Miles's explanation was simple yet profound. His clear logic prompted many viewers who fancied themselves as breeder apprentices to pull out their notebooks and frantically take notes.
"When it fully adapts to the height of the stool and stops trembling, you can slowly increase the difficulty. For example, put it on the coffee table, then the dining table, and finally slowly transition to the top of the wardrobe," Miles explained. "Every increase in height must be accompanied by richer rewards and more patient companionship. This process requires extreme patience. It might take days, or even weeks. You must take it step by step and absolutely cannot rush it."
Listening to Miles's incredibly detailed, almost babysitter-level desensitization training plan, Lexi's furrowed brows gradually smoothed out. But soon, a deep sense of worry and reluctance surfaced in her eyes again.
She looked down at the timid creature in her arms, which buried its head in its wings at the slightest fright. Imagining forcing it onto those high places that terrified it, watching it tremble and even experience physiological reactions like dizziness and dry heaving... a wave of sorrow washed over her.
"Master." Lexi bit her lower lip, her voice hesitant and low. "This exposure therapy does sound scientific. But, if it's really that scared, isn't it too cruel for me to force it to face its fears? Although it can't fly right now, it eats well and sleeps soundly at my house every day. Aside from being a little timid, it's actually quite happy. If I force it to change just to satisfy my own selfish desires, yet make it endure such immense psychological torture... is that really okay?"
Lexi's words were like a stone tossed into a calm lake, instantly sparking a fierce clash of values in the live chat.
[Viewer "Sober Observer of the World": The girl is right. Treat others how you want to be treated, even Pokémon. If it's afraid of heights, just let it be a free-range chicken. Forcing it to change isn't love, it's straight-up abuse.]
[Viewer "The Iron-Blooded Trainer": Can the guy above stop being such a snowflake? It's a Flying-type Pokémon, the sky is a Pidgey's destiny. Giving up over a minor mental hurdle is the real cruelty. Greenhouse flowers never survive in the wild!]
[Viewer "Emotional Master Eating Melons Online": I think she's super sweet for putting herself in the Pokémon's shoes. Pokémon are companions first. Happiness is all that matters, who cares if it flies?]
[Viewer "Canyon's Number One Flamer": Bro, that's just misplaced kindness! If it can't overcome a fear of heights, what happens when it runs into a wild Spearow or Ekans? Is it gonna leg it on foot? This is about survival, not just flying!]
[Viewer "Gentle Nurse Joy": I'm honestly so moved seeing how much she cares for her Pidgey. This kind of empathy is so precious. But a little proper guidance and exercise is good for a Pokémon's mental health too.]
Watching the chat feed split into two distinct factions and argue endlessly, Miles wasn't in a hurry to judge who was right or wrong. He quietly looked at the conflicted Lexi through the camera, a glimmer of appreciation flashing in his deep eyes.
In this utilitarian age where many people merely treated Pokémon as combat tools or bragging rights, it was incredibly rare to meet a trainer genuinely willing to put aside their ego to feel a Pokémon's inner pain—someone even willing to give up their original goals to spare their Pokémon from suffering.
"Lexi, the fact that you could say those words shows that you are a kind girl with an incredibly soft heart and a high degree of empathy." Miles's voice softened, like a spring breeze brushing across the water, slowly calming the restlessness in the livestream. "Many people believe that formidable strength and iron discipline are the only truths in raising Pokémon. But in my eyes, a trainer's ability to keenly perceive their partner's pain and feel heartache for them is the firmest foundation for establishing an unbreakable bond."
He smiled gently. "Only those who truly know how to put themselves in their Pokémon's shoes can earn their unhesitating, life-and-death trust in desperate situations. Those mocking you for being overly compassionate don't understand what true soul resonance is."
Miles's affirmation caused Lexi's eyes to redden slightly. She hugged her Pidgey tightly, as if drawing strength from the little creature.
However, Miles suddenly shifted the conversation, his tone turning deep and philosophical. "But, Lexi, you must understand. True empathy and love aren't about endlessly spoiling them, nor is it watching helplessly as they remain trapped in a cage of their own inner demons."
Miles looked directly into Lexi's eyes, as if piercing into the depths of her soul. "It's like a child who is naturally afraid of the dark. As parents, if you keep their room brightly lit forever just because it hurts to see them cry, letting them hide in the light for a lifetime—is that love? No, that's just running away. True love is holding their hand, walking into the darkness with them, and using your warmth to tell them that there are no man-eating monsters in the dark... only a beautiful starry sky."
