I'm popularizing ecology in the Pokémon world.

Chapter 125 The Correct Understanding of Popularity

After the assessment, Chen Mu successfully obtained the professional-level trainer certification.

He also received his first badge – the blue badge.

The badge is shaped like a water droplet, corresponding to the attributes of the Cerulean Gym.

After the public match ended, the spectators left reluctantly, while the young female fans and internet celebrities in the front row also mingled with the crowd and headed out the door.

At this point, the young internet celebrity no longer wanted to contact Chen Mu, and even secretly changed the title of his live stream.

Let's not reveal the secret today.

Skilled feigning death and flexible surrender when facing adversity are also basic qualities of an internet celebrity, and he is well-versed in this art.

After the assessment, Changpu wanted Chen Mu to stay at the dojo for a meal, and Chen Mu felt that she was trying to steer him upstairs.

However, he ultimately declined the other party's offer.

After obtaining his professional qualifications and badge, it was about time for him to go back and say goodbye to Yishu.

Although the so-called guidance did not specify a clear timeframe, Gardevoir has now learned all four skills and obtained its certification. Therefore, both logically and emotionally, Ichiju has already fulfilled Lance's request.

Before parting, Chen Mu sincerely thanked the other party.

Yishu's answer remained consistent, revealing his cynical style.

"No need for thanks. I've already gotten my share of the benefits from that rich dog Adu, so you don't need to feel indebted."

If you ever achieve great success in the future, just mention me when you're interviewed.

Of course, if we encounter a situation like the plasma team battles of the past few days again, please promise me one thing!

Seeing the seriousness in the other person's voice, Chen Mu also became serious. "Please speak."

"If the enemy is completely wiped out, you can say you were taught by me when you receive the commendation. But if there are still enemy survivors or they have powerful backgrounds, you must say you are a disciple of the Dragon Tamer, understand?"

"..good."

Chen Mu finally understood that if Adu ever became an enemy of the world, Yishu would definitely be by his side. As for why Adu would become an enemy of the world, only the two of them knew the answer.

After saying that, Yishu waved his hand casually, used his spiritual energy to take off and climb onto the back of the natural bird, then flew away.

Psychic powers are really convenient!

For the next few days, Cerulean City enjoyed a long-awaited period of peace, and even the weather became bright and sunny.

The various resettlement and compensation work following the disaster has been completed one after another, and the final opening time for the fish farm and ecological zone has finally been determined.

On this day, Xiaoxia, who had been waiting for Chen Mu to come to her door, finally went to his residence in person and knocked on the door.

Upon opening the door and seeing Xiaoxia, Chen Mu immediately raised his hands in surrender, saying, "I really haven't been slacking off lately! I've been actively preparing for the expedition to the open sea, and we can set off at any time."

Seeing this, Xiaoxia shook her head, both amused and annoyed. "I haven't even asked you anything yet, are you admitting it without being asked?"

"Well, doesn't that make it seem like you've asked the right question?"

"Stop talking nonsense! Even if the offshore ecological survey isn't urgent, aren't you going to take care of your personal problems too?"

Chen Mu was taken aback. "Personally—do I have any other questions?"

Xiaoxia glared at him, annoyed. "It's all Eevee's fault! Has she finished learning her Water-type moves? She only learned one and she's already slacking off? You've been so focused on your Gardevoir these past few days, haven't you been taking care of your other Pokémon?"

Inside the room, Gardevoir quietly teleported to the living room, hiding behind the furniture and secretly watching the doorway. Upon hearing this, she couldn't help but pout.

A two-faced, wicked woman—she secretly marked the owner of the shop at the entrance.

She was talking about Eevee, but that wasn't what she was really thinking. She saw right through her!

Don't fall for that stupid pet owner's trick!

However, after listening, Chen Mu felt a sudden realization and guilt. "So that's what it was. I was indeed negligent. I just felt—"

Seeing his expression, Xiaoxia immediately understood and asked, "Do you think you're troubling me too much?"

"Uh, yes."

"Hmph! I told you not to be so polite. You saved Cerulean City, so as the local Gym Leader, do you think we'd be more stingy than Lance?"

"That's true."

Damn it! In the living room behind her, Gardevoir's angry gaze almost burned through the wooden planks.

How could she have fallen for it so easily? Human, this wicked woman clearly has ulterior motives!

