Pokémon: Did you play Pokémon today?

Chapter 347 "You never know which city and which corner the handsome researcher will spawn in!"

"Chibana, you've finally met your match!"

"Chibana, where did your championship-winning aura go? Show it!"

"Instant Cowardice"

"The Master of Face Changing Art"

"On the Deterrent Power of Official Authorization on Streamers"

"Teacher Salty Fish's aura is terrifying!"

Ignoring the mocking comments, Qibana asked why he called.

"Um—is there any instruction?"

"Ah, it's really not a big deal."

Bai Zhou's tone remained relaxed and casual.

"Don't worry, I definitely won't hold a grudge against you for inciting your fans in the live stream to rebel and attack me—at least not for long."

These words, though spoken lightly, made Cibana's heart tighten, and he almost performed a "sudden death" on the spot.

"Let's get down to business—did you see that 'invisible' guy next to you? We're making a deal."

Bai Zhou changed the subject, his tone becoming more consultative.

"How about you have him help me stream HeartGold/SoulSilver? The promotional effect will definitely be great, and then I won't pursue what you just said, okay?"

"hiss----"

Qibana gasped, glanced back at Dante whose face clearly said "Don't mention me," and a struggled expression appeared on his face.

"But—this is my dearest friend, my brother—I mean, it's not really appropriate to force him, is it?"

"I understand, I understand."

Laughter, the sound of those who had joined forces with the enemy, came from the direction of the white boat.

"Making money isn't shameful. Here's the deal: after it's done, I'll tell you how to evolve an Aluminum Steel Dragon into an Aluminum Steel Bridge Dragon, okay?"

"What?! Duraludon can evolve?! Duraludon?!"

Cibana jumped up from his chair, unable to contain his shout, his face showing complete shock!

He was truly shocked!

As his most core ace partner, Aluminum Steel Dragon has been nurtured and fought side by side for so long that he believes his understanding of Aluminum Steel Dragon has reached its peak!

Whether it's body structure, energy properties, or growth limits, there are probably few people in the world who understand Aluminum Steel Dragon better than him!

But now, someone in Baizhou is telling him that Aluminum Steel Dragon can evolve to another level?

Evolved into what—an aluminum-steel bridge dragon?!

This news sounds absolutely unbelievable!

But—the one who said that was Bai Zhou!

Not only Qibana, but Dandi, who had been pretending to be invisible behind him, was also stunned by these words.

He even forgot to eat the potato chips he had stolen, his face full of curiosity.

Even the native Galar viewers in the live stream were completely dumbfounded!

"WTF!? What did I just hear?! Duraludon can evolve?! Really?!"

"Aluminum Steel Bridge Dragon? That name sounds really powerful! Is it a steel + dragon combination?"

"What Teacher Salty Fish said must be true! My aluminum steel dragon is saved!"

"Teacher Salty Fish always brings big news whenever he appears!"

"Tibbana struck gold! He traded a live stream for an evolution key to an ace Pokémon!"

"Dan: So love can disappear, right? Just a moment ago it was your dearest loved ones and family—"

Realizing his lapse in composure, Cibana quickly sat down again.

He took a few deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down, but the excitement in his eyes did not diminish at all.

"Of course, no problem! Deal!"

He was resolute, fearing that Bai Zhou might change his mind.

"It's just a matter of having this guy do a live stream! No problem! You could make him do a handstand while washing his hair right now, and I guarantee I'll have the shampoo and basin ready for him!"

"Okay, then I'll leave it to you."

Bai Zhou hung up the phone with satisfaction.

As the busy tone of the call ending rang, Cibana breathed a long sigh of relief.

He turned his head and glanced at the champion, who was still out of it, with a complicated look in his eyes.

Dan Di felt uneasy under his gaze and subconsciously shrank back.

"Chi-Chibana? Why are you looking at me like that—"

Instead of answering immediately, Cibaner glanced at the exploding barrage of comments and then began to "explain" to the audience.

"Everyone heard that, Duraludon does indeed have an evolved form. That's what Mr. Salty just told me on the phone. But as for the evolution conditions—"

He deliberately dragged out his words.

