Thunderbolt, Thunderbolt… Thunder Fang, Thunder Punch, Thunder Wave…
If, at this stage, he could use these purple lightning iron ores—rich with pure lightning-attribute energy—to help Larvitar grasp even the faintest hint of lightning's mysteries, then even forming the barest prototype of a skill would bring immeasurable benefits to its future growth and foundation.
The more Lin Xia thought about it, the faster his heart raced. He turned to Lou Gao, fixing him with an earnest, expectant gaze.
"Teacher… do you need these purple lightning iron ores?"
Lou Gao was still basking in the joy of uncovering such a massive treasure trove, along with his amazement at Larvitar's talent. Lin Xia's sudden question snapped him out of it.
He studied Lin Xia's expression—clearly hesitant yet eager—then glanced at Larvitar, which was happily gnawing on the ore, its body crackling with increasingly intense electric sparks. A bold thought suddenly struck him.
"Little Xia!"
Lou Gao's voice carried both shock and disbelief.
"You're not saying that… these purple lightning iron ores could help Larvitar comprehend a new… Soul Skill?!"
He deliberately stressed the words Soul Skill, his sharp gaze locking onto Lin Xia.
Lin Xia took a deep breath, met his teacher's scrutiny head-on, and nodded firmly.
"Teacher, I really do have this feeling. Larvitar seems to have an innate craving for lightning-attribute energy. Just like when it comprehended Dig before, this purple lightning iron might be the key that lets it come into contact with the power of lightning. I want to try."
Lou Gao fell silent, his eyes shifting between the lightning-veined rock wall, Larvitar chewing contentedly on the ore, and Lin Xia's resolute, hopeful expression.
For a moment, the only sounds in the mine were the crisp crunch of ore being eaten and the faint crackle of residual electricity in the air.
After a few breaths, the astonishment on Lou Gao's face faded, replaced by a broad, indulgent smile filled with anticipation. He slapped his thigh and laughed loudly.
"Hahahaha! Well said! Ambitious, bold, and decisive—truly worthy of being my disciple!"
He waved his hand toward the entire vein glowing with purple light, his tone magnanimous.
"You want it? Why would I want it? You and Larvitar were the ones who discovered this! Without its heaven-defying ability, this treasure would've stayed buried for who knows how many years!"
Lou Gao's gaze softened as he looked at Larvitar, full of an elder's indulgent affection. He squatted down, watching the tiny arcs of electricity dance around the little Pokémon as it gnawed on the ore.
"Since it's useful to you, then take it all. Don't leave me even a speck of dust! These were Larvitar's spoils of war from the very beginning!"
"Feed it with these ores. Draw out its potential! I want to see what kind of surprises this little monster can pull off after eating lightning-infused iron!"
"Teacher…"
Warmth and gratitude surged through Lin Xia's heart. Lou Gao's unquestioning trust and wholehearted support moved him deeply.
"Lar!"
Larvitar seemed to understand Lou Gao's generosity. It stopped eating, lifted its dust-covered little face, and looked at Lou Gao with shining crimson eyes. Then it chirped happily, clutching a chunk of purple lightning iron in its claws and hopping twice in place, as if expressing its thanks.
"Hahaha! Eat, little one! They're all yours!"
Lou Gao laughed heartily, thoroughly amused.
With his teacher's approval, Lin Xia no longer hesitated.
"Larvitar, stop eating for now. We'll eat after we extract all the purple lightning iron ore."
Though reluctant to part with the ore in its claws, Larvitar trusted Lin Xia. It set the piece down and looked up at him seriously.
"Lar!"
It was as if it were saying, Boss, just give the order!
Lou Gao was momentarily puzzled. What exactly was Lin Xia planning?
Lin Xia quickly answered his unspoken question.
"Larvitar, dig a channel around the entire edge of the ore vein. Once we see its full size, bite it off and carry it away!"
Larvitar's eyes gleamed. It immediately sprang into action.
After hearing Lin Xia's plan, Lou Gao was at a loss for words. This method was something only Lin Xia could pull off.
Mining an ore vein was difficult enough, let alone one infused with lightning. A normal miner's arm would go numb from electricity after a single strike.
But Lin Xia and Larvitar?
They simply bit it off—efficiently, no less.
Less than ten minutes later, Larvitar returned.
When Lin Xia and Lou Gao saw it, they couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Larvitar's belly was round and bulging, faint purple electric arcs wrapping around its body. It was obvious that it had been sneaking bites while digging.
Now wasn't the time to worry about that. If the child wanted to eat a little more, so be it.
"Larvitar, did you finish what I asked?"
Larvitar nodded. Just as it tried to speak, it let out a crackling, electric burp.
Lin Xia paused, then activated the spatial soul tool ring on his left hand.
Dark silver patterns glimmered as an invisible suction enveloped the exposed purple lightning iron vein.
Whoosh—
Chunks of ore glowing with purple lightning tore free from the rock wall, turning into a brilliant violet torrent that streamed into the ring.
Before long, Lin Xia's storage soul tool was full. Seeing this, Lou Gao took out a necklace-type storage soul tool and handed it over.
Lin Xia accepted it without hesitation and continued collecting.
In moments, the entire ore vein was gone. The once radiant rock wall was left with only uneven excavation marks and lingering electric energy crackling in the air.
"Lar! Lar!"
Watching its feast vanish in an instant, Larvitar anxiously tugged at Lin Xia's pant leg.
"Don't worry, you little glutton," Lin Xia said with a smile. "There's plenty left. You'll have more than enough to eat later."