c125: Lin Yi
"Gardevoir, where's the target now?"
After settling into the challenger's preparation area, Chen Xiaoxiao asked via telepathy.
"(The target is using Agility.)"
Gardevoir paused slightly, her tone hesitant.
Chen Xiaoxiao immediately understood Gardevoir had detected something.
"Gardevoir, follow him discreetly. Try to get to the rooftop without being noticed. If anything unusual happens, return and report."
Gardevoir hesitated. It was clear she didn't want to leave Chen Xiaoxiao alone.
"Heh... Gardevoir, it's fine. Just go."
Seeing Gardevoir's reluctance, Chen Xiaoxiao smiled slightly but gave the order anyway. The rest of her team simply wasn't suited for this type of stealth reconnaissance.
"(Understood...)"
Gardevoir finally nodded with visible reluctance, then teleported away in a shimmer of psychic light.
"Whew..."
Chen Xiaoxiao let out a slow breath, turning her focus toward the battlefield.
Up ahead, a battle was in progress. But it wasn't Lin Yi, the official Gym Leader, who stood on the platform, it was likely his assistant or acting Gym Leader.
That wasn't surprising. In this world, official Gym Leaders didn't always personally oversee daily matches. Their primary responsibility was city security and League duties. Spending an hour or two per day in the Gym was already considered generous.
That's why Chen Xiaoxiao had specifically asked earlier whether Leader Lin was present.
Even He Yong, the renowned Water-type Elite who held dual roles as a League Elite and Shencheng's Gym Leader, was rarely found in his own gym.he was often away for months at a time. Most of his duties had long since been delegated to his top disciple, who acted as the Gym's day-to-day operator.
That, in fact, was one of the reasons Chen Xiaoxiao hadn't selected Shencheng as her first Gym challenge. Facing an acting Gym Leader just didn't excite her.
And as for challenging He Yong directly? At that point, it was no longer a Gym badge she might as well skip straight to the Elite Four!
Chen Xiaoxiao returned her attention to the match.
The sunken battlefield was a lush field of thick green grass vibrant, healthy, and tailored perfectly to Grass-type Pokémon. Elevated platforms allowed trainers to command from a strategic viewpoint.
It was standard for most Gyms in this world to model their battlefields after their specialty types. This was no exception.
She glanced toward the audience stands.
There were quite a few spectators at least a few hundred by her quick estimation.
In this version of the Pokémon world, attending Gym battles was a popular pastime. Some spectators were aspiring trainers hoping to absorb battle experience; others were hobbyists or locals enjoying the thrill of live Pokémon combat.
Most importantly Gym battles were free to attend, as per League regulation. It was part of an initiative to raise public combat literacy and inspire younger trainers across the regions.
Sitting quietly, Chen Xiaoxiao felt a flicker of excitement. This would be her first official Gym challenge.
After a few more minutes, the match concluded. From the outcome, it was clear that the challenger had lost the third Pokémon fainted without even putting up much resistance. He looked utterly defeated.
That was no surprise. In Huaxia's League system, Gyms weren't designed to block progress, but to evaluate trainers, refine their command skills, and provide feedback. Even acting Gym Leaders were trained to do this properly.
The acting leader offered words of encouragement, a quick tactical breakdown of the match, and pointed suggestions for improvement.
The defeated trainer listened attentively and left the field looking grateful rather than bitter.
Shortly after, the battlefield's loudspeaker rang out with the name of the next challenger.
A nervous trainer.who had been sitting not far from Chen Xiaoxiao—stood and walked stiffly toward the battlefield.
The new match started promptly, but it quickly became apparent that the nervous trainer was in over his head. His coordination was poor, his battle calls hesitant.
He was completely overpowered within two or three exchanges.
The audience cringed. It was a sloppy showing.
Laughter rippled through the seats. The young trainer returned his fainted Pokémon and looked ready to cry.
The acting Gym Leader, however, was a seasoned professional. He masked the trainer's embarrassment with a sincere-sounding pep talk—ten metaphorical "bowls of chicken soup," delivered with well-practiced charm.
He then followed up with helpful, targeted suggestions.
The trainer bowed deeply, clearly grateful.
Just as he stepped off the field, a stir rippled through the stands.
"Look, Leader Lin is coming out!"
A sharp-eyed spectator in the front row pointed toward the gym's staging tunnel, voice filled with excitement.
The rest of the audience turned their heads in unison.
Indeed—Lin Yi, the official Gym Leader, was making his entrance.
A hush swept across the arena.
All eyes locked onto him.
Lin Yi gave a small nod toward the acting Gym Leader, who immediately descended the platform to make way.
Why is Lin Yi personally stepping in? the assistant wondered. He rarely does this unless…
"Awesome! Master Lin is going to battle!"
"I knew it! Once I saw him, I had a feeling!"
"Master Lin himself? This is gonna be epic!"
Excitement swept through the crowd like wildfire.
At that moment, the broadcast echoed again:
"Next challenger: Chen Xiaoxiao. Please proceed to the battlefield."
"Chen Xiaoxiao?!"
Anyone who paid attention to trainer news knew that name. It had dominated headlines for weeks.
Suddenly, the arena fell into a stunned silence.
Mixed emotions spread across the crowd—shock, awe, disbelief, anticipation.
Every gaze turned toward the challenger's entrance.
Chen Xiaoxiao smiled faintly. She stood up, brushed off her uniform, and stepped onto the field with confidence.
"Oh my god—It is her!"
"It's really Chen Xiaoxiao!"
"Haha! No wonder Lin Yi decided to battle personally!"
As Chen Xiaoxiao reached her battle platform, the atmosphere reached a fever pitch.
"Xiaoxiao, so you're joining this year's League competition? Looks like I'm your first Gym stop, huh?"
Lin Yi called out with a grin.
Clearly, he had been keeping an eye on her. It was no secret that Chen Xiaoxiao had skipped Gym challenges last year. Everyone had speculated about when and where she would begin.
Now, just two days into the new season.she had finally arrived.
"Hello, Master Lin! Yes, I plan to compete this year. Guancheng is my starting point."
Chen Xiaoxiao smiled brightly.
"Perfect! Shencheng's right next door glad you didn't skip me, or I might've thought I wasn't good enough!"
Lin Yi pointed teasingly in her direction.
"How could I? Master Lin, your words are too harsh! I'm just a poor little girl, trembling in fear!"
Chen Xiaoxiao feigned exaggerated panic, waving her hands.
The crowd burst into laughter.
But beneath the lighthearted exchange, both trainers knew this was no ordinary Gym match.
Not today.
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