[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham":3,"chapter-pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-chapter-691":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Pokemon: The Reemployment of a Paldea Former Champion",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2324708,4546,"Chapter 691: Chaos in Caiyou City?","pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-chapter-691",691,"\u003Cp>To be perfectly honest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——The preliminary rounds of the Caiyou Conference really aren’t worth watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outsiders coming for the spectacle might not mind, but in reality, most contestants’ skill levels are wildly uneven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, some competitors don’t challenge the eight official Hoenn Gym Leaders recommended by the League, but instead seek out weaker, easier-to-beat smaller Gyms to earn their spots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their battles are nothing but amateurs brawling with amateurs; compared to them, even Ash’s command skills seem exceptional.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the preliminaries are precisely designed to filter out this group of contestants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t let anyone tell you the conference champion doesn’t mean much— for many, simply collecting eight badges and entering the conference, even if they lose in the first round, is already a source of family pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that credential, even if they never become Trainers in the future, they can still land decent jobs: as beginner coaches for children, or in roles tied to Trainers that require Pokémon assistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s realistic, but this is a detail never shown in the anime.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The focus of the Caiyou Conference will only fall on a small handful of people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like the anime’s plot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash’s first-round opponent in the Caiyou Conference is still that Fighting Dojo apprentice, sending out Hitmontop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But unlike the anime, Pikachu—having endured plenty of training and often being beaten down by Mime Jr.—has far surpassed his earlier self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pikachu easily defeated Hitmontop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His two scheduled rivals in the Caiyou Conference, Masamune and Tetsuya, both won with Metalisk and Meowth with Boots, defeating Electabuzz and Persian respectively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu’s main focuses, Shinji and Shizuka, also performed steadily, breezing through the preliminaries as their opponents weren’t particularly strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By noon, the preliminary rounds of the Caiyou Conference were already over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The number of contestants shrank at an alarming rate—from over six hundred down to two hundred fifty-six.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two hundred fifty-six will now enter the official preliminary tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The format is 2VS2 doubles battles, one match decides victory or defeat; losers are immediately eliminated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That means contestants must win three straight matches to advance to the next round and qualify as one of the thirty-two competitors who will compete in 6VS6 full single battles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Luo Mu’s view, this round is still a filter—but among those eliminated, some are simply weak, while others are unlucky enough to face strong opponents right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this preliminary tournament’s doubles format were a six-pick-four system, I bet Uru’s Infernape would be the most dazzling one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu muttered to himself, setting down his remote.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The TV in front of him powered into standby mode as he did so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching matches all morning—even seated comfortably on a sofa—still left him tired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just physically, but mentally too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only he were leaning against a Snorlax’s belly, he wouldn’t have this kind of trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the Poké Egg Aoki had sent him, Luo Mu’s eyes flickered with anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Snorlax’s belly is the ultimate bed, far surpassing any artificial mattress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—The only danger is, if Snorlax sleeps too deeply or decides to scratch an itch, it might roll over without noticing you and crush you into the fourth dimension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again, most Snorlax are as lazy as professional slackers—they probably won’t even bother rolling over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh…” Luo Mu exhaled deeply, stretching his arms, then sniffed—the scent drifted into his nostrils, instantly making his stomach protest, “What’s that smell? So good.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked to the kitchen and his eyes lit up at the sight of the sizzling iron wok, blazing red with ingredients.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crawfish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, as always, don’t misunderstand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crawfish in the wok are just ordinary animals—not Pokémon like Crawdaunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never mind the sharp question of why crawfish still exist in a world full of Pokémon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu inhaled deeply several more times, his gaze glued to the crawfish already waiting in the large iron basin, ready for his “favor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steamed, garlic butter, and the spicy stir-fried version in the wok.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just thinking about it made his mouth water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu tried to sneak a bite, but was caught red-handed by the watching Simisage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shouted things like “Chefs don’t steal, crops don’t grow,” and “I used to be a chef, you can’t treat me like this,” then was forcibly exiled from the kitchen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, in the end, he happily devoured three bowls of crawfish in different flavors all by himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Biting into the firm, bouncy, slightly sweet shrimp meat, paired with the secret garlic sauce prepared by the Kids, it was so delicious his eyebrows nearly fell off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though it was only February, still far from crawfish season.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But perhaps due to the Pokémon world’s different ecosystem, these crawfish were all huge, satisfying every bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So good—I’m finally not a tired office worker who comes home after work, hesitates for ages on a delivery app, orders crawfish, then finds out it’s pre-cooked with limp, rubbery meat.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even Aoki isn’t this miserable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu, having swallowed the shrimp meat Simisage had peeled for him with telekinesis, strung on a skewer, silently prayed in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hope everyone who’s had these experiences ends up like me—in this world, imperfect as it is, but truly wonderful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a full, satisfying lunch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Caiyou Conference’s preliminary tournament was already in full swing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to Luo Mu, among the current regions, only Hoenn had inserted doubles battles into the Caiyou Conference.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doubles battles occupy a rather awkward position in this world—there are hardly any notable or classic records or footage of 6VS6 or 6VS4 doubles matches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The spectacle is decent though; compared to sports where dozens of people scramble across huge fields, watching just four Pokémon and two Trainers is far less visually exhausting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though in those sports, viewers’ eyes usually just follow the ball anyway.