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

This wasn't because Xia Chen was an innocent young boy, but because...

What era are we living in? It's like everyone has a few fruit apps on their phone.

Speaking of Mingyi, I wonder how well she's taking care of Eevee?

Hey, don't they have a match today?

Xia Chen slapped his forehead, realizing he'd almost forgotten about this; he probably still didn't think Ibrahimovic could win.

When I make the phone call later, how should I comfort the strong-willed Ibrahimovic?

Come to think of it, I've had Eevee for so long, and I don't think I've ever seen her cry. I wonder if I'll have a chance to see her cry today.

…………

During dinner with Brock and Professor Oak, Xia Chen briefly mentioned his theoretical ideas about using Power Cubes to enhance the appearance of Pokémon.

They both affirmed Xia Chen's unconventional approach, but offered no further comment.

Xia Chen wasn't surprised, since what he proposed was just a theory.

There are too many theorists in this world. Without sufficient data and practical support, they are all just castles in the air.

If it were a rigid, conventional expert, upon hearing about his new classification method for energy cubes, he might immediately label himself a pseudo-scientist in the world of Pokémon breeding.

I'll finish organizing my observations and research on the ugly fish these past few days tonight, and then I'll find an opportunity to share them later; that might be more convincing.

Back in his room upstairs at the hotel, Xia Chen made a video call to Mingyi.

The call rang for two seconds before being answered, but it wasn't Mingyi who answered.

"Buy~"

Ibu's soft, sweet voice came through the phone.

On the phone screen, a pair of bright, large eyes took up two-thirds of the screen, startling Xia Chen.

"Ibrahimovic, could you move your phone a little further away? You're cute, that's true, but anyone who sticks their whole face to the camera will scare people. And who taught you that pinching sound?"

Xia Chen missed Ibu quite a bit before making the call, but once they met, he couldn't help but start nagging.

"Bu-i. (I just want to be closer to you.)"

Ibrahimovic let out a pitiful cry, then reluctantly pulled away from his phone.

Seeing Eevee looking like he was about to cry, Xia Chen suddenly felt that he might have gone a bit too far.

"Uh, never mind, whatever makes you happy, Ibu."

"Buyi!"

Ibrahimovic's mood instantly brightened, and he regained his energy, bringing his face close to the phone to virtually kiss Xia Chen.

The change in expression was so fast that Xia Chen even doubted whether the Eevee he had just seen was real.

…………

"Hey, Eevee, what are you doing?"

On the other end of the phone, Mingyi's voice came from afar, growing louder as she approached.

Then the camera suddenly shook, and the phone was back in Mingyi's hand.

"Oh, it's Xia Chen calling. Did you just finish up? You've worked so hard! Yi Bu and I both advanced today, didn't expect that, did you?"

Mingyi must have just finished showering; her hair was still wet, and she was wrapped in a bath towel.

Perhaps because I was at home, the bath towel was a little loose, inadvertently revealing a touch of worldly beauty.

When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you.

As a result, Xia Chen achieved a good result of 0.1 seconds in the [Don't Look There Challenge].

Mingyi is such a good friend, he doesn't treat me like an outsider at all.

However, despite his words, Xia Chen felt it was better to be a little more reserved when facing a sixteen-year-old girl who completely trusted him.

He was just thinking about how to subtly hint to Mingyi when, in the next second, Ibu snuggled into Mingyi's arms, blocking the view that Xia Chen wanted to see but had to pretend not to.

Xia Chen twitched the corner of his mouth. Hmm, not bad, that way we don't have to worry about it anymore.

Thank you, Ibrahimovic!

…………

"Hey, Ah Chen, are you listening to me? Is your connection frozen?"

On the other end of the video call, Mingyi, who hadn't received a response, asked in confusion.

Xia Chen suddenly came to his senses, "Ah, it seems there's a slight lag, it's in the Kanto region, please understand, what did you just say?"

Mingyi said "Oh," believing her, "I said, both Snivy and Eevee have advanced to the quarterfinals, hehe, didn't expect that, did you? And Eevee's performance today was absolutely amazing!"

Xia Chen exclaimed in surprise, "You advanced? Ibu, you're amazing! I knew you could do it! Keep up the good work tomorrow!"

Ibrahimovic pursed his lips and said something before leaving: "Treat every game as if it were your last, and don't be afraid to lose."

Today I'll say something like, "I knew you could do it!"

A man’s mouth is a liar!

Chapter 63 It doesn’t matter, I will take action

After all, they had only been apart for a day, and the two of them didn't have much to say to each other.

