Chapter 157

The Pecha Berry is a kind of Berry used for detoxification, and he originally planned to introduce some of these Berry to establish a plantation in the Wild Area. However... going up on stage to receive these things just felt a bit strange.

This is such blatant discrimination!

"Don't be shy! You're the one who helped our Gym, go on up!"

However, just as Qiao Ran was pondering, a figure suddenly appeared from the side; it was Jiang Yuanhao, the Gym Leader of the Hangcheng Gym Academy.

The energetic young man gave Qiao Ran a thumbs-up and a bright smile. Immediately, the lighting technician skillfully provided a light for the two of them.

"Although Qiao Yi is still out of town, she said she wanted to thank you! Haha!"

Qiao Ran: "..."

Faced with gazes coming from all directions, Qiao Ran was completely stunned.

What the hell!

I'll go on stage, I'll go on stage, okay?

!

Qiao Ran stiffly walked onto the stage, took the microphone from Yi Ruoyun, and said a bunch of incomprehensible platitudes.

"Hehe... Thank you everyone, thank you Pokémon, thank you Pokémon League, thank you all..."

Afterwards, Qiao Ran stiffly stepped off the stage with a pot of Berry in her hand.

In fact, apart from Yi Ruoyun, who had a deadpan expression when she turned to look at him but a beaming smile at other times, no one else in the audience welcomed him. This was mainly because Qiao Ran had stirred up a lot of hatred when he appeared earlier.

I still remember that grudge!

Beneath the enormous stage, only Jiang Yuanhao and Iron Maiden, unaware of the truth, were applauding.

Qiao Ran's Pokémon wisely looked away; this was just too embarrassing.

As Qiao Ran stepped off the stage, she looked at Jiang Yuanhao's smiling face and couldn't help but make a mental note of it.

On [Date], Jiang Yuanhao, the Gym Leader the Hangcheng Pavilion, made me stand on the stage as punishment. I will remember this grudge.

See you at the Gym tomorrow!

I'll single-handedly slaughter my way through!

Aside from Qiao Ran, who only received a pot of Berry, Lillie and Mei did receive some good stuff.

"Serperior is a Grass-type Pokémon. This Big Root can increase Grass-type energy, and it can also increase the recovery amount of Absorb moves during battle."

Yi Ruoyun took out a small brown bulb and handed it to Mei.

Using this item, Grass-type Pokémon can Absorb special nutrients during their training and play a significant role in battles.

"Looking forward to the day when we can have a 6vs6 match."

"Certainly."

Mei smiled as she accepted the prop from Yi Ruoyun's hand. Although the improvement from a single prop was already very limited for her skill level, it was still a token of Yi Ruoyun's goodwill. This Big Root was clearly chosen specifically for her.

Moreover...

Mei thought of Qiao Ran's pained expression when they went shopping this afternoon. If they really didn't need it, exchanging it for money would be a good idea.

When he runs out of money in the future...

Mei smiled softly.

Mei award and stepped off the stage, but the conversation between the two earlier caused a stir among the audience.

"Hey... did Elite Four Yi just say... he wanted to have a 6vs6 battle with her?"

"Yes, who was that girl again...?"

Does anyone know anything about her?

In the world of trainers, receiving a challenge or endorsement from Elite Four is no easy feat. It essentially signifies recognition of someone's talent as a trainer, and that talent must be exceptionally strong.

"Go, quickly investigate that girl's identity..."

"Yes."

Some savvy individuals have also secretly taken note of this. If they can help trainers before they grow up, they can usually reap greater benefits after they grow up. For example, if a sponsor of some items and merchandise can invest in a Champion or Elite Four member, or even a local Gym Leader, it is a sure-fire way to make money.

However, they were still quite surprised when they discovered that the girl hadn't actually earned a single Gym Badge.

How could a rookie Trainer, fresh out of school, be favored by Elite Four?

Could it be that the Elite Four himself knows a relative?

Hearing the surrounding discussions, some Trainer who had participated in the cleanup operations couldn't help but show strange expressions.

New to the game?

Newbie?

A Trainer who can command Serperior Pokémon than the Gym Leader's is actually a beginner?

Moreover... judging from her age, she seems to be only a teenager. Even when Yi Ruoyun was young, she shouldn't have been this exaggerated...

No wonder Elite Four Yi was so optimistic about him; who knows where this kind of Monster came from?

Unlike Mei, who attracted attention, Lillie's performance was quite normal. Her reward was a Damp Rock, an item that could prolong the rain.

"Thank you... thank you, Sister Yi."

According to Yi Ruoyun, she had specially chosen this item for Lillie, but after Lillie carefully accepted the item, she was overwhelmed with tears and couldn't utter a single word.

Although Nihilego looks like a jellyfish, she's actually not Water-type!

The celebration party ended, leaving some happy and others sad.

The bowl of Berry that Qiao Ran was carrying had been Qiqi eaten. Although Pecha Berry have detoxifying properties, they are also Limber, sweet, and juicy. Not only do Pokémon like to eat them, but Qiao Ran himself couldn't resist taking a few bites.

"... Jiang Yuanhao, I'll remember this grudge."

Qiao Ran left the venue with the empty fruit bowl. Next, he and Eve had another Competition to play.

