The internal conflict within the Scolipede group presented Cain with a perfect opportunity: the chance to defeat the entire group one by one.
Moreover, with the method Cain reviewed last night for improving Skorupi's quality—and given that Skorupi was on the verge of evolution—Cain thought there was still room for strategic maneuvers.
This time, upon entering Scolipede territory, Cain designated Skorupi as the main attacker, while the other Pokémon assisted in ensuring victory in battles.
Slowking and the others also noticed changes in Skorupi. Combined with Cain's orders, they guessed it was likely related to Skorupi's impending evolution.
As one of the most cherished and cared-for companions in the group, Skorupi was finally about to evolve. Honchkrow, as the older brother figure, took the lead. Every Pokémon was fully motivated.
Although Skorupi's pursuit speed put them under pressure, at this critical moment, they wouldn't do anything to jeopardize the situation.
If Skorupi was close to catching up, they simply fought harder.
Such was the bond among Cain's Pokémon at this moment.
Cain also asked Floette to closely monitor the physical condition of the Pokémon, using Grassy Terrain or healing moves like Heal Bell when necessary.
Under Cain's special attention, Floette's ability to use Grassy Terrain improved noticeably in a short time. Already effective, Floette's Grassy Terrain now covered a larger area and had a much greater impact.
As a support Pokémon in combat, Floette was also growing rapidly.
On her first day with Cain's team, she had already leveled up, reaching level 31.
Something Floette could never have imagined: simply by using her most familiar moves, without direct fighting, her strength was increasing.
She knew how much effort and sacrifice it had taken to reach her current level. She had navigated among powerful Pokémon, barely surviving, and only in Altaria's peaceful territory had she begun to enjoy a more comfortable life.
Although small—standing at barely 20 centimeters tall—Floette possessed great power in her tiny body.
With Floette's help, Skorupi and the others defeated the Scolipede faster. Without worrying about injuries, Skorupi dove into battle with even greater intensity, sometimes even trading blows to ensure his attacks hit their mark.
Cain did not intervene or warn Skorupi about his physical and mental changes. Slowking and the others thought about stopping him, but Cain held them back.
He told them that the only way to help Skorupi now was to make it easier for him to defeat his opponents.
After Skorupi defeated the first Scolipede, Cain instructed him to consume the organ where the Pokémon stored its poison—whether it was liquid venom, a venom sac, or something similar.
Not all Pokémon develop a venom sac, but almost all Poison-type and Bug-type Pokémon have a specific organ for storing venom, which Cain referred to as the "venom sac."
With the first Scolipede defeated, Skorupi consumed the venom sac. According to the information Cain had obtained from Team Rocket, this was the first step in improving Skorupi's potential using the "toxin nutrition" method.
The ideal method would have been to place several Poison-type Pokémon in a confined space, letting them fight to the death. The last survivor would undoubtedly be the one with the greatest potential. Additionally, the experience could enhance their quality.
However, Skorupi was his companion, and Cain wouldn't force him to go through such an ordeal.
Instead, there was another way to achieve a similar effect: finding Poison-type Pokémon territories and allowing Skorupi to consume their venomous essences.
Though not as brutal as the "toxin nutrition" method, if done in sufficient quantities, it could yield similar results.
The more intensely his opponents fought, the more venom they had. The fiercer the battle, the better the final results.
So, while Cain deliberately led Skorupi into this type of training, Skorupi naturally began to change his mindset.
Skorupi's movements became more precise, and every part of his body seemed to transform into a lethal weapon.
The more Scolipede Skorupi defeated, the more he consumed. Although Slowking and the others were worried, since Cain had ordered it, they focused solely on helping Skorupi defeat his opponents faster.
Skorupi felt as if his blood were boiling, with endless energy coursing through his body. A voice in his mind constantly told him:
And you'll gain even more benefits.
As a battle fanatic, Skorupi didn't reject this feeling at all. Each time he defeated a Scolipede, he felt his strength increase.
Although the increments were small, they became more evident with each battle.
Moreover, Skorupi began to deeply understand the Scolipede: where their weak points were, which areas were stronger, where to strike for maximum damage, and where attacks would have no effect.
He learned all this through his battles.
With his Sniper ability, Cain always reminded Skorupi to pay attention to his opponents' weaknesses.
Targeting weak points had become a habit for Skorupi during battles.
Eventually, Skorupi faced two level 39 Scolipede simultaneously. He skillfully evaded their attacks, and with a simple move of his pincers and tail, activated his Sniper ability, defeating them both with a single strike.
Cain observed every one of Skorupi's movements while the system analyzed the data. Although others didn't notice, Cain could see that Skorupi's internal and external body temperature had already doubled from normal.