Chapter Summaries

Plot and events

After a night of feeding, bathing, and resting his Pokémon, Zhang Cheng heads to the Pokémon Mission Hall to find work. With the easier missions already taken, he considers a harder assignment when Gao Xiong offers him a share in a Gold Rank team mission: hunt a level-16 Ekans that has moved from the forest’s interior to the outskirts and attacked local Pokémon. The League is offering 240,000 Pokémon Coins because the job carries risks and has been converted into a team mission.
Gao Xiong says a third Trainer, his friend Li Wen, will join them. Zhang Cheng inspects Gao Xiong’s team—level-11 Sandshrew and level-13 Geodude—and judges that the group may be capable of the hunt, though he doubts two Trainers alone would suffice. Li Wen arrives after a wait; he has a level-12 Nidoran♂ and a newly caught level-7 Diglett. The three register the mission and enter Magnolia Forest, following the directions to search for Ekans. Wild Pokémon they encounter back away from the group.

Character development and interactions

• Zhang Cheng is practical and cautious: he ignores Gao Xiong’s small talk, asks directly about the mission, and assesses the team’s chances before agreeing. His ability to inspect Pokémon’s stats gives him an informed view of their strengths.
• Gao Xiong presents himself as friendly and experienced, recruits Zhang Cheng, and shares information about his team while organizing the mission.
• Li Wen joins as Gao Xiong’s friend, rounding out the three-Trainer team.
• The Trainers negotiate the mission by discussing their Pokémon and registering together, establishing a cooperative, if still untested, partnership.

Significant themes

The chapter emphasizes preparation and risk assessment: Zhang Cheng rests and cares for his Pokémon before work, then carefully weighs the danger of confronting a stronger wild opponent. It also introduces the economics and structure of League missions, where difficult or unattractive jobs may be assigned to groups for higher rewards, and highlights the importance of teamwork when individual Trainers lack enough strength to tackle a threat alone.

Chapter Summary: “Ganging Up”

Key plot points and events

• After leaving the Pokémon Mission Hall, Zhang Cheng, Gao Xiong, and Gao’s chubby companion walk through Magnolia Forest in search of Ekans. The companion’s poor stamina forces them to stop for an early lunch.
• As they approach Ekans’s territory, wild Pokémon become scarce. Ekans suddenly ambushes Zhang Cheng with Poison Sting, but he dodges in time.
• Gao Xiong and his companion send Geodude, Sandshrew, Nidoran♂, and Diglett into battle. Zhang Cheng adds Poliwag and Pidgey after seeing how dangerous Ekans is.
• Ekans shrugs off Nidoran♂’s Poison Sting and bites Geodude, hurting it but injuring her own teeth against its rocky body.
• Zhang Cheng checks Ekans’s stats and discovers she is level 18—stronger than expected—with the ability Shed Skin and the powerful egg move Iron Tail.
• The group’s combined attacks drive Ekans back, but she retaliates with Iron Tail, badly dazing Geodude, then uses Acid.
• Gao Xiong orders the wounded Geodude to use Explosion. Geodude charges through the Acid and detonates, catching Ekans in the blast and tearing away a large patch of her skin.

Character developments

• Zhang Cheng stays alert under pressure, quickly dodges Ekans’s ambush, assesses the battle, and gives effective tactical instructions. His system lets him identify Ekans’s unexpected strength and moves.
• Gao Xiong proves decisive and willing to make a severe sacrifice, ordering Geodude to use Explosion when it can no longer evade Ekans’s attack.
• The chubby companion is exhausted and initially blusters about fighting Ekans, but backs down when challenged. His choice to keep Nidoran♂ at range reflects caution, though Zhang Cheng judges his battle decisions—and overall skill—as poor.
• Geodude demonstrates toughness and loyalty by continuing to fight despite serious injuries, ultimately carrying out Gao Xiong’s command.

Significant themes

• Teamwork and combined strength: The Trainers’ Pokémon overwhelm Ekans only by attacking together, though her counterattacks make the victory costly.
• Sacrifice and loyalty: Geodude’s Explosion is a self-destructive last resort used to protect its Trainer and help defeat Ekans.
• Preparation versus unexpected danger: The group has a plan, but Ekans’s higher-than-reported level and strong moves force them to adapt.
• Courage under pressure: Zhang Cheng and Gao Xiong act decisively when the ambush turns into a dangerous fight.

Character interactions

• Gao Xiong teases his companion about his lack of fitness, then reassures Zhang Cheng that the man can be relied on in a real fight.
• Zhang Cheng coordinates his Pokémon and warns Gao Xiong about the danger of Ekans’s Acid.
• Gao Xiong checks on Geodude after its first injury, then makes the desperate decision to order Explosion.
• Ekans treats the group as another set of prey, but Geodude’s unexpected self-sacrifice catches her off guard.

