As the host's opening speech concluded, the music in the stadium shifted once more—from solemn and restrained to soaring and triumphant.
The stands erupted in thunderous applause, wave after wave crashing through the arena.
"Next, please welcome the Chengdu Pokémon League Branch Director, Zhang Zhixing, to deliver a speech!"
A chubby middle-aged man stepped onto the stage—it was none other than Zhang Zhixing, who had previously visited Chengdu No.1 High School.
Everything was magnified on the enormous screen above the stadium as he took the microphone and smiled.
"It is my great honor to host the Southwest Inter-School Tournament here in Chengdu. This competition is not just an arena—it is a platform that showcases the quality, ability, and spirit of the new generation of trainers!
Each year, the League places increasing importance on young trainers, and the rewards for this tournament have grown accordingly. Based on the information I've received, this year's prizes will exceed everyone's expectations. I'll keep you in suspense for now—our official tournament staff will explain the details shortly.
Oh, and there's one more thing."
He paused deliberately, successfully whetting the crowd's appetite.
"For this year's tournament, we have invited a truly heavyweight guest.
Let us welcome—one of the current Four Heavenly Kings of the League, the Water-Type Champion, Mu Xue!"
The moment her name was announced, the stadium exploded in shocked exclamations.
Oliver instinctively adjusted the brim of his cap.
Why did this woman come all the way here to be a guest? Don't tell me she showed up just because she heard I was competing…
Beside him, Jiang Shuyun was visibly stunned.
"It's Champion Mu Xue! It's really Champion Mu Xue!"
Oliver glanced at her sideways.
"Isn't this a bit much? Her Pokémon aren't even your favorite type."
"She's the only female Champion among the current Four Heavenly Kings," Jiang Shuyun retorted seriously.
"Isn't it normal to admire her?"
And she wasn't wrong.
Mu Xue was practically an idol to female trainers across the country. Not only was she the only woman among the Four Heavenly Kings—she was also the youngest Champion in history. Her popularity in Xia was sky-high.
On the big screen, Mu Xue stepped onto the stage, smiling faintly as she waved to the crowd.
No one had expected that a Four Heavenly King would appear as a guest at a youth tournament. While the Southwest Inter-School Tournament was large in scale, it was still, at its core, a competition for young trainers—far from the top tier of the professional world.
And with the Champion Battles approaching soon, it was puzzling that Mu Xue would take time out of her schedule to attend an event like this.
Before the audience could finish speculating, the official representative of the tournament organizers stepped forward.
He explained the final rewards and competition rules for this year's event.
In short:
All sixteen teams that advanced to the group stage would receive prizes—and the higher the ranking, the better the rewards.
Top 16: 1,000,000 League Credits
Top 8: 3,000,000 League Credits
Top 4: 5,000,000 League Credits, plus one premium Evolution Stone per team member
Runner-up: 10,000,000 League Credits, plus ten top-tier Energy Blocks per member
Champion Team:
20,000,000 League Credits
A full set of premium Evolution Stones for each member
One Pokémon item of choice per member
In addition, one Best Individual Performer would be selected from the championship team and awarded an extra 10,000,000 League Credits.
These were only the visible rewards. There were also many hidden benefits—such as bonus points when applying to elite universities.
There wasn't a single contestant who didn't want to reach the very end.
Then the tournament official dropped the real bombshell.
"The elimination round format has been revised.
This year, the elimination stage will take place inside a secret realm.
Sixteen wooden tokens will be placed within the realm. Only teams that retrieve a token and return within the time limit may advance.
Each team may possess only one token.
Any violation will result in immediate disqualification."
The announcement detonated the entire stadium.
A secret realm?
This was unprecedented.
While elimination rules changed frequently in previous years, none had ever involved a secret realm. The reason was obvious—secret realms were extremely dangerous. These young trainers were the League's future, and most of them hadn't fully matured yet.
No one understood why such a rule had been introduced.
But fear spread instantly.
"Secret realms are dangerous—you all know that," the official continued.
"If you wish to withdraw, you may do so now. The organizers will cover your travel and accommodation costs.
Teams that choose to continue, please proceed forward to register."
The scene nearly spiraled out of control.
Some shouted that they wanted to go home. Others clenched their teeth and resolved to continue.
Some had no choice—like Liu Lixuan.
Others simply believed in themselves.
"I… I have to participate," Liu Lixuan said quietly, head lowered.
"But entering a secret realm is really dangerous, so—"
"Don't say nonsense," Qi Jun interrupted, clapping a hand on his shoulder.
"I dream of becoming this tournament's champion."
"Exactly," Guo Shengfu added loudly.
"If Munchlax found out I quit for a reason like this, it would look down on me!"
"Besides," Jiang Shuyun said confidently,
"if the League is letting us enter, it must be a relatively safe realm. And I have Charizard—if I can't win, I can always run!"
At last, everyone turned toward the one person who hadn't spoken yet.
Oliver.
"Hey, why are you all looking at me?" he said with a grin.
"If even Jiang Shuyun has no problem with it, how could I?"
Laughter broke out instantly.
"That's our captain!"
"With him here, no secret realm can stop us!"
Liu Lixuan wiped at the corners of his reddened eyes.
"Thank you… all of you."
On the other side, Chengdu No.2 High's team was watching Meng Ming nervously.
They were uneasy about the secret realm as well.
"That guy definitely won't run," Meng Ming said coldly.
"I'm going to defeat him in the finals—so of course I won't withdraw either."
"Alright! If the captain's going in, we're in!"
"I'm with you!"
"Good brothers!"
Even though the organizers promised that pressing the emergency beacon would bring rescue personnel within one minute, the danger of entering a secret realm was real.
In the end, nearly half of the teams withdrew.
The remaining teams were informed of the competition site.
Qinglin Secret Realm.
Starting today, the Qinglin Secret Realm would be completely sealed, with no trainers allowed to enter—until the tournament concluded.
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