During the halftime break, Zhou Yuan was exchanging training insights with Li Feiyong, Wang Liu, and others, while Zhu Yishan, who was in the second-floor corridor, was conversing with a figure beside him.
"Master, we've already lost two matches, and Wang Liu is still the strongest among the Superior-Level apprentices currently in the training hall. What if we lose all of them? Is that really okay?"
The person next to him was Li Tao, the owner of Li's Training Hall.
Hearing his apprentice's words, Li Tao snorted, saying:
"Hmph, if they lose, it means their Skills are not up to par. We'll just double their training in the future. What's the big deal about losing? Losing is losing. What's most frightening is being a bad loser, constantly making excuses after a defeat. I can't stand such people. If there really is someone like that, I'll kick him out."
"Master, that's not what I meant. I'm afraid that if all six of them lose, the remaining junior apprentices will lose confidence in our training hall. If morale breaks, the team will be hard to lead," Zhu Yishan said with some concern.
"Afraid of what? As long as I'm still here, morale can't possibly break. If all six of them lose, it's a good opportunity to use this humiliation to ignite new Fighting spirit. As for Wang Liu and the others, as long as they don't lose all their spirit, then it's not a problem."
After hearing his master's words, Zhu Yishan said nothing more. He was genuinely worried that his junior apprentices would lose so badly that their confidence would collapse, in which case it would be difficult for this batch of students to achieve anything.
Half an hour quickly passed, and Zhou Yuan, with Growlithe, once again stepped onto the stage.
This time, a girl stepped onto the stage.
"Hello, my name is Wei Xiaoqian, and my Pokémon is also Superior-Level late stage. Please guide me!"
This girl was quite cute. Thinking this, Zhou Yuan shook her hand.
Just as Li Feiyong was about to announce the start of the battle, Wei Xiaoqian spoke again:
"Your name is Zhou Yuan, right? Can you give me your contact number after the battle? A friend of mine wants it."
After she finished speaking, the audience below erupted in Howls, while the remaining four girls giggled.
"Oh, Xiaoqian, we didn't say we wanted contact information. Don't pin the blame on us."
"Right, right, it's just me who wants it. Handsome guy, no need to bother, just give it to me directly later, no need for her to handle it first."
While they were chattering over here, Li Feiyong couldn't stand it anymore. There were only five 'little cabbages' in the training hall in total, and seeing this situation, it seemed like Zhou Yuan, this 'pig,' was about to 'gobble' them all up. He simply couldn't tolerate it anymore.
"Battle start!"
After Li Feiyong gave the command, Wei Xiaoqian also put away her charming smile and sent out her Pokémon.
"Go, Meditite!"
"Meditite!"
The Pokémon sent out by Wei Xiaoqian was a Pokémon with a large head and a small body. It had white hair on its head, and the exposed parts of its body were blue, possessing both Fighting and Psychic types.
Meditite
Level: Superior-Level late stage
Ability: Yoga Power
Skills: Yoga Pose, Endure, Pound, Low Kick, Confusion, Detect, Endure, Feint Attack, Force Palm, Psybeam, Calm Mind, Mind's Eye, High Jump Kick, Psychic Blade, Fake Out, Thunder Punch, Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Drain Punch
Zhou Yuan was beyond complaining. He finally understood that the signature of Li's Training Hall was the Elemental Punch. However, these three punches were indeed very strong, with considerable power, and could counter most types. Fighting-type Pokémon that learned these three punches could cover their blind spots in combat, and most of the previous apprentices relied on these three punches for promotion.
"Go, Growlithe."
"Woof (✪ ω ✪)"
Growlithe's eyes became intelligent.
My win rate for this match is 98%!
"Meditite, use Yoga Pose!"
Meditite assumed a cross-legged yoga pose, increasing its attack power, while Growlithe, under Zhou Yuan's command, used Howl to boost its attack power.
However, due to Growlithe's Intimidate Ability, Meditite's attack power only returned to normal after one boost.
"Growlithe, use Agility!"
It is well known that in the Elf World, Agility can be used for dodging. With this Skill, Growlithe again dodged Meditite's Force Palm.
Seeing that its Skills wouldn't hit Growlithe anytime soon, Wei Xiaoqian simply commanded Meditite to continue using Yoga Pose to strengthen itself. Meditite's Yoga Power Ability doubles its attack power, and further enhancements on top of that yield high returns.
Zhou Yuan also knew he couldn't let Meditite continue strengthening, so he commanded Growlithe to use Play Rough, forcing Meditite to interrupt its strengthening and dodge.
