Chapter 308
Stepping into the Gym through the main Gym and hearing the welcoming sounds, Qiao Ran and the others realized that this Gym, which looked very ordinary on the outside, had a completely different interior space.
Upon entering the Gym, the first thing you see is a lush, green landscape, resembling a botanical garden.
A great deal of light shines down from the transparent glass walls and dome. Numerous plants grow on the ground and climb throughout the building. In addition to ordinary plants, many Grass-type Pokémon are hidden among them, their leaves and petals swaying in the sunlight.
"That's amazing..."
Looking at this unexpected and wonderful scene, everyone couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.
"It looks just like the protected areas that the Aether Foundation used to have."
Lillie couldn't help but think back to when the Aether Foundation was still in crisis. Back then, the Aether Foundation had similar facilities, but those facilities seemed to operate in a more complex way than a simple botanical garden. Judging from the records left by Lusamine, her purpose might have been to simulate an artificial ecosystem.
Following the path from the entrance, the group saw the large characters "Rongcheng Gym Reception Center".
The Gym's reception area, resembling a wooden cabin, was placed on the side of the path, completely blending into its surroundings.
"Hello, are Trainer has booked Gym Challenge?"
Hello, we are...
Qiao Ran and the others took out their identification documents and handed them to the receptionist. However, the receptionist seemed to know about their situation, especially when she saw Qiao Ran, she nodded slightly.
"Keep it up! I'll be looking forward to your next video too!"
As staff members of the Gym, it's our duty to keep up with the Trainer's news, especially this guy who's been all the rage lately.
It is said that he has become the number one new generation Trainer on the internet, and even the Elite Four who surpassed Elite Trainer at the age of 18 and was expected to break Yi Ruoyun's record for the age of an Elite Four has been left far behind.
As she pondered this, the receptionist glanced again at the group of people standing behind Qiao Ran. It seemed that... these people were all familiar faces.
And then, considering those videos that were recently posted online...
... All right.
Even she had to admit it.
The legendary son of the Elite Four... the people blocking his way were already densely packed, and their numbers were increasing.
In the Huaxia Alliance, every now and then a large number of young talents emerge. After Yi Ruoyun set a record of breaking through to the Elite Four level at the age of twenty-something, the most sought-after genius now should have been the son of an Elite Four. However, after Qiao Ran and others suddenly appeared, everything became strange.
This boy looked to be only sixteen or seventeen years old, not even twenty, yet he had already Defeat Old Man Nian Hai's main team in Gym Battle. Not only that, the girls who frequently appeared in his videos were also incredibly powerful.
Although their brilliance was somewhat overshadowed by Qiao Ran, it is undeniable that these people's level has likely far surpassed that of Elite Trainer.
Where on earth did this bunch of Monster, so unusual and out of proportion, suddenly appear from?
Of course, besides these, there's another person who's garnering significant attention: Sabrina Gym Leader of the Magic City Gym. Although she's never publicly revealed her age or true strength, the Pokémon she sends out are all at least Elite Four level, and she appears to be in her early twenties. If these speculations are true... then Yi Ruoyun's record isn't unbreakable, is it?
Various rumors circulated online, but Sabrina herself never made any statement. These speculations gradually became the talk of Sabrina's fighting strength, considered the ultimate ironclad proof that Sabrina far surpassed Yi Ruoyun.
"The Gym Challenge room is just ahead; you can go straight there. Our Gym Leader will be waiting for you in the room."
After returning all the receipts to Qiao Ran the others, the receptionist smiled and offered her blessings.
"I hope you can successfully obtain the Badge... I also look forward to your even better performance in future Pokémon League competitions."
Deep down, she had a lot of confidence in Qiao Ran and the others. It would be very interesting to see them on the stage of the Pokémon League Tournament one day.
"Um."
Qiao Ran and the others thanked him and left, equally looking forward to the upcoming Gym Battle.
As Qiao Ran walked along the path in the center of the botanical garden, he saw several doors leading to other rooms. At the end of the path, a huge door was wide open, revealing what lay inside—the familiar Battle Court.
"Welcome."
Upon entering the room, the first thing Qiao Ran and the others saw was a mature woman with long hair, wearing a long dress, who appeared to be in her thirties or forties.
Her long dress was printed with floral patterns, and there were also many flower-like decorations in the gaps of her hair. She also had a quiet and warm smile on her face.
