Pokémon, but cultural invasion.

In short, it's a battle that has evolved to its peak.

Most of the unconventional combat strategies from my previous life have appeared in this world, and there are ways to counter them.

Some tactics may become popular for a short time due to their unexpectedness, but after being studied and deconstructed, what ultimately matters is hard power.

Quanshu concluded: "This is a world that makes mediocre people despair."

The two dojo masters who contacted him were both absolute geniuses.

After hesitating for a moment, he first opened the email from Qishu.

Of course, this doesn't mean that Izumi prefers energetic and beautiful girls to gloomy and weak men; it's just that he's more likely to guess the latter's purpose.

According to his understanding, Qi Shu in the current timeline is not yet famous and is still a small streamer on the fringes of the internet.

Just like Cynthia has just ascended to the champion's throne, she is still a long way from the awe-inspiring Cynthia in the hearts of players from the previous life.

Therefore, Izumi could roughly guess what the dojo master was thinking.

The letter was simple; the sender didn't hesitate to reveal the identity of the owner of the Brewing Light Pavilion and requested an informal video call.

"Why is it in the form of a video call?"

Quanshu doesn't understand yet; perhaps people in this world believe that face-to-face communication is more sincere.

He had no reason to refuse a call from the curator, so he replied.

"Should we start a dialogue now?"

Seeing the other party's lightning-fast reply, Izumi frowned, seemingly a little impatient.

"Hmm...that works too."

The arcade had cameras, and Quanshu didn't care about his surroundings.

In any case, in the eyes of one curator, it didn't matter whether he lived in a magnificent villa or a drafty wooden house.

Once the connection is established, the camera will display the image a few seconds after it turns on.

Chapter 12 I think I am

In a room decorated with lightning bolts, a pretty girl with pink and blue hair in pigtails sat on the edge of the bed, holding a small Magnemite plush toy in her arms.

She wore a large, yellow-black punk-style trench coat, with a few strands of her peach-colored bangs hanging down her forehead, slightly obscuring her sparkling, pink crystal-like eyes.

Below the trench coat is a dark tulle panel with a light-colored mesh, outlining the beautiful silhouette of the legs, making it hard to look away.

A character he'd only ever seen in a game is now video chatting with him?

Quanshu felt a little absurd and surprised, not expecting that the real-life DianDian live streamer was much prettier than the model in the game.

While he was sizing up the other person, the other person was also sizing him up.

On the phone screen on the stand sat an excessively young man.

Qi Shu could see the flashing lights and rows of seats behind him; it seemed to be an arcade.

It was nothing like the upscale studio in the Miare metropolis she had envisioned.

"Hello, hello, can you hear me?"

She waved her hand: "I am Kiju, the Gym Leader of the Padia region. It's nice to meet you."

"Hello, Ms. Qishu. I am Izumi, the person in charge of Tingxiang Studio."

Quanshu smiled and said, "First of all, I want to thank you for participating in the crowdfunding plan. Tingxiang will never forget any investor who has contributed to the game development."

"You contacted us because you are interested in the game's art design?"

Although he could roughly guess the other party's intentions, he still tried his best to pretend that he knew nothing about it.

No, that's not true.

Qi Shu shook her head. She wasn't used to roundabout ways and insincere talk, and she didn't know any negotiation skills.

Kiju's ninja way is to be straightforward and speak his mind.

Her eyes were bright: "I want to participate in the internal testing of Plants vs. Ghosts."

Closed beta testing usually involves the game developers inviting a group of well-known bloggers to conduct game testing together with their staff.

As an important step before public beta testing, closed beta testing can identify problems, optimize the user experience, and ensure stability.

The game can leverage the blogger's popularity for promotion, and firsthand information from the closed beta can also bring traffic to the blogger.

This is a win-win cooperation model.

If it were a typical game developer, they would probably be overjoyed to learn that a gym leader wanted to participate in the closed beta and collaborate with them.

But the other party's expression didn't change at all, let alone show any joy.

Qi Shu frowned almost imperceptibly; this was not good news.

According to the information she gathered, Plants vs. Ghosts was the studio's first game, and they were virtually unknown in the gaming industry before the trailer went viral.

Where does the other party's confidence come from, remaining unmoved by her invitation to collaborate?

Are they already certain that their new work will be a huge success?

While she hesitated, Izumi said slowly, "Before answering your question, I'd like to ask Ms. Kiki a question first."

"please say."

Are you a popular live streamer?

Brief, yet incisive.

"...I think I am."

He gritted his teeth and finished speaking, feeling increasingly guilty towards the end, and Qi Shu's fair face turned red at a visible speed.

Indeed, game developers are selective in their invitations, only inviting bloggers of a certain scale.

But this was the first time she had been asked this question face-to-face, and what was worse was that the other party asked it with a smile after she had extended the cooperation invitation.

