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

East China Steel System Citizens' Paradise - Core Research Area

Meanwhile, Zhang Heng, led by the old researcher from the Steel System Citizens' Park, had passed through layers of tight security and arrived at the secret underground research site.

After presenting the highest-level access pass granted by Kang Mu'ai, an elderly man who had been waiting at the entrance to the scyther breeding area greeted him.

He looked to be around sixty or seventy years old, with gray and somewhat unkempt hair, like a bird's nest on his head, clearly not taking much care of it.

He wore thick reading glasses with spiraled lenses and a faded Alliance researcher uniform with some oil and metal shavings on it.

However, the moment Zhang Heng saw the old man's face clearly, he was stunned, his face filled with disbelief and astonishment.

"You...you are Mo Tieshan, Senior Mo?!" Zhang Heng's voice rose slightly from surprise.

It's no wonder he lost his composure. In the field of Steel-type Pokémon research in China, the name Mo Tieshan is practically a towering figure.

He is an academician of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, specializing in both metallic materials and Pokémon ecology. He has been based in the mineral-rich southwest region for many years and has been in charge of several key national projects.

Whether at top-tier scientific research conferences or in the few public interviews he gives, this elderly man always leaves an impression of being meticulous and sharp-tongued.

He could even be described as somewhat aloof and unapproachable, a "cold-faced authority" in the industry.

The old man in front of me, though his unkempt appearance was no different from that in the media reports, had an undisguised gentle smile in his eyes through his thick glasses, and even the corners of his mouth were slightly upturned, making him seem exceptionally warm.

"Haha, what's wrong, surprised?"

Mo Tieshan seemed very satisfied with Zhang Heng's reaction, laughed heartily, and took the initiative to reach out and shake Zhang Heng's hand firmly.

“I am Mo Tieshan. Secretary-General Kang has already informed me and asked me to fully cooperate with you. I’ve been waiting for you for ages, young man.”

Zhang Heng was a little stunned by the overly enthusiastic handshake. He subconsciously shook hands back, and a hint of embarrassment and awkwardness appeared on his face.

He said, "Hello, Elder Mo... I really didn't expect you to personally receive me. And... you don't seem as... serious as the rumors say."

Upon hearing this, Mo Tieshan's smile widened. He released his grip and pushed up his reading glasses that had slipped down to the bridge of his nose.

"It is also thanks to the Zhang family's generous assistance that my scientific research here has made rapid progress."

Before Zhang Heng could react, Mo Tieshan turned to the side, spread his arms wide, and pointed to the huge and advanced steel-themed public park behind him.

His gaze swept over the various Steel-type Pokémon that roamed the designated area, their metallic sheen gleaming, and his tone was filled with emotion.

He said, "This is the largest Steel-type Pokémon park in East China, with the most complete variety of Steel-type Pokémon. It is the dream place of all Steel-type researchers."

His voice rose a few decibels, carrying an undeniable certainty: "More than 80% of the infrastructure construction funds here, as well as almost all the Steel-type Pokémon you see in this park that serve as the cornerstone of research and public education, were donated by Zhang Guanjun and the Zhang family!"

He turned back, his eyes fixed intently on Zhang Heng, his gaze no longer that of an ordinary visitor, but that of the descendant of a great contributor.

"It's no exaggeration to say that without your father's full support, the research and application of Steel-type Pokémon in China would have been at least five years later!"

"Back when I was doing research in the Southwest, what I lacked most was a stable and diverse sample of Steel-type Pokémon and sufficient funding!"

"This park provided the most crucial 'ammunition' and platform for the leap forward of China's steel industry power!"

Zhang Heng: "..."

As he listened to Mo Tieshan's sincere words, the corners of his mouth involuntarily twitched. He tried his best to maintain a polite yet awkward smile, but inwardly he was already ranting and raving.

"Holy crap... Dad... your 'disposing of stolen goods' technique is too sophisticated!"

He clearly remembered that his father and Charizard spent a sleepless night crossing the entire South China Sea, reaching the border, and intercepting a cargo ship that had sailed out from "Sakura" and was fully loaded with precious Steel-type Pokémon and resources.

His aluminum-steel dragon, along with his own, was looted from that cargo ship by his father.

Zhang Heng naturally knew that his father had donated the Citizens' Park, but he didn't expect that the China Unicom researchers would also take advantage of it, in such a positive way as supporting national scientific research and benefiting the citizens!

Now Zhang Heng finally understood. He understood why this research guru, known for his cold demeanor, was being so warm and friendly to him.

This isn't treating Zhang Heng like this; it's clearly treating the son of a "national-level major investor and strategic partner"!

These Steel-type Pokémon, with their "convoluted" origins, were not only exonerated through this series of maneuvers, but also transformed into key political bargaining chips that solidified his father's championship reputation and won the strong support of top scholars like Mo Lao and even the League's top brass!

At this moment, Zhang Heng gained a completely new understanding of his seemingly careless father's deep foresight and cunning "manipulation".

"Cough cough..."

Zhang Heng coughed twice, barely suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and respectfully addressed Mo Tieshan, who was still sighing with emotion.

"Professor Mo, you flatter me. My father only did what he could. It is our honor to be able to contribute to the country's scientific research."

Mo Tieshan nodded in satisfaction, finding Zhang Heng increasingly pleasing to the eye: "Not arrogant or impatient, good! Just like your father, you're a man of action! Let's go, don't just stand there, time is of the essence, I'll take you to see your destination."

