While Liu Tiezhu and Xu Mu discussed their plans, the order of the matches was settled.
As in previous years, the competitors from last year's eight strongest families would be seeded.
Each seeded competitor would face three opponents from smaller families. Once those matches were over, the eight remaining competitors would fight to determine their rankings.
The simpler the rules, the crueler they were for the smaller families.
"Kid, our luck's a little lousy..."
Liu Tiezhu's weathered face sagged as he looked at the schedule.
It happened to the Liu Family every year. They were treated as the weakest family and sent out first against last year's eighth-place finisher.
That meant Xu Mu's opponent in this round was Chen Fengxian, the youngest son of the Chen Family's head and last year's eighth-place finisher!
"He's got some skill. Last year, he was still preparing for the Elite Four Challenge, so he wasn't at his peak yet."
"This year, he's collected all sixteen Gym Badges and honed himself to perfection. He's just waiting for the challenge to begin."
"He placed eighth last year, and he'll only be stronger now. Kid, are you confident?"
Liu Tiezhu looked grave. Honestly, he would rather have Xu Mu face one of last year's top finishers than Chen Fengxian!
The reason was simple: the kid was a monster!
He had represented the Chen Family at the banquet three years running.
And his strength had transformed every year. In just three short years, he had gone from a Distinguished Trainer to a Peak Trainer!
"Let's stick to the plan. I'll be fine."
Xu Mu didn't care what Liu Tiezhu thought. All he could think about now was money!
He was only a Peak Trainer. Wasn't Yang Qianqian a Peak Trainer preparing for the Elite Four Challenge too?
And