Unlike gaming streams, which only required a computer with an internet connection, outdoor streams needed a lot more preparation.
A lightweight tent, a sleeping bag, high-energy food, a lamp, a water purifier, outdoor streaming gear, insect repellent, and Potion Spray.
And most importantly, a leave slip.
During a break between classes the next day, Xia Chi went to considerable trouble to get a three-day leave slip from Teacher Zhou.
With the weekend included, it was practically a short vacation-more than enough time to catch a Pokémon in the surrounding area.
He picked up everything else on his supply list at the Silph Department Store.
After packing his things and saying goodbye to his roommate, Chen Zhenze, Xia Chi set off for Mingchong Island with Sprigatito.
Mingchong Island was a huge island nestled between the two banks at the mouth of the Donghuang Long River, with its natural environment still fairly well preserved.
There was only one town on the island, with a population of a little over a hundred thousand.
Besides serving the locals, it also catered to tourists and Trainers who came with the same goal as Xia Chi.
After squeezing onto Shanghai's subway during the evening rush hour and transferring to a bus that rattled along, Xia Chi finally reached the only Pokémon Center in Mingchong Town.
Once he had checked in and returned to his room in the Pokémon Center's attached hotel, the hardworking Xia Chi could finally stretch out comfortably on a soft bed after his busy day.
I have to catch a Flying-type Pokémon someday. Getting around is way too inconvenient otherwise.
That was Xia Chi's thought after suffering through the ordeal of public transportation.
Infrastructure in this world of Pokémon wasn't as developed as it had been in his previous life.
Plenty of places in the world had no smooth asphalt roads.
But anywhere a car couldn't reach, a Flying-type Pokémon surely could.
So, should I catch a Dragonite or a Salamence as my future Ride Pokémon?
Dragonite is adorably goofy, and Salamence looks so badass. How am I supposed to choose?
Once again, Xia Chi drifted into the pleasant fantasy of deciding between Huaqing University and Shanghai University.
Sprigatito, who had spent the entire afternoon inside the Luxury Ball, had no such complicated feelings.
It lay by the window, gazing somewhat dazedly at the tranquil sea beneath the distant night sky.
Before its former Trainer abandoned it, it had mostly lived and trained indoors. It rarely even had a chance to venture into the wild, let alone see the ocean.
After being abandoned, it could only wander around the tiny world of Shanghai University's campus. It had never seen such a magnificent view.
"Many years later, when Meowscarada lifts the World Championships trophy, it will always remember that quiet night when its Trainer took it to see the sea."
The voice murmuring beside its ear startled Sprigatito. When it turned around, sure enough, there was Xia Chi, who had sidled up at some point.
The incorrigible Trainer rubbed Sprigatito's head and smiled. "The sea in Shanghai isn't much to look at. Someday we'll go to Alola, or your homeland, Paldea. The scenery there is much better."
"Meow."
Sprigatito's eyes sparkled, clearly enthralled by the rosy future he had promised.
Since they were heading into the wild the next day, Xia Chi and Sprigatito didn't spend much time exploring Mingchong Town. After dinner at the Pokémon Center, they returned to their room and went to bed early.
Early the next morning, before the alarm could wake Xia Chi, Sprigatito shook him awake.
"Meow!"
Thrilled about its first trip into the wild, Sprigatito grabbed a strap in its mouth and dragged the backpack over to the bed.
Xia Chi opened his bleary eyes and looked out the window at the sky, which was only just beginning to brighten.
He wanted to say something, but in the end, all he managed was a sigh.
Fine. I chose this Pokémon myself. What can I do but put up with it?
It's not like I can get a divorce.
After getting ready, washing up, eating breakfast, and double-checking that he had packed everything, it was still only seven o'clock.
Boarding the first bus from town to the foot of Mingchong Mountain, Xia Chi discovered that he was the only person aboard besides the driver.
Shanghai drivers weren't quite as chatty as those in Tianjin and Beijing, but perhaps out of sheer boredom, this one struck up a conversation with Xia Chi.
The conversation went from town gossip to the overt and covert struggles between the major regions, then finally circled back to the Pokémon on Mingchong Island.
Xia Chi chimed in at all the right moments.
"You've got a point!"
"Oh, wow, that actually happened?"
"Tell me, is that reasonable?"
"Ah, that nephew of yours should've listened to you back then!"
Xia Chi's enthusiastic responses left the driver thoroughly pleased with their chat. Before they reached his stop, the man gave him a mysterious look. "You and I get along pretty well, kid, so I'll let you in on a secret."
As he spoke, he gestured for Xia Chi to lean in.
Xia Chi obligingly moved closer, curious.
The driver lowered his voice. "If I'm not mistaken, you're here to catch Pokémon, right? Let me tell you, there's a little lake south of the mountain. Things get pretty strange around there at night. It's haunted all the time. You get what I mean?"
Xia Chi perked up.
Everyone knew that every haunting in this world had something to do with Ghost-type Pokémon.
Those famous haunted houses and homes with grisly histories were generally gathering places for Ghost-type Pokémon.
Then, the moment word got out, a crowd of Trainers would rush over to catch them.
It couldn't be helped. Apart from Dragon-types, Ghost-types were famously rare.
Not only were both their power floor and ceiling high, but they also looked ridiculously cool.
Xia Chi, who had originally planned to catch a Grass-type Pokémon, was sorely tempted.
If I can't find a suitable Grass-type Pokémon, maybe I should try my luck there?
With plan A and plan B settled, Xia Chi felt even more confident about this catching expedition.
Whatever happened, the driver had pointed him in the right direction!
To return the favor, Xia Chi shared a secret website he had treasured for a long time with the driver.
But the driver waved him off with a thoroughly righteous expression.
Just as Xia Chi thought he was a man who could say no to unsavory temptations, the old geezer turned around and tossed him several even better apps.
With a sleazy grin, he added, "There's a Pokémon section in there, with Gardevoir and Meowscarada stuff. If you're into something more hardcore, the Machamp and Jynx stuff isn't bad ei-"
That wave hadn't meant no. It had meant, "Say no more, little bro!"
Before the driver could finish, Xia Chi had already covered Sprigatito's ears and fled.
The old geezer's hearty laughter rang out behind him.
Mingchong Mountain wasn't tall. Strictly speaking, there were no tall mountains anywhere in Donghuang's Southeast Region.
As far as Xia Chi remembered, this place hadn't had even a single mountain in his previous life.
Perhaps this inexplicably risen Mingchong Mountain had something to do with the activities of a certain Legendary Pokémon that couldn't fly?
Mingchong Mountain was beautiful in late autumn. Trees with leaves of different colors mingled across its slopes, creating a lovely tapestry of vivid, overlapping hues.
Such a gorgeous view was perfect for a livestream!
Xia Chi took out the stabilizer he had prepared, mounted his phone on it, and started his first outdoor stream.
Although this was an ungodly hour for most viewers in Donghuang, Xia Chi also had a fair number of fans in other regions.
And so, shortly after he went live, the stream became lively.
"Have I stayed up so long I'm hallucinating? Am I actually seeing ol' Shui this early in the morning?"
"Yay! I got home just in time for Mr. Shui's stream. Wait, where is this? It's gorgeous!"
Xia Chi switched the camera back to himself and introduced the location with a smile. "Morning, guys! I'm on Mingchong Island in Shanghai, Donghuang, right now. Today's an outdoor streaming special."
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