noveltune Chapter 385 The Arrival of Ma Shide, and the Reunion of the Martial Arts Master Xiong Family
Chapter 385 The Arrival of Ma Shide, and the Reunion of the Martial Arts Master Xiong Family
Chapter 385 The Arrival of Ma Shide, and the Reunion of Master Xiong's Family
Bictini has always had a sweet tooth.
The unique fragrance emanating from the paparazzi bag held immense appeal for it.
But this extremely perverse behavior undoubtedly gave the paparazzi a huge fright.
It let out a cry, and with all its might, leaped and pounced into Xia Chi's arms, who had just straightened up and hadn't had time to react.
Then it buried its little head deep inside, leaving only its trembling bottom facing out.
Xia Chi was slightly jolted by the impact and quickly reached out to catch the frightened little creature. Feeling its tiny body trembling slightly, she felt both heartache and amusement.
He gently stroked the back of the paparazzi bag with his palm, trying to soothe it, while looking up and helplessly glancing around at his companions who had such peculiar ways of expressing welcome.
Lowering her head, Xia Chi spoke gently to the paparazzi bag in her arms, "They meant no harm, they just..."
"Well, the way we welcomed the new member might have been a little... odd, but you'll get used to it."
Xia Chi's gaze met Latias's, who was looking over from the other end of the living room, and she gave him a subtle wink.
Latias, with the gentlest and most sensitive nature, immediately understood and walked over slowly, emanating a peaceful and tranquil psychic aura.
Under the combined effect of Xia Chi's warm embrace and Latias's soothing energy, the paparazzi bag gradually stopped trembling.
It cautiously lifted its little head from Xia Chi's arms and timidly looked around.
This time, it no longer saw a ferocious face or an overly enthusiastic approach.
Instead, they were faces of various shapes and sizes, but with kind curiosity and even a little awkward apology in their eyes.
Paparazzi Bao seemed to finally understand that these big guys who looked a bit "scary" or "strange" were actually just like him, partners of the gentle trainer in front of him.
They are the "family" who will soon be living under the same roof.
The misunderstanding was finally resolved quietly.
Seeing that the paparazzi bag in his arms had stopped trembling and that pair of wet, dark eyes had regained their curious light, Xia Chi breathed a sigh of relief.
Although the process had some minor setbacks, it was a good start for integrating into a new environment.
Xia Chi turned to Zhenyifa, who was hanging upside down from the chandelier beside her, still observing the new member with great interest, and instructed, "Sister Fa, you can help look after Paparazzi Bao from now on. Let it get used to the environment and make sure Bictini doesn't go too far."
He was genuinely worried that Bictini, who was in the midst of extreme curiosity about the alluring scent of the paparazzi bag, might do something extreme, such as trying to lick it to taste it or sticking to it and sniffing it intensely.
Although Zhenyifa is also lively and outgoing, it is much more measured than Biktini's pure childishness, making it the most suitable person for Fa Jie to "take care of the child".
"Ooh~"
Zhenyi readily accepted the order, letting out a light chirp as she gracefully descended from the chandelier, concealing the faint light emanating from the edges of her wings, and floated gently towards the paparazzi bag.
As for why Xia Chi didn't personally bring the paparazzi...
Just now, Rotom's phone received another message.
The second group of important guests has arrived at the airport and will be visiting soon.
"Over here, over here, Little Pond—!"
A loud, energetic shout, which defied the noise of the airport, pierced through the crowd and reached Xia Chi's ears.
They would use such a title, and their voice is so distinctive.
Looking at the whole world, there is probably only Master Mash, the legendary figure who has been retired for many years on the Isle of Armor in Galar, but whose legend is still passed down by word of mouth among trainers.
Xia Chi walked quickly in the direction from which the sound came.
Soon, he saw those two familiar figures.
"master!"
Xia Chi quickly stepped forward and respectfully greeted Ma Shide, saying, "You must be tired from your long flight."
Upon hearing this, Ma Shide deliberately put on a stern face and chuckled, "You brat, my old bones are still hale and hearty. This little distance is nothing to me. What, do you think your master is so old that he can't even walk a few steps?"
Xia Chi scratched his head and chuckled, "I was just being polite... Master, you're also from Donghuang, you definitely understand this better than I do."
Looking at his apprentice's feigned obedience, Ma Shide couldn't help but shake his head with a smile: "You rascal... your mouth is getting better and better at talking."
Xia Chi looked up at Mi Ye beside him, nodded politely, and said, "Master's wife, you've worked hard too."
