Chapter 700: The Copycat Loz

That evening.

The sunset stained the twilight.

The arena trainers supported each other as they limped out the front gate, groaning in pain.

A few had coats wrapped around their waists, wearing pants resembling the popular beggar-style trousers of the Unova region, their faces grim, steps hurried, their eyes twitching occasionally.

"What a magnificent sight after a hard-fought battle!"

Baimu watched their retreating backs and couldn't help but sigh.

Kendall, now changed into new pants, stood beside him and said nothing.

The afternoon matches were held in five-minute rounds; if neither side answered correctly, both were chased and bitten, causing nearly everyone to have been pursued by the lead Basculegion and its companions.

Some ran twice, so exhausted they simply collapsed on the ground—only for the Basculegions to forcibly flip them over and bite them anyway.

Sadistic!

And perhaps because they weren't allowed to draw blood, the Basculegions bit a few times before tearing straight at their pants, even sparing no female trainers; a few of the more unfortunate ones nearly ended up bare-assed.

Laugh?

No one dared laugh.

Not only did the colleagues' screams sound chilling, but anyone who laughed would surely be next—Baimu was always sharp-eyed, forcing everyone to focus entirely on watching the matches and memorizing the correct answers announced after each wrong response.

Because later on, the probability of Pokémon reappearing increased, and luck might spare you from being chased and bitten.

Without exaggeration, the arena's screams had not stopped since the afternoon.

Baimu smiled at Kendall and said, "I hope tomorrow you all come here just as neatly dressed."

"I'll go and persuade..."

"No need. No effort, no reward. From today's match, it's clear you've lived side by side for so long yet barely understand even your colleagues' Pokémon. Pokémon training alone isn't enough—trainers must train too."

He turned and said, "Everyone here is an adult, with the right to choose for themselves. If they're not willing, no amount of persuasion will help, and learning will be twice as hard for half the result."

Kendall sighed at this but said nothing more.

What could he say?

The captain of the Rainbow Team himself abandoned his own team to come here and teach them how to grow stronger—what an honor!

They didn't even need to pay any price—just obey quietly.

Even heaven doesn't drop pancakes like this.

Is it shameful to be chased and bitten on the butt?

Shameful!

But why isn't losing to others more shameful? Baimu's people mostly won!

Kendall recalled the resentful words he'd overheard by the locker room door.

What a pity.

Not everyone can understand Baimu's painstaking intentions.

This was the last time he would speak up for his former comrades—he decided to start thinking more for himself. After gaining Silver Monkey's recognition, he might soon welcome his second turning point.

He had to hold onto it tightly!

Inside the arena.

The Basculegions happily counted the Pokémon Cubes in their paws; normally idle except for tending grass, they found running freely and biting people's buttocks quite entertaining.

"Awooo~"

"Awo!"

They waved their paws at Hu Pa and filed into the light rings one by one.

"Bye! Come back tomorrow!" Hu Pa waved carelessly.

Tomorrow...

Silver Horse, watching them leave, instinctively clutched his rear end, trembling—he'd been chased the most, nearly undefeated in defeat, his former reputation as the underground arena's master utterly shattered.

But he had even less right to be angry.

Especially when he saw Cheng Hong, who he'd drunk under the table yesterday, never once escaped—his lingering frustration dissolved into the humiliation of his own knowledge gap.

Silver Monkey watched his furious subordinate and silently shook his head.

Even as an observer, the tense atmosphere of the match had helped him quickly memorize many Pokémon facts he'd never known before; those who'd been chased would surely remember even better.

"Baimu Boss!"

He stood up and turned to Baimu returning, "How will you spend the evening—"

"No evening plans. I have my own matters to attend to. After a full day, I need some personal time." Baimu quickly refused.

Good heavens!

Even Old Zhou the Skinflint didn't go this far!

Perhaps Silver Monkey assumed Baimu was building a team to conquer other arenas, and thus deemed any time spent worthwhile.

But in truth, he had no such intention.

Introducing this training method on the first day was partly for personnel screening, partly to achieve maximum effect with minimal time.

He didn't expect the Ironclad Arena's trainers to defeat other arena bosses in a few dozen days—but at least they mustn't fall behind in captain-vs-captain or king-vs-king matchups.

"I have something to attend to tomorrow morning. I'll tell Cheng Hong the exact schedule."

