave entrance at the edge of the Absol's territory.

Ash approached the dark opening alone. The cave entrance was narrow, barely wide enough for him to squeeze through. He hesitated briefly, then entered without his Pokemon. His enhanced senses, honed through months of cultivation and Mustard's training, allowed him to navigate the darkness.

As he moved deeper, rough shapes began to form in his vision—jagged stone walls, the occasional root hanging from the ceiling, small rocks scattered across the uneven floor. 

"Hello?" Ash called. "Where are you?"

"Here! At the end of the cave!" The voice sounded desperate.

Ash moved forward, his eyes now fully adjusted to the darkness. The tunnel opened into a small chamber. In the corner, bound with crude rope, sat a woman.

Her long black hair was matted with dirt, and her green kimono-style top was torn and stained. She looked up as Ash entered, her eyes widening in surprise.

Ash's cultivation senses prickled as he assessed her. She was a cultivator at the early stages of the Nascent Realm, but something felt off about her energy signature—it flickered erratically, like a candle in a strong breeze. She appeared severely malnourished. Her cheekbones were prominent and her thin wrists looked fragile. 

Ash wrinkled his nose. The smell emanating from her suggested she hadn't bathed in weeks, possibly months.

Against the opposite wall stood a sturdy wooden table, its surface covered with alchemical equipment centered around a small iron cauldron. Several glass vials were scattered nearby, some cracked and others still sealed with wax stoppers. Above the table, wooden shelves lined the wall, stocked with various plants and herbs in different states of preservation. Some were dried and hanging in bundles, while others sat in labeled jars, suspended in murky liquids. The entire setup suggested someone had been extracting and processing materials from the plants.

"Hey, can you untie me?" she asked, her voice raspy. "We need to hurry, something has upset the Absols."

"I took care of the Absols," Ash replied, kneeling beside her. "What's your name?"

"I'm Erika." She glanced nervously towards the cave entrance. "The Absols captured me and forced me to do their bidding. Are you sure they aren't a threat anymore?"

"I'm certain," Ash said, studying her closely. "What did the Absols want with you?"

"Can you untie me first?" She wiggled her bound wrists impatiently.

Ash frowned. "It's only rope. Why can't you untie yourself?"

Erika sighed, shoulders slumping. "My core is shattered. I can't summon a whiff of cultivation energy, and my body is weak due to being starved for the past few months."

"That's unfortunate," Ash said, moving to untie her.

The knots came away easily. As Erika tried to stand, her legs gave way and she pitched forward. Ash caught her before she hit the ground.

"Do you have some water?" she asked. "I'm dying of thirst."

Ash pulled a bottle of water from his mind palace and opened it for her. He held it to her lips, supporting her head as she drank greedily.

"I wish I had that technique," Erika said. "My situation wouldn't be as bad as it is right now."

"You recognise it?" Ash asked, surprised.

"Sure. But I could never learn it. I suck at mental cultivation."

Ash helped her to her feet, supporting her as they slowly made their way through the cave. She leaned heavily against him, her steps unsteady.

"If it's too dangerous for you with your condition, how did you get here?" Ash asked.

"I was looking for a plant that grows around here," Erika explained. "I need to make a potion to fix my shattered core. Traditional healing won't cut it."

"You're an alchemist?" Ash's eyes widened. “That explains the alchemy equipment.”

Alchemists were figures of near-mythical status on the lower floors of the Tower. 

What made them so rare was the prerequisite: a dual affinity for Fire and Grass-type energy. This paradoxical combination occurred in one cultivator out of fifty thousand. Without both energies working in precise balance, true alchemy remained impossible.

The Tower's hierarchical structure further reinforced their scarcity on the lower floors. Alchemists were aggressively recruited by powerful factions as soon as they manifested their dual affinity. They typically resided on the fifth floor or above, receiving patronage, protection, and access to rare ingredients in exchange for their services. 

