Chapter 301: Wang Xian
It was an unavoidable reality. While Slaking's raw combat power was undeniably top-tier, its growth rate simply couldn't keep pace with the rest of Kenji's team.
Despite the Level 63 vs. Level 74 gap, however, Slaking had just demonstrated that it could still physically bully an early Elite-tier Steelix into the dirt.
"Return, Steelix."
Ruan Jiaqi raised her Poké Ball, recalling her battered partner.
She was down to her final Pokémon.
Her last choice was Exeggutor.
Exeggutor, the Psychic/Grass type. With a base stat total of 530, it was a classic Generation 1 powerhouse known for its massive base 125 Special Attack.
Looking like a two-legged palm tree with three to six heads—each with its own independent consciousness and expression—it was one of the most bizarre species in the world.
Ruan's Exeggutor was Level 73, slightly lower than her Steelix.
However, after defeating Steelix, Slaking had immediately entered its Truant state.
While current training allowed Slaking to occasionally chain attacks, it couldn't bypass the physiological cooldown of its Ability entirely.
Furthermore, Slaking's Special Defense was its only true weakness—a base of 80, the only stat in its kit under 100. Facing a Special Attack specialist like Exeggutor was a bad matchup.
Kenji wasn't about to let his ape sit there and take free hits. He recalled Slaking and sent out Electivire.
Against an opponent of similar level, Electivire was an absolute wrecking ball. It easily secured the final knockout.
Kenji moved on, winning the first round of the second qualifying stage with ease.
Over the next few days, the atmosphere in the Southeast District became increasingly white-hot.
Competitors were being picked off one by one.
Namgung Xi, relying on her two Elite-level dragons and the fact that she hadn't hit any major "walls" yet, managed to scrape through her bracket, though not without struggle.
Kenji, meanwhile, had fully embraced his role as the tournament's "Dark Horse." He was essentially a carbon copy of his performance in the National League—a relentless, horizontal push through the competition. No one could even slow him down.
A few days later, the qualifiers were drawing to a close. The list for the Top 300 was nearly finalized.
Kenji and Namgung Xi sat in the waiting area. Compared to the start of the week, the room was significantly emptier. The remaining trainers all wore grim, focused expressions.
Today was the final match of the second round.
After today, the winners would head to the Capital City for the main Huaxia League Conference. The losers would go home.
Everyone stared at the overhead monitors, waiting for the final pairings.
Finally, the screen flickered to life. A collective gasp rippled through the lounge.
In the stands of the Metropolis Battle Arena, the crowd erupted into a roar.
Kenji's name was at the top of the bracket.
And his opponent was anything but ordinary.
His name was Wang Xian. Like Kenji, he wasn't a type-specialist; he ran a diverse, balanced team.
Wang Xian was a "Top Seed" for this year's Conference. More accurately, he had been a top seed in the previous Conference as well.
This wasn't his first rodeo. In the last Huaxia League Conference, Wang Xian had placed in the Top 400 nationwide.
Top 400 might not sound impressive to a casual fan, but this was the Huaxia League—a gathering of the absolute best trainers from a nation of billions. To be in the Top 400 meant you were standing on the shoulders of the pyramid of the training world.
Wang Xian's Ace was a Champion-level Meganium.
Furthermore, rumors said his Meganium could Mega Evolve into Mega Meganium.
While Meganium was often mocked as the "weakest" of the Grass starters due to its overly balanced and mediocre stat distribution, Mega Evolution had significantly redeemed its standing in the competitive world.
Kenji recognized the name. He stood up, adjusted his cap, and headed toward the exit.
"Good luck, Kenji!" Namgung Xi cheered from the sofa.
Kenji gave her a thumbs-up and walked out onto the field.
The stands were buzzing with debate:
"Who do you have? Wang Xian or Kenji?"
"Wang Xian, obviously. Kenji is a beast, sure, but Wang Xian was Top 400 in the last Conference. He has the experience and a Champion-level Ace. You can't beat that with just raw talent."
"I don't know, man. Kenji hasn't even looked like he's trying yet. He's probably hiding a massive trump card. I think he might pull the upset."
"Get real. Kenji hasn't fought a high-level master yet. He's been stomping mid-tier trainers who shouldn't have made it past the first round. Wang Xian is the real deal. That Meganium is no joke..."
The support was split nearly 50/50. Kenji's meteoric rise had earned him a cult of believers who thought he could do the impossible, while the veterans put their faith in Wang Xian's proven track record.
...
Kenji reached Arena #8. Wang Xian was already there, standing in the opposite box.
He looked to be in his late forties, wearing glasses and a neat vest. He had a scholarly, refined air about him, looking more like a university professor than a high-level combatant.
He watched Kenji approach with a look of genuine appreciation.
"It's an honor to meet you, Kenji," Wang Xian said first.
"The pleasure is mine, Senior. Please give me a good match," Kenji replied, his eyes burning with fighting spirit as he unclipped a ball.
Wang Xian smiled and matched the gesture.
"Battle... Begin!!!"
"Go! Gyarados!!"
"I choose you!!! Ursaring!!!"
Two streams of red light hit the floor.
"ROAAAARR!!!! —"
The familiar, deafening roar of the sea serpent filled the arena. Gyarados's massive, intimidating frame coiled in the center of the field, its maw open in a silent threat.
On the other side, a massive brown bear with a yellow circle on its chest appeared.
[Ursaring]
Gender: Female
Level: 87 (Elite)
Type: Normal
Ability: Guts (Boosts Attack if the Pokémon has a status condition.)
Potential: A-
"URSA!!!! —"
Ursaring spread its arms and let out a guttural roar. Suddenly, a small spark ignited on its body.
Flame Orb triggered! Ursaring was burned.
Guts Ability! Activated!!
Gyarados glared at the bear. It didn't care about the bear's buffs. It let out an even louder, more savage roar, its Intimidate and Pressure crashing into the bear like a physical weight.
As Gyarados's level climbed, its passive aura had become truly oppressive.
Any Pokémon below Elite level could now be knocked unconscious by its sheer presence alone.
Against Elite-tier opponents, if Gyarados focused its aura, it could render them paralyzed with fear.
Even for Champion-level Pokémon, the aura was impossible to ignore—it was just a question of how much it would hinder them.
"URSA!!! —"
Ursaring roared back, but its posture shifted. Its back hunched slightly, adopting a defensive, wary stance. It looked less like a predator and more like a cornered animal realizing it had been targeted by an apex hunter.
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