Just then, Xia, who was standing by the door, suddenly tossed her hair and said, "By the way, there's something I might need your help with recently."

Gardevoir gripped the door frame in front of her even tighter.

You can't agree to her request! She's just making excuses!

However, Chen Mu couldn't hear Gardevoir's thoughts at this moment, and asked calmly, "What is it?"

"The Hualan Fish Farm and the coastal ecological zone are about to officially open, and we need someone to help with promotion. Since you did the live broadcast promotion for the Quartz Ecological Zone last time, why don't you do it again this time?"

Chen Mu breathed a sigh of relief, "This is a small matter, but don't get your hopes up too high. After all, I'm not a professional spokesperson, so the promotional effect might just be so-so."

It's important to discuss things in advance to prevent the other party from having unrealistic expectations; managing these expectations is a crucial part of a sound approach.

However, to Chen Mu's surprise, Xiaoxia just chuckled after hearing this.

"You seem completely oblivious to the fact that you've become a celebrity."

"What do you mean?"

"Are you free today? How about we go somewhere together?" Xiaoxia invited.

"No!!" Gardevoir, hiding in the corner between the closet and the door, almost cried out.

She knew that this wicked woman in front of her must have been planning this moment all along!

But the next moment, before Gardevoir could even secretly draw circles on the wall to curse, Eevee from the other end of the room had already run over upon hearing the sound and happily dashed towards the door.

"Bu-i~ Bu-i~"

Want to go out and play? Yay! Yay! Chen Mu caught the little Eevee that pounced on him, stroked its soft fur, and then turned to look into the room. "Gardevoir, you come along too."

"snort!"

Gardevoir was startled to realize she had been discovered, then immediately turned her head away and gave a dismissive snort.

"Bu-ee? Bu-i—"

Gardevoir was clearly peeking the whole time, so why didn't she stop? Before Eevee could finish speaking, Gardevoir activated "Teleport" and immediately chased after him to the door, covering his mouth!

Gardevoir quickly snatched Eevee from Chen Mu's arms and held it tightly, keeping one hand firmly pressed against Eevee's mouth while nodding hurriedly.

I'd go! I'm willing to go!

Chen Mu looked puzzled, but ultimately didn't doubt his own son.

"Alright, let's go then."

They strolled leisurely through the streets, ate snacks, and even stopped by to give Xiao Yibu a full-body hair treatment. It wasn't until the afternoon, when Chen Mu was starting to suspect that Xiaoxia was using him as an excuse to slack off from her gym leader duties, that Xiaoxia finally led Chen Mu to a large battle club.

It seems that an amateur tournament is being held here today. The rules are doubles, and it's a format where two players team up, with one player commanding one Pokémon to fight together.

Although it was an amateur event, it was organized quite well. The indoor venue had a large space, and there were four large screens above that broadcast live in four directions, allowing everyone in the audience to see everything that was happening on the field below.

The surrounding area was packed with people, and the atmosphere was lively. For a moment, Chen Mu felt as if he had returned to his past life to watch an e-sports competition live.

They entered the stadium just in time for today's final match.

When Chen Mu saw the contestants representing the winners' bracket on the field, his eyes widened in surprise.

"It was them?"

The two amateur contestants turned out to be acquaintances: Meibo and Qinglian, two tourists who had visited the Quartz Plateau Ecological Zone a few months earlier and listened to his explanations and popular science explanations along the way.

This also made Chen Mu understand why Xiaoxia would come to watch this amateur-level competition—Qinglian is the child of her eldest sister, Yinghua.

"So your ultimate goal today is just to get me to watch your niece's game with you?" Chen Mu asked with a smile.

Xiaoxia blinked, not in a hurry to answer him, "Don't rush, you'll find out as you watch."

At this point, the referee had already announced the start of the match.

All four finalists from both sides summoned their Pokémon at the same time.

Chen Mu was very familiar with the Pokémon that Minami and Qinglian used, because they had caught them in the Quartz Ecosystem a few months ago.

Meibo used Ekans, while Qinglian used Nidoran—the Nidoran she had captured had already evolved once.

At the start of the match, Nidona took the lead very consciously, while Minami commanded Ekans to exhale "black mist" to conceal its form.