Key plot points and events

• With Ekans badly wounded by Geodude’s earlier Explosion, Nidoran♂ attacks its exposed flesh with Poison Sting. Ekans paralyzes Nidoran♂ with Glare and prepares to strike, but Sandshrew and Diglett intervene, further weakening Ekans before it knocks both of them out with Iron Tail.
• Zhang Cheng turns the fight around by having Mareep paralyze Ekans with Thunder Wave. Mareep, Poliwag, Pidgey, and Nidoran♂ exploit the opening with coordinated attacks.
• Ekans sheds its damaged skin, curing its paralysis and regaining strength. Poliwag puts it to sleep with Hypnosis, allowing Pidgey to slash its vulnerable new skin with Air Slash.
• Ekans briefly traps Pidgey with Bind, but Mareep paralyzes it again, freeing Pidgey. Zhang Cheng recalls Mareep just before Ekans’s Acid hits, and then ducks behind a tree himself.
• Ekans tries to flee but is too slowed and injured. Pidgey, Poliwag, and Nidoran♂ finish it off with Air Slash, Bubble Beam, and Poison Sting. The group confirms the kill, and Gao Xiong removes Ekans’s gallbladder as proof of completing their mission.
• Poliwag reaches level 13 and Mareep level 6. The group rests before leaving the forest, with most of their Pokémon injured or unable to battle.

Character developments

• Zhang Cheng demonstrates quick tactical thinking, coordinating the team, exploiting Ekans’s vulnerability after it sheds its skin, and recalling Mareep to save it from Acid.
• Mareep proves the value of its training, repeatedly paralyzing Ekans and creating openings for the others, though it panics when targeted.
• Poliwag and Pidgey show persistence despite taking heavy risks: Poliwag uses Hypnosis at close range and returns to the fight, while Pidgey capitalizes on openings with Air Slash.
• Gao Xiong and the chubby boy depend on Zhang Cheng after their Pokémon are knocked out. The boy celebrates Nidoran♂’s contribution, while Gao Xiong focuses on securing the mission objective.

Significant themes

• Teamwork and coordination: The group’s combined attacks succeed where individual efforts would not.
• Adaptability under pressure: Zhang Cheng repeatedly changes tactics in response to Ekans’s moves and condition.
• Victory at a cost: The mission is completed, but most of the team’s Pokémon are injured or incapacitated, underscoring the fight’s danger.
• Exploiting vulnerability: The trainers win by recognizing and acting on brief openings, especially Ekans’s wounds and its weakness after shedding its skin.

Character interactions

• Zhang Cheng directs the battle and praises Mareep, while the other trainers’ Pokémon create openings and support his strategy.
• Nidoran♂ continues fighting despite being paralyzed, and the chubby boy proudly credits it after the victory.
• Gao Xiong and Zhang Cheng agree to rest and leave promptly, recognizing that their remaining battle-ready Pokémon are few.

Key events

• Zhang Cheng, Gao Xiong, and the chubby young Trainer return from Milan Forest after defeating Ekans. Their Pokémon are badly hurt, so they take them to the Pokémon Center before turning in Ekans’s gallbladder.
• The mission pays 240,000 Pokémon Coins, divided evenly. Zhang Cheng leaves with 102,000 coins in total.
• Zhang declines Gao Xiong’s invitation to celebrate and parts ways with the group. The chubby Trainer guesses Zhang may be an Academy student, while Gao agrees that his skill exceeds that of self-taught Trainers.
• Back at his lodgings, Zhang rewards his Pokémon with Pokéblocks and promises to feed them daily. The next morning, he buys two Healing Sprays and resumes training.
• At the waterfall, Machop—now level 15 and newly able to use Seismic Toss—challenges Zhang’s Pokémon. Zhang lets Pidgey fight independently to develop its ability to react without commands, while Poliwag and Mareep train against wild Pokémon.
• That evening, Zhang visits the Pokémon Market to buy a Thief TM for Pidgey. A vendor offers one for 30,000 coins.

Character developments and interactions

• Zhang prioritizes Pokémon training over money-making and decides not to work again with the chubby Trainer, whose reluctance to engage in the Ekans battle disappointed him. He regards Gao as a decent partner, however.
• Gao is cautious about spending their hard-earned reward, while his companion celebrates it enthusiastically.
• Zhang’s relationship with his Pokémon is warm and encouraging: he praises their teamwork, rewards them, and sets ambitious training plans.
• Machop remains eager to battle and has grown stronger through its own training. Zhang treats it as a regular sparring partner.

Significant themes

• Growth through practice: Zhang trains his Pokémon in both guided battles and independent decision-making.
• Trust and responsibility: Trainers must prepare for danger, care for injured Pokémon, and equip themselves with essentials like Healing Spray.
• Different priorities and reliability: The mission reveals contrasting attitudes toward risk, teamwork, and money, shaping Zhang’s judgment of potential partners.

Plot points and events

• Zhang Cheng buys a Thief Technical Machine for 30,000 Pokémon Coins and teaches the move to Pidgey, with Poliwag demonstrating how to use it.
• He takes his Pokémon into the forest to train. Mareep battles wild Pokémon, repeatedly opening with Thunder Wave, and reaches level seven. It learns Thunder Shock and also gains proficiency with the egg move Charge.
• Zhang Cheng encounters the same two Poochyena he previously interrupted. Seeing that they have two Nuggets, he orders Mareep to paralyze them and Pidgey to attack. Pidgey’s clumsy attempts to use Thief fail, so the Poochyena throw their Nuggets away and escape while the Pokémon retrieve them.
• Back at the waterfall, the Pokémon rest and train. Pidgey’s Thief improves considerably, Poliwag also sharpens its Thief, and Mareep gets better with Thunder Shock.
• Zhang Cheng sells both Nuggets for 15,000 coins. After accounting for the Technical Machine purchase, he has 83,000 coins and plans to save for Thunder and Hurricane Technical Machines.

