The fact that these plants can grow in such a concentrated area of Ghost-type energy indicates that they either feed on Ghost-type energy or are resistant to its erosion.
If they fed on Ghost-type energy, there wouldn't be so few of them, almost overlooked, and there were no signs of Ghost-type energy fluctuations on them.
Therefore, the only other possibility is that these plants are resistant to the erosion of Ghost-type energy, and since there is very little other energy here besides Ghost-type energy, their growth rate is extremely slow, almost unchanging year by year.
Thus, these tiny plants are among the best materials for resisting Ghost-type energy erosion.
Aoki carefully collected all of them and stored them in his inventory space. The specific method of use would require some research to determine the most efficient approach.
When the Pokémon had gathered most of what they needed, he had Gengar seal the entire cave again, trying to restore everything to its original state so that it wouldn't be discovered.
After a period of accumulation, he could bring his Pokémon back to visit this place again.
Aside from anything else, the abundant Ghost-type energy filling the cave was the best energy supplement for Gengar and Mismagius.
Aoki was unable to go down and investigate the situation beneath the spring.
According to Darkrai, even he could only go so deep; the pressure at greater depths was too immense.
Mega Gengar might be able to, or might not. In the end, Aoki decided not to risk it. After all, it wasn't something that absolutely had to be investigated. If he had the strength in the future, he could come back; if not, he would simply forget about it for now.
When Aoki left the Gastly cave, no one knew he had been there.
Instead of immediately returning to the Team Rocket base, Aoki continued deeper into Trial Island with Slowking's Teleport.
During the final trial, Slowking had left Psychic coordinates in many places deep within Trial Island, so traveling wasn't a difficult task.
Moreover, Aoki was still curious about the situation at the very center of Trial Island.
During the last final trial, he didn't have the time or strength to conduct the deepest investigation, but this time, it was completely fine.
Aoki threw out his Poké Balls, summoning Lucario and Venusaur. These two little guys had evolved and broken through to the Pseudo-Elite Four level within six months, and their current strength was quite good.
Furthermore, with the guidance of their seniors, their practical combat abilities were also strong.
Pokémon: Lucario (Dark Blue)
Gender: Male
Level: 54
Type: Fighting + Steel
Ability: Inner Focus
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Cross Chop, High Jump Kick, Blaze Kick, Comet Punch
Basic Moves: Aura Sphere, Power-Up Punch, Foresight, Quick Attack, Detect, Metal Claw, Counter, Feint, Power-Up Punch, Swords Dance, Metal Sound, Bone Rush, Quick Guard, Copycat, Work Up, Meditate, Heal Pulse
Learnt Moves: Thunder Punch, Magnet Rise, Ice Punch, Water Pulse, Iron Tail, Role Play, Low Kick, Dragon Pulse
TM Moves: Protect, Earthquake, Psychic, Shadow Ball, Brick Break
Level 54 Lucario, a Fighting/Steel-type Pokémon, is very suitable for close-quarters combat. Its own attack power, both physical and special, is excellent. Its defensive capabilities, as a Steel-type Pokémon, are also good, and its speed is decent as well.
As his Fighting-type teacher, Blaziken taught Lucario many things, including combat techniques and methods that cannot be shown in data.
Especially for a move like Swords Dance, Lucario learned the "true essence" from Blaziken.
Moreover, Lucario as a Pokémon is a very special species. As long as they reach adulthood, if their talent isn't particularly weak, they can learn Aura, one of the three special abilities in the Pokémon world.
Lucario itself is a Pokémon that Aoki has high hopes for.
Besides Lucario, Venusaur, as Aoki's first true Grass-type Pokémon, is also something he values greatly.
Because Venusaur's presence serves as a defensive pivot for Aoki's various teams.
And Venusaur itself is a Pokémon that excels at counter-attacking defensively.
Pokémon: Shiny Venusaur (Dark Blue)
Gender: Female
Level: 53
Type: Grass + Poison
Ability: Chlorophyll
Held Item: None
Egg Moves: Charm, Petal Dance, Power Whip, Grassy Terrain
Basic Moves: Petal Dance, Tackle, Growl, Leech Seed, Vine Whip, Poison Powder, Sleep Powder, Take Down, Razor Leaf, Sweet Scent, Growth, Double-Edge, Worry Seed, Synthesis, Petal Blizzard, Solar Beam
Learnt Moves: Grass Pledge, Worry Seed, Snore, Synthesis, Seed Bomb, Bind, Giga Drain, Stomping Tantrum, Block
TM Moves: Protect, Toxic, Venoshock, Earthquake, Sludge Bomb, Energy Ball, Substitute, Grass Knot
For Grass-type moves like Grass Knot, Energy Ball, and Grassy Terrain, Venusaur also learned a thing or two from Florges.
As a Grass/Poison-type Pokémon, if it were to fight alone, the power of its Poison-type moves would likely be more helpful to it.
But if it's fighting in a group battle, its Grass-type moves might provide more assistance to its companions.
Venusaur and Lucario's cooperation was quite good, and Aoki didn't need to worry too much.
However, along the way, there were no opponents that could withstand even a single attack from them.
Rumble—
Feeling a huge presence approaching, both Lucario and Venusaur showed wary expressions.
But Aoki waved his hand, signaling them not to be nervous, and at the same time, a smile appeared on his face.
As something hard seemed to rub against the ground, a massive Arbok, comparable in size to an Onix, appeared before Aoki.
Seeing this gigantic Arbok, Aoki's smile widened even further.
When Arbok saw Aoki, the fierce aura on its face completely disappeared. It lowered its body and gently rested its head on the ground in front of Aoki.
Aoki reached out and rubbed the smooth scales on Arbok's head. "I'm sorry, it's been so long since I came to see you."
"Cha—"
Arbok shook its head slightly, then let out a cry towards the jungle behind it. An Ekans slowly crawled to its side, looking at the human in front of it with slight curiosity.
Seeing the Ekans, Aoki's eyes lit up. "It seems you've found your own peaceful life. In that case…"
Aoki took out an empty Poké Ball, and in front of Arbok, he unleashed his psychic power, directly crushing the Poké Ball. "You are free, Arbok. This is your home, your kingdom!"