Turn around.
Baimu brought Aggron and Chansey before Steelix.
The latter slightly lifted its eyelids, trembling slightly at the sight of Aggron.
It was clear that this massive creature had developed a fear of the Big Monster, triggered by the successful submission system of the weak to the strong induced by wild instincts.
This allowed Baimu to breathe a slight sigh of relief.
The fear was that Steelix would stubbornly refuse to submit.
One-on-one, head-to-head was indeed the right choice. Had it been a group beating Steelix, it might have been hard for this fellow to truly concede.
"Hmm... sorry for pulling you out just to hit you again, but it seems you understand we're not easy to bully."
He began to employ a soft approach, stuffing Tree Fruit into its mouth while winking at Chansey.
Chansey circled to the front of Steelix, and while Baimu was petting it, quietly used [Healing Fluctuation] to restore its lost stamina and minor injuries.
Steelix felt the gentle touch on its head, chewing the Tree Fruit, as a comfortable warm flow slowly rose within its body, quickly relaxing its mood.
"Roar..."
"You must be hungry, right? Try this too."
Baimu took out the glowing dish he'd prepared and stuffed it into Steelix's mouth.
Though when Steelix closed its mouth, its teeth looked neat and nice, upon opening they were actually aligned vertically, as if missing teeth, spaced with one long and one.
It was really quite funny.
After being beaten, Steelix was indeed a bit hungry, and couldn't wait to eat upon smelling the fragrance of food.
Unfortunately, the quantity was too little to satisfy its stomach.
It looked at Aggron cautiously and then revealed a longing gaze.
"Want more?"
"Roar!"
"Then join me in the future. He's the big brother, and I'm the big brother's boss. Call him big brother!"
"Roar!"
"Call me the big brother's boss!"
"Roar!"
"Also, there's a big sister. Call her big sister too."
"Roar!"
The clunking sound of two Pokeballs opening.
Baimu pointed at Mawile, "This is the big sister! Call her big sister!"
"Roar!"
Pointing at Deino, "This is... this is our little brother, no need to call him."
"Roar... roar?"
Steelix had already entered a state where whatever Baimu said went, whether it understood the specific content was questionable.
To test the result.
Baimu stuffed the last bit of food into its mouth, stood atop its enormous platform-like head, and gently patted, "Stand up!"
Steelix slowly lifted its upper body.
Allowing a person to stand on its head, it could basically be confirmed that Steelix truly submitted.
Before its head touched the ceiling, Baimu quickly crouched down and couldn't help but laugh heartily, feeling as if he'd climbed Mount Tai and could view all the lesser mountains, it was simply too exhilarating.
"It seems that although Cang Zhilang understands the art of PUA, he doesn't understand the heart of Pokémon."
Baimu sighed.
Catching Steelix was much smoother than he expected; he thought it would take longer to draw it in. Now it seems the investment was worth it, and he actually profited greatly.
Speaking of it.
Possessing a Level 60 Pokémon, how many badges did he, in effect, hold?
If he went to the tournament at this time, would he win...?
Probably not, since he only has two Level 60s, and hasn't even gathered the minimum six Pokémon. Participants in the tournament usually prepare at least nine to ensure they have Pokémon in top condition after a fierce battle.
"A long road ahead, thank you for your hard work, let me down."
Baimu lightly patted Steelix's head to signal it to let him down.
Steelix obeyed very compliantly.
And since the opponent had already become a part of the team, Aggron retracted its fierce momentum and smiled at Steelix.
The latter immediately, overwhelmed, began to sway its head.
The thick tail behind it also wagged along, like a little dog.
"We already have a dog at home, you should settle on a different persona." Baimu muttered, putting Steelix away amidst its puzzled look, and then recalled Aggron and the rest of the Pokémon.
"Thanks for your hard work."
He left the room to find the owner and check out.
The owner cheerfully said, "How was it? Isn't it super sturdy?"
"Yeah, pretty good. I'll come back here next time I get the chance." Baimu nodded, handed over the key, and left.
"Thank you for your patronage~"
The owner beamed with a smile
Two minutes.
The owner went to Baimu's room to check the damage, humming a tune as he walked, "Cute little~ Oh my gawd!"
He was stunned, gaping at the room's walls full of large and small holes, many of which were already riddled with cracks, reaching the limit of metal fatigue.
Some were even completely damaged.
Even a missile carpet-bombing couldn't have done more damage, right?
"This... what kind of person was he..."
The owner drew in a sharp breath, recalling Baimu's face, exclaiming, "I knew he looked familiar! It's him!"
Baimu's alias wasn't just spread among the various organizations but also among the merchants in the Underground City. After all, staying informed is crucial in business; especially at this pivotal time, making money requires eyes in all directions and ears to the ground.
Otherwise, one day they might get robbed without knowing who did it.
"Remarkable, truly remarkable."
The owner quickly snapped photos of the wall and uploaded them to their Underground City shop group, with an added comment.
"Today, Demon Wood came to do business! This young talent is indeed extraordinary! (๑´ㅂ`๑)"
"Really!"
"Is that the new officer from the Quicksand Team?"
"Did Mr. Ichishima get in touch with Demon Wood? Could he perhaps help with an introduction?"
"Me too."
"Me too."
The group quickly flooded with emojis.
The owner looked at his phone screen, his vanity greatly satisfied, but as for the introduction... he himself wasn't yet familiar with the man, what kind of introduction could he provide!
——
Back at the villa.
Baimu finally got to let Steelix out.
The clear blue sky further relaxed the latter's mood; for its size, that semi-enclosed battle arena was too oppressive.
"Roar~"
"I've got it ready for you, hurry and eat."
Baimu came out of the room with a basin of food, placing it in front of Steelix.
To be honest.
Considering the size difference, a basin was too small, but going back and forth three times was just about enough. On one hand, it's about eating less and more often, on the other, the quality of food, with its abundant nutrients and calories, was actually sufficient.
If Steelix sought a full stomach, it could rely on eating iron-sand soil and rocks, things that wild Steelix typically ate.
But once it gets used to it, there's no need to eat so much at once.
Steelix isn't like a Snorlax, which has a huge appetite that digests whatever it eats.
But despite this.
With Aggron, Steelix, and Deino, the golden monster, Baimu had to consider his wallet quite seriously.
"In this house, only the three of us have the smallest and most frugal appetites."
He looked at Chansey and Mawile, feeling deeply emotional.