While Jiang Chen was talking with Ling Wanqiu and the others, the battle between Garchomp and Scyther had already begun.
It was a fierce engagement. Garchomp showed no sign of backing down, charging Scyther head-on. Scyther was exceptionally fast, but Garchomp proved it could match that speed stride for stride.
Its white, hook-like claws clashed repeatedly against Scyther's scythes. Sparks showered the air, making for a spectacular and intense display.
"What a beautiful battle."
"I can't even see them clearly," Xiao Luoxue remarked after hearing Jiang Chen's praise. At the moment, she was unable to track the movement trajectories of either Pokémon.
The shark-fin-like structures on Garchomp's arms essentially functioned as its wings, and they were incredibly durable. They were more than tough enough to clash head-on with Scyther's scythes.
"Can you see them?" Xiao Luoxue asked Ling Wanqiu.
Ling Wanqiu shook her head. She couldn't track the battle either. This was only an Elite Four-level fight; if it were Champion-level, it would be even harder to perceive.
"No wonder we have to train their autonomous combat capabilities."
Ling Wanqiu had reached an epiphany. Training a Pokémon to fight independently was essential for the future. In an Elite Four-level match, a trainer could still manage a bit of direction, but would there even be time to give orders in a Champion-level battle? If you couldn't even see the situation clearly, how were you supposed to command?
Since they couldn't see, they could only look to Jiang Chen.
"Who has the advantage right now?" Xiao Luoxue asked curiously.
"Neither. They are currently evenly matched."
"Oh? Then it seems Garchomp has a very high chance of winning."
Hearing Jiang Chen's assessment, Xiao Luoxue felt Garchomp's odds were favorable. When it came to a contest of physical strength and endurance, neither she nor Ling Wanqiu believed Scyther could compare to Garchomp.
Bug-type Pokémon were notorious for their poor stamina, especially when pitted against Dragon-types, which were known for their resilience. Furthermore, Garchomp was a pseudo-legendary; in a battle of attrition, the advantage would inevitably shift to it.
"How disappointing. Garchomp is going to win," Ling Wanqiu said, her voice full of letdown. She had been hoping to see Garchomp lose.
"Don't be so quick to decide. Until the battle is over, it's hard to say who will win or lose."
Jiang Chen wasn't entirely certain his Garchomp would come out on top. After all, anything could happen in a fight. Unless the victory was total, he wouldn't dare guarantee the win.
In the sky, Garchomp dove toward Scyther, unleashing a practiced Dual Chop. Having used this move many times before, it executed the strike with fluid mastery.
As an assassin-type Pokémon, Scyther was keen enough to intercept the attack. It was too late to dodge, so it was forced into a head-on collision. Garchomp used Dual Chop while Scyther countered with Fury Cutter, relying on the scythes that were its greatest pride.
"Sa—!"
With a furious roar, Garchomp suddenly exerted more force, pinning Scyther's arms down. Immediately after, Garchomp opened its maw and unleashed a Dragon Pulse directly at its opponent.
Scyther likely hadn't expected Garchomp to be so "crafty." Completely unprepared, it was blasted backward by the energy of the Dragon Pulse.
Having knocked Scyther away, Garchomp followed up with Dragon Rush. Its murderous intent locked onto Scyther, and the resulting mental shock caused Scyther's body to freeze for a split second.
In that single moment of hesitation, Garchomp crashed into it. Using the momentum of the Dragon Rush, it slammed Scyther into the ground and followed up immediately with a Dragon Claw.
The previously even match had shifted drastically due to that one small mistake by Scyther. Now, Garchomp held a firm advantage.
A white aura and surging light enveloped Garchomp as it initiated Giga Impact, charging toward Scyther with unstoppable momentum.
Scyther was in significant pain, but it managed to react to the incoming Giga Impact just in time, firing off a Hyper Beam.
The Hyper Beam and Giga Impact collided.
However, the hastily fired Hyper Beam lacked sufficient power and was shattered by the Giga Impact. Scyther was sent flying hundreds of meters, slamming into the energy shield surrounding the arena.
It struggled to support its body, trying to stand, but it ultimately failed to get back up.
