Late at night, in Southwest Insect University's conference room.
"Rui, how are we going to fight Black River University tomorrow?"
The speaker was a young man with dark, ruddy skin.
He was Liu Yuyang, Southwest Insect University's captain and the driving force behind its victory over Southwest University.
Beside him sat a young woman with similarly dark skin.
Qiao Rui was Southwest Insect University's vice-captain and the team's strategist.
She had been entirely responsible for the tactics that defeated Southwest University.
"Let me think..."
Qiao Rui did not look up. She studied the paper records spread across the table.
They listed every Black River University member who had competed so far, along with Mu Yun's three Pokémon that had appeared in battle.
After a moment, Qiao Rui leaned back, closed her eyes, and rubbed her brow.
Black River University's tactics were simple—so simple that practically anyone could see through them.
But that simplicity was precisely what made them so troublesome.
Behind those straightforward tactics lay overwhelming strength.
"Do we really have no chance at all?"
Liu Yuyang had waited in silence for some time. Now he asked, unwilling to give up.
He had suffered so much to tame Buzzwole. Wasn't it all so he could shine in the Black Dragon Cup and lead his team to a strong finish?
His original goal had been the quarterfinals, but now that they had made it this far, he wanted to go further.
Seeing his frustration, Qiao Rui sighed and looked him straight in the eye. "It's not that we have no chance."
"You mean send Feifei out?"
Liu Yuyang seemed to realize what she meant, and his expression turned conflicted.
"Pheromosa's bone age is just over four years, so she's eligible for the Black Dragon Cup. And you know how strong she