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Third one.
The opponent sent out a Breloom while Song Jie chose Aerodactyl.
The process didn't take long either—simply closing in, using Hurricane to blow away the Spore, enduring the Thunder Punch, then finishing it off with one slash from each wing.
Quadruple weakness to Flying, what else could you expect?
Spore could create miracles, but the prerequisite was hitting it first.
Did you think this was still the era of perfect accuracy in games?
The first Single Battle ended in this rather peculiar atmosphere.
The opponent was clearly a new team member too, not familiar with the competitive environment, and coupled with being flustered, they couldn't even tell if the Lycanroc was truly injured or not.
But in other words, Song Jie's Pokémon were clearly much stronger than the opponent's.
Combined with the intelligence, it seemed that way.
The alternate members of an ordinary university's team were equivalent in strength to the new reserves of the Big Six?
Based on the current situation, an equal sign could be drawn. As for the other two senior sisters, seeing the opponent so weak, the tension they had been holding finally released in a long exhale.
It was good that the opponent wasn't strong. That put them at ease.
Beside them, Li Xiang watched their expressions, unsure what to say.
Preferring to pick on the weak was indeed human nature. No one was an exception, himself included.
Mid-match break.
"Coach, I think I've experienced enough. Let the senior sisters have the opportunity."
Song Jie replied calmly and composedly. The white-haired youth adapted extremely quickly, familiarizing himself with the somewhat noisy, attention-grabbing battle environment in just one match.
This could be seen from his earlier bluff.
"Experienced enough?"
Xu He was momentarily stunned, looking at the composed Song Jie. After a long while, he nodded. "Alright then. Surrender voluntarily when you go up later."
Letting others earn a point wouldn't deduct a point from their side.
That's why this balding middle-aged man allowed Song Jie to surrender. Otherwise, Song Jie wouldn't be allowed off the stage unless he was knocked down.
"Next match, which of you will go? Let me say this first: to defeat Song Jie, they might switch to a regular team member."
Xu He looked at Li Xiang and the two others. "But I'll tell you now, the earlier you go, the easier it is to win. After winning, the stronger the opponent you'll face later, and it's not impossible for them to even send the captain last."
The two girls, hearing this, couldn't help but glance at Li Xiang.
Although they didn't seem to believe it much on the surface, they inwardly felt that if Li Xiang went, victory was assured.
In that case, the opponents they faced later would be stronger. With Song Jie's excellent performance setting a precedent, if they lost too badly, it would be truly embarrassing, especially since the match here would be televised for so many to see.
"You two choose first. I'm fine either way."
Li Xiang stepped back voluntarily, letting the two senior sisters decide between themselves.
He truly didn't mind. He was willing to lose if it came to that—it wasn't like he hadn't lost before. He wasn't afraid.
It would be best if they thought he was a noob.
When he truly started dominating, these people's faces would swell up like steamed buns. They might even stubbornly stick to their guns all the way.
That would definitely be extremely entertaining.
The two senior sisters looked at each other, ultimately using rock-paper-scissors to decide the order of going up.
Not a trace of urgency.
Their attitude was also captured by the recording Magnemite and projected onto the large screens, leaving others somewhat confused.
What were they playing rock-paper-scissors for?
Many watched this strange scene. Only some who guessed the inside story understood what these two girls were doing.
—Changing players at the last minute.
Ten minutes passed like flowing water.
Song Jie went up again, and the opponent indeed sent out a regular team member.
However, just as the referee was about to blow the whistle, Song Jie raised his hand and surrendered.
Instantly, the audience in the stands was astonished. What was the deal with surrendering? Did his strongest Lycanroc get defeated, so he couldn't continue?
Didn't dare to fight? Was this guy just a showpiece?
The audience began whispering amongst themselves, but soon, helpful individuals explained the reason.
They were switching to other new players to acclimatize to the competition environment.
Only then did others suddenly understand.
Going up again, Mist City University sent up a female student not seen before, fitting their all-female team nickname.
The two began battling.
Li Xiang flipped through information related to the opponent. This person's performance in past tournaments could only be described as mediocre, with not many wins, not many losses.
Very ordinary. Compared to this senior sister of his... they were actually roughly equal, even slightly stronger.
Because the senior sister's mentality wasn't great; she cared too much about gains and losses, so her playstyle was too loose.
A typical fear of losing.
Just like some LOL teams that had won championships—afraid to lose, dared not take risks. This led to the opponent constantly seizing opportunities, gradually wearing them down.
Fortunately, the senior sister became an alternate not by begging but by fighting her way up step by step. When she realized she was falling into the opponent's trap, she pulled back from the brink, destroying the opponent's hard-earned setup.
In the end, she relied on Destiny Bond to forcibly take down the opponent's third Pokémon.
Barely a draw.
In this situation, both sides earned one point.
Though she didn't win, at least she didn't lose.
The senior sister felt regretful yet also relieved. At least she didn't perform too embarrassingly.
Xu He watched this without commenting.
Third round.
Both sides had to pick someone to go up.
The second senior sister confidently requested to go up, but Xu He informed her, "If you go up now, you'll face Hongcheng University's captain."
Judging by the opponent's posture, to play it safe, Hongcheng University would most likely send their captain next.
Win the remaining two matches, then consider whether they could win the fifth.
Who knows, they might win?
Hearing this, the senior sister chickened out before even fighting, looking at Li Xiang with full of hesitation.
"I can go. I don't mind."
Li Xiang said bluntly, "When I see another new team member later, I can also surrender."
"Really?"
The senior sister's eyes lit up.
"Of course it's true." Li Xiang nodded. He didn't mind doing the senior sister a favor.
