A water-type trainer who specializes in dragon-type water.

But with each step she took, she exuded an indescribable majesty and imposing presence, as if the focus of the entire space naturally converged on her.

She wore her hair in a neat bun, and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. Her gaze behind the lenses was calm and sharp, and as she swept her eyes, no one dared to meet her gaze.

"Leave this to me." Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable decisiveness. "Everyone else, continue eating or leave."

Her appearance seemed to carry an invisible force field.

The trainers and staff who had been watching the commotion suddenly changed color upon seeing her, like mice seeing a cat. They lowered their heads and scattered like birds, not daring to utter a single word.

In just over ten seconds, the previously crowded area became empty.

This person is none other than Kang Mu'ai, the top administrative secretary of the East China Champions Office.

Within the alliance, she has a more well-known nickname that better reflects her style of doing things—"King Yama Kang".

Before Zhang Leiyuan's arrival in East China, Kang Muai was one of the two strongest contenders for the East China championship, demonstrating her strength and skill.

However, after Zhang Leiyuan took office based on his absolute strength and achievements, she demonstrated an amazing sense of overall situation and professional competence, completed the power transfer very smoothly, and genuinely recognized Zhang Leiyuan's abilities and ideas.

He eventually became the second-in-command in the East China Champions Office, second only to Zhang Leiyuan, and was in charge of the massive administrative and logistical system.

Wherever she appears, it signifies the absolute command of the Champions' Office, and no one can stir up any more trouble.

After Kang Mu'ai finished speaking, she turned her gaze to Zhang Heng. On his face, which was usually as cold as ice, a smile of appreciation appeared for the first time. Although it was faint, it was genuine.

"You must be Zhang Heng, right?" Her tone softened considerably.

Zhang Heng immediately toned down his previous sharpness and became very humble, bowing slightly: "Yes, Secretary-General Kang. I often hear my father mention you, saying that you are an indispensable pillar of the East China Alliance."

Kang Muai waved her hand and said crisply, "Stop with the formalities. The champion sent me to pick you up, let's go."

Zhang Heng nodded, said no more, and recalled the Combo Style Urshifu, Altaria, and other companions into their Poké Balls, preparing to leave with Camille.

Seeing that the other party was about to leave so easily, Liao Tianhao felt that his face had been completely trampled on, driven by extreme humiliation and resentment.

Unable to contain himself, he blurted out, "Secretary-General Kang! What do you mean by this? Didn't you see him commit violence in public and injure my Poisonous Algae Dragon? Does being the son of a champion mean you can act with impunity?!"

Camille's steps stopped in response.

She didn't even turn around immediately, but the sudden chill in her aura made the surrounding temperature seem to drop several degrees. She slowly turned her head, her gaze behind her gold-rimmed glasses like two icicles piercing Liao Tianhao.

"Lawless?"

Kang Mu'ai's voice was not loud, but every word was sharp and clear, reaching the ears of everyone present.

"Spreading rumors in public that the newly crowned champion was killed in action, and describing the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country on the East China Sea battlefield as 'cannon fodder'... Liao Tianhao, these two charges alone are enough to prevent even your father, Liao Chunfeng, from being present in person!"

She snorted coldly, her tone undisguisedly threatening: "Your Liao family? Hmph, just wait and see what the champion's wrath brings."

After saying that, she didn't look at Liao Tianhao, whose face was ashen and body stiff, again, and turned to leave.

Liao Tianhao was still pondering what Kang Yanwang had said: Could it be that the champion hadn't died in battle?

However, as Zhang Heng passed by Liao Tianhao, he stopped, gave him a cold smile, and then slowly raised his thumb, making a clear throat-slitting motion by lightly drawing it across his own neck.

This action was full of wildness and threat, just like the ruthlessness he had learned on the battlefield.

After completing this action, he didn't linger and quickly caught up with Camille's pace.

……

Inside a sleek, understated, but clearly specially modified Alliance-exclusive sedan.

Zhang Heng and Kang Mu'ai sat side by side in the back seat. The car drove smoothly along the bustling streets of Shanghai.

"Secretary-General Kang, where are we going?" Zhang Heng asked, looking at the scenery rushing past the window.

Kang Mu'ai looked ahead and said calmly, "You'll know when we get there. The champion specifically asked me to prepare a 'welcome gift' for you."