Character developments

• Zhang Cheng remains practical and profit-minded, but also organizes a varied training routine and provides recovery supplies for his Pokémon.
• Pidgey begins learning Thief, struggles to use it effectively, then improves with practice.
• Mareep grows quickly, reaches level seven, and proves especially fast at learning moves—consistent with its A-grade potential.
• Poliwag helps teach Pidgey and strengthens its own Thief through practice.
• The Poochyena are wary of Zhang Cheng and ultimately escape after surrendering their Nuggets.

Themes

• Training and gradual mastery: New moves require practice, and repeated drills lead to visible improvement.
• Resourcefulness and ambition: Zhang Cheng combines battling, training, and selling valuables to fund future upgrades.
• Humorous opportunism: Mareep’s routine use of Thunder Wave and Zhang Cheng’s eager pursuit of the Poochyena’s Nuggets give the chapter a playful tone.

Character interactions

• Zhang Cheng relies on Poliwag to teach Pidgey and later uses Poliwag as Pidgey’s practice partner.
• Mareep and Pidgey work together to stop the Poochyena, though Pidgey’s inexperienced Thief attempt gives the targets time to flee.
• Zhang Cheng supports his Pokémon’s training and recovery, while Machop continues its own practice at the waterfall.

Plot and events

• After several days of intensive training in Magnolia Forest, Zhang Cheng learns from his mentor, Bai Yuling, that he must return to school for midterms. The exams will include an interschool Pokémon tournament, with League-approved prizes for the top ten: a choice of starter Pokémon. His school will also award an Evolution Stone to its highest-performing students.
• Interested in the chance to obtain a Water-type starter for his planned Rain Team, Zhang Cheng agrees to compete.
• Before leaving the forest, he buys Fighting-type Pokéblocks for Machop, which has trained alongside his team. Machop accepts them as thanks, then spends Zhang Cheng’s final day there playing with the other Pokémon.
• Zhang Cheng and his team say goodbye to Machop and return to town. He reflects on the trip’s gains: Poliwag reaches level 14 and learns Double Slap, Pidgey reaches level 13 and learns Quick Attack, and Mareep reaches level 9. He has also earned money, acquired a Thief TM and Candlenut Berries, and saved over 80,000 Pokémon Coins.
• After a quiet night, Zhang Cheng returns to school on Saturday. He settles back into his dorm and plans to spar with Ye Tian the next day.

Character development and interactions

• Zhang Cheng shows care for his Pokémon by cleaning them, rewarding Pidgey with Pokéblocks after its bath, and tailoring food for Machop. He also values the bonds formed during training, making time for a relaxed final day rather than pushing the team to work.
• Machop has grown attached to Zhang Cheng and his Pokémon. Though initially reluctant to accept the Pokéblocks, it takes them after Zhang Cheng frames them as fair payment. Its choice to play instead of train, followed by its quiet retreat at parting, underscores its sadness at their departure.
• Zhang Cheng’s conversation with Bai Yuling reveals his competitive ambition: the tournament’s rewards immediately motivate him to return, especially because a starter could help him build his desired team.
• The Pokémon’s affectionate farewell to Machop reflects the companionship they developed through shared training.

Significant themes

• Hard work and progress: Zhang Cheng’s sustained training produces clear improvements in his team’s levels and abilities.
• Companionship and parting: The final day at the waterfall emphasizes the friendships formed between Pokémon and the sadness of leaving.
• Practical ambition: Zhang Cheng balances affection and training with goals such as earning money, acquiring useful items, and pursuing tournament rewards.

Key plot points and events

• Zhang Cheng returns from training in the wild and meets Ye Tian at the Training Ground. He describes wild Pokémon as aggressive but generally less experienced and lower-potential than trained Pokémon.
• The two compare progress: Zhang Cheng’s Poliwag is level 14 and Pidgey level 13; Ye Tian’s Butterfree is level 14 and Heracross level 11. Zhang Cheng’s newly hatched Mareep is level 9.
• They train and spar together. Poliwag gains a slight advantage over Butterfree, while Pidgey overwhelms Heracross because of its higher level, battle experience, and Flying-type advantage. Ye Tian asks to match Heracross against Mareep next time.
• Zhang Cheng plans to return to Magnolia Forest after the upcoming intercollegiate competition, hoping to raise his Pokémon to level 20 and qualify for the Beginner Trainer assessment and Pokémon Academy entrance exam.
• Back at school, Zhang Cheng attends class and chats by phone with teacher Bai Yuling, who encourages him to do well in the competition and warns him not to underestimate the other schools.

Character development and interactions

• Zhang Cheng has returned from wilderness training stronger and remains disciplined, quickly readjusting to school life. He is focused on long-term advancement but is especially motivated by the competition’s prizes.
• Ye Tian is enthusiastic about training and has made solid progress with Heracross, though the loss to Pidgey shows the limits of its current strength. He also shows a more balanced attitude, stopping practice when their Pokémon are tired.
• Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian share friendly rivalry and mutual support, training together and arranging more suitable matchups.
• Bai Yuling maintains a warm, informal relationship with Zhang Cheng, exchanging messages about his return, his wilderness experiences, and the competition.

Significant themes

• Steady training and growth: The chapter highlights the Pokémon’s different starting points and the effort required to improve.
• Balance and discipline: Training matters, but rest and routine are also necessary.
• Preparation and humility: The coming competition offers a challenge, and even a strong contender must take opponents seriously.
• Friendship through rivalry: Sparring pushes both trainers forward while strengthening their camaraderie.

