National Research Institute Points

"As a Trainer, what do you think is the most important thing?" Shu Tong asked.

"Eating." Lin Zeng answered naturally.

Shu Tong was momentarily speechless and could only force himself to say, "Master Lin, you're at least a somewhat famous Breeder. How could you give an answer like that?"

"Am I wrong? Then... sleeping?" Lin Zeng continued.

Shu Tong seriously suspected that he had suffered some sort of trauma. "I think it's challenging strong opponents, accumulating battle experience, and making yourself stronger."

"Give it a rest. Once you reach my age, you'll definitely think eating and sleeping are the most important things too," Lin Zeng said dismissively.

Shu Tong sighed. "Master Lin, I came first in this month-end assessment at Apricot City No. 1 High School. Could you help me arrange a meeting with Station Chief Zhu's son? I want to battle him and see what level my strength would be at in Jinling."

"You should've said so earlier. Why beat around the bush? I've still got enough clout for that. We can just contact his mentor directly," Lin Zeng said.

"Then thank you, Master Lin," Shu Tong said.

"Can you give me something more tangible? How did you raise your Weedle?" Lin Zeng asked.

"I've already published it on the National Research Institute's official website. There should be results soon," Shu Tong said.

"Oh? Not bad. What's your account number? I'll follow you. Forward it to me first so I can take a look," Lin Zeng said.

"Fine." Shu Tong thought Lin Zeng was far too impatient. Couldn't he wait a few days?

Shu Tong and Lin Zeng followed each other. Lin Zeng finally let the matter drop only after seeing Shu Tong forward the paper to him.

"Remember what I asked, Master Lin," Shu Tong emphasized again.

"Go on, go on. Put your heart in your pelvis," Lin Zeng said.

Seeing that Lin Zeng's attention had completely fixed on his paper, Shu Tong could only leave in disappointment.

That afternoon, Weedle trained its reaction speed and evasion ability with Pidgey.

When it was time to leave, Shu Tong went over to Lin Zeng again and had just opened his mouth.

Lin Zeng immediately said, "Tomorrow morning at nine, here at the club. That kid surnamed Zhu will come with Lou Kuang, one of our club's Professional Trainers."

"Thanks," Shu Tong said.

"I took a rough look at your paper. You really are a genius, kid. You managed to discover a trait that was nearly buried in the dirt. I'll have to study it carefully when I get back tonight," Lin Zeng said.

"It was just luck," Shu Tong said.

Lin Zeng said disdainfully, "Then why didn't that kind of luck happen to me? Is it because you're handsome?"

"Master Lin, you've really figured life out," Shu Tong said.

"..."

That night, Shu Tong received a reply from the National Research Institute's official website.

Researcher Xiao Jian: Congratulations, your paper has passed review and has been designated a key research project. You will receive 40 points. For specific procedures, please add my Piplup account: xxxxx

Shu Tong immediately added Researcher Xiao Jian's account. This was 40 points, after all. As far as he knew, Qian Kaile's father had donated an elementary school for disadvantaged children and only received 40 points.

The value of this paper had completely exceeded his expectations. It had even overturned his understanding.

One elementary school for disadvantaged children = 40 points = one lousy paper?

This showed how much importance the country placed on Pokémon research. It hoped to cultivate more research-oriented talent.

Luckily, he had submitted directly to the National Research Institute's official website. If he had submitted it to a private company, getting five hundred thousand would already have been remarkable.

Just after they became friends, Researcher Xiao Jian sent him a message.

Researcher Xiao Jian: Hello, Shu Tong. I'm Hao Jian, an intern researcher at the Jinling Research Institute of Su Province. Your paper on the Run Away trait has been designated a key research project by the National Research Institute. If it's convenient, you can come to the institute at any time to complete the relevant procedures. You must come in person.

Shu Tong: Alright. I'll go over once I'm done with this busy stretch.

Researcher Xiao Jian: Then do you have any questions you need me to answer?

Shu Tong: What kinds of Pokémon can be exchanged for different amounts of points?