Seeing that she didn't intend to say anything more, Zhang Heng didn't press the matter further. A brief silence fell over the car, broken only by the low rumble of the engine.

After an unknown amount of time, the vehicle slowly came to a stop. The driver got out and opened the door for Zhang Heng.

"Get out of the car," Kang Mu'ai said.

Zhang Heng got out of the car as instructed and found himself near the entrance of a large park. The surrounding environment was beautiful, but it was neither the champion's office nor the league headquarters.

Camus handed a card through the car window. The card was entirely silver-gray, made of neither gold nor iron, and had a cool touch. It was etched with intricate gear and steel patterns, and had a slightly raised steel-related symbol in the center.

"This is the highest-level access pass to the East China Steel System Citizens' Park, which includes the activation key for the official teleportation device."

"You should know exactly what the next task is, right?" Kamui said succinctly.

Zhang Heng took the card; it felt heavy in his hand. He nodded solemnly.

He said, "I understand. I'm looking for high-quality healing steel for Champion Tang's Genesis. Thank you for leading the way."

She smiled and said, "It's part of the mission. If you have a favorite Steel-type Pokémon, you can choose any of them."

A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared on Kang Mu'ai's face. She nodded and then closed the car window.

The driver started the car, and the vehicle silently merged into the traffic and quickly drove away.

Sitting in the speeding car, Camus looked out the window toward the East China Alliance headquarters building, muttering to himself with a hint of amusement and anticipation.

"I wonder what kind of interesting scene is unfolding in the East China high-level conference room right now."

"Those guys who thought they could seize power and were even ready to celebrate must have had a very interesting expression on their faces when they saw Zhang Guanjun, who had 'come back from the dead,' walk in."

………………

Zhang Heng withdrew his gaze from watching the car drive away, turned around and looked up at the scene before him. Even someone as knowledgeable as him couldn't help but show a hint of amazement in his eyes.

What appeared before him was a magnificent gate with a futuristic and industrial aesthetic.

The door frame is constructed from massive, polished silver metal tubing that forms a smooth curve, topped by a huge, slowly rotating steel symbol composed of light and shadow.

On either side of the gate stand two giant metal sculptures, each over ten meters tall: one a majestic scythe, the other a heavy and steady Boss Dora. They stand like loyal guardians, overlooking all visitors.

Above the entrance, the large characters "East China Steel System Citizens' Park" gleamed with a cool, metallic luster in the sunlight.

Through the spacious entrance, one can vaguely see the staggered, steel-structured buildings inside the park, as well as figures moving about within them.

Zhang Heng took a deep breath, stepped forward, and swiped the special pass in his hand at the sensor area at the entrance.

"Beep—Verification successful. Welcome, Mr. Zhang Leiyuan, the esteemed holder of the highest authority."

An electronic sound rang out, and the heavy metal doors slid open silently to both sides.

Upon entering the park, the first thing that catches the eye is a wide main road paved with metal mesh. On both sides of the road are habitats for Steel-type Pokémon that simulate various ecological environments.

Zhang Heng saw a harmonious scene.

In the nearby "steel forest" area, several mantises were perched on specially made metal tree trunks. Their red carapaces gleamed sharply in the light filtering through the mesh, like ninjas poised to pounce.

In a "mineral sand area" covered with silver gravel, a Kodora is lying on the ground, nibbling on a specially made metal block rich in minerals provided by the staff, making a pleasant "crunching" sound.

In the air, several armored birds spread their shimmering silver wings and uttered resounding cries as they soared and weaved through the "aerial corridor" constructed of high-strength alloy.

Further away in a public rest area, several children were happily petting a docile Mawed creature. Its massive steel jaws looked harmless at the moment, more like an amusing decoration.

Meanwhile, a Magneto hovered quietly beside the charging station, its three eyes flashing rhythmically, as if it were replenishing its energy.

Sunlight streamed down, reflecting shimmering light off the metal. Pokémon were either resting, eating, or interacting with human trainers and tourists, creating a scene that was both technologically advanced and remarkably harmonious and heartwarming.

Here, steel is not a synonym for coldness, but an element full of life and vitality.

Zhang Heng gripped the pass tightly in his hand, his gaze sweeping across this peculiar amusement park before quickly locking onto the Knight Snail Zone in the distance.

He knew that what he was looking for was right there.