Consequently, the potions that trickled down to the second floor were mass-produced, standardised formulations of low or medium quality. The exceptional concoctions—potions that could instantly heal grievous wounds, or enhance cultivation foundations, never reached the lower floors except for the exorbitantly priced Tower market. The cost of such potions was so astronomical that Ash hadn't even bothered researching them. 

Meeting an actual alchemist here defied all logic. Had she descended to the second floor for just an ingredient?

“Are you telling me the Absols had you making potions for them?” Ash asked incredulously. 

Erika shook her head. "No. A cultivator owns those Absols. She's the one who captured me and forced me to make her and her Pokemon potions to get stronger."

Ash looked around, suddenly wary. "Where is she?"

"I don't know. She left one day and never came back. That was several months ago." Erika's voice was flat. "The Alpha continued carrying out her orders of forcing me to make potions."

"Is that how the Alpha got so big?" Ash asked, glancing back towards the cave entrance.

"Yes. I worked on perfecting a potion designed strictly for the Absol."

Ash's eyebrows rose. "You can make targeted potions for Pokemon?"

"Oh, you poor deprived soul." Erika gave a weak laugh. "Like a Froakie at the bottom of a well, who thinks that the world is the size of the well, unable to see the sky beyond."

"Did you think that was offensive? That adage is surprisingly fitting, considering where I came from. Do I need to remind you of your current situation?"

"No, I'm perfectly aware," she replied, her expression sobering.

"How did you shatter your core?"

"Long story. I don't want to get into it." 

“Whatever.” Ash started walking away. "I need to get going. There's a chance the cultivator will return."

"No, you need to help me." Erika grabbed his arm with surprising strength for someone so weakened. "I need to find the ingredient. I can help you in return. Make potions that will boost you and your Pokemon’s cultivation gains exponentially."

Ash smiled inwardly. This was what he wanted. Meeting an actual alchemist—especially one in such a vulnerable position—was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. 

He carefully kept his expression neutral, not wanting to reveal his eagerness. Having access to custom-made potions could dramatically accelerate his cultivation progress and strengthen his Pokemon far beyond what standard offerings could achieve. His mother, too, would benefit enormously from specialised potions tailored to her unique affinity. The advantage such resources would give them in ascending the Tower was incalculable.

"I don't know if it's worth the trouble?" Ash said, feigning reluctance. "Can you still make potions in your condition?"

"Just barely. It takes a lot out of me. But that didn't stop me from making potions for the cultivator."

"Alright. But we will return tomorrow to look for the ingredient. It's too dark right now."

Ash led her back to the battlefield where Blaze was communicating with the other Scythers. 

"Wait here for a moment," Ash told Erika, propping her against a tree. "I need to grab your things from the cave."

Ash jogged back to the cave and slipped inside. Working methodically, he stored everything into his mind palace. Several potions caught his eye, but he didn’t recognise any of them. He would ask Erica about them later.  

When Ash returned, Blaze was finishing his farewell. The Scythers bowed their heads respectfully to their evolved leader, who had proven his worth by defeating their greatest enemy. They would be safe now, able to protect their territory now that the Absols were gone.

"Ready to go?" 

Blaze nodded. Ash returned his Pokemon to his mind palace and pulled out his steel board, laying it flat just above the ground.

"What are you using that for?" Erika asked, eyeing it with suspicion. She shrank back slightly when he approached.

"To get back to the city," Ash replied, helping her onto the board. 

"I don't think—" she began, but Ash had already stepped onto the board behind her.

Before she could protest further, the board rose sharply into the air. Erika's screams echoed through the forest as they flew towards the city.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

When Ash stepped inside the house with Erika, Delia came to greet him. She was caught off guard when she saw the woman standing next to Ash.

"Who is this?" Delia asked, her eyes widening as she took in Erika's disheveled appearance.

"This is Erika. I found her being held captive by a pack of Absols. She needs a bath and some food," Ash explained.

"I can see that for myself, love," Delia replied, immediately moving to help.

"And smell it, I imagine," Erika added with a self-deprecating grimace.