Researcher Xiao Jian: According to the latest Pokémon Base Stats published by the International Pokémon League, 80 points can be exchanged for a Pokémon whose fully evolved Base Stats are below 500; 120 points can be exchanged for one with fully evolved Base Stats of 500; 180 points can be exchanged for one with fully evolved Base Stats below 530; and 230 points can be exchanged for one with fully evolved Base Stats below 540. These are currently the exchange standards for Pokémon available through the National Research Institute.

Shu Tong: Understood.

Researcher Xiao Jian: Then I'll see you in Jinling.

Shu Tong: See you in Jinling.

After reviewing the types of Pokémon he could exchange with points, Shu Tong had a rough idea in mind.

As for Pokémon Base Stats, they had been one of the largest research subjects since Pokémon arrived in this world. One attribute and one set of Base Stats were the two most fundamental factors in understanding Pokémon, so countries around the world had invested the most research funding into those two areas. A basic framework had already been established as early as the 1960s and 1970s, followed by continuous additions, revisions, and updates.

Shu Tong had specifically read through the development history of Pokémon Base Stats. In truth, the breakthrough in compiling and summarizing Base Stats had come from the appearance of a treasure in a Mystery Realm: the Everstone. It looked useless at first, since who would not want their Pokémon to evolve?

At first, researchers had only discovered that the Everstone could suppress energy, thereby preventing Pokémon from evolving. Through continued research, they later found that differences in Pokémon energy strength were all reflected differently on the Everstone. Wasn't that practically a supreme treasure for measuring energy strength?

Even now, researchers still used the Everstone's properties together with high-precision instruments. Only after analyzing massive amounts of experimental data could they reach conclusions. Through the unremitting efforts of researchers worldwide and their pursuit of precision, the differences in Base Stats for many Pokémon had been refined down to single digits. For example, Charizard's Base Stats had been determined as 534, just one point lower than Swampert's 535.

Thus, the study of Base Stats had developed to the point where it was not all that different from the Pokémon games and anime Shu Tong knew. The only difference was that many Pokémon he was familiar with had yet to be discovered.

Just as Researcher Xiao Jian had explained, the Pokémon available for exchange had Base Stats between 530 and 540. Pokémon within that range were basically the Water type and Fire type members of the Starter Trio mentioned in the anime.

For example, Blastoise, Feraligatr, Blaziken, Sceptile, and Empoleon had Base Stats of 530; Charizard, Typhlosion, and Infernape had Base Stats of 534; and Swampert had Base Stats of 535.

All of them were highly representative Pokémon.

But 230 points was far too distant. He was now qualified to carry a second Pokémon, so he certainly would not wait until he had saved up 230 points. The sooner he could obtain a second Pokémon, the better.

Although he would not need a second Pokémon during the College Entrance Examination League, that was limited to Su Province.

Once the National College Freshman League began after university enrollment, he would have to use a second or even a third Pokémon.

There was nothing wrong with preparing in advance.

Moreover, the signs of Weedle's evolution were becoming increasingly obvious. If Zhu Zhixiang had not arrogantly bought up all the Poison type resources in Apricot City, Shu Tong would have long since bought some Poison type resources, even if they were merely mid-grade. Perhaps Weedle would then be only a little away from reaching its most perfect evolutionary state.

The Viridian Force could determine the best timing for a Pokémon's evolution, so Shu Tong paid close attention to the changes in Weedle's body every day.

The next morning, Shu Tong arrived at the Pokémon Club early.

Since it was still early, Lin Zeng intercepted him right away.

"Did you check the National Research Institute's official website?" Lin Zeng asked.

"Not today."

"Today's top headline on the website is about you. Look." Lin Zeng held his phone out in front of Shu Tong.

'Shu Tong, a high school student from Apricot City, Su Province, discovered a new trait in Weedle. The National Research Institute has designated this trait a key research project.'

"I don't want to become famous," Shu Tong said.

Lin Zeng said meaningfully, "That'll be difficult. Your name, Shu Tong, will definitely be noted beside this trait in the future."

"But the National Research Institute still hasn't officially announced this trait," Shu Tong said.

"It's not that simple. Didn't you see that they set up a special project for it? The research experts have to figure out every detail involved. They also need to apply to the International Alliance for a patent before it can be officially announced," Lin Zeng said.

"But none of that has anything to do with me anymore," Shu Tong said.

After all, he had already received the points he wanted. He had no energy to spare for such exhausting and time-consuming deep research.