However, besides this woman with a unique temperament, there were many Trainer had arrived earlier standing outside the Battle Court. They seemed to be ready to watch the battle, holding not only cameras but also their Pokémon.
--Clearly, these people were all Trainer drawn by the battle and came to watch.
Upon seeing Qiao Ran and the others arrive, the woman opposite them spoke first.
"I am Hua Wanshuang, the Gym Leader of this Gym. I'm very happy that you could come to Rongcheng Gym."
Her gaze lingered on the faces of the young people in front of her for a moment, before finally settling on Qiao Ran and Mei.
"Are you two the ones taking on the challenge today?"
She seemed to already know about Qiao Ran Mei, and after receiving Mei confirmation, her smile became even more pronounced.
"Old Man Nian Hai Magic City mentioned you guys to me, and specifically reminded me to keep an eye on you."
"Within the Huaxia Alliance, I haven't seen such promising juniors as you for a long time."
Hua Wanshuang, the Gym Leader, put down her small water bottle and walked to the edge of the Battlefield. Behind her, several small Grass-type Pokémon, such as Oddish and Roselia, followed.
When she was young, Nian Hai was already a well-known Trainer. In terms of experience as a Gym Leader, he was definitely more experienced. She was quite interested in Trainer could be praised to such an extent by the Old Man Nian Hai.
"Between the two of you, who will perform the first act today?"
Gym Challenge always have a specific order. Generally speaking, those who participate later have a certain advantage, as they can avoid some of the Gym Leader's powerful Pokémon and also observe the battle situation. However, Qiao Ran and Mei don't really care about this.
If they could, they would all like to be the first to go on stage and battle against an unknown Trainer; the excitement of meeting them for the first time is the most interesting part.
"How about we play rock-paper-scissors?"
Qiao Ran put forward his own suggestion.
However, Mei immediately objected.
"No, you can definitely do it."
You can feel it, right?
Given their connection, Qiao Ran might Frisk something when she made her judgment, and if he changed his gesture, wouldn't she suffer a huge loss?
However, for Qiao Ran, his thoughts were also easily sensed by the other party.
"... You're different too."
Qiao Ran was worried that she might suddenly change her tactics.
In the end, the two chose the fairest method: flipping a coin, with each person representing one side. Under the impartial judgment of Lillie and the others, Mei unexpectedly became the final winner.
"Yay!"
Mei jumped onto the Battlefield with an excited expression, looking even happier than if she had won the Competition.
"Qiao Ran, just watch closely, and you'll see the power of my Serperior!"
"..."
Qiao Ran could only roll his eyes and respond in silence. He was determined to get his revenge at the next Gym.
The Gym Leader's first time is not something he will give to anyone else.
"Now that we're ready, let's begin the Competition."
Hua Wanshuang, sitting opposite, couldn't figure out what Qiao Ran and the others were doing either. However, she found it quite amusing to watch these young people fooling around.
If there's voice-over, I might even be able to sit next to it, sip some herbal tea, and watch for a while.
"Rongcheng Gym, the Gym Battle is about to begin."
The Referee, standing in the center of the Battle Court, also looked at the two teams battling it out.
"Gym Leader, please send out your Pokémon first!"
Qiao Ran had tried a Grass-type Gym before, but that Jugu Gym couldn't be compared to a mature Pokémon League like the Rongcheng Gym; it felt more like a reclusive master starting a business after retirement.
That time at the Jugu Gym, Qiao Ran used Yveltal to battle the opponent's Decidueye. Although the opponent did not send out any other Grass-type Pokémon, it still left a very deep impression on Qiao Ran.
My first Pokémon.
Standing opposite Mei, Hua Wanshuang gently raised her hand. After a burst of light, a Pokémon with a green body, a petite figure, and hands made of two different colored roses, appeared in front of everyone in an instant, like a ball queen wearing a mask and a Pokémon, ready to attend a masquerade ball.
Her gaze was as gentle as Hua Wanshuang herself, yet it also carried a hint of aloofness that was completely different from worldly affairs.
"This Roserade is also one of my main Pokémon. My strength is far inferior to Gym Leader Nian Hai, but when facing you, I will try my best to go all out."
As the Gym Leader, she also has her own principles and pride, and in front of these outstanding younger generations, she must show her demeanor as a senior.
Qiao Ran pulled out Rotom and let her check the level of the Roserade while filming the battle.
"Level 48...?"
