After their meal, Hu Bin and Yi Nanzi returned to Hu Bin's house, ready to sign up that evening and put together a training plan.
Yi Nanzi deftly opened the website and registered Hu Bin, while Vulpix and Cyndaquil played together, letting out happy cries.
"Vul!"
"Yinuo!"
With registration complete, Hu Bin and Yi Nanzi sat in their chairs, staring silently at a sheet of paper labeled "Training Plan."
Just then, the system's voice sounded in Hu Bin's mind: "System mission announced: take first place in the Spring City Marathon. Rewards: one Fire-type Pokémon Egg, 10,000 points, one skill upgrade voucher, and 500,000 yuan in prize money. Rewards for other top-ten finishes will be determined accordingly."
Hu Bin's breath caught when he heard that. What an incredible reward! There's even a Pokémon Egg! The system might have a sharp tongue sometimes, but it sure gives generously! Now that's lavish!
Hu Bin began taking this seriously. Originally, he had only wanted to help Yi Nanzi and let Vulpix see more of the world, but things were different now. For those extravagant rewards, Hu Bin was ready to give it his all. His eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
Hu Bin turned and called Vulpix and Cyndaquil over to join their meeting.
Now Hu Bin, Yi Nanzi, Cyndaquil, and Vulpix all stared solemnly at the training plan.
The atmosphere was rather tense, and the little faces of Vulpix and Cyndaquil practically proclaimed, I'm taking this very seriously.
After a long silence, Hu Bin finally spoke. "I think we still have time to train. We have a month left, after all—not a lot, but not too little, either. However, school starts the day after tomorrow, and we'll spend most of our time there. That means we'll have to make use of every spare moment. It'll be tough. Can you do it?"
Yi Nanzi answered without hesitation. "Yes! This time, we're going to give it everything we've got!"
"Vul!" Let's do this!
"Yinuo!" Let's do it! Let's do it!
Once they had reached an agreement, Hu Bin began drawing up a strict training plan. Yi Nanzi, Vulpix, and Cyndaquil listened with particular attention. Yi Nanzi even took out a little notebook and earnestly jotted down notes.
After a round of brainstorming, Hu Bin picked up his cup and took a sip of water. All that talking had left his mouth a little dry!
Once they had finalized the plan, Hu Bin volunteered to handle the Pokémon's training food and massages. Deeply touched, Yi Nanzi offered to cover their training equipment and clothes, then promptly began placing orders. Yi Nanzi bought lead weights for both of them to make their training harder, just like Son Goku's weighted training in Dragon Ball.
Cyndaquil and Vulpix needed weights too. Although Vulpix already had the Power Bands Hu Bin had bought, Vulpix had improved so much lately that those bands barely had any effect anymore. They would have to buy heavier ones. Cyndaquil, on the other hand, had never used weights before, so Yi Nanzi first ordered a set suited to Cyndaquil's size.
Before long, Yi Nanzi had splashed out on all the equipment, leaving them only to wait for the seller to deliver it early the next morning. Seeing such generosity, Vulpix went over and patted Yi Nanzi on the shoulder. You know how things work, little buddy!
Hu Bin wasted no time either and began making Pokéblocks to fuel Vulpix and Cyndaquil's upcoming training.
His movements flowed effortlessly, leaving Yi Nanzi watching in open admiration.
"Brother Bin, your Pokéblock-making skills have blown me away. If you set up a stall selling them, you'd absolutely rake in the money," Yi Nanzi said in amazement.
Watching from the side, Cyndaquil and Vulpix couldn't help drooling.
Suddenly, Hu Bin felt inspired by Yi Nanzi's words. That's right! Why don't I set up a street stall and sell Pokéblocks and Curry Rice? With my skills, couldn't I make a hundred million? Wouldn't that give me financial freedom?
In an instant, Hu Bin's eyes were filled with visions of money.
He nodded. "I'm definitely setting up a stall. Remember to bring your friends over when I do!"
Hearing that, Yi Nanzi thumped his chest in assurance. "No problem! But Brother Bin, are you really that down-to-earth?"
Hu Bin shot right back, "Doesn't raising Pokémon cost money? The stronger they get, the more resources they need. If I don't make money now, what am I supposed to do later?"
Hearing Hu Bin's farsighted reasoning, Yi Nanzi admired him all the more!
After tasting Hu Bin's Pokéblocks, Cyndaquil felt ready to burst with happiness and grew even more envious of Vulpix, who got to eat such delicious food every day!
By the next morning, everything Yi Nanzi had ordered had arrived. Hu Bin and Yi Nanzi put on all their gear, and even Cyndaquil's stubby arms and legs were fitted with Power Bands. Vulpix also donned a heavier set.
With fire burning in all their eyes, they set off running. Today's goal: five kilometers!
At first, Hu Bin wasn't quite used to carrying so much weight. But who was Hu Bin? A Pokémon in human form! The system's Body Enhancer had already strengthened him, and with all his recent training alongside Vulpix, his stamina was already at a professional level. Five kilometers was a breeze for him.
Yi Nanzi, however, wasn't doing nearly as well. After just one kilometer, Yi Nanzi's legs began trembling, accompanied by constant, heavy panting.
Vulpix quickly adjusted to the new Power Bands as well, running without any trouble at all. Although Cyndaquil struggled more, Cyndaquil kept gritting through it.
After two kilometers, Hu Bin and Vulpix still looked relaxed, but Yi Nanzi and Cyndaquil were finding every step difficult. Even so, both kept going.
"Come on, Cyndaquil! We can't give up!" Yi Nanzi said between heavy breaths.
"Cy-Cynda!" Cyndaquil answered with difficulty.
The sight filled Hu Bin with relief. It seemed that after the shock of what had happened with Qin Qin, Yi Nanzi really had become much stronger.
At last, they finished the five kilometers. Hu Bin and Vulpix were still in good shape, but what surprised him more was that Yi Nanzi and Cyndaquil had actually made it to the end.
After finishing, Yi Nanzi struggled to hold the panting Cyndaquil. "We made it, Cyndaquil. You were amazing."
"Cy-Cy-Cynda!" Although utterly exhausted, Cyndaquil looked at Yi Nanzi with admiration, never having expected a trainer who could persevere all the way to the end.
After checking on them both, Hu Bin wasted no time taking them home. He had Yi Nanzi shower first, then used his expert massage skill to give the exhausted Cyndaquil and Vulpix a perfect massage.
Cyndaquil and Vulpix both narrowed their eyes in bliss.
When Yi Nanzi came out after showering, she saw Cyndaquil sitting on the sofa with Vulpix, full of energy, as they ate Pokéblocks and watched television together.
"What's going on? How did Cyndaquil get its energy back so quickly?" Yi Nanzi asked in disbelief.
"Oh, they recovered after I gave them a massage!" Hu Bin said casually.
With that, Hu Bin went into the bathroom to shower, leaving Yi Nanzi standing there in a daze, contemplating life.
"Why are we the same age, yet you're so outstanding? You cook delicious food, you're great at training, and now you can even give massages!"
Before you continue