"Slowking is unable to battle. The winner of this match is Zhang Cheng from Modu University." After confirming that Slowking could no longer battle, the referee announced the result.
"Come back, Slowking." Lu Luan recalled his fainted Slowking and gave Zhang Cheng a thumbs-up. "You're strong. That kid Ye Tian was right about you. Now I'm really looking forward to seeing you two face off."
"You're strong too. Even though you lost this match, I believe you can still fight your way back through the repechage." Zhang Cheng acknowledged Lu Luan's strength as well.
After the match ended, the two chatted briefly before leaving the battlefield.
Zhang Cheng took his injured Pokémon to the Treatment Room. Once they were all settled in, he went to find somewhere to have lunch.
After lunch, Zhang Cheng returned to the competition venue and found a spot in a rest area to watch the remaining matches.
The day's matches soon came to an end. Of the five competitors who advanced in today's first round, aside from Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian, the other three came from Kyoto University, Qingbei University, and Yuenan University.
In previous years, Trainers from Yuenan University had rarely made it into the top ten. The fact that a dark horse had emerged from their ranks this year drew considerable attention.
Zhang Cheng, however, did not pay it much mind. Every university had its outstanding talents. With enough opportunities and a strong backing, making the top ten in the National Tournament was certainly possible.
After the first round ended, the five victorious Trainers advanced straight to the quarterfinals, while the five defeated Trainers would draw lots and compete in the repechage the next day.
One lucky competitor who drew a bye would advance straight to the quarterfinals. The remaining four would