He continued, his voice ringing with conviction. "Your Pidgey was born with wings capable of conquering the high heavens. The sky is the ultimate destination of its soul. The reason it's afraid now is because its perception has been skewed. As its trainer, as the only pillar of support in this world that it can completely trust, you must not only provide it with food and shelter, but also become the sharp sword that severs its inner demons."
"The desensitization process will indeed be painful. It will struggle, retreat, and might even harbor brief misunderstandings and resistance toward you. But as long as you always stay by its side, guiding it with your patience and love, when it finally overcomes its fear and spreads its wings to embrace the blue sky that rightfully belongs to it... the joy and freedom it will feel will be tens of thousands of times greater than its current state as a free-range chicken."
Miles's words carried weight, each syllable striking the hearts of Lexi and the stream viewers like a heavy hammer. This was a grand perspective that transcended simple pet rearing—a profound breeding philosophy that truly treated Pokémon as equal lives and dedicated itself to guiding them toward perfection.
The atmosphere in the room turned solemn and respectful. Lexi lowered her head and looked at the Pidgey in her arms. Perhaps sensing the shift in its owner's emotions, the Pidgey raised its little head, looking at Lexi with bright yet timid eyes, and let out a faint, dependent chirp.
Lexi took a deep breath. The confusion and conflict in her eyes vanished completely, replaced by an unprecedented determination. "Master Miles, I understand. You're right. True love isn't indulging its weakness, but helping it become a better version of itself."
She bowed deeply toward the screen, her tone filled with gratitude. "I won't back down anymore. After I return, I will strictly follow your plan and accompany it step by step to overcome its fear. Even if it takes a year or two, I will definitely get it to fly again."
"If you encounter any difficulties during this process, or if it has a severe rejection reaction, you can come to my stream and find me anytime," Miles promised.
"Thank you, Master Miles. You didn't just cure my Pidgey; you also cured my hesitation. I will remember this favor."
The moment Lexi finished speaking, the live chat was instantly submerged by a dazzling array of donation effects.
[Viewer "Wingless Runaway Fairy" donated: Poké Ball x1]
A basic red and white Poké Ball bounced and exploded on the screen, turning into a sky full of virtual confetti. Miles was just about to say his thanks when the effects on the screen suddenly shifted, becoming much more gorgeous and high-tech.
[Viewer "Wingless Runaway Fairy" donated: Great Ball x1]
A blue Great Ball, far exceeding the value of a regular Poké Ball, bloomed in the center of the stream with a blinding light, instantly pushing the room's popularity to another level.
"Oh my, Lexi, you're too polite!" Miles's face broke into his signature bright smile. "This single Great Ball is worth several days of my food expenses. Thank you for the generous donation, Wingless Runaway Fairy! I wish your Pidgey a speedy return to the blue skies so it can soar the heavens."
Ending the call with Lexi, Miles picked up his thermos, took another sip of water, and adjusted his posture, readying himself for the next climax of the night.
"Alright everyone, the free-range chicken's psychological counseling has successfully concluded," Miles announced. "Next, let's see which lucky patient... ahem, which lucky person needs this Master's piercing eyes."
Miles's gaze swept quickly over the dense list of call-in applications in the background. After these few high-quality appraisals, his reputation had spread slightly within the circle, and the number of people applying to connect was dizzying. Just as he was preparing to randomly select an interesting ID...
The entire livestream screen suddenly went dark.
Immediately after, an extremely luxurious purple pillar of light, reeking of top-tier whale energy, shot up from the bottom of the screen. Under the horrified gazes of all the viewers, a sphere boasting a mysterious purple hue and stamped with a striking letter "M" slowly rotated on the screen. It carried a terrifying pressure that suppressed everything else, eventually erupting with a brilliant light like a supernova explosion.
[Viewer "Crazy Brother Motorcycle" donated: Master Ball x1]
A Master Ball!
One of the highest-tier virtual gifts on the livestream platform. A single unit cost a staggering ten thousand bucks. Once a gift of this caliber was sent, it would trigger a server-wide banner broadcast at the top of every single stream on the platform. The traffic it drove was terrifying.