Baimu called over his only slightly reliable young man.

Silver Monkey glanced at Cheng Hong and nodded. "Understood."

"Please take good care of me, Silver Monkey Boss!"

Cheng Hong bowed slightly.

He didn't ask Lady Ayana for help because the arena trainers seemed to harbor some resistance toward her.

Baimu knew that over the past six months, the Arena Trainers had likely clashed with the Rainbow Team more than once.

The outcome could be easily predicted.

If the Rainbow Team hadn't suffered setbacks, they wouldn't have gained such prestige.

He glanced around, lingering for a moment on Lady Ayana, head bowed in silence on the bench, with no intention to comfort her—someone of her temperament needed solitude.

Besides, there was Swampert!

Didn't his own Pokémon care more than strangers?

But.

With legs that long, she ran fast—even after losing two rounds, she'd been bitten fewer than five times.

"Let's go."

He called for the others to leave.

Passing the location Hu Pa had identified as the Spirit Realm entrance, it was now cordoned off; faintly, they could hear the thudding thudding thudding of machinery digging underground.

Passersby wore calm expressions, seemingly accustomed to construction happening every other day.

Had they managed to secure a reliable medium?

Though Shan Ren claimed he'd handle it, mediums were hard to find—there was no telling if fraudsters like Team Rocket's trio might show up.

Team Rocket's trio had even deceived some Juniper Ladies with their bluster.

Luckily, they always grew overconfident, or Musashi, the master of chaos, inevitably ruined things themselves.

Baimu turned his gaze away; if all else failed, he planned to seek out Furong—Zi Jin Hotel's incident had proven her understanding of the Spirit Realm.

That night.

The Barza siblings took Hu Pa away.

They intended to consult their grandfather Guli Si and rally others from Genesis Valley to come to Oure.

Baimu welcomed this outcome; after dinner with Bonsly and the others, he returned to the unnamed mountain range and prepared to camp overnight.

There was no way to refuse the giant Steelix's persistent pleading.

The thing threw tantrums at the slightest provocation; its massive body wailing and whining was like the sky collapsing and the earth splitting, nearly crushing Bonsly's beloved flowerbed into splinters.

"Poor Milotic, don't worry—I've arranged for Steelix to find another water source. In a couple days, I'll build you a big pond."

Baimu shook the Poké Ball containing the Shiny Milotic.

He'd intended to leave it at the villa, but the Shiny Milotic, accustomed to staying by its companions, clearly refused—it preferred to remain inside the Poké Ball.

——

The next day.

Baimu rose early.

The aroma of breakfast made with Happiny spread far, drawing many hungry wild Pokémon; he wasn't stingy, so he made extra and shared it out.

As expected, he was soon surrounded by even more wild Pokémon.

Pokémon might be simple, but they weren't fools; as Baimu gradually revealed his goodwill, they naturally ceased their hostility.

Besides, he actually gave them good food!

Many Lycanroc, who had growled at him yesterday noon, now dared to nudge him for Poké Blocks.

Howling "Awooo! Awooo!", their tails spun like propellers.

To an outsider, it might seem like his own Pokémon were begging for affection.

"Squawk!"

Dragonite naturally grew jealous and, alongside Shiny Haunter, drove away these pushy intruders.

They barely get enough of the Trainer's time—do you think you deserve any?

In short.

Relying on his "personality" charm and deep pockets, Baimu had won over the wild Pokémon in just half a day, leaving Helenna gaping in astonishment as she came to observe.

"Why do you always show up? Where's Babena?"

He wondered where the other pink-haired girl had gone.

Helenna looked at the Pupitar in his arms and replied, "My sister… she's not good at communication, so N and I always handle interactions with others."

Not good at communication, huh.

These two sisters—one called herself the Goddess of Love, the other the Goddess of Peace—were clearly suffering from severe otaku delusions.

"These are the bread we baked. Try some."

Helenna lifted her basket, lifted the white cloth off top, revealing loaves shaped like baguettes.

Baimu tasted a small piece, thanked her, then handed it to Happiny. "I'm heading to Silica City. Need me to bring you anything?"

"N-No, thank you…"

"Alright, see you at noon."

He said no more, found his hoverbike surrounded by curious wild Pokémon, and rode southeast.

Helenna watched his back, recalling what N had said last night—

"The key to breaking through this impasse may lie with Baimu."

