Win Streak, Farming Points?

[Notice! Member Ye Lan, please proceed to the second-floor battle arena for your match!]

Wiping the sweat from his face, Ye Lan recalled the reluctant Snivy into its Poké Ball and left the training area, heading for the battle arena.

Since it was an official match, the necessary formalities had to be observed. Snivy could only suffer the inconvenience of returning to its Poké Ball for now.

When he arrived at the competitors' passage, a gaunt middle-aged man approached from the other side.

The gaunt man looked up, and Ye Lan's youthful face brought a gleam of delight to his own.

"Another rookie Trainer here to donate points. This match is in the bag!"

As the two took their respective positions, the host's impassioned voice rang throughout the arena. "Oh? A very unfamiliar contestant! What kind of battle will he bring us? Let's wait and see!"

"Come out, Poochyena!"

"It's your turn, Snivy!"

As white light flashed, the two Pokémon appeared at opposite ends of the arena, staring each other down from afar.

"It's Snivy, one of the Unova Region's starter Pokémon! That's a Pokémon rarely seen in the Huaxia Region!"

Unaffected by the lively atmosphere, Ye Lan saw Poochyena's information appear before his eyes:

Name: Poochyena

Gender: Male

Type: Dark

Ability: Quick Feet
Effect: After being afflicted with a status condition, Speed increases by 50%.

Known Moves: Tackle, Howl, Sand Attack, Bite, Roar, Swagger, Taunt, Mud-Slap, Crunch

Egg Moves: Astonish, Yawn

Rank: Mid Intermediate

Evolution Progress: 51%

He quickly scanned the move list. It was fairly standard. Aside from the Quick Feet Ability, which required caution, he would need to pay attention to the timing of Glare.

"No Protect? In that case, Snivy, Iron Tail!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Snivy rapidly closed in on Poochyena, white move energy gleaming over her tail.

Rather than being intimidated by the charging Snivy, Poochyena gathered Dark-type energy in its mouth and charged at her as well.

"It's the Dark-type move Bite! Neither Pokémon has a type advantage. Which one will come out on top in their first clash?"

Up in the stands, the host enthusiastically stirred up the audience.

"Jiang Hu's Poochyena has a pretty high win rate in the Intermediate bracket. This rookie won't get taken out in one move, will he?"

"Come on, look at how frail he is. He's probably some young master from a wealthy family sent here for experience. He's most likely still a rookie Trainer!"

"Exactly! Jiang Hu's an old hand, and he fights viciously. I'm betting on Jiang Hu this time too!"

When the moves collided, dust flew everywhere. Poochyena let out a whimper and was sent flying backward.

"What?!" Shock appeared on the gloomy Jiang Hu's face. Before he could react, however, a seed-like ball of green energy flew out of the smoke toward Poochyena.

"It's Leech Seed! Contestant Ye Lan's Snivy reacted incredibly quickly, looking to further suppress Poochyena's condition!"

Ye Lan's gaze remained calm. It had been a long time since any Pokémon had dared to clash head-on with Snivy's Iron Tail.

After another week of training, not only had Snivy's Iron Tail become more powerful, but her move pool had also expanded.

Name: Snivy

Gender: Female

Type: Grass

Ability: Contrary (Hidden Ability)

Known Moves: Tackle, Bind, Protect, Leech Seed, Growth, Giga Drain, Leaf Blade

Egg Moves: Glare (Mastered), Magical Leaf (Mastered), Iron Tail (Mastered), Grassy Terrain (Mastered)

Rank: Early Intermediate

Evolution Progress: 92%

With a bang, the Leech Seed burst open and clung tightly to Poochyena like an octopus.

Because of the opponent's Quick Feet Ability, Ye Lan had no intention of using control moves to speed it up.

Leech Seed, which could deal continuous damage, was also a good option.

"Poochyena, use Sand Attack to disrupt its vision!"

Upon hearing its Trainer's command, Poochyena ignored its wounds and repeatedly kicked at the ground with all four limbs. Dust instantly spread across the entire field.

"It's useless. Snivy, lock onto the Leech Seed's position and use Magical Leaf."

After long periods of training, Snivy's sensitivity to scents could finally be applied in actual combat.

After pausing for barely a second, Snivy spread her arms. Green leaves formed from concentrated Grass-type energy shot toward the front left.

"Poochyena, dodge it!"

Hearing that, Ye Lan looked up at the sky, feeling speechless.

What, does he think he's Ash? Is "dodge it" supposed to be a move?!

Before long, the dust completely settled. Poochyena lay in the sand, covered in tiny wounds and no longer capable of fighting.

"The winner is Contestant Ye Lan!"

The match had ended quickly. Although this Poochyena knew many moves, most of them were basic moves and could handle too few situations.

Besides, Jiang Hu was obviously here to try his luck and farm points in the Intermediate bracket. If he wanted to do that, he should have kept his strength at the upper limit of Intermediate rank.

Watching Jiang Hu recall his Pokémon and head off with the Poké Ball for treatment, Ye Lan prepared to leave as well.

Just then, the host rode over on a floating board, held out his microphone, and asked, "Contestant Ye Lan, will you continue battling, or will you stop here?"

"If you continue, the points earned in your next match will be double those from the previous one. But if you lose, all the points you have earned so far will be wiped out!"

Ye Lan was taken aback. So there was a mechanic like this?

Why does this feel so familiar? Isn't this like the gambling dog trait in Teamfight Tactics?!

He checked Snivy's condition. She had only used a few moves and expended some stamina; she had not suffered any real injuries.

Without hesitation, Ye Lan nodded, and the surrounding audience was stirred up as well.

"Good! We'll begin matching you with your next opponent now!"

Another four matches followed in quick succession. Snivy was no longer as effortless against her opponents as before, and the battles became increasingly difficult. However, her evolution progress also began to rise steadily.

Ye Lan could already sense it. Snivy was only one opportunity away from evolution—an opportunity to face a powerful opponent.

"I choose to continue the challenge!"

As Ye Lan spoke once more, the entire second-floor audience was completely ignited.

Ye Lan had already achieved five consecutive victories. If he won one more match, he would receive a full 31.5 points!

Based on the value of points in the battle arena, he would already be able to exchange them for an item worth around eighty thousand.

Ye Lan did not have to wait long before a brawny man with tattoos on his arms appeared before him.

Setting aside his gleaming bald head, the tattoos on his arms and the scar on his face alone made him look like trouble.

"Kid, your Pokémon's almost out of stamina, isn't it? I never thought you'd dare keep challenging!"

The scarred man tossed out his Poké Ball. A Pokémon with a dark gray body, a red crest, a yellow gemstone embedded in its forehead, and hands made of claws appeared before Ye Lan.

Feeling the aura radiating from the Pokémon before him, Ye Lan understood. After four rounds of battle, he had finally encountered a "professional" point farmer!