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Halftime break.
People were still discussing Riolu's earlier performance.
In the broadcast room, the two commentators kept sighing with emotion.
"This national first is truly the national number one. Even his Pokémon's level is different from ordinary people's."
"Yeah, before seeing today's match, I wouldn't have dared to believe a Riolu could have such intensity and endurance—maintaining high speed and standing till the last second in a hailstorm."
"Li Xiang's opponent had it rough too. Skilled in Ice-type, even sent out Froslass, but encountered such an opponent who defies common sense. Hope this match doesn't discourage her."
"Yes, for a trainer, mindset is very important."
The two took turns, rarely discussing the actual events of the match, mostly just lavishly praising Li Xiang's Pokémon.
They were professional commentators, but judging the combat situation wasn't their forte.
They had some insight—they couldn't have lasted this long without any. But Riolu's situation was different from any they had ever seen, making it hard to judge whether the on-field trainer's choices were right or wrong.
So, it was better not to talk about it and just hype Li Xiang. That definitely wouldn't be wrong.
On the audience side, discussions about Riolu's level and training were also everywhere.
On the blog, a special topic was even created for Li Xiang's Riolu for people to discuss.
The popularity was continuously rising.
The number of comments had already exceeded a thousand when Riolu defeated Mamoswine and was still constantly increasing.
The Junior World Tournament (including the divisional and regionals) was fully live-streamed and recorded, available both on TV and online.
At this moment, just the online viewership on the Tournament's official website had already exceeded 500,000 people within half an hour. It was believed it wouldn't be long before it reached a million.
And today was still a workday.
Keywords like Junior World Tournament Regional Level, Mist City University, Spring Tournament, white-haired handsome guy, nationally-ranked Li Xiang, Riolu, etc., successfully ignited the somewhat sluggish spring season.
Logically, people usually only paid attention to the Junior World Tournament during the regional level.
Outside the Xia Nan division, many schools were frantically analyzing Riolu's data, judging its level, specialties, and proficient moves based on information about Li Xiang's opponent's Pokémon. But the conclusions they drew made them hesitant to report them.
'What the hell is this!'
Either the level was abnormally high, or the training was abnormally high, or both level and training were abnormally high.
'Is this data for a first-year student?! Even an Ultra-Ball tier trainer Pokemon at this level might not be this good'
Submitting such data might get them beaten up...
But the current information led to exactly this result.
With no choice, they could only delay submitting, waiting to watch a few more of Li Xiang's matches.
This situation occurred in the intelligence departments of various schools across the regions.
Of course, some unyielding intelligence departments submitted directly, causing the coach who was drinking water to spit it out, coughing so hard he almost passed out.
"This is a first-year? A Riolu?"
The coach looked at the report, emitting a question from the depths of his soul.
"Correct!"
The informant nodded vigorously.
Meanwhile, in the arena, in the preparation area belonging to Mist City University, Li Xiang was being lavishly praised by the coach and a group of senior sisters.
Winning against an opponent... Fighting a backup and fighting a starter weren't the same concept.
Having defeated Pokémon and having no defeated Pokémon also weren't the same concept.
Li Xiang's previous match successfully proved to the world that Mist City University had worthy successors, no generation gap.
In fact, their next generation would be terrifyingly strong!
Without a doubt, this would be an immense help for recruitment.
The Spring Tournament being jokingly called the recruitment tournament online stemmed from this.
Everyone adjusted their approach based on the situation. Who wouldn't want to enter a school with global-level potential?
Moreover, as long as they could enter the global level, recruitment quality would improve, and the funds allocated to that school by the United Universities and the Zhu Xia Association would be in the billions.
Just look at the recruitment popularity of the Big Six. When did the number of applicants ever fall below ten thousand?
People would come carrying trains overnight to participate.
As long as they could get in, it was rising to prominence overnight.
Don't look at how Mist City University students were beaten so badly by Li Xiang, one by one acting like it was a matter of life and death if they didn't make the school team.
But if asked to drop out of the University, would they be willing?
Impossible.
The school's resources were far superior compared to the outside world. As long as they had credit points, anything that cost thousands or tens of thousands outside could be bought for tens or hundreds at school.
As cheap as cabbage.
Not to mention direct teaching by high-ranked trainers.
In places like Mist City University, there were even annual Elite Four lectures. Xia Chunyu occasionally came too.
Could other schools do that? Hmm?
Therefore, the Junior World Tournament was a strategic battleground.
To increase next year's funding by a few million, students would fight tooth and nail.
Mist City University's willingness to invest in Li Xiang also stemmed from this.
They wished Li Xiang was even stronger, more abnormal, preferably carrying Mist City University into the global level as a first-year, even into the top three globally!
Unfortunately, they knew this was a pipe dream. So, the current policy was building momentum.
Building momentum for Li Xiang!
Let this young man bloom briefly but brilliantly, shine brightly in the Spring Tournament, then suppress the hype.
Wait until Li Xiang matured, then explode it out, letting the popularity peak!
