The battle area had both battle coaches from Nanting Training Ground and short-term sparring partners. The more experienced coaches charged considerably more than ordinary sparring partners.
You got what you paid for. The battle coaches were stronger, and there was more to learn from them.
Zhang Cheng had plenty of Pokémon Coins on hand, so he chose the more effective option—a battle coach. Training fees were charged per match, and every match followed a three-on-three format.
Led by a staff member, Zhang Cheng arrived at the training area of a middle-aged battle coach named Xia Bin, a veteran coach at Nanting Training Ground.
Seeing a Trainer approach, Xia Bin stepped forward to greet him. "Young man, are you here for battle training?"
"Yes. I'd appreciate your guidance," Zhang Cheng replied politely.
"Haha, of course! We can start whenever you're ready." Xia Bin was very welcoming toward Trainers who came to challenge him. The more Trainers he worked with, the more he earned. Who would turn down Pokémon Coins?
Zhang Cheng and Xia Bin entered the battlefield. Once everything was confirmed to be in order, the staff member acting as referee blew a whistle to announce the start of the match.
"Swampert, I choose you!"
"Empoleon, get ready for battle!"
At the staff member's signal, both men sent out their first Pokémon.
Rather than leading with Poliwrath this time, Zhang Cheng chose Swampert. Poliwrath and Pidgeot already had plenty of battle experience, while Swampert and Ampharos had very little experience in matches.
Since he had the time, Zhang Cheng planned to let Swampert and Ampharos battle more often, building up their practical experience in preparation for future competitions.
Like Swampert, the Pokémon Xia Bin sent out was a Water-type starter: Empoleon. The Pokémon Coins had been well spent. Battling a starter