So far, Diancie had the highest level at 64, while the rest of his Pokémon had reached levels 63 and 62.
Zhang Cheng could actually have taken the challenge two months earlier, but he had a heavy course load at school then, along with an opportunity to obtain a Dragon Scale.
He had therefore been in no hurry to take the challenge. Waiting would make it a little easier, which was hardly a bad thing.
Early that morning, Zhang Cheng got up to the ringing of his alarm, washed up, then rode Pidgeot to the Challenge Tower.
Zhang Cheng was already very familiar with the procedures at the Challenge Tower. After entering and registering his Trainer information as required, he followed a staff member to a battle room.
An examiner was waiting for Zhang Cheng on one side of the battlefield.
Compared with the lower-level examiners he had faced before, the Junior Champion examiner carried an extra measure of pride. He said nothing when Zhang Cheng arrived and simply walked to his position to prepare for battle.
Zhang Cheng found this perfectly normal. Strong people tended to have a certain pride in themselves. If the examiner could not be bothered to talk, he would not invite a snub.
At the Referee's direction, Zhang Cheng also took his position and prepared for battle.
After confirming that both sides were ready, the Referee blew the whistle, officially starting the match.
"Go, Poliwrath!"
"Nidoking, get ready for battle!"
Both sides sent out their opening Pokémon at the same time. Zhang Cheng chose his vanguard, Poliwrath, while the Junior Champion examiner, Han Tian, sent out the Ground- and Poison-type Nidoking.
Zhang Cheng activated the Detection System and began checking this Nidoking's details:
``` Name: Nidoking (level 61)
Gender: Male
Potential: B+
Type: Ground, Poison