Inside the lounge.
Baimu returned to a multitude of eyes filled with awe and admiration.
Many people hadn't taken the stage yet, and after watching his performance with Mawile, their minds were only filled with the word "admiration," infinitely worried about their upcoming performances, and feeling immense pressure.
The debut performance was this spectacular—are they even rivals?
Of course, not all contestants were so pessimistic. For more experienced coordinator trainers, the high score of 29.5 was intimidating but not entirely unattainable.
Moreover, passing the first review doesn't guarantee a win; the decisive factor is the second review!
Regardless of others' thoughts, Baimu and Mawile became the focus of this Gorgeous Competition. Not only at the venue, but even outside, it triggered a significant reaction.
His name gradually started spreading among Poké Blogger and Gorgeous Competition-related circles, especially the scene where the Thunderfire Storm transformed into fluttering flame butterflies, captured on a phone and uploaded online, receiving thousands of likes within half an hour.
Several top coordinator trainers even liked it.
Of course, that all happened offstage.
Inside, everyone's focus was on the screen, watching the opponents they might face next.
Baimu was no exception; he wasn't arrogant enough to think he could absolutely win the second review. In one-on-one Pokémon battles, unless the level difference is huge, there's no such thing as a guaranteed win.
"Congratulations, the performance was wonderful."
Wula La praised with a smile, which surprised him a little.
It seemed that after escaping the grips of the script, there was genuine growth in personality, which was nice.
"Thank you... Haven't you gone on yet?"
Baimu nodded in acknowledgment.
Though young, the opponent had at least participated in one large Gorgeous Competition before, with much more experience than him, so the first review shouldn't pose much difficulty this time.
Wula La responded, "It's almost my turn, about three more to go."
"...Then I wish you all the best."
Baimu wanted to say more, but noticing his pocket slightly vibrating, he changed the topic and moved to a corner to check his phone.
It was a message from Liuqia.
She snapped a cozy photo, showing herself, Altaria, and the television, saying she was watching the Kanaz City Gorgeous Competition live.
Even though it was a live broadcast, the video was delayed by about ten minutes, so she had just seen Baimu and Mawile's performance.
She then sent five or six crying Altaria emojis consecutively.
Liuqia: "I'm so happy and touched (Ĭ^Ĭ)"
Liuqia: "Mawile's performance was amazing; I love this dance!"
Liuqia: "Practicing must have been tough; a weak-fire Mawile achieving this level! Xiao Qingqing and I will be your die-hard fans in the future!"
This girl... even more lively online than in real life.
Baimu smirked, sent a thank you, and after some thought, released Mawile, crouched down, took a selfie, and sent it to her.
"Tchidor?"
Mawile was a bit puzzled, becoming more confused seeing Liuqia's avatar on the screen.
"I'm chatting with her," he explained simply.
Hearing it was Liuqia, Mawile got particularly excited and wanted to join in but became skeptical seeing only texts.
"Tchidor?"
"Really, why would I lie? I told you to learn to read, but you kept procrastinating; now who're you going to blame for not understanding?" Baimu said helplessly.
Mawile pouted, puffing its cheeks in annoyance, smacked the Pokéball, and went back to rest.
No need to listen to that nagging!
Baimu shook his head, sighing that the world's most terrifying thing was indeed a stubborn illiterate.
On the other side.
Receiving the response and selfie, Liuqia got instantly invigorated, sending over a dozen text messages, followed by a stream of Altaria cheering emojis.
It seemed once the act was over, she'd regained her "freedom," and it wouldn't be surprising to face her as a rival in the future.
Hmm.
Indeed, figuring out how to achieve Super Evolution should be a priority.
Baimu didn't want his Pokémon to lag in any aspect compared to others. While replying, he glanced over to where Wula La had been, but she was gone.
Already on stage?
He quietly put away his phone.
Given that Wula La had grown in personality, had she also advanced in Gorgeous Competition skills?
In the big screen.
The previous contestant had just finished, and the girl in the black pleated skirt, Wula La, confidently and gracefully took to the stage, throwing out her Pokeball.
Then.
Countless azure bubbles gathered around, revealing an adorable Vaporeon.
"Water Flow Ring! Frozen Wind!" Wula La commanded.
"Ooo~"
Vaporeon looked up and let out a deep cry, causing countless water vapors in the air to condense around it, forming intricate, crystal-clear azure water rings, spinning around it one after another.
Soon, as the water rings expanded and lifted from Vaporeon's body, a chilling breeze blew from Vaporeon's mouth, freezing it into a giant ice ring, connecting seamlessly with the ground.
By replicating the process, four rings soared to unimaginable heights within seconds!
"Melt! Surf!"
Wula La gave another command.
Vaporeon instantly melded into a puddle, and suddenly, a massive flow of azure water surged in, forming a roaring water dragon headed for the ice rings.
In the dragon's head, Vaporeon's faint silhouette could be discerned, undoubtedly maneuvering the wave, breaking through the first ice ring like a dragon gate leaping fish.
Bang!
The ice ring shattered, turning into countless dazzling sparkles.
Followed by the second, third, and ultimately the fourth ring. By then, Vaporeon had ridden the wave-made dragon to five or six meters above ground!
Splash!
Vaporeon shed the wave, revealing its form in mid-air while the waves, seemingly guided by a mysterious force, held it like a throne formed by flowing water.
Then.
The water dissipated, and Vaporeon landed lightly, bowing together with its trainer.
The audience applauded vigorously, offering applause for the splendid performance.
Patistan calmed back with a gentle smile, "Leaping dragon gate reaching new heights, Vaporeon fully utilized its unique blending ability to perfectly showcase this theme, excellent, excellent!"
Liu Lai, still deeply moved, exclaimed, "Subarashii!"
Miss Joy commented, "Being able to use Water Flow Ring and Frozen Wind so aptly must have required exhaustive practice; the water dragon formed by Melt and Surf was awe-inspiring, remarkable!"
The host rushed out to make his presence known, "Now let's have the judges score!"
Beep beep beep.
9.5, 9.3, 9.5.
With a total score of 28.3, it was a high score following Baimu, clearly showing the judges found Vaporeon's performance exceptionally creative.
In the lounge.
Baimu was also very interested in this Fish Leaping the Dragon Gate move. Although the moves used were plenty, there was no noticeable pause in the execution, which was enough.
"Impressive."
He applauded, acknowledging that Wula La indeed had some impressive skills.