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If the fall of the first Pokémon was met with cheers,
with people marveling that a new generation surpasses the old, that perhaps age doesn't matter, and some people's talent can simply leap over the years.....
Then the fall of the second one brought bewilderment.
This was the state of mind for most people inside and outside the arena who were following this match and had a decent understanding of Pokémon battles.
Anyone with eyes could see that Incineroar's defensive capabilities were unusual.
No. Not unusual.
They were beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
Many intelligence teams, seeing this, placed question marks next to Incineroar's special durability and fire resistance. At the same time, they wrote a definitive period in the column for Incineroar's offensive output.
This guy's damage output was certainly noteworthy, even with Turtonator's defenses lowered by Shell Smash.
The internet was in an uproar.
The central point of discussion was what happened at the epicenter of the explosion.
Unfortunately, there wasn't a powerful enough camera to capture what happened inside the blast.
The psychic waves of Psychic-type Pokémon were also thrown into chaos due to the unstable energy inside the explosion.
No one knew exactly what the situation was inside, including Turtonator, who had been the one to trigger its own Shell Trap.
At that moment, it was wholly focused on releasing the gas flow from the cavity in its belly.
The explosion damage was mutual. If Turtonator couldn't release the high-pressure gas inside its body completely, it would injure itself.
In other words, besides Incineroar itself, no one knew the specific details. No one saw it devour those explosive flames.
The captain of Hongcheng University naturally couldn't get an answer either.
And he had no time to get one.
The brief ten-second exchange time didn't allow him to overthink.
Reluctantly, his third Pokémon, a Salamence whose HP was already in the critical zone, took the field, showing the audience the state it was in when it left.
Even after resting for a while, it was still covered in wounds. Its large draconic body bore shattered scars left behind by the explosive Flying-type energy.
Its blood-red wings were also twisted and bent from the collision with Corviknight, looking as if they were fractured.
A Salamence in this state, if it didn't use Roost, could basically be declared a "death sentence," announcing the match result.
Therefore, the moment it landed, with no exceptions, after roaring to trigger its Intimidate Ability, it began using Roost to heal itself.
The first priority was the blood-red wings on its back. As long as it could take to the sky, there was still a chance to win. The Hongcheng University captain firmly believed this.
After all, at this point, besides Salamence, he had nothing else to rely on.
He could only believe in it. Believe that in this situation on the verge of collapse, Salamence could lead him to victory.
And he was convinced that the Incineroar that had taken the Shell Trap, couldn't possibly be unscathed.
Based on his observation, the half-charred Incineroar was already swaying, looking like it was running low on stamina.
They could win!
The Captain secretly gritted his teeth.
On the other side, seeing the white light glowing on Salamence and the feathers floating around it, Li Xiang knew this captain still held onto wishful thinking.
It was time to shatter this guy's unrealistic dreams.
"Outrage."
Li Xiang looked at the Incineroar, its body trembling as it continuously dissipated the internal high heat, preventing it from reacting with its belt, and spoke softly.
Instantly, azure and scarlet mixed flames erupted, transforming into two massive dragon heads enveloping Incineroar's fists.
Simultaneously, draconic flames swept across its body, forming clothing-like patterns.
"Roar!"
Incineroar gave Salamence a ferocious grin, its mind gradually being occupied by brutal attacking instincts. It charged towards Salamence!
As if it had ingested catnip, under Outrage, Incineroar entered a state of frenzy!
Salamence was greatly alarmed, hastily flapping its mostly recovered wings, trying to take to the sky.
However, before it could rise more than three meters off the ground, Incineroar, leaping into the air, yanked it down with the energy dragon head on its right fist!
Boom!
Salamence crashed onto the ground. Its innately fierce nature was also provoked into ferocity. Dual-colored draconic flames scorched its body—it had clearly also entered Outrage!
It was either you die or I live!
The berserk dragon and tiger continuously let out terrifying roars as they tore at each other's bodies!
At this moment, the Pokémon battle transformed into the most primordial beastly struggle, carrying an aura of blood and brutality, solely to finish off the opponent first.
To that end, whether it was biting, tearing, headbutting, or scratching—all were means of attack.
The Captain of Hongcheng Uni had no choice. He could only pray that Salamence could take down Incineroar first.
That way, perhaps his call could snap it out of confusion, allowing it to use Roost for another round.
There was no precedent for this.
The Captain of Hongcheng University himself had experienced it.
When the bond between a Pokémon and its trainer was deep, the situation of curing negative status effects on the spot was not uncommon at all.
To have his Pokémon achieve this, he didn't need to do much.
Just believe in it.
However, he still underestimated Incineroar.
When this guy ignored Salamence's bites and landed a third punch on its forehead, accompanied by the soaring of draconic flames, Salamence's jaws gradually loosened, limply dropping to the ground.
But Incineroar still refused to let it go. Its crimson eyes stared fixedly at Salamence, its fists throwing punch after punch at its head.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
With each punch, Salamence's head sank deeper into the ground an inch, the ground trembled once, and countless gravel and dust rose ten centimeters into the air.
Later on, its entire head was bent into, deeply buried into the earth, the spiky long horns no longer visible.
The sounds from the spectator stands also grew smaller and smaller; even the commentator stopped talking.
It was as if the entire venue was listening to that pile-driver-like sound.
