Cheng Tian quickly arrived outside the cave. Tonight, the moon was large and bright, illuminating the surroundings clearly.
The Barbaracle stood motionless in the open space in the distance, its gaze fixed on the forest ahead. At this moment, the forest seemed to be asleep; apart from the rustling of leaves and grass as the wind blew through, there was no other sound.
Just then, three strands of silk suddenly shot out from three different directions, heading straight for the Barbaracle.
The massive Barbaracle, however, was surprisingly agile. What seemed like three unavoidable silk strands, the Barbaracle merely sidestepped, and one brushed past its neck while the other two missed, passing by its lower arm and waist respectively.
With the three silk strands missing, three poison needles followed closely. This time, the Barbaracle swung one hand, and three lumps of mud flew out, colliding with the incoming poison needles and successfully intercepting them.
It must be said that Barbaracle had excellent control over its skills. What it had just unleashed was its inherited skill, Mud Shot. To precisely use the skill and intercept the attack in such a short time was no simple feat.
A cold glint flashed in Barbaracle's eyes. It lightly stomped its left foot on the ground, and a row of stone spikes quickly erupted from the ground, attacking the distant bushes.
"Ari!" Three Pokémon leaped out of the bushes, dodging Barbaracle's Rock Blast attack.
The large pink spiders were indeed the Ariados that Cheng Tian and the others had seen before. The information for the three Ariados was almost identical. Only one, which was larger, was Level 28, while the other two were Level 27.
Pokémon: Ariados
Gender: Male
Nature: Calm
Ability: Swarm
Level: 28
Egg Moves: Sticky Web (Lv6)
Learned Moves: Swords Dance (Lv6), Focus Energy (Lv5), Toxic Thread (Lv7), Pin Missile (Lv8), Bug Bite (Lv6), Poison Sting (Lv10), String Shot (Lv10), Leech Life (Lv6), Infestation (Lv5), Scary Face (Lv5), Fury Swipes (Lv7), Sucker Punch (Lv8)
TM/TR Moves: Leech Life (Lv7)
"It's that Ariados from before! Why did it follow us?" Cheng Tian was puzzled, and at this moment, the system automatically provided an explanation:
"Ding---Ariados do not build nests in fixed locations. Instead, after dusk, they roam around searching for prey. They sometimes wrap prey in silk and then deliberately let them go. By following the silk, they can capture the prey and its companions in one fell swoop."
Cheng Tian's heart sank. It seemed this was the reason. He guessed that the Ariados had already discovered them back then but weren't in a hurry to act. Instead, they played some tricks, wanting to see their final destination and if there was more food to catch all at once.
"They're really hard to guard against," Cheng Tian sighed.
However, this time they had picked the wrong targets. The Ariados were also very surprised. They hadn't expected there to be an old fellow here.
But the few behind him were very weak; any one of the three of them could easily take them down.
In an instant, a battle strategy formed in their minds. What was there to fear? All three of them would go together; it was just one old fellow.
Two Ariados charged towards the Barbaracle, while one followed far behind.
At this moment, the two Ariados in front first used the Scary Face skill, with two terrifying large faces appearing above their heads. Then, with an acceleration, they suddenly appeared in front of Barbaracle, their mouths covered in Bug-type energy, and quickly used Bug Bite to attack Barbaracle's hands.
These Ariados were clearly experienced in battle. This old fellow in front had so many hands; they had to control it first. The combination of Sucker Punch and Bug Bite was the best choice.
Facing the Sucker Punch skill, Barbaracle showed no panic. All its hands instantly retracted into its armor. Withdraw into Shell! While dodging the attack, it also increased its defense.
Barbaracle's massive body leaped up violently, landing heavily on the ground, and a dense Ground-type energy spread out from its center.
Stomping Tantrum!
Such a significant level advantage was no joke. With one Stomping Tantrum, the two Ariados were directly knocked over. Barbaracle extended its hand, using the Slash skill to strike at the two Ariados.
