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

Xiao Gang chuckled and shook his head. He hadn't expected this young man to be so carefree. At least he didn't have to worry about stage fright.

However, he hadn't told either himself or Professor Oak what he was going to say today, so it was unclear whether it would be a pleasant surprise or a shock.

Xiao Gang watched Xia Chen walk unhurriedly onto the stage, feeling slightly curious.

Finally, with the host's help, the venue quieted down, and Xia Chen's speech officially began.

------

"Good morning, everyone. I am Xia Chen from the Donghuang region. As the host just mentioned, today's presentation is about a new classification method for the properties of energy cubes."

"As for the specific basis, please allow me to keep you in suspense for now. I will use the observation diary of an elf as an introduction."

Xia Chen's speaking skills are rather average. He's not even as good as the brainwashing, motivational speeches in "The Wolf of Wall Street," let alone the one where he "understands applause."

However, the most important thing in an academic presentation is the content, and in this respect, Xia Chen did a pretty good job. His concise and powerful opening attracted the attention of most of the audience.

Xia Chen secretly breathed a sigh of relief and continued to turn the page. On the big screen, a picture of an ugly fish appeared.

"This is an ugly fish I raised more than a month ago. It has a dull look in its eyes, thick lips, and a pitted surface. To be honest, it should be considered one of the ugliest ugly fish."

Xia Chen shrugged and switched to the next page, where two pictures of Ugly Fish appeared on the screen.

Judging from the same shooting background, these appear to be comparison photos of the same Uglyfish at different times.

Xia Chen continued, "But these are photos of the Ugly Fish I took a few days ago. Can anyone spot the difference?"

"His appearance seems to have changed a bit?"

Uncertain responses came from the audience.

"Not necessarily. It could be due to the shooting angle or lighting. The difference is too subtle to be noticeable."

Others have also suggested other possibilities.

Xia Chen smiled slightly and switched to the next page. This set of pictures was clearer, showing the most obvious changes to the fins of the Ugly Fish.

So, do these pictures reveal anything?

"This is the new classification method for energy cubes that I want to propose."

Xia Chen looked at the somewhat surprised crowd below the stage and said, word by word, "A classification method based on enhancing the physical characteristics of the spirits, rather than attribute energy."

……

(Having drafts saved up is so annoying, even though I was writing a brand new idea.)

Chapter 64: I'm not pretending anymore, I'm laying my cards on the table: I'm a genius breeder.

Can beauty, handsomeness, cuteness, intelligence, and strength really be improved with energy cubes?

In the past, no one in the Pokémon breeding community had considered this issue, because everyone knew that the effect of the Energy Cube was exactly what its name implied.

Used to replenish and boost the energy of spirits.

These changes in physical characteristics were attributed to the natural changes that occur during the growth of elves, and no one associated them with energy cubes.

Just like humans breathe air and drink water every day, but no one would associate it with growing taller.

Xia Chen formally put forward this conjecture today.

Energy cubes made from different kinds of tree fruits have different effects on enhancing the physical characteristics of elves.

This can be described as an innovative classification method. If this theory holds true, the entire breeding industry will undergo a major transformation.

Xia Chen would call it the second energy cube revolution.

No revolution can ever be accomplished by one person alone.

Xia Chen knew that his abilities and appetite were limited, and he couldn't eat such a big cake by himself.

He does research to enjoy life, not to be held hostage by it. If he were to do this all by himself to monopolize the profits, it would be putting the cart before the horse.

Moreover, it's impossible for them to take it all for themselves.

Most importantly, he has more than just this one card in his hand. Is the Beauty Energy Cube the ultimate trump card?

It doesn't even qualify as four twos!

Therefore, he chose this day, a day when most of the world's best breeders have gathered, to launch this revolution.

…………

"I even think that changes in the physical characteristics of certain Pokémon are closely related to evolution. For example, the essence of Feebas's beautiful scales is actually to enhance Feebas's beauty. And can this be done in the same way through Power Cubes?"

This was Xia Chen's last speech, and perhaps because it was too unconventional, the audience was so shocked that there was no perfunctory applause.

Sparse applause only began to ring out in the hall when Brock and Professor Oak started to applaud.

Xia Chen frowned slightly. The response was far less enthusiastic than he had imagined.

The host, controlling the flow of the conversation, said, "Next is the interactive session. Is there anyone who would like to discuss the theory that Mr. Xia Chen just proposed?"

This was quite a lively scene. Almost all of the more than one hundred people in the venue raised their hands. Xia Chen, sitting on the stage, looked out and saw a rather spectacular sight.

The host was quite surprised; the level of activity was even higher than Professor Oak's speech yesterday.