Delia grabbed her arm gently and began escorting her down the hall. "Nothing that a wash and a fresh set of clothes can't fix. I have some you can wear. We're similar in size."

Ash entered the kitchen and started preparing food for Erika. He pulled ingredients from the refrigerator and began assembling a hearty meal of protein, vegetables and rice—something substantial but easy on a stomach that likely hadn't seen proper nutrition in months. As he worked, his Pokenav rang. Seeing James's number, he answered.

"Why are you calling this late?" Ash asked.

"Were you asleep?" 

"No."

"Then what are you complaining about?"

Ash sighed. "Is there a reason you're calling?"

"This is regarding my brother, Lucian. He wants to meet you," James said, his tone more serious than usual.

Ash paused. "How does he even know about me?"

"He's been poking his nose into my business interests. Since you shined so brightly, it attracted his attention."

"Lucky me," Ash muttered. "So, this business involves  the ruins."

"Yes. My family is showing interest since it's making me loads of pokedollars."

"Your family sounds fun," Ash said dryly. "Tell Lucian I'm not interested in meeting him."

"No one says no to Lucian," James warned.

"Well, there is a first time for everything."

"It's your funeral. Don't say I didn't warn you."

Ash hung up and put his Pokenav away, returning his attention to the meal. He finished plating the food just as Delia and Erika walked into the kitchen. The transformation was remarkable. Clean and wearing Delia's clothes, Erika looked like a different person altogether. Her long black hair, now washed and combed, fell in silky waves past her shoulders. Without the layer of grime, her complexion had a healthy glow despite her malnourished state.

"Amazing. There's an actual human being under all that grime," Ash remarked.

"Don't be rude, Ash," Delia chided.

Erika appeared to be too hungry to take offense at his words. She grabbed the plate and started eating slowly, savoring the meal. Her table manners were refined despite her obvious hunger.

Ash waited until she pushed the plate away before he started asking her more questions. "Do you only need one ingredient to make your potion?" 

Erika began fidgeting, not meeting his eyes. "I'm going to need a lot more ingredients to make it."

"I'm assuming you don't have any money on you. How much is it going to cost me?"

"Half a million pokedollars," she said, finally looking up.

"Are you for real?" Ash gaped at her.

"Well, it's closer to a million," she admitted.

"But you don't need to heal your condition to make potions."

"If I wait too long, my shattered core will be irreversible. I can't wait another month to repair it," Erika explained. "Besides, I will be much faster at making potions with my cultivation realm restored."

"What is your actual cultivation level?"

"Fifth stage of the Essence Realm."

Ash raised his eyebrows in surprise. She looked his age but her cultivation was an entire realm above his own. Then again, appearances could be deceptive with cultivators. He wondered what had happened to her. Did someone do this to her? 

"So, what do you say?" Erika asked. "Lend me the pokedollars and I will be your alchemy servant for a year."

Ash considered her offer. A million pokedollars represented almost all the savings he'd meticulously accumulated over the past months. The sum had been earmarked for their eventual ascension to the third floor and establishing themselves there.

Was he going to stake everything on this stranger? He didn't even know if she possessed genuine alchemical talent or was desperate enough to promise anything for freedom. Yet the opportunity stretched before him like a golden thread. Without extraordinary circumstance or intervention, he wouldn't encounter another until he reached at least the fifth floor, potentially years from now.

But the risk gnawed at him. Once her cultivation was restored, what leverage would he have? She'd be an entire realm above him—the gap between Tempering and Essence wasn't something he could bridge through determination alone. If she decided to renege on their agreement, he lacked the power to enforce it.

"I have three conditions," Ash said, his decision made. "First, you need to prove your alchemy skills to me."

"I can do that." 

"Second, I want you to work for me for two years, not one."

Erika paused, weighing the demand. After a moment, she gave a reluctant nod. "Fine."

"Third, I want a psychic contract binding you to our agreement." Ash leaned forward, eyes locked on hers. "I don't know you well enough to trust that you won't disappear the moment your core is restored."

