The flames around Growlithe surged again, like a burning meteor, chasing after Torchic.
Xinhai also quickly changed the order, "Continue to use Flame Charge!"
Torchic's whole body ignited with orange-red flames, shooting forward like a leaping flaming arrow.
Growlithe was chasing after it, and soon it relied on its explosive power to slowly catch up with Torchic.
"It's now! Flamethrower, output with all your strength!" Maruyama Takumi raised his arms and shouted.
The orange fire pillar erupted from Growlithe's mouth was like a volcanic eruption. As the flames steamed, the air became distorted. The Flame Charge flames covering its body also followed the Flamethrower it spit out and went towards Torchic.
After the two flames gathered in Growlithe's mouth, they actually transformed and turned into a golden-orange flame.
Xinhai's pupils shrank suddenly and he quickly shouted, "Quick Attack, Torchic!"
The blazing flames seemed to turn the arena into a sea of fire. Torchic also felt the temperature behind him, and subconsciously used Quick Attack to rush forward.
Flamethrower transformed into a sea of golden-orange fire, instantly engulfing Torchic's figure.
Xinhai's eyes were fixed on the sea of fire, and his fists clenched by it made a crisp sound.
Just when Maruyama Takumi looked a little relaxed, he saw a dazzling white light suddenly appear in the sea of fire - Speed Boost broke out in desperate situation, and Torchic turned into a white lightning, rushing out of the flames with steaming heat!
"It's incredible!!" The host's voice almost broke, and the microphone in his hand shook violently with his trembling arms, "Torchic broke out at extreme speed in a desperate situation, and used Quick Attack to break out of Growlithe's deadly flames! Is this the charm of the Pokémon battle!"
Nurse Joy at the judges' table was relieved when he saw this. He looked at the explosive speed of Torchic in surprise with a faint smile on his face.
Yingnan was also shocked. Looking at this scene, he smiled and cursed, "I was scared to death. I almost thought that guy Xinhai was going to lose."
Maruyama Takumi's pupils suddenly contracted, and the trace of relaxation on his face instantly solidified into shock, his eyes fixed on Torchic.
When Torchic rushed out of the sea of fire for a certain distance and stopped, its tail feathers were still smoking, the edges of the orange-red feathers were curled into charred black, and every breath was filled with burning breath.
Maruyama Takumi looked at Torchic's current physical condition, and his tight shoulders finally relaxed slightly, but he did not dare to delay and quickly ordered, "Growlithe, use Flame Charge to catch up!"
The flames around Growlithe, who was panting slightly, surged again, and hot air waves burst out from the whole body, rushing towards Torchic with an indomitable momentum.
Xinhai frowned slightly as he looked at Torchic's condition and ordered, "Torchic, continue to use Flame Charge!"
Torchic quickly condensed a layer of orange-red flames around its body. It was almost reaching the corner and started running along the edge of the ring.
Seeing Growlithe approaching Torchic, Maruyama Takumi quickly ordered, "Encore Flamethrower, Growlithe!"
There was another Spit Up orange flame in Growlithe's mouth. The flame on his body was like a fire snake wrapped around the spit out Flamethrower. The golden orange flame was sprayed out towards Torchic again.
At the same time, Xinhai also shouted, "Use Quick Attack!"
Torchic quickly approached the energy wall at the edge of the ring. The flames around him quickly dissipated, white light bloomed from the flames, and his speed increased again.
Torchic, with this speed that seemed to turn into Spark, stepped on the energy wall and ran along the energy wall.
Growlithe and Flamethrower were seen heading towards the energy wall. Torchic, who was running on the energy wall, felt the blazing heat only two or three meters away from him.
An accelerated jump to avoid the burst of flames, and after landing, continue to escape the burst range of the opponent Flamethrower.
Upon seeing this, the host excitedly shouted, "It appears, it appears again! Audience friends, Torchic once again avoided the opponent's attack along the energy wall. It's amazing. This is so cool!"
Growlithe looked at Torchic who was running away, and continued to chase the opponent. The two burning tracks started chasing each other again on the ring. The difference was that Growlithe could no longer catch up with Torchic.
Although both Torchic and Growlithe are using Flame Charge, Torchic also has the continuous acceleration of Speed Boost. The continuous pursuit battle makes Torchic's speed continue to increase.
Now the speed of Torchic is much faster than the fastest speed during training. The speed of Growlithe can no longer keep up with the speed of Torchic.
Maruyama Takumi frowned at the speed of Torchic, knowing that the opponent would most likely start a counterattack, so he ordered, "Growlithe, don't chase so close anymore, keep a long distance from the opponent."
Growlithe slowed down the rhythm of Pursuit, and the flames all over his body condensed into flowing bands of light, keeping a distant distance from Torchic on the ring.
Xinhai was not surprised when he saw the opponent's tactical change. Both sides had guessed the opponent's combat arrangements and knew that the next few minutes would be Xinhai and Torchic's attack round.
So Xinhai did not hesitate and quickly ordered Torchic: "Torchic, Quick Attack keep distance, use Rock Tomb to attack!"
