Monday.
Shuijing Gorgeous Competition venue.
Amidst great anticipation, Vivian, enveloped in countless spotlights, smiled with her right hand held high, a coquettish voice echoed throughout the entire hall.
"Invited by the South Wind, North Wind, and Sea Wind — sing and dance, Pokémon Gorgeous Competition!"
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, I am Vivian, the host of this event. The Pokémon Gorgeous Competition Shuijing Conference is officially starting!"
As the words fell, waves of cheers and applause almost broke the dome. The audience looked down with excitement, eagerly anticipating the performances to come.
Vivian, holding the microphone in her right hand, smiled gently as she approached the judges' table, "Let me introduce you to Mr. Patistan, Deputy Director of the Conference Affairs Bureau..."
As usual, the panel consists of the silver-haired middle-aged Mr. Patistan, who is active on the front lines of the Hoenn Region Gorgeous Competition, popular actor and Pokémon fan club member Mr. Liu Lai, and Miss Joy from the local Pokémon Center.
These three represent various sectors and are a major guarantee of ratings for the Gorgeous Competition on the internet and television.
Vivian raised her right hand high, pointing to the screen in the center above the venue, which displayed a green-bordered, blue-bottomed oval Ribbon, "The coordinator trainer and Pokémon who win this conference will receive the Shuijing Ribbon Medal. Participants who collect five Gorgeous Competition Ribbon Medals may have the opportunity to attend the Pokémon Gorgeous Competition Celebration!"
It's still the same old story.
But it doesn't hinder the audience from fervently clapping, eagerly anticipating the appearance of Baimu and his usual high-standard performance.
That's right.
Ever since Baimu was recognized while shopping in the market, rumors spread rapidly that he might challenge the Shuijing Conference.
Within half a day, the Shuijing Conference tickets were sold out, scalpers were rampant online, and prices soared countless times with buyers still willing to pay, similar to what usually happens in general regional conferences or Champion Alliance events.
The ticket appeal of a single coordinator trainer reaching this level might make one think Baimu has already become a top coordinator trainer—
In fact, even generally top coordinator trainers may not have this kind of appeal.
It's visible in the audience, with countless people raising support signs and banners, the cheerleaders from Fallarbor Town have grown even larger, men and women alike are gathered as if attending a concert, in a uniform scene reminiscent of Ash Ketchum's return to Alola, with everyone vying to call him Champion.
Of course, Baimu is far from that level at present, his fame purely cultivated by organizations like Shanren, Ocean Team, and Magma Team, with the help of the Lucky Scale.
In other words, today he is akin to those past viral stars, temporarily unworthy of his position.
Due to this influence, even though it seems he has fans wherever he goes, those who dislike him are just as many, only in reality, everyone is more civilized, refraining from directly telling someone, "I don't like you".
Preparation room.
The participating coordinator trainers whispered to each other, their eyes occasionally drifting to the corner.
It seemed isolated, yet there were countless lights converging on the spot.
One of the brightest new stars in recent years, within half a year his fame rivals that of top coordinator trainers, sat there.
Some daring ones surreptitiously took out their phones to turn on the camera function, yet dared not make a sound, as the Pokémon World followed many Neon regulations, such as the prohibition against unauthorized filming.
"Ugh..."
Baimu wasn't concerned about the surrounding gazes and cameras, adjusting his tie while seated on the bench. In just a few months, this Molten Rock Armor seemed a bit tight, might need to find someone from the Magma Team to adjust the size.
But none of that was important, what mattered was the fellow before him—
Wearing a Golden Round Moon Osmanthus Leaf Crown on its head, a Golden Silk Sash around its waist, beige silk draped over its shoulders, a Blissey akin to a Muse Goddess.
This is the "Divine Style" skin featured in the Pokémon Grand Gathering.
Yesterday, going with Mawile to Shuijing Department Store, he suddenly spotted such a Crown, on a whim he decided to buy the Sash and drape as well, lets it perform in a new appearance.
Fortunately, Blissey's performance doesn't require much movement, unlike Mawile which engages in intense activity and constantly touches ice and fire, making accessories unsuitable.
But Mawile was quite envious, what Pokémon doesn't like gifts from its trainer?
Baimu simply bought a Zoroark Fox Mask for it too, looked great worn sideways, initially considered buying a Platinum Crown but found it too heavy—
It was a joke.
If Mawile wanted, it could effortlessly lift him single-handed, just considered the Crown inconvenient for watching videos, corrupted by Corsola.
Despite the "new outfit," Blissey couldn't avoid feeling anxious at this moment.
The gazes of other contestants, the large cheering crowd, the upcoming performance all made it hard for it to breathe, unlike Hydreigon and Mawile who were skilled at being coquettish, it merely stood in front of the trainer, silently lowering its head, trying to use "Meditation" to maintain composure.
"It's okay, you're steady, it's not like you haven't participated before."
He gently pressed Blissey's cheeks on both sides, using its amazing elasticity to squeeze toward the middle, causing its mouth to pucker up, looking funny yet adorable.