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

As the bullet train carrying Lin Dao and Shen Yu'er slowly pulled into Rongcheng East Station, on the platform, in addition to the usual staff, there were several capable-looking people in casual clothes but with sharp eyes waiting in an inconspicuous corner.

They were not ordinary people waiting to pick up passengers, but rather municipal government staff who were entrusted by Mayor Zhou to obtain information about the return train schedule through "special channels" and were waiting there.

It turns out that upon learning that Lin Dao's trip to the capital was about to end, Mayor Zhou, who had devoted all his efforts to the development of Pokémon in Chengdu, used every "connection" he could think of.

He eventually contacted Zhao Lan, the director of the response department, whose members often came to Chengdu to catch Pokémon. Although Zhao Lan was somewhat helpless about Mayor Zhou's somewhat "local protectionist" eagerness, she also understood his enthusiasm for the city and its people.

After Lin Dao himself did not explicitly object (Lin Dao, upon learning this, simply told Zhao Lan, with a wry smile, to "make arrangements as he sees fit"), Zhao Lan informed Mayor Zhou of the approximate arrival time and reminded him to be discreet and avoid disturbing the public.

Mayor Zhou, having received confirmation, felt as if he had been granted a royal decree and immediately began making arrangements.

Knowing that Lin Dao disliked publicity, he arranged for the pick-up, transfer, and accommodation to be carried out under the premise of confidentiality and convenience.

As soon as Lin Dao and Shen Yu'er stepped out of the car, they were led to the VIP passage, where an inconspicuous but comfortable and spacious business van had been waiting for some time.

The vehicle did not head towards the bustling city center, but instead quietly drove to a quiet, secure garden-style hotel on the outskirts of the city.

After settling into the hotel suite, Mayor Zhou, accompanied by several key officials and a select group of his "prized students"—representatives of the earliest group of young Pokémon trainers in Chengdu to successfully capture Pokémon—paid a visit.

Upon meeting, Mayor Zhou's face was filled with an apologetic smile, and he spoke first.

"Mr. Lin, President Shen, you must be tired from your journey! I'm so sorry to 'invite' you here in this way; it's extremely rude of me! I'm just... sigh, I'm so eager for the development of Rongcheng that I've become so shameless!"

Lin Dao and Mayor Zhou were already acquainted, so he smiled helplessly and shook hands with him.

"Mayor Zhou, you're too kind. I promised to pay you a visit when I got back, but you've been incredibly efficient."

"Oh dear, the situation waits for no one!" Mayor Zhou rubbed his hands together, his tone half-joking and half-serious.

"Everyone in Chengdu is eagerly awaiting your return, our 'guiding light,' to offer some guidance! Every day you're late, I'm filled with anxiety! For my rudeness, I'll punish myself with three cups of tea—no, three cups of wine!"

After exchanging pleasantries, Mayor Zhou eagerly introduced the young men behind him to Lin Dao.

"Mr. Lin, President Shen, these are some of the most outstanding young trainers in Rongcheng right now, all of them are promising talents! I brought them here for two reasons: first, to let them meet you, their 'mentor,' and second, I hope you can take a look and give them some pointers."

He first introduced a girl who was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, slightly overweight, with a kind smile, and looked a little nervous, her tone carrying a complex "resentment".

"This is Comrade Zuo Meimei, currently the only one left in Chengdu who has successfully tamed the mischievous panda!"

"Back then, I talked myself hoarse trying to win the chance to subdue the domineering panda clan! In the end... sigh, I only succeeded in this one case."

Even so, his gaze towards Zuo Meimei was filled with pride.

Zuo Meimei was clearly not used to this kind of occasion. Her face was slightly flushed, and her hands were clasped together awkwardly. She took a step forward and spoke in a soft but clear voice.

"Hello, Teacher Lin and Sister Yu'er. My name is Zuo Meimei. I used to be a zookeeper at the Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. I... I often watch your live streams and videos, Teacher Lin, and I've learned a lot from them."

Lin Dao smiled and reached out to shake her hand. The moment they made contact, his wave-guiding power sensed a gentle aura.

The waveguide field of the girl in front of me exudes a warm, inclusive, and life-caring aura, like the winter sun, pure and warm, almost without any aggression or impure thoughts.

This aura has a natural attraction for Pokémon that are perceptive, relatively simple-minded, or in need of security.

"Hello, Zuo Meimei." Lin Daosong opened his hand, his tone sincere and gentle.

"Don't be nervous. I can sense that you have a very special quality, very warm and full of kindness. No wonder the mischievous pandas chose you; they must have felt your heartfelt affection and respect."

Zuo Meimei was stunned, then her eyes lit up and she nodded vigorously.