Amateur matches don't have particularly sophisticated tactics, and the two opposing players quickly commanded their respective Pokémon to meet them.

As a result, their first round of attacks was blocked by Qinglian's Nidonna.

Minami then confidently commanded from the field: "Arbok, use Venomous Fang at close range!"

The commentator exclaimed loudly, "It's happening again! Minami has once again unleashed her Ekans's signature Venom Fang attack! Can the Black Hawk team withstand it?"

It doesn't seem like it will work!

Marilulli suffered severe damage and was also poisoned!

Arbok seems poised to add another chapter to its already illustrious record in every competition!

On the field, Minami and Qinglian cooperated very well. Nidona served as the front line to tank damage, while Ekans roamed in the black mist as an assassin. When it did strike, it would definitely use its signature "Venom Fang" move to make two holes in the opponent's Pokémon!

The two little girls played the tank and assassin combination very well, and quickly established an advantage.

A short while later, a spectator asked in confusion, "Does Ekans have the Venomous Fang ability? Why don't the Ekans I've seen before have that ability?"

In the blink of an eye, Mariluri on the field had fallen, and the opposing team had no choice but to concede defeat. After announcing the final result of the match, the host took the microphone and walked into the field, asking Minami similar questions to those asked by the audience.

"Let's interview our newly crowned champion. Why is your Ekans so proficient in the 'Venomous Fang' skill?"

In this year's Kazukazu Cup, your Ekans used this move in almost every match, and it was incredibly effective!

The audience was curious: This doesn't seem to be a very common move for Ekans. Do you have any special tips for raising it?

Minami, her face flushed with excitement after winning the match, took the microphone with a radiant smile.

"That's because my Ekans is a coastal Ekans!"

Your questions clearly indicate a lack of solid knowledge in biology and ecology. I recommend you follow Professor Chen, an ecology professor. I chose my Pokémon under Professor Chen's guidance. He explained the classification of Ekans and the advantages of different subspecies, which prevented me from being confused when breeding them!

Coastal Arbok should definitely train their venomous fangs! Yay!

After saying that, she playfully made a peace sign at the camera, seemingly very happy to have won the championship.

Chen Mu, sitting in the stands, looked completely surprised and bewildered.

Oh, so this is also partly my doing?

He turned to look at Xiaoxia, wondering if she had taught Xiaoxia to say that.

Xiaoxia innocently shrugged and responded with her eyes, indicating that it really wasn't her arrangement.

What surprised Chen Mu even more was that after Mei Bo finished speaking, the host immediately realized what was going on.

"Oh! So it's all thanks to the guidance of that famous ecology PhD, Professor Chen Mu! He has the insight to discover the characteristics and strengths of different Pokémon. It seems that Professor Chen is indeed worthy of his reputation. Minami's training is also outstanding!"

Congratulations again to our two contestants for winning the Kazi Kazi Cup City Tour!

Chen Mu was astonished.

First of all, he's not a PhD!

Secondly, when did he become so famous? Could this host be a plant?

At the same time, a number of voices of discussion also arose in the surrounding audience seats.

Chen Mu thought everyone would ask: Who is Chen Mu?

To his surprise, what he actually heard them discussing was, "Oh, I remember now! A few months ago, Professor Chen did explain the subspecies classification of Arbok in a live broadcast and even gave some selection advice."

I can't believe it actually works! Damn! I regret it, I should have chosen Ekans as my first Pokémon too!

A person next to him sighed, "Hey, it's been several months already. When is Teacher Chen going to start streaming again? I want to know which Water-type Pokémon to choose in the sea."

"The marine ecological zone in the east of Hualan City is about to open! When will Teacher Chen be doing a live broadcast? I can't wait!"

「等离子队都揍过了！总不能直播不开吧？哪怕开直播讲讲前阵子揍等离子队的故事我也爱听呀！」

Chen Mu opened his mouth, his mouth agape in surprise.

He shifted in his seat, looking here and there, finally settling his gaze on Xiaoxia beside him.

He was still somewhat skeptical: "This—was this all arranged by you?"

Xiaoxia smiled and said, "I don't have that kind of ability. I just told Qinglian to give me a chance to promote you, but I didn't expect that it would be completely unnecessary now."

She then leaned forward, smiling brightly, "Now you should have a clear understanding of your current level of fame, right, Teacher Chen?"