Chapter 288
As an alternative to Ice-type moves, the Psychic type also grants Vulpix the ability to attack.
Extrasensory is a skill that can unleash invisible Confusion to attack, with a very small chance of making the opponent feel Flinch, but it never slows down the opponent's movements.
However, the most unique aspect of this skill is not just that, but that only a small portion of the Psychic Pokémon; the majority are actually Pokémon of other types.
--
An invisible and silent attack came from the blind spot of the seat, and Qiao Ran's opponent certainly did not have the extremely special ability of Aura Power. Under such an offensive, the opponent had no room or time to react.
"Aww--"
Flareon took a solid hit from Sturdy attack, and only then did the Trainer in the mascot costume finally react.
"An invisible attack?"
However, by the time he realized what was happening, it was already too late.
--
Several more identical attacks flew from the same location and struck Flareon directly.
"Here you go!"
Flareon let out a pitiful wail, while Qiao Ran successfully depleted the opponent's health.
From that moment on, the battle became much easier.
Finally, after taking a little longer, Qiao Ran passed through the fourth door behind carriage number three.
At the same moment, the spectator group hidden in carriage zero watched as Qiao Ran walked into the penultimate carriage, accompanied by the commentary of another host.
"The time it's taking now... Good heavens! It's only just over ten minutes!"
"As expected of the most promising Trainer among the younger generation, he achieved this level of success simply by sending out a Vulpix."
"Yes, it's even faster than the previous one."
The judges nodded repeatedly, and even Lillie and Acerola watched intently. Being able to watch Qiao Ran's battle like this was an extremely rare experience for them, especially for Acerola —this was perhaps the first time she had been able to observe Qiao Ran's understanding of certain details so carefully.
His synergy with the Vulpix is truly remarkable.
The two of them were like the best partners, needing no further instructions or extra words to understand each other's thoughts.
Even when facing an opponent who has a natural advantage, they can Defeat them in a very short time.
Unlike Mei's previous performance, she and her Serperior were very good at constantly increasing the power of their skills and then Defeat their opponents with overwhelming firepower. However, this way of fighting was actually very disadvantageous in this kind of train carriage.
This is probably why Mei's time is longer.
As everyone continued to offer their evaluations, the host once again exclaimed in surprise.
"Too fast, too fast! Contestant Qiao Ran has already arrived at the last carriage!"
"From the moment he entered the carriage... Good heavens! Only a little over five minutes have passed! That means it only took him fifteen minutes to get to the fifth carriage!"
"However, can he still be as unstoppable as before when facing opponents in the fifth carriage?"
Let's wait and see!
On the other side--
Qiao Ran, with Vulpix, stepped into the last carriage of the first round of challenges.
"Welcome."
There were no seats left in this carriage; everything around was empty except for transparent windows through which one could only see the blue sky and water rushing by.
"Boom boom boom."
As the Bullet Train travels across the bridge spanning the long river, a beam of sunlight Infiltrator the gap between the carriages, obscuring the shadows of people at the other end of the carriage.
"I'm the fifth person in the first round."
The figure took a step forward, revealing her face; it was a sporty girl with short hair and wearing a short-sleeved shirt.
You can call me Sportswear.
She took a step forward and beckoned to Qiao Ran.
"Let the battle begin!"
Stepping into Carriage 5, Qiao Ran began the final battle of the first round.
In the middle of the carriage, the countdown panel indicating the start of the Competition was rapidly reaching zero. The Trainer from both sides stood at their respective sides with perfect understanding, each sending out their Pokémon.
The scene outside the Bullet Train was changing rapidly, while the two people inside were staring intently at each other.
Come on, my partner!
The girl in the Sportswear struck a Fighting type pose and Fling her Poké Ball.
As the light spread, a black and blue Pokémon with the appearance of a jackal, standing on two legs, appeared in front of Qiao Ran. This Pokémon had agile limbs, sharp eyes, and three large spikes on the back of its hands and chest, making it clear that it was not a creature to be trifled with.
"Lucario."
Qiao Ran looked at the Vulpix on her shoulder and asked for her opinion.
Lucario, with its Steel/ Fighting type, is a very difficult opponent, especially Vulpix, which is pure Ice-type. If she insists on fighting head-on, she might find herself in a tough battle.
If there's any advantage to be had, it's probably just the "level" that's left.
However, if she wanted to persist, Qiao Ran wasn't unwilling to accompany her.
After this series of battles, Qiao Ran gradually felt as if he were fighting alongside the Vulpix from before, although
He now has many more powerful partners, but as his first Pokémon, Vulpix is still the most irreplaceable one.
"I want to finish this match."
"Good."
Qiao Ran slightly turned his body, letting Vulpix jump off his shoulder.
"Then it's you."
"Vulpix!"
