As for whether it's from the Ore Region... he's not sure.
Taking a trip? Why not, since he was planning to go anyway.
Mr. Baimu settled his heart and asked about the situation in Pyrite Town and even Silicon City, where the Shadow Team is as persistent as the Rocket Team, never truly gone. After the first protagonist Leo wiped them out, the second protagonist Dragon People came face to face with them again, and now in his turn as the third protagonist, here they come!
If vigilance isn't maintained, the fourth generation might emerge.
Fortunately, Shanren had already considered what he was worried about. The so-called "beside the pillow, how can others snore?" A young man emulating Luozi deeply despises the Shadow Team and has long organized Liu Ge's team to head to the no-man's land on the eastern side of the Ore Region.
He's also sent people northward to the Shadow Team's previous bases to clean them out once more, with the appearance of someone eager to crush them to dust.
Under Shanren's governance, Pyrite Town has gradually become prosperous; as one of the three major towns in the Ore Region, it attracts people to live there, especially since Pyrite Town's efforts in greening are unparalleled, even surpassing Silicon City, governed by his father.
Renewal and revival, indeed.
Mr. Baimu gazed out through the window at Shuijing City's thriving, peaceful harmony, his determination to strengthen himself, win the tournament champion, and return to Ore to assist Shanren growing more intense.
Again, he pondered what he could and should do.
The Blissey beside him sensed the Trainer's complex thoughts and gently placed a small hand on his back, slowly stroking him.
The Trainer often said it was very self-conscious, always examining itself before acting.
But wasn't the Trainer also like that? Back in the days of Pyrite Town, he repeatedly expressed to them his longing and admiration for the world outside, and now, having finally arrived here, he still constantly thinks of going back, unable to let go of the past.
Thus, when it comes to indecision, they are quite alike.
Because they are alike, they are the close-knit Trainer and Pokémon duo, never to be parted.
To Blissey, it doesn't matter where they go, as long as she can stay by Mr. Baimu's side, even death seems less daunting.
——
In the subsequent performance.
Mr. Baimu maintained his usual leading edge, securing the top spot in the first review.
This made him realize his innate talent in the Gorgeous Competition, unlike battles where he needed to rely on the Golden Finger simulator to reach this level.
Unfortunately, even obtaining the top spot doesn't determine the final outcome of the contest, and in the end, the Pokémon World is ruled by strength; even the Gorgeous Competition includes battle rounds.
Though the rules of these battle rounds are different.
The preparation room was packed with people; everyone wanted to see who progressed and who they were.
Beep.
A gentle sound.
Eight avatars were neatly displayed on the screen.
Vivian exclaimed in a sweet voice: "Let's congratulate the eight contestants for successfully passing the first review!"
Among the numerous contestants in the preparation room, many were disheartened, with two missing the top eight by just 0.1 point, crying on the spot, making the atmosphere exceptionally heavy.
But soon enough, the mood shifted to hilarity and celebration when one person asked Mr. Baimu for a signature and photo, prompting more to join and form a long line.
Initially, those who qualified didn't intend to join the crowd, but seeing Xiaofeng's excitement, they hesitated and joined the queue, partly out of genuine desire and partly for camaraderie.
This led to a comical scene in the preparation room that left the staff dumbfounded.
The only one perhaps tormented was Mr. Baimu.
He had to take photos and sign autographs simultaneously, writing on paper for those who had it, and on clothes for those who didn't, and for those who didn't want their clothes marked—
Mr. Baimu looked at a girl holding out her arm; her blinked with innocent eyes.
"Hiss!"
He took a sharp breath and signed his name on her arm.
Logically, unless tattooed immediately after, perhaps a photo would be the only keepsake?
After a short while.
He finally finished signing and photographing, relieved as he rubbed his wrist and fingers, feeling as though he'd been exercising.
He mused about how if he felt this way, then how formidable must Dan Emperor's Machop-level wrist and finger strength be, thanks to being part of the Pokémon World, blessed with extraordinary stamina and endurance.
"Mr. Baimu! Please proceed to the contestant passage to wait!"
