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Upon returning to Xinyuan City, Lin Dao and Shen Yu'er immediately threw themselves into a mountain of tasks.

During my absence, although the various plans continued to progress within the framework, many decisions that required Lin Dao's final approval or key insights inevitably piled up.

Their primary task was to clarify the details of the cooperation framework with various government departments and business partners like Huaju Technology.

After several rounds of high-level discussions and multiple consultations with forestry professionals, the authorities finally reached a decision.

A batch of Pokémon-related technologies that have been initially digested, are relatively mature, and do not involve core strategic security will be selectively and in batches authorized or transferred to qualified private enterprises, encouraging them to improve the technology and promote production and marketing in the market.

The purpose of this decision is clear and far-reaching: to accelerate the popularization of Pokémon-related technological products, reduce the entry and training costs for trainers, stimulate the formation and upgrading of related industrial chains, and ultimately promote the implementation of the "Trainer Program" in a holistic and rapid manner, and enhance the basic strength and scale of the Chinese trainer team.

Behind the decision lies the confidence brought about by the initial success of New Edge City as a "model," and also an early response to the huge social demand of the upcoming "Trainer Era."

Lin Dao expressed his support for this, but insisted on including strict quality control, technology iteration feedback, and restrictive clauses in the licensing agreement, such as prohibition of use for malicious competition or militarized abuse.

After he and Shen Yu'er returned, he and the group's think tank spent several days reviewing a large number of draft cooperation proposals and put forward many key suggestions on technical security boundaries and application ethics guidelines.

Several days of meetings, document reviews, and agreement negotiations kept Lin Dao practically living in his office on the top floor of the "Poké Ball Building".

Several days later, he learned some important news from Pikachu.

The Pokémon that had been receiving "supervised training" from Pikachu near his residence has successfully evolved! It is now in its Shellder form.

Lin Dao then took a break from his busy official duties and rushed back to his residence in the new city.

Lin Dao's residence in Xinyuan City is in a rather special location.

It is located at the northernmost edge of the city's planning area, adjacent to the buffer zone known as the "Forest of Beginnings," beyond which lie the rolling mountains that gradually transition into the truly wild area.

The building density here is extremely low. His house is a single-story, pitched-roof building with simple lines, made mainly of wood and special alloys, featuring large floor-to-ceiling windows and multiple entrances and exits of different heights and sizes (to facilitate the passage of Pokémon of various sizes).

Rather than a luxury residence, it's more like a fully functional "wilderness observation station" and "Pokémon station" that blends seamlessly with nature.

Lin Dao had his own reasons for choosing this location.

He needs to observe and interact closely with wild Pokémon communities to perceive environmental changes immediately. He also hopes to provide a relatively safe and stress-free "observation station" and "safe haven" for wild Pokémon that still harbor curiosity and curiosity about humans.

Of course, this is undoubtedly one of the areas in New Town that is recognized as having a higher "potential risk factor".

Shen Yu'er, Li Hao, and others initially wanted to settle near Lin Dao so they could look after each other, but Lin Dao firmly rejected their idea.

"I can handle any situation that may arise," Lin Dao explained clearly at the time.

"Pikachu, Arcanine, and Kangaskhan are all capable of handling unexpected situations. But if you live here, and we encounter a truly powerful wild Pokémon or a sudden natural disaster, not only will you be in danger, but you will also distract me when I'm dealing with it."

"We are a team, and being dispersed in safer, more functional areas, where each of us can leverage our strengths, is the most beneficial arrangement for the entire Xinyuan City."

He even proactively planned and planted a small mixed fruit and tree forest around his residence, and set up clean water sources, deliberately creating a "buffer zone" that is friendly to wild Pokémon and allows them to come and go freely.

This is both an act of goodwill toward his neighbors and a sign of his confidence. He believes that the bonds and strength he and his companions have built are enough to maintain peace in this small border area and become the first "harmonious interface" connecting the city and the wilderness.

What he said made sense, and although Shen Yu'er and Li Hao were unwilling, they could only obey.

Ultimately, Shen Yu'er chose a top-floor apartment in the western district, close to the business and administrative center, with good security. It offered a good view and convenient transportation, making it easy for her to handle group affairs and external communications.

Li Hao, on the other hand, took a fancy to a two-story villa-style house with a small yard in the East District residential area. The environment was quiet and suitable for him to study in peace, broadcast live, and conduct some training with the snake-striped bear in a way that would not disturb the neighbors.

Both of them had excitedly wanted to bring their parents to New Town to enjoy family time. Their parents were also very accepting of Pokémon, and with their children's connections, getting approved was not difficult.

However, the elderly were accustomed to their original social circle and neighbors, and were ultimately hesitant and reluctant to move to this new but somewhat "remote" city where their social networks were still being built. Unable to persuade them otherwise, Shen Yu'er and Li Hao had no choice but to respect their parents' decision, transforming their filial piety into more frequent remote greetings and regular visits.

When Lin Dao hurriedly returned to his remote residence, the scene before him brought a smile to his face.

Not only Pikachu, Snivy, and Foam Squirrel (Shen Yu'er went out to a meeting today and didn't bring them), but also many "regulars" and "new friends" gathered in the open space in front of the residence.

Several sunflowers that always stand facing the sun, a sandshrew that likes to roll around in the sand, a snowman from the nearby snow mountain, a glossy Eevee, a Jynx curiously observing everything, and a few cool-looking Sneasels that occasionally come to "visit"...

