Recaps

Zheng Hao led Zhang Cheng and Yuwen Tian to a cave where an Evolution Crystal was guarded by Aggron. Aggron pretended to sleep, knocked out Honchkrow with Rock Tomb, and left Zhang Cheng facing a tougher battle than expected.

• Zheng Hao guided Zhang Cheng and Yuwen Tian upstream along the Jade River and through a forest to the hidden cave.
• The three found Aggron asleep on a rock with the Evolution Crystal in a hollow above him, and Yuwen Tian sent Honchkrow to retrieve it.
• Zhang Cheng noticed Aggron stir and warned Yuwen Tian, but Aggron struck Honchkrow with Rock Tomb before Yuwen Tian could recall him.
• Zhang Cheng used the Detection System and discovered that Aggron was level 51, had B-grade potential, and was stronger than the reports suggested.

Zheng Hao's Pokémon attacked Aggron, dealing substantial damage before Aggron struck back and defeated Golem. Aggron was left with nearly half its HP, and Zheng Hao expected Zhang Cheng's and Yuwen Tian's Pokémon to finish the fight.

• Zheng Hao ordered Muk, Slowbro, and Golem to attack Aggron with Mud-Slap, Water Pulse, and Bulldoze.
• Muk, Slowbro, and Golem hit Aggron in succession, reducing its HP by nearly half.
• Aggron retaliated with Iron Tail and nearly knocked out Golem, but Sturdy let Golem survive with a sliver of HP.
• Zheng Hao ordered Golem to use Bulldoze again, but Aggron struck it with Rock Slide before it could attack.
• Zheng Hao recalled Golem after it fainted, leaving Aggron damaged and the battle ongoing.

Zhang Cheng, Zheng Hao, and Yuwen Tian joined forces to attack Aggron, exploiting its weak Special Defense with super-effective moves. After Aggron defeated Pidgeot and Kingler, Poliwrath struck it with a fourfold-effective Dynamic Punch, knocking it out.

• Zhang Cheng had Pidgeot, Poliwrath, and Swampert attack Aggron, which endured Pidgeot’s Brave Bird and knocked it down with Iron Tail.
• Zhang Cheng recalled the badly injured Pidgeot as Poliwrath’s Water Pulse and Swampert’s Mud Bomb heavily wounded Aggron.
• Yuwen Tian ordered Kingler and Typhlosion to use Bubble Beam and Ember, and Aggron retaliated by knocking Kingler unconscious with Iron Tail.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to use Dynamic Punch, which sent Aggron crashing into the cave wall and left it unable to battle.

Zhang Cheng, Zheng Hao, and Yuwen Tian defeated Aggron and retrieved three Evolution Crystals from its cave. As they left, two members of the R Organization ambushed them and demanded the crystals, forcing the group to prepare for a fight.

• Yuwen Tian ordered Typhlosion to attack Aggron with Ember until the group confirmed it could no longer battle.
• Zheng Hao sent Muk to retrieve the three Evolution Crystals, and the men each took one.
• Zhang Cheng used Poliwrath's Protect to block an Acid Spray as the group emerged from the cave.
• Xue Nong and Tan Zhen revealed their R Organization badges and demanded that the men hand over the Evolution Crystals.
• Zheng Hao identified the attackers as members of an evil organization and urged Zhang Cheng and Yuwen Tian to fight back.

Zhang Cheng, Zheng Hao, and Yuwen Tian prepared to battle Xue Nong and Tan Zhen, identifying Skuntank as the most dangerous opponent and planning to take him down first. The fight began with Skuntank targeting Typhlosion with Toxic, but Muk intercepted the attack.

• Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to inspect Xue Nong's Skuntank and Tan Zhen's Scolipede, then urged his companions to focus on Skuntank.
• Zheng Hao offered Muk as a shield against Toxic, while Yuwen Tian positioned his remaining Typhlosion to attack from behind.
• Xue Nong and Tan Zhen rejected negotiation and ordered their Pokémon to attack.
• Xue Nong commanded Skuntank to use Toxic on Typhlosion, aiming to remove Yuwen Tian's Fire-type advantage against Scolipede.
• Zheng Hao sent Muk in front of Typhlosion, and Muk blocked the Toxic without being poisoned.