The staff's voice reached his ears.
Mr. Baimu stood and met his opponent's gaze in the distance, the latter wearing a confident smile, raising his fist and waving it toward him.
He nodded slightly in response.
——
Inside the arena.
Amidst the anticipation of countless spectators, Vivian, under the spotlight, raised her hand.
Pa!
The bright lights illuminated the entire hall, stirring cheers from the crowd.
"Gentlemen and ladies, thank you for waiting! The Gorgeous Battle Contest is about to begin; let's welcome Mr. Baimu! Mr. Taiku!" Vivian exclaimed in her sweet voice as the contenders emerged from entrances on either side.
They were indeed Mr. Baimu and a young man named Taiku.
The cheers in the hall rose another notch, with everyone watching the contestants below with excitement.
"The time limit is five minutes. Through impeccable performance—such as technical coordination, Pokémon's actions, moves, and even gorgeousness—all can diminish opponents' points, with the higher remaining score earning the final victory!"
Vivian explained the rules of the Gorgeous Battle Contest, her gaze shifting between the two, "So the second review, first round, first match! Start!"
Tong!
A crisp notification sound.
The countdown on the large arena screen began to change.
Both sides swiftly flung their Pokeballs!
Bang bang!
Amongst the swirling pale blue bubbles, a Masquerain appeared, with antennae resembling eyes, a head like a dropper, and two pairs of constantly fluttering diamond-shaped insect wings.
And opposite it, the Pokémon that took the stage caused frenzied screams from the audience.
With a creamy elegant body and a gold-red mix revealing a rainbow-like sheen on its majestic long tail in the sunlight, a light blue long fin with a finishing touch, and gleaming red-pink eyes.
How beautiful!
The moment the altered-color Milotic entered, it captured the full attention of everyone present, as if it was the sole existence in the world that nobody could take their eyes off.
Taiku's score beneath his avatar was automatically deducted by one-eighth!
Correct, its mere entrance deducted one-eighth of the opponent's score, although this is partly because both Masquerain and Taiku were mesmerized by the altered-color Milotic's charm, it also proves its terrifying prowess.
To subdue without battle!
Lingering further would just deduct more from his score.
Finally snapping back to reality, Taiku shouted, awakening the mesmerized Masquerain, which triggered its [Intimidation] trait.
Thus.
"You dare intimidate me!?"
The altered-color Milotic slightly widened its eyes, showcasing elegance and beauty with a touch of majesty, triggering its [Aggressive] trait which boosted its Special Attack, and its status surged rapidly as well.
Taiku's score was deducted by another eighth.
On the side, Mr. Baimu was delighted to the core, achieving such a feat of deducting a quarter of the opponent's score without doing anything—perhaps only Milotic could achieve this?
However.
There's no need to delay further.
"Charm!" Mr. Baimu waved his hand, the altered-color Milotic took command and drifted towards Masquerain, lightly blinking its red-pink eyes, with countless blue hearts emerging and circling it, then flying towards the latter as if they had eyes.
Taiku shouted, "Dodge quickly!"
Masquerain hurriedly dodged, but managed to evade one or ten, but was unfortunately hit by one blue heart, instantly falling into [Charmed] status.
A significant score deduction occurred.
"So it's male? This makes it much easier, let's end this—use the Spiral Frozen Beam." Mr. Baimu's smile widened.
The altered-color Milotic raised its gaze, blue ice lightning converged in its mouth, instead of blasting forth quickly, it spun, condensing around it into a spiral, transforming it into a sharp, thick ice pillar crashing into Masquerain.
Its elegant and beautiful form nearly depleted Taiku's score.
Pa!
Shards of ice shattered, turning into countless ice particles, Milotic gracefully landed, and the ice particles enveloping it resembled a snow fairy.
Meanwhile, Masquerain had already fainted.
Beeeeep—!!
An ear-splitting horn-like noise.
"Gorgeous battles are just that simple."
The duo mastering the wealth formula, Mr. Baimu and the altered-color Milotic shared a knowing smile.