Calm Mind Method

Xinhai looked over the three kinds of footwork and felt they should be enough for Ralts. After thinking it over, he added several boxing styles as well. After all, Gardevoir could learn skills from both the Farmer's Three Punches and the two Mega Punch series.

The boxing styles more suitable for women were Wing Chun and Tai Chi. Wing Chun in particular was said to have been created by an extraordinary woman, making it quite suitable for Gardevoir to practice.

As for Tai Chi, it was renowned for using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds and for overcoming strength with softness. It did not demand much physical power, so it was also suitable for Gardevoir. Besides, he had already written down Tai Chi Footwork; training the two together would be even more effective...

"The way of martial arts lies in actual combat, but even more so in understanding its essence." Xinhai set down his pen and gently blew on the ink. "You cannot be bound by fixed moves. Only by adapting flexibly can you defeat your enemies."

Core concept: strengthen the six senses, anticipate the opponent's attacks, and counterattack quickly. If the enemy does not move, I do not move; when the enemy moves, I move first.

After writing the final stroke, Xinhai let out a long breath. Looking at the training plan and future development path he had written for Ralts, he muttered, "I'm still lacking an Advanced Calm Mind method. That'll be difficult!"

Xinhai had only known how to meditate in his past life on Blue Star; he knew nothing about the specifics of meditation methods. What little he knew was not even as good as what was recorded in the breeding manuals. At most, the underlying ideas were more profound, things like merging with nature, comprehending heaven and earth, and breathing alongside the natural world.

But even if the concepts were profound, he did not know how to enter that state, nor what effects it would have after entering it. It was truly troublesome.

Rubbing his chin, Xinhai said, "Looks like I can only find time to practice and see whether I can create an Advanced Calm Mind method myself. Forget it, I should sleep first! There's still a match tomorrow!"

Xinhai looked outside. The night was already deep. Torchic had curled into a fluffy little ball on the bed, its breathing even, accompanied by the occasional faint sound. Ralts lay quietly on the other side, its small body rising and falling gently with each steady breath.

Looking at the two little ones lying on either side of the head of the bed, Xinhai's lips unconsciously curved into a gentle smile. He stood up, walked to the bed, and carefully lay down.

After gently tucking them in, he reached over and switched off the desk lamp. In the dark room, Ralts's little horn gave off a faint, soft glow, adding a touch of dreamlike color to the small space.

Torchic and Ralts seemed to sense their trainer's approach and sleepily snuggled closer to him. Xinhai smiled and stroked the two little ones, then gradually fell asleep amid the quiet warmth.

Early the next morning, the alarm rang on schedule. After Xinhai finished washing up with Torchic and Ralts and had a simple breakfast, he rode his folding bicycle toward the department store.

The moment he arrived at the gathering spot, he heard Yingnan waving and shouting, "Xinhai, hurry up! The draw's about to start."

Hearing Yingnan, Xinhai folded up his bicycle, placed it into his Spatial Backpack, and said, "Coming, coming. Don't rush! There's still half an hour left!"

Shali asked from the side, "Xinhai, have you eaten breakfast? If not, do you want to grab something outside?"

Xinhai slung on his backpack and said, "I've already eaten. Have you two?"

Yingnan stepped forward and answered, "Enough talking, let's get inside! We already ate at the school cafeteria."

Seeing Yingnan's impatient expression, Xinhai smiled. "All right, let's go in."

The three entered the department store. It was as lively as ever inside, with the host energetically interacting with the audience. Xinhai looked up at the projection screen in the air, which showed that the draw would begin in seven minutes.

"Today's battles are definitely going to be exciting. I hope I get matched with a strong contestant," Yingnan said excitedly.

Xinhai could not help complaining, "Everyone else hopes to meet a weaker opponent so they can advance. You, on the other hand, want to meet someone strong."

Yingnan scratched his head and chuckled, excitement shining in his eyes. "How can it be satisfying if I don't meet a strong opponent?" As he spoke, he touched the Poké Ball at his waist, his eyes full of anticipation.