The next second, he suddenly stood up and, with lightning speed, grabbed Dan Di's arm!

"Um!?"

Dan Di was caught off guard, and a moment of stunned silence remained on his face.

"Bro, can you do me a favor?"

Qibana stood up and forcefully pressed Dan back into the gaming chair he had just been sitting in!

"Chibana? You—"

Dan Di's eyes flashed wildly again, attempting to communicate with his gaze.

Bro! Don't mess with this!

I'm exhausted after a long day! All I want to do now is quietly be a spectator!

Qibana looked down at him, his upturned lips never drooping, his eyes full of mocking "for your own good" intent.

He leaned down and spoke in Dandi's ear at a volume only the two of them could hear.

"Haven't you always wanted to connect with Professor Shirafusa to discuss a collaboration between Pokémon and the Galar region's unique gameplay features?"

"I've created this opportunity for you; whether you seize it or not is up to you."

He patted Dan Di on the shoulder heavily.

"Also, haven't you been talking about wanting to boost the development of emerging industries in our Galar region all the time? I think live streaming is a great way to do that! Look how much they like you! Your face is the best passport!"

"You! Wait! Hold on!"

Dan Di still wanted to make a final struggle.

But Chibana forcefully pulled the gaming chair's casters back, firmly fixing Dandi in the best position for the camera.

He then shoved the handle into Dan's hand.

He then dragged over another chair from somewhere and sat comfortably next to Dan Di, adopting a "supervisor" posture.

"Ahem!"

Kibana cleared his throat and looked at Dante, whose expression had turned into a "()", and his smile became even brighter.

"At Mr. Salty Fish's insistence, I've finally caught this guy! Now, let him do a live stream for everyone, is that alright?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the direction of the comments section instantly changed 180 degrees!

"No problem!!! Absolutely no problem!!!"

"Teacher Salty Fish is great! No need for further explanation!"

"Well done, Chibana! You definitely deserve the Galar Best Teammate Award this year!"

"Leon's live stream! A once-in-a-lifetime event! Screen recording team, get ready! Historians, take your positions!"

"About the incident where I clicked into Chibana's live stream but saw Dan's first broadcast."

"Dan: So I'm part of the deal now?" (Confused)

"But I—"

Dante gripped the controller, looking at his slightly stiff face on the screen.

He really wants to play HeartGold/SoulSilver, that's for sure.

But it shouldn't be in this way, where they're "put on a pedestal"!

This was completely different from what he had envisioned as a relaxing private time!

However, the die is cast, and the praise has been overwhelming.

He watched the exaggerated number of comments scrolling by at breakneck speed, then glanced at Qibana, who was grinning mischievously with his arms crossed, and let out a long sigh of relief.

The lingering panic on his face receded like the tide, replaced by his usual serious expression when facing a challenge.

Since there's no escaping it—then let's enjoy it!

"Since everyone is so looking forward to it—"

Dante gripped the handle tightly, leaning forward slightly.

"Then leave it to me!"

He officially took over control of Ah Xiang.

Cibana was nearby, quickly syncing the previous game progress and the current situation to him.

"When you saved, I had just finished beating the Goldenrod Gym and got the official badge. Next, according to the map, we should go to Edenzaburi City to challenge the next gym. As for the team's level—"

"Well, you know, I'm a technical player, so my skill level isn't that high."

Cibana sounded a little guilty.

"Next, we'll head to Enshrine City to challenge the next gym, right?"

Dante quickly scanned the in-game map, his mind clear.

"No problem! Leave it to me!"

His voice is gentle, making it easy for people to feel good about him.

As a veteran player of the Pokémon series, even though this was his first time playing HeartGold/SoulSilver, he didn't feel awkward at all when playing it.

After briefly checking the Pokémon team's composition, status, and key items in the backpack.

He then manipulated A-Xiang to leave Manjin City and embark on the road to Yuanzhu City.

Driving along Highway 36, a park gate with a huge windmill and fence appears in the picture, representing a natural park.

This is a famous tourist attraction in the Johto region, and there are special insect-catching competitions every week.

