Hiroshi nearly wanted to applaud Yanfei's discerning taste.
Good guy. Even an Overlord-level Gengar didn't pique her interest, huh? If it were Hu Tao, she would probably give up her dream of being the Dragon King on the spot, drop a mountain of Mora for a Ghost-type baby, and spend every waking hour cultivating it into a shadow-dwelling terror.
On the live broadcast screen, the barrages were flying fast. Most of the viewers were Liyue citizens "eating melons" (gossiping) and waiting to see what their famous legal consultant would pull. Yanfei had a massive social circle; from the common dockworkers to the elites of Yujing Terrace, everyone was holding their breath.
"So, where do we start?"
Hiroshi handed over a blank Pokédex. He asked with genuine interest, curious if her luck would match her reputation for finding "the truth."
Yanfei's face was lit up with an expectant smile. "I've heard there are all kinds of Pokémon! Then let me make a wish—" She clasped her hands together. "Please! Let's get a partner related to law, balance, or scales!"
The "law" part was obvious—it was her life's work. But "related to scales"? A few lore-buffs in the chat immediately started acting as science popularizers.
Ningguang: Yanfei possesses a set of steel scales, a treasure left by her father. It's said they can measure the value of all things—an invaluable tool for her legal contracts!
Ganyu: ...Actually, initially, those scales were a gift from Rex Lapis to Yanfei's father. I once saw her try to weigh a Vision against piles of Mora. The scale wouldn't balance until Yanfei impatiently tossed her handwritten legal code onto the plate. Only then did it level out perfectly!
This little revelation gave the Mondstadt viewers a sudden, deep respect for the Liyue consultant.
Tsk! The camera zoomed in on the Pokédex screen as the flickering phantoms finally stopped.
[WHO AM I?]
The mechanical voice announced: [BALTOY!]
An earthy-brown clay doll appeared on the screen. Its eyes were tightly closed, and its expressionless face made it look more like a museum piece than a living creature. If this Baltoy were found in a Teyvat ruin, anyone would mistake it for an ancient relic.
Pokédex Entry: "The Clay Doll Pokémon! Ground and Psychic type! A rare Pokémon first discovered in ancient ruins!"
Yanfei was stunned. She didn't mind the strange, antique appearance at all. In fact, as she stared at the clay doll that resembled a balancing scale, her eyes grew brighter and brighter.
Then came the classic "Critical Review" session from the chat.
Xiangling: I declare that, in terms of appearance, this Pokémon is a big failure!!
Hu Tao: You're the one who wants to be a "Bug Queen," and you're talking about appearance? (Laughing)
Xiangling: Hey! What's wrong with Bug-types? Didn't that Overlord Lurantis teach you some respect?
Xingqiu: ...Cough, if I may interrupt, Lurantis is a Grass-type, not a Bug-type.
Chongyun: Psychic type! That's impressive.
Yoimiya: I've heard in the group that Psychic attributes are very rare and precious...
Lisa: Let the Witch answer. The Dragon type is noble, yes, but the Psychic system is devastating in its own right. They have no clear weaknesses in the right hands!
The Ancient Giant Template
As Yanfei's eyes shined with joy, Hiroshi clicked on the "System Permissions" version of the data. His face twitched for the second time that day.
"Holy grass?!"
The full name of this Pokémon was actually the Ancient Giant Baltoy.
In the original Pokémon lore, there were "Ancient" or "Giant" Pokémon whose strength and stature rivaled the gods. This Baltoy was a prehistoric template, likely fished out of ruins from 10,000 to 20,000 years ago by the System.
Hiroshi told them the truth. The barrage stopped instantly.
"What?"
"A Pokémon from 20,000 years ago?"
Albedo: Ancient + Giant template? Does this mean it can directly pursue the realm of the gods?
Zhongli: Does "Ancient" inherently mean powerful?
Venti: I can explain that! As a ruling god... well, those of us who have lived for millennia are troubled by Erosion (Wear and Tear). But for a Pokémon, ten thousand years of preservation is a terrifying amount of accumulated power!
Hiroshi stared at the Ancient Giant Baltoy. He remembered that its evolved form, Claydol, had patterns similar to Unown Totems—ancient, activated texts. If those symbols could be deciphered in Teyvat, they might unlock the secrets of mass-producing the "Ancient Template."
Yanfei didn't wait for more information. When Hiroshi gave the price of 100 Million Mora, she didn't even blink. She handed over a massive bank certificate instantly.
Why are the women in Liyue so rich? They just keep throwing bills at my face! Hiroshi thought, though he wasn't complaining.
The Return of the Dragon Queen
Just as Hiroshi was seeing off the Adepti and the Consultant, the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor swaggered in. Her newly evolved Gabite followed her, looking fierce and proud.
"Boss! Are you here?" Hu Tao shouted. "Has the weekly draw reset? This Director is here to draw another Dragon!"
Hiroshi hadn't even turned off the live broadcast camera yet. Hu Tao walked right into the frame, full of energy.
"My Gabite has evolved! It'll be a Garchomp soon, but that's a long-term project. This Director has a premonition—the second Dragon is coming today!"
She looked directly into the camera and grinned. "Although my Gabite took the first evolution record of the group, I won't stop there! Keep your heads high! This time, with my experience, my next partner will evolve in a week!"
Hiroshi tilted his head. It was true—Hu Tao had built a "snowball effect." Her momentum as a Trainer was starting to get exaggerated.
Hu Tao waved her fist at the live broadcast audience. "When my second Dragon is in place and I have two generals in my formation, I welcome any challenge in the group chat! No one will be refused!"
"I, Hu Tao, will be the number one Pokémon Master in Teyvat! Who is in favor? Who is against?"