Tear Down the Roof or Open a Window?

Ponyta was wreathed in flames, like a volcano as it charged straight at Weedle.

As it advanced, Ponyta continuously used Ember to bolster the fire energy around its body. That was not all—it had the Flash Fire Ability, and the surrounding Fire-type energy gathered toward it as it ran.

"It's here, it's here! The Fire-type energy gathering caused by Flash Fire, and Ember is still strengthening the Ability's effect. Cheng Du spent a month studying at Firewind Dojo in Auspicious City during winter break, and the results are obvious."

"Weedle is finished now. Cheng Du has mastered this one move, and we've all seen how powerful it is. Flame Charge will make Ponyta faster and faster, while Flash Fire will continuously raise Ponyta's attack. A Ponyta like this will soon become a fiery demon king."

"It's over, it's over. Ponyta's flames are about to swallow Weedle."

"Sigh, Weedle fought honorably even in defeat."

To keep people from noticing, this is the only way. Shu Tong watched Ponyta's towering flames and had already made up his mind.

Weedle, you've worked hard. I'll fill you up with Viridian Force in a moment. Shu Tong conveyed his intentions to Weedle.

Poison-type energy swirled around Weedle's entire body. Then it used String Shot again, wrapping itself up.

At the very instant Ponyta swallowed Weedle—

The threads were first eroded by the fiery energy, but that was exactly what Shu Tong had planned. Ponyta used its head to send Weedle flying.

At the instant they made contact, one of Weedle's Poison Stings plunged directly into Ponyta's body.

Although Weedle was sent flying immediately afterward, its double layer of protection meant it had not suffered much erosion from the Fire-type energy. Even though it was knocked to the ground, such minor damage was nothing.

And Ponyta—

Flame Charge was supposed to make it faster and faster after use, but now Ponyta was slowing down, and its Fire-type energy was gradually dispersing.

"Ponyta, pull yourself together!" Yang Ke had no idea what had happened and could only shout that.

It was not until purple blotches appeared across Ponyta's body that the homeroom teacher noticed something was wrong.

Shu Tong fooled everyone. There must be an expert guiding him behind such a concealed tactic. No wonder he dared challenge me. The homeroom teacher muttered inwardly.

Boom.

Before Ponyta could run back to Weedle, it collapsed.

"Ponyta!" Yang Ke let out a hysterical cry and rushed over.

"What did you do to my Ponyta?" Yang Ke roared, pointing at Shu Tong.

"I know what happened," Pan Zhehang said.

Everyone turned their attention to Pan Zhehang, because no one understood what had happened.

Ponyta had clearly had victory in its grasp. Flame Charge had struck Weedle, and it had even successfully sent Weedle flying.

From the very beginning, Ponyta had controlled the initiative on the battlefield. Why had it suddenly collapsed for no apparent reason? Many people suspected Shu Tong of cheating.

When Pan Zhehang shouted that he knew the reason, everyone crowded around him.

"I've been recording the video. Look—throughout the entire battle, Ponyta and Weedle only made contact at this one moment. I slowed it down for you. See? You can see it clearly now, right? At the moment Ponyta sent Weedle flying, during that instant of contact, Weedle stabbed Ponyta with Poison Sting," Pan Zhehang said.

"Haha, I'm uploading this video to the Unown Live-Streaming Platform. It'll definitely go viral." Pan Zhehang laughed.

Xu Wei took out his phone and grinned. "I recorded it too."

When everyone looked at Shu Tong again, they even found him a little frightening. Whether it was Weedle's strength or the tactics Shu Tong had devised, every move had been lethal and merciless. How was he anything like a rookie Trainer?

"You're too despicable." Cheng Du's eyes were bloodshot. How could he accept this? Weedle had seized its chance from one simple contact. If he had another chance, he would definitely defeat it.

"If insulting people could win battles, I suggest you learn Chatot's move, Chatter," Shu Tong said.

The homeroom teacher roared, "Cheng Du, why aren't you taking Ponyta to the infirmary? Do you want it to die?"

Cheng Du froze. Seeing Ponyta's condition worsening, he hurriedly recalled it and ran toward the infirmary.

Wu Hongzhen fell into deep thought. That Weedle's poison is too potent. Persian absolutely cannot have any physical contact with it. But aside from Power Gem, all of Persian's moves are close-range moves. Do I have no choice but to use that move?

Shu Tong recalled Weedle, then sat directly in the rest area and closed his eyes to rest. In truth, he was secretly channeling Viridian Force into Weedle.

"Shu Tong." Someone suddenly called out to him.

Shu Tong opened his eyes. It was Sun Youzhong. "What is it, homeroom teacher?"

No matter how slow the homeroom teacher was, after watching the matches for so long, he knew Shu Tong was targeting Wu Hongzhen. The two of them could be considered the strongest students in the class now. If they could unite, he was absolutely confident they could achieve the top results in their grade.

"Of course I came to congratulate you on earning third place in our class's end-of-month assessment battles," the homeroom teacher said with a fawning smile.

"The competition isn't over yet. Isn't it a little inappropriate to draw conclusions now?" With that, Shu Tong closed his eyes again.

"I know you probably have some conflict with Wu Hongzhen, but we are one big family after all. Everyone should care for one another. First of all, I'm announcing that you are now a member of the top students as well. Next month, I'll personally guide your special training all the way until the college entrance exam. Only professional training can unlock greater potential in Pokémon." The homeroom teacher began making empty promises to Shu Tong.

Shu Tong rolled his eyes. He thought of how his boss in his previous life had made promise after promise, none of which had been fulfilled. Now it was this man's turn.

"No need," Shu Tong said decisively.

"You, Shu Tong—don't think you can get carried away and become arrogant just because you've achieved a little. You need to know how vast this world is. There are always people better than you. If you become complacent now and refuse professional training, it will be too late. You'll regret it when the time comes." The homeroom teacher continued, going all out for the sake of his teaching record.

"I'm already undergoing professional training, so I won't trouble you," Shu Tong said.

"Shu Tong, I'm a Level One professional Trainer. At school, you might even receive guidance from the dean of studies and the principal. They're Level Two and Level Three professional Trainers. An opportunity like that is like a lamp in the long night of your life, showing you the way," the homeroom teacher said.

"Teacher Sun, I'm planning to transfer schools," Shu Tong said.

"Haha, don't joke around. Pretend I never said anything. As long as you represent our school in the college entrance exam, that's enough." The homeroom teacher laughed and walked away.

Just as expected!

If a room was too dark, you needed to open a window, but most people would object. Yet if you proposed tearing off the roof, they would come to compromise and be willing to open a window.

Thanks to 624 Wen Zong for the donation.