Sheer Force?
Whether it was Tang Ming or Sun Derong, both were hearing this ability for the first time.
Yet Guo Yi seemed to have expected their astonished expressions long ago.
Thus, he continued his explanation: "The effect of the Sheer Force ability is that it negates certain additional effects of moves, while simultaneously increasing their power."
"When Sheer Force activates, if the Pokémon is holding a Life Orb, the orb's negative recoil effect will also be neutralized."
"So, strictly speaking, it isn't the Pokémon but rather its ability that grants immunity to the Life Orb's side effect."
"So that's how it is."
Tang Ming nodded thoughtfully.
But in the next second, he suddenly felt something was off!
With this explanation, hadn't Guo Yi just revealed the secret behind the Life Orb?
Immediately, Tang Ming cast a puzzled look toward Guo Yi.
Guo Yi chuckled lightly: "Director Tang, no need to be surprised!"
"I just didn't want to disrupt my lecture plans earlier, so I didn't explain this at first."
"Besides, it might sound simple now," he added calmly,
"but that's just theory. If you want to know exactly which Pokémon and which moves trigger this effect, it's not something a few words can clearly explain."
Sun Derong, being a professor, deeply resonated with these words.
"Teacher Guo is right."
"Forget everything else—even discussing the unknown Sheer Force ability alone would take considerable time."
"But please rest assured, Teacher Guo. Until you announce it yourself, we absolutely won't leak this information."
Tang Ming quickly followed up: "That's right, Teacher Guo!"
"We won't leak any of this information."
Since Guo "950" Yi had been so open and sincere with them,
they naturally wouldn't behave like petty villains.
Moreover, Guo Yi had achieved so much at such a young age.
Any person with even a bit of sense wouldn't do something so thankless.
Afterward, under Sun Derong's eager inquiries, Guo Yi further elaborated on the characteristics of Sheer Force.
They talked for well over an hour.
During the conversation, Sun Derong learned that Guo Yi didn't yet have any supporting data on Sheer Force.
Thus, Sun Derong immediately volunteered himself:
"Teacher Guo, would you consider allowing my team to handle the experimental data research for Sheer Force?"
"Of course, when published, the credit will naturally belong to you."
"Once this issue of the Complete Guide to Pokémon Items is published, all proceeds from its sales will be given directly to you, Teacher Guo."
To persuade Guo Yi to agree, Sun Derong had made a generous promise.
One must know, the Complete Guide to Pokémon Items was currently among the most popular periodicals.
Every issue, after deducting costs, made at least fifty or sixty million yuan.
This much money!
Yet Sun Derong gave it away without the slightest hesitation.
After all, experimental research itself required significant financial backing.
But don't think Sun Derong was handing over all the benefits to Guo Yi, as if he were doing something thankless.
One must remember, each newly discovered ability brought enormous honor to the research institute.
The more achievements the institute had, the more substantial future investments from the Alliance would become.
Because certain resources, no matter how much money you had, couldn't necessarily be bought.
Just like the Perfect-Grade Evolution Stone.
Market price: tens of millions. Black market: hundreds of millions.
Yet still, few were willing to sell.
So, from Sun Derong's perspective, this was an absolute pie-in-the-sky opportunity.
Naturally, Guo Yi wouldn't reject his request.
Truthfully, even if Sun Derong hadn't approached him, Guo Yi was already planning to seek out a research institute collaboration.
After all, once information regarding Nidoking became public, Sheer Force would inevitably come under scrutiny.
If Guo Yi himself didn't explain it clearly, someone else would inevitably claim the credit later.
Sun Derong's appearance conveniently solved this problem.
"Then, Elder Sun, I'll have to trouble you."
"No trouble at all, no trouble at all!"
Having received Guo Yi's approval, Sun Derong's face blossomed into a wide smile.
As expected, this visit wasn't in vain.
Having secured what he wanted, Sun Derong didn't linger any longer, eager to return and begin organizing his research team,
preparing to start the data experiments immediately.
He hoped to present ample experimental support from his institute before Guo Yi publicly revealed the secret.
After Sun Derong left, Tang Ming continued staring incredulously at Guo Yi.