I hope so.

Helenna sighed; these past six months had left her exhausted, yet everyone was friendly, and no one was persecuting wild Pokémon.

In fact, traveling the land to fight poachers and rescue weak Pokémon had been easier.

Silica City.

Located southeast of the Oure region, its environment was even harsher than Huang Tie Town.

But thanks to past greatness, it had become an oasis in the desert.

Baimu had never been here before; the first time he saw the overall appearance of Silicium Beryllium City, he nearly thought he had accidentally arrived at Carlos's Desert City.

This is completely different from what's on my phone!

Not only were skyscrapers densely packed, but the canals that once encircled the city had become broad rivers, and vast stretches of drought-resistant plants covered the land, indistinguishable from many desert cities outside.

If Huang Tie Town was steampunk style, then Silicium Beryllium City was Mediterranean style.

"A father is truly a father."

He couldn't help but feel this way inside.

He remembered that his uncle named Dennis, from Shanren, had once been his top supporter, providing him with considerable startup funds for his early life.

Now that he saw it, the man wasn't just rich—he was also incredibly capable.

No wonder he could become the leader of the Salvation Organization.

And since Dennis controlled even more resources, he certainly wouldn't let Silicium Beryllium City fall behind Huang Tie Town.

Or rather,

Silicium Beryllium City had never been inferior to Huang Tie Town.

Though located in the same region, even before the Shadow Team was destroyed, life in Silicium Beryllium City was something the people of Huang Tie Town could never imagine but desperately longed for.

In Baimu's memory, a thug from the Sandflow Team had called Silicium Beryllium City the Holy City.

He said those who lived inside were all rich people and scholars, and people like them, lowly and worthless, weren't worthy to go there.

Looking back now, it was truly laughable.

As the hoverbike neared, a patrol vehicle pulled him over.

Unlike Huang Tie Town, which used the Rainbow Team to replace the Public Security Bureau, Silicium Beryllium City officially employed police officers dressed in uniforms identical to those outside.

"Hello, please show your identification."

The lead officer saluted.

Baimu handed over his Trainer Card and was swiftly let through.

But the officer reminded him to slow down—Silicium Beryllium City's new and old districts alternated, and the road conditions were complex.

"Got it."

Baimu nodded, twisted the throttle to continue forward, and spotted a "familiar" person approaching on a police hoverbike from afar.

Officer Junsa!

He stared in surprise at the tall, blue-haired woman whose appearance matched her sister by 99%, wondering if Silicium Beryllium City had successfully recruited Officer Junsa.

Well, that phrasing seemed impolite.

But Baimu grew curious: if Huang Tie Town had invited Officer Junsa over, wouldn't she join the Rainbow Team?

Sss!

Kind of cool!

He nodded and smiled at Officer Junsa; she caught his gaze out of the corner of her eye and returned a polite smile.

"Captain, do you know him?"

The officer asked curiously, watching Baimu drive away.

"He looks familiar…"

Officer Junsa squinted, then suddenly cried out: "Ah! I remember! Isn't this Baimu? My cousins in Hoenn all love him! They always talk about him in the group chat—"

Her voice cut off abruptly; she felt embarrassed to speak of family matters in public.

The officer, recalling the Trainer Card he had just seen, grew even more curious.

On the other side,

Baimu had already entered the old district.

The buildings of Silicium Beryllium City's old district were mostly white, appearing like a snowy expanse; sunlight reflected off them in bright silver patches, and every street had canals with clean, flowing water.

There were even Water-type Pokémon swimming in them!

"That's different from Huang Tie Town…"

He thought: Huang Tie Town emphasized tearing down before rebuilding; the old, dilapidated streets had been completely cleared, and nearly all the buildings now were new.

Silicium Beryllium City was different.

It still preserved some distinctive architecture, sharply contrasting with the skyscrapers of the new district.

The number of Pokémon on the streets was far greater than in Huang Tie Town, as if true harmony between humans and Pokémon had truly been achieved.

Baimu wondered whether N had ever visited Silicium Beryllium City.

He rode his vehicle to the agreed location, just as he was about to contact Shanren, a strange sensation suddenly came from behind.

"Hmm?"

He turned his head and saw a middle-aged man in a suit smiling, reaching out to pat his shoulder.

Both stared at each other, stunned.

"You're…"

Loz!?

Baimu nearly blurted it out.