"Yes, Teacher Lin! I've loved animals since I was little; I think they're so pure."

"When I was working at the base, the panda cubs especially loved to play with me..."

She started talking a little, but quickly realized the occasion and smiled shyly.

Upon seeing this, Mayor Zhou's eyes flashed with a hint of satisfaction and pride (Look at the talents in our Chengdu!), and he continued to introduce the next person.

"This is Qin Chaoyang, who has captured a Pidgey. The young man is an outdoor sports enthusiast with an outgoing personality. His Pidgey is now an 'unofficial vanguard' in our city bureau's emergency communication drills—it's fast and has excellent vision!"

"Hello, Teacher Lin! Hello, President Shen!" Qin Chaoyang's voice was loud and clear, and his smile was extremely infectious.

"I've always looked up to you! I hope that one day I can be like you, flying higher and farther with my Pokémon partners!"

"This is Cheng Lin, who caught a Scyther. Her skills are as sharp as her eyes. She is one of the founders of our Rongcheng Women's Self-Defense and Pokémon Battle Club."

Mayor Zhou pointed to a girl with neat short hair, sharp eyes, and an upright posture.

Cheng Lin stepped forward, shook hands with Lin Dao with moderate force, looked him directly in the eye, and spoke concisely.

"Hello, Mr. Lin. I look forward to the opportunity to learn from you about combat techniques."

She was decisive and efficient, exuding the aura of a heroine.

"This is Liu Yu. He tamed a Pomeranian and it soon evolved into a Great Wolfhound. He's a battle maniac who's always thinking about how to get stronger."

Mayor Zhou introduced a young man who looked to be eighteen or nineteen years old, with a fit physique and eyes full of fighting spirit.

Liu Yu stepped forward and shook hands firmly. Almost the instant Lin Dao loosened his grip, he spoke, his tone filled with undisguised challenge.

"Hello, Teacher Lin! I've heard about your experiences as a military instructor. Could... we have a chance to spar with you? Any format is fine!"

His eyes burned with fervor, clearly seeing Lin Dao as a target he longed to surpass.

Looking at the spirited young man before him, Lin Dao neither agreed directly nor dampened his enthusiasm. Instead, he smiled slightly and offered a more motivating goal.

"There will be many opportunities to compete. Here's what we'll do: I look forward to your outstanding performance in the New City 'Rookie Tournament' in a few months."

"If you can make it to the finals, or even reach the top four, I can grant you a reasonable request, including a serious training match. How about it?" (His previous sparring with elite trainers from the military made Lin Dao realize that his current strength was far behind that of ordinary rookies. Simple battles might not be motivating and could even damage their confidence. He needed to set more tiered goals for these rookies.)

Liu Yu's eyes lit up, and without the slightest hesitation, he nodded vigorously.

"Okay! It's a deal! I'll get a good ranking, and then I'll come back to ask you for advice!"

The last one was a timid-looking girl, as if she had just graduated from school, who kept hiding behind the others.

Mayor Zhou softened his voice: "This is Wen Jiaojiao, she just turned eighteen, the youngest here. She tamed a... well, a very unique baby dog."

When Wen Jiaojiao was called out, her face flushed red. She lowered her head, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers, and her voice was barely audible.

"Hello, Teacher Lin... Hello, Sister Yu'er..." After saying that, she wished she could hide herself away.

Just then, with a soft "bang," a Poké Ball opened automatically, and a pink, round Pokémon with ribbon-like curls on its head jumped out.

It first glanced disdainfully at its trainer, who was so shy he was practically curled up in a ball, then turned to Lin Dao, put its hands on its hips (if those short little hands could be considered hips), raised its head, and let out a clear, slightly disgruntled chirp: "Chirp! Chirp chirp chirp!"

Lin Dao easily understood what the little guy meant.

"That idiot trainer! She can't even say hello! She's driving me crazy! Lin Dao, right? Tell her to talk to me, she's such a disgrace!"

Lin Dao couldn't help but chuckle, squatted down, and smiled gently at Bao Bao Ding.

"Hello, Babyding. Your trainer is just a little nervous. She's actually great, otherwise she wouldn't have earned your approval, right?"

Baby Ding paused for a moment, looked at Lin Daozhen's sincere smile, then turned to look at Wen Jiaojiao who was about to cry, and snorted, but her momentum was obviously weaker. She patted Wen Jiaojiao's leg with her little paw, meaning "Alright, alright, I'm talking to you."

With Lin Dao and Bao Bao Ding's interaction interrupting the conversation, Wen Jiao Jiao finally relaxed a little. Mustering her courage, she looked up at Lin Dao again and whispered, "Th-thank you, Teacher Lin... Bao Bao Ding is actually very good to me..."