Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game.

But if it really comes to that, let's not think too much about it and just wait until that day comes.

After filling out the forms and paying the registration fee, Xia Chen received his qualifying round number.

The event will be held on September 20th at Battle Park in Zone E, No. 63.

Fortunately, He Mingyi is not in the same competition zone, so he doesn't have to compete with her for the few qualifying spots.

With nearly two weeks until the qualifying rounds begin, Ibrahimovic still has room for improvement.

Xia Chen put away his phone and patted Ibrahimovic, who was in a state of high excitement. "Now that we've signed up, we need to work hard. We at least need to make it into the main tournament!"

Eevee curled its lip. Are your expectations really that low? Can't you have some ambition, Trainer?

Do you know how precious that Pokémon egg in the prize pool for this year's Piplup Cup is?

Well, Xia Chen doesn't have as much information as I do, so I'll just have to bear all of this myself.

Sigh, I, Ibrahimovic, have sacrificed so much for this family.

Despite thinking this in his heart, Ibrahimovic still cheerfully agreed.

"Buyi! (I guarantee we'll win the championship!)"

Xia Chen, who couldn't understand Elvish, patted Eevee's head with satisfaction. What a sensible little cutie.

…………

As the saying goes, "The early bird catches the worm," and Xia Chen went into the kitchen early in the morning to tinker with the energy cube machine.

After adding Xiao Gang as a friend, he generously shared his tips on making energy cubes. Although it was a very basic and traditional technique, it was exactly what Xia Chen was missing.

It has to be said that there's a huge difference between having a cheat code and not having one.

If it were a cheater, right now his mind would probably be filled with things like "[Energy Block Crafting Proficiency +1]", right?

However, all Xia Chen could hear was the roar of the machine running. Lost in thought, he accidentally touched the button to adjust the rotation direction.

"Oh no, I'm doomed!" Xia Chen hurriedly pressed pause in an attempt to salvage the situation.

This production will consume over a hundred yuan worth of tree fruits. Although I have some savings now, there are many places where I will need money in the future, and I can't afford to waste it recklessly.

"It's alright, it's alright. It only rotated for a few seconds, the fruit probably didn't react yet."

Xia Chen muttered self-deceptive words to himself. He readjusted his direction and speed, and pressed the start button with a glimmer of hope.

The roar of the machines resumed, and this time Xia Chen dared not let his mind wander.

He stared intently at the situation inside the transparent glass, and just as the concentrated fruit juice was about to turn into fruit paste, he decisively pressed the clumping button.

…………

The roar subsided, and square energy cubes emerged from beneath the machine, appearing no different from ordinary ones.

Xia Chen breathed a sigh of relief; thankfully, the precious Dragon Eye Fruit and Mist Lotus Fruit hadn't been wasted.

I tried one, and it was still a sour and astringent taste. Although it wasn't a very pleasant flavor, there was no other way. My past knowledge told me that only astringent blue cubes could enhance the beauty of the elves.

So, the taste seems to be the same?

As we all know, if two things look the same and taste the same, then they are the same thing!

Xia Chen carried the plate of energy cubes out and came to the aquarium.

As expected, early in the morning, the ugly fish was still fast asleep among the aquatic plants at the bottom of the tank.

Xia Chen knocked on the glass, "Ugly Fish, time for breakfast. Eat breakfast before you go back to sleep."

Hmm... This sounds familiar. Why does this inexplicable feeling of a loving mother waking up her son who is still in bed feel so familiar?

Ugly Fish seemed to be sleeping soundly, but Xia Chen had to knock on it several times before it finally emerged from the seaweed.

He groggily blew out a string of bubbles, "[Good morning, Xia Chen, I'm so sleepy, I want to sleep a little longer.]"

Of course, this was just Xia Chen's own imagination; it's possible that Ugly Fish was just being grumpy when she woke up.

"Eat breakfast first, then go to sleep," Xia Chen said, dropping an energy cube into the water.

In just half a month, Xia Chen had proven with his actions that the energy cubes he made were no worse than those sold outside, and Ugly Fish ate them without worry.

Although it has a slightly astringent taste, the overall sour flavor is quite to my liking. No wonder he's the man who has won over my stomach.

…………

As Ugly Fish savored his breakfast, a familiar voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

[Ding~ Your beauty score +1!]

