The later stage appearance not only has drawbacks but also advantages.
For instance, it's quite convenient to roughly estimate whether one's score has a chance of advancing.
In the blink of an eye, the time came to the afternoon.
Although most contestants' performances seemed rather simple and amusing, there were indeed those with genuine skills.
Following Xiaoguang, the second contestant scored 29.4 by using the Pokémon considered most fitting for the Gorgeous Competition—Milotic, and created a pleasant scene using the moves Renewed, Water Flow Ring, and Mysterious Guardian.
Baimu was quite intrigued that, besides Miss Joy, it seemed the first two judges never gave a perfect score? The highest was only 9.9.
Yet, from their performances, their enthusiastic love for certain performances didn't seem fake, making one curious about their internal judging standards.
What kind of performance would completely align with their preferences?
The question lingered in his mind.
And as contestants who knew they couldn't advance gradually left, the atmosphere in the increasingly empty preparation room became somewhat heavy; Xiaoguang and Piplup were also affected, unable to resist clenching their hands tightly.
"Don't be nervous, take this."
Baimu pulled out a small cloth package from his pocket, "Awakening and Moisturizing Scent Pouch, I promised I'd give it to you before."
"Thank you!"
Xiaoguang's eyes brightened, hurriedly accepting it.
She had long known about Baimu's ability to make incense, greatly admiring his multiple skills and had eagerly anticipated him making her a scent pouch.
"It's still that comfortable fragrance~" She hugged the scent pouch, reluctant to let go, and Piplup next to her was also attracted by the scent of the pouch.
After all, this smell often emanated from Mawile.
"It's about time."
Baimu suddenly tidied his outfit, "I'll go ahead first."
Xiaoguang snapped back to reality, raised her fist, and said: "Go for it!"
"Piplup, Piplup!"
Piplup excitedly waved its wings.
He smiled and nodded, walking toward the contestant passage.
——
"Let's welcome the next contestant!"
Vivian's voice was somewhat enthusiastic.
But having watched almost an afternoon, the audience seemed a bit uninterested; many wished the first round of scrutiny to end quickly so they could focus on the Gorgeous Battle segment.
The judges remained calm, all of them extremely professional.
Especially the first two, who traveled back and forth between cities in the Hoenn Region daily to judge the Gorgeous Competition, their willpower had been well honed.
Miss Joy, needless to say, one never knows how she efficiently and swiftly heals so many trainers' Pokémon.
Chansey, after returning from internship at the Pokémon Center, described them with two words—
"Immortal!"
In other words, it met the adage, people from the Joy Clan are monsters!
What kind of performance would the next contestant bring?
They continued to smile.
Then.
Baimu walked out from the passage.
Patistan and Liu Lai simultaneously had gleaming eyes, exchanged a glance, subtly rubbed their Qingming acupoint, and touched their ears to keep them alert.
Miss Joy: "?"
What happened to these two?
Many Gorgeous Competition enthusiasts in the audience, upon seeing Baimu, also became excited.
"It's him!"
"The Coordinator Trainer using Mawile!"
"Honey, look! He's in Kaina City!"
"Oh gosh, I must inform the fan club sisters—ah! Is it too late to enter now? What a pity!"
The arena gradually became noisy.
Countless spectators closely watched the familiar figure below, involuntarily making various sounds.
Host Vivian wanted to appease the audience; unlike battle tournaments, Gorgeous Competitions often require the audience to remain quiet to enjoy the beauty.
But at that moment.
Baimu calmly raised his hand, facing all the spectators' gazes, and suddenly swung a tightly clenched fist from right to left!
In an instant.
Like the orchestra conductor giving a command to halt, those closely following Baimu became silent abruptly; the pervasive quietness affected many still speaking, who watched as the entire venue suddenly fell silent, subconsciously lowering their voices.
Soon.
Bang!
Accompanied by snowflake-like ice crystals, Mawile slowly appeared.
Holding two folded wooden fans, its posture swayed stylishly as it danced; when the gentle bell sound spread, it swiftly snapped the wooden fan open, bringing it discreetly to its cheek, gently swaying like revealing an adorable and cute countenance.
The eyes contained an indescribable vibrant color, instantly tugging at the heartstrings of everyone present.
With just one movement, it fully displayed Mawile's cuteness!
"How endearing!"
Host Vivian intended to voice admiration but feared disrupting the atmosphere, so she quickly silenced herself.
Some experienced spectators recognized the dance Mawile performed at the moment as the fan dance most famously performed by the kimono girls of Yuanzhu Dance Hall, a dance symbolizing the beautiful heritage of Johto!
At this moment, Baimu snapped his fingers.
Pop~
The gracefully swaying Mawile leaped with agility, and its toe tapped the ground like a dragonfly gently landing.
Whoosh—
Misty light blue smoke rapidly covered the entire field.
Mawile in the midst suddenly became a fairy in a mortal paradise, appearing and disappearing with the rolling fog, as the peaceful bell gently shook and a scent inducing inner relaxation spread.
The multifaceted enhancements led to this intermittent ethereal dance being not only unannoying to the audience and judges but even inciting a sense of anticipation.
Undoubtedly.
Mawile combined mystery and dance to perfection.
Light blue smoke wafting, the clear bell sound, mysterious, dreamy dance form, invigorating mild aroma.
While the audience may not have felt the latter, the three judges surely did, as their long-term seated fatigue and irritability dissipated.
Subsequently.
With a light sound, Mawile's dance shifted.
The smoke that spread to the surroundings was suddenly guided by a refreshing breeze, slowly spreading outward, accompanied by countless sparkling starlight ice points, dispelling the physical and mental heat of the audience inside.
The judges, while feeling their minds tremble, became even more attentive to Mawile on the field.
At some unknown point, they saw Mawile dancing as it simultaneously ascended into the air, resembling Chang'e flying to the moon.
The cool airflow paired with the Foggy Field's smoke cloud emphasized a sense of solitude and tranquility, this atmospheric mysterious beauty was unlike the splendor of fireworks and explosions, yet carried a distinctive charm.
Making spectators reluctant to look away even for a moment.
Finally.
The bell ceased.
The foggy field's smoke was blown by refreshing breezes, leaving only a thin layer, and a spiraled ice staircase had been constructed on the field.
Mawile stood atop the ice staircase, maintaining its final pose.
Finished?
Has the performance ended?
This thought flashed through everyone's minds.
And the next moment.
The ice staircase suddenly shattered, transforming into brilliant points of light, scattering the lingering cloud of smoke in the Foggy Field, forming a final wave of awe-inspiring breeze blowing towards all the spectators.
Mawile then spun like a fallen leaf, landing steadily.
Pop!
The wooden fan closed.
It bowed its head and closed its eyes, together with Baimu, giving a slight bow to the audience.
The entire venue fell silent, so quiet it was as if a pin drop could be heard.
Then.
The cheers and shouts exploded, as if they could overturn the dome of the entire venue!
Applause thundered like waves crashing continuously!
Countless spectators stood to applaud for Mawile and Baimu, with many crazy Gorgeous Competition enthusiasts moved to tears.