After chatting for about ten minutes, Xia Chen asked Mingyi to go to his house to help send over the document titled "[Ugly Fish Observation Diary]".

Before leaving, Xia Chen specifically left the house key with Mingyi so that Yibu could go back for training from time to time, and now it came in handy.

The two lived not far from each other, and within half an hour, Xia Chen received the information sent by Mingyi on Bojiaman.

Xia Chen stretched, and then he would use this valuable information as a basis to prepare a PowerPoint presentation about the Beauty Energy Cube.

I, Wailord, will change the stagnant waters of the Pokémon breeding world!

Xia Chen thought confidently and then threw himself into his work.

…………

October 4th was the second day of the Energy Cube Seminar, and also the day the Bogaman Cup Zhijiang Station quarterfinals began.

At the seminar, Xia Chen did not find a good opportunity to present his theory.

However, Xiao Gang said that there will be a special session tomorrow for young educators to exchange ideas and speak, so I can use today to polish my skills a bit more.

When Xia Chen returned in the evening, he heard another piece of good news: Ibrahimovic and Sergio Viper had advanced to the next round of the Bogaman Cup!

As of today's end of the competition, only four Pokémon remain in the entire Pogaman Cup.

While it may not be entirely accurate to say that the remaining four Pokémon are the strongest baby-level Pokémon in Zhijiang, their value is undeniable.

Xia Chen looked at Mingyi and Eevee, who were looking smug in the video, and his expression was a little strange.

Could it be that Mingyi's prediction of meeting in the finals is about to come true?

Is my Eevee really that strong?

Even Xia Chen, who had watched Ibrahimovic grow step by step, was a little confused. She had clearly struggled somewhat in her match against the Tortoise in the round of 16.

Surely it's not like Ibrahimovic just drew easy opponents in both of these matches?

Xia Chen is now genuinely curious about Ibrahimovic's performance in the match, but tomorrow is the most important day of the seminar, and he definitely won't be able to free up his time.

If Ibrahimovic really makes it to the final the day after tomorrow, I'll definitely have to make time to cheer him on!

Silent all night.

…………

The next morning.

The Energy Cube seminar is already halfway through, and most of the participants are starting to seem somewhat perfunctory.

On stage, a young educator is sharing his insights, while below, a large group of people are glued to their phones.

Xia Chen wasn't surprised. The man's lecture was dry and boring, just reading from the book. Even he, a newcomer, found it tedious, let alone these seasoned veterans.

Thinking back to two weeks ago when I was hoping to get some inspiration from this place, it seems I was too naive.

But it doesn't matter, I'll take action.

Since you can't teach me anything, then let me start a new chapter in the world of Pokémon breeding!

Xia Chen thought to himself with a touch of chuunibyou (a Japanese term for someone with delusions of grandeur), while waiting for the young man on stage to finish his speech.

The next one to go on stage is myself.

As a high school student who didn't even have a junior breeder certificate, Xia Chen wasn't originally qualified to share on stage. It was only thanks to the strong recommendation of Xiao Gang and Professor Oak that the organizers gave him the opportunity.

Of course, this cannot be considered using connections.

In Professor Oak's words, he was also very curious about how the theory he proposed that day could be expanded.

Sparse applause broke out, and Xia Chen came back to his senses.

"Next, please welcome Xia Chen, a breeder from the Donghuang region, to the stage to share his insights. His topic is 'Discussion and Research on the New Property Classification of Energy Cubes.' Please give him a round of applause!"

The host's announcement was like a large stone thrown into a calm lake, splashing water everywhere.

"Are young people these days so brave? Researching other categories of energy cubes? Isn't that a bit too ambitious?"

"Mr. Nakamura, you are being a bit modest. Countless great predecessors have fallen on this path. How dare a young cultivator talk about research? I think he is simply overestimating himself!"

"Xia Chen from the Donghuang region? Does anyone know him? Is he a disciple of some famous master?"

"I don't know him, but did you guys notice that the host didn't add titles like '[Intermediate Breeder]' or 'Advanced Breeder' when he was introduced? Could it be that he didn't pass the breeder assessment?"

"."

……

The discussions, which were hardly well-intentioned and could even be described as questioning, kept reaching Xia Chen's ears. Xiao Gang, who was standing next to him, patted him on the shoulder in a comforting manner.

"It's alright, don't worry about them. They're just a bunch of old fogies who hold positions without doing their jobs. You can talk yours properly."

Xia Chen smiled in response, "It's okay, it would be scary if they all praised me."