Key events

• While training late at night, Zhang Cheng asks Ye Tian about the other schools in Jiangcheng. Ye Tian says No. 2 High and Experimental High are their main rivals, while Scholar Academy usually places last.
• Their chief threat is Jiang Tao of Experimental High, the mayor’s son, who has obtained an Axew. Zhang Cheng judges it less dangerous in its current stage than some other Dragon-type Pokémon, though Ye Tian still envies Jiang Tao’s rare partner.
• Bai Yuling reviews the Intercollegiate League format: four schools will send twenty competitors each; after elimination rounds, the final ten compete in a points-based round robin. The top ten receive Pokémon League sponsorship for a starter Pokémon, and strong results can earn Evolution Stones from the principal.
• The school’s selection follows the next day’s theory midterm. Competitors will be chosen over the following two days, and the League begins Saturday.
• Ye Tian skips their usual sparring to study for the exam. Zhang Cheng, confident he already knows the material, bathes and massages his Pokémon, then plays games with Bai Yuling late into the night.

Character developments and interactions

• Zhang Cheng shows strategic interest in the competition and assesses Jiang Tao’s Axew calmly, but remains unconcerned about the theory exam.
• Ye Tian’s enthusiasm for gossip makes him a useful source of information; his envy of Jiang Tao’s Axew is met with Zhang Cheng’s teasing. He also shows a responsible side by choosing to study.
• Bai Yuling guides the class through the rules and later invites Zhang Cheng to play games, revealing a relaxed, friendly rapport between them.
• Zhang Cheng continues caring attentively for his Pokémon, cleaning and massaging them before the competition.

Significant themes

• Preparation and competition: Training, scouting rivals, exams, and team selection all build toward the League.
• Talent and privilege: Jiang Tao’s access to a rare Dragon-type Pokémon highlights how wealth and connections can shape a competitor’s prospects.
• Different approaches to preparation: Ye Tian studies, while Zhang Cheng relies on his confidence in the material and focuses on rest and Pokémon care.

Plot points and events

• Zhang Cheng completes the Pokémon theory exam quickly and accurately. Proctor Liu Feng checks his paper, is impressed, and believes Zhang has strong prospects.
• After the exam, Zhang and his friend Ye Tian head to the cafeteria. They expect the assessment to focus more on battles than theory and encourage each other to aim for the top ten to earn starter Pokémon.
• They discuss their preferred starters: Zhang wants Mudkip to help cover his team’s weakness to Electric-types, while Ye Tian hopes for Litten. Zhang points out that Incineroar is rare in their region, disappointing Ye Tian.
• The two spend the afternoon training. Ye Tian insists Zhang not use Pidgey again, so Zhang sends out level-9 Mareep to face Ye Tian’s level-11 Heracross.
• Heracross opens with Horn Attack, but Mareep’s Thunder Wave paralyzes it and lets Mareep evade. Heracross’s attempted Arm Thrust then fails because of paralysis. Zhang has Mareep use Charge, and the battle continues as Heracross prepares another Horn Attack and Mareep readies Thunder Shock.

Character developments and interactions

• Zhang Cheng shows strong theoretical knowledge and composure, finishing early without appearing concerned. In battle, he favors strategy and uses paralysis to offset Mareep’s level disadvantage.
• Ye Tian feels relieved after the exam and is confident about making the top ten, but his enthusiasm for a rare Litten reveals that his ambitions may outrun what is realistically available.
• Liu Feng moves from puzzlement at Zhang’s apparent idleness to admiration after seeing how well he has done.
• Zhang and Ye Tian exchange friendly teasing and encouragement, then face off in a spirited training battle.

Significant themes

• Practical skill versus book knowledge: The school appears to prioritize actual battles, though Zhang excels at both theory and tactics.
• Preparation and ambition: The friends train hard and set their sights on the starter Pokémon reward.
• Strategy over brute strength: Mareep uses Thunder Wave and Charge to challenge a stronger opponent.
• Friendship and rivalry: Zhang and Ye Tian support one another while enjoying competitive banter and sparring.

Chapter Summary: “A Sparring Match Before the Exam”

Key plot points and events

• Heracross recovers enough from paralysis to land a powerful Horn Attack on Mareep, then interrupts Mareep’s Thunder Shock with a five-hit Arm Thrust. Mareep is knocked out, giving Ye Tian the victory in their first match.
• The trainers encourage their defeated Pokémon and discuss battle strategy. Ye Tian notes Heracross’s vulnerability to Flying types and considers using it against Steel types, while Zhang Cheng points out that a wider roster offers more options as competitors learn one another’s Pokémon.
• The pair begin a second match: Ye Tian’s level-14 Butterfree against Zhang Cheng’s Poliwag. Zhang Cheng attacks early with Bubble Beam, but Butterfree avoids some of it and counters with Gust.
• Poliwag uses Mind Reader to improve Hypnosis’s accuracy. Butterfree appears to fall asleep, but she had already hidden Sleep Powder in her Gust, catching Poliwag too. Both Pokémon fall asleep.
• After roughly two minutes, both trainers call to their Pokémon. Butterfree wakes first, and Ye Tian orders her to close in with Bug Bite.