"Director Tang, I'm not interested in men."
"I prefer women."
Feeling Tang Ming's burning gaze, Guo Yi subconsciously tightened his clothes, issuing a mock warning.
Hearing this, Tang Ming wore a speechless expression and inwardly retorted:
Who the hell is interested in men?!
Calming his stirred-up emotions,
Tang Ming spoke again: "Teacher Guo, with your abilities, being just an assistant instructor truly feels insufficient."
"Why don't I help you raise your position again?"
Tang Ming once more seized the opportunity, hoping to upgrade Guo Yi's title.
Once his rank increased, Guo Yi could shine even more brightly for the school.
Moreover, these past few days, many students had been asking the administration to give Guo Yi a promotion, increasing class enrollments.
However, this capitalist's little scheme was instantly seen through by Guo Yi, who rejected it bluntly:
"Sorry, Director."
"I think assistant instructor suits me just fine. If you promote me, I might find myself uncomfortable."
"When I feel uncomfortable, my mood worsens."
"And once my mood worsens, I might wander off to travel and sightsee."
Guo Yi shrugged shamelessly.
Again!
Using resignation threats!
Tang Ming rubbed his temples, feeling another headache coming on.
Other teachers couldn't wait to climb up in rank.
Yet here was Guo Yi, rejecting it every single time.
At this point, Tang Ming couldn't help but sigh inwardly:
Teacher Bai truly has foresight.
This salted fish Guo Yi must be prodded into flipping himself!
But giving up here felt unsatisfying.
Suddenly, an idea floated into his mind.
Cough cough!
Tang Ming coughed lightly to catch Guo Yi's attention.
Then he spoke slowly: "Teacher Guo, according to university rules, every assistant instructor must join a student club as a coach."
"Right now, all other clubs already have coaches; only the tennis club remains vacant."
"Then, I'll trouble you, Teacher Guo, to step in."
This rule—was specifically created by Shanghai Pokémon University for assistant instructors.
After all, compared to ordinary teachers, assistant instructors taught less than half the courses.
To prevent them from idling too much and causing trouble, the university required that every assistant instructor must join a club.
A club?
Guo Yi's brow furrowed deeply at these words.
He certainly had no time to manage any club.
Thus, he straightforwardly refused: "Director, let's skip the club."
Joining a club—wasn't that purely a waste of time?
However, Tang Ming replied with utmost seriousness: "This is university policy; even I can't change it."
"But, if Teacher Guo were a formal instructor, there'd be no need to join a club."
After spending the past several days together, Tang Ming had realized Guo Yi was someone with firm principles.
If you did things by the rules, he wouldn't complain.
But if you didn't, he'd be even less inclined to follow rules.
Precisely because of this, Tang Ming came up with the idea of using the club as a solution—not a perfect solution, but still a solution.
"Ah!"
"To get Teacher Guo promoted and give him a raise, I've truly exhausted all my methods!"
Guo Yi looked at the faint smile on Tang Ming's lips, inwardly speechless:
You've gotta be kidding me.
Using a trick like this just to promote me?
Despite his reluctance,
compared to an unwanted promotion, Guo Yi figured joining a club was barely acceptable.
Sighing resignedly, Guo Yi finally asked, "Director, which club?"
Tang Ming replied proudly:
"The Pokémon Tennis Club!"
...
Bang! Bang! Bang!
On the tennis courts of Shanghai Pokémon University—
Two figures sprinted rapidly across either side.
A tennis ball darted fiercely back and forth between them.
Only, these two figures weren't human—but rather two humanoid Pokémon:
Electabuzz and Machoke.
Each Pokémon gripped a specially-made racket, locked in a fierce tennis showdown.
Pokémon Tennis.
It was one of the hottest sports competitions in society today.
In popularity alone, perhaps only Pokémon Football and Pokémon Basketball could rival it.
On the court—Electabuzz gripped the racket firmly in its right hand, sparks of electricity crackling to life.
Bang!
The moment the tennis ball met its racket, it instantly transformed into a charged orb of lightning—striking the ground once before surging straight toward Machoke's face…
Yet, facing Electabuzz's fierce attack, Machoke did not retreat; instead, it stepped forward.