Honey Leaf smiled, took off her sunglasses, and gently shook her head: "I'm not tired, I rested well on the plane. It's you who came all the way to pick us up so late, we're sorry to have troubled you."
As she spoke, her gaze passed over Xia Chi and landed on the brightly lit and bustling Shanghai night scene outside the airport, her eyes revealing a hint of nostalgia and emotion.
"To be honest, it's been more than ten years since I last came to this city... The changes over the years have been tremendous, I almost don't recognize it."
Before marrying Mastedt and living in seclusion on the Isle of Armor, Miye was a renowned business elite who headed a sizable chamber of commerce and frequently traveled the world for business.
As Shanghai is one of Donghuang's economic centers, she has naturally visited many times.
Xia Chi followed her gaze and nodded in agreement: "Yes, not to mention you, I often feel the same way after I came back."
After exchanging pleasantries, Xia Chi naturally took the heavy-looking suitcase from Ma Shide and then led the two to the pre-arranged vehicle outside the airport.
I got into the car, and it drove smoothly toward the dock, with the city lights and shadows flowing outside the window.
Remembering something, Xia Chi turned around and asked, "By the way, Master, where is Senior Brother Dan Di? Didn't he come with you?"
Ma Shide replied, "Him? We were originally supposed to go together, but just before we left, Lorze suddenly contacted him, saying that the league had some urgent matters that needed his assistance, probably related to some preparation details for next year's 'Ten Masters Tournament.' So he told us to go first, and that he would come back tomorrow after he finished his business."
Loz...
Upon hearing this name, Xia Chi's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and a thoughtful expression flashed across his face.
This man, who holds the dual roles of president of the Galar Alliance and president of the Marocmon Group, is both ambitious and capable, and Xia Chi has always found it difficult to be completely at ease with him.
Although the two never saw each other again after leaving the Galar region that time.
However, his plan to awaken Anuttara and obtain "infinite energy" seems to still be underway.
He didn't know how much of his serious advice to his senior brother Dante about "being wary of Loz" had actually taken to heart before he left Galar.
How much clarity and independent judgment can one maintain between Loz's grand vision and personal feelings?
"Little Chichi, what are you thinking about?"
Ma Shide's slightly teasing voice interrupted Xia Chi's thoughts.
Xia Chi quickly composed himself, shook his head, temporarily suppressed his worries, and adopted a relaxed tone.
"I don't really have a master. I was just thinking that tomorrow is the last day of the year, and I was wondering if my senior brother could make it to the New Year's Eve party tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, a deep look flashed in the depths of Ma Shide's eyes, which were always brimming with hearty laughter.
He said meaningfully, "Don't be impatient, what's meant to come will come. Sometimes, waiting itself is a form of preparation."
Xia Chi's heart skipped a beat, and she looked up to meet Ma Shide's somewhat aged but clear eyes.
Could it be that... Master also sensed Loz's hidden plan, or even knew more details?
But before Xia Chi could fully appreciate the deeper meaning behind those words, the meaningful expression on Ma Shide's face vanished like the tide, and he instantly reverted to his usual optimistic and playful self.
He rubbed his hands together enthusiastically, then changed the subject: "Speaking of which, since that exhilarating battle with your Evil Spirit on Armor Isle, this old man hasn't encountered an opponent who can give me such a satisfying fight in a long time. This time, I've brought along my old buddies, Martial Arts Bear Master and Onion Soldier. How about that, you know what I mean?"
The speed at which these emotions shifted left Xia Chi somewhat bewildered, both amused and exasperated.
Does Master even know...?
Was it an implication, or just a casual remark?
However, Xia Chi readily accepted Ma Shide's straightforward challenge.
"Of course, since Master has come in person, I will accompany you to the end. It's also a good opportunity for you to see the results of our training after leaving Armor Island."
"Great, that's the spirit we've been looking for!"
Ma Shide laughed heartily and patted Xia Chi's shoulder forcefully.
Tonight, the happiest elf on the entire island is none other than Master Bear.
The arrival of Mastedt also means that its parents—the two martial arts bear masters who respectively inherited the secrets of "One-Strike Style" and "Combo Style"—will surely follow.
As the yacht was still cutting through the waves and some distance from the dock, Xia Chi could see from afar a silent and upright dark figure standing quietly on the rocks by the shore.
The sea breeze ruffled its ink-like fur. It remained motionless, its gaze fixed on the approaching ship, as if it had been waiting for countless ebbs and flows.
It was Master Xiong.
Standing on the deck of the yacht, Mastedt naturally saw the familiar yet somewhat different figure on the shore.
