Pokémon: Did you play Pokémon today?

Chapter 228 Gengar Lv. 60

"Little A Assistant reminds you: Optimization complete, a demo version of the Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen themed dream world is now available."

"Xiao A Assistant reminds you: The build and maintenance cost has been adjusted to 500 BP points. Confirm payment?"

Pretty!

You really can bargain!

Bai Zhou was delighted; this price was much more affordable!

Those quotes that were tens of thousands just now were practically robbery!

"Payment confirmed! Let me see what this 500-point Dream World demo is all about!"

'

As 500 BP points were deducted from the asset list, a strong yet gentle drowsiness swept over Bai Zhou's entire body like a tide.

His eyelids drooped, and before he could even adjust to a more comfortable position, his consciousness relaxed, and he fell asleep directly on the pillow.

Almost simultaneously with him, Gengar, who was tilting its big head and wondering what this "dream world" was all about, was also struck precisely by some invisible force.

His chubby body went limp, and with a "thud," he collapsed onto the bed like a deflated balloon.

Then he started snoring softly and evenly, with a trace of expectant drool hanging from the corner of his mouth.

It felt like just a blink of an eye, a fleeting moment.

When Bai Zhou "opened" his eyes again, he found himself standing on a lush, breezy hill.

The warm sunlight, like scattered gold dust, blanketed the earth, illuminating the houses in front of them, arranged in a charming, pastoral style.

Popo flew leisurely through the air, Caterpillars crawled slowly in the roadside grass, and Rattata darted quickly across the street.

Everything seemed so peaceful and serene, yet it carried an unparalleled sense of familiarity, as if etched into our DNA.

A simple prompt appeared in the upper left corner of his field of vision, then slowly disappeared as if blending into the environment.

Pallet Town

"A fresh and peaceful town, a small and beautiful place, symbolizing the pure white color of departure."

"So this is... the dream world?"

With a mix of curiosity and感慨, Bai Zhou carefully observed the almost perfect replica of the surrounding scenery.

Then, he subconsciously reached out and pinched his cheek, wanting to see if he felt any pain to judge the authenticity.

Hmm? Why is this face so soft to the touch?

And when I squeezed it, I couldn't feel anything at all—could it be that this dream world doesn't simulate pain?

"Gengga~ (Father Emperor~)"

Just then, Gengar, with a resentful and bewildered expression, puffed out its cheeks and floated in front of him.

Bai Zhou's hand was currently pinching Gengar's bouncy cheek.

Oh ~

Bai Zhou suddenly realized, then scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly.

Turns out I sculpted the wrong face —

However, the goal has been indirectly achieved. Judging from Gengar's grimacing reaction, this world clearly retains the ability to feel pain.

"Little A Assistant reminds you: In order to ensure the immersion and realism of the dream world, the system retains all sensory simulations of the experiencer, including pain."

"Little A's Assistant reminds you: Please note that all sensory stimuli have a safe upper limit, and the participant's physical condition is always healthy." There's no need to worry about suffering real harm in the dream; please explore with confidence.

Little A popped up at just the right moment and answered Bai Zhou's question.

"Little A Assistant reminds you: The dream world is mainly constructed according to the basic operating logic of the Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen game."

"Little A's Assistant reminds you: As for other specific details, hidden content, and connections to the real world, please explore and discover them on your own."

"Little Assistant reminds you: We wish you a pleasant experience————"

Does it primarily follow the operating logic of Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen?

Got it, I'm currently playing a highly realistic VR physical version of Pokémon FireRed/LeafGreen.

right?

Xiao A did not respond to Bai Zhou's inner monologue.

However, another soft, gentle, and sleepy voice, as if from a telepathic connection, softly echoed in his mind.

Master—where is this?

Bai Zhou felt his trouser leg being gently tugged and looked down.

Ralts was rubbing her sleepy eyes with one hand, her other little hand tightly gripping his trouser leg, her little face tilted up, her big eyes filled with confusion.

Looking at the incredibly cute Ralts, Bai Zhou instantly forgot about that silly little A-classmate.