After saying that, he didn't linger any longer and turned around to lead Zhang Heng, who had mixed feelings, towards a very hidden alloy door deep in the cultivation area, which was almost integrated with the rock wall.

Through this door lies a long, brightly lit passageway that leads downwards.

The passageway is flanked by heavy reinforced concrete structures, with sophisticated energy sensors and physical gates at intervals. Passage requires Mo Tieshan's access card plus triple verification of iris and voiceprint.

The air was filled with the faint smell of engine oil and coolant, and the low hum of large equipment could be faintly heard.

After passing through five such safety gates, the two finally reached the end of the passage.

Suddenly, everything becomes clear!

This is an incredibly large underground space, over fifty meters high and with an area comparable to several football fields.

The dome is covered with a network of massive, crisscrossing steel beams and a complex lighting system, casting a cold yet bright light. The surrounding walls are cast from a specially reinforced alloy, reflecting the cold, hard luster characteristic of metal.

The space was filled with all sorts of giant scientific research equipment that Zhang Heng had never seen before—energy extraction instruments, molecular oscillation cutting stages, ultra-low temperature cold storage, high-precision material analyzers…

Countless pipes of varying thicknesses meandered across the floor and walls like giant pythons, connecting various pieces of equipment.

The entire space is filled with a sense of futuristic technology, making it a cutting-edge research fortress hidden underground.

At the very center of this enormous space, on a specially made, massive alloy platform that exudes a chilling aura, lies a colossal creature.

It is made of silver-gray, unknown metal, and is humanoid in shape, but its structure is extremely peculiar. Its body is composed of several huge round holes and indestructible metal blocks. Its arms are thick and strong, and its head has seven red dots forming a special pattern.

Even though it had lost its life force, its massive body still exuded a terrifying aura of a divine beast, as well as an ancient and hard texture.

It was the remains of Registeel, the Steel-type legendary Pokémon that Li Guanjun killed on the Huahai battlefield!

Beside Registeel's enormous body, two oddly shaped Pokémon were busy at work.

They stand and walk upright, their bodies a dark red color, like cooled lava.

Its head is covered by a yellow, hard shell that extends upwards, resembling both flames and a crown.

What's most striking are their hands—they're not palms in the traditional sense, but two cylindrical nozzles that gleam with a metallic sheen!

Their bellies are covered in eerie black markings, and their tails are short and thick. Overall, they look like craftsmen who have emerged from the depths of a volcano and wielded the power of fire and steel.

Zhang Heng immediately used the system's capabilities to investigate.

Pokémon Name: Magmortar

Attribute: Fire

Characteristics: Enthusiasm

Qualification: Near Champion Level

Level: 72 (Near-Champion Level Combat Power)

This is the Fire-type Pokémon—Maggamori! (The evolved form of Magmar)

Zhang Heng looked at the two platypus-like fire beasts, then at their "work" target—Registrar's indestructible body—and asked with a puzzled expression, "Elder Mo, what are these two platypus-like fire beasts...?"

Mo Tieshan adjusted his glasses and explained, "These two duck-billed fire beasts were urgently dispatched by Li Guanjun from the Central China region."

They are all near-champion level fighters, and have undergone special training, achieving unparalleled control over the temperature and shape of the flames. Their only task now is—"

He pointed to Registeel's remains: "That's the body of this divine beast that has been dismantled."

As soon as he finished speaking, as if to prove his point, hot, viscous magma that emitted a dark red glow flowed from the nozzles on the arms of the two duck-billed fire beasts!

But the magma did not flow freely. Instead, under their precise control, it quickly condensed and shaped in front of the nozzle, eventually forming two extremely condensed, constantly rotating magma blades that resembled both drill bits and sharp cones!

The temperature of this magma blade was terrifyingly high, and the surrounding air was distorted by the high temperature, but no energy was leaking out. All the heat and destructive power were concentrated at its sharp tip!

Immediately afterwards, the two molten lava beasts, like the most professional sculptors or miners, precisely aimed the tips of their magma blades at a point where Registeel's arm and torso connected.

It had clearly been "worked on" there for some time, and the originally flawless silver metal surface now had a tiny, almost imperceptible dent and discoloration.

"Sizzle... hiss..."

A sickeningly hot cutting sound rang out, accompanied by tiny sparks of metal and molten droplets flying everywhere.

The body of the divine beast was indeed harder than imagined. Even the extremely high-temperature magma blade condensed by the near-champion-level Malpighian was extremely difficult to cut, and the progress was very slow, like cutting meat with a dull knife.

But Zhang Heng could clearly see that at that focal point, Regischiru's metal shell was indeed being eroded and melted through bit by bit at a speed that was almost imperceptible to the naked eye but could definitely be detected by instruments!

Constant dripping wears away a stone!

These two duck-billed fire beasts are using this most primitive method, which requires the most endurance and control, to try to extract the top-grade steel containing the original power of the divine beast from the remains of this divine beast, which is necessary to heal Genesect!

Looking at this scene, Mo Tieshan said softly, "See? This is currently the only way we can effectively 'damage' the body of a divine beast."

"Although it's slow, as long as we keep going, we will definitely succeed. The steel you need will be ready soon."

Zhang Heng stared at the divine beast metal that stubbornly resisted the magma blades, then looked at the two duck-billed fire beasts, completely focused as if they were craftsmen…