Zhang Cheng’s group defeated Xue Nong’s Skuntank, but Yuwen Tian’s Typhlosion was knocked out by its Explosion. Zheng Hao then faced the two R Organization members with four Pokémon still able to fight and urged them to retreat.

• Yuwen Tian ordered Typhlosion to attack Skuntank, while Tan Zhen sent Scolipede against Muk.
• Zhang Cheng and Zheng Hao coordinated attacks that badly injured Skuntank and left it confused.
• Zhang Cheng warned the others to recall their Pokémon, but Xue Nong ordered Skuntank to use Explosion.
• Zhang Cheng, Zheng Hao, and Tan Zhen recalled their Pokémon, while Typhlosion took the blast and was knocked out.
• Zhang Cheng and Zheng Hao sent their Pokémon back into battle, and Zheng Hao told Xue Nong and Tan Zhen to retreat.

Xue Nong revealed that he still had a battle-ready Drapion, and Zhang Cheng and Zheng Hao recognized that the injured Pokémon remained a dangerous threat. The battle intensified as both sides targeted key opponents, leaving Swampert defending against a coordinated strike while Poliwrath rushed Drapion.

• Xue Nong sent out his injured Level 43 Drapion after rejecting Zheng Hao's demand to surrender.
• Zhang Cheng checked Drapion's stats and realized that, despite its reduced stamina, it was stronger than any other Pokémon present.
• Zheng Hao ordered Muk to attack Drapion with Gunk Shot and Slowbro to use Thunder Wave to paralyze it.
• Xue Nong and Tan Zhen coordinated Drapion's Dark Pulse and Scolipede's X-Scissor against Swampert.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Swampert to use Protect and sent Poliwrath charging at Drapion with Submission.

Zhang Cheng and Zheng Hao coordinated their Pokémon to overwhelm Tan Zhen and Xue Nong’s Drapion and Scolipede. With both opposing Pokémon badly injured, Tan Zhen called for them to retreat and abandon the Evolution Crystal.

• Muk, Slowbro, and Poliwrath damaged Drapion, while Slowbro’s Thunder Wave paralyzed it; Drapion and Scolipede broke through Swampert’s Protect and wounded Swampert with Dark Pulse.
• Zhang Cheng and Zheng Hao ordered all four Pokémon to focus their attacks on Drapion, while Tan Zhen sent Scolipede to protect it.
• Scolipede’s Protect shattered under Muk’s Gunk Shot, and Scolipede shielded Drapion from the following attacks; Water Pulse and Dynamic Punch left Scolipede badly injured and confused.
• Swampert struck the slowed Drapion with Mud Bomb, reducing it to about a fifth of its HP.
• Tan Zhen told Xue Nong to retreat and give up on obtaining the Evolution Crystal.

Zhang Cheng and his companions defeated and captured two R Organization members, then returned to Jade Town and parted ways after their Pokémon recovered. Zhang Cheng continued training near Jade Lake for three days before sleeping in on the morning he planned to return to Jiangcheng City.

• Zheng Hao and Zhang Cheng's Pokémon defeated Drapion and Scolipede, leaving Tan Zhen and Xue Nong without Pokémon to fight.
• Poliwrath caught Tan Zhen and Xue Nong as they fled, and the companions handed them over to the League Security Team in Jade Town.
• After their Pokémon recovered, Zhang Cheng, Yuwen Tian, and Zheng Hao shared a meal and said goodbye.
• Zhang Cheng reflected on the dangers of wilderness training, cared for his Pokémon, and planned to train near the Jade River the next day.
• For the next three days, Zhang Cheng and his Pokémon battled wild Pokémon near Jade Lake and grew stronger.
• On the morning he planned to return to Jiangcheng City, Zhang Cheng turned off his alarm and went back to sleep.