But Dan Di's gaze did not linger for a moment.

He plunged into the forest next to the park and began systematically searching for wild Pokémon and trainers to battle, thus raising his team's level.

"This guy, Kibana, although his team's level is high enough to take on gyms, his margin for error is still too low."

While smoothly directing the battle, Dante naturally explained his thoughts into the microphone.

"Adequate preparation and a level advantage allow us to deal with the various tactics of the Gym Leader more easily, and also better ensure the safety of our Pokémon partners."

He effortlessly dominated the scene, demonstrating to the viewers in the live stream what it means to be a professional champion player's overwhelming strength.

Precise use of attribute advantages, appropriate move selection, and excellent stamina management.

In a short period of time, the team's average level steadily increased to level 28.

During that time, he also casually tamed a rather interesting-looking tree.

"Rock type, although a bit slow, it's a decent physical defender with a unique move pool, making it a good addition to any strategy."

He commented.

Dan Di's overly cautious, step-by-step, and even somewhat obsessive-compulsive approach left the viewers in the live stream completely bewildered.

The live chat was flooded with comments like "No wonder he's the champion," "So steady," and "I can't learn that."

After passing through the forest and entering Highway 37, the quaint outline of Enju City finally appears in the distance.

A huge red torii gate stands at the end of the forest road, behind which is a group of old buildings with a distinctive Japanese style, giving people a sense of long history.

As you control your character to step through the torii gate, a brief introduction of the city appears on the screen.

Enju City

"A town bearing the marks of history"

"A city with a lot of charm."

Dan Di's interest was clearly piqued as he looked at the uniquely styled buildings around him.

"This atmosphere, which blends history and modernity, makes one want to explore it further."

However, his strong self-discipline immediately suppressed his desire to explore.

"But for us, the most important thing is to go to the Pokémon Center first and get our partners back to their best condition."

He controlled Hibiki and headed straight for the Pokémon Center in the city center.

"After all, only when the team is in top form can we cope with the upcoming gym challenges and any unexpected situations that may arise."

"This is about being responsible to your teammates, and it's also about being responsible for victory."

His words were well-reasoned and full of the sense of responsibility of a champion, drawing another round of praise from the live broadcast room.

During the brief moment while waiting for Nurse Joy to heal the Pokémon, Raihana, who was sitting next to her, couldn't sit still any longer.

Dan Di is skilled and has a clear mind, but his rigid commentary style is just too lacking in live streaming entertainment!

No matter how popular he is, if he continues to play the game in such a straightforward manner, the audience's attention will eventually wander.

No, I need to get something done!

He was pondering how to "add some spice" to the live stream when his eyes suddenly caught sight of a very familiar figure sitting in the corner of the Pokémon Center screen!

"A handsome researcher!?"

"Chibana blurted out."

"What? Where?!"

Dandi reacted even faster, almost reflexively asking the question while sitting up straight.

For immersive players like him, the NPC "Master Researcher" often represents a quest, a reward, or a key plot clue!

It's a part of the game you absolutely can't miss!

"There! The one in the corner!"

Cibaner immediately pointed to a corner of the screen.

Leon controlled "Sound" to retrieve the Poké Ball and headed in the direction indicated by Raibou.

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed that handsome face!

"You never know which city or corner the handsome researcher will spawn in!"

"On the Self-Cultivation of an NPC—Appearing and Appearing Unpredictably"

"Dan Di, hurry! Talk to him! A hidden plot is about to begin!"

Dan clicked the interaction button and greeted the researcher in a serious manner.

"Hello, handsome researcher!"

A yellow exclamation mark appeared above the handsome researcher's head. He turned around, saw Ah Xiang, and showed just the right amount of surprise on his face.

"Handsome Researcher: Oh! It's A-Xiang! What a coincidence, I didn't expect to meet you here! Did you also come here because you heard about the ancient legends circulating in this city?"

"No, I'm here to challenge the gym—hiss—"

Honest Dan was about to tell the truth, but before he could finish speaking, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his lower back!

