"Water is magical; it can nourish all things and permeate everything. It can be as calm as a mirror or as violent as a tide.
Our Water Ripple Dojo's secret techniques follow the path of water's fury, the opposite of the water attribute family, one of the eighteen major attribute families."
Listening to her teacher's explanation, Yu Lili was filled with excitement.
"So, Master, are you going to teach me this?" Yu Lili asked impatiently.
The Water Ripple Dojo Master shook his head, "No, you must first learn Water Pulse and Surf. These are the basic requirements for entering the Water Ripple secret techniques."
Yu Lili nodded. Secret techniques were not so easy to master. She had been mentally prepared for this.
…………
As it approached 4 ., Qu Zhengyi's call finally came.
Yao Yifei had arrived in Nan Capital and expressed a desire to meet Lu Li.
This was a two-way interview, just like a blind date.
Following the directions to the coffee shop Qu Zhengyi mentioned, Lu Li saw Yao Yifei in the coffee shop's sky garden.
The setting sun shone on her face, like a lotus flower just beginning to bloom, pure and refined; her eyes were deep, as if they contained the entire sky, sparkling with wisdom and gentle light.
Yao Yifei's beauty was not just about physical exquisiteness, but also a spiritual charm that radiated from within.
Beside her crouched a pink sprite. Sylveon's body was primarily white, with pink on its head, ears, tail, and lower legs, and blue on the inside of its ears.
Sylveon's eyes were light blue, and it had a ribbon on its left ear and neck, with two streamers on each ribbon, the colors of the streamers ending in pink, dark blue, and light blue, respectively.
Elegant and beautiful.
When Lu Li arrived, Yao Yifei had already begun to size up the young man before her.
Even having seen many outstanding Coordinator Trainers, Yao Yifei had to admit that she had never seen anyone with the same aura as Lu Li.
It was an otherworldly aura. She, too, had been like this young man when she was young, a lotus flower in the mud, seemingly out of sync with the entire world.
From a first impression, she was quite satisfied with the young man before her.
However, appearance was secondary. Having experienced the harsh realities of society, Yao Yifei knew that inner qualities were the core.
"Yao Yifei, it's a pleasure to meet you, young man."
Yao Yifei greeted him with a smile.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Gym Leader Yao," Lu Li nodded politely.
"Have a seat."
Yao Yifei pointed to the bamboo chair opposite her.
Lu Li brushed off the chair and sat down. A pink coffee was placed on it.
"You want me to become your protector?" Yao Yifei asked.
Lu Li nodded.
"Why?" Yao Yifei asked in return.
Lu Li took a sip of his coffee and asked with a smile, "Are you asking me why I chose you, or why you should help me?"
"Both questions are what I want to ask," Yao Yifei nodded.
"First, because you're young and beautiful. After all, it's nice to have a beautiful woman by my side. Second, it's about the attribute issue. And finally... I'm a Breeder," Lu Li said earnestly.
Yao Yifei chuckled and said playfully, "The last one is the key, isn't it?"
Lu Li nodded, unable to deny it.
The corners of Yao Yifei's mouth turned up slightly as she teased, "What about the second question?"
"Because in the entire Kyushu region, and even the Asian Alliance, there is no rookie Trainer stronger than me," Lu Li said with utmost confidence.
Lu Li's tone was firm, as if stating a fact.
"From an investor's point of view, you possess all the qualities to be invested in, but from an investor's point of view, I need to know the truth of what you say."
Yao Yifei had a Poké Ball in her hand before she knew it, and she rolled the Poké Ball back and forth on the table.
"So, let's have a battle. I prefer to speak with actions now," Yao Yifei invited.
"No problem," Lu Li nodded.
Lu Li never avoided a Trainer's challenge.
Even if the opponent was a Gym Leader-level Trainer.
"Don't resist."
After Yao Yifei finished speaking, Lu Li noticed a Psychic power enveloping him.
In the blink of an eye, Lu Li found himself on a battlefield.
Next to Yao Yifei stood a purple Pokémon.
Its fur and eyes were purple, and it had a ruby on its head, looking like a small feline from afar.
The identity of this Pokémon was self-evident.
Espeon!
Also one of Eevee's evolution forms.
Most importantly, this Pokémon was actually at the early Gym Leader level!
"What's going on? Why..."
A storm of shock had already erupted in Lu Li's heart. The appearance of this Espeon caught him completely off guard.
At this moment, Lu Li was already considering whether to change his protector.
Just as Lu Li was shocked and regretful, Yao Yifei threw the Poké Ball in her hand.
"I remember your strongest Pokémon is Milotic, right? Then let's compete in playing with water," Yao Yifei said, and a brand new Pokémon appeared on the battlefield.
It was a blue Pokémon with white matter on its neck and ears like fins.
Vaporeon!
Vaporeon only had the strength of an Elite mid-stage Pokémon, but Lu Li felt even more depressed.
Adding the previous Sylveon and Espeon, and the Vaporeon on the field, Yao Yifei had already brought out three Eeveelutions.
"Surprised?"
Yao Yifei asked with a smile.
Lu Li nodded.
He was indeed quite surprised. Yao Yifei's configuration was too bizarre, even more bizarre than him, a Breeder with a cheat.
"99% of the Trainers in this world become Trainers not because they love Pokémon, but simply because they pursue power.
My original intention of becoming a Trainer was not to become strong, but simply to love Pokémon. From the age of 6, the gifts I asked my family for were all Eevee."
Yao Yifei on the opposite side told her own story.
"When I realized the importance of strength, I chose the Flying-type, but unfortunately it was too late, but I don't regret it, at least me and my Pokémon are quite happy."
Lu Li didn't think so. No matter how sentimental Yao Yifei was, one thing was absolutely undeniable.
That is, the other party still desires to become stronger, so she is no different from those who became Trainers because of strength.
"The reason why I applied to become a protector is not to gain stronger power, I just want to make them stronger, I don't want them to be bullied by other Pokémon or Trainers after I die," Yao Yifei said and looked at Lu Li seriously.
"Come on! Prove your future to me," Yao Yifei shouted.
Without replying, Lu Li released Milotic.
Lu Li could see it. This woman was just a Pokémon slave, and she was already thinking about what would happen to her Pokémon after she died before she even turned 30.
No wonder this woman's path was so chaotic, but her bond with Pokémon was so deep yet so strange.
