Old Li: Want a Pokémon Egg?

Knock, knock, knock...

A sudden knock sounded from outside the courtyard.

Lu Li quickly put away his notebook and went to open the door. At this hour, the only person who would knock on his door was Old Li from next door.

Old Li was nearly eighty years old. His grandson was in his second year of high school at First High School, and Old Li often asked Lu Li to tutor the boy.

In this magical world, many illnesses had disappeared, so ordinary people generally lived to around a hundred. Even at eighty, Old Li could still work sweeping the streets.

Old Li's kindly face was covered in smiles. When he saw Lu Li open the door, he asked with a grin, "Little Lu, do you want a Pokémon Egg? The kind from a Secret Realm."

Lu Li looked puzzled upon hearing that.

Normally, a family like Old Li's could never obtain a Pokémon Egg from a Secret Realm. That was something only families with Elite Trainers were qualified for.

Sensing that things were not so simple, President Lu followed the old man's lead and asked, "Old Li, do you have some connection?"

After cautiously looking around and confirming that no one was paying attention, Old Li said mysteriously, "Let's talk inside."

Lu Li nodded, then helped Old Li into the courtyard.

After they sat down in the living room, Lu Li poured Old Li a cup of tea before asking again, "You can tell me now, right?"

Old Li lowered his voice. "I'm telling you, but you absolutely can't spread this around."

Lu Li nodded.

Old Li slapped his thigh excitedly. "A Secret Realm has been discovered in Qingfeng City. We're finally going to rise up."

Lu Li immediately tensed at those words.

Could that Secret Realm have been discovered so quickly?

Lu Li could not believe there could be such a coincidence. That Secret Realm was hidden by the Secret Space. Other than Gym-level Psychic Pokémon, ordinary Pokémon could never discover it.

Forget discovering the Secret Realm Entrance—one might not even find it by deliberately searching for it.

Suppressing his doubts, Lu Li pretended to be excited and asked, "Really? Where is it?"

Old Li shook his head awkwardly after hearing that, then continued, "I don't know either. I heard it from an Old Pal. Now there's an opportunity to obtain a Secret Realm Pokémon Egg right in front of you. Do you want it?"

Lu Li nodded without hesitation.

Having decided to work part-time as a Breeder, Lu Li did not mind having more Pokémon on hand. If such a good opportunity truly existed, of course he would not refuse it.

"Here, take a look first." Old Li pulled something resembling a flyer from his pocket and handed it to Lu Li.

Curious, Lu Li took the flyer.

"Qingfeng City Bright Future Project?" His gaze moved down as he read its contents.

Pay ten thousand Pokémon Coins every month, and after a year, receive a Secret Realm Pokémon Egg?

Although the flyer looked incredibly inspiring, Lu Li felt that it only had two words written all over it—Pyramid Scheme!

"I'm telling you, the Secret Realm discovered in Qingfeng City has already begun secret development, but this has not been reported to the League.

"Apparently, the Qingfeng City Official decided to hide the news for now and secretly give us locals some benefits first.

"This Bright Future Plan is a support program secretly launched by the officials. Its purpose is to support ordinary people like us and help the children of ordinary families become Trainers."

Lu Li: "..."

The more Lu Li listened, the more wrong it sounded.

Putting aside whether Qingfeng City's officials could even discover that Secret Realm, even if they really had discovered it, would those officials betray the League just to support commoners?

Having lived two lives, Lu Li had seen people betray their class. He had never seen a class betray itself.

They discovered a Secret Realm but did not report it, instead hiding it away to seek benefits for commoners? Most importantly, even Old Li had learned of this news.

Lu Li did not even know how to mock such a loophole-ridden story.

According to League rules, whichever city a Secret Realm appeared in had the right to develop it. Qingfeng City and the League were essentially one entity to begin with, so how could there be such nonsense as concealing a report?

"Where did you hear this news?" Lu Li asked curiously.

"Old Woman Wang told me. She has an acquaintance inside the League, so she learned about this plan. She also took on a task.

"That task is to secretly recruit people into this great plan. For every person secretly recruited into the plan, ten thousand of the contribution fee will be waived."

After explaining, Old Li said earnestly, "Child, I'm not doing this to save ten thousand. I sincerely think you have a bright future. You shouldn't miss this opportunity."

Paying ten thousand League Credits every month... and secretly recruiting people...

No matter how he listened, it sounded like a Pyramid Scheme. Realizing that the old man before him might have been targeted by a Pyramid Scheme Organization, Lu Li advised, "Old Li, things like this are scams. You absolutely can't fall for it."

Old Li retorted, "How could it be a scam? I saw the League Official seal myself."

Lu Li: "..."

Lu Li could only advise helplessly, "Old Li, seals can be forged. Even photos can be forged, let alone documents."

Old Li said in frustration, "Why are you such a stubborn child? Such a great opportunity is right before you. How can you miss it? I've eaten more salt in my life than you've eaten rice. Could you possibly have more experience than me?"

"Old Li, why don't we Call the Police?" Lu Li continued to persuade him.

Old Li shook his head and refused firmly. "I already told you, this is a Secret Plan. Our Team Leader said that the low-ranking police officers don't know about it.

"And if other people find out about something so good, what happens if there aren't enough Secret Realm Pokémon Eggs to go around? Child, listen to me. Join the organization and secure a spot first. If you wait too long, there won't be one left for you."

"I..."

Lu Li felt deeply frustrated.

Seeing his expression, Old Li warned him again, "Boy Lu, you can't Call the Police. If the police find out about this, I'll hang myself at your front door.

"You can't ruin my grandson's future. I've already recruited ten people into the Bright Future Plan. Now I'm a minor leader too. If I recruit a few more people, my grandson will receive a Secret Realm Starter Pokémon Egg next year."

Old Li looked as though Lu Li telling anyone would be the same as destroying his grandson's future.

"You've already recruited ten people?" Lu Li went numb upon hearing that.

Speechless, Lu Li opened his mouth, but for a while, he did not know what to say.

He could keep trying to persuade him, but the old man was clearly beyond reason.

As for calling the police?

Lu Li was genuinely worried that the old man would hang himself at his front door. If the police took down that Pyramid Scheme Organization, that would be fine. If they failed, though, things would get troublesome.

As for simply ignoring it...

After a moment of silence, Lu Li refused in a low voice, "I won't need it. I already have a Pokémon, and with my current finances, I can only afford to raise one."

"No money? You can still join the Bright Future Plan even without money!" After saying that, Old Li pulled out another flyer.