To avoid attracting too much attention, he deliberately separated himself from Lillie and the others when he went to the restroom. At least, if he stayed with a group of them all the time, Qiao Ran always had a premonition that someone would suddenly jump out on the street and knock him over.

Furthermore, since the Vulpix will be participating in the Competition, it cannot remain in Humanoid Transformation.

"Go." As for the other girls, Qiao Ran told them that they could watch from the sidelines if they wanted to, or just wander around the neighborhood if they didn't want to.

Qiao Ran still needs to participate in this Competition.

Consider this a warm-up before challenging the Gym tomorrow.

"Speaking of which... what would Smoochum look like if it came in Humanoid Transformation?"

Qiao Ran stroked his chin.

"She should already be in Humanoid Transformation by now, right?"

Section 302, Chapter 298 [vs. Smoochum]

The duel with Eve was set at a nearby Training Ground.

As one of the major cities in South China, Hangcheng has no shortage of Pokémon Training Ground, and the city recovered quickly even after the crisis.

"... I'm the Referee, so you can rest assured."

Iron Maiden stood in the center of the field, shovel in hand. It has to be said that when she said those words, it really gave people a sense of comfort.

The gist is that if anything unexpected happens, she'll just go in and tear the Pokémon.

"The format is 1v1, whoever falls first wins, right?"

Iron Maiden glanced at the contestants from both sides. Both were Trainer she highly regarded. She knew Eve's strength, but now she was even more eager to see just how much Qiao Ran had grown.

And it seems... he won't be pulling out any Pokémon?

Because of her elders, Iron Maiden had also interacted with the Elite Four by Zhenze Lake and heard his evaluation of Qiao Ran from that legendary figure.

"Who knows, he might surpass me in the future."

If these words came from the mouth of a Youngster, they probably wouldn't have much effect. However, when these words come from the mouth of a legendary Elite Four, they carry a completely different weight.

It's not the same level as Yi Ruoyun's.

Iron Maiden narrowed her eyes and looked at Qiao Ran. Perhaps she was even more concerned about this battle than her opponent on the other side.

"Let me show you how I've changed!"

The blonde girl threw out her Poké Ball, and a petite Pokémon with blonde hair and purple skin appeared on the Battle Court.

"Mi~"

Despite its somewhat strange appearance after evolution, Pokémon Smoochum its juvenile form, especially the one Eve has been raising. Its appearance, physique, and even the Golden fur on its head all shine with captivating brilliance.

Just looking at it makes your lips unconsciously curl into a smile.

"It's been well-cultivated."

Qiao Ran nodded and looked at the Vulpix perched on his shoulder.

My Vulpix looks pretty good too.

Anyway, she's definitely much cuter than the Smoochum on the other side.

Vulpix Fox leaped into the Battle Court.

"Awoo!"

Upon meeting her opponent, she immediately glared at him, trying to intimidate him.

However, this inexplicable action, which seemed more like an attempt to be cute, had no effect whatsoever; the Smoochum opposite her simply glared back.

"Vulpix Smoochum?"

As the Referee, Iron Maiden looked at both Pokémon and already had an idea in mind. She knew that Eve's Smoochum always carried Everstone to prevent it from evolving, so although it still looked like Smoochum, Eve's Jynx was already stronger than most Jynx.

As for the Vulpix... was it deliberately suppressed? Or was it because its strength wasn't sufficient, so they didn't intend to Sheer Force it to evolve?

"Both sides are ready—battle begins!!"

As Iron Maiden's voice faded, both sides' Pokémon began to move.

"Smoochum, freeze--!"

Eve's voice rang out instantly, and the Smoochum obeyed her command, gathering blue light in its mouth.

However, just as it was about to take shape, the Light Orb suddenly vanished, as if it had never existed.

"What?!"

Eve was taken aback. She looked towards where the Vulpix was. This situation... could only mean that the other party had done something tampering with it.

"It's a seal."

It's a seal; I added a seal.

Qiao Ran smiled mysteriously. He had already guessed what tactics Eve might use. In fact, Eve's "Ice Beam Laying, Confusion Surf" technique in the last battle had indeed left a deep impression on him.

To create a similar environment to last time, she will likely use this skill at the start.

Therefore, Qiao Ran anticipated the move at the beginning, reducing the possibility of his opponent using this technique to zero.

"The effect of the seal is that the opponent cannot use moves that either you or your party possesses."

Qiao Ran's lips curled slightly. "So, your Ice Beam is no longer effective."

"It's our turn now, Vulpix, use Hail!"

"Awoo!"

From the Vulpix, icy energy gradually spread, and a powerful cold current enveloped the entire Training Ground, with snowflakes falling from the Battle Court.

Amidst the swirling snowflakes, the Vulpix's figure began to blur, as if it had blended into the pure white landscape.

"Tsk... Smoochum, change tactics, use Psychic!!"

After being sealed by the skill, Smoochum's Ice-type moves will mostly become unusable. However, Eve quickly recovered and Smoochum was able to attack with its other type, which may even be more direct than Ice-type moves.

Furthermore, using Ice-type moves won't solve the problem in Ice-type internal battle, but Psychic-type can.

A blue-purple wave of Confusion emanated from Smoochum and rushed directly towards the other Vulpix fox.