Chapter 19: The Secret Transaction Between Xia Chi and the Strange Tree

Without much argument, the topic eventually concluded with Iono saying, "Forget it, just call me Iono."

The two then began a serious discussion about the cultivation materials for Sprigatito.

Iono: "Speaking of which, Brassius and Geeta have both raised Meowscarada. Which one do you want?"

Xia Chi felt a surge of joy. There was such a good deal?

Brassius was the Grass-type Gym Leader of the Paldea region; his deep understanding of the Grass-type Pokémon Sprigatito went without saying.

Geeta was the Top Champion of the Paldea League, and her immense strength was unquestionable.

However, he hadn't seen her use a Meowscarada in the games, and he wasn't sure if it was just sitting on the bench in her lineup.

But then again, regardless, Xia Chi was in no position to be picky about a Champion's cultivation insights.

But which one should he choose?

Brassius was more specialized in the Grass type, while Geeta was stronger overall.

Both had their advantages.

Xia Chi, who had been hopelessly caught in a "choose one of two" dilemma for the past two days, started to feel his indecision flaring up again.

Wait, Iono wasn't a rigid system. Why couldn't he dream big and ask for both?

With that thought, Xia Chi replied: "How about this: you help me organize both sets of Sprigatito cultivation materials, and prepare a few high-quality Miracle Seeds to pack and send over to me."

A wise man once said that if you want to open a window, you must first propose opening the door.

But Xia Chi’s request wasn't just about opening a door; it was practically asking for the moon.

He expected a blunt question mark as a reply.

To his surprise, the message from Iono was:

"Sure!"

Xia Chi leaned back in his chair, stunned.

Wait, she accepted such an outrageous request?

Teacher Iono, are you secretly a fan of McDonald's-style service?

As Xia Chi muttered to himself, he immediately saw the next line appear on the screen.

"But you have to agree to two conditions."

Xia Chi wasn't surprised; there was no such thing as a free lunch.

It was perfectly normal for Iono to ask for two conditions in return for the cultivation materials.

Xia Chi didn't intend to refuse. Social interaction was always a give-and-take.

Relationships between people grew closer through such exchanges.

You couldn't expect to take advantage of others without ever conceding anything yourself, could you?

Who would want to hang out with you then?

Besides, who could turn down the friendship of a beautiful Gym Leader and streamer?

Xia Chi certainly couldn't.

Despite this, he replied: "Don't be too excessive. Two conditions is too many; one at most. If not, forget the Miracle Seeds, and I'll trade one condition for both sets of data."

Lesson two of the "Social Dynamics for Loners" class—"Dark Psychology":

Don't let the other party figure out your intentions too easily.

The early stages of building a relationship often determine the framework for the entire connection.

Although Xia Chi was far behind Iono in terms of fame as a streamer and strength as a trainer, he still wanted to build a relationship that was equal and healthy.

After all, he didn't have a habit of being the submissive one.

***

Iono replied: "Don't worry, the conditions won't be excessive. Just two. Plus, I can send you a Miracle Seed produced in Viridian Forest!"

In the games, a Miracle Seed was an item that boosted the power of a Pokémon's Grass-type moves.

In reality, it was the best cultivation item for the growth of Grass-type Pokémon.

Miracle Seeds generally grew in remote, wild areas.

Although the people of Donghuang, with their "planting DNA" engraved in their bones, had developed techniques for artificial cultivation, the results were far inferior to those found in the wild.

The ones from Viridian Forest were of the highest quality, with a single seed often fetching tens of thousands.

Was Teacher Iono being too generous?

Actually, if the money was right, being a Growlithe for Miss Iono wouldn't be...

No!

Nearly succumbing to the power of money, Xia Chi gritted his teeth and replied: "Tell me the conditions first, and I'll consider it."

Iono: "First, you have to set aside one day every month to play games with me!"

Oh, so it was just playing games. I thought it was something else.

This request wasn't excessive at all; it was basically a part-time job as a technical gamer.

Once a month meant twelve days a year, easily earning over ten thousand a day.

Xia Chi didn't dwell on how long this "contract" would last.

In his opinion, Iono was just riding a wave of novelty for now.

Maybe in a few months, she'd get bored and wouldn't want to play with him anymore.

If he asked specifically about the duration, he would just look like he was overthinking things.

So, Xia Chi replied: "Alright, that's no problem. What's the second condition?"

Iono: "Haven't thought of it yet. I'll save it for later! (Belly Drum Bellibolt.gif)"

Xia Chi countered: "No way. How is that any different from you saying you'll ask for two hundred more conditions later?"

Iono: "Don't worry, I promise it won't be something that makes things difficult for you."

Iono: "If you feel it's unfair when the time comes, we can discuss it then, or you can just refuse."

Since Iono had put it that way, Xia Chi felt that refusing would be ungrateful.

He replied: "Okay, let's do it."

Iono: "It's a deal!"

Iono: "I'll go get the cultivation materials for you tomorrow, and I'll send the Miracle Seeds via Dragonite Express in a bit!"

This "Dragonite Express" wasn't just a marketing gimmick; it was a genuine company run by the Dragon Tamer family in the Kanto region that exclusively used Dragonites for deliveries.

Xia Chi had heard of it, but had never used it.

The cost alone was astronomical.

Consuming half a box of high-grade energy cubes worth thousands every hundred kilometers—who could afford that?

The clientele consisted of people like Iono who didn't care about the cost.

After providing his address to Iono, the two said goodbye on Piplup.

Xia Chi washed up and got into bed.

Having captured his favorite starter Pokémon, seeing his streaming career on the rise, and receiving a generous gift from Iono—after such a fulfilling day, Xia Chi slept exceptionally well that night.

The next morning, he was woken up by a tapping on his window.

Xia Chi was still groggy, but he instantly sobered up when he remembered he lived on the fourth floor.

Oh no, something's wrong!

Just as he was about to call for Sprigatito to defend him, he looked up and saw a cute, chubby orange face.

(Dragonite the Courier)

It was a Dragonite.

Holy cow, it's that fast?

Xia Chi was stunned.

It had only been a dozen hours, and it had already delivered the package from Paldea to Donghuang?

It was clear that even if Dragonite's speed wasn't as exaggerated as the Pokédex claim of "circling the globe in 16 hours," it wasn't far off.

Of course, the price of Dragonite Express was also steep.

Efficiency aside, when an adorable Dragonite flapped its wings, which seemed disproportionately small for its chubby body, and handed you a package, the sheer mental satisfaction was worth the price of admission.

One could only say that the Dragon Tamer family’s business model, which precisely catered to the psychology of wealthy patrons like Iono, must have been guided by a mastermind.