Zhang Cheng returned home to Jiangcheng City, then took two Evolution Crystals to the League Center to have them modified for Pidgeot and Swampert. After paying the fee, he waited while the stones were processed.

• Zhang Cheng returned home, ate dinner with his mother, and rested after walking his Pokémon.
• The next morning, Zhang Cheng flew Pidgeot to the League Center and asked to have his Evolution Crystals modified.
• Li Jian explained the processing fee, species restrictions, and an approximately eighty-five percent success rate.
• Zhang Cheng decided to modify two crystals for Pidgeot and Swampert, keeping his other two hidden to avoid drawing attention.
• Zhang Cheng paid six hundred thousand Pokémon Coins and handed the crystals to Professor Wang for processing.
• Zhang Cheng stayed at the League Center and waited for the four-hour modification process to finish.

Zhang Cheng traveled from Jiangcheng City to Modu and registered at Modu University, where he settled into his dorm and explored the city. During the university’s registration period, he trained his Pokémon and planned to buy move discs for Diancie.

• Li Jian gave Zhang Cheng the modified Mega Evolution stones, and Zhang Cheng finished his preparations for the trip to Modu.
• Zhang Cheng flew to Modu, took a taxi to Modu University, registered, and was assigned to Class 5 and a private dorm room.
• Zhang Cheng bought supplies, explored Modu, and ate at a Pokémon restaurant before returning to his dorm to feed his Pokémon.
• Zhang Cheng told Bai Yuling that he had registered, and the two chatted and battled in games until early morning.
• Zhang Cheng trained his Pokémon at the training grounds and decided to buy suitable move discs for Diancie.

Zhang Cheng trained Diancie, began his university classes, and learned about the upcoming Freshman Competition and its prizes. He collected his enrollment award and kept training, but Diancie remained too low-level to compete.

• Zhang Cheng bought Rock Slide, Rock Tomb, and Calm Mind Technical Machines for Diancie, which learned all three moves in one day.
• Swampert and Ampharos reached level 42 as Zhang Cheng continued training his Pokémon.
• Zhang Cheng's adviser announced a three-on-three knockout Freshman Competition, with ten million Pokémon Coins for the champion.
• Zhang Cheng collected his two-million-coin enrollment award and a refund of his 500,000-coin tuition payment.
• Zhang Cheng trained Diancie until it could use its new moves proficiently, but its level was still too low for the tournament.

Zhang Cheng entered the Freshman Competition, won his first three matches with little difficulty, and advanced to the fourth round. With only 200 contestants remaining, he waited at the venue for his next match, wary that his opponent would be stronger.

• Head Referee Yang Lin explained that the 1,600 contestants would compete in three-on-three single-elimination matches, with the top ten receiving rewards.
• Zhang Cheng compared the draw with the freshmen's exam results and concluded that stronger students were generally matched against weaker ones in the early rounds.
• Zhang Cheng defeated a weak first-round opponent and advanced, then won two more one-sided matches over the next two days.
• After three rounds, Zhang Cheng joined the roughly 200 contestants still in the competition.
• Zhang Cheng arrived early for the fourth-round matches and browsed Pokémon information while waiting for his 10 a.m. match.

Zhang Cheng faced Zhu Han in a tournament battle, and Poliwrath gained the upper hand over Zhu Han's Breloom by putting it to sleep. Zhu Han switched to Dewgong, while Zhang Cheng suspected Zhu Han was saving a Fire-type starter for later.

• Zhu Han recognized Zhang Cheng's strength but resolved to fight seriously, then sent out Breloom against Zhang Cheng's Poliwrath.
• Zhu Han ordered Breloom to attack with Energy Ball, but Poliwrath blocked it with Protect.
• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath use Mind Reader and Hypnosis; Breloom landed Bullet Seed but then fell asleep.
• Zhang Cheng boosted Poliwrath's Attack and Defense with Bulk Up, prompting Zhu Han to recall Breloom and send out Dewgong.
• Zhang Cheng inferred that Zhu Han's strongest starter was likely a Fire type with a disadvantage against Poliwrath.