Realizing that further strengthening was impossible and that it was difficult to hit Growlithe, Wei Xiaoqian promptly changed her strategy.
"Meditite, use Mind's Eye plus Detect!"
Goodness, with these two Skills stacked, no matter how fast you run, I can see you, and I won't let you get away.
Finally, neither side continued with enhancements or other flashy maneuvers, because they knew it was pointless. It was more satisfying to directly engage in an all-out attack.
"Meditite, use Psychic Blade, both hands!" / "Growlithe, use Play Rough plus Psychic Fangs!"
Zhou Yuan was about to throw up. All these people seemed to have a secondary 'punch-loving' Ability. Since that was the case, he wouldn't be accused of not having Wu De.
Double attack versus double attack!
Meditite's hands were both enveloped in purplish-red energy, which extended forward to form blades. Growlithe's two front paws were also covered in light pink energy, and it opened its mouth wide, forming a set of purplish-red fangs in front of its mouth.
The two blades crossed and slashed at Growlithe, causing considerable damage, but at the same time, Growlithe's claws and the energy-formed fangs also struck Meditite.
Although Meditite had Yoga Power to double its physical attack, its base stats were indeed relatively low. Even doubled, they were still similar to Growlithe's base stats. Two same-type Skills hitting Growlithe caused some damage, but it wasn't particularly high.
Looking at Growlithe, it was a different story. With higher base stats, plus one boost from Howl, Play Rough's type advantage doubled the damage. Although Psychic Fangs didn't deal double damage due to Meditite's inherent Psychic type, its high power still caused significant damage to Meditite.
After both sides exchanged attacks, Growlithe grinned, as if saying, "Is that all?" while Meditite appeared somewhat listless.
After all, their resistances were different. Growlithe's stamina and resistance both surpassed Meditite's at the same level. Trading blows, exchanging health, was not a loss for Growlithe.
At this point, the situation was very clear. Growlithe was in prime condition, with all its stats higher than Meditite's. It would be very difficult for Meditite to defeat Growlithe.
Wei Xiaoqian also noticed this situation. After much hesitation, she still chose not to give up the fight, but instead decided to take a gamble.
Under her command, Meditite used Fake Out to approach Growlithe, and when Growlithe used Play Rough in retaliation, Meditite used Endure to preserve its last bit of energy.
At this point, the two Pokémon were face to face.
Zhou Yuan was very calm. He knew this battle was likely coming to an end; what followed was merely his opponent's dying struggle.
But even a dying struggle must be handled carefully. Haven't countless people been buried in desolate graves in desperate battles, simply because the general thought the victory was assured?
Zhou Yuan decided it was better to play it safe and commanded Growlithe to use Protect.
As expected, Wei Xiaoqian commanded Meditite to use High Jump Kick, with both legs.
NNND, 'leg-loving' is here too, huh? Are these three Abilities even legal?
Zhou Yuan was speechless for a moment. He had witnessed so many illegal Abilities today; he couldn't take it anymore.
Although Meditite's attack power was not very high, it couldn't withstand two powerful same-type Skills. They directly kicked Growlithe's shield until it looked like a spiderweb, full of cracks everywhere, but thankfully, it didn't shatter.
After these two kicks, Meditite also lost its balance and fell to the ground, directly losing its last bit of energy and getting swirly eyes.
"Growlithe wins!" Li Feiyong promptly announced the battle result.
Host wins the battle, Energy Points +100
Bystanders' numbness, Energy Points +50
Current Energy Points: 6110
"You worked hard, Meditite." After recalling Meditite into its Poké Ball, Wei Xiaoqian stepped forward and shook hands with Zhou Yuan again. "Thank you very much. This battle taught me a lot. By the way, can you give me your contact information later?"
Seeing the conversation rapidly veering off into another realm, Li Feiyong promptly stepped forward and separated their hands. Zhou Yuan also breathed a sigh of relief; the enthusiasm made him feel a bit overwhelmed.
On the second floor, seeing that the last bit of hope had also lost the battle, Zhu Yishan said to Li Tao:
"Master, is this really okay? Xiaoqian also lost, and the three people after her are even less of a match."
"Hmph, even if they're not a match, they still have to fight. Let them see the gap and their own shortcomings, they'll always gain something. Fight, they all have to fight. If your main Pokémon wasn't already Elite Level, I'd have called you down to fight too."
As he spoke, Li Tao seemed to remember something and turned to look at his apprentice.
"I remember you have another Pokémon besides your main one, right? What level is that Pokémon at in the Superior-Level?"
...Zhu Yishan was somewhat silent. He knew he shouldn't have spoken; wasn't this just bringing trouble upon himself?