"A psychic contract?" Erika's eyes widened in alarm. "That's excessive. Those bindings can cause permanent damage if broken. They're not to be used lightly."

Ash shrugged. "You can always find someone else."

He held his breath as Erika's expression turned distant, clearly weighing her options. It was a gamble—she might call his bluff and seek help elsewhere. Several wealthy cultivators in Fortree City would jump at the chance to secure an alchemist's services, even temporarily. But those people were strangers to her, and he was the one who had saved her from captivity. That had to count for something.

"Agreed," she said finally. "But only if I can heal my condition before you start making me work."

"Deal."

Erika yawned, the day's events finally catching up with her. "Where will I be sleeping?"

Delia led her away, leaving Ash alone to process what had just happened. The negotiation had gone better than he'd dared hope. While his savings would be temporarily depleted, the potential long-term benefits were incalculable. 

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

The following morning, Ash and Erika ventured into the forest at dawn to harvest the rare ingredient Erika needed—a distinctive plant with star-shaped leaves. After securing several specimens, Ash told her they needed to formalise their agreement with a psychic contract at the Tower. 

They reached the Tower by mid-morning. After paying the entrance fee, they approached the service desk.

"We need to arrange a psychic contract," Ash told the receptionist.

The woman eyed them with professional detachment. "That's a serious matter. Do you understand the implications?"

"We do," Erika answered.

The receptionist nodded. "Very well. Please follow me."

She led them through a series of corridors to a small waiting room furnished with comfortable chairs. 

"Someone will be with you shortly," she said, closing the door behind her.

While waiting, Ash discovered a detailed information pamphlet on the side table. He flipped through its pages, which outlined the history and consequences of psychic contracts. The technique had been developed decades ago by a master cultivator who had suffered a catastrophic betrayal that nearly destroyed his cultivation foundation. Born from that bitter experience, the psychic contract had evolved into one of the Tower's most respected and feared binding mechanisms.

The pamphlet explained that these contracts operated by intertwining the signatories' spiritual energies with their stated commitments. Should either party intentionally violate the agreement, the contract would trigger an automatic backlash—ranging from temporary cultivation blockages and internal meridian damage to permanent core destabilisation or, in contracts of the highest severity, death. 

Despite these frightening possibilities, the text emphasised that psychic contracts weren't primarily designed as a punishment. Rather, they served as powerful deterrents, compelling all parties to approach their commitments with utmost seriousness and integrity. The Tower's official position maintained that the mere existence of such consequences had prevented countless betrayals across the cultivation world, ultimately strengthening commerce and cooperation throughout the floors.

Ash closed the pamphlet, his mouth suddenly dry. The contract represented a level of commitment he didn’t know if he was ready for. But as long as he kept his side of the deal, he had nothing to worry about. 

The door opened twenty minutes later, and Ash froze.

"What a pleasant surprise," Lucian said. "I was in the area when I heard someone needed a contract facilitator."

Ash didn't believe that for a second, but he could hardly say so to the man's face. "What a coincidence."

"Indeed." Lucian stepped into the room, his presence immediately filling the space. "Shall we begin?"

Lucian gestured for them to take seats opposite each other at a small table. He placed himself at the head, resting his hands on a blank document.

"The contents of the contract remain confidential," Lucian assured them. "I merely provide the framework and binding technique."

Ash glanced at Erika, who nodded slightly. They both understood the process—each would mentally formulate their conditions while Lucian established the psychic framework.

"Please place your hands on the document," Lucian instructed.

They complied. Ash focused intently on solidifying the exact terms of their agreement in his mind. Erika would serve as his personal alchemist for precisely two years after her core was fully healed, creating potions tailored to his specific requirements. In exchange, he would provide the substantial funds needed to purchase her rare ingredients—nearly a million pokedollars in total. The arrangement would begin only after her condition was completely restored, but would bind her to fulfill the entire duration regardless of circumstances or outside offers that might arise.