Qibana's "poisonous hand" had precisely pinched the soft flesh of his waist and ruthlessly rotated him 180 degrees!

Even Sonia never pinched him like that! (Probably)

"Don't you dare tell me you don't know what to say at a time like this!"

Chibana lowered his voice and spoke menacingly in his ear.

Dante was in so much pain that he was almost sweating profusely, and he certainly understood what Chibana meant.

At this point, you should go with the flow and extract information about the "ancient legend" from the researcher, as this could be the key to triggering an important side quest!

but----

"Doing this is not a good idea."

Dante muttered to himself, the champion's "honesty baggage" was starting to bother him again.

"As the champion, how could I openly lie in front of so many spectators?!"

"Have you gone mad from thinking you're a champion?!"

Cibana was so angry he almost laughed, and he increased the force of his grip even more.

"This isn't an official league event! This is a live stream! It's entertainment! Don't you even know what live stream entertainment is?!"

"With your stubbornness, you're always thinking about how to lead the Galar region to develop new industries? Go home and raise pigs!"

Cibanar unleashed a soul-crushing attack.

Dan Di gasped, his breath catching in his throat. Finally, under the dual pressure of "Kidney's" safety and Qi Bana's provocation, he gritted his teeth and changed his tune to the screen: "Uh—yes! I'm very interested in that legend! But my information is limited. Can you tell me more specific details?"

Handsome Researcher: Haha, of course, no problem! Come, sit down and let's talk.

The handsome researcher laughed heartily, appearing very enthusiastic, and pulled Ah Xiang to sit down next to him, beginning his explanation.

Researcher Shiki: Did you know? According to the records passed down through generations in Enchanted City, about 700 years ago, an enormous bird Pokémon suddenly appeared in the sky above this town!

"Handsome Researcher: When it spreads its wings, it can blot out the entire sky! People revere it and built two majestic towers for it, the Bell Tower and the Bell Tower, symbolizing the friendship between humans and Pokémon."

"Handsome Researcher: Legend has it that originally, each of the two towers was inhabited by a giant bird Pokémon, which guarded this place and lived peacefully with humans. However, about 150 years ago, a terrible event occurred—"

"Handsome Researcher: A violent bolt of lightning struck the Bell Tower, igniting a massive fire! The giant bird Pokémon that perched atop the Bell Tower cried out in despair as it flew towards the sea amidst the flames, never to return—"

"Handsome Researcher: The fire burned for three days and three nights, almost engulfing the entire tower. It is said that three unknown Pokémon were unable to escape the flames and perished."

"Handsome Researcher: Just when everything was about to turn to ashes in despair, a miraculous downpour arrived and finally extinguished the fire."

"Handsome Researcher: What's even more amazing is that another giant bird Pokémon, which was perched on the Bell Tower next door, flew down from the top of the tower and used some kind of magical power to bring back to life the three Pokémon that perished in the fire."

The story of the handsome researcher came to an end. He looked out the window at the two ancient towers.

"Handsome Researcher: Isn't it amazing? Even today, the ruins of the Bell Tower remain in the east of the city, while the Bell Tower stands perfectly intact in the west, silently telling the story of that ancient history —"

"Handsome Researcher: Perhaps, there are more unknown secrets hidden within."

The entire live stream room fell unusually quiet as the handsome researcher recounted the ancient legend.

The number of comments also decreased significantly, as everyone seemed to be immersed in the legend of fire, lightning, giant birds, death, and rebirth.

Dan Di listened intently, unconsciously rubbing the handle.

As a top trainer, he has an instinctive longing and curiosity for this legendary power that contains the potential to break through limits.

"The Bell Tower — Bell Tower — Lightning and Fire — Resurrection —"

He repeated the key words in a low voice.

Qibana also dropped his joking expression, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"If I'm not mistaken, those two big birds should be Lugia and Ho-Oh from the game cover, right? And who are those three reborn Pokémon?"

It was at this moment that...

The handsome researcher suddenly chuckled, his tone carrying a hint of persuasion.

"Handsome Researcher: But this is just the general version. There's actually a hidden version. If you want to hear it, I can tell you—"