Whether it was bringing Pokémon to the honkai: star rail world, starting to develop the Pokémon IP, or creating a bunch of Caterpie, it was all to conceal his true goal: creating a Rayquaza hatchling that looked like a Caterpie.
Since he wanted to achieve the transformation from Caterpie to Rayquaza, he absolutely had to aggressively load up this Caterpie's body with extra components.
However, he was currently being watched by the Equilibrium, so the additions couldn't be too obvious; at the very least, he couldn't let the HooH immediately realize he was creating an overpowered Divine Beast.
So, how could he deceive the equilibrium without anyone noticing?
As everyone knows, living organisms often possess individual differences, and these differences are typically manifested in various ways.
In other words, although every Caterpie looks essentially the same on the outside, there are actually subtle differences.
And these subtle differences are acknowledged and accepted by the Equilibrium.
Bai Luan intended to exploit these subtle differences. For most people, these subtle differences are uncontrollable and entirely random.
But for Bai Luan, controlling these subtle differences was not impossible.
He would change the naturally random determination of subtle differences into pseudo-randomness manipulated by his own invisible hand.
Theoretically, as long as these subtle differences were controlled rigorously enough, layering them to achieve a qualitative change resulting from quantitative accumulation—then the appearance of a Rayquaza would not be impossible.
Just as the universe might produce a fools capable of joining the Genius Society, the probability of a Caterpie mutating into a Super Bug and becoming Rayquaza is not zero.
Moreover, it couldn't display such talent from the start.
Initially, it had to be as ordinary as any other Caterpie, and then, combined with the Pokémon evolution mechanism, gradually complete its transformation and reveal its extraordinary nature.
The probability of this happening naturally is already very low, let alone manipulating it artificially?
It is almost impossible.
Therefore... the equilibrium must think so too.
This means there is an opportunity to exploit.
He would have Ark verify the calculations and determine the parameters needed to achieve this mutation.
Afterward, he would enter the Little Black Room, practice repeatedly, achieve perfect control over all variables, and disguise this creation as a perfectly ordinary Pokémon creation.
Once he secretly gathered these nearly impossible conditions, the process of creating the Rayquaza hatchling would appear to the equilibrium like a regular gacha pull that yielded a rare, iridescent result.
Furthermore, the summoning animation would be the same as a three star unit; the equilibrium wouldn't realize what he had created until it began to evolve.
Strictly speaking, this plan was to use massive calculations to disguise a precise creation as an unintentional accident.
The conditions are strict, but I happen to be capable of achieving it, and only I can do it.
If the HooH can discover even this, then the equilibrium is more formidable than I am, and I'll accept defeat.
I don't believe you, equilibrium, can calculate this far.
Calculate that I can manipulate these minute variables, and also calculate that these minute variables I manipulate will cause the Caterpie to become Rayquaza in the future.
If you were truly that clever, why are you the equilibrium and not Nous?
After finalizing the plan, Ark began verifying the data and importing the parameters into Bai Luan's mind, while Bai Luan practiced countless times in the Little Black Room, achieving near-perfect control over the variables.
This exhausted him greatly.
Coincidence is easy to achieve, but manufacturing a necessity disguised as a coincidence increases the difficulty exponentially.
The conditions have finally been met... It's time to begin the operation.
Bai Luan took a deep breath inside the Little Black Room, then returned to reality, walked into the Laboratory as usual, and began creating an "ordinary" Caterpie.
He began operating the instruments as if manufacturing a standard Pokémon; his movements appeared casual but were, in fact, meticulously calculated.
In the eyes of others, Bai Luan merely picked up an instrument randomly, but in his own eyes, every single movement presented countless possibilities.
He was perfectly clear on what difference every tiny error would cause in the final result.
This would make the Caterpie's body huge, this would make the Caterpie smarter, this would make the Caterpie run extremely fast...
Soon, under Bai Luan's manipulation, a Caterpie's body inside the Cultivation Pod gradually went from a piece of tissue to a defined silhouette, finally taking complete shape and resting in slumber within the pod.
Bai Luan picked up the report card detailing the Caterpie's parameters, scanned through them one by one, then suppressed the corners of his mouth and entered the Little Black Room:
"Wuhu! I has succeeded!!!"
Herta glanced at him, smiled, and then ignored him.
After cheering and celebrating in the Little Black Room, Bai Luan returned to reality, pretended nothing had happened, and took the Caterpie out of the Cultivation Pod.
Just like that, a Rayquaza hatchling that looked like a Caterpie was successfully created.
Bai Luan secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
It was truly mentally taxing, but thankfully, he succeeded.
Haha!
When it comes to calculation, equilibrium, you still can't beat me, someone who walks the Path of Erudition!
Just obediently accept the boomerang when it evolves into Rayquaza!
Bai Luan put the Caterpie into a poké ball, then began contemplating how to settle the Caterpie.
He certainly couldn't keep it by his side, as that would be equivalent to telling the equilibrium that this Caterpie was special, rendering all his previous efforts useless.
But he also couldn't place the Caterpie somewhere he couldn't check on it anytime, as before evolution, it was still just a Caterpie.
Hmm... who should he entrust to look after it?
Bai Luan looked at the poké ball in his hand.
He should let Inspiration Mushroom take care of it.
Following Inspiration Mushroom is very safe. As the Space Station's top mascot, if it goes missing for even a short while, the Staff Members will erupt in sharp screams.
With Caterpie by Inspiration Mushroom's side, there's no need to worry about safety.
Secondly, he visits Inspiration Mushroom occasionally anyway, so he can check on Caterpie's growth status at the same time.
Finally, Inspiration Mushroom (with the help of a conveyance) can fly, and Chizuru can fly, so if Caterpie stays with the two of them for a long time, it will also learn to fly. That's perfectly normal, right?
Bai Luan wanted to laugh just thinking about the Caterpie evolving, its appearance starting to resemble Rayquaza, flying up, being seen by the equilibrium, and HooH confused reaction.
Cough, cough... He can't laugh yet.
Bai Luan took the poké ball and went before Inspiration Mushroom.
"Yay, yay! Let the Mushroom take care of it! The Mushroom has so many things it wants to teach it, Mushroom!"
Inspiration Mushroom happily accepted this duty, taking on the great responsibility of nurturing the growing Rayquaza.
The first thing Inspiration Mushroom did after taking custody of this Rayquaza was teach it to sing the Strange Song.
"Listen to the Mushroom, Mushroom knows a chant that can make people happy. Mushroom will sing it for you now, Mushroom."
Then the familiar song, "Inspiration Guli Guli Wacha Inspiration Mushroom," rang out.
The Caterpie looked at Inspiration Mushroom singing to it, a trace of confusion flashing in its eyes, gazing at the Mushroom with some bewilderment.
Obviously, having just been born, it hadn't yet understood what Inspiration Mushroom was trying to express.
However, it wouldn't be long before it could understand.
Bai Luan watched this scene, wondering if a Rayquaza capable of making "Gu Gu Ga Ga" sounds would appear in the future.
Hmm... truly promising future.
Inspiration Mushroom is the standard edition, and Rayquaza is the Mushroom edition. It seems the Space Station's Singer has finally found its successor.