Just then, the Ariados behind quickly released a needle, aiming it at Barbaracle's head. Barbaracle swiftly pulled its hand back, and a sound like rocks grinding together echoed from its hand.
"Ding---" Barbaracle used Rock Polish, blocking the lethal Pin Missile.
"Croak!" Cheng Tian and the others watched Barbaracle's fight directly. Froakie's admiration for Barbaracle was practically overflowing.
Master is truly so strong! When will I be able to reach Master's level?
Cheng Tian also secretly clicked his tongue. Barbaracle was simply too strong, facing three opponents alone without any panic, even managing to suppress them.
Although there was a level advantage, Barbaracle didn't mindlessly rush in and throw skills like the Ariados. Each time, it used the minimum stamina and the simplest moves to completely counter the opponent's attacks.
This calm and composed demeanor was the combat skill honed by a ninja through countless battles.
Adapting to all changes with no changes!
The battle continued. Because of the interference from the Ariados behind, Barbaracle hadn't managed to use Slash, allowing the two Ariados on the ground to get back up.
This time they learned their lesson and quickly began to retreat.
But would Barbaracle give them a chance? Rocks appeared out of nowhere, completely blocking the Ariados' retreat.
Having blocked the Ariados' retreat with Rock Tomb, Barbaracle swiftly attacked, using Sucker Punch on one of the Ariados. Its massive body charged forward at an incredibly fast speed.
It directly hit the Ariados' vital point! A white glow flashed from its hand, and a Slash attack landed on the Ariados' head.
The successive attacks caused this Ariados, already suppressed by the level difference, to immediately lose its ability to battle.
The other Ariados, seeing its companion fall, had a flash of madness in its eyes. It lunged forward, baring its fangs and claws, attempting to use Leech Life to trade damage with Barbaracle.
Barbaracle's body paused, and a chilling aura erupted from its mouth. Icy Wind directly froze the Ariados.
At this point, two Ariados were defeated. Just as Cheng Tian let out a sigh of relief, a figure suddenly lunged towards Froakie.
It was the remaining Ariados! Its eyes gleamed with madness as it lunged forward, using the Bug Bite skill.
Damn it, no matter what, I'm taking one of you down with me today!
Oh no! Cheng Tian's expression changed. A Pokémon's desperate counterattack was not something easily endured.
Froakie couldn't dodge in time and instinctively closed its eyes. Cheng Tian didn't think twice, flashing forward and blocking in front of Froakie.
With a "thud," the expected pain didn't materialize. Froakie opened its eyes to find Cheng Tian standing in front of it! "Croak!"
Meanwhile, Cheng Tian stared fixedly at the Ariados, which was now incredibly close.
That sound just now hadn't come from him.
He saw the Ariados in front of him, its expression still frantic, but more so filled with unwillingness, as the Bug-type energy on its mandibles gradually dissipated. In front of its lunging body, a claw emitting a white light had pierced through its body.
Barbaracle behind him had a murderous look. Daring to lay a hand on its foolish apprentice was truly like an old man hanging himself, tired of living!
Just now, Barbaracle, in a way Cheng Tian couldn't comprehend, had traversed nearly 50 meters to unleash its Razor Shell skill, fiercely piercing through the Ariados' heart.
Killed in one hit! The Ariados fell to the ground, with bug blood continuously oozing out. The smell of blood constantly stimulated Cheng Tian's brain.
Just today, he had seen death beckoning him twice.
If he had known it would be this dangerous, he would have bought a Pokémon no matter what.
Barbaracle turned around, looking coldly at the Ariados that had now unfrozen. Its meaning was self-evident.
With your strength, you should hurry and flee for your life.
The Ariados trembled all over, even forgetting its fallen companion lying beside it, and directly dashed into the depths of the forest.
It was too terrifying; tonight would surely be unforgettable for it!