The massive doors of the Lin residence were kicked open with a deafening bang.
A middle-aged man with a vicious scar running across his face strode in, followed closely by a group of investigators dressed in official League uniforms.
Lin Quan's brows knitted tightly together.
"You're League investigators?" he demanded. "On what grounds do you barge into the Lin family estate? I demand to see your branch president!"
Despite his fierce tone, cold sweat was already seeping down his back.
When did they arrive? How much of our conversation did they hear just now?
As a veteran investigator with decades of experience, He Sheng immediately saw through Lin Quan's bluster.
With a casual wave of his hand, he issued a short command.
"Surround them."
In an instant, dozens of Pokémon were released simultaneously, forming a tight encirclement around everyone present in the Lin household.
Lin Quan's heart sank.
These people were decisive—far too decisive. They had come prepared to act immediately.
"Damn it! Who exactly are you people? I want to see He Quan!" Lin Quan roared.
He Quan was the name of the Lake City Pokémon League branch president.
But the majority of the investigators present were elites dispatched directly from League headquarters. Lin Quan's words didn't intimidate them in the slightest.
As the surrounding Pokémon drew closer, Lin Quan's mind went completely blank. Just moments ago, they had been celebrating their success—yet now they were completely surrounded by the League.
His hand instinctively moved toward the Poké Balls at his waist.
Surrender was never an option.
"Lin Quan, you know exactly what you've done," a voice said coldly. "Stop resisting and submit immediately."
The speaker was a bespectacled middle-aged man standing behind the investigators.
When Lin Quan saw him clearly, his eyes nearly burst from their sockets.
"He Quan!" Lin Quan bellowed. "Do you have any idea what you're doing?! Without the Lin family's cooperation, you won't be able to govern Lake City at all! Order them to stand down—now!"
However, He Quan ignored him entirely.
Instead, he turned respectfully toward the scar-faced man at the front of the formation.
"Minister He," He Quan said solemnly, "Lin Quan is clearly refusing to cooperate. I suggest we proceed directly."
At that moment, Lin Quan finally realized something was terribly wrong.
Why was He Quan showing such deference to that scarred man?
Staring at He Sheng's face, Lin Quan felt a vague sense of familiarity—but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember where he'd seen him before.
"Move in," He Sheng said calmly.
At his command, the surrounding Pokémon surged forward.
Lin Quan's pupils contracted sharply. In one fluid motion, he threw every Poké Ball at his waist.
Dragonite. Flygon. Druddigon. Aurorus. Altaria. Haxorus.
Six Gym-level Dragon-type Pokémon appeared at once—Dragonite among them was only half a step away from Champion-tier.
"Damn it!" Lin Quan roared. "Everyone, release your Pokémon! We cannot let them take us alive!"
But when he turned around, he saw his three sons crouched behind him, pale and trembling, completely frozen in fear.
"Dad…" one of them stammered, "we can't fight the League. Let's just surrender."
Lin Quan stomped his foot in fury.
"Useless trash!"
Seeing Lin Quan dare to resist, He Sheng's eyes lit up instead of darkening.
Resisting? Good.
That only makes things easier.
The investigators immediately issued attack orders.
In the next instant, dozens of Ice-type Pokémon unleashed Ice Beam simultaneously.
Blue-white beams shot forward in perfect unison, a breathtaking yet terrifying sight.
"Flamethrower! Fire Spin! Block them!" Lin Quan shouted desperately.
Although his Pokémon reacted quickly, intercepting the attacks, the surroundings paid the price.
Buildings, ground, trees—everything was instantly frozen over.
The temperature plummeted by nearly ten degrees in seconds.
And this… was only the investigators' first wave.
When the attack was blocked, the League forces transitioned seamlessly into a second coordinated assault.
This was the terrifying power of Pokémon operating as a unit—endless, synchronized, overwhelming.
If dozens could do this…
What about thousands? Tens of thousands?
The thought alone was enough to make one's blood run cold.
From the outside, the Lin family estate looked like a kaleidoscope of exploding colors, as if fireworks were being set off in celebration.
Under such relentless pressure, even Lin Quan's powerful Pokémon soon collapsed from exhaustion.
Surrounded by League Pokémon and investigators, Lin Quan's expression twisted into something feral.
"You think the Lin family has survived for decades with only this much strength?" he snarled.
"Very well—then I'll show you the true foundation of the Lin family of Lake City!"
As his roar echoed through the estate, an overwhelming pressure suddenly swept across the battlefield—so heavy it made breathing difficult.
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