They were all teammates. Conveniencing others is conveniencing oneself.
After stating the pros and cons, Xu He remained silent, though his gaze at that senior sister held a hint of disappointment.
He had said before that winning or losing didn't matter; the main thing was familiarizing with the environment.
You couldn't be afraid. If you feared, you'd lose for a lifetime.
The two girls' performances clearly didn't meet his requirements.
Understanding was one thing.
'As expected, this bold young man is better.'
Xu He looked at Li Xiang with increasing appreciation. He liked students who wanted to win yet weren't afraid to lose!
Thus, after being a spectator for most of the day, Li Xiang finally had the chance to go up.
And the opponent was highly likely Hongcheng University's team captain, whose documented combat strength was roughly on par with Mist City University's regular team members.
Speaking of which, Li Xiang had lost to Abigail, a fourth-year regular, last time.
For a moment, he even felt somewhat excited.
The arena wouldn't be rotated mid-match. So, Li Xiang was still in that forest arena filled with the scent of damp earth after rain, with little puddles everywhere.
'Tsk tsk tsk, truly ravaged quite badly.'
He entered the arena, looked at the Magnemite flying above his head, and glanced at the distant large screens.
Silently, he removed his mask.
As Li Xiang's true face was revealed, commotion came from the audience stands, the field, and the two university teams waiting in the distance, gradually growing louder.
From the speakers above, the two announcers extremely excitedly introduced Li Xiang's background to the uninformed audience. And no matter how they put it, it ultimately boiled down to two words.
—『National First』.
This title stuck to Li Xiang's forehead, impossible to remove.
If it were just some media hype, it might not have been so popular. What truly spread Li Xiang's fame throughout the entire region was Mo Ye personally coming down and inviting Li Xiang to join Mist City University.
This was like the commander-in-chief of a military region personally appearing to invite the current year's top college entrance exam scorer to his alma mater.
The topic heat skyrocketed.
In such circumstances, Li Xiang appearing on the Spring Tournament stage as a competitor, about to face students from other university teams, how could it not make people excited?
Therefore, even though it was also removing a mask, the stir Li Xiang created was far greater than Song Jie's.
On the opposite side, Hongcheng University slowly sent up their third player.
But it wasn't the captain; it was an ordinary female regular team member.
'Oh? Guessing we'd send the senior sister, so planning to use a regular to secure that win, keeping the captain's strength to try and win the fifth match?'
'Pretty clever abacus you're playing there!'
These guys, as expected, just as the coach said, were all aiming to win.
Li Xiang looked at the opponent's solemn expression in the distance, knowing she didn't underestimate him just because he was a first-year.
Perhaps a great reputation is not undeserved?
He silently recalled this person's Pokémon lineup, suddenly realizing he might truly be able to bring out Mist City University's fighting spirit as Xu He said.
Nothing more to say.
'Just do it!'
"BEEP—" The referee blew the whistle sharply.
Both sides threw their Poké Balls simultaneously!
Bang! Bang!
On the opponent's side, a large, incredibly beautiful, mesmerizing fox with sky-blue and snow-white fur landed in the arena.
The moment its feet touched the grassy field, freezing cold air instantly froze the weeds and puddles beneath.
Moreover, dark clouds rapidly gathered in the sky above, forming snowflakes that began falling in the blink of an eye.
Snow Warning ability, Alolan Ninetales!
"Aoo—"
The exceptionally charming white fox howled, colorful auroras drifting before it, wrapping around its body like the thinnest cicada wing garment.
This was Aurora Veil, which could only be used during snowfall, reducing the damage it received.
After completing this whole set of actions, maximizing Alolan Ninetales' staying power, as long as it wasn't—
Thud!
A heavy, muffled sound, as if a huge projectile had struck something soft.
The opponent's pupils rapidly constricted, mouth slightly agape, as if about to say something.
But, the Alolan Ninetales, which had just activated Aurora Veil to ensure its defensive capability, was sent flying backward as if hit head-on by a locomotive!
In the blink of an eye, it crossed over ten meters!
Finally, it landed on the muddy grassy field, tumbling rapidly four or five times before stopping, its pure white, sacred fur covered in filth.
If it were normal times, Alolan Ninetales might have raged on the spot, letting the opponent taste the fury of a Blizzard.
But now, apologies, having already fainted, it really couldn't vent its anger.
And the one who defeated it in one hit was a Riolu with a cold and arrogant expression, silver glow still lingering on its fist, striking a strange pose!
Of course, the important thing wasn't who defeated Alolan Ninetales, but whose vision could keep up with Riolu's movement speed!
Among the nearly ten thousand people present, almost no one's dynamic visual acuity could catch the full-speed burst Riolu, further accelerated by Bullet Punch!
The entire venue erupted in uproar!
The announcers couldn't speak in time, only able to use hindsight commentary to stir the audience's emotions.
[Riolu instantly defeated the variant Ninetales! In just a moment!]
Countless discussions emerged layer upon layer.
"Riolu knows Teleport!?"
"So fast! Couldn't follow it at all!"
"Speed of sound? Supersonic?"
"Mid-field distance fifty meters, how long did it take? Is Ninjask faster?"
"Damn, so strong! This is a first-year? I feel he's stronger than that first-year earlier!"
"Need to feel? First, keep up with Riolu's speed!"
"This year's Mist City University is so strong!"
Throughout the entire venue, anyone watching the match was discussing Riolu.
Countless recording Magnemite also focused their lenses entirely on that black-and-blue puppy.
Riolu, with one Bullet Punch, successfully opened up a whole new world for Mist City University!