Being overly aggressive is ultimately a meaningless gimmick. If we followed Xia Hu Nao's original idea, only Yu Long Du among the younger generation could somewhat achieve this battle style. That kid is truly reckless; he basically can't employ any strategy. While he occasionally has small ideas, they are mostly about team cooperation or prior arrangements.
It's rare to find a trainer so utterly reckless, relying on sheer force to overcome all challenges. Nowadays, most trainers walk with both legs, possessing some skill and some tactics.
Of course, everyone present understands that this is just a smokescreen to induce other trainers into making mistakes. However, such a smokescreen easily loses its effect, and uncovering this lie is not difficult.
Tong Ru looked at Lu Bingming, who had proposed this idea, and asked, "What, are you planning to recruit Xiao Yu to the school team?"
Lu Bingming smiled and nodded, "Yes, I think with Xiao Yu's strength, she should be among the best in the freshman year. Look, Xiao Die is also practicing with the school team as a freshman."
Tong Ru turned and signaled. As long as you can convince Shen Yu, you can pass my test.
Lu Bingming looked at Shen Yu, then at Tong Ru, and thought, Sister Ru, aren't you making things difficult for me? Shen Yu is probably a trainer who is solely focused on Grand Festivals. How can you lure her towards Pokémon battles? If Boss Xia were here, it would be a matter of a few words, but Boss Xia is gone!
Lu Bingming was at a loss for a solution. Wei Chiting, however, was clever. He quietly approached Chu Xiao Die, whispered something to her, and then Chu Xiao Die nodded vigorously, giving the impression that it was handled, and came over to Shen Yu.
"Xiao Yu, do you want to join the school team and play with us?" Chu Xiao Die asked, holding Shen Yu's hand.
Lu Bingming's expression turned dark. Isn't this just fooling around? Although you'll likely be the next captain after I leave, a trainer like you, who was poached from Grand Festivals by Boss Xia and is only semi-professional, saying "play" is too much. You should at least wait until I'm not around to say that.
Shen Yu hesitated slightly upon hearing Chu Xiao Die's invitation to "play." Chu Xiao Die, seeing her hesitation, took advantage of the opportunity to press on, "Want to play? Let's go together and win a championship trophy at the university Pokémon tournament. I'll be in charge of letting you show it off to Boss Xia. It's an achievement he never attained in his lifetime."
Shen Yu, who had been wavering, decisively agreed after hearing this. Chu Xiao Die excitedly hugged Shen Yu and secretly gave Wei Chiting a gesture indicating she had fulfilled her mission. Lu Bingming, watching this from the side, couldn't help but feel: the older the ginger, the spicier it is. Old Wei is indeed Old Wei; his insight is sharp. He actually managed to pinpoint Shen Yu's weak spot. How could I not have thought of using a borrowed prestige tactic?
However, now is not the time to praise Wei Chiting. Lu Bingming clapped his hands, "Alright, alright, a hug is enough. We'll announce it tomorrow, warmly welcoming the hyper-aggressive trainer Shen Bu Yan into our school team family."
Feng Bing gasped, "So soon? Even if we're creating a trump card, isn't this a bit too rushed?"
Lu Bingming smirked, "You know nothing. Boss Xia told us more than once that battles are never decided solely within the arena."
Feng Bing, half-understanding, asked, "Is that so? Then if hyper-aggression is a ruse to deceive other schools, what is Shen Bu Yan? That makes the ruse even more meaningless."
As if prompted by Feng Bing, Lu Bingming quickly went to Shen Yu's side, "I almost forgot. Xiao Yu, what is that ability of yours to cooperate with your Pokémon without giving commands? If it's not a secret, can you share it with us?"
Upon hearing Lu Bingming mention this, the classmates, who were still immersed in the news of Shen Yu joining the school team, snapped back to attention. Communicating without words is super cool! Imagine the advantage gained in battle if such a move were used. Even in the Grand Festival arena, it could help establish a cool persona, which is a considerable point-earner.
"I remember Boss Xia saying that such a thing naturally follows when there's sufficient understanding with your Pokémon. Look at Boss Wei; he can naturally communicate with his Pokémon, right?"
Feng Bing might also be a devout follower of Xia Hu Nao, remembering the knowledge Xia Hu Nao taught him very clearly. But Lu Bingming's mind raced faster than his. "Nonsense, Old Wei's understanding was built over time. It took about five or six years from the beginning to achieve it. But look at Boss Xia, and then look at Xiao Yu. This is definitely not something achieved through slow, steady effort."
At this point, Lu Bingming said with immense confidence, "Therefore, it's either exceptional talent or a decisive special method."