Watching that lingering purple radiance, Miles's eyelid twitched violently. He had seen wealthy flexes before, but someone dropping a Master Ball as a greeting gift without saying a single word? This was a first.
[Viewer "Frontline Melon Eater": Holy crap, holy crap! A Master Ball! An actual Master Ball! What kind of top-tier god-level whale just descended?]
[Viewer "Late Night No Drinking": Crazy Brother Motorcycle? Why does this name sound like someone selling bikes? But his wallet is genuinely thick—dropping ten grand without blinking an eye.]
[Viewer "Canyon's Number One Flamer": It's over, Master Miles is going to be corrupted by money tonight. With this Master Ball out, all the other call-in applications have to step aside.]
[Viewer "Keyboard Holmes": When things get weird, there's definitely something fishy going on. Dropping such a heavy gift right off the bat means whatever this Brother Motorcycle brings out will definitely be no small matter. I'm afraid Master Miles is going to hit a tough wall this time.]
Faced with a whale who forcefully smashed open the VIP lane with cold hard cash, Miles naturally wouldn't refuse. Without hesitation, he clicked to accept the call. A connection prompt chimed, and the screen on the right lit up.
Appearing on camera was a middle-aged, bald man with a somewhat haggard face and deep-set eyes. His background was extremely messy, piled high with various incubators and hay. It looked like an underground warehouse.
"Master Miles. I've looked forward to meeting you for a long time. I've been camping in your stream for days, and I finally snagged a spot today." The bald man, Brother Motorcycle, rubbed his hands together, his tone laced with urgent anxiety.
"You're too polite, Brother Motorcycle. A Master Ball for an entry ticket... that price is a bit too steep." Miles exchanged a brief pleasantry before his gaze locked onto the man. "I wonder, for such a hefty price, what rare treasure are you hoping I can appraise for you?"
The bald man took a deep breath, his expression turning incredibly grave. He didn't speak. Instead, he carefully brought out an oval-shaped object from a nearby incubator and slowly held it up to the camera.
It was a Pokémon egg.
The surface of the shell was an eerie dark purple, covered in bizarre black patterns that intertwined like blood vessels. Even through the screen, Miles felt as though he could sense a cold, manic life aura radiating from the egg.
"Master Miles, I don't play around with empty words." Brother Motorcycle stared dead at the screen, his voice trembling slightly from extreme tension. "I just want to ask you to use those divine eyes of yours to help me appraise this egg I gambled on from a black market blind box joint... Is the thing hatching from inside going to be a supreme divine object that sends me straight to heaven, or peerless garbage that will bankrupt me entirely?"
The moment he saw this egg, Miles's pupils shrank to pinpricks.
In the Pokémon world, there existed an incredibly profitable, yet immensely cruel gray industry—Egg Gambling.
For those Pokémon eggs that were illegally poached in the wild or came from unknown origins, their internal genetic mutations, IVs, and even species were extremely difficult to accurately detect with instruments before hatching. This spawned countless gamblers who dreamed of getting rich overnight, spending massive fortunes to buy these strange-looking blind box eggs.
One cut to heaven, one cut to hell.
Miles never expected that his perfectly legitimate appraisal stream would actually encounter someone gambling on Pokémon eggs.
In this modern era of universal Pokémon integration, countless massive and intricate industry chains had evolved around them. Among them, the most profitable, bloodiest, and most intensely tempting gray area was jokingly referred to by insiders as "Egg Smashing"—or "Egg Gambling."
The reason the word "gambling" was added was because the hatching mechanism of Pokémon eggs was filled with despair-inducing randomness and variability. Although formal academic theory stated that different species of Pokémon eggs would possess some dominant traits of their respective populations—such as specific pattern directions, unique shell curvatures, and even colors containing faint elemental fluctuations—nature was always a mischievous creator.
Even when Pokémon of the same species mated, the eggs they produced could exhibit absurdly overlapping mutations in patterns and shapes, or completely defy known biological laws. In other words, before the exact moment the shell cracked, not even the top-tier breeding experts would dare pat their chests and guarantee what on earth was going to hatch out of it.
Not only was the species impossible to confirm with one hundred percent certainty, but the hatched Pokémon's innate IV potential, Hidden Abilities, nature progression, and even extremely rare hidden move comprehension and elemental affinity... all of it was a massive, unpredictable abyssal blind box!
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