Returning to the hotel's training ground, Lin Fan examined the light purple gem in his hand. After two days of absorption, the energy within it had significantly decreased, and its color had also dimmed considerably. It was highly probable that it could be fully absorbed today.
This gem was the Poison Gem, containing rich and gentle Poison-type energy. It could either be used as a one-time item to enhance the power of a Pokémon's Poison-type moves, or it could be absorbed by a Pokémon as a cultivation resource, as Lin Fan was doing.
In addition to the Poison Gem, there were corresponding gems for the other seventeen types. Their prices fluctuated, but generally, they were around 10,000 yuan per gem.
Lin Fan tossed the Poison Gem to Beedrill, who held it with its Double Needle and slowly absorbed it. The patterns on its body seemed to deepen in color because of this.
Beedrill's venom was very special, an acidic venom completely different from that of its kin. This venom itself had strong corrosive properties, even capable of corroding steel, thereby causing damage to Steel-type Pokémon.
However, Beedrill's current venom strength had not yet reached that level; at most, it could only slightly corrode the body of a Pokémon it touched, weakening its defense.
But this was exactly what Lin Fan needed.
The Sniper requires hitting a vital point to be effective, and the so-called vital point is actually the most vulnerable part of a Pokémon's body. Beedrill's venom could forcibly create a vital point, and it could also normally trigger the characteristic's effect.
And when the venom gathered at a part that was already a weakness, the defense of that part would become even weaker, allowing Beedrill to deal higher damage. This was also one of Lin Fan's development directions for Beedrill.
If the damage after a normal trigger of the Sniper was about twice the normal damage, then the damage caused by stacking Beedrill's venom would be about three times the normal damage. Furthermore, this damage would increase as Beedrill's venom became more corrosive.
"As long as the damage is high enough, even Wu Heng's Onix might not be able to withstand it."
Lin Fan looked at Beedrill, casually tossed it a peach fruit, and watching the latter's happy expression, he said with a smile, "peach fruits also come in varieties. The kind we're eating is just an ordinary variety, and it's cheaper. If it were those higher-quality peach fruits, they would taste even better."
Beedrill: !!!
"After winning the championship, we'll be rich, and then we'll be able to eat even more delicious peach fruits. So, keep up the good work!"
"Screech!"
Beedrill nodded with full vigor. This championship, it was determined to win!
......
The next morning.
The entire venue was silent. In the audience, guest, and competitor stands, countless eyes were focused on the two individuals in the arena.
Su Ling watched the composed Lin Fan from the preparation area with nervousness, as if she were the one about to battle.
"You and Lin Fan are together, right? Can you tell me which Professional Trainer's child he is?"
Liu Zhiruo, who had already been eliminated, had not left. Her gaze was fixed on Lin Fan, wanting to know how he would handle Xu Yue, who was stronger than her.
Su Ling glanced at her and shook her head, "His background is very ordinary. Neither of his parents are Trainers, nor do they have money to buy expensive resources for him."
"What?!" Liu Zhiruo was no longer calm, her face filled with doubt and disbelief. "Then how could he be so strong? That Beedrill's power and speed are simply too much."
A hint of recollection flashed in Su Ling's eyes. "If I had to say why, perhaps it's because he and Beedrill both work very hard. Every time I see him and Beedrill, they are training desperately, even when their bodies are so tired they start to tremble, they still don't give up until they've squeezed out every last bit of energy from their bodies and can't move an inch. I can't do that, can you?"
Liu Zhiruo fell silent.
Because she couldn't do it either.
But could anyone truly make a Pokémon willingly train to such an extent? Liu Zhiruo had some doubts.
Spheal also trained very diligently, but after getting tired, it would choose to rest, rather than train desperately like the Beedrill Su Ling described.
Pokémon also get tired, and naturally, they want to Slack Off when they're tired. How could they possibly push themselves to drain every last bit of energy?
Perhaps Beedrill was naturally enthusiastic about training, Liu Zhiruo told herself reassuringly, and refocused her gaze on Lin Fan.
How would you deal with a bug-like move such as Teleport?
In the battle arena, Lin Fan tried to greet Xu Yue, but was directly ignored by her.
However, this was her usual style; every battle was like this, so Lin Fan didn't mind and patiently waited for the referee to announce the start of the match.
"Please release your Pokémon, both sides." The referee spoke, and seeing them comply, he suddenly swung his arm down, "Let the match begin!"
"Beedrill, Agility!"
"Kirlia, Psybeam!"
Both gave their commands almost simultaneously, because for both Pokémon, whoever seized the initiative would have the advantage.
Knowing that Lin Fan was very strong, Xu Yue went all out from the start. Blue light bloomed in her eyes, and a faint blue glow also emanated from Kirlia's body. The powerful Psybeam chased after Beedrill like a guided missile.
Fortunately, Beedrill's speed, boosted by Agility, was terrifyingly fast. Even the enhanced Psybeam struggled to catch up to Beedrill, only to be constantly circled by the latter, who gradually closed in on Kirlia by moving up, down, left, and right.
Seeing this, Xu Yue instantly changed her strategy: "Kirlia, contract the Psybeam around you to form a shield!"
Kirlia nodded. The Psybeam, originally condensed into a line, suddenly contracted, transforming into a protective shield around Kirlia's entire body. As long as Beedrill approached, it would definitely be attacked by the Psybeam.
"Psybeam can be used like that?" Lin Fan's eyelids twitched; he was truly impressed.
After a moment of hesitation, Lin Fan still stuck to his original plan: "Beedrill, Double Needle!"
"Screech~"
Without the constantly interfering Psybeam behind it, Beedrill arrived next to Kirlia almost instantly, and without hesitation, used its right hand to stab at the shimmering, hazy shield in front of it.
Boom—
A dull sound echoed. Beedrill directly shattered the Psybeam, but was also hit by the aftermath, forced to take its first damage since the Zero Moon Cup began.
A hint of ferocity flashed in its eyes. Beedrill's wings vibrated rapidly, and it stood firm, not retreating a single step. Its left hand, glowing with Bug-type energy, still attacked Kirlia.
Xu Yue frowned. She had thought Kirlia's trump card would force Beedrill to retreat, but she never expected her opponent to be so decisive, as if it wasn't the one getting hurt.
But while Beedrill could withstand the aftershock of Psybeam, Kirlia might not be able to withstand Beedrill's Double Needle. Helpless, Xu Yue gave the command for Teleport.
However, a brilliant smile spread across Lin Fan's face, which gave Xu Yue a bad premonition.
On the field, Beedrill's left-hand attack missed, but it didn't hesitate at all. Using the momentum from its left hand, it spun its body counter-clockwise, spitting out an incredibly tough Silk Thread from its mouth. Almost instantly, it transformed into a circling rope that spread across half the field, and Kirlia's landing spot was precisely within it.
Counter Shield!