The ugly fish was stunned. Beauty level?

"What is this thing?" Ugly Fish asked in confusion.

Beauty is a necessary condition for you to evolve into Milotic. Only when your beauty reaches a certain level can you evolve into Milotic.

The system seemed omniscient and omnipotent, meticulously explaining the role of beauty to Ugly Fish.

"Evolved into Milotic?! Was it because of the Energy Cube I just ate?"

Upon hearing the topic he cared about most, Ugly Fish instantly perked up.

Yes, the special energy cube you just consumed can increase your beauty.

The system gave an affirmative answer.

"Wuhu~" Ugly Fish excitedly spun around in circles.

Compared to the ethereal Yinglong or something similar, evolving into Milotic might make him happier.

"Ugly Fish, what's wrong? Is there something wrong with today's energy cubes?"

Xia Chen's worried voice interrupted Ugly Fish's thoughts.

There's a problem? Of course there's a problem, a huge problem!

The ugly fish excitedly swam to the glass, blowing bubbles incessantly, urging Xia Chen to quickly throw the energy cube beneath him in.

Is this an energy cube? This is my magic potion!

Xia Chen was even more worried when he saw the ugly fish's actions. "Oh no, is the ugly fish foaming at the mouth? Did it eat something bad? It only spun for a few seconds, right? It shouldn't be like that. Forget it, let's just make another one."

…………

Xia Chen's misunderstanding almost gave Ugly Fish a stroke. He excitedly banged his head on the glass, trying to make Xia Chen understand his true intentions.

Xia Chen wasn't stupid; the Ugly Fish's various unusual behaviors made him think for a moment.

"You think today's tastes better?"

Ugly Fish nodded frantically.

Xia Chen scratched his head. "Has the taste changed?"

Is there something wrong with my sense of taste?

He stubbornly tried another one, while the ugly fish in the aquarium watched with a heart full of sorrow.

Waaaaah, don't eat it! Leave some for me, you can't evolve into Milotic anyway.

Xia Chen smacked his lips, but still couldn't tell the difference.

I couldn't figure it out, so I just ignored it. Oh well, as long as Ugly Fish likes it.

"If it tastes good, then it tastes good. Why get so worked up? Just make it again tomorrow using the same method, okay?"

Ugly Fish nodded again, as if pounding garlic.

That's so right, bro! That's so right!

Make this kind of food; I cough if I eat anything else!

(Please continue reading!)

Chapter 42 Inter-class Exchange Competition (Bonus Chapter, Please Read!)

）

Xia Chen felt that Eevee and Feebas were both a bit too excited today.

Ibrahimovic understandably signed up for the Pogaman Cup as he wished, and after finishing breakfast, he excitedly ran to the yard to train on his own.

But the ugly fish's behavior was a bit unusual. After finishing breakfast, it kept swimming by the glass, its usually calm eyes now shining brightly.

It's like looking in a mirror?

When did Uglyfish become so vain?

Humans and fish don't understand each other's thoughts. Although Xia Chen was a little puzzled, he didn't dwell on it. He had a lot to do today.

Buying groceries, preparing vegetables, cooking, and filming videos—a morning passes quickly. Being a part-time food vlogger is very energy-consuming.

Fortunately, Mingyi helped, otherwise I would have been too busy to handle everything.

After lunch, Mingyi went to the Battle Park for a stroll, but Xiachen didn't go with her because he was busy editing videos.

However, if others train their Pokémon through actual battles, and you let your Eevee train on its own, the results won't be too bad.

After all, reality isn't a game; you need to gain experience and level up through battles.

But while sitting in front of the computer editing videos, Xia Chen suddenly remembered a serious problem.

I have Mingyi helping me edit videos now, but what if Mingyi isn't around? Wouldn't I be overwhelmed?

A panel seemed to pop up in front of Xia Chen's eyes, with two options on it.

Option 1: Keep Mingyi by your side forever, once and for all.

Wait a minute, putting aside the feasibility of implementation, why does this sound a bit like yandere?

Besides, as one of the chosen ones of the plane appointed by Xia Chen, he didn't think Mingyi would obediently follow the conventional path of the academic school.

This option is pass.

…………

Option two: Find someone who can stay by your side for a long time.

Xia Chen didn't really like this option either. He was used to being alone, and he felt uncomfortable if he had to hire a professional assistant.