Saturday arrived, and the long-anticipated Piplup Cup semifinals officially commenced.
According to the bracket, Lu Ye faced Han Xiaoxiao from Magic University High School.
She was precisely the live stream viewer whose Pokémon was Breloom.
The other bracket featured an internal Jiangzhe University battle, with Feng Shu facing Lü You.
The moment Feng Shu saw the bracket listing, he wiped cold sweat from his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Fortunately, I did not encounter Teacher Lu in the semifinals."
Han Xiaoxiao's eyes sparkled brightly as she added Lu Ye under the pretext of asking professional questions, frantically sending messages.
"Teacher Lu, I am in the same semifinal bracket as you!"
"Teacher Lu, after the match ends, can I take a photo with you? An autograph would also work!"
Due to the video's expanding influence, Lu Ye had developed a certain fan base among these young trainers.
Looking at this appearance, she did not seem like she came to compete but rather came to chase stars!
"This genuinely is a viewer tournament." Lu Ye's expression turned strange as he clicked into Han Xiaoxiao's friend circle, his eyelid immediately twitching.
The enormous cover image displayed a Q-version fan art, bearing seventy percent resemblance to Teacher Lu.
Beside it floated a grinning Gengar with the caption: "Protecting the world's best SubToxic!"
Lu Ye froze slightly.
"Could this be the legendary fan circle girl?"
Scrolling down the feed revealed Han Xiaoxiao's daily social media posts.
"Funny! Teacher Lu is at least a Master-level trainer, okay? If you do not understand, do not speak recklessly!"
"Ahhhh, Teacher Lu can actually cook too! Loved, loved!"
Lu Ye's expression turned complex as he glanced at the head-scratching Haunter.
"Kekeke?"
"Be ruthless later and let her know how harsh reality is!"
"Kekeke!"
Haunter rubbed its fists together, grinning to reveal a sinister smile.
The match began in the afternoon.
For lunch, Lu Ye prepared Moomoo Milk for Eevee. After calling for a long while with no response, Lu Ye personally carried Eevee out from the room.
"Eevui."
Eevee reluctantly cried out once, initially wanting to struggle.
However, it ultimately lowered its head, extending its small tongue, quietly licking the milk.
Lu Ye secretly slipped his hand into Eevee's fluffy neck ruff, immediately revealing a completely satisfied smile.
"This texture is beyond words!"
"Eevui!"
Eevee abruptly raised its head, glaring fiercely at Lu Ye, suddenly hiccupping.
"Eev, uh, Eevui!"
Although Eevee bared its teeth, that hiccupping appearance genuinely lacked any intimidation whatsoever.
"Lactose intolerance?"
Lu Ye froze slightly before laughing helplessly. "Wait for me a moment. I will change your lunch."
"Eev, Eevui!"
Eevee hiccupped again, swaying its tail, somewhat shyly turning its face away.
On the other side, "Kekeke~(*⊙~⊙)"
Haunter grabbed a handful of Poké Blocks, stuffing them into its mouth like eating candy beans, even wanting to wash them down with Soda Pop.
"Fizz!"
Another hand opened the soda bottle cap. Haunter squinted its eyes, drinking a mouthful before emitting a contented moan.
"Kekeke~!"
Before leaving, Lu Ye patted Eevee's head. "Do you want to come with us?"
"Kekeke!" Haunter also extended an invitation with sparkling eyes.
Eevee retreated half a step backwards before shaking its head.
This little thing remained somewhat shy, but constantly staying in the Poké Ball was not ideal either.
"Then stay home and watch the house." Lu Ye smiled. "Wait for us to return. I will bring you delicious food."
"Eev, Eevui."
Eevee nodded gently, suddenly hiccupping again before immediately fleeing like smoke.
Watching Eevee's retreating figure, Lu Ye stroked his chin, murmuring. "Eevee does not know Will-O-Wisp. It should not burn down the house, right?"
"Umm, there should be no problem."