Character development and interactions

• Zhang Cheng reassures Mareep after its loss, reminding it that evolution could help it overcome Heracross’s strength. Mareep accepts the defeat affectionately, easing his concern.
• Ye Tian praises Heracross and thoughtfully assesses its strengths and weaknesses, showing a strategic approach to the upcoming competition.
• Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian support each other’s preparation, discussing opponents, type matchups, and the value of having multiple Pokémon.
• The second battle highlights both trainers’ tactical instincts: Zhang Cheng tries to prevent Butterfree from using status powders, while Ye Tian uses a concealed Sleep Powder to counter Poliwag’s planned Hypnosis.

Significant themes

• Resilience and encouragement: Trainers help their Pokémon recover emotionally from setbacks as well as physically.
• Preparation and adaptability: Knowledge of opponents, type matchups, and team depth are presented as crucial to competition.
• Strategy and deception: The Butterfree–Poliwag match turns on anticipating moves and disguising an attack within another.
• Uncertainty in battle: Even a carefully planned tactic can lead to an unexpected stalemate, leaving victory to chance and timing.

Plot and events

• Zhang Cheng’s Poliwag and Ye Tian’s Butterfree continue their battle. Poliwag dodges Butterfree’s opening Bug Bite and lands Bubble Beam, while Butterfree’s Confusion knocks Poliwag back.
• Ye Tian tries again to combine Sleep Powder and Gust, but Zhang Cheng anticipates the tactic and retreats Poliwag out of range. The Pokémon then trade close-range attacks, taking heavy damage.
• As Butterfree falls, Zhang Cheng predicts its trajectory and has Poliwag use Hypnosis. Butterfree falls asleep, and a Bubble Beam knocks it out.
• After reviewing the fight, the two return to their dorms. The next morning, Class One begins selecting its tournament representatives. Nine places are available: higher-ranked students from the previous friendly tournament receive priority, while the remaining students compete in eliminations. The three survivors each get one chance to challenge a selected student and take their place.
• Zhang Cheng observes the battles and notices that Wu Yueyue’s level-13 Eevee has evolved into Sylveon. After being eliminated early in the previous tournament, she must now win an elimination match and then successfully challenge a selected student to qualify.

Character developments and interactions

• Zhang Cheng demonstrates strong tactical awareness, using Poliwag’s Mind Reader-and-Hypnosis combination and accurately predicting Butterfree’s fall.
• Ye Tian admits that Zhang Cheng’s strategy is difficult to counter. He realizes he forgot Butterfree’s Protect because he had neglected to practice it; Zhang Cheng advises him to improve the move’s proficiency. Ye Tian accepts the criticism and resolves to prepare better.
• Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian show mutual respect through their battle review, while Wu Yueyue faces a tougher route to qualification than the provisionally selected students.

Significant themes

• Preparation and adaptability: Zhang Cheng counters a repeated tactic, while Ye Tian’s forgotten Protect reveals the cost of insufficient practice.
• Strategy over force alone: Timing and prediction allow Poliwag to turn the battle in its favor.
• Merit and opportunity: The selection process rewards prior performance but gives other students a path to qualify through battles and challenges.

Plot points

• Sylveon’s evolution gives it a major advantage over the other students’ Pokémon. Wu Yueyue wins her first battle against a Staryu and advances through the next round into the top three challengers.
• The three finalists choose the weakest-looking students among the nine selected competitors. Wu Yueyue picks Wang He, whose level-12 Teddiursa has useful moves and solid battle experience.
• Sylveon takes early damage from Teddiursa’s Metal Claw, but its Cute Charm ability infatuates Teddiursa and disrupts his attacks. Teddiursa’s Quick Feet ability also activates after he is affected by a status condition, making him faster.
• Wu Yueyue uses Fairy Wind to push Teddiursa back, then gives Sylveon time to recover with Wish. Teddiursa eventually overcomes the distraction, endures another Fairy Wind, and lands a powerful Mighty Claw that sends Sylveon flying. The fight remains unresolved at the chapter’s end.

Character developments and interactions

• Wu Yueyue shows confidence and decisiveness, opening with an attack rather than wasting time talking. She uses Sylveon’s abilities and recovery strategically.
• Wang He demonstrates Pokémon knowledge by choosing Metal Claw, a strong counter to Sylveon’s Fairy type. He also tries to manage Teddiursa’s anger and keep him focused.
• Teddiursa is powerful and quick, but Cute Charm repeatedly distracts him, frustrating Wang He and interrupting his attacks.
• Zhang Cheng watches the selection process without feeling threatened, expecting the challengers to avoid him and judging Wu Yueyue as the only likely qualifier.

Themes

• Strategy can matter as much as strength: Type matchups, abilities, status effects, and timing shape the battle.
• Trainer–Pokémon coordination: Wang He’s commands help Teddiursa recover focus, while Wu Yueyue uses Sylveon’s strengths effectively.
• A lead can be fragile: Teddiursa’s early damage gives him an advantage, but Sylveon’s Wish restores its stamina and keeps the contest open.