Lu Bingming's confident assertion made everyone look at the captain with newfound respect. Although Lu Bingming spoke of exceptional talent, everyone knew that even exceptional talent couldn't establish such a connection with three Pokémon in just one or two years.
Shen Yu thought for a moment, "Yes, I do have a special method, and I can teach it to everyone."
"As expected of student Shen Yu, the leader of the Awakened Ones, so magnanimous. So, what is this method?"
Tong Ru impatiently pushed Lu Bingming aside, "Alright, you have no tact, so say less. You don't praise girls like that. But I am indeed curious."
Shen Yu found it difficult to refuse Tong Ru's request. She glanced at her watch and muttered, "At this time, he should be awake. Never mind him; even if he's not, I'll have to wake him up."
With that, Shen Yu dialed a number and put it on speakerphone, waiting. The ringing on the other end didn't last long before it was answered, and a voice that sounded utterly exhausted came from the phone, "Hello, Boss Xia, what is it?"
"Zhang Hong, are you still asleep?"
Hearing Shen Yu's voice, Zhang Hong, who had been napping at his laboratory desk, instantly woke up. "Xiao Yu, I thought I was seeing a ghost. But speaking of which, Boss Xia's phone number hasn't been deactivated yet."
Shen Yu cleared her throat, "Cut the nonsense. I need you for something."
"What is it?"
"Teach a class on how to quickly cultivate understanding with Pokémon."
Upon hearing Shen Yu's request, there was a slight pause from Zhang Hong's end, and then he said, "Hold on, let's video call. It's hard to explain over the phone in a short time."
With that, Zhang Hong hung up. A few minutes later, Shen Yu's phone rang again. Shen Yu quickly connected it to the screen and then answered.
On the screen, Zhang Hong, with a head full of messy bird's nest-like hair, greeted everyone, "Good morning, everyone. I am Zhang Hong from the Awakened Ones team."
Shen Yu looked at the disheveled, beggar-like Zhang Hong, "No, what have you been busy with lately? How did you end up like this? If Ting Yun knew about this..."
"This is a confidential matter for our research institute; it absolutely cannot be revealed. As for Ting Yun, she's busy lately and has no time to bother with me. Let's talk about how to quickly cultivate understanding first."
Saying that, Zhang Hong rotated the camera to show a massive piece of equipment behind him. "We say that people only unleash their immense potential when they are pushed to their limits. Similarly, under pressure, they can quickly establish a bond with their Pokémon."
This statement was a modification by Zhang Hong from a book called Pokémon Cultivation. The original text said that the more experiences trainers and Pokémon go through, the faster they grow. This was altered into two sentences with little relevance.
"Therefore, while ensuring safety, as long as trainers and Pokémon experience some safe crises together, their understanding can be quickly cultivated."
The students listened to Zhang Hong's words, feeling confused. A classmate unconsciously asked, "Can this quickly achieve Shen Yu's level?"
Zhang Hong thought for a moment, "I don't know what level Xiao Yu is at currently, but I remember Xia Hu Nao mentioning before that the highest level of understanding is perfect telepathy, 'xin you ling xi yi dian tong.' I do have some ideas about this."
As he spoke, Zhang Hong released a Pokémon from its Poké Ball, "Let me introduce some good helpers for quickly achieving this state: my Niu Niu..."
Zhang Hong intended to continue, but Lu Bingming interrupted him, "Alright, alright, stop talking. Are you sure Shen Yu also trained this way? If you dare to use this method, the Awakened Ones would likely only have Shen Yu left."
Lu Bingming knew perfectly well that Zhang Hong had literally interpreted "xin you ling xi yi dian tong." His idea was likely to have Niu Niu perform a high-speed charge, and just before impact, brake sharply, thereby rapidly strengthening the bond between trainer and Pokémon in this life-or-death moment.
But, although Niu Niu is indeed a Rhydon, if you have a "telepathic connection" through your chest with this Niu Niu... Don't say it, it can really connect, from the front of your chest to the back.
"Xin you, ling xi yi dian, tong!" You know this phrase isn't segmented like that!
"Just tell us directly what method Shen Yu used to train. We can't handle such unique methods. Insurance companies wouldn't cover it either."
Hearing his idea directly shot down, Zhang Hong recalled his Niu Niu, then rummaged through a nearby cabinet for a while, and took out a... massager?
"This head-mounted massager, ah no, this head-mounted training device, is the latest creation of our Awakened Ones team. You just need to place an order to purchase it."
What started as a proper class had, in the course of the discussion, turned into a product promotion event for the Awakened Ones.