Baimu had just stepped out of the passage when he locked eyes with Terry next to the floating bus, simply because the man's physique and attire were too eye-catching.
It was impossible not to notice.
"Baimu!!"
The man's voice was as loud as it was back then.
His face broke into a smile of reunion, and he quickly walked over, saying, "Long time no see, Terry! You helped me get to Jinqing Port back then, and this time I have to trouble you to take me back again."
"What are you saying! You're the boss of our Rainbow Team!"
Terry gave his arm a strong slap, noticing he didn't budge, his eyebrows raised, "Ha! You've become even more robust!
Baimu helplessly said, "You're not treating your boss properly..."
The two exchanged a glance, laughing heartily, and gave a strong hug.
"Welcome back!"
"Thank you!"
Turning around.
He then saw Ayana in the car, familiar long legs and a free-spirited demeanor, meeting her gaze as she merely waved, "Boss, get in the car!"
The tone was just as disrespectful as Terry.
"Long time no see, Lady Ayana, I'm really flattered you're here to pick me up."
Baimu's eyes moved to the familiar gigantic Quagsire nearby, his smile still warm.
Among the many executives in Quicksand Team, apart from Liu Ge, Ayana was the most familiar with him. They had bullied Otsuka using her influence, avoiding retaliation.
During the later mining battles, they had fought side by side.
When the intentions of the Rescue Organization were revealed, Ayana had early on sided with Liu Ge, and her past misdeeds were reckoned with. She clearly committed minor offenses and was simply let off.
Terry was the same.
Ayana glanced at him, urging, "Stop talking nonsense, get in the car! Explain your Pokémon training methods well!"
"It all depends on my own Pokémon putting in enough effort..."
Baimu replied casually.
Terry was clearly impatient; once Otsuka and the others got in the car, he jumped into the driver's seat, stepped on the clutch, shifted gears, revved the engine, and headed toward Pyrite Town.
His wild driving skills made Otsuka and the others, already uncomfortable, dizzy and disoriented.
"Quickly teach me."
Ayana, oblivious, sincerely wished to learn Baimu's Pokémon training methods. The latter's achievements over the past half-year had left many astonished, declaring they couldn't believe it.
Finding Legendary Pokémon, reliable partners, participating in regional competitions, discovering potential to elevate the Ore Trainer Realm, defeating the leader of the Four Heavenly Kings...
Sometimes, one couldn't help but wonder if he had three heads and six arms to accomplish so much in such a short time.
The nickname "Demon Wood" was brought up again.
Baimu gently petted the wet head of the giant Quagsire, unsure of where to start...
Right!
Might as well teach Ayana the Water-type Pokémon training methods learned from Adam and Mikoli; she happened to be good at Water-type Pokémon too.
Thus.
Baimu shared parts of the knowledge gained from the Glazed Gym concisely.
However, Ayana didn't trouble him for long; once she grasped a rough concept, she started talking about things that Otsuka and the others hadn't noticed, and Shanren rarely mentioned on the phone.
First, all of Pyrite Town's Underground Cities had been sealed off.
Shanren prepared to connect all the Underground Cities in the future, creating an inner Pyrite Town, with strong support from the Ying Yuan and Ying Ma brothers.
Unfortunately, despite the ambitious vision, current funds, manpower, and resources were insufficient, so it is temporarily sealed.
The underground tracks and high-tech trains left by Shadow Team were competently utilized.
Secondly, a large prison was built in the southeastern desert of the Ore Region, where Shadow Team and other serious criminals were held, responsible for developing the southeast region of Ore.
Shanren drained Jarvis of his innovative, mysterious scientific knowledge and handed it to other doctors interested in the Super Evolution Wave, then threw him into that prison.
A large number of scientific talents gathered in Silicon City, no less than the geniuses outside, otherwise they couldn't have created so much miraculous black technology.
Giving them the Super Evolution Wave surely offers a chance to crack it.
Then there was the Lugia Mother and Child, who came near Pyrite Town once, after a rain, they disappeared again. Neither Dr. Mu Yin nor the research institute where Shadow Lugia resides saw any sign of them.
"Maybe they've settled on some island."
Baimu thought.
Ayana systematically listed the happenings in Pyrite Town and Ore, then focused on Battle Mountain.
"Bartas, I wonder if you've heard of him. He's known as the Master of Battle Mountain, you'd better not underestimate him. I suspect if he were to step outside, he'd at least be comparable to Genji whom you battled, maybe even stronger!"
She spoke seriously.
Master of Battle Mountain?
Baimu paused slightly, memories slowly surfacing in his mind; there was indeed such a person in the Circular Arena game.
But to say he's on par with a top Four Heavenly Kings...
He quickly asked, "During Ore's liberation—"
"Bartas went to help Shanren's father, which is one reason Silicon City, as Ergin's base camp, was swiftly dismantled in all directions."
Ayana explained.
Back then, trainers from Battle Mountain and Agate Village hermits united to assist the Rescue Organization in liberating Silicon City and Pyrite Town, splitting into two teams.
One led by Agate Village Elder and Leo came to Pyrite Town, while the other was probably led by Bartas rushing straight to Silicon City.
Baimu nodded slightly, "Alright, I'll keep an eye on him."
Ayana had never seen actual Four Heavenly Kings and Champions, and might have misjudged Bartas' strength, but it's fine to measure this Master of Battle Mountain against a top Celestial King standard.
He didn't feel troubled by this, the fact that Ore has powerful trainers is something worth celebrating.
Whatever method Shanren ultimately uses to establish the Alliance, Bartas is very likely to become a vital pillar of the Ore Alliance.
Once important matters were covered.
The two began to chat leisurely.
The Rainbow Team was initially formed to deceive Ergin and his cohorts, who could have guessed Ergin's grave would be unknown, yet Rainbow Team still exists.
It even evolved into a professional security group, becoming Shanren's "private soldiers."
Ayana, originally of manager level, changed her title—
Vice President.
"What do you usually do?" Baimu was curious about their daily tasks.
Ayana nonchalantly said, "Suppress rebels, subdue those with ulterior motives, prevent them from causing trouble."
"Rebels?"
"My big boss of the Rainbow Team, don't you think capturing all the gangsters means only good citizens remain? When you were a manager, you saw, many potential bad apples don't bully others just because they don't have the means."
Just as Ayana said.
Survival of the fittest is ingrained in Pyrite Town people's bones.
Even if things get better now, many ill-intended folks still think about secretly reviving the old ways, they lack insight and literacy, believing in the new era they can replace old bosses as new ones.
Officer Jenny managing would surely be too unfamiliar, so let the Rainbow Team, most familiar with the routine, do it, allowing them to be the dominant force in Pyrite Town.
As for whether Rainbow Team members will change...
Not to mention half are dedicated fighters in the Rescue Organization.
Upper management unchanged, lower levels find it difficult to change.
Baimu is the ultimate upper management level, and Ayana never exploited others during harsh times, more so in the new era she wouldn't create issues without reason.
"A long way to go."
He nodded.
Transforming people's mindsets is also an integral part of Ore's rise; Shanren not focusing solely on development and addressing other concerns is indeed wonderful.
Suddenly.
Baimu looked at the flat ground outside the car window, startled, "Highway! Direct to Pyrite Town?"
"Hahaha, you finally noticed?"
Driving, Terry laughed heartily, saying, "Ever since this road was built, travel between Jinqing Port and Pyrite Town became remarkably quick, taking half the old travel time! Those Magma Team folks are truly capable!"
Magma Team...
As expected from infrastructure fanatics seeking to expand land by capturing Divine Beasts.
Want prosperity? Build roads first?