Pokémon: Hard work pays off, moves can be upgraded infinitely.

The moon hangs high in the sky at night.

The bright light shone on thousands of households, including Mu Yun's home.

Right now, he's in the kitchen processing tree berries, making the last batch of power cubes for the night.

"Buzz buzz buzz~~~"

The mixer was spinning at high speed, and the violent shaking made Mu Yun frown slightly.

"Is it nearing its limit...?"

Looking at the complete set of energy cube making equipment, Mu Yun sighed.

This is, after all, just a cheap set for beginners, and given how frequently he uses it, the fact that he's been able to stick with it for so long is a testament to how careful he is with it.

If it were a true novice, they probably wouldn't even last half as long as him.

After all, improper use of the equipment can easily damage it.

"Never mind, I'm going to the provincial competition tomorrow anyway, I'll buy the new one when I get back."

Mu Yun remembered that the provincial competition reward included shopping vouchers, which he could use to buy a good set of energy cube making equipment in Changqing City.

Thinking it over, Mu Yun used the equipment, which was already at its limit, to barely finish making the last energy cube.

Thanks to Mu Yun's excellent technique and the added bonus from the keywords, this energy cube is still of good quality.

At the very least, it's a usable product.

The rate of obtaining top-tier items fluctuates, but fortunately, it's not significant.

"Finished, shower, go to sleep!"

..............................

The next day.

After packing his luggage, Mu Yun, carrying a black backpack, arrived at the school's gymnasium.

Today is the day they head to Changqing City. Because the provincial competition lasts much longer than the city selection competition, he has prepared a lot of changes of clothes and other items.

Of course, most items are actually stored in your personal storage space.

If it weren't for the need to avoid attracting attention, he wouldn't even want to carry a bag.

"Brother Yun, is this all you've got?"

A short while later, Liu Jianhao appeared in front of him, carrying a large bag and pushing two suitcases, one large and one small.

Beside him was Zhao Hailong, who was also pushing a large suitcase.

"Do you think I'm like you, Brother Yun? Bringing your own pillow, sheets, and blanket every time you go out? Isn't that a hassle?"

Without even looking, Mu Yun knew who was complaining.

Mu Yun was already used to this and skillfully took out milk candies and stuffed them into their hands.

"Who knows how many people have used the hotel's products? That's called safety!" Liu Jianhao, with a candy in his mouth, offered a small defense.

In response, Zhao Hailong, who was also sucking on a candy, simply rolled his eyes at him and said nothing more.

What's with all this talk about cleanliness and dirt? When you're in the wild, you're lucky if you can get clean water and clean food. You're being too picky!

Good morning, everyone!

Just then, Wu Tu's voice rang out behind them.

The three of them turned around and saw Wu Tu with a bright smile on his face, carrying only a small, shriveled backpack.

"Small" refers to its size compared to other people's backpacks; it's actually just a normal backpack the size of a schoolbag.

"You didn't bring anything?"

Liu Jianhao asked curiously.

"I brought it: a Poké Ball, a phone, a charging cable, a power bank, underwear, socks, and a spare set of clothes," Wu Tu replied, grinning.

"That's it?"

"That's all!"

Wu Tu said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Aren't we going to the provincial capital? We can just buy whatever we need on the spot. What can't we buy in a big city?"

"........."

Liu Jianhao remained silent.

That makes some sense, but can you wear newly bought clothes without washing them?

Would you dare use the washing machine in a hotel?

Liu Jianhao fell into deep thought.

Mu Yun was also surprised that someone would bring so little stuff when going on a long trip.

Just as he was thinking this, Wang He appeared inside the stadium.

After a quick headcount of all participants, they took their luggage and boarded the school bus together to the station.

Upon arrival at the station, members of the Trainers Association led them to a designated rest area to wait.

Around nine o'clock, all fifteen participants had arrived.

The tickets were all purchased by the government, so they were all in the same carriage.

Just like last time, the journey was very smooth.

Aside from the occasional glimpse of Tauros running in the wild through a specially made glass window, there aren't many other Pokémon to be seen.

Because this road is patrolled year-round, most wild Pokémon don't go this way.

The instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm is ingrained in the genes of all living things.

Around 11 a.m., the high-speed train arrived at Changqing Station.

Led by the event officials, the group arrived at a high-end hotel to rest.

It was the Tianbaiwan Hotel where Mu Yun and Wang He stayed during their last visit to Changqing City.

Although the Tianbaiwan Group's performance has declined significantly due to changes in its back-end operations, this has not affected the Tianbaiwan Hotel, which remains one of the best-located hotels in Changqing City.

After putting away our luggage, it was lunchtime.

Wang He and the other teachers were called to a meeting by Yan Wu, so the students naturally ate their own meals.

Mu Yun simply asked a question in the group chat of the six-person team, and the other five people said they would eat together and then go for a walk together in the afternoon.

"Brother Yun!"

As soon as Mu Yun stepped downstairs, he heard Liu Jianhao's voice.

At this moment, Sun Xin and Ma Sitong, who had already come downstairs, were beside him.

Just as Mu Yun left the elevator and started walking out, the elevator next door happened to stop on the first floor and opened its doors.

"Brother Yun!!"

A surprised female voice came from the elevator.

Before Mu Yun could turn around, he felt a soft embrace close to his arm, and a faint lavender scent entered his nostrils.

Duoduo?

The familiar feeling made Mu Yun instantly guess who it was.

It was none other than Chi Duoduo, who was also staying at the Tianbaiwan Hotel.

"You live here too?"

Mu Yun asked with some curiosity.

Chi Duoduo had previously told him that she would participate in the provincial competition, but not as a high school student from Songjiang City, but as an apprentice at the Changqing City Dojo.

In this provincial competition, including the provincial capital Changqing City, a total of nine cities participated.

Eight cities, including Songjiang City, each have 15 slots for the competition, totaling 120 people.

The provincial capital, Changqing City, has a total of 40 slots for the competition. However, according to Chi Duoduo, not all of these 40 people are high school students; some are apprentices from various dojos.

The so-called dojo apprentice is similar to a student, except that instead of going to school, they go to a local dojo to study.

In most cases, they become apprentices at the dojo after graduating from junior high school. A small number of them drop out of high school to join. Some of them will continue to take the college entrance examination, while others will stay at the dojo as staff members.

It's worth mentioning that although gym apprentices are qualified to take the college entrance exam, they are restricted by their status and cannot take the academic college entrance exam; they can only apply for majors related to Pokémon.

However, because of this, they have a certain advantage in applying for subjects related to Pokémon because of their affiliated gym.

In other words, this is suitable for some students from well-off families who are average students.

"Holy crap, who is this girl? She's actually hugging Brother Yun!"

In the hotel lobby, Liu Jianhao's smile froze as he looked at the petite and adorable little girl clinging to Mu Yun, and he immediately showed a look of surprise.

No, does Brother Yun know such a cute girl?

No wonder he was indifferent to the girls who pursued him in school. I thought he was a Sigma man, but it turns out he was already taken!

Damn, I'm a little envious...

But then again, with Brother Yun's physique, most women probably couldn't handle it. This girl is so petite, can she really keep up...?

Liu Jianhao's thoughts drifted, and he couldn't help but worry about Mu Yun's happiness in the second half of his life.