Qiao Ran nodded. If this was Hua Wanshuang's main team, he could roughly guess the composition of their team. There should be a few Pokémon that had broken through the Elite Four level, and the rest would almost all be close to level 50. If he had to make a specific judgment, this kind of strength would usually be called "Quasi-Elite Four" online.
The term "below the Elite Four" refers to those who haven't reached the Elite Four level, but are still far ahead of ordinary Trainer.
Like the Guzma from the Alola Region that Qiao Ran had seen before, it was roughly at this level.
"Looks like Mei's going to have a tough time..."
Unlike the young Gym Leader of the Hangcheng Gym before, this Gym Leader has obviously accumulated some experience. Moreover, judging from her previous words, she probably received some "guidance" from the Old Man Nian Hai Magic City. It's unlikely that she would hold back.
"Really."
Mei and Acerola nodded in agreement. They could both see that the Gym Leader was incredibly powerful, and even Mei, who had already reached the threshold of Elite Four, was not to be underestimated.
"The first one is Roserade... so you've been chosen as my first Pokémon!"
On the Battlefield, Mei didn't hesitate much. After seeing her opponent's Pokémon, she took out her first Poké Ball.
"Come out, Delibird!"
At Mei's command, a penguin-shaped Pokémon with a red body, white feathers on its head, and a pouch-like tail appeared on the Battle Court. Although it looks like a penguin, it can actually fly.
"Oh?"
Looking at the Pokémon Mei sent out, Hua Wanshuang let out a surprised "oh." It wasn't because Mei had chosen a reverse type; as an Ice/Flying type, Delibird could deal a huge blow to Grass-type Pokémon regardless of its type. It was just that— Delibird, even among all Pokémon one of the weaker ones.
The girl in front of me... she's quite a strange person, being able to choose to raise these Pokémon and have them participate in battles.
"Mei sent out Delibird."
Unlike Hua Wanshuang on stage, the people in the audience breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Mei's choice. They were still a little worried that Mei might stubbornly choose an attribute that was opposite to hers to fight head-on, but now it seemed... she wanted to play it safe.
--As for Delibird's strength, after so many battles and training sessions, Qiao Ran and the others have a general understanding of it. Even Qiao Ran himself has to admit that in the Real World, the difference between Pokémon cannot be measured by Pokémon -called "base stats".
Even the weakest Pokémon can have an exceptionally strong individual, and even the Pokémon with the highest base stats can have a weak lone example. After all, base stats only represent the so-called "reference median value." If everything were arranged according to base stats, this orderly world would be far too boring.
Mei's Delibird is clearly a very representative individual.
Every time Qiao Ran sees this Pokémon, he even thinks of the Delibird that the villain "Masked Man" used to control Ho-Oh in the Pokémon Adventures manga. Although that plot was a bit exaggerated, it was still a highlight moment for an ordinary Pokémon.
"Come on! Let's launch the first attack!"
Having obtained Pokémon, Mei naturally wanted to take control of the battle.
"Blizzard!"
At her command, the Delibird flying in the air began to flap its wings rapidly, and gusts of icy blue storm formed in front of it, accompanied by a biting wind, and swept towards Roserade.
"Such strong wind pressure."
Hua Wanshuang dared not be negligent. Even though she had doubts about Delibird's abilities, those doubts were dispelled when the other party used its skills. A powerful Pokémon does not need to raise the average level of the entire species to prove itself.
Roserade, Sunny Day!
Despite being covered by a widespread Blizzard, Hua Wanshuang did not choose to flee. Instead, she used the time to make the blazing sun overhead even clearer.
Blinding light shone down from the transparent dome, covering not only Roserade's surroundings but also the entire area covered by the Blizzard —and the Blizzard itself.
Under the glaring sunlight, even the biting wind seemed much warmer.
However, taking the hit of a Pokémon that was twice as effective against it was not a good experience for Roserade either. The rose-like Pokémon shrank its body, like a wilted eggplant. At that moment, Hua Wanshuang's next command rang out.
Synthesis!
In an instant, Roserade stretched out its body, and the dazzling light transformed into Golden energy that flowed into its body. With the added benefit of the Sunny Day, the recovery ability of this move was greatly enhanced.
In no time, Roserade, who had been somewhat disheveled, immediately perked up again, and even looked more energetic than before.
Seeing Mei's stunned expression, Hua Wanshuang chuckled softly.
"Constantly recovering its vitality, constantly rejuvenating itself."