The white light of Quick Attack appeared on Torchic's body, keeping a safe distance from Growlithe, condensing the energy of Rock type in his body, forming more than ten rocks, and controlling them to smash towards Growlithe.
Maruyama Takumi quickly issued the command, "Growlithe, speed up and rush out of the opponent's attack!"
Growlithe was like an arrow leaving the string, running in a straight line on the ring on a burning trajectory, dodging rocks flying from behind, but was still hit by a few rocks.
"Ouch~"
After Growlithe, who was running fast, was hit by a rock, he let out a painful Growl. The originally straight sprint route was slightly deflected due to the pain.
Although it managed to maintain its speed, it was still much slower, and the charred claw marks left on the ground were a bit messier than before.
Xinhai keenly captured the changes of his opponent Pokémon, raised his arms and shouted, "Torchic, Quick Attack catch up, continue to use Rock Tomb!"
Torchic accelerated to catch up and once again gathered a dozen rocks and threw them at Growlithe.
Maruyama Takumi, who was closely watching the battle on the field, suddenly changed his face and shouted, "Growlithe, use Fire Spin towards the back!"
The flames all over Growlithe skyrocketed, and the flames on its body quickly merged with the Fire Spin spit out from its mouth, and sprayed towards the back and top.
The roaring rocks smashed into Fire Spin, and the flames were pierced almost instantly, hitting the running Growlithe's back.
"Ouch!!!"
Growlithe let out a shrill wail, its huge body staggering forward under the impact, and its scorching claw marks drew twisted trajectories on the ground.
Immediately afterwards, more rocks poured down towards Growlithe, hitting the body of Growlithe who fell to the ground, causing streams of blood to ooze from under the fur on its back.
"Growlithe!!" Maruyama Takumi's voice broke through the din of the venue. He almost threw himself on the energy wall, and his nails dug into the transparent material to make a Screech sound.
The Quick Attack around Torchic slowly faded away, and the silver-white afterimage drew an arc on the ring and stopped precisely five meters in front of Growlithe.
It was panting violently, its orange-red chest undulating like waves, and the large feathers on its body were burnt black, but its eyes were fixed on the struggling opponent on the ground.
Growlithe twisted his neck with difficulty, the figure of Torchic was reflected in the black pupils, and a weak roar Growl came from his throat.
"Ouch!"
When the referee saw Growlithe falling to the ground, he began to count the seconds loudly. "Ten! Nine! Eight!" His loud countdown echoed in the venue.
Every number hit Maruyama Takumi's heart like a heavy hammer. He looked at the fur rolled up on Growlithe's back and the blood seeping out. His nails dug deeply into his palms, and his knuckles turned white from excessive exertion.
Growlithe struggled to get up, but could only let out a few weak whimpers, and his limbs scratched in vain on the gravel, leaving traces of blood.
Maruyama Takumi shouted to the referee, "Referee, I surrender!" The entire venue fell into a brief silence, with only Growlithe's heavy breathing echoing in the empty space.
The referee's countdown also stopped abruptly. He glanced at Maruyama Takumi, and after seeing him nod again to confirm, he blew the whistle and announced, "Trainer Maruyama admits defeat. I declare that trainer Bai Mu advances!"
Maruyama Takumi quickly ran to Growlithe, his fingertips touched the blood-stained fur, and hot tears fell on his partner's trembling body. His voice was choked with sobs. "I'm sorry, Growlithe! It's my fault that you were so seriously injured!"
Growlithe shook Tail Whip weakly, and gently licked the back of his master's hand to comfort his master.
Xinhai, who came to Torchic, looked at this scene and couldn't help but let out a sigh for the pair, and possibly for himself in the future.
Xinhai squatted down and gently touched Torchic's charred head feathers with his fingertips. He felt a slight burning sensation in his palm, but his eyes were full of tenderness and pride. "Well done, Torchic! Thanks to you this time."
The tired Torchic rubbed the palm of Xinhai's hand. Although the feathers on his head turned burnt black, they were still beating stubbornly.
Xinhai carried Torchic and walked towards the audience, took out the Burn Spray that had been prepared long ago, and carefully sprayed it on Torchic's wound.
After spraying the wound, Poké Ball was placed on Torchic's forehead. The moment the red light flashed, Torchic was taken back Poké Ball with a soft cry.
"Chamo~"
Xinhai came to the door of the treatment room, opened the door and saw that Chansey was transferring Heal Pulse into the machine to treat Growlithe of Maruyama Takumi. Girls Joy and Maruyama Takumi were watching from the side.
Hearing the movement at the door, Nurse Joy was the first to raise his head, his clear and agile eyes curved into a gentle arc after seeing the person clearly.
However, Nurse Joy did not speak, but put his index finger in front of his mouth, signaling Xinhai to be quiet and not to disturb Chansey's treatment.
After Maruyama Takumi looked up and saw Xinhai, his movements were stiff for a moment, but he quickly reacted and nodded towards Xinhai as a greeting.
Xinhai also nodded in response to Maruyama Takumi, then gently closed the door of the treatment room, walked slowly to the two of them, and his eyes unconsciously fell on Poké Ball in the treatment tank.