Chi Hong Said Nothing, Just Kept Stacking Swords Dance

[Professor Oak examined Charizard...]

[Professor Oak sent a message: Your Charizard has leveled up too quickly, leaving its foundation unstable. To break through to ten thousand years, it needs a powerful enough Source of Life.]

[Once it reaches ten thousand years and its friendship reaches 90, it will meet the requirements for Mega Evolution.]

Chi Hong read the message and mulled it over.

"Charizard and Greninja are both stuck at 89 friendship. Looks like that's a threshold. As for a Source of Life... I can buy the Soul-Devouring Engraving Knife and leave the curse to Professor Oak."

"Since Charizard can't level up right now, I'll send Riolu into the next battle. It's time to raise his friendship and help him evolve into Lucario as soon as possible."

"Riolu!"

Riolu raised his hands happily. He sensed Chi Hong's intentions, and his own excitement surged.

Of the three Pokémon, he was the most eager to fight and grow stronger.

After all, his age and strength lagged behind his two seniors, and he still hadn't reached his final form.

The chance to battle different Soul Masters in this tournament had left him itching for a fight.

"You're fired up, Riolu. Greninja, give him the Life Orb for now. He's up next."

Chi Hong patted Riolu on the head.

Riolu's little tail spun like a fan.

[Ding-dong! Professor Oak is delighted by how well you've trained Riolu.]

[He has sent you three TMs: Drain Punch, Aura Sphere, and Focus Punch.]

"No way. Professor Oak, you're my god. With Drain Punch, Riolu can make up for the health he loses using the Life Orb."

Delighted, Chi Hong gave Riolu the TMs for Drain Punch and Aura Sphere.

Focus Punch was the most powerful move, but it required him to gather energy first. The windup was too long for a fragile Pokémon like Riolu, who already needed time to stack Swords Dance.

Besides, the next match would start soon. There wasn't enough time to learn it.

Greninja handed Riolu the Life Orb from around his neck without much hesitation.

Riolu stared at the slime-covered orb in Greninja's hand, his face falling. He really didn't want to touch it.

The thing looked downright disgusting.

Greninja coolly rinsed it with a stream of water and tossed it over.

Only then did Riolu catch the Life Orb. Feeling his vitality grow stronger, he was raring to go.

He immediately clenched his fists and began practicing his moves.

The Soul Arena.

The first match of the round-robin stage.

Shrek faced Yun Luo Academy in an individual Knockout Stage match.

Chi Hong stood in the center of the Soul Arena, still wearing his hat.

The Yun Luo Team sent its captain straight out to face him.

The captain was only a Soul Ancestor, but his expression was calm. He didn't seem afraid of his opponent.

Chi Hong tossed a hand forward and summoned Riolu.

Pat. Tap.

Riolu appeared in the arena, gazing at his opponent with determination.

"Wow! Shrek has another adorable Soul Beast? He's so cute!"

A dog lover squealed.

"He looks pretty weak. He's nowhere near as cool as that fire dragon or water frog."

Someone else sounded doubtful.

The Yun Luo Team captain's eyes narrowed.

"Shrek really is impressive. You've even raised such a small Soul Beast to over five thousand years of cultivation. But I won't surrender. Come at me."

The captain brought out his Soul Tool and aimed it at Riolu, waiting for him to attack.

No one had seen Chi Hong use Riolu before, so his moves were a complete mystery. That made the captain even more cautious.

But after waiting a while, he found it strange. Why wasn't his opponent attacking?

And why was that little dog just spinning in circles?

Was he doing tricks?

Chi Hong said nothing. He just had Riolu keep stacking Swords Dance.

Riolu made no sound. He simply spun faster and faster, his attack power climbing at a frantic pace.

An individual Knockout Stage match was perfect for Riolu. He wouldn't be taken down by concentrated fire, and after defeating each opponent, he could sneak in another Swords Dance.

With Drain Punch to keep him going, his injuries wouldn't pile up too badly, either.

Riolu kept spinning, faster and faster.

Soon, every turn brought a sharp whistle through the air, as though an unsheathed blade were carving countless paths around him.

"Not good!"

The Yun Luo captain finally realized something was wrong. The fierce gusts kicked up by that little dog's spinning were hitting him in the face.

"Soul Cannon beams!"

Gritting his teeth, he activated every Soul Cannon around him and aimed them at Riolu. Dozens of beams fired at once.

The Soul Cannon blasts roared toward Riolu with astonishing force.

Chi Hong smiled faintly.

"You're only catching on now? Too late. Riolu, Endure!"

Riolu stopped spinning, the fighting spirit in his eyes fierce enough to pierce straight through a person's heart.

He stood tall, his body taut, and faced the incoming barrage without a trace of fear.

A faint golden film of light covered his entire body.

Boom—boom!

Thunderous explosions shook the Soul Arena. White light flashed through billowing dust, blocking everyone's view.

Meng Hongchen covered her mouth.

"Brother, that adorable little blue dog didn't die, did he? Poor thing."

Xiao Hongchen leaned back in his chair, relaxed.

"Don't worry. Chi Hong isn't that stupid."

The dust cleared. Under everyone's anxious gaze, a small, resolute figure still stood in the center of the Soul Arena.

After the bombardment, Riolu's fur was scorched and disheveled, and he was covered in wounds.

He had only 1% HP left, but the fighting spirit in his eyes hadn't faded in the slightest.

Chi Hong tipped down the brim of his hat.

"The battle's only just begun. Riolu, use Drain Punch!"

The Yun Luo captain's eyes widened.

"No. That's impossible!"

Riolu couldn't hold back any longer. He had spent all that time stacking attack at the start for this moment.

He clenched his right fist. A soft green glow spread across it, looking almost gentle.

The force behind it was anything but.

Four stacks of Swords Dance, plus a Life Orb.

Riolu kicked off hard and closed the distance in an instant.

Before the Yun Luo captain could surrender, a green-glowing fist slammed into him.

Pfft!

The Yun Luo captain's pupils lost focus, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

As the force of the punch tore through his body, green light flowed from Riolu's fist back into him.

The Yun Luo captain collapsed and lost consciousness.

Riolu drew back his fist.

Warm vitality flowed back along his arm.

Within seconds, his wounds healed before everyone's eyes. His fur regained its shine, and his injuries all but vanished.