In this situation, deciding who to draw the first number was definitely strategic. After some deliberation, the host gave the first opportunity to the person of the highest status in the room.

The current president of the World Breeders Association is Marlo, from the Galar region.

Marlo was a serious-looking elderly man with almost completely white hair, but he seemed to be in good spirits.

After he stood up, he first praised Xia Chen, saying, "It is a very interesting conjecture and theory. You are also an outstanding young man who dares to challenge authority."

Xia Chen's heart sank slightly. With this sentence structure as the opening, it was unlikely that anything pleasant would follow.

As expected, Marlo pondered for a moment and asked, "But apart from the observation comparison picture of the ugly fish at the beginning, all the theories you proposed are without experimental evidence. I want to know, do you have any other empirical evidence?"

…………

Xia Chen understood what Maro meant: practice is the sole criterion for testing truth. In other words, without practice, how can you convince people of your theory?

Xia Chen was prepared for this. He smiled and replied, "Hello, President Marlo. I understand what you mean. I currently only have two Pokémon, and I have been recording their growth and comparison. This will be a long-term process."

Marlo nodded. "Your idea is right. Cultivation is a rigorous and long-term process, so any theory needs at least one cycle to support it. You are still young and have a long road ahead of you, so don't rush to draw conclusions too early."

The president's words were fairly reasonable, and Xia Chen could only reluctantly agree, "Thank you for your guidance."

The second person the host chose to talk to was also a highly experienced and respected figure in the breeding industry.

Similarly, he wasn't young either; he was a thin old man.

His tone wasn't as gentle as Marlo's. "I want to know how you know Feebas can evolve into Milotic using your so-called Beauty Cube? What's your basis for that? Just those few photos where the difference is almost indistinguishable?"

Xia Chen frowned. "Senior, this is currently in the hypothetical stage. If I were to actually develop a solution, I would publish a paper in 'Breeder,' not discuss this issue with you here."

The skinny old man chuckled, "Then I'll be waiting for your paper."

After saying that, he sat down, showing no intention of arguing with Xia Chen.

Xia Chen was too lazy to pay attention to this stubborn old man who had no ability to accept new things, so he didn't respond.

…………

Although the questions and tones of the next few people were not exactly the same, they were essentially the same.

They're essentially saying the same thing: the young man's idea is good, but how do you prove your conjecture?

The Ugly Fish has indeed changed, but is there necessarily a connection between that and the level of beauty you mentioned?

Even if there is a connection, can you guarantee that it will definitely evolve into Milotic?

Xia Chen felt somewhat helpless. Was the research style in the world of Pokémon breeding really this rigid?

Isn't the scientific spirit about "boldly hypothesizing and carefully verifying"?

Why is everyone here so cautious but lacking in courage?

Those who truly love elf breeding and this industry, upon encountering an unknown new path, only have doubts in their minds?

Where is the spirit of inquiry that was promised in this seminar?

Although he didn't receive any affirmation from anyone, Xia Chen didn't feel angry at all.

More of the emotion was disappointment.

Disappointment with the entire Pokémon breeding community.

He felt like an out-of-place, high-dimensional being in front of these so-called elites in the world of elf breeding.

The other person knows what I'm saying, but they can't see or understand the thing from the same perspective.

No wonder Xiao Gang said that the current Pokémon breeding industry is stagnant. With so many people sticking to the old ways, how can it survive?

Wailord can't cause any more trouble. Perhaps only by evolving into Kyogre and producing results can it have a chance to change the status quo.

As he listened to his subordinates still chattering away, praising his ideas while criticizing him for being unrealistic, Xia Chen felt increasingly calm.

I wanted to interact with you as an ordinary person, but all I got in return was your estrangement.

I'm not pretending anymore, I'm coming clean, I'm a genius breeder!

Once I've figured out a new category of energy blocks, will you guys want a piece of the pie?

You should at least skin me alive!

…………

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd with varying expressions, Xia Chen walked back to his seat expressionlessly.

But then he found Professor Oak standing beside him, seemingly waiting for him.

He laughed heartily and said, "Are you hungry? Would you like to go get something to eat first?"

The morning's agenda wasn't actually over yet, and people around frowned and turned to see who was so arrogant as to disregard the rules.

Then, seeing it was Professor Oak, he thought, "Oh well, it's alright." He quietly turned back.

Professor Oak continued, "I think what you just said was excellent, and I'd like to have a deeper conversation with you."

Xia Chen had completely lost interest in the seminar. He wasn't bound by the system, so he didn't need to worry about anything. He simply got up and walked out with Professor Oak.

Xiao Gang hesitated for a moment, then followed.

The three misfits thus went against the grain of the quiet meeting room.