Mr. Lance knows he might as well cry with envy.
On the way here, Ash chatted with Lance. Lance indeed gained something from his trip to the Kalos Region; among the Elite Four, he was the only one to obtain a MEGA Evolution Stone.
Unfortunately, the MEGA Evolution Stone was for an Altaria, not his ace Dragonite.
Nevertheless, this accomplishment was far superior to the other Elite Four members, and Lance was quite satisfied with it.
After this visit to Dragon Island, Lance plans to continue his journey to the Kalos Region to keep searching for a MEGA Evolution Stone. Only by finding Dragonite's MEGA Evolution Stone can he truly become a figure on par with Leon and rise to the Champion position of the Kanto League.
The Dragon Taming Race and Dragon Island complement each other, with a very close relationship. However, Lance had no idea that there was a MEGA Evolution Stone on Dragon Island, and it was controlled by the absolute leader of Dragon Island.
If Lance knew that Dragonite's Evolution Stone was right beside him, would his face turn pale...
Thinking of this, Ash decided quietly not to let Lance know that he had obtained a MEGA Evolution Stone on Dragon Island.
'Release Dragonair, and I will explain some things to her before sending you to the entrance of Dragon Island.' Dragon Source gestured for Ash to release Dragonair.
Without a doubt, Ash released Dragonair directly. At first, Dragonair was a bit confused about the situation, but upon seeing Dragon Source, she quickly lowered her head in a very respectful manner.
In the Dragonite clan, there aren't many formalities, and there's no need for bows and such when dealing with seniors. But when faced with the Dragonite Ancestor, that's different.
That's right; this Dragonite is called the Ancestor by the Dragonite clan because he has lived longer than any current Dragonite and is more powerful. Calling him the Ancestor is definitely fitting.
The Dragonite clan has no formalities, except for the Ancestor.
'No need to be so respectful; now you're Ash's Pokemon, and we should communicate as equals. I asked Ash to release you to teach you my... or should I say, our training method. You have always been the junior I've regarded most highly. If anyone in the Dragonite clan can reach my level in the future, I believe it can only be you.'
Ash showed a surprised expression, not expecting Dragon Source's expectations for Dragonair to be so high. But Dragon Source's expectations were not misplaced; in the entire Dragonite clan, even the entire Dragon Island, the one with the best talent is Ash's captured Dragonair.
Talent doesn't represent everything. After all, many talented but undeveloped Pokemon are out there.
But Dragonair had not only immense talent but also excellent mindset and willpower, the best of the best. Ash believed that even without capturing Dragonair and teaching her, she would stand out through her own efforts sooner or later.
In addition, Dragonair had already entered Dragon Source's vision long ago. If ever she faced insurmountable difficulties, Dragon Source would likely intervene.
Now, Dragon Source was giving his final guidance to Dragonair, and Ash was curiously observing from the side. What was the difference between this Dragonite Ancestor's training method and humans'?
Ash truly learned a lot; meditation refinement and physical training, though somewhat different, were essentially similar. What Dragon Source really taught Dragonair was—breathing.
Whether meditating, doing physical training, walking on the road, living in the world, breathing is necessary.
If one could maintain a constant state of training, an improvement rate akin to a rocket might not even begin to describe the speed.
However, always training is clearly unrealistic.
Even the strongest body tires if trained for too long; physical fatigue, mental fatigue... these cannot be entirely overcome, no matter how hard one tries. Rest is necessary.
This is the so-called balance of work and rest, but... what if breathing was converted into a training technique?
When every breath trains the body, achieving a simplicity similar to breathing, wouldn't the body always be in a state of training?
But turning breathing into a training method... such an idea is pure fantasy. How could breathing possibly train the body? Absurd!
If Dragon Source hadn't demonstrated the breathing training method, Ash would have thought he was bragging.
Under Dragon Source's demonstration, Ash was truly enlightened; breathing can indeed train!
By paying attention to the rhythm and intensity of breathing, using the inhaled air to resonate through the body in a peculiar frequency, one can train with each breath. Once fully mastered, transforming this breathing method into instinct, constant training becomes possible.
Breathing methods theoretically vary; some can train muscles and strengthen power, some can refine internal energy and increase move speed, some can boost movement speed, increase defensive power...
As long as the corresponding breathing method is found, constant training in the desired direction can be achieved. But even Dragon Source only discovered one breathing method over the long years, using breathing to refine the Dragon Power within, accelerating the growth of Dragon Attribute Pokemon's strength.
This breathing method is named by Dragon Source as—Dragon's Breath.
Dragon's Breath is a breathing method used only by dragons; other non-Dragon Attribute Pokemon find little to no effect in using it.
At most, it might slightly benefit Pokemon with dragon moves and that's about it.
Nonetheless, Dragon Source's training method gave Ash inspiration; if he could create a breathing method for his Pokemon to constantly train their body's six-dimensional values, upgrading for them would be as simple as eating and drinking.
The idea is wonderful, but whether it can be realized will require time to prove.
After Dragon Source imparted everything without reservation to Dragonair, the time had reached noon on the third day. Lance and his team were scheduled to meet them at the entrance at 3 PM, so Ash and Dragonair were preparing to say goodbye to Dragon Source.
'I'll take you to the entrance. Remember to come back home and visit when you have time.' The latter sentence was spoken by Dragon Source to Dragonair, who nodded her blue little head, her face full of gratitude.
The Dragonite Ancestor not only taught her precious training methods but also said sentimental words like 'visit home when you have time,' how could a sentimental Dragonair not be moved?
Now Dragon Source holds a position in Dragonair's heart second only to Ash.
...
When Dragon Source brought Ash and Dragonair to the island's entrance, Paul and Gary had already been waiting there for a while. They didn't have Dragon Source's ability to move freely within Dragon Island. If they dared ride a Flying Type Pokemon out, they'd likely be knocked down by some dragon appearing from nowhere.
To be safe, they started heading to the entrance a few hours early, unlike Ash, who arrived almost on time.
Gary looked somewhat surprised at Ash riding Dragonite, saying sourly, "You've really got something, Ash. No matter where you go, you connect well with the Pokemon, even having a specific Dragonite bring you out. Isn't this the same Dragonite that brought you here? Did you arrange this from the start?"
Ash has the ability to communicate with Pokemon, so arranging with the Dragonite that initially brought him to pick him up again wasn't impossible.
"No, this Dragonite is..."
"Dragon Source Ancestor?! How are you out here!!!" Lance's figure descended from the sky, voice preceding him.
This shocking 'Dragon Source Ancestor' directly left Gary and Paul bewildered. What does Ancestor even mean???