Dr. Li Chongyao

Seeing that the dates in Graveler and Makuhita's [Recent Turning Point] entries for dying from Toxic Grimer's poison had changed to one week later.

Shu Tong basically had his answer, but since the script had provided a clue about Toxic Grimer, he had to confirm it.

The Wastewater Treatment Plant managed by Zhu Zhixiang's father kept Grimer, and his starter Pokémon was also a Grimer.

He really was using his position for personal gain.

At this point, Shu Tong's main purpose in checking Zhu Zhixiang's Grimer script was to find a time gap—whether the collapse of the Abandoned Mystery Realm came before or after Toxic Grimer's appearance. If there was a day or even half a day between them, that window would be his chance to intervene.

After returning home, Shu Tong began packing. He would be going back to school tomorrow.

This return to school carried a sense of mission. Shu Tong had been reborn. He would shatter all the criticism he had endured, and those who had bullied him would be dealt with one by one.

For that reason, worried that he might overuse the Viridian Force, Shu Tong bought three more bottles of Nine-Flavor Rehmannia Pills.

Shu Tong's father was resting in the living room. Shu Tong asked, "Dad, why haven't you brought Grimer home these past few days? You don't need to neglect Grimer just because I'm at home."

His father shook his head. "No. Work at the station has been busy lately, so Station Chief Zhu ordered that all Grimer and Muk, aside from when they're sleeping, have to stay in the Mystery Realm."

Shu Tong felt that something was off and said, "Dad, can I go into the Mystery Realm again tonight?"

His father said, "Not today. I don't know what's going on, but the station chief has been strictly controlling who enters and leaves the Mystery Realm these past few days. Even squad leaders like me need to submit an application to get in."

His father's words made Shu Tong even more uneasy. He continued, "Then can you bring your Grimer out of the Mystery Realm? I just want to take a look."

His father asked suspiciously, "What's wrong with you, kid? You're acting all strange."

"Dad, it's just..." Shu Tong knew he had lost his composure. It would be hard not to make his father suspicious.

"I just feel that the poison inside that Mystery Realm is too strong. I'm worried Grimer won't be able to take it, so I wanted to check on it," Shu Tong said.

His father laughed. "You're worrying too much. Muk feeds on poison in the first place. The stronger the poison, the more it likes it."

Shu Tong gave an "Oh," looking somewhat disappointed and unsure how to persuade his father.

"But if you really want to see Grimer, just come to the station with me today," his father said.

Shu Tong's face lit up. "Okay."

His father nodded with a faint smile.

That evening, Shu Tong followed his father to the Wastewater Treatment Plant again. The security was clearly much tighter than last time.

All three gates at the entrance to the Mystery Realm required the station chief's approval to pass through.

It just so happened that his father was scheduled to enter the Mystery Realm for an inspection that day, while Shu Tong could only wait in the office.

With nothing else to do, Shu Tong leafed through some historical records about the Wastewater Treatment Plant.

As early as fifty or sixty years ago, a Mystery Realm invasion had occurred here in Apricot City. At the time, Li Chongyao, Apricot City's youngest and most promising Trainer, led a group of Professional Trainers to wipe out all the Pokémon within the Mystery Realm. All its resources were confiscated by the Apricot City Trainers Association.

Li Chongyao had also acquired considerable resources from that Mystery Realm. His strength then soared, and he won the National League championship for two consecutive years.

What puzzled people at the time was Li Chongyao's sudden shift into research. Even more admirable was that Dr. Li's achievements in research were greater still. He invented a device that stabilized the space of Abandoned Mystery Realms, and it was soon promoted nationwide.

Dr. Li Chongyao could be called a human hero who solved environmental pollution problems, renowned even across the world.

This Wastewater Treatment Plant was also the nation's first, a pilot project by Dr. Li Chongyao that benefited the local people.

The current station chief, Chief Zhu, was Dr. Li's student and could be considered someone carrying on his teacher's research project.

"A Mystery Realm is really just another dimension. Where it comes from, how it forms, and how it disappears have always been research topics around the world. Dr. Li's invention of a device to stabilize Abandoned Mystery Realm space was already a step forward for humanity. It's impossible not to admire him." Shu Tong closed the introduction.

Before long, Shu Tong's father returned to the office and released Grimer from its Poké Ball.

Grimer's [Recent Turning Point] was indeed drawing near: "Six days later, died when the Mystery Realm at the wastewater station contracted and collapsed."

"Okay, Dad. I've seen it," Shu Tong said.

"How was it? Any problems?" his father asked.

Shu Tong shook his head. "No problem. Looks like you were right, Dad. Grimer feeds on toxins, so how could it fear potent poison?"

"Then I'm relieved. Go home first. You still have school tomorrow," his father said.

"Okay, I'm heading back. Stay safe. Since Chief Zhu wants people to have less contact with the Mystery Realm, he must have his reasons. Try not to get too close to it," Shu Tong said.

Six days from now, I have to find a way to keep Dad from going to work. When that Mystery Realm contracts, who can say whether it will affect people? Shu Tong thought.

"Don't worry. I've worked here for more than a decade. I know what I'm doing," his father said reassuringly.

On the way back, Shu Tong kept thinking about the events mentioned in those [Recent Turning Point] entries.

Suddenly, his phone rang. It was Qian Kaile. Shu Tong answered and said, "It's so late. What's up?"

"Boss, late? Nightlife is just getting started. Come to Farfetch'd Food Street for barbecue. I can introduce you to a few people," Qian Kaile said.

"It's too late. Maybe next time, earlier," Shu Tong said.

"Boss, don't disrespect me like that. I specifically called in a few strong helpers this time. If we really get into a conflict with that bastard Wu Hongzhen and his gang, we won't have to fear them," Qian Kaile said.

"Fine. Wait for me. I'll be there soon."

After hanging up, Shu Tong hailed a car to Farfetch'd Food Street.

When Shu Tong arrived, Qian Kaile was already waiting with two boys and a girl their age behind him.

"Let's go, Boss. I've already booked a private room."

Led by Qian Kaile, they entered a VIP private room at a barbecue restaurant. Before long, a roasted lamb leg was brought in.

"Boss, let me introduce them. These two guys are Liu Bei and Guan Yu. This tomboy is Zhang Fei. They're all members of the school's Elite Student Group," Qian Kaile said.

"You—" Zhang Fei pointed at Qian Kaile.

"Alright, alright, you're a beauty. This is my boss, Shu Tong. From now on, he's your boss too. During the end-of-month summary battle assessment, that rabble led by Wu Hongzhen wants to make trouble for Boss. You know what to do, right?" Qian Kaile said.

"I know exactly which people work under Wu Hongzhen. I'll make a group chat for the five of us and send the list there," Liu Bei said.

"Nice. I think you'd be suited for intelligence work," Qian Kaile said.

"My Scyther's twin blades are already thirsting for battle," Guan Yu said.

"Do you know about Seviper's poison?" Zhang Fei asked mysteriously.

Qian Kaile rolled his eyes. "Your little poison trick is nothing in front of Shu Tong."

Shu Tong got to his feet. "Thank you, everyone."

Shu Tong was sincerely grateful to Qian Kaile. Wu Hongzhen's position as the school's number one was utterly unshakable, and countless people cheered him on. It was impossible to uproot them all, but with these few additional helpers, they could definitely teach them a lesson.

"Good. I've been sick of that old dog Wu Hongzhen for a long time. At school, he acts like some obedient model student, but behind the scenes, he does nothing but shameless deeds," Zhang Fei said.

"I also know one of Wu Hongzhen's secrets." Liu Bei pushed up his glasses.