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ash probably didn’t appear until nearly three o’clock for his first match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His opponent remained unchanged, but unlike the anime, Ash’s team lineup had shifted slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His opponent, Yuino, sent out Snorunt and Tropius. Honestly, even Luo Mu couldn’t see how these two could coordinate to produce the 1+1>2 synergy typical of doubles battles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At best, they could only fight independently and offer minor support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Ash’s side, however—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe spending time with Luo Mu had finally opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His team selection was surprisingly sensible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Carvanha he caught in Hoenn, and the Infernape he caught in Paldea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Luo Mu’s view, Infernape’s ideal partner is either one of the rare Pokémon with the “Psychic Terrain” ability, or one that can set up a Psychic Terrain field.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Trick Room and Psychic Terrain boosting it, Infernape’s “wide-area offense” becomes terrifying against fast, frail opponents—anyone who knows understands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this Fire-type and Fire-type combo isn’t perfect, yet at least the direction is right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neither side has to worry about interfering with the other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad Carvanha’s ability isn’t “Drought”—even if it boosts Tropius’s power, the boost to Infernape and Carvanha under sunlight far outweighs that minor advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The battle didn’t last long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuino, while not as weak as those eliminated in the previous round, wasn’t particularly strong either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Infernape and Carvanha were only trained or caught by Ash during his Hoenn journey,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>they were more than enough to handle Snorunt and Tropius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu turned his attention to Shinji and Shizuka, who were next to appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Probably to play it safe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinji immediately sent out his Wangpai , Claydol, paired with his now battle-hardened Medicham, overpowering his opponent with raw strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Shizuka’s opponent was another story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Luo Mu’s estimation, her opponent had at least a 32nd-place guarantee—enough to reach the finals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, in this no-retry match, neither side wanted to be stopped here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shizuka’s team was Chansey and Armaldo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her opponent’s team was Sceptile, evolved from one of Hoenn’s starter Pokémon, paired with Shroomish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One specialized in defense, the other in Grass-type moves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But one thing made it hard for Shizuka’s Chansey to perform its role properly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—That Shroomish had the “Poison Heal” ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead of weakening when poisoned, it became even more energetic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coupled with its excellent Fighting-type moves and Chansey’s paper-thin physical defense,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shizuka was instantly at a disadvantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chansey could only try to endure Shroomish’s punches using its powerful recovery and healing moves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Armaldo, in this no-switching format, couldn’t use its wide move pool—like “Spikes” and “Whirlwind”—to annoy the opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could only act as a tank, using its high physical defense to shield Chansey from Sceptile and Shroomish’s combined assault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Chansey’s value still held up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After landing a lucky “Rock Slide” that caused a full “Paralysis,” Shizuka gradually stabilized her position and slowly turned the tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Armaldo was ultimately taken down by Shroomish’s final “Reversal,” Chansey endured Sceptile’s already-minimized Special Attack “Giga Drain,” watching the Sceptile without “Poison Heal” wear itself out from sheer exhaustion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It's barely passing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After giving his evaluation, Luo Mu turned off the TV without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though after he finished posing, the TV would be turned back on by the noisy demands of Victini and Ursaring to keep watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring these details, Luo Mu began to think.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shinji, of course, rarely underperforms—he’s almost impossible to lose unless he faces a truly tricky opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Shizuka… compared to her defeat against Danyu at Blueberry Academy, she’s improved significantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could be said that traveling is indeed effective and useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Battles with different Trainers, with Gym Leaders, and interactions with things he never encountered at school brought Shinsuke a small transformation, and Shizuka also began to look more like a Trainer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joy of the Paldea Pokémon Inspector.ver version might not be a fantasy after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, I could never prepare something like Latias or Latios for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kind of thing can only come from personal fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After their match ended, the rest of the afternoon’s schedule at the Caiyou Tournament felt finished to Luo Mu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no desire to keep watching, and since the afternoon sun had grown mild, Luo Mu decided to drive out for a leisurely ride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had driven the RV recently, but his own customized pickup truck had barely been used—he naturally had to enjoy it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m going for a drive. Anyone want to come along?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luo Mu looked around the living room and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unexpectedly, the Crowned King handed Cosmog to Oliwa, who was COSing on a swing, and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll go with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the empty cargo bed of the pickup truck, the young man and the former king chatted idly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Luo Mu asked why she had decided to join him, the Crowned King smiled and replied, “Perhaps I simply want to learn more about modern human lifestyles.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The farm is nice, but occasionally going out isn’t bad.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright.” Luo Mu bit down on the last bit of lollipop in his mouth and mumbled, “Let’s also stop by Bottle City. Grandma Ju Zi recommended a feed store there—they say the fish fed with their fish feed grow exceptionally plump.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s been quite a while since the other half of Thunder Pool’s aquaculture zone was divided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfortunately, fish farming can’t be rushed; otherwise, Luo Mu wouldn’t have to eat fish by either taking Rhyhorn out to electrocute them in the lake—crossed out—or going fishing, or driving to Pingdie Town’s market to buy them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wouldn’t it be wonderful to just net your own farmed fish online?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bottle City isn’t near the sea; in fact, it’s nestled near the desert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet it’s actually a city renowned for fish farming, with its specialty foods all tied to fish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, this city is like a water metropolis similar to Ordemare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like an oasis isolated in the desert, Bottle City has forcibly created an urban space within the desert through extensive canal construction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Luo Mu and the Crowned King arrived in Bottle City by car, they found—this place seemed to be in some kind of unrest?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1982,"2026-06-20T17:11:50.049Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5cb7347dc4897515737349402ac1bd71e29131e7e027cb9d8ff5665a9e4fa7b4","pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-chapter-692","pokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-chapter-690",695,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fpokemon-the-reemployment-of-a-paldea-former-cham-cover.jpg"]