• Class competition concluded: Wu Yueyue’s Sylveon defeated Wang He’s worn-down Teddiursa with Disarming Voice. Yueyue thanked class representative Zhang Cheng for his earlier advice; he modestly credited her success to her and Sylveon. The other two challengers also lost, finalizing the class roster. Wang He was disappointed but resolved to treat the loss as a step toward improvement.
• A break before the competition: Their instructor, Bai Yuling, dismissed the students for the next day so they could rest and prepare. Zhang Cheng met his friend Ye Tian, who complained that his class had endured a long elimination tournament. They agreed to rest that evening and resume training the next day. Zhang Cheng fed his Pokémon, skipped their usual massages, and relaxed.
• Evolution Stone news: Zhang Cheng read that a Fighting-type Elite Four member had found a special Evolution Stone in a secret realm. Researchers believed it could enable an evolution beyond ordinary genetic evolution, and the League urged people to submit stones for study. Zhang Cheng recognized the discovery as the first step toward Mega Evolution and felt relieved that the world was uncovering it without relying on him. He doubted people would willingly surrender such a valuable find, while online comments joked about evolving Pokémon into legendary creatures.
• Zhang Cheng and Bai Yuling: Bai Yuling messaged to ask whether he was nervous about the competition, then discussed the Evolution Stone report. Though Zhang Cheng played down his knowledge, she said the report seemed credible and that powerful Trainers were already searching secret realms. She warned him to be cautious if he went training outside school, as those areas could become more dangerous. She then invited him to play games, and he agreed.
  Character developments and themes: Yueyue’s confidence and gratitude are reinforced by her victory, while Wang He responds to defeat with resilience. Zhang Cheng remains composed and discreet about his special knowledge. The chapter emphasizes perseverance, modesty, friendship, and the tension between scientific discovery and the personal value of rare Pokémon-related discoveries.

Key plot points and events

• The day before the tournament, Zhang Cheng arrives late for training after sleeping in. He and Ye Tian train their Pokémon through the afternoon, and Pidgey and Heracross each gain a level. Poliwag is also close to leveling up.
• Zhang Cheng prepares his Pokémon carefully that evening, feeding and massaging them before resting for the competition.
• The next morning, competitors from four schools gather at Jiangcheng No. 1 High School for the annual Intercollegiate League. After speeches and introductions, the tournament is declared open.
• Eighty competitors draw numbers for the first two knockout rounds. Zhang Cheng draws number nine and will face number ten, a Trainer from Scholar Academy. Ye Tian draws number one and faces Wang Kai from No. 2 High School in the opening match.
• Wang Kai sends out his Snorunt. Ye Tian responds with Heracross, giving himself a type advantage. The chapter ends as Wang Kai realizes his opening matchup is unfavorable.

Character developments and interactions

• Zhang Cheng is somewhat relaxed and prone to oversleeping, but becomes attentive as the tournament approaches. He shows care for his Pokémon by ensuring they are rested and well looked after.
• Ye Tian is focused and diligent, arriving early to train and treating even last-minute practice seriously.
• Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian continue their friendly training partnership and exchange a few words at the tournament.
• Hao Chenggong acknowledges Zhang Cheng, while Ye Lang pointedly avoids him.
• Ye Tian shows tactical awareness by selecting Heracross specifically to counter Snorunt; Wang Kai is caught off guard by the disadvantage.

Significant themes

• Preparation and care: Training, rest, and Pokémon care are presented as important parts of competing.
• Strategy and matchups: Having multiple Pokémon lets a Trainer choose a suitable counter, as Ye Tian does against Snorunt.
• Competition and uncertainty: The random draw creates immediate stakes, with victory advancing competitors and defeat eliminating them.

Plot points and events

• Ye Tian’s Heracross faces Wang Kai’s Snorunt in the first-round battle. Snorunt opens with the fast-priority Ice Shard, but Heracross pushes through it and lands a four-hit Arm Thrust, badly injuring Snorunt.
• Wang Kai uses Avalanche, which grows stronger after Snorunt has taken a hit. Heracross is buried under the resulting ice and snow, and Wang Kai assumes he has secured the win.
• Snorunt follows up with Frost Breath, but Heracross survives because he had used Endure when Avalanche struck. Heracross retaliates with the stored power of his Endure, knocking Snorunt out and winning the match.
• Ye Tian returns to the preparation area, where Zhang Cheng praises his quick reaction and hidden strategy. The two watch other battles until Zhang Cheng is called to compete.
• Zhang Cheng’s opponent, Qian Wan of Scholar Academy, expects to lose. Qian Wan sends out Seedot to avoid a type disadvantage against Zhang Cheng’s powerful Poliwag; Zhang Cheng counters by choosing Pidgey, leaving Qian Wan feeling even more outmatched.

Character developments and interactions

• Ye Tian shows tactical preparation by secretly teaching Heracross Endure, turning an apparently losing position into a win. Afterward, he boasts to Zhang Cheng about having more tricks, while Zhang responds with amused skepticism.
• Wang Kai starts confidently after Avalanche traps Heracross, but his premature celebration gives way to disbelief when Heracross survives and wins.
• Zhang Cheng is supportive of Ye Tian and observant of the battle, then approaches his own match with a type-advantaged choice.
• Qian Wan is discouraged by his reputation for being the weakest school’s opponent, but still enters the battle rather than surrendering.

Significant themes

• Preparation and hidden tactics: Heracross’s Endure is decisive because Ye Tian planned ahead.
• Composure and timing: Wang Kai’s confidence turns to panic and then shock; Ye Tian waits for the right moment to counter.
• Humility versus premature confidence: Wang Kai celebrates too early, while Ye Tian’s victory reinforces the value of staying alert.
• Reputation and expectation: Qian Wan’s belief that Zhang Cheng is unbeatable shapes his outlook even before their battle begins.