Ash carefully included specifics about delivery schedules—at least three high-quality potions per month at minimum—and stipulated priority access to her skills over any other clients she might take during their contract period. 

As he structured these thoughts, Ash remained acutely aware that the clarity of his mental conception would directly influence the contract's binding power. Even the slightest ambiguity could create loopholes for exploitation. 

Energy began to flow from Lucian's hands, coating the paper in a faint purple glow. As the light intensified, Ash felt a subtle pressure against his mind. At first, it was barely noticeable, like a whisper at the edge of consciousness. Then it intensified, transforming into a deliberate probing sensation.

Ash stiffened. This wasn't part of the contract process. Lucian was attempting to infiltrate his mind.

Immediately, Ash reinforced his mental defences. The maze layers of his mind palace activated, rerouting the intrusion through false paths while his Steelix guardian construct mobilised. He visualised additional barriers forming, each one more complex than the last.

Lucian's expression remained placid, but the pressure increased. It felt like invisible fingers searching for cracks in Ash's mental fortress, testing various angles of approach. Each probe was precise and measured, the work of someone with vast experience in mental infiltration.

The contract continued to form between them, the purple glow spreading across the paper and up their arms. Ash found himself fighting on two fronts—maintaining focus on the contract terms while simultaneously defending against Lucian's intrusion.

Sweat beaded on his forehead as he redirected another probe away from his core consciousness. His recent mental cultivation was proving invaluable, the layered defences absorbing and dispersing much of the psychic energy Lucian deployed.

The contract neared completion. With a final surge of will, Ash reinforced his entire mental structure, pouring every ounce of concentration into maintaining his barriers.

The psychic pressure receded abruptly as the contract solidified, binding their agreement in an unbreakable psychic web.

"It is done," Lucian announced, lifting his hands from the document. "The contract is sealed."

Ash fought to control his breathing, rage building within him. He wanted to confront Lucian about the mental invasion, but reason prevailed. This man operated at an entirely different level—antagonising him directly would be suicidal.

"Thank you for your assistance," Ash managed.

Lucian smiled thinly. "My pleasure. I'm always happy to help James's associates."

The emphasis on James's name wasn't subtle. Ash grabbed Erika's arm and stood.

"We should go," he said, pulling her towards the door.

They exited the room and strode quickly down the corridor. Ash's Pokenav rang just as they reached the main entrance.

"Hello?" Ash answered, still moving towards the exit.

"I told you so."

Ash stepped outside, putting distance between himself and the Tower. "Are you watching me?"

"No. I'm watching my brother."

"Well, he's a dickhead."

"What did he do?" James asked.

"He tried to invade my mind palace during the contract process," Ash replied, lowering his voice. "I felt him trying to break through my defences."

"Then you got off lightly. Lucian is a cultivator with a psychic affinity. They excel at breaking into mind palaces. You should be lucky he wasn't taking it seriously. Or..."

"Or what?"

"He didn't invade your mind directly," James explained. "It's much harder to do, as the mind is very fluid by nature. But if he manages to do it, he can read your thoughts and memories."

Ash frowned. "How do I protect against that?"

"Keep working on your mind palace. It passively protects your thoughts and memories, the more proficient you become at it."

"Okay."

"The forest is in chaos at the moment," James said, changing the subject. "It looks like almost every cultivator in the city is out there, searching for the ruins. Even some ordinary people are joining in."

"There's bound to be conflict."

"I know. By the way, have you seen any ruins in your travels?"

Ash tensed. "If it were that easy, they would have been found already."

"Fair enough. Goodbye for now."

Ash hung up and pocketed his Pokenav. Erika glanced at him expectantly.

"Can we buy the ingredients now?" she asked.

"Yes," Ash replied, still distracted by his encounter with Lucian. "Let's get this done quickly."

The sooner Erika recovered, the better it would be for him. 

So, what do you think? I didn’t get as far as I wanted to in this chapter. In the next, another time skip, and more evolutions.

Thanks for reading.