Once bidding was complete, whoever paid the most for a seat would choose the theme of the assessment.
This assessment was set in the desert because the highest bidder was the Shangguan Family, a family skilled at training Ground-type and Rock-type Pokémon. The desert made it easier for them to identify talent suited to their needs.
After all, participating students could bring only one Pokémon, and Flying-type Pokémon were banned. Ground-type and Rock-type Pokémon would have a much easier time claiming the environmental advantage, so more students would choose them.
Did that mean Huaxia Academy had become a machine for major families to recruit talent? Of course not. Perhaps a more accurate way of putting it was that every major family actually had Huaxia Academy students among its members...
The Breeding Department and Research Department assessments followed the same process. Unfortunately, Bulbasaur had competed in Ye Lan's place that day, so his talent for Water-type cuisine had not been apparent. As a result, he had received no advance invitations from the relevant organizations or families.
Seated on the judging panel, Ye Lan gave an awkward smile and turned to look beside him. His gaze happened to meet those of the other three judges, and the atmosphere grew awkward for a moment.
"Hehehe, Ye Lan. What a familiar name. The youngsters in our family mention you often. You certainly are an impressive young man!" The elderly man from the Shangguan Family laughed, finally breaking the deadlock.
"Hello, sir. I often hear Shangguan Hong mention you, too," Ye Lan replied with a polite chuckle.
After all, compared with the others' introductions, "Huaxia Academy" really did seem far too out of place. This went beyond standing out like a crane among chickens—it was as absurd as insisting spaghetti should be mixed with No.