: The First Evolution!

Jiang Chuan put down the feed in his hand and let the Pidgey eat slowly by itself.

He got up and looked back.

"Jiang Chuan, your caterpillar looks a bit off~"

Hanako and Kasumi stood not far away, their faces showing worry and curiosity.

Although Xiaoxia was still a little afraid of insects, she couldn't help but peek out.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chuan immediately looked at the green caterpillar beside him.

The caterpillar's body was emitting a faint glow, and it was trembling slightly, as if it were undergoing some kind of change.

[Pokémon: Caterpie, Level: lv6→lv7]

The system panel appeared before Jiang Chuan's eyes.

Upon seeing this feedback, Jiang Chuan immediately understood.

"It's time to evolve."

He said in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of anticipation.

This is one of the advantages of Bug-type Pokémon that he mentioned before.

In the battle with Pidgey just now, Caterpie only gained some experience points and was not the direct defeater, but those experience points were just enough to make it level up.

Bug-type Pokémon almost inevitably evolve after reaching a certain level.

"Step back a little."

Jiang Chuan said to the two of them, and then he also put a little distance between them.

Hanako obediently pulled Kasumi back a few steps.

Xia didn't resist much at this moment; her attention was completely drawn to the caterpillar.

Then the green caterpillar began to spit out white silk threads.

One lap, two laps, three laps...

The silk threads quickly wrapped around and completely enveloped the caterpillar.

Soon, an oval-shaped white cocoon was formed.

The surface of the cocoon was still slightly wriggling, as if something was struggling and transforming inside.

"Is...is this evolution?"

Xiaoxia's eyes widened.

Although she had seen many Water-type Pokémon evolve, this was the first time she had witnessed the evolution process of a Bug-type Pokémon, since she didn't usually come into contact with Bugs.

The caterpillar's body was completely encased in its cocoon, which greatly reduced Xiaoxia's fear.

She even dared to move closer to take a closer look.

"Hmm, Caterpie is about to evolve into Metapod."

Jiang Chuan nodded, his eyes fixed on the cocoon.

Hanako stood to the side, gazing tenderly at Jiangchuan's profile.

She could sense Jiang Chuan's excitement at that moment.

Her man is witnessing the evolution of his first Pokémon.

Although it's just the most ordinary evolution of a caterpillar, it's of great significance.

The peristalsis on the surface of the cocoon became increasingly intense.

A dazzling white light burst forth from inside the cocoon!

The white light spread rapidly, completely enveloping the entire cocoon.

Evolution has officially begun.

"So, so beautiful..."

Xiaoxia couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

The light of evolution shone brightly in the forest, like a small sun shining before the three of them.

Hanako also slightly opened her mouth.

Although she wasn't a trainer before, she had seen a lot of information and videos about Pokémon evolution.

Seeing it with your own eyes, the sense of awe is completely different.

Life is transforming.

From one form to another.

This miracle of life will always stir your heart, no matter how many times you see it.

Jiang Chuan was even more distraught at this moment.

His hands clenched involuntarily.

Although this was just a normal Caterpie evolution, it was the first time he had witnessed a Pokémon evolution since he came to this world.

Everything was different from the game and anime scenes I remembered.

This is true.

The light is real.

Energy fluctuations are real.

The transformation of life is also real.

This feeling is hundreds or thousands of times stronger than in the game.

He may witness even more incredible evolutions in the future.

Dratini evolves into Dragonair, and then into Dragonite.

It evolves from Kira into Shakira, and then into Tyranitar.

Even the legendary transformations of Pokémon.

But it all started with this green caterpillar in front of us.

This was the first Pokémon he actively captured after coming into this world.

This is a green caterpillar that ate a low-potential fruit and dreams of becoming Rayquaza.

The light continues.

After about half a minute, the white light began to gradually recede.

The shape of the cocoon changes under white light.

The originally soft white silk cocoon gradually hardened and changed color under the white light.

Green has replaced white.

Hardness has replaced softness.

Finally, the white light completely dissipated.

A brand new Pokémon appeared before the three of them.

A lush green body.

A hard, rigid shell.

A surface with a slight metallic sheen.

Armored pupa.

"It's a success!"

Xiaoxia couldn't help but clap her hands.

"So this is the Metapod..."

Hanako looked at it curiously.

The green of the outer shell is deeper.

The metallic luster is also more pronounced.

Is it just my imagination?

Or……

Hanako looked at Jiangchuan with a questioning look in her eyes.

Jiang Chuan had already crouched down to carefully examine the condition of the armored pupa.

【Elf: Metapod】

[Attribute: Insect]

[Level: lv7]

[Potential: Near-King Level]

[Characteristic: Shedding skin - sometimes heals abnormal conditions]

[Skill: Harden]

【Items to bring: None】

[Special Enhancement: Primary Potential Fruit (Active)]

The information on the panel is clear at a glance.