Lu Ye nodded with complete confidence.
"Let us go, Haunter. Time for the viewer tournament!"
The Mercedes Arena's surroundings were already packed with audiences, various media outlets mobilising collectively.
This was Magic City's first major summer tournament, simultaneously approaching its conclusion.
"The Piplup Cup semifinals are about to commence. Among these heaven's favoured children, contestant Lu Ye from Magic City University."
"The contestant hailed as the biggest dark horse, Lu Ye, can he create miracles once again!"
"Semifinal guests announced! South China Region Champion Guo Ming provides strong assistance!"
As special invited guests for the competition, these deeply qualified trainers would evaluate contestants.
The Piplup Cup concerned the Junior Trainer License one month later. So-called evaluations were actually a form of disguised assessment.
City Association Chairman Song Pengcheng smiled. "Master Guo, long time no see."
Guo Ming cupped his fists. "Elder, you remain full of vigour!"
"With younger generation talents emerging continuously, I naturally feel reassured." Song Pengcheng smiled warmly.
"Oh?" Guo Ming appeared somewhat surprised. "I wonder if you are referring to Lü You or Feng Shu?"
Song Pengcheng stroked his beard, smiling without speaking.
"The first match features their battle. Superior or inferior will be immediately evident." Guo Ming stated.
Fireworks erupted as the announcer's voice opened the competition prelude.
"Both contestants have taken their positions. What will the results be? Let us wait and see!"
In the audience seats, Tian Youwei stammered. "Brother Lu, is being this relaxed really okay?"
"I am already very nervous."
Lu Ye sighed. "If you do not believe me, look at my eyes."
"Umm, they genuinely look quite nervous."
Brother Dayou chewed his hamburger, glancing sideways. "He is nervous about nothing!"
Lu Ye coughed lightly.
Even if he wanted to be nervous, thinking about facing his own viewer made nervousness impossible!
"Just watch the match. These tickets were quite expensive, several hundred yuan each."
Ivysaur versus Magneton.
Besides Toxic being ineffective against Steel-types, both sides lacked any restraining methods.
Ultimately, this depended on both trainers' commanding and breeding results.
Lü You struck first. "Thunder Wave!"
With Ivysaur's sluggish speed, avoiding Magneton's Thunder Wave was extraordinarily difficult!
However, Protect was promptly activated. Thick electric current crackled against the barrier.
Simultaneously, Ivysaur curled its limbs as vines from its back pierced into the ground with a rip.
"Contestant Feng Shu abandoned mobility, choosing to let Ivysaur root in place!" the announcer called loudly.
"Ivysaur's speed is indeed somewhat inferior." Song Pengcheng nodded. "This is quite a decent command."
Guo Ming smiled. "He probably chose attrition tactics."
"Leech Seed!" Feng Shu commanded sharply.
"Gyro Ball! After closing distance, use Thunderbolt!"
Thorny vines rapidly stabbed toward Magneton, but the latter had already begun spinning at high speed, deflecting all vines!
The rooted Ivysaur could not move. Magneton had already closed in as dazzling electric light suddenly bloomed!
Electric light flashed as Ivysaur painfully curled into a ball.
Feng Shu commanded sternly. "Hidden Power!"
At the critical moment, Ivysaur's back flower bud suddenly lit with a light sphere as scorching heat waves permeated the field.
"Fire-type Hidden Power?" Song Pengcheng said surprisingly.
"This truly concealed a trump card!"
"Still too impulsive." Guo Ming frowned.
In the audience seats, Tian Youwei exclaimed. "Holy crap, Ivysaur is going to reverse this!"
However, Lu Ye sighed. "Lü You is going to win."
Hidden Power's flames spurted forth. Magneton forcibly withstood the flames, emitting high-frequency piercing sounds.
Simultaneously, Thunderbolt blasted out again!
The referee waved the flag. "Ivysaur has lost battle capability. Winner, Jiangzhe University's Lü You!"