Just as Xiao Xia said, if others knew that he had met Ho-Oh, which had not appeared before the world for hundreds of years, then his journey would definitely not be peaceful.
Ho-Oh is an existence that both the light and dark sides want to glimpse. Compared to other Legendary Pokémon, Ho-Oh is even more eye-catching, simply because legend says that those who encounter Ho-Oh will have a lifetime of luck, and... if they gain Ho-Oh's approval, or capture Ho-Oh, it's very possible to increase their lifespan!
For humans, immortality is something that over ninety percent of people pursue and desire.
Therefore, the fewer people who know about meeting Ho-Oh, the better, just like Ash having a chat group.
Seeing Ash apologize understandingly, Xiao Xia also breathed a sigh of relief. On one hand, Ash didn't mind her rough actions just now, and on the other hand, Ash understood why the matter of Ho-Oh couldn't be spread, which saved her a lot of effort in explaining.
"Oh, right, I need to call my mom and tell her I'm safe. Xiao Xia, don't you need to call your family?" Ash suddenly thought of something, clapped his hands, and turned to go to the Elf Center's public video phone, also asking Xiao Xia if she wanted to make a call.
Xiao Xia shook her head and said calmly, "I don't need to. My family is very busy and has no time to answer my calls."
"Huh, what does your family do?"
"They perform. A bunch of irresponsible sisters. Don't ask so much."
"Oh."
Ash dialed his home number, reported his safety to Delia, and then called Professor Oak to inform him that he had arrived at Viridian City.
Professor Oak expressed surprise that Ash hadn't caught any Pokémon, while Gary had already caught more than a dozen.
In response, Ash quoted a line from Champion Xiao Zhi: "Pokémon are partners. When you catch them, you must be prepared to treat them with your heart. A Trainer can have many Pokémon, but Pokémon often only have one Trainer, so if I can't be fully responsible for them, I don't plan to catch Pokémon casually."
These profound words left Professor Oak stunned. And indeed, what he said made a lot of sense.
Although Gary caught many Pokémon, most of them were common Pokémon like Raticate, Pidgey, Spearow, and Sandshrew. Catching those Pokémon was mainly for collection purposes, as for training them... given Gary's personality, he probably wouldn't spend time on these common Pokémon.
After catching them, all their care was handled by Professor Oak. Compared to being in the wild, those Pokémon's food, clothing, and shelter could be relatively guaranteed, but they didn't have as much freedom as in the wild. Most importantly, their Trainer didn't know how long it would be before he exchanged them again.
To the Pokémon, this seemed a bit too pitiful.
"I didn't expect you, Ash, to be able to say something so philosophical. This is completely different from your performance in class!" Professor Oak said with emotion.
During academic lessons, Ash was far behind Gary, but after only one day of traveling, Ash could think of such a thorough issue, completely different from before he traveled.
This kind of thing, let alone a young man who had just started traveling, even many experienced Trainers had never thought about it.
"What do you mean by that! Can't I think of such things? Professor Oak, you look at me with too much prejudice!" Ash complained discontentedly, but in reality, he was a little nervous inside.
If it weren't for Champion Xiao Zhi's words, he might have caught several Pokémon already. He definitely wouldn't have let go of Pokémon like Spearow and Pidgey.
But Champion Xiao Zhi's words made Ash understand what a true Trainer is.
A true Trainer doesn't look at the strength of their Pokémon, nor the superiority of their tactics, but whether you have a heart that can seriously treat the Pokémon you catch.
Catching a large number of Pokémon just for battles and tactical services is actually a completely irresponsible behavior.
"Alright, now that you've arrived at Viridian City, I'm relieved. By the way, Gary seems to have already registered for the League Conference. Ash, are you going to participate? Oh, right, do you know what the League Conference is?"
"Of course I know! I've already registered, alright! If Gary calls you again, tell him to wash his neck and wait for me at the Indigo Plateau Conference!" Ash waved his fist, full of fighting spirit!
"Uh... okay, I'll pass on the message. Then I'll hang up if there's nothing else... Wait, there's one more thing! You can choose any first Gym, but don't choose the Viridian Gym or the Saffron Gym, understand?" Professor Oak was about to hang up the phone, but suddenly remembered something and quickly stopped Ash from hanging up as well, speaking hurriedly.
"Hmm? Why?" It's the Viridian Gym again... The big shots in the group also said not to choose the Viridian Gym as the first Gym. Is that Gym really that strong?
"The Viridian Gym is the strongest Gym in the Kanto League, bar none. Its Gym Leader, Saka Mu, is even called a man comparable to the Elite by the outside world, also known as Saka Mu of the Earth."
"Saka Mu of the Earth..."
"Yes, the Pokémon Saka Mu uses are basically Ground-type Pokémon. Even the weakest ones are not something a beginner can casually challenge, let alone your starter Pokémon, Pikachu, which is extremely disadvantaged against Ground-type Pokémon. In short, just don't go to the Viridian Gym." Professor Oak repeatedly warned Ash.
He was afraid that Ash would go to the Viridian Gym and then be so defeated by Saka Mu that he would lose all confidence and completely lose his fighting spirit as a Trainer.
It wasn't as if such a thing hadn't happened in history. After all, Pallet Town is right next to Viridian City, and Viridian City happens to have a Gym. Many beginners, not knowing any better, went to challenge it, and the result was naturally self-evident...
"I understand. What about the Saffron Gym?" Ash nodded to show understanding, but besides the Viridian Gym, what about the other Gym Professor Oak told him not to challenge? Was that Gym also very strong?
"The Saffron Gym recently changed its Gym Leader. The new Gym Leader is heavy-handed. From the information I've received, every Trainer who has challenged the Saffron Gym seems to have been cast under an indescribable shadow. The only warning Trainers who have challenged it give to newcomers is: unless there are no other Gyms to challenge, never come to the Saffron Gym!"
Professor Oak's face pressed close to the camera, his enlarged old face looking like a ghost. Coupled with his words, it could scare a three-year-old child to tears.
Ash and Xiao Xia, who was beside him, were also unnerved by what Professor Oak said. The former repeatedly agreed, stating that he would not go to those two Gyms for now.