"As expected, Garchomp won."
Seeing this, Ling Wanqiu and Xiao Luoxue wore expressions that said exactly what I thought would happen.
"Don't let it go to your head just because you won."
Seeing Garchomp starting to look arrogant and dismissive of Scyther, Jiang Chen immediately called it over. Scyther had a very proud personality, and if Garchomp kept looking down on it, Scyther would eventually try to fight to the death.
"Let's get them both some treatment."
Jiang Chen ordered the healing to begin.
Scyther wasn't the only one injured. Garchomp also had scars on its body several deep blade marks left by Scyther's blades. Garchomp's defense couldn't compare to Metagross's; just because Scyther couldn't break Metagross's guard didn't mean it couldn't cut Garchomp. Furthermore, Garchomp's fighting style was very aggressive, often choosing to trade injury for injury.
"Scyther, take a break for today. No more fighting."
Scyther had already been through several battles today. Jiang Chen planned to let it rest to keep it from burning out. Besides, it was getting late—already four in the afternoon.
Jiang Chen called all the Pokémon over and began distributing their food.
"Sigh, I'm starting to regret this a bit now."
Xiao Luoxue glanced at Munchlax, her face full of remorse. Over the past few days, Munchlax had driven her to the brink of frustration.
Looking at how much the fellow could eat, the initial joy of finding a pseudo-legendary had vanished without a trace. It wasn't that she couldn't afford to feed it Xiao Luoxue could easily support Munchlax no matter how much it consumed. However, Munchlax did nothing but play or sleep after eating. It had absolutely no desire to train, leaving Xiao Luoxue speechless.
The current Munchlax was much fatter than before, having noticeably put on a whole layer of weight.
"I told you that you'd regret it," Ling Wanqiu said with a smile. Seeing Xiao Luoxue's headache made her want to laugh.
"Schadenfreude... humph!" Xiao Luoxue snorted. She then turned her gaze intently toward Jiang Chen. "Do you have any ideas?"
"What could I possibly do?" Jiang Chen spread his hands.
"Don't you always have the most ideas? I believe you definitely have a way. Tell me, okay? Pretty please?" Xiao Luoxue grabbed Jiang Chen's arm and began to shake it.
"If you're going to talk, talk. Can you be normal? Also, stop pulling on me."
Ling Wanqiu quickly stepped in and pulled Xiao Luoxue away.
"Tch, such a vinegar jar."
"You're calling me a vinegar jar?" Ling Wanqiu laughed. Then, she directly hugged Jiang Chen and threw a provocative look at Xiao Luoxue.
"What are you doing?" Xiao Luoxue mimicked Ling Wanqiu's previous move and tried to pull her away.
"I'm saying don't call me a vinegar jar. Honestly, you and I are exactly the same."
Xiao Luoxue wanted to argue back, but she found herself without a rebuttal.
"Is there really no way? I believe you must have a solution." Xiao Luoxue was convinced Jiang Chen could solve the Munchlax issue.
"You think too highly of me."
"In my eyes, you are omnipotent." Xiao Luoxue flashed a flattering smile.
"Fine, since you put it that way, I'll teach you a method."
"Hurry up and say it!" Xiao Luoxue excitedly grabbed Jiang Chen's hand.
"Don't get all touchy-feely and take advantage of me."
"What did you say? Who's taking advantage of who?"
Xiao Luoxue wanted to snap at him. She was the one holding his hand wasn't Jiang Chen the one taking advantage? This guy was getting a bargain and still acting like he was the victim. If it weren't for the fact that she was waiting for him to teach her how to handle Munchlax, she would have given his hand a hard bite.
"Just hurry up and tell us the method."
Ling Wanqiu leaned in closer to Jiang Chen. Aside from being curious about his plan, she also noticed that Xiao Luoxue was getting too close. If Xiao Luoxue was that close and she didn't act, wouldn't she be losing? So, Ling Wanqiu also crowded right up to Jiang Chen's side.
Seeing Ling Wanqiu so close to him, Xiao Luoxue wanted to tell her to back off, but looking at the distance between herself and Jiang Chen, she realized she didn't really have the right to tell Ling Wanqiu to move.
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