Of course, now the most important thing was to take the first step.
"Next match, they'll most likely send their captain. Are you prepared?"
Xu He looked at the relaxed Li Xiang and asked.
This young man's performance was even better than he imagined. During battle, there were basically no mistakes, he didn't excessively interfere with his Pokémon's decisions, and maintained confidence at all times.
One must know, many students were prone to hesitation in tournaments of this scale, even verbally interfering with their own Pokémon.
Mistakes like changing moves mid-battle, which even elementary students wouldn't make, could appear on them, inevitably causing laughter from others.
"Reveal cards?" Li Xiang counter-asked. Revealing cards and not revealing cards were two different strategies.
Based on documented information, the captain of Hongcheng University was quite strong, only slightly weaker than the portion Abigail had exposed.
If Li Xiang didn't reveal his trump cards, the goddess of victory might not fully stand on his side.
Xu He glanced at the girl beside him who looked full of expectation and shook his head, "No. Your task is to familiarize yourself with the competition environment, not to win. No need to expose too much information to the opponent."
"Alright." Li Xiang nodded.
The girl beside him also looked disappointed.
She felt if Li Xiang revealed his trump cards, he might be able to defeat that captain.
That way, in the final round, she might have a chance to play.
But if not revealing cards meant low chance of winning, then she most likely wouldn't get to play as insurance.
In Singles, six Pokémon were registered, and three were chosen from those six. Even if Li Xiang defeated two of his, there would still be four others who could play—it wasn't fixed.
She obviously couldn't defeat the opponent's captain.
...
Hongcheng University.
Here, they were also frantically discussing the selection problem.
Their remaining two slots were, as Xu He thought, the captain and a new member.
By ordinary thinking, they should send the captain to take down Li Xiang.
But what they considered was whether to send the new backup to drain the stamina of Li Xiang's remaining Pokémon, making it easier for the captain to find a way to defeat Mist City University's insurance.
That's right... They were still thinking about winning.
It must be said, these guys had really big ambitions, were too trusting of their captain, and also truly underestimated Li Xiang.
"I'll go."
Hongcheng University's captain looked at the troubled new member and volunteered: "That Li Xiang, I feel he isn't as simple as you think. Don't underestimate him too much."
"But we have confidence in you!"
"Yeah, yeah! Captain has worked so hard; we definitely have a chance to defeat Mist City University. What's sacrificing a bit for that?"
The members argued loudly.
The coach spoke up: "Let him go. I also feel that Li Xiang is a bit problematic."
"Coach!"
"Coach, we can't show weakness!"
"Choosing like this doesn't it mean our Hongcheng University is afraid of Mist City University?"
Many members were displeased. Most believed people live for face, trees live for bark; life can be lost, but face must be kept!
"Alright, I've already decided!"
The coach ignored their opinions.
Thus, the ten-minute break passed.
The fourth match began.
Stepping onto the field again, the grassy terrain was already a complete mess, like a jungle after a heavy snowfall, hit by a meteor shower, and then run over by a tractor.
Not changing the arena midway was awkward, but it couldn't be helped; those were the rules.
Li Xiang looked at the young man walking up from the opposite side, his heart calm.
Sure enough, the captain.
This was more troublesome. He needed to carefully consider his selection.
The referee as usual began announcing the rules.
The commentators explained the identities of the players to the audience.
Hearing that the opponent was Hongcheng University's captain, a sixth-year student with strong strength, who in Singles single-handedly reached sixth place last year, the audience couldn't help but look forward to it.
Could Li Xiang defeat him?
If he did, then Hongcheng University would become a joke—a captain-level figure couldn't even defeat a freshman.
At the same time, Li Xiang's prestige would greatly increase!
Conversely, it wouldn't cause too much damage to Li Xiang's reputation either. After all, he was still a freshman; losing to a captain-level was normal.
Therefore, Mist City University here, it was a win-win no matter what.
While Hongcheng University over there no matter what was at a loss.
This was the advantage of having a strong freshman.
Shortly after, the rules were announced, and the match officially began!
Both sides simultaneously threw their Poké Balls!
Bang! Bang!
Two light sounds.
Two Pokémon appeared.
"Roar!"
The blood-winged flying dragon flapped its wings, emitting a terrifying roar at its opponent!
Layers of visible sound waves rippled toward the opponent!
Intimidate ability, third-generation pseudo-legendary, the fulfilled wish to fly in the sky—Salamence.
Many people's acknowledged number one Mega candidate in Singles!
Super strong power!
However, the one landing opposite it was a body slightly larger than it, with blood-red eyes filled with cold light, unmoved by the roar... a giant crow!
Mirror Armor activated!
Go back where you came from! Anti-Intimidate!
"Caw! Trash! Calling your dad? Caw!"
Corviknight instinctively provoked the fierce-looking opponent with words!
'—Wait.. I think I'm not supposed to speak human language?'
The arrogant aura on Corviknight's face instantly froze.
'Damn, forgot. Well, screw it.'