Zhang Cheng’s Poliwrath defeated Zhu Han’s Dewgong by resisting her attacks and overpowering her with Fighting-type moves. Zhu Han then sent out Breloom, and Poliwrath’s Ice Beam met Breloom’s Energy Ball as the next battle began.

• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath use Bulk Up again before Dewgong attacked with Ice Beam, which dealt only limited damage.
• Poliwrath struck Dewgong with a boosted Dynamic Punch, leaving her confused and badly injured.
• Zhu Han ordered Dewgong to use Iron Tail, but Poliwrath resisted the hit and defeated her with Submission.
• Zhu Han sent out his rested Breloom instead of his starter Pokémon.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to use Ice Beam, and Zhu Han told Breloom to counter with Energy Ball.

Zhang Cheng's Pidgeot knocked out Zhu Han's Breloom but took damage from Rock Slide. Zhu Han sent out his final Pokémon, Emboar, whose Flamethrower began cracking Pidgeot's Protect barrier.

• Zhang Cheng recalled his badly injured Poliwrath and sent out Pidgeot to face Breloom.
• Pidgeot's Hurricane battered Breloom, while Breloom's Rock Slide struck Pidgeot; Breloom was knocked out and Pidgeot lost a third of its HP.
• Zhu Han sent out his final Pokémon, Emboar, and Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to inspect its abilities, moves, and held Charcoal.
• Zhu Han ordered Emboar to use Flamethrower, and Zhang Cheng had Pidgeot use Protect to block it.
• Emboar's flames battered Pidgeot's barrier until cracks began to appear.

Zhang Cheng defeated Zhu Han to advance to the top 100 at Modu University, though Pidgeot and Emboar knocked each other out in their final exchange. He recovered his Pokémon and rested before preparing for the next day's match.

• Zhang Cheng ordered Pidgeot to attack Emboar with Brave Bird, and the collision left Pidgeot injured while badly damaging Emboar.
• Zhu Han ordered Emboar to use Burn Up as Blaze activated, while Pidgeot attacked with Air Slash; both Pokémon fainted.
• The referee declared Zhang Cheng the winner because Zhu Han had no Pokémon left able to battle, and Zhang Cheng advanced to the fourth knockout round.
• Zhang Cheng had his injured Pokémon treated, fed them Pokéblocks, and rested in his dormitory.
• After dinner, Zhang Cheng trained with his Pokémon, returned to the dormitory, and went to bed before the next day's match.

Zhang Cheng faced Lin Peng and his powerful Samurott in the first match of the day. Poliwrath stole Samurott’s Mystic Water and blocked an Air Slash, but the battle continued as Samurott launched another attack.

• Zhang Cheng and Lin Peng entered the Battle Area, where Lin Peng sent out Samurott against Zhang Cheng’s Poliwrath.
• Samurott struck Poliwrath with Waterfall, but Poliwrath used Thief to steal Samurott’s Mystic Water.
• Lin Peng ordered Samurott to use Air Slash, and Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath block it with Protect.
• Poliwrath countered with Waterfall, taking two-fifths of Samurott’s HP.
• Lin Peng ordered Samurott to use Air Slash again, sending a blade of air toward Poliwrath.

Zhang Cheng defeated Lin Peng’s Samurott and sent out Swampert to counter Lin Peng’s Magneton. Their next attacks collided, leaving the outcome of the new matchup unresolved.

• Poliwrath broke through Samurott’s Protect and knocked it out with Submission.
• Lin Peng sent out Magneton, and Zhang Cheng recalled Poliwrath and chose Swampert.
• Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to inspect Magneton and learned that its Analytic Ability rewarded attacking second.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Swampert to use Mud Bomb, while Lin Peng commanded Magneton to use Flash Cannon.
• Mud Bomb struck Magneton