Plot points and events

• In the morning’s first-round match, Zhang Cheng defeats Qian Wan’s Seedot. Seedot’s Razor Wind is interrupted by Pidgey’s Air Slash, and Steel Wing overpowers her Energy Ball. Qian Wan concedes to avoid further injury.
• Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian both advance. They eat lunch early, then learn that the forty qualifiers include fifteen Trainers each from Jiangcheng No. 1 High School and Experimental High School, seven from No. 2 High School, and three from Scholar Academy.
• In the afternoon, the second knockout round begins. Zhang Cheng draws number four. After a strong Jiangcheng No. 1 Trainer defeats a Scholar Academy opponent, Zhang faces Scholar Academy’s Gao Le.
• Zhang uses Poliwag against Gao’s level-twelve Houndour. Water Sport weakens Houndour’s Fire-type Ember, while Poliwag’s Bubble Beam knocks Houndour out. Zhang advances to the third knockout round the next morning.

Character developments and interactions

• Qian Wan shows sound judgment by surrendering once Seedot is badly hurt, accepting that continuing would only worsen her injuries.
• Zhang comes across as confident and practical: he quickly exploits the matchup against Houndour and chooses a defensive setup before attacking.
• Gao Le recognizes the gap between his strength and Zhang’s, but sets aside his doubts and battles with Houndour anyway.
• Zhang and Ye Tian share the day’s tournament experience, watching matches and planning around the crowded cafeteria.

Significant themes

• Knowing when to stop: Qian Wan’s concession emphasizes responsibility for a Pokémon’s welfare over stubbornness.
• Preparation and tactical advantage: Zhang wins through type matchups and effective move choices, not merely raw force.
• Uneven competition: The qualifier results and Zhang’s easy second-round victory highlight the gap between the leading schools and Scholar Academy.

Key plot points and events

• Zhang Cheng defeats Gao Le decisively, winning with a clear type and level advantage. Gao Le is badly shaken and leaves the battlefield in a hurry.
• Zhang Cheng returns to the rest area, where Ye Tian praises his victory. Zhang Cheng reminds Ye Tian to focus on his own upcoming match.
• Zhang Cheng watches Jiang Tao, a favored Trainer from Experimental High School, win easily with his Axew.
• Ye Tian then faces Li Hang of Experimental High School, whose high-potential, Level 13 Piplup knows powerful moves, including Waterfall and Icy Wind.
• Li Hang’s Icy Wind is blocked by Butterfree’s Protect. Ye Tian then uses a concealed Sleep Powder carried by Gust to put Piplup to sleep, followed by Air Slash to wake it and Stun Spore spread through another Gust.
• Paralyzed and unable to use Icy Wind, Piplup is overwhelmed by Butterfree’s Bug Bite and knocked out. Ye Tian advances to the third round.
• Li Hang accuses Ye Tian of cheating, but the referee dismisses the complaint and warns him to stop disrupting the tournament.

Character developments and interactions

• Zhang Cheng remains composed after victory, acknowledging his advantages without boasting. He encourages Ye Tian and observes the other competitors.
• Ye Tian shows confidence and tactical ingenuity, using Butterfree’s moves in combination rather than relying on brute force. He also taunts Li Hang before and after the win.
• Gao Le is left shaken by his decisive loss.
• Li Hang begins the match boastfully, but becomes frustrated as Ye Tian’s tactics turn the fight against him. Unable to accept defeat, he makes an unfounded cheating accusation.
• The referee stays impartial and firmly maintains order.

Significant themes

• Strategy over appearances: Ye Tian wins by coordinating Butterfree’s moves and exploiting openings, despite facing a strong opponent.
• Sportsmanship and humility: Zhang Cheng accepts his win matter-of-factly, while Li Hang’s arrogance gives way to a refusal to accept defeat.
• Competition and resilience: The tournament continues to test Trainers’ skill and confidence, with victories and losses affecting them in different ways.

Plot points and events

• After the previous day’s matches, Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian have lunch, discussing how Ye Tian’s Sleep Powder and Stun Spore overwhelmed an opponent. They return to their dorms to rest.
• Zhang Cheng praises his Pokémon and gives them Pokéblocks. Mareep is puzzled to hear about upcoming matches, since it is still too young to compete; Zhang Cheng reassures it that it can battle once it has grown stronger.
• The next morning, the league’s third and final elimination round begins. Twenty Trainers compete for ten places in the finals, where they will play a round robin; qualifying also means receiving a starter Pokémon.
• The draw keeps Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian from facing each other. Zhang Cheng will battle a Trainer from Experimental High School, while Ye Tian faces Zhang Xue, Scholar Academy’s last remaining contestant and its strongest senior Trainer.
• Ye Tian’s Butterfree battles Zhang Xue’s level-13 Squirtle. Squirtle’s Rock Tomb poses a serious threat to the Flying-type Butterfree. After Brine is blocked by Protect, Butterfree uses Confusion to slam Squirtle out of its Withdraw stance. Squirtle retaliates with Aqua Jet, injuring Butterfree.
• Zhang Xue anticipates Ye Tian’s familiar tactic of mixing Sleep Powder into Gust. Ye Tian uses an ordinary Gust instead, but then repeats the move, making Zhang Xue hesitate and retreat. As she realizes she was bluffed, she orders Squirtle to use Rock Tomb. The match remains unresolved at the chapter’s end.

