Sai So looked blankly at his fainted Shroomish on the ground.
As a Grass-type expert, he knew Shroomish's habits and fighting style inside out. But this opponent’s wild strategy had left Sai So at a complete loss.
"Using a Toxic Orb to trigger Shroomish's Poison Heal ability?" Sai So murmured. "What a daring idea!"
While the Poison Heal strategy with Shroomish had been proposed before, it was usually seen as a passive tactic. The toxicity from a Toxic Orb puts a heavy strain on the Pokémon; even Poison Heal can't fully mitigate it. So, most Grass-type Trainers would opt for Shroomish’s "Technician" ability, enhancing its close-range combat abilities on top of Grass-type endurance.
But right now, Teacher Lu's tactics seemed to open a whole new world for Sai So.
“What if I balance the toxicity of the Poison Orb with the regenerative effect of Leech Seed?”
Sai So’s mind raced as he incorporated this strategy into his battle plans.
“Using Substitute to share the toxicity, Poison Heal could absorb all of the Toxic Orb's effect!”
“Leech Seed, Toxic, Toxic Orb, Substitute… What a bold nurturing method!”
Sai So's breathing grew quick, and he clicked on Teacher Lu’s profile, wanting to explore further.
"Top ranking... seventh in the world!?"
Sai So’s eyes widened.
A quick glance at the recently joined fan group made his expression change.
"And even Champion Green!"
“Both of them are Teacher Lu’s fans!?”
Sai So felt a bit overwhelmed and muttered, “Such a famous Grass-type master… surely Miss Erika would know him, right?”
“This year’s Type Specialist Tournament… I wonder if I could get a few pointers from him…”
He released his Pokémon from its Poké Ball, a red light flashing. Sai So looked at his other Shroomish with Poison Heal ability, his mind carefully replaying the previous battle.
"So he wasn’t deliberately provoking… this Poison Heal strategy was essential to the tactic all along?”
Sai So's eyes regained their resolve, and he clenched the Poké Ball in his hand.
“I’ve got to keep working hard!”
After ending the stream, Lu Ye’s subscriber count reached 70,000.
In just one evening, he had received around 2,000 yuan in rewards.
Although the actual earnings would need calculating, it was enough to give Lu Ye a little treat.
He grabbed a can of cola from the mini-fridge, popped it open with a "pssht," and leaned back lazily in his gaming chair.
“System, check remaining BP points!”
Thanks to the show's great effect, Lu Ye had gained nearly 200 BP points, bringing him closer to another tenfold draw.
He went to the side room, where Gastly was still floating intently over the Nurturing Guide, studying it diligently.
Like a strict teacher, Gastly had a serious expression as he gazed at the file, holding an Oran Berry with a little claw formed from black mist.
As if he’d come across something insightful, Gastly nodded in satisfaction and chomped the berry, juices splattering.
Lu Ye couldn’t help but smirk.
Well, well, using academic papers as a snack!
Hearing a sound, the black mist gathered up.
Gastly turned around in surprise and then broke into a big grin, stretching out his tongue to lick Lu Ye.
Lu Ye tried to pat Gastly’s head, only for his hand to pass through the mist, his fingertips tingling with a cold, numbing sensation.
Suddenly, the system’s emotionless voice echoed in Lu Ye's ear.
【Gastly, a faint gaseous life form, surrounded by gas so toxic that even an Indian elephant would fall within ten minutes.】
Lu Ye’s face paled. “Are you kidding me? Why didn’t you mention this earlier?”
Luckily, Gastly enjoyed Lu Ye’s touch and restrained his toxicity, transforming into a harmless mist that swirled around Lu Ye’s hand.
Lu Ye breathed a sigh of relief, smiling. “Want a late-night snack?”
Gastly's large, bell-like eyes widened as he blinked.
“Here, just take the phone and order yourself.”
Lu Ye handed the phone to Gastly and picked up the drool-stained guide.
Scanning 【Gastly's Nurturing Guide】, Lu Ye exclaimed, “Wow, you even took notes!?”
“Gengarrr!” Gastly proudly raised his head, holding the phone with his mouth.
Earlier, Lu Ye had jokingly told Gastly to highlight the usage of Confuse Ray.
It hadn’t even been two hours, yet the guide was covered in sticky, wet underlines—all notes Gastly had made himself!
Lu Ye didn’t mind, placing the guide back and chuckling.
“Stop grinning, go order food!”
Training a move wasn’t something that could be accomplished overnight.
Mastering “Confuse Ray” in two hours was clearly wishful thinking.
Fortunately, Lu Ye’s expectations for Gastly weren’t high—his main goal was just to save on electricity bills…
Gastly carefully placed the phone on the table, eyes gleaming as he stared at the mouth-watering dishes on the screen, swallowing his saliva audibly.
But he couldn’t resist grinning like a foodie, sticking out his long tongue as he eyed the Farfetch'd Set on the menu.
“Farfetch’d Set again? You just had that last time, let’s try something new.”
Lu Ye stroked his chin, “How about some barbecue? The lamb skewers here have pretty good reviews.”
Gastly’s eyes sparkled with approval.
“Extra spicy, cumin, and an ice-cold beer… perfect!”
Half an hour later, Lu Ye set up a table by the window.
With the evening breeze and the enticing aroma of grilled skewers, he was ready to dig in.
Gastly guzzled MooMoo Milk, his face flushing from the spiciness, yet he still devoured the shiny, greasy skewers.
“Take it easy; no one’s competing with you for it!”
Even though he was a spirit, Gastly’s mist seemed denser after eating his fill.
The taste wasn’t bad; it could even be Wooloo…
Lu Ye took a sip of his refreshing beer and asked, “How did you end up here anyway?”
“From what I read online, Gastly’s natural habitat isn’t exactly urban areas.”
Gastly’s movements paused, and he looked up thoughtfully before burying himself back into his lamb skewer.
“Not willing to talk about it, huh?”
Lu Ye gently poked at Gastly's surrounding mist and smiled.
“That’s fine. From now on, we’re family.”
The night breeze blew, and Gastly suddenly looked up—
His eyes went wavy with emotion, overflowing with tears.
“Hey, hey, don’t wipe your snot on my shirt! No, don’t!”
Lu Ye barely avoided getting smothered by Gastly and experiencing “suffocation by Gastly” firsthand.
Taking a suspicious blue drink labeled 【Speed Booster (Enhanced)】 out of the cabinet, he set it aside for Gastly’s breakfast the next day.
Lu Ye let Gastly settle on the ceiling as his resting spot.
There was something reassuring about waking up to a grinning ghost every morning.
“Lights off, Gastly.”
At Lu Ye’s command, Gastly shut off the room’s power.
Unbeknownst to Lu Ye, after he fell asleep, a faint, firefly-like glow began circling Gastly, gently illuminating the room.
This was precisely what Lu Ye had asked him to master that morning—