In the end, the energy was simply too much. Gengar had already reached the pinnacle of the Intermediate Elite Four level, and now, after absorbing a massive amount of energy, it had surpassed the limit it could withstand.
Although many impurities had been removed and much of the unfused energy had been discarded, the remaining amount was still considerable.
At this moment, Mega Gengar's body was beginning to swell.
Given its state, Mega Gengar could endure far more than in its normal form—but even so, it had already reached its limit.
"Kekekekeee!!!"
Mega Gengar clenched its teeth. At this instant, if it opened its mouth, great quantities of Ghost-type energy would burst out from it.
The concentration of ghostly energy around them continued to rise as Gengar absorbed more, which would very likely attract the attacks of numerous other Ghost-type Pokémon.
Cain's other Pokémon had already moved into formation, surrounding both him and Gengar.
Gengar kept compressing and compressing the energy. When it could no longer compress it nor contain it within its body, it wrapped all that energy around itself and charged straight toward the barrier of the Advanced Elite Four level.
At that moment, the advantage of Mega Evolution manifested.
Mega Evolution allowed Gengar to temporarily possess the power of the Advanced Elite Four level, which meant that when attempting to break through the barrier, the obstacles were fewer.
Bzzzz!
A muffled roar erupted from within Gengar, and on the virtual data screen in front of Cain, all of Gengar's parameters suddenly exceeded their limits, soaring to staggering heights.
Then, a dense black mist gushed out from Mega Gengar's body, enveloping it completely.
Breaking through meant that Gengar's capacity to contain energy had increased, allowing it to absorb even more.
Thus, vast amounts of energy, as if drawn by a magnet, rushed toward the black mist from all directions.
Cain stood silently by its side.
Now that Gengar was in its Mega Evolved state, its consciousness was in perfect sync with its trainer's, allowing Cain to clearly sense the changes within its body and the rising frenzy of its spirit.
"Level 75!"
Gengar had successfully broken through the barrier, reaching level 75.
Level 75 represented the limit that most geniuses could ever achieve.
How many years had the Pokémon world existed? And since the emergence of trainers, how many prodigies had appeared?
Countless—like fish in a river.
But just like the carp that attempts to leap over the Dragon Gate—no matter how talented—it would remain a carp if it could not cross, never becoming a true dragon.
Level 75 represented precisely that Dragon Gate. The growth of a Pokémon could never stop: it either advanced or regressed.
If one didn't strive hard enough, one could spend an entire lifetime without ever touching the Advanced Elite Four level.
Why did so many powerful families of the Hoenn League recognize Cain's talent and willingly invest in him, yet not commit all their resources?
Because they had seen too many geniuses run aground at this very level.
And why was Steven's limit so clear and well-defined?
Because the Stone family was willing to pour immense resources into him—enough to push him, even by force, to the Champion level.
Cain, on the other hand, being a commoner, had no such backing. For those families, staking their entire wealth on him was simply too great a risk.
Of course, if Cain agreed to join one of them, they would gladly welcome him. But to gamble the foundation of an entire bloodline—none dared to do so.
After all, not everyone was like Cain, who knew with precision the quality and potential of his own Pokémon.
Now, Cain had already set one foot within that realm of true prodigies.
What remained was to accumulate enough resources and energy to make the final leap to the Champion level.
Fortunately, Diancie had already established the foundation of the Carbink Kingdom. In time, it would begin supplying Cain with a steady stream of diamonds—exactly what he needed to offset the massive resource consumption that awaited him.
Moreover, with Team Heaven consolidating its power after the fall of Team Magma and Team Aqua, Juan had now entrusted Cain with unifying the underworld of the Hoenn region—something that could open even more paths for him moving forward...
Meanwhile, Gengar's ascent showed no signs of stopping.
The enormous influx of energy allowed it to rise as if cutting through a dense jungle with a machete.
"Level 76!"
In its normal state, it had already reached level 76. Combined with Mega Evolution, it was now practically brushing against the peak of the Advanced Elite Four level.
The pressure emanating from Gengar grew more and more overwhelming, but Cain could tell its foundation was beginning to weaken.
It had absorbed too much energy that didn't belong to it!
"Level 77!"
Advanced Elite Four level—another breakthrough.
Cain's face darkened. In a stern voice that echoed through Gengar's mind, he ordered, "Gengar! Stop absorbing! Even if we waste energy, you can't keep going! Or you'll suffer irreversible damage!"
Like a clap of thunder, his words jolted Gengar from its trance of power intoxication.
Sensing the chaotic state within itself, it understood Cain was right, and desperately tried to halt the absorption.
But the energy clung to it like a parasite—impossible to expel.
"Compress it! If you can't cut it off, then compress it with all your strength!" shouted Cain.
Gengar immediately tried to control its energy, forcibly compressing everything it had absorbed.
"Level 78!"
Cain was already sweating. On his data screen, Gengar's quality—normally a deep Purple—was beginning to pale.
His scan showed it flickering dangerously between Purple and Light Purple.
If its quality permanently dropped to Light Purple, it would mean its foundation was shattered. And in that state, breaking through to the Champion level would be nearly impossible.
Neither Cain nor Gengar had imagined that those three Gengar had contained so much energy.
The truth was that Cain had underestimated them. Who knew how long they had wandered through the Dragon's Tomb, absorbing vast amounts of energy? Their level had remained at 70 only because that energy was too mixed and chaotic.
Once the impurities were removed, the remaining pure energy was terrifying.
If not for those impurities, the true level of those three Gengar should have been around 74.
Pouring the combined energy of three Pokémon at that level into a single one should have made it explode—if not for the special resistance granted by Giratina.
"Attack, Gengar! Release the excess through your attacks!" ordered Cain.
If there was too much energy—then it had to be expelled!
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
...
Dark spheres fired from Gengar in every direction, causing chain explosions.
Fortunately, Gengar had already mastered that move, and little by little, it burned away the excess energy within.
Though the Dragon's Tomb suffered tremendous devastation, there was no alternative.
"Level 77!"
The level dropped back to 77, gradually stabilizing.
The same happened with its quality: it settled once more into the Purple hue, and the fluctuations slowly subsided until they vanished completely.
At last, its quality stabilized firmly in the color Purple.
(End of chapter)