Half an hour later.
The excited Baimu and Chansey returned.
Through the certification of the Pokémon Center, the latter indeed learned the highly poisonous techniques, but the reason for learning it was unclear — the former guessed it was due to the accumulation of failures from the early days of practicing cooking.
It might also have something to do with Chansey occasionally sneakily eating those failures.
In short, there are many reasons.
So how exactly does Chansey release the poison? It doesn't have poison fangs like Arbok or spread toxic powder like Gloom.
He saw Chansey happily telling Mawile and Aggron the good news, and the latter two shared its joy with equally gleeful expressions, making him smile knowingly.
At this moment.
Baimu suddenly noticed Mawile and Chansey holding hands, and a flash of insight came to him —
Could it be released through touch?
Cooking inevitably involves touching the ingredients, so it's not surprising that Chansey's touch leads to the dishes turning into dark cuisine.
Thinking of this possibility, he quickly ran over to inform Chansey.
Chansey looked blankly at its hands, realizing they were holding Mawile's hand, and hurriedly tried to pull back.
"It's fine, it's a Steel-type Pokémon, so under normal circumstances, it won't be poisoned." Baimu patted its head, "But you do need to practice controlling your unconscious release behavior."
"...Lucky!"
Chansey nodded seriously and stated that it wouldn't be cooking for a while to avoid wasting ingredients.
However.
Learning the severe poison technique is still something worth celebrating.
After all, it's considered Chansey's first offensive means, and now with the severe poison, it has completely overcome the shortcoming of not being able to cause damage on its own, truly shaking off the pure support identity.
He believed that one day, Chansey would free itself from the nightmare in its heart, understanding the difference between possessing power and not hurting others, and not possessing power and hence not hurting others.
"You need to keep practicing too. Learning Electromagnetic Levitation but picking up Electric Shock Wave instead, I really admire you."
Baimu said to Aggron.
[Electromagnetic Levitation] was much harder to learn than expected, like a wall blocking Aggron, preventing it from flying by its own power.
"Roar!"
Aggron flicked its tail, nudged Baimu a little moodily, as if saying it wasn't its choice.
Baimu staggered and almost fell, but wasn't bothered by it.
Although it failed to learn Electromagnetic Levitation, Aggron did not only learn Electric Shock Wave — it also acquired Knock Down from the simulation object two rounds ago: the Beast Tamer.
This move can make Flying Type and opponents with the Levitate trait temporarily lose the ability to stay off the ground, making Electromagnetic Levitation and Telekinesis ineffective too.
Chansey and Mawile seemed to have been targeted by the simulator.
Since learning this move, Aggron's win rate against Mawile improved significantly.
Finally.
He turned his gaze to Mawile, which shivered, took two steps back, then confidently approached him, glaring with a threat, waving its small fist as if saying it would hit him if scolded.
This progress was still satisfying.
Not long ago, learning Frozen Fang and Thunder Fang through Frozen Fist and Thunder Fist, completing the trio of fangs with Flame Fang from the previous round's simulation object: Flamethrower, it was currently striving greatly towards Playful and Sword Dance.
There was also significant progress in punch techniques.
"Keep it up! March towards a beautiful tomorrow!"
He shouted, running around the field, Aggron and other Pokémon exchanged a glance, then followed behind him.
——
At midnight.
Baimu lay in bed after a bath, turning on the simulator.
It was time to summon a new partner; these clues couldn't be left piling up, at least use the excellent clue.
[Select the clue's Pokémon attribute]
He hesitated for a moment, remembering the newly acquired thirty million, bolstering his confidence, he directly selected the Dragon Attribute.
Dragon-type Pokémon are known for their high combat power; even though often overwhelmed by Fairy Attributes, their strong essence remains unchanged.
But accordingly, these creatures are very "delicate," typically late bloomers, with top-notch stubborn tempers that require a lot of effort from trainers to tame.
Their combat power is directly linked to expenditure; only by giving them the highest care can one enjoy their top-tier combat power.
Cultivating Dragon-type Pokémon demands psychological preparation from trainers.
And the newly acquired thirty million was Baimu's backing.
Clue transformation.
[You need a wooden plaque engraved with Dragon Attribute patterns, to be carried around the waist]
Wooden plaque?
As he was in a daze, a light screen appeared, showing a palm-sized plaque with a very strange abstract dragon-shaped pattern on a circular base.
Isn't this the Dragon Energy from the Pokémon Card?
Could it be that wearing this plaque would make someone mistake him for someone?
Baimu pondered, deciding to have one made tomorrow and wait for the appearance of new Pokémon.
If a purchase was necessary, he could cover it with backup officer rewards, if not, he'd consider getting a fifth Pokémon.
——
Next day.
Baimu prepared the wooden plaque, wearing it around his waist, yet throughout the morning, no new Pokémon appeared.
While making money running the shop, an "acquaintance" unexpectedly arrived.
"I've been thinking about when you'd invite me over, but you never did, so I had to come myself." Shanren smiled while sitting down, "You don't mind my uninvited visit, do you?"
"...Why would I?"
He chuckled ruefully, "I worried you'd disdain it, a well-traveled person like you has experienced everything, didn't want to embarrass myself."
"Is it embarrassing or not, you'll only know after experiencing it."
Shanren sat upright, ignoring the surprised glances around, looking at the walls, "Don't you have a menu here?"
"Of course."
Baimu handed over a small notebook.
Shanren skimmed through it, then glanced at the stove, raising an eyebrow slightly, "Luo Faction cuisine?"
"I'm following online recipes from the Luo Faction, being his ardent fan, you must've personally dined there, right?" He wasn't surprised that this refined young gentleman could tell.
Some worldly things could fool rural folk, but not those with real knowledge.
"I had the privilege of visiting the main store, Lokomoko's culinary skills were indeed remarkable, matching genius chefs like Zhi Mi in the culinary world."
Shanren seemed to recall those wonderful flavors, momentarily lost in reminiscence.
Lokomoko, the real name of the chef and the new culinary style's faction name, although not famous in the Trainer Realm, is renowned in the culinary world as a match for Zhi Mi, expanding branches throughout Carlos with plans to move into other regions.
"How wonderful, I hope someday I can taste Lokomoko's food myself."
Baimu's tone was filled with envy, genuinely admiring—knowing the power of illuminating cuisine better than anyone.
At the same time, he was curious about how far Lokomoko's skills had advanced over the years.
"That day won't be far off."
Shanren smiled, adding, "Serve me your best dishes, and if you don't mind, let me offer some suggestions."
"Absolutely honored!"
Baimu turned and headed into the kitchen.