Your level has increased by 1.

The feature has been changed to molting, which is pretty good; sometimes it can automatically heal abnormal conditions.

Skills... only one remains: Harden.

This is the predicament of the armored pupa.

The evolution of a caterpillar into an armored caterpillar is one of the few evolutions in which combat power decreases rather than increases.

It appears that its outer shell has hardened and its size has increased.

But in reality, this is the most vulnerable stage of its life.

Unable to eat.

Cannot move.

Its only skill is "hardening"—protecting itself by making its shell harder.

In nature, this stage of the armored pupa is fraught with danger.

Once attacked, they can only defend themselves by constantly "hardening".

But it hardens with each use, and the outer shell becomes even harder.

An overly hard shell will eventually prevent the pupa from breaking through, trapping it inside forever.

Therefore, not all Caterpie in the wild can successfully evolve into Butterfree.

Many are in the metacarpal stage, hardened by overuse, and then remain dormant forever.

Alternatively, their defenses may be breached by predators, making them food.

However, the Caterpie that was captured by its trainer was much luckier.

With the protection of their trainers, they can sleep peacefully in their Poké Balls, accumulating strength and waiting for the moment they emerge from their cocoons.

of course……

Some trainers with abnormal minds will bring out Metapod for battles, constantly using "Harden" to create pointless "who's harder" competitions.

"rest assured."

Jiang Chuan gently stroked the hard shell of the armored pupa.

"I will protect you."

"Just stay in the Poké Ball and accumulate your strength, waiting for the day you emerge from your cocoon and become a butterfly."

The armored pupa's shell trembled slightly.

It seemed to be a response to Jiang Chuan's words.

Jiang Chuan smiled and took out his Poké Ball.

A flash of red light, and the armored pupa was retracted.

"Is that all?"

Xiaoxia turned back after seeing the armored pupa being taken away.

"Well, now we just have to wait for it to evolve naturally."

Jiang Chuan carefully clipped the Poké Ball to his waist.

"How long will it take?" Hanako asked.

"It depends. It could take a day or two if things go smoothly, or it could take a week if things go slowly."

Jiang Chuan recalled the settings from the game and anime.

"But mine... might be a bit faster."

He remembered the Elementary Potential Fruit.

That thing probably not only increased potential, but may also have helped with the speed of evolution.

Moreover, this stage of the Metapod is actually about accumulating energy and transforming its body.

The higher the potential, the more efficient the accumulation and transformation may be.

Maybe it will evolve tomorrow.

"That's wonderful..."

Xiaoxia looked at the Poké Ball on Jiang Chuan's waist with a complicated expression.

Half a day ago, Jiang Chuan only had one Pikachu, searching for wild Pokémon to battle in the forest, gradually accumulating experience.

He has now captured Pidgey, and Caterpie has evolved into Metapod.

The initial lineup is basically complete.

We have Pidgeotto (Flying type), Metapod (Bug type), and Pikachu (Electric type).

This lineup is more than enough to challenge the first gym.

This rate of growth...

Xiaoxia suddenly had the illusion that she was watching a top student study.

Even though I was watching every minute, I didn't know when the other party had already taken off like a rocket and completed a leap in the process.

"What's wrong?"

Jiang Chuan noticed Xiaoxia's gaze and asked with a smile.

"N-nothing!"

Xiaoxia blushed and quickly shook her head.

She would never admit that she was a little envious.

Although she was the young lady of the Cerulean Dojo, she still didn't achieve anything.

Her own journey as a trainer has only just begun.

"Pipika has finished eating."

Hanako's voice interrupted Xiaoxia's thoughts.

Jiang Chuan turned his head and saw that, sure enough, the Pidgey had eaten the whole plate of feed.

It is now contentedly preening its feathers.

Seeing Jiang Chuan looking over, Bibi chirped, its voice filled with affection.

The food offensive proved effective against wild Pokémon.

Especially for those who are hungry.

"Are you full?"

Jiang Chuan walked over and stroked the Pidgey's feathers again.

Pidgey didn't dodge; instead, it nuzzled Jiang Chuan's hand with its head.

Jiang Chuan felt a surge of joy.

Indeed, feeding is one of the fastest ways to increase intimacy.

"From now on, follow me, and I'll make sure you're well-fed every day."

Jiang Chuan took out another handful of feed and placed it in his palm.

Pidgey immediately lowered its head to peck at the food, and the intimacy level increased by a few points.

"You're quite good at bribing Pokémon."

Xiaoxia walked over and, seeing how affectionately the Pidgey was interacting, couldn't help but complain.

"This is called cultivating a relationship."

After a quick packing, the three of them set off on their journey again.