A Long-Awaited Battle, and What He Gained From It!

Ekans had already recovered under the school doctor's treatment, and Jin Huang's match against Lian Sheyi began.

In the Audience Seats, Lu Li's expression grew increasingly animated as the battle unfolded.

Poison Fang, Poison Tail, Leer, Bite!

Ekans was clearly still in the Newborn stage, yet it possessed two Egg Moves, along with two moves learned during the Newborn stage, even if those two were the most basic beginner moves.

But in a small place like Qingfeng City, Ekans's move pool could already be described as luxurious.

Reality was not a game. In games, Pokémon could only bring four moves into battle, but the Real World placed no limit on how many moves a Pokémon could have.

Jin Huang's Aron did not disappoint, either.

Double-Edge, Endeavor, Tackle, Harden, plus Mud-Slap—Aron had even more moves than Ekans.

Good thing this kid faced Lian Sheyi first. Otherwise, he might really have been caught off guard by that Mud-Slap. Lu Li thought thankfully, stroking his chin.

Although Mud-Slap did not deal much damage, it had an extremely annoying utility effect: it lowered a Pokémon's accuracy.

Tropius knew Magical Leaf, so Lu Li did not have to worry about Mud-Slap hitting it in the face. Still, while getting mud slapped in the face did little damage, it was disgustingly irritating.

The result of the match was obvious. Lian Sheyi could only stop at the final three.

In an ordinary third-tier city, Lian Sheyi would undoubtedly have been number one. Unfortunately, something was off about Qingfeng City this year.

There was a transmigrator with cheats, and a Pokémon world protagonist with a color in his name. Lian Sheyi, the protagonist holding the underdog comeback script, was clearly no match for those two.

Feeling somewhat emotional, Lu Li helplessly watched Jin Huang approach with a smug look on his face.

After arriving beside Lu Li, Jin Huang said in relief, "Good thing I had the type advantage. There's something really off about Lian Sheyi's Ekans. Its poison is nothing like that of a Pokémon in the Newborn stage."

"I knew that already. Still, Lian Sheyi was pretty unlucky to run into your Aron," Lu Li said sympathetically.

Jin Huang nodded deeply. If it had not been for the type advantage, he really might have lost.

While the two rested, Lian Sheyi brought his fully treated Ekans over to Lu Li.

In a hoarse voice, Lian Sheyi said, "Are you free after school? There's something I want to talk to you about alone."

Lu Li nodded. He was more than willing to befriend a genius Trainer like Lian Sheyi.

Jin Huang did not feel awkward standing beside them. Instead, he reminded them with a smile, "Time's about up. Next, it's our turn."

Lu Li nodded. Before heading onto the field, he turned back and said, "Then we'll talk after school."

Lian Sheyi narrowed his eyes as he watched Lu Li's retreating figure and murmured softly, "What an enviable talent. A Junior Breeder..."

He and Lu Li were both frequent visitors to the school library, but only Lu Li had become a Junior Breeder. Though he had not officially completed the certification yet, he had received recognition from the school's Head Teacher and the Education Bureau.

Filled with fighting spirit, Jin Huang looked excitedly at Lu Li. "Lu Li! I've wanted to battle you for a long time. I hope you'll go all out."

"Of course!"

Lu Li gently tossed out a Poké Ball.

Tropius took the field.

"Let's go too! Aron!"

Jin Huang released Aron as well, then shouted, "Aron, use Harden first! This time, we're fighting a battle of endurance."

"That won't do! Tropius, use Sweet Scent too." Lu Li gave the order with narrowed eyes.

If they compared stamina, Aron definitely could not match Tropius, but Lu Li still wanted to end this quickly.

In terms of typing alone, Tropius had a slight advantage. The problem was that Jin Huang's Aron was clearly focused on its Steel-type.

Seeing Tropius use Sweet Scent, Jin Huang immediately changed tactics. "Aron, rush in and use Tackle!"

"Tropius, dodge it, then watch for its follow-up attack." Lu Li reacted swiftly.

Having been fooled once, Lu Li had not forgotten that this was the Real World. Pokémon battles were even less turn-based.

Tropius chose to take flight to evade the attack, remaining constantly alert for Aron's next move.

Having missed its charge, Aron suddenly flung a clump of mud backward. Lu Li had anticipated it and had Tropius ready in advance.

However, because of its large size, Tropius's wing was still grazed by the Ground-type mud clump Aron threw. Fortunately, Aron's Mud-Slap did not deal much damage.

Lu Li's expression darkened at the sight.

Even though he had anticipated it, even though he had prepared in advance, Tropius had still been hit because its body was too cumbersome. Thankfully, it had only been grazed rather than struck squarely in the face.

Moreover, Mud-Slap was a Ground-type move, so the damage it dealt to Tropius was almost negligible.

Looks like I need to focus on training Tropius's flying skills after I get back. Lu Li silently made a note of it.

Tropius's speed really left much to be desired.

"Tropius! Leech Seed."

Lu Li opened with his trump card.

Jin Huang immediately commanded, "Aron, use Mud-Slap to knock those seeds down."

Having long guarded against Leech Seed, Jin Huang had clearly prepared a response from the very beginning.

"You can block it with a ranged attack? You can do that?"

"Damn! Why didn't I think of that before?"

"Kids with an Elite Trainer in the family really are different. That command ability, that response—it's practically a dimensionality-reduction strike."

Several students in the Audience Seats began discussing the scene.

Lu Li frowned.

So Mud-Slap can knock down the seeds. Looks like Leech Seed isn't strong enough yet. Lu Li made another mental note.

Real battles and game battles were two entirely different things. Lu Li felt that he had learned quite a lot from this match.

When he said Leech Seed was not strong enough, he did not mean its power after taking effect, but its power when launched.

If the Grass-type Energy in Leech Seed were condensed enough and fast enough, the seeds could actually pierce through that Ground-type clump of mud.

"Tropius, keep using Leech Seed." After his first attempt failed, Lu Li continued his command.

Jin Huang shouted, "Aron! Knock down as many as they send! Remember that flying-saucer game we played at home?"

Watching the stalemate, Lu Li fell into thought. In fact, he had many ways to end the battle now.

For example, he could use Psychic Power to tell Tropius to conceal Razor Leaf among the Leech Seeds. Or he could have Tropius use Growth on the Leech Seeds that had fallen to the ground, forcibly changing the battlefield environment.

But all of those methods relied on cheats, and Lu Li did not want to use cheats to bully people in a beginner area like this.

Besides, it was only around ten thousand yuan. Lu Li, already a multimillionaire, felt that he ought to stick to his principles.

Lu Li helplessly changed his tactics and commanded, "Tropius, use Magical Leaf."

Jin Huang shouted, "Aron, try to block it with a move! If you can't, just endure it!"

That was the misery of having no defensive moves. Still, Lu Li did not lower his guard, because Aron still had Endeavor up its sleeve.

That move was practically a miracle for turning the tables, especially for a tanky Pokémon like Aron. It was a Divine Skill among Divine Skills.