At that moment, Qishu felt an urge to have the Electric Belly Frog deliver a 100,000-volt blow to the guy on the screen.

However, his subsequent attitude was not one of mockery or ridicule.

"My description just now may have had some problems, let me correct it now."

Quanshu coughed twice: "Actually, what I wanted to ask was: Do you want to become a popular live streamer?"

Qi Shu fell silent; she had been certain of the answer to the question countless times.

If she didn't want to, she wouldn't have sacrificed her life for her livestreaming career, and she wouldn't have made that video call.

But thinking about it won't do any good; the path to becoming a popular live streamer requires taking one step at a time and working steadily.

No one can help her.

"Actually, the game we developed in our studio didn't have a closed beta test."

As expected... Qi Shu's gaze dimmed slightly.

The reason there was no closed beta test is twofold. First, Quanshu has full confidence in Plants vs. Ghosts. Its game content and gameplay have been proven over time, and running it to check for bugs before going live is enough.

Secondly, he really couldn't invite well-known bloggers, nor did he have the time or energy to rent venues or market the game.

Quanshu paused for a moment before continuing, "But on the day the game is released, I can authorize you to do a live stream half an hour earlier."

"Live stream half an hour before the release time?"

Qi Shu slowly opened her eyes, as if she had realized something.

The reason for participating in the closed beta test was simply to record some gameplay videos, which would then be released along with other bloggers invited to participate after the confidentiality period.

If the game is popular, her videos can also attract a lot of traffic and gain more followers.

With a bit of luck, it's not impossible for a game to become incredibly popular.

But when it comes to competing with a host of well-known bloggers, Qishu is certain that he has no advantage whatsoever.

At this moment, the game producer is willing to allocate a golden window of opportunity specifically for her.

The absence of a closed beta test means that the game's content remains a mystery, and players will only be able to know and experience it on the day of the game's release.

What would happen if someone started streaming the game half an hour before its release?

Undoubtedly, players who are curious about the game and are waiting will flock to it.

"Given the current popularity of the promotional video, there must be quite a few players interested in our game. It remains to be seen whether Ms. Qishu can seize this opportunity."

Quanshu smiled and said, "How many passersby you can turn into fans depends on your ability."

With no one diverting traffic, she had her own golden window of opportunity... She was absolutely tempted.

There is no such thing as a free lunch.

Looking at the clean, smiling face on the screen, Qi Shu asked warily, "So what is the price?"

She even has to go to the Pokémon Center for meals, so she doesn't have the money to buy exclusive live streaming rights.

Quanshu smiled.

Raising a Pokémon is not a one-time event; his journey as a trainer is destined to encounter many problems.

If the first transaction is pleasant, the person in front of you may well become a suitable long-term trading partner.

Therefore, his requirements for the first resource exchange were not high, but they could effectively solve the problems he was currently facing.

"The Padia region is the main habitat of Salt Giants, so there should be quite a few Salt Giants trainers."

"I want a breeding guide from Salt Stone Treasure to Salt Stone Giant, the more detailed the better."

After hearing his request, Qi Shu's face was full of astonishment.

That's it?

Are you sure you don't want to order more? I feel a little embarrassed.

How could she dream of exchanging a cultivation guide for a massive influx of traffic?

Worried that it might be too late, Qi Shu quickly said, "No problem, if you need it urgently, I can get it in a day... no, two hours."

As expected of a museum master's efficiency, Izumi touched the Salt Stone Treasure beside him.

"Then...we'd like to have a pleasant collaboration?"

"Pleasant to work with."

The girl in front of the camera grinned, revealing a mouthful of shark teeth; her mouth was practically split open with laughter.

After adding each other's navigator accounts, the call ended.

With the cultivation problem solved, Quanshu, in a good mood, opened a bottle of soda and gulped down two mouthfuls.

Strictly speaking, he didn't pay anything for this deal, not even at any cost.

A popular game always needs a few iconic characters.

Quanshu doesn't care who they are, nor can she control the selection; everything is the result of the players' choices.

Even without this collaboration, this live streamer would have slowly climbed to the top through his own efforts; it would just have taken him more time and involved some detours.

But she herself was unaware of it.

A deal is only sustainable if both parties feel they have profited.

The song in Chapter 13, without a doubt...

Given the average moral standards of dojo owners, Izumi wasn't worried at all that the live streamer would use substandard products to pass off as genuine.

While waiting, he opened the second email—from Nie Zi in Spike Town.

He could still guess something from Qi Shu's contact.

But why this Galar Gym Leader contacted him was a complete mystery to Izumi.

To be honest, he didn't know much about Nie Zi, only that she was the only gym leader among the eight gyms in Sword and Shield who didn't use Dynamax.

If there's anything that left a deep impression, it's probably his perpetually pale complexion and his skinny, bony frame like a young man.

Further on, more memorable moments are drawn to his sister, Mary, one of the game's protagonist's formidable rivals.