These wild Pokémon, some docile and some wary, are currently forming a loose circle, watching with curiosity or quiet as the huge, shell-like "new guy," Shellder, covered in hard white bone armor, stands in the center of the circle.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu, the first to spot Lin Dao's return, hopped onto his shoulder in no time, pointed its little paw at the Shellder, puffed out its chest, and gave him a "praise me" look, as if to say, "I was the first to notice it evolved! And I was the first to tell you!"

The other Pokémon also noticed Lin Dao, and several familiar ones immediately gathered around him happily.

Sunflower shook its flower head, Sandshrew nuzzled his trouser leg with its nose, Snowdrift greeted him with a breath of icy cold air, and Eevee gracefully circled around him...

Lin Dao smiled, squatted down, and took out the high-quality energy cubes and fresh tree fruits that he had prepared and packaged according to taste from his waist bag, and distributed them to these lovely little neighbors one by one.

They readily accepted, chirping contentedly, creating a warm and lively atmosphere.

After calming the little guests down, Lin Dao walked up to the armored dragon.

The evolved armored dragon is enormous, with a deep and imposing aura, and its thick shell gleams with a cold, metallic sheen in the setting sun.

Lin Dao could sense the dragon-type energy accumulated beneath the carapace, an energy even more powerful and restrained than that of the Baby Dragon.

He raised the Arceus phone to scan:

【Ankylosaurus】

Attribute: Dragon

Rating: 31

Features: Dust removal

Moves mastered: Dragon Breath, Dragon Claw, Dragon Dance, Psychic Hammer, Protect, Iron Wall...

Physical state: Evolution complete, life form stable, energy highly internalized and continuously accumulating, carapace with extremely strong defensive capabilities, internally undergoing a crucial reorganization towards the final form.

Special Note: Due to its evolutionary habits, the Armored Dragon will seek out secluded high places, cease most of its activities, and enter a "cocoon-like" dormant period to accumulate energy until it hatches and evolves into the Salamence.

The data is all normal, even perfect.

Sensing Lin Dao's approach, the armored dragon turned its eyes, hidden within its shell, toward him. Its gaze was calm, but Lin Dao could clearly feel that deep within those eyes still burned the endless longing for the vast sky that it had possessed since its time as a baby dragon.

It shifted its heavy body slightly, as if trying to get closer to the forest path, but ultimately chose to look at the sky gradually being tinged with twilight, letting out a low and long wail from its throat.

Lindao completely understood.

He reached out and gently patted the Armored Dragon's cold, hard shell, just as he always did when patting his baby dragon's head. "Good job, Armored Dragon. I know what you're thinking."

He conveyed his understanding and support through waveguides.

"Yearning for the sky is your nature, accumulating strength is your mission. This place is good, but perhaps not the most suitable place for you to sleep and wait to emerge from your cocoon."

The armored dragon's eyes flickered, conveying a vague but clear desire: it wanted to go to a higher, closer to the sky, a quieter place.

Lin Dao nodded, already having made up his mind.

Considering that Arcanine has been frequently accompanying Shen Yu'er as her bodyguard recently, and that the Kangaskhan mother and cub are too large to move easily, and Riolu is still too small, Lin Dao finally decided to let the most clever and fastest Pikachu take on the main "communication and logistics" tasks.

He first recalled the Shellder Dragon into its Poké Ball, and then, with a group of curious Pokémon "followers" in tow, left the area of ​​his residence and headed towards a hill at the edge of the forest not far away.

At the top of the hill is a naturally formed, not very deep but spacious and dry cave with an excellent location and a wide view. Looking up, you can see the azure sky, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and overlook the outline of the northern district of Xinyuan City.

"How's it here?" Lin Dao asked, releasing the armored dragon.

The armored dragon slowly turned its body, "looking" through the crack at the boundless sky outside the cave. It paused quietly for a moment, then let out a deep, satisfied snort, and slowly walked to the deepest part of the cave, facing the entrance, and lay down.

This will be its temporary nest where it gathers strength, gazes at the stars, and awaits its final transformation.

Lin Dao took out a specially made sealed jar from his backpack. Inside was a "highly concentrated dragon vein energy cube" that he had prepared in advance, using a recipe he had redeemed with points and carefully mixed with existing materials. It was specifically designed to support Pokémon like Shellder, which requires a massive amount of energy to complete its final evolution.

He handed the jar to Pikachu on his shoulder and gave it a solemn instruction.

"Pikachu, for the next period of time, deliver this to the Shellder once a day at the same time. I've already divided the quantity, one bar at a time. Be careful on the way, and also keep an eye on the Shellder's condition. If anything seems amiss, notify me immediately."

"Pikachu!" Pikachu immediately stood up straight, patted its chest with its little paws, its little face full of seriousness and reliability, and its big eyes sparkling with the light of "I guarantee to complete the mission".

It carefully took the jar, which was slightly too large for its size, and held it in its arms. It even flew over to the armored dragon and placed an energy cube in front of it, indicating, "From now on, I'll take care of your meals!"

The armored dragon peeked through the cracks in its shell at the cube radiating an alluring dragon-type energy aura, then looked at its small but earnest companion before it, and let out a gentle gurgle, accepting the arrangement.

"Alright, then we won't bother the Shell Dragon anymore, it's time to go home." Lin Dao said to Pikachu, then looked back at the other Pokémon curiously peering into the courtyard, and waved.

"Everyone should go back and get some rest. Thank you for coming to keep the armored dragon company."

The wild Pokémon seemed to understand, each letting out a farewell cry before dispersing in twos and threes.

The Snivy and the Bubble Squirrels greeted the Shell Dragon before following Lin Dao closely as he left.

Lin Dao looked back at the armored dragon standing at the cave entrance, seeing it off, his heart filled with anticipation.

What we may soon see is no longer a carapace gazing at the sky, but a crimson dragon poised to take flight.