"Guo Yi, who exactly are you?!"
"How do you even recognize a Pokémon like Skrelp?"
Tang Rong stared at him blankly, utterly dumbfounded.
After capturing Skrelp, she'd specifically searched the internet for information, only to come up empty. At best, there were just a few blurry, uncertain photos online—some might even be mere algae mistaken for Skrelp, considering how skillful it was at camouflage.
If she hadn't wanted to challenge Guo Yi's arrogance, Tang Rong wouldn't have even revealed her Skrelp.
And as for Skrelp's evolved form…
Even Tang Rong herself knew almost nothing.
It gains the Dragon-type after evolution?
Then Skrelp's potential value is unimaginable!
Her mind raced, quickly calculating how best to capitalize on this new information. After all, Dragon-type Pokémon had always represented overwhelming strength. Even Druddigon, known mockingly as the "shame of dragons," remained highly popular simply due to the Dragon-type prestige.
Seeing Tang Rong's shocked expression, Guo Yi playfully teased her.
"Don't tell me... Miss Tang actually doesn't know her own Pokémon?"
Her face flushed bright red, and she protested weakly, "Who—who said I didn't know? I was just testing you!"
"Of course, I know Skrelp is amazing!"
As she spoke, she enthusiastically hugged the confused Skrelp, showering it with praise.
"Skrelp, you're wonderful!"
"One day, you'll become an incredible Dragon-type!"
"Skrelp—!"
Although unsure why its trainer was so delighted, Skrelp eagerly clapped its small fins, swept up by her excitement.
Meanwhile, Ye Qing and Su Qingxue curiously observed this Pokémon they'd never encountered before.
During this momentary lull, Guo Yi quietly considered what team composition would best suit Tang Rong.
Since her Toxicroak possessed the [Dry Skin] ability, naturally a Rain team was the best match. Her Venusaur would also serve well as defensive support in rainy weather.
However, the core necessity for any Rain team was, of course, a Pokémon to reliably set the rain.
As Guo Yi thought of this, his gaze drifted toward Poliwhirl nearby.
[Poliwhirl (Water-type)]
[Gender: ♂]
[Level: Lv48 (Ace-level)]
[Ability: Swift Swim (Doubles speed during rain or heavy rain.)]
[Moves: Belly Drum, Hydro Pump, Body Slam, Hypnosis, Wake-Up Slap]
[Tutored Moves: Ice Beam, Scald, Waterfall]
[Egg Move: Encore]
[Held Item: Mystic Water (Pseudo-Elite Four-Grade)]
[Potential: Pseudo-Elite Four]
From Poliwhirl's well-developed musculature, Guo Yi could tell Tang Rong intended to evolve it into Poliwrath, a more accessible option since trading evolutions hadn't yet been mastered.
But considering Tang Rong's current Pokémon lineup, evolving Poliwhirl into Politoed would be a far superior choice.
On the surface, Poison-types didn't seem strongly connected to rainy weather, but that depended entirely on how a trainer utilized them. For instance, combining moves like [Toxic Spikes] or [Venom Drench] with the spreading effects of rain could create a battlefield nightmare for any opponent aside from Poison or Steel-type Pokémon.
Moreover, Tang Rong's Venusaur had inherited [Grassy Terrain]. With proper cultivation, it could serve as another potent core member of her team.
Guo Yi had also determined suitable choices for Tang Rong's remaining two Pokémon.
First, a Steel-type Pokémon would complement the team perfectly—covering weaknesses, providing physical bulk, and resisting Poison moves, allowing it to freely maneuver through the poisoned battlefield.
Good Steel-type candidates were plentiful—Magnemite (Electric/Steel), Scizor (Bug/Steel), Skarmory (Flying/Steel)—each had its advantages.
Of these, Guo Yi most favored Magnemite. Electric-types naturally synergized with Rain teams, after all. Thunderstorms were the true essence of rainy weather! Additionally, Magnemite's final evolution, Magnezone, could also levitate, combining multiple roles into one Pokémon.
Of course, Tang Rong would ultimately make the final choice. Guo Yi was merely offering advice—not babysitting every decision for her.
Lastly, for her sixth Pokémon, a [Swift Swim] Pokémon would be ideal, fully capitalizing on the rain setup.
After arranging these thoughts, Guo Yi patiently shared his detailed recommendations with Tang Rong.
By the end, Tang Rong and Ye Qing both stared at Guo Yi as if he were some bizarre creature.
Systematic team-building on this scale was usually something only trainers at the Elite Four-Tier considered seriously. Trainers at that level had finally acquired enough experience to clearly identify their team's shortcomings and strengths.
Yet here was Guo Yi, casually laying out future strategies as if he'd already envisioned everything clearly.
Su Qingxue, standing quietly nearby, displayed only mild surprise on her face, though inwardly she felt perfectly calm.
After all, she mused, no one knows Teacher Guo's true strength better than I do.
For a teacher capable of defeating Legendary Pokémon, this kind of thing is just child's play, Su Qingxue mused calmly.
Perhaps because Tang Rong and Ye Qing had been shocked so often today, Guo Yi hardly noticed their astonishment and simply continued explaining his ideas.
"For your two remaining Pokémon, Magnemite and Horsea are the best choices I see."
"Magnemite doesn't have special requirements, but Horsea must have the Swift Swim ability to fully maximize the Rain team's potential."
"Of course, the final choice is yours."
After coming back to her senses, Tang Rong immediately raised a question.
"[Swift Swim]?"
"My Poliwhirl already has that ability; I don't need another one. Also, since you're building a Rain team, didn't you forget to suggest a Pokémon to set the weather?"
Rain, Sandstorm, Sun, Hail—these four weather conditions were common strategies in modern competitive battles. Each weather team shared a similar framework; the difference lay in the Pokémon used and the fighting styles they employed.
