"Abomasnow…!"
Bingyue inhaled sharply.
Her grandfather's Abomasnow was the absolute ace of his team. The reason he'd been able to face four Elite Four-Level trainers simultaneously without defeat, and even claim victory, was precisely due to Abomasnow's [Snow Warning] ability.
Once activated, it summoned a blizzard capable of blanketing an area tens of kilometers wide. Wherever the ice and snow reached instantly became forbidden territory to his enemies.
Yet, despite her astonishment, Bingyue grew increasingly curious about this mysterious trainer's identity.
"Grandfather, a trainer this strong... surely you must have heard something about him?"
Though the Dragon Nation was vast, and powerful trainers often hid within the population, someone at this level shouldn't have remained entirely unknown.
Mentioning this, Bing Dehai's expression grew unusually solemn.
His granddaughter was right. Strong trainers never emerged overnight, yet no one had ever heard anything about the mysterious trainer from the video.
Moreover, judging by the footage, he appeared quite young. The thought of such youthful talent already at Champion-Tier strength was truly frightening.
Where had this strength come from?
What powerful organization might stand behind him?
Could his appearance threaten the Dragon Nation's security?
All these questions lingered unanswered.
Thankfully, judging from this event, this person was clearly not a villain. Otherwise, he wouldn't have revealed his strength so openly just to save a plane full of strangers.
Though he may not be a threat, we must identify him quickly.
Bing Dehai resolved silently.
Indeed, Guo Yi's heroic act of saving the airplane passengers had earned him a measure of goodwill. Without this action, Bing Dehai would have spared no effort to uncover the mysterious trainer's identity. As the former Champion, he could never allow any potential threats to the Dragon Nation's stability to remain unchecked.
This, precisely, was why Guo Yi was so careful to hide his true identity.
Certainly, if he revealed his Champion-Tier strength, it would greatly ease his process of accepting students. Yet, the consequences would be endless trouble. Anyone investigating his past would quickly realize how rapidly he'd risen from mediocrity.
Then questions would inevitably arise:
How had someone so ordinary become so extraordinarily powerful in mere months?
What secrets were hidden behind this sudden transformation, and how many sharks would this draw?
One must never underestimate humanity's boundless greed.
If Guo Yi truly revealed himself, not only would domestic forces stir, but foreign powers would also grow restless.
At that time, how could Guo Yi handle the pressure? Would he openly resist, or compromise under influence?
Both choices would spell trouble.
Thus, it was essential to reveal his strength gradually, step by step, avoiding suspicion. Meanwhile, by steadily accepting disciples, Guo Yi could quietly expand his network. When these students eventually rose to positions of influence, he'd have nothing left to fear.
Who would dare touch him then? They'd have to ask his students first.
"Grandfather! Elite Four Lin just posted something online!"
Just as Bing Dehai pondered these matters, Bingyue rushed over, phone in hand, showing him Lin Feng's latest post.
Bing Dehai glanced at it, his usually stern face softening into a rare smile of approval.
"Finally, this boy has awakened."
"I've told him countless times: Pokémon potential matters, but it's not the decisive factor in becoming stronger."
He had always held Lin Feng in high regard. Indeed, when he'd considered retirement, Lin Feng had been among his potential successors.
Unfortunately, perhaps due to his rapid rise in status, Lin Feng's attitude had shifted, obsessing over Pokémon potential alone.
Bing Dehai, who'd already passed through this stage himself, knew well that after reaching Elite Four-Level, potential still mattered, but it wasn't everything. Something far deeper was required.
He'd tried subtly hinting this to Lin Feng before, but back then, Lin Feng had been unwilling to listen.
At least now, Lin Feng finally understood—better late than never.
Hearing this, Bingyue felt puzzled, openly voicing her confusion:
"Grandfather, haven't you always emphasized Pokémon potential to me? Why now are you saying it isn't the most critical factor?"
Unexpectedly, Bing Dehai didn't answer her question directly. Instead, he smiled gently and said:
"This answer is something you must discover for yourself."
"It would lose all meaning if I simply told you."
Indeed, forming bonds with Pokémon sounded easy. Having a good relationship with Pokémon was straightforward—but progressing further wasn't as simple as just talking. Only trainers who experienced it personally could grasp its profound mysteries.
Discover it myself...
Bingyue fell into deep contemplation.
---
The following day.
After a night's rest, Guo Yi set out once more with his Pokémon.
Beedrill had already broken through to a new level, fulfilling his primary goal.
Capturing Zapdos had been an unexpected bonus.
Now, it was finally time to head to Shanghai. After all, his disciple's birthday was approaching, and as her teacher, how could he miss it?
After roughly ten minutes, Guo Yi reached a mountain road. According to his phone's map, if he followed this road for another hour or two, he'd reach a small town. From there, he could catch a bus directly into Shanghai.
Yet, just over ten kilometers ahead, unnoticed, a raging forest fire was quietly spreading.
…
Shanghai.
Pokémon Fire Department.
Firefighters were undergoing their routine physical training alongside their Pokémon.
The Water-type and Rock-type Pokémon responsible for firefighting were practicing precise coordination. After all, not every fire could be extinguished with water alone. Fires involving gasoline or kerosene would only worsen with ordinary water streams, making Rock-types essential in swiftly suppressing them.
Elsewhere, in a nearby burning training area, several Fire-type Pokémon dashed about, each carrying human-shaped training dummies to simulate rescue missions amidst flames.
Among them, the most eye-catching was undoubtedly an Arcanine rapidly weaving in and out of the burning field. Its speed far surpassed all other Pokémon present.