Fighting-type energy surged throughout its body as it gripped its racket with both hands, forcefully intercepting the electrified ball.
Bzzzzt—!
However, though it caught the ball, the intense electric current surged from the racket directly into Machoke's arms, continuously shocking it.
"Machooo—!"
Machoke let out a deafening roar—
The muscles of its arms bulged explosively, and Fighting-type energy poured from its body through the racket into the tennis ball.
With a muffled BOOM!, the fist-sized tennis ball rocketed forward like a cannonball, slamming violently into Electabuzz's side of the court.
Seeing this, Electabuzz moved forward, intending to intercept—
But at that moment, the ball bounced on the ground and suddenly exploded into a second burst of speed.
Swoosh!
It shot right past Electabuzz's face, crashing violently into the chain-link fence behind.
"60:0!"
"The winner of this match is Machoke!"
From the sidelines, a tennis club member serving as referee promptly announced the result.
As the verdict was declared, Electabuzz collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily.
At this moment, a tall, graceful young woman led several club members toward the two Pokémon.
"Electabuzz, your energy control still needs improvement!"
"In that last move, either fully convert your electricity into sheer speed to prevent your opponent from reacting, or condense it tightly so that it explodes violently upon contact, causing massive damage."
"But you tried to achieve both at once, and thus failed at both."
"Eleee—"
Facing the woman's criticism, Electabuzz showed no dissatisfaction; instead, it humbly nodded, fully accepting her guidance.
Seeing Electabuzz's attitude, the young woman nodded approvingly.
"Electabuzz, rest a moment."
"I'll advise you more later on your tennis techniques."
After speaking, she turned toward the club members behind her and commanded clearly, "Everyone, proceed with training as planned!"
"Yes, President!"
Everyone raised their rackets in unison, responding enthusiastically.
The Pokémon Tennis Club wasn't purely made up of girls—boys participated as well.
In this world, thanks to Pokémon, many sports no longer distinguished between genders.
On TV, it was common to see boys and girls competing directly against each other.
Just as the young woman finished speaking and was about to begin her own training—
she saw Tang Ming approaching, accompanied by a young man.
"Xiao Bing, training right now?"
Tang Ming stepped forward, smiling gently.
"Mhm."
Si Bing'an nodded. "Director, I was just about to start."
"Perfect timing! Let me introduce this gentleman to you."
"This is Guo Yi—he will be your Pokémon Tennis Club's new coach."
Tang Ming pushed Guo Yi gently forward, introducing him to Si Bing'an.
"Coach?"
Si Bing'an immediately furrowed her brow.
She'd certainly heard of Guo Yi.
After all, Guo Yi had been the hottest topic on the internet recently—it would've been harder not to know him!
Staring at the handsome young man before her,
Si Bing'an admitted to herself:
Teacher Guo was indeed extremely strong as a Pokémon trainer.
But wouldn't it be a bit inappropriate for him to coach tennis?
After all, tennis wasn't simply about raw strength.
As Si Bing'an scrutinized Guo Yi, Guo Yi was also carefully observing her—
[Si Bing'an]
[Age: 22]
[Background: President of Pokémon Tennis Club]
[Abilities: None]
[Suitable Template: Bea Template]
[Note: This young woman possesses exceptional talent. Suggest recruiting her as a disciple.]
The Bea template, huh?
Guo Yi muttered inwardly before stepping forward, raising his hand in greeting.
Honestly, lately he'd encountered so many high-level templates that he was starting to feel a bit numb.
"Hello, my name is Guo Yi."
"I look forward to your guidance from now on."
However—Si Bing'an's expression remained icy-cold.
Not only did she refuse to return his greeting, she instead posed a cold, direct question:
"Teacher Guo, do you know tennis?"
"What qualifies you to be our coach?"
From Si Bing'an's tone, Guo Yi clearly sensed her resistance.
He cast a glance toward Tang Ming—
Who, standing casually nearby, still wore that completely unconcerned expression, seemingly having expected Si Bing'an's reaction long ago.
At that moment, Guo Yi finally understood.
Great…
Looks like Tang Ming set this whole club thing up especially for me.