Thus, Tang Rong had at least some basic knowledge of Rain teams. And right now, the most recognized Pokémon for setting Rain was undoubtedly Pelipper.
At this, Guo Yi gave a mysterious smile.
"Relax, I've already planned out the weather-setter."
"If you trust me, then instead of training Poliwhirl for physical combat, focus on developing its mastery of Water-type energy."
Tang Rong frowned slightly, still uncertain. "Do you mean Poliwhirl—or Poliwrath—can also have the [Drizzle] ability?"
"I can't say for sure right now. But if you trust me, just train according to what I said."
"Also, look for an item called a [King's Rock]. When the time comes, you'll understand."
Guo Yi had no intention of revealing Politoed's existence right now.
After all, he'd already given them more than enough surprises today. Any more, and he worried Tang Rong and Ye Qing might not be able to handle it.
Besides, when introducing entirely new Pokémon species, explanations were never as convincing as seeing it firsthand.
Hearing Guo Yi's advice, Tang Rong fell into deep contemplation. After all, this decision would profoundly influence her future as a trainer. She couldn't afford to be careless!
In the end, Tang Rong decided to trust Guo Yi's words. Whether it was the stunning reveal of two Perfect-Grade [Evolutionary Stones] or Guo Yi's profound Pokémon knowledge, all signs pointed to one obvious choice.
Afterward, Guo Yi discussed further details with Tang Rong on training Pokémon until midnight. Only then did Tang Rong reluctantly head upstairs to rest.
Guo Yi also returned to the guest room Ye Qing had thoughtfully prepared.
The first light of dawn pierced through the veil of night, ushering in a bright new day.
After quickly freshening up, Guo Yi stepped out of his room, ready to begin the day anew.
The moment he emerged, he spotted Su Qingxue busying herself in the kitchen. Another figure seemed to be in there with her.
He approached curiously.
It was Tang Rong.
But right now, Su Qingxue wore an exasperated expression as she looked at Tang Rong.
"Aunt Tang, please just sit on the sofa obediently. If you keep 'helping' like this, we won't get breakfast ready until lunchtime."
Having never set foot in a kitchen, Tang Rong wasn't helping at all—she was making things worse. Broken porcelain shards scattered across the floor clearly showed she had already destroyed several bowls.
Facing Su Qingxue's blunt criticism, Tang Rong blushed deeply.
She'd originally wanted to prepare breakfast for Guo Yi as thanks for his valuable advice yesterday.
Who would've thought something seemingly simple like cooking concealed so many hidden pitfalls?
Finally driven away by Su Qingxue's impatience, Tang Rong could only leave the kitchen helplessly—just in time to run straight into Guo Yi, standing in the living room.
Tang Rong's face turned even redder.
Did… did he just see everything that happened?
She anxiously prepared to ask, but Guo Yi spoke first with gentle amusement, "Tang Rong, it's better to leave professional tasks to the professionals."
He knew very well how terrifying food could be when prepared by someone who'd never cooked before. For his own safety, he decided it was wiser to gently dissuade her from further attempts.
Already deeply embarrassed, Tang Rong wished she could melt into the floor immediately.
"Teacher Guo—I have something else to do!" she said hastily. "I'll head upstairs first!"
Then she fled in embarrassment.
Even after Guo Yi and Su Qingxue finished breakfast, Tang Rong still hadn't reappeared.
"Teacher, when do you plan on reporting to Shanghai Pokémon University?" Su Qingxue asked, comfortably reclining on the sofa after their meal.
Guo Yi considered briefly. "Probably within the next couple of days. Before that, though, I want to check your progress with your Pokémon."
Su Qingxue smiled confidently. "Don't worry, Teacher! I definitely won't disappoint you."
Half an hour later, under Su Qingxue's guidance, Guo Yi arrived at the villa's backyard training area.
"Come out, Nidoqueen, Metapod!"
Two flashes of red light, and Su Qingxue's Pokémon appeared simultaneously.
Since Nidoqueen had fought just yesterday, Guo Yi merely gave her a brief glance before focusing closely on Metapod.
"Judging by her current condition, Metapod will probably evolve in about a week," Guo Yi assessed calmly. Once Metapod evolved into Beedrill, her training could fully begin.
Whirr!
Whirr!
Metapod suddenly vibrated gently, trying to communicate.
"Teacher," she asked earnestly, "I'd like to see Beedrill."
Guo Yi blinked in confusion.
Beedrill? Why does she want to see him?
Seeing his puzzled expression, Su Qingxue stepped closer, whispering playfully:
"You don't know yet, Teacher? Ever since your battle between Beedrill and Zapdos was broadcasted, these two have become Beedrill's fangirls. Now they're desperately eager to meet their idol."
She subtly pointed toward Metapod and, a short distance away, Nidoqueen, who was pretending to train diligently—clearly eavesdropping.
As soon as Nidoqueen felt their gazes, she hurriedly straightened her posture, acting innocent.
Guo Yi shook his head with a wry smile.
Of course—be it Pokémon or humans, strength always attracts admirers.
Metapod's admiration was understandable, given that she'd soon evolve into Beedrill herself.
But what did Nidoqueen see in him?
Well, Pokémon matters should be handled among Pokémon themselves.
"Come out, Beedrill!"
He took out the Poké Ball from his belt and pressed the button.
With a quiet buzz, the universally admired idol, Beedrill, made his dazzling appearance.
Nidoqueen immediately dashed forward, eyes sparkling.
Just as Guo Yi thought she was merely fangirling, Nidoqueen suddenly asked in a curious tone:
"Senior Beedrill, exactly how strong was that Gengar who kidnapped Teacher back then?"
Beedrill: "???"