He didn't say much, but a gentle smile played on his lips. With a flick of his wrist, two exquisite Poké Balls appeared in his palm.
"Old folks, your little guy... he's been waiting impatiently."
As soon as he finished speaking, he gently tossed the two Poké Balls into the air.
With a bang, the light dissipated, revealing two martial arts bear masters with imposing auras.
No instructions are needed at all.
The moment they left their Poké Balls and sensed the outside world, the light from the two Urshifu instantly crossed the sea and landed on the dark figure on the shore who was also gazing at them.
The resonance of bloodlines, and that familiar yet more powerful waveguide... everything became clear in an instant.
"Whoosh—!"
The mother bear let out a short, low growl, a mixture of excitement and joy.
It didn't even wait for the yacht to fully dock; its body swayed slightly in place, and the next moment, it transformed into an incredibly swift black streak.
Then, it lightly touched the undulating sea surface a few times, used the momentum to leap, and landed in front of Master Xiong.
It raised its head and looked at Master Xiong, who was a little taller and more robust than itself, and its eyes instantly filled with complex and indescribable emotions.
Without saying much, Mama Bear stretched out her arms and gently embraced Master Bear.
The bear father was a step slower, but equally swift.
It followed closely behind its mother ashore, but instead of joining in the embrace, it stood quietly to the side, its arms habitually crossed over its chest.
His usually serious face now had much softer lines.
It looked at its son, who was now a different person than when they parted, and a faint, almost imperceptible hint of pride flashed across its eyes.
The moonlight silently spilled onto the tranquil dock, outlining the silhouettes of three martial arts bear masters gathered together.
Ma Shide and Xia Chi stood side by side on the deck of the yacht as it gradually approached the shore, gazing at the scene on the shore, both filled with emotion.
"When you left the Isle of Armor, Kuma was just a little guy who needed to be trained hard. I thought that when it reached the threshold of evolution and mastered the secrets of scrolling, you should come back to the Isle of Armor so that this old man could witness it with his own eyes. Who would have thought..."
He shook his head, his gaze falling on Master Xiong, and sighed, "Not only did it successfully evolve on its own, but it also forged an unprecedented new path, combining the ferocity of a single strike with the speed of a combo strike."
This is truly something I've never heard of or seen before.
Generally speaking, the evolution of a Kuma apprentice requires comprehending the power of the "Water Scroll" or the "Evil Scroll" on the Isle of Armor.
Xia Chi, the bear apprentice, comprehended Tongzi's "Water · Swirl" and eventually evolved into the unique "Combined Attack Martial Arts Bear Master".
What Brother Tong did is definitely not something that should be told to outsiders.
Faced with Ma Shide's amazement, Xia Chi could only vaguely reply, "Uh, some coincidences... plus Master Xiong's own hard work and special qualities."
Upon hearing this, Ma Shide laughed heartily and did not pursue the matter further.
The miracles that happened to Xia Chi were not just about the unique evolution of the Martial Arts Bear Master.
The yacht finally docked smoothly at the pier.
Xia Chi, Ma Shide, and Mi Ye disembarked together.
On the shore, the three martial arts bear masters were still immersed in the warm atmosphere of their reunion.
Noticing the trainers approaching, the mother bear slowly loosened her embrace, but one of her paws remained gently resting on the bear trainer's strong arm, as if reluctant to completely separate.
It raised its head, its gaze passing over Master Xiong's shoulder to look at Xia Chi who had approached, and said sincerely, "Roar!"
Xia Chi used her aura to perceive the meaning behind the bear mother's words: "Thank you... for taking such good care of my child and raising him to be so outstanding."
Xia Chi shook his head and replied sincerely, "Not at all. On the contrary, I should thank you for entrusting it to me. It's my good fortune to be its trainer."
As he spoke, he looked toward the brightly lit main house, from which the faint aroma of food wafted, and then changed the subject, saying, "Alright, we'll talk about it later. Let's go eat."
Master Xiong responded with a "Woo-hoo!"
Yes, the family has prepared lots and lots of delicious food; it's all been carefully prepared to treat you.
Hearing her son speak of "home" in such a natural and familiar tone, a trace of melancholy flashed across Xiong Ma's eyes.
The children have really grown up, and I've become the guest who needs to be entertained.
The bear father, who had been silently observing, keenly noticed the fleeting, subtle emotion in his partner.
It stretched out its broad palm and gently patted the mother bear's back, conveying a comforting message through its waveguide.
Okay, don't overthink it. The child has found his own path and his place, which is something to be happy about.
Mama Bear breathed a sigh of relief, suppressing the faint disappointment, and her eyes regained their warm smile.
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