Until the conscientious referee, confirming through a Chingling that the tenacious and unyielding Salamence, still clinging to a sliver of stamina, had completely fainted, sharply blew his whistle.
Only then did everyone react that the match was over.
Li Xiang, the first-year student from Mist City University,
had defeated his opponent from Hongcheng University with an overwhelming advantage, and that opponent was their team's captain.
It could be said he had slapped Hongcheng University hard in the face.
A bloody one at that.
Under the passionate commentary of the commentator who had regained his senses, the spectator stands gradually erupted into rhythmic applause.
The section belonging to Mist City University's reserve team was exceptionally loud.
Their faces bore excited expressions, as if they were witnessing the beginning of a myth.
Regardless, this match was worthy of praise, and Li Xiang's future growth potential was enough to make them look forward to it.
As for the loser, Hongcheng University...
Losers didn't deserve attention. Captain or team member, at this moment they were destined to become stepping stones.
Li Xiang's stepping stones.
"Roar..."
Incineroar stood up, its eyes, veined with blood, gradually becoming dangerous, but constantly teetering between confusion and non-confusion, maintaining a balance.
Multiple ingestions of catnip cigars had brought its resistance to confusion to the peak. If status conditions weren't locked in, it might have even directly immunized to it, for all anyone knew.
Fortunately, before it could completely fall into temporary frenzy, Li Xiang took the initiative to recall it. "Good work, 'Brother Incineroar', rest a bit, I'll give you a trim when we get back."
The most unfortunate aspect of this match was that Incineroar's fur was half-charred.
It was also sufficient proof of the power of Turtonator's Shell Trap.
Even Corviknight, without using Light Screen and Protect, probably couldn't withstand that terrifying power akin to a thermobaric bomb.
At least a thermobaric bomb's power would spread. The Shell Trap's power was concentrated on impact.
Too bad it encountered a big cat that could eat fire.
Li Xiang slowly walked off the stage, returning to the preparation area, where he was greeted by his companions with shining eyes.
Xu He, who had been angry earlier because Corviknight was cursing, now wore a face full of satisfaction.
"You did excellently, neither arrogant nor impatient, slowly luring the opponent into the trap."
Xu He knew Li Xiang's capabilities, so he greatly appreciated his tactic of using information disparity and the opponent's impatience.
"Amazing! Li Xiang!"
Miao Shuang smiled and patted Li Xiang's shoulder.
"Thank you."
Li Xiang smiled, turning to look at his senior sisters.
Without a doubt, his performance was extremely stunning. Even the aloof Abigale had an expression of her 'younger brother' finally growing up on her face.
Zhao Jie and Lü Shu pounced on him, hugging him tightly.
"Little brother, you're awesome!"
"Truly worthy of being the leader of the Great Four Devils! You didn't let us down!"
Li Xiang wasn't very used to this kind of intimacy with the opposite gender. He smiled and humbly responded.
He also responded to the other senior sisters.
Li Xiang walked over to Song Jie and Gong Xu, smiling and patting his chest. "Not bad, huh? Brother Xiang's skills are decent, right? Captain-level, taken down."
"Passable, not embarrassing." Song Jie had a smile at the corner of his mouth.
Gong Xu slung an arm over Li Xiang's shoulder. "If you can also perform like this in Doubles, I'll be very satisfied."
"You kid..." Li Xiang looked speechlessly at this Doubles maniac.
No one cared anymore about Corviknight's cursing. What everyone cared about was the fact that Li Xiang had successfully defeated the Hongcheng University captain, without a single one of his Pokémon fainting.
Mist City University's myth-making plan, under Li Xiang's own diligent efforts, was proceeding perfectly, with results even exceeding their expectations.
Outside, following Li Xiang's feat, things were in utter chaos.
Countless media outlets that got the news began writing articles about Li Xiang.
Everyone wanted to be the first to reap these benefits.
On Mist City University's internal forum, posts flooded the screen containing the two characters "Li Xiang," but unlike the sarcastic remarks from a month ago, the forum was now filled with praise for Li Xiang.
After all, Li Xiang had won glory for Mist City University! A first-year defeated a team's captain!
Such a feat was enough for many people to boast about for a lifetime!
But they all knew this was just the beginning.
In the principal's office at Misty City University, in front of the computer, Bai Wanhua let out a long sigh, looked at her sweat-covered palms, and couldn't help but laugh.
As the youngest principal among the Big Six, she usually faced immense pressure.
Specially recruiting Li Xiang, giving him the treatment of a regular team member, had caused her to face even more criticism.
But all of this, would be easily resolved in this match of Li Xiang's.
After today, no one would say Li Xiang was a showpiece who would be exposed in actual matches. No one would think it was a case of a child prodigy fading young, that the kid couldn't withstand the hype.
Her decision to overrule all objections was right!
Li Xiang had the value to make her pay such a price!
Finally, she could also rely on her own achievements to hold her head high before those white-haired old-timers on the university board!
'Others rely on their children for status, I rely on my student for status.'
'So what?'
'Li Xiang was recruited by me. If I hadn't recruited him, today's Hongcheng University would be the future Mist City University!'
"Yes!"
Bai Wanhua thought about it and, for the first time ever acted undignified, clenching her fist and swinging it vigorously.
Fortunately, this girlish demeanor wasn't seen by others.