Character developments and interactions

• Zhang Cheng remains encouraging and attentive to his team, including the much younger Mareep, while sharing friendly banter with Ye Tian.
• Ye Tian is confident and tactical: he recognizes that his surprise powder strategy is now known and uses a feint to make Zhang Xue cautious.
• Zhang Xue shows preparation, composure, and concern for Squirtle, while adapting to Ye Tian’s tactics. Her frustration at being fooled briefly gives way to an aggressive counter.
• Butterfree and Squirtle show persistence, continuing to battle despite taking hits.

Significant themes

• Preparation and adaptation: Ye Tian’s once-surprising tactic becomes less effective once opponents know it, so he changes his approach.
• Competition and ambition: The Trainers are motivated by a place in the finals and the promised starter Pokémon.
• Care and growth: Zhang Cheng’s reassurance to Mareep highlights patience and the idea that readiness comes with time.
• Deception and anticipation: Ye Tian exploits Zhang Xue’s expectations, but her Rock Tomb threatens to shift the advantage.

Chapter summary

• Ye Tian defeats Zhang Xue in the tournament semifinal. Zhang Xue’s Squirtle surprises the crowd by using Rock Tomb, which badly injures Butterfree. But Butterfree’s earlier Sleep Powder takes effect just as Squirtle prepares Brine. Ye Tian capitalizes with Air Slash and Confusion, knocking Squirtle out and advancing to the final.
• Zhang Xue admits she was careless about Sleep Powder, recalls Squirtle, and praises its effort. Ye Tian celebrates securing a starter Pokémon and hopes to collect it from the Pokémon Day Care after the tournament.
• Zhang Cheng’s next match begins against Yan Qing, a disdainful Trainer from Experimental High School. Yan Qing’s level-14 Psyduck has a broad range of moves, while Zhang Cheng battles with Poliwag.
• Psyduck’s Psybeam is followed by Poliwag’s five-hit Double Slap, which leaves Psyduck dazed. Psyduck responds with Mud Bomb, but Poliwag’s Bubble Beam cancels it out.
• Psyduck uses Calm Mind to boost its Special Attack and Special Defense. Zhang Cheng has Poliwag use Mind Reader, then Hypnosis; the attack lands reliably and puts Psyduck to sleep. Poliwag’s next Double Slap wakes Psyduck, who charges in angrily with Fury Swipes. Zhang Cheng calmly orders Water Gun to stop the reckless attack; the outcome is not shown in this chapter.

Character developments and interactions

• Ye Tian demonstrates tactical awareness, exploiting Sleep Powder and ending the match decisively. He shares his excitement with Zhang Cheng, who praises his strategy.
• Zhang Xue recognizes her mistake and responds graciously, commending Squirtle before leaving the field.
• Zhang Cheng appears composed and strategic, countering Psyduck’s boosts with Mind Reader and Hypnosis, then choosing a direct response to Psyduck’s angry charge.
• Yan Qing begins the match arrogantly and becomes increasingly furious as Poliwag repeatedly lands Double Slap. Psyduck’s anger mirrors its Trainer’s frustration.

Significant themes

• Strategy over strength: Status moves and careful timing—especially Sleep Powder, Mind Reader, and Hypnosis—shape both battles.
• Composure versus recklessness: Ye Tian and Zhang Cheng exploit openings, while Yan Qing’s anger prompts Psyduck to charge without caution.
• Learning from defeat and supporting partners: Zhang Xue accepts responsibility while encouraging Squirtle, and Ye Tian and Zhang Cheng share friendly camaraderie between matches.

Key plot points and events

• Zhang Cheng defeats Yan Qing after Psyduck fails to dodge Poliwag’s Double Slap and is knocked out. Poliwag reaches level 15 and learns Rain Dance, while Zhang advances to the finals and secures a Starter Pokémon slot.
• Zhang reunites with Ye Tian in the waiting area. Both decide the remaining matches are not worth watching, since they have already secured their slots, and go to lunch.
• That afternoon, they train their Pokémon’s moves rather than sparring. Poliwag successfully produces a small patch of light rain with its new move.
• Zhang and Ye train until evening, reward their Pokémon with food, then return to their dorms. Zhang messages his absent sister, Bai Yuling, who congratulates him and says she will be back in a couple of days.
• The chapter reveals that Bai is near Magnolia Forest, seeking a Pokémon Egg she expects to obtain the next day.

Character developments and interactions

• Zhang remains composed in battle and dismisses Yan Qing’s arrogance as familiar. Winning relieves the pressure he had felt about qualifying.
• Yan Qing leaves quickly after his defeat, embarrassed by the result and the spectators’ teasing.
• Ye Tian celebrates Zhang’s victory, and the two share a practical attitude: they value the competition chiefly for the experience and rewards it provides.
• Zhang praises Poliwag’s first attempt at Rain Dance, strengthening their supportive Trainer–Pokémon bond.
• Zhang and Bai exchange affectionate messages. He is curious about her absence but chooses not to press when she gives only a brief explanation.

Significant themes

• Confidence versus arrogance: Yan Qing’s boastful confidence collapses when his strategy fails.
• Practical ambition and growth: Zhang and Ye prioritize qualification, Pokémon development, and useful battle experience over rankings.
• Training and partnership: Patient practice and encouragement help Poliwag develop a valuable new ability.
• Family affection and mystery: Zhang and Bai’s warm exchange shows their closeness, while Bai’s secretive forest mission hints at events beyond the competition.