He bent down, scooped the little guy up in his arms, and gently explained, "We're playing a Pokémon game right now, Ralts. Don't you think this place looks a bit like somewhere else?"

"Ugh—playing Pokémon—"

Ralts tilted its little head and looked around more intently.

Suddenly, its little hand excitedly pointed to a house that looked particularly cozy not far away, its telepathy filled with joy.

Ah! There! Master, look! Isn't that where we set off on our adventures in the game?

Bai Zhou looked in the direction it pointed, and a warm and nostalgic smile involuntarily appeared on his lips.

"Yes, that's our home. Let's go home now and take a look."

As he spoke, he picked up Ralts, called out to Gengar who was still rubbing its face, and walked straight toward the house.

Walking on the familiar yet unfamiliar streets of Zhenxin Town.

Bai Zhou wasn't idle either; he began trying to use his mind to summon and view the panels that might exist in his field of vision.

really!

A semi-transparent panel, almost identical to the player interface of the Pokémon game in his memory, appeared as he thought of it.

Backpack, map, Pokémon status, trainer cards—all the necessary function icons are included!

Bai Zhou's heart stirred, and he instantly realized a certain possibility.

He immediately switched his consciousness to the Pokémon team panel, wanting to confirm his bold conjecture.

The panel switches smoothly.

Of the six Pokémon team slots from top to bottom, only the top two slots contain thumbnails and information about the Pokémon.

They are Gengar and Ralts.

The remaining four squares are empty.

This means that Rayquaza and Zygarde did not follow them into this dream world.

What surprised and even shocked Bai Zhou the most was that next to the Gengar and Ralts' portraits, the data-driven level information was clearly displayed!

Gengar Lv.60

"Ralts Lv.18"

This completely confirms Shiraishu's conjecture!

He hadn't forgotten the introduction to the main functions of the "Dream" module when he unlocked it—the experience, skills, and insights gained in the dream world could be fed back into reality!

What this means is self-evident!

This is simply the perfect training ground tailor-made for him and his Pokémon!

The growth they gain through training, fighting, and leveling up here will be directly and partially reflected in their physical bodies and abilities in the real world!

Moreover, this positive feedback is deterministic; as long as the experience bar is full and you level up, you will definitely see an improvement!

This is simply applying the game's upgrade mechanism to the real-world progression system in an incomprehensible way!

Invincible!

Bai Zhou temporarily suppressed his surging joy and refocused his attention on the panel details of Gengar and Ralts.

Unlike in games, where there are clear level divisions, the strength of Pokémon is often a rather vague concept in reality.

It relies on a comprehensive judgment based on experience, energy intensity, mastery of techniques, combat awareness, and other factors.

Now, the dream world directly "converts" their strength into intuitive level data.

This allows the white boats to understand their current state more accurately and quantitatively.

Based on his original game design for Pokémon.

Level 60 and above are the main Pokémon of the Elite Four.

Level 70 and above is the threshold for becoming a Champion Pokémon.

Level 80 and above usually involve legendary Pokémon that wield some kind of "authority," commonly known as legendary Pokémon.

Bai Zhou had actually been watching Gengar's hard work all along.

Although it always likes to be mischievous and play pranks, like a child who never grows up, deep down it has a strong desire to become stronger.

A thirst for battle and a combative nature cannot be hidden.

Bai Zhou was genuinely proud that he had reached Lv.60 through his own efforts and entered the realm of the Heavenly King.

He glanced at Gengar, who was floating ahead, seemingly having forgotten about being pinched on the cheek, curiously looking around and poking Caterpie with its shadow, and felt a surge of emotions.

The little Gastly that used to only play pranks and steal snacks has now grown into a powerful Pokémon that can stand on its own.

He looked away and gently rubbed Ralts's little head in his arms.

To his surprise, Ralts had already reached Lv.18, and judging from its experience bar, it was on the verge of leveling up and would soon reach the level for evolution.

Based on his usual observations and energy perception, he estimated that Ralts' actual strength was around Lv.10, still in the early stages of a new Pokémon.

Now it seems—

The little guy must have been secretly training hard behind his back!