Holding Eevee, Shali looked at the two of them and smiled softly. "None of today's opponents will be weak. Let's do our best together!"

Yingnan said with a grin, "Don't worry. With our strength, advancing will be easy."

Shali warned, "Don't let your guard down. Be careful not to stumble in a ditch."

Watching the two converse, Xinhai could clearly feel that Shali had become much more confident than before. Sure enough, winning battles is the best way to build confidence. Shali is obviously nowhere near as nervous as she was at the beginning.

The three chatted idly until the host's voice came over the broadcast. "Good morning, contestants and audience members! We will now begin the third-round draw. Please look at the big screen."

Xinhai and the other two looked up at the holographic projection. The remaining four hundred-plus contestants rapidly arranged themselves into over two hundred pairs, with sixty battle groups assigned to each of the four battle arenas.

With a "beep beep," the three of their Pokédexes rang. Their match information had clearly arrived.

Xinhai glanced at his and said, "My match is the thirty-first battle in the third arena."

After taking a look, Yingnan smiled and showed his Pokédex to the other two. "I'm in the third match of the first arena! Not bad luck! I can finish quickly."

Shali swiped through her screen. "I'm in the seventeenth match of the third arena. There's still plenty of time."

"Other than the first match of the first round, which might have a tighter preparation time, the rest are all about the same," Xinhai analyzed.

Yingnan nodded in agreement. "That's right. We have to go on stage and compete anyway, so sooner or later makes no difference."

Shali rolled her eyes at the two unconcerned boys and reminded them, "We should go wait by the first arena first, in case we can't find a spot later and end up scrambling."

The three headed toward the first arena. The venue was packed with people, and the first round of matches was about to begin.

"There!" Yingnan pointed at the arena ahead. At that moment, the field was enclosed by a layer of energy barrier, protecting both the trainers onstage and the spectators below from the energy ripples of Pokémon attacks.

Clearly, the first battle had already begun. The three squeezed into the front row to watch, only to see a Pikachu nimbly dodging Bulbasaur's attacks on the field.

Xinhai watched the situation on the field and took out a notebook to record it. Seeing this, Shali also took out her notes and began writing, leaving Yingnan awkwardly wedged between them as he watched the match.

Bulbasaur unleashed numerous Razor Leafs. Pikachu could only keep dodging. Since Bulbasaur had already scattered Poison Powder and Sleep Powder all around itself, Pikachu could not get close and could only seek an opportunity to counterattack from a distance.

During the gap after Bulbasaur used Razor Leaf, Pikachu's trainer suddenly ordered, "Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu kept darting and dodging across the field. With a nimble leap, it evaded Bulbasaur's new wave of Razor Leafs. At the same time, its fur stood on end as electricity gathered around its body before shooting toward Bulbasaur.

Thunderbolt's current shot toward Bulbasaur like a snake, but Bulbasaur's trainer calmly commanded, "Block it with Vine Whip!"

The vines on Bulbasaur's body lashed out like long whips and collided with Thunderbolt in midair. Although the Vine Whip that took the hit fell limply to the ground, Bulbasaur itself remained full of energy and had not suffered much damage.

"Looks like this Bulbasaur inherited the Ingrain skill. This Pikachu is in trouble!" Yingnan said as he watched the Bulbasaur, which had not moved from its spot.

Xinhai observed carefully and analyzed, "Not only that, its Ground type talent is probably exceptionally strong. Otherwise, it could not have neutralized Thunderbolt so easily."

Shali nodded in agreement. "Even with Electric type resistance, an ordinary Grass type Pokémon could not possibly ignore an attack like that almost completely."

"If Pikachu doesn't have some hidden trump card, then the outcome of this match is already decided." Xinhai watched Pikachu continue dodging on the field.

"It can't be helped. Winning against an unfavorable Type matchup is too difficult," Shali said helplessly.

"Yeah, Pokémon levels are still too low right now, and their moves aren't varied enough. With an unfavorable Type matchup, it really is hard to land effective attacks." Yingnan was shaking his head as he spoke when he heard Xinhai say—

"The winner's about to be decided!"

"Hm?"