c163 – Ultra Space
Leng Hao!
After carefully looking at the Charizard, Chen Xiaoxiao finally confirmed that the man in the photo was indeed Leng Hao!
Even though the man's face was mostly hidden only his chin visible beneath a shadow and his upper body was obscured by Yiman, Chen Xiaoxiao was certain.
Others who weren't deeply familiar with Pokémon might not notice the subtle traits that distinguished each Charizard, but Chen Xiaoxiao could.
The Charizard in the photo wasn't an ordinary one, it bore the battle scars and slightly darker scales characteristic of Leng Hao's Charizard X, the one that had once gone head-to-head against the Elite Four's Dragonite during the Sino-Kanto Invitational. The jagged scar across its right wing and the faint blue tint of its flame were impossible to mistake.
So it turned out Yiman and Leng Hao had a history!
Leng Hao had always been known for liking younger women. Most of China's competitive trainer community knew it none of his girlfriends ever seemed to be older than twenty-two!
Damn Leng Hao… Yiman must've been tricked by him when she was still young!
Chen Xiaoxiao's lips curved slightly as she saved the photo, edited a message, and typed cheekily:
"Ritian Uncle, your Charizard looks quite photogenic today!"
Then she attached the photo and sent it straight to Leng Hao.
"(Xiaoxiao, dinner is ready.)"
At that moment, Gardevoir's voice rang gently in Chen Xiaoxiao's mind through telepathy, its calm tone still carrying the refined accent it had developed after learning human language from Lucario's aura lessons.
"Okay, I'm coming."
Chen Xiaoxiao smiled. She assumed Leng Hao wouldn't reply right away and was about to pocket her Pokédex when it suddenly chimed
Drip, drop, drop!
No way… so fast?
She opened it while walking to the villa's dining room. Sure enough, it was a message from Leng Hao.
> "Not my Charizard."
Chen Xiaoxiao's steps slowed, her eyes gleaming.
Oh-ho? There's a story here.
Based on what she knew of Leng Hao, he wouldn't have denied it like that. Normally, he would've bragged, maybe said something like "That's my baby showing off again!" Even if it wasn't his Charizard, he would've teased her, not outright denied it.
Which meant he was hiding something.
"Ritian Uncle and Sister Yiman are quite a match," she replied playfully. "But I'm guessing your current strength isn't on par with hers anymore?"
A moment later, a new message popped up.
"She and I both have champion-level Pokémon! Why am I weak? Also—the one in the photo isn't mine!"
Chen Xiaoxiao chuckled.
"Can't a Fire-type champion burn through your whole team? I heard Sister Yiman's grandpa, Elder Yi, has been pushing her into blind dates lately. She's even moved into the Lantian Gym. Such a pity."
From what Chen Xiaoxiao knew, both Leng Hao and Yiman had Champion-level Pokémon but Yiman's ace was a Fire-type Legendary, rumored to be Volcarona, while Leng Hao's signature Pokémon was the Ice-type Ninetales.
The matchup said everything. Against Yiman's Volcarona, Leng Hao's Ninetales didn't stand a chance. Once Volcarona's Fiery Dance built momentum, even a champion-tier Ice-type would melt under the heat.
Leng Hao was indeed weaker at least in typing.
> "I don't even know her well anymore," Leng Hao replied, obviously frustrated. "And I don't have her contact info! Why are you even bringing her up?"
Scumbag, Chen Xiaoxiao thought, rolling her eyes. Classic Leng Hao—always pretending to be innocent.
"Do you know where I am now? I'm in Guangdong City. I just visited Grandpa Yi, but sadly, I didn't get to meet Sister Yiman."
"I have something to do. Let's talk next time."
Leng Hao seemed relieved that she hadn't met Yiman. Typical avoidance tactic.
"But I'll probably see you when I challenge the Lantian Gym tomorrow," Chen Xiaoxiao teased again. "Maybe I'll even stay overnight. Have a long talk with Sister Yiman?"
"Send me the picture file."
Ah defeated.
Seeing his reply, Chen Xiaoxiao couldn't suppress her grin. She had confirmed it: Yiman had definitely been involved with Leng Hao before. Whether it ended in heartbreak or unresolved feelings was unclear, but one thing was certain Yiman had grown stronger since. Perhaps she had surpassed Leng Hao entirely.
And Leng Hao? He was clearly avoiding that truth.
"Ultra Space!"
Chen Xiaoxiao's fingers moved quickly as she sent the cryptic message.
"Hiss!"
On the other side, Leng Hao froze when he saw those two words.
Ultra Space the name given by top researchers in the Pokémon Alliance to describe the dimensional realm that connected to other universes.
Only those who had once ventured into it, or had access to Professor Mohn's research logs, even knew the term.
Leng Hao had only learned it years ago when he accidentally entered a rift created by Nihilego, barely escaping after battling a rampaging Buzzwole.
So how… how could Chen Xiaoxiao possibly know that name?
She watched her Pokédex quietly, waiting. When Leng Hao didn't reply, she smirked slightly.
So he does know about it.
Whether he'd admit it or not didn't matter this was just a probe.
Leng Hao once mentioned he would "understand in a few years." Now she had a guess what he meant.
Maybe Ultra Space was connected to something bigger something only a few champions dared to explore.
"How did you know it was Ultra Space?" Leng Hao finally replied.
"Didn't my dad just go in there?" she wrote casually, tossing the bait.
"But… the scientific name 'Ultra Space' wasn't confirmed until recent years," Leng Hao typed back, his suspicion deepening.
That made Chen Xiaoxiao pause. So the timeline still matched what she remembered from the Pokémon Adventures: Sun & Moon arc—when the Alola researchers officially classified the other dimension as Ultra Space after the discovery of Cosmog.
"I just collected some notes about the 187 expedition," she replied. "Wasn't sure if it was real, so I wanted to confirm with you. Looks like it matches."
"What are you trying to prove?"
"That there are Pokémon in that realm that don't belong to our world."
For a long moment, there was no response. Then
"...I see."
Leng Hao exhaled slowly. The information Chen Xiaoxiao had was far deeper than he expected. Only the top League officials and scientists at Aether Foundation were aware of the truth—that Ultra Space contained powerful creatures not classified in the National Dex, and that the League strictly forbade discussion of them.
Still, Leng Hao knew Chen Xiaoxiao wouldn't leak such things recklessly.
"What do you want?" he finally asked.
Seeing that message, Chen Xiaoxiao knew she had struck gold.
She didn't know whether events would unfold as they had in her previous life or the "anime timeline" she remembered—but now, she was sure: Ultra Space was real, and its secrets matched that past knowledge.
"Location," she replied calmly.
And waited.
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