A warm feeling and a stronger sense of responsibility welled up in Bai Zhou's heart.

Decided!

In order not to let down the little guy's efforts and trust!

Once we've settled in, I'll immediately take the little guy to Viridian Forest or Route 1 to "level up" and try to reach level 20 as soon as possible so he can evolve!

Incidentally, we also need to verify whether the evolutionary leap in life level that occurs in the dream world can be reflected in reality!

Thinking of this, Bai Zhou stopped in his tracks.

There is no other reason.

"Home," we've arrived.

"Huh?! What's going on?!"

Chi Hong suddenly sat up from a soft bed, the movement so forceful that it almost ripped the blanket off.

He blinked hard, staring blankly at the incredibly real, bright sunlight streaming into the room through the window, his eyes wide with bewilderment.

"No way! I just closed my eyes and it was dawn!? The problem is, I didn't sleep at all! I didn't even doze off!"

Chi Hong nimbly flipped off the bed, her foot landing on the wooden floor with a dull thud.

He immediately sensed that something was even more amiss.

First of all, he was no longer wearing the awkward officer uniform of the Rainbow Rockets, nor was he wearing his usual sportswear.

Instead, it was a classic red and white outfit that he had loved for many years but had put away for some reason!

Secondly, the place he is in now is not the cold and monotonous single dormitory that Team Rainbow Rocket arranged for him!

Instead, it's a room—

The room feels very familiar, but I've never actually lived in it!

He frowned, and his hand instinctively reached for his waist, only to find nothing there; the familiar Poké Ball belt was nowhere to be seen.

"Wait! This room layout—that computer!"

His bloodshot eyes were fixed on the old computer placed against the wall, and the intense sense of familiarity almost burst out of his body!

To verify the absurd yet exciting conjecture in his mind, he immediately performed a tactical roll and charged forward, his movements incredibly agile.

He skillfully opened the computer case.

really!

A bottle of healing medicine lay quietly in that cubicle!

"Am I dreaming?! Dreaming that I've entered the world of the Pokémon games?! This is my house in Pallet Town at the beginning of the game?!"

Three consecutive shocking questions left Chi Hong standing there, her whole body trembling slightly from extreme excitement and disbelief.

"This, this feeling—it's amazing!!!"

Excitement erupted within him like a volcano, instantly dispelling all doubts.

It's uncertain how long this bizarre "dream" will last.

But he was determined to make the most of every minute and second, to do as many things as possible that he wanted to do in the real world but couldn't fully experience!

First and foremost!

It's about thoroughly exploring this room that "belongs" to him!

After a rather "destructive" rummaging through drawers and cabinets, Chi Hong found a thin "Game Instruction Manual" on the table.

He quickly flipped through it and immediately confirmed that this was exactly the state a player would be in after waking up in bed at the start of a game!

"Oh, right, Mom!"

Chi Hong recalled that her mother would usually be downstairs when the game started.

Just as he was about to rush downstairs, he heard a gentle, familiar voice calling out from downstairs, a voice that inexplicably brought tears to his eyes.

"Mom: Little Red! Wake up! The handsome researcher is here to see you! He seems to have something urgent to tell you!"

Crimson looked at the dialog box that suddenly popped up in her field of vision and immediately stumbled, almost tumbling down the stairs.

A handsome researcher shows up at the door? Is this an event that appears at the start of the game?!

No! The key point is—Mom?

Mom is calling me to get up!

Could it be that this dream is so realistic that even the interactions with the NPCs are faithfully recreated?!

This is outrageous!

He had no time to think; the immense surprise and anticipation made him completely disregard any image management.

He immediately slid in—

Well, I tried to slide down the stairs, but because I wasn't skilled enough, I almost landed face down. After awkwardly regaining my balance, I scrambled down to the first floor.

As soon as he stepped down into the living room, he saw that familiar figure leaning against the door with a familiar smile.

He instinctively opened his mouth, wanting to say hello.

Handsome researcher! No, let's just call you Brother Bai Zhou—

However, the words that were about to come out turned into a silent dialog box, which appeared below his own field of vision.

"Little Red: ————"