The instructor overseeing the exercise checked his stopwatch as Arcanine swiftly emerged from the flames with a "rescued" firefighter, decisively pressing the button.
"Seven minutes, thirty seconds."
"Not bad, Yongsēn! You shaved fifteen seconds off your previous best!"
The instructor praised him with a smile.
Fifteen seconds might seem minor, but in a real fire, every second counted. Fifteen extra seconds could easily mean saving another life.
Removing his helmet, He Yongsēn cheerfully stroked Arcanine's head.
"It's all thanks to Arcanine. I'm just a tool."
Teammates nearby immediately laughed.
"Come on, Yongsēn! You're first in every training exercise. If you're just a tool, what are we?"
"Exactly! Even if you're humble, don't look down on us!"
Their teasing words were, in truth, praise in disguise.
In the firefighting team, nobody envied their comrades' strength. After all, the stronger their teammates, the safer everyone became in an emergency.
If someone felt dissatisfied? Then they'd simply need to become stronger. What was there to envy?
"You guys…" He Yongsēn shook his head helplessly, smiling warmly.
Beep—beep—beep!
An urgent alarm echoed throughout the fire station.
The firefighters, who moments ago were joking around, instantly became solemn and raced toward the fire trucks.
For firefighters, a fire alarm meant immediate mobilization. No matter what they were doing, the moment the alarm sounded, they had to assemble immediately.
He Yongsēn swiftly recalled his Arcanine into its Poké Ball and sprinted to the fire truck.
Within a minute or two, three fire trucks raced out of the station one after another, their rapid departure demonstrating impeccable efficiency.
Seeing the vehicles heading out of Shanghai, He Yongsēn turned to the instructor beside him.
"Instructor, where are we headed?"
The instructor's face was grim as he replied, "We just received a call. There's a major forest fire at Linbei Mountain, and we need to extinguish it urgently."
A forest fire…!
Hearing this, He Yongsēn's expression darkened.
Forest fires were notoriously difficult and extremely dangerous. A moment of carelessness could trap them within a raging inferno.
It was among the fires firefighters dreaded most.
Yet, despite their fears, firefighters always rushed headfirst into danger, without a shred of hesitation.
As the fire trucks sped forward, towering columns of black smoke appeared on the distant horizon. The smoke's thickness indicated just how intense the flames were.
Suddenly, the instructor's phone rang.
After answering, he quickly relayed deeply worrying news:
"What? There's a Pokémon summer camp inside the forest, and over a dozen people are trapped there?"
Upon hearing this, He Yongsēn and the other rescue team members tensed up.
Over a dozen people—this rescue operation was by no means minor.
Under normal circumstances, He Yongsēn wouldn't have been overly worried. After all, with Pokémon assistance, extinguishing even large forest fires was manageable.
But severe natural disasters like this greatly increased the chance of spontaneous Pokémon Secret Realms emerging.
Researchers had not yet fully understood the origins of permanent Secret Realms, but they had reached a consensus about temporary ones:
Whenever major disasters—wildfires, floods, typhoons, blizzards—occurred, the likelihood of temporary Secret Realms dramatically increased. Further research revealed these realms tended to match the type of disaster:
Forest fires often summoned Secret Realms resembling volcanic or arid regions, ideal habitats for Fire-type Pokémon.
Typhoons might summon Secret Realms set on oceanic islands.
The emergence of these realms significantly complicated rescue operations.
Moreover, Pokémon within such realms often became extremely agitated due to the disaster, attacking any intruders—or even charging out to strike humans beyond the Secret Realm.
These frenzied Pokémon posed the greatest danger to rescue personnel.
Fortunately, according to current reports, no Secret Realm had yet appeared at this fire. If the firefighters acted swiftly enough, they could extinguish the blaze before a realm appeared, avoiding a far greater crisis.
...
"He Yongsēn!"
"Here!"
Once they reached their position, the instructor began assigning tasks immediately:
"You'll lead the rescue team into the fire to locate and rescue those trapped."
"Yes, sir!"
He Yongsēn replied gravely, releasing his Arcanine at once.
Three other firefighters stepped forward, two accompanied by Numel and one by a Poliwhirl.
Entering an active fire zone required more than just Fire-type Pokémon—an additional Pokémon adept at suppression was essential.
"Poliwhirl, use [Soak]!"
Just before entering the flames, the firefighter gave the order.
[Soak]:Thoroughly drenches the surroundings, weakening Fire-type damage.
"Poli—!"
Poliwhirl instantly sprayed water over the team, soaking both trainers and Pokémon alike, significantly easing the oppressive heat.
They'd clearly performed this maneuver countless times; neither Arcanine nor the Numel showed discomfort.
"Move out!"
Once Poliwhirl finished, He Yongsēn immediately led the charge, with his teammates following closely behind.
As the rescue team entered the blaze, other firefighters began their own tasks.
Water-type Pokémon like Blastoise and Feraligatr attacked the flames directly, spraying torrents of water. Meanwhile, Rock- and Ground-types like Golem, Onix, and Rhyhorn swiftly cleared firebreaks, preventing the blaze from spreading further.
Above, several Pelipper circled continuously, their wings cutting through dense smoke. These Pelipper, specially trained by the firefighting unit, all possessed the [Drizzle] ability. Their goal was to summon rain clouds, creating heavy rainfall to aid in extinguishing the fire.
However, the intense updrafts from the fire repeatedly dispersed the clouds they painstakingly gathered. Still, the Pelipper never gave up.
If once failed, they tried twice; if twice failed, then three times. Their strength might be modest, but their tenacity was unmatched.
This was the pride of firefighters and their Pokémon—their unwavering resolve.