"Oh?"
Qiao Ran's actions elicited a gasp from the person in the Sportswear opposite her. Seeing that she had sent out Lucario, she Pokémon?
Is this a sign of utter disregard for one's own dignity, or simply a lack of common sense?
"Ice-type is weak against Fighting type, while Lucario is resistant to Ice-type."
"I know." Qiao Ran certainly knew this, but as Trainer, one really needs the courage to go against type, especially when fighting alongside one's old partner.
If you can't even handle type disadvantages, what kind of Trainer are you?
"Beep--"
As the countdown above the carriage gradually reached zero, a beep signaling the start of the Competition rang out, and both teams were ready.
"Since you've made up your mind, don't blame me for being ruthless."
The Sportswear clenched his fist and then swung it.
"Lucario, Aura Sphere!"
At her command, Lucario stretched out its arm, forming a rotating blue Light Orb in front of its palm.
However, unlike Lucario's usual Aura Sphere, this Lucario seems to be intentionally controlling the size of the Light Orb, limiting it to a very specific range.
"Vulpix, get out of the way!"
Aura Power is a unique attribute of Qiao Ran's, or rather, he possesses the ability to use this power himself.
However, for the Vulpix, unless it's a healing bullet infused with the Tokiwa Power, a pure Aura Sphere would definitely cause extremely serious damage.
Avoiding it was the best possible outcome.
However, thanks to Vulpix' higher level and Qiao Ran's grasp and prediction of the Battle Court, Vulpix was not directly hit even in this environment, but instead moved around in the carriage.
The reduced power of the Aura Sphere prevented them from covering a large area, giving Qiao Ran room to maneuver. However, hiding indefinitely was not a viable solution.
"It seems like Qiao Ran is having a tough time."
"Yeah, he insisted on using the Vulpix to clear the Battle Train, and it seems it was quite difficult after all."
The judges observing the battle couldn't help but sigh. From any perspective, Qiao Ran was clearly no longer as composed as he had been in the previous rooms.
While Vulpix is incredibly fast, to a degree that surprises everyone, Lucario is also an extremely fast Pokémon, and may even be more adept at it than Vulpix.
Most importantly, the Vulpix's stamina has gradually weakened after the previous battles.
"However, the Pokémon that has been able to fight Vulpix all this time is indeed very powerful, Qiao Ran's Pokémon."
"Yes."
Qiao Ran still hasn't given up. Even though he's in a sorry state and has wasted a lot of time, no one can deny that he still has a chance to win.
"Vulpix! Ice Beam!"
"Blizzard!"
While dodging, the Vulpix continuously fired icy blue freezing rays and Blizzard at the ground. Although Ice-type skills cannot cause fatal damage to the opponent, they can still create significant obstacles.
"Smash it!"
Even Lucario could only shatter it completely by throwing a punch, and even if it was shattered, the ice would break into tiny ice shards, slowing down its opponent's movements.
"Extrasensory!"
Sabrina's teachings proved incredibly useful in several Competition, compensating for the Vulpix' lack of offensive coverage. Unfortunately, against Lucario, who wielded Aura Power, these seemingly transparent attacks appeared to lose their previous effectiveness.
The Aura Power.
These beings who have mastered the Aura Power do not rely entirely on their eyes to perceive time; in the perception of Aura, transparent Extrasensory are still very conspicuous.
"Whoosh--"
Lucario dodged to the side, avoiding the Vulpix's attack, and charged straight towards Vulpix.
Since ranged attacks were not fatal, it turned to melee attacks.
If any Fighting type- type move could be used to directly attack the Vulpix, its small body would probably collapse immediately.
Lucario, Brick Break!
It's too late!
The dashing Jackal Pokémon had already rushed in front of Vulpix, stretched out its arm, and swiftly slashed down with a white glow.
"Great!" A smile involuntarily spread across the man in the Sportswear.
Qiao Ran, who was relatively close, could even hear the intense sound of air being torn apart.
However--
"Click."
As the hand chopped down, the first thing everyone heard wasn't the Vulpix's scream, but a piercing cracking sound.
"What?
To the astonishment of those in Sportswear, the Vulpix, struck by Lucario's chop, was actually split open.
"Ice sculpture!"
"It's an ice sculpture?"
Not only was the girl in the Sportswear startled, but even the judges who had been watching the battle closely were taken aback.
"When was this done? Was it when you used Blizzard and Ice Beam before?"
"Wait, isn't this too fast?"
In such a short time, to be able to create an "Ice Snow Substitute" that is flawless no matter how you look at it is, even if the body of the Ice Vulpix is snow-white and close to the color of ice and snow, this is just too outrageous.
Even more outrageous ideas came to mind.
What on earth does this Vulpix train for?! Is it all about making ice sculptures?!