I'm live-streaming Pokémon science popularization on New World.

No matter what world you're in, having connections and influence can make a huge difference in efficiency.

With Shen Yu'er by his side, Lin Dao deeply understood this point.

At nine o'clock in the morning, as soon as the technology market opened, Shen Yu'er led Lin Dao straight to several familiar shops.

After she presented a special purchasing certificate, the shop owner's attitude immediately changed from "supplies are in short supply and reservations are required" to "arrange immediately and process with priority".

"This four-camera professional live streaming system would have cost 150,000 before the disaster, but I'm giving it to you for 80,000 as an internal price," the shop owner said while packing the package. "Solar charging systems are strictly regulated now, but Ms. Shen asked for a complete portable system for 120,000."

Lin Dao looked at the list and pointed to the special materials: "These high-strength lightweight alloys, flexible sensors, energy conversion modules..."

"Some need to be sourced from the warehouse, and some need to be made to order from the manufacturer," the shop owner said, wiping his brow. "But I guarantee that all of them will be delivered to the designated address before 4 p.m. today."

After Li Hao transferred the money to Shen Yu'er's card, he replied with a message: "Cousin, you and Brother Lin can decide what to buy, no need to skimp."

With financial support, procurement can be done much faster.

Shen Yu'er took Lin Dao directly to the car market. At a flagship store for new energy vehicles, she made a phone call, and twenty minutes later, the manager personally came out to greet him.

"This SUV is our latest Expedition series," the manager introduced. "It has a range of 1,200 kilometers, supports solar power, has an expandable cargo platform on the roof, and a reinforced chassis to handle complex terrain. The original price is 680,000, but the internal price is 520,000."

Lin Dao checked the vehicle's specifications and nodded: "That's it. The license plate and other paperwork..."

"Ms. Shen has already given instructions," the manager said with a smile. "Everything will be processed in her name, and it will be delivered to you by 3 p.m. today. You can drive the vehicle away now."

"Some permissions were only recently granted temporarily, and are for 'research projects with special contributions and value'."

When they were alone, Shen Yu'er whispered an explanation to Lin Dao, her gaze clear and open, "Your live stream has been recognized as having extremely high scientific research and social value. Of course, procedurally, it requires a 'project assistant' like me to execute it."

Lin Dao nodded without asking further questions. Some things are better left unsaid.

By 11:30 a.m., the purchasing was basically completed.

Shen Yu'er drove her brand-new black SUV, carrying Lin Dao back to the Li family residential area.

The back seat and trunk of the car were already crammed with equipment: live streaming host, cameras, drones, satellite communication modules…

"The remaining custom materials will be delivered this afternoon," Shen Yu'er said as she drove. "I've already made arrangements to have them delivered directly to Li Hao's house. You can take them all with you when you return to the forest."

When I returned to the apartment complex, Li Hao was already waiting downstairs.

With the help of his parents, he purchased a large amount of supplies: boxes of pre-cooked meals, compressed dry food, canned goods, instant noodles, candy and snacks, as well as two large medical kits filled with various medicines and medical equipment.

"Brother Lin, I bought everything you can think of," Li Hao said, wiping his sweat. "There are some things I might not need, but it's better to be prepared."

The three of them crammed the supplies into the SUV. The originally spacious cabin was immediately filled to the brim, leaving only two barely enough seats in the back.

Back at the Li family home, Li Hao's parents had already prepared a sumptuous lunch.

At the dinner table, Li Hao excitedly recounted his shopping experience. Li's parents listened attentively, glancing at Lin Dao from time to time with gratitude in their eyes.

Lin Dao, however, was somewhat uneasy. He felt as if something was wrong, like a stone was pressing on his chest, making it difficult to breathe.

I frequently check the map interface of Arceus's phone in my mind, but the distance is too far to show the specific situation in the forest.

"Mr. Lin, are you feeling unwell?" Shen Yu'er keenly noticed his unusual behavior.

Lin Dao shook his head: "I don't know, I'm just... a little uneasy."

He looked out the window. The afternoon sun was shining brightly. Children were playing in the limited space in the community, and the elderly were chatting under the trees.

Everything seemed calm, but the genetic wedge on his neck began to heat up.

An unexpected change occurred.

A piercing alarm suddenly blared over the city.

This is not a drill alarm, but a real emergency alarm, repeated on a loop.

The residents of the community were stunned for a few seconds, and then quickly sprang into action, proceeding in an orderly manner to the underground shelter as they had practiced countless times.

"What's going on?" Li Hao rushed to the window.

Police cars, fire trucks, and military vehicles sped past on the streets, all heading out of the city.

Military helicopters appeared in the sky, skimming low over the city.

Almost at the same time the alarm went off, a screeching sound of brakes came from downstairs.

Several military vehicles and a black minivan stopped in front of Li Hao's building.

The car door opened, and a group of people quickly got off.

The leader was a middle-aged man in military uniform with two bars and four stars on his shoulder insignia, indicating the rank of senior colonel.

These people had solemn expressions and hurried steps, heading straight for the building entrance.

"They...are they here to see us?" Li Hao's voice trembled.

Lin Dao had already stood up and grabbed his coat: "I'm afraid so."

Less than a minute later, there was a knock on the door, not a polite tap, but a rapid pounding.

Li's father went to open the door, and standing outside were the colonel, Mayor Zhou, and two armed guards.

"Is Mr. Lin Dao here?" The colonel's voice was steady but urgent. "I am Ye Aiguo, secretary of the Rongcheng Military Region. There is an emergency."

Lin Dao walked to the door: "I am Lin Dao. What happened?"

Mayor Zhou stepped forward, sweat beading on his forehead: "Mr. Lin, the Pokémon you mentioned... Salamence, it's gone berserk."

These three words were like ice water poured over everyone's heads.

Lin Dao's pupils constricted sharply: "What did you say? Details!"

"Half an hour ago, a massive explosion occurred deep in the forest, followed by a sudden large-scale wildfire." Ye Aiguo spoke quickly. "Our special operations team that we sent in has lost contact, and all our drones have been shot down. The fire is now spreading, and... according to satellite thermal imaging, a large number of creatures are fleeing from the depths of the forest, heading towards the city."

He paused, then emphasized, "But the Flying Dragon didn't leave. It hovered in the center of the fire, seemingly... going berserk."

Lin Dao's mind raced. A rampaging salamander, forest fires, creatures fleeing, cities facing imminent collapse... each a catastrophic crisis.

"Li Hao," Lin Dao turned around, his voice resolute, "Let's go, we need to get back immediately."

Without the slightest hesitation, Li Hao replied, "Okay!" He rushed to his parents and hugged them tightly. "Dad, Mom, please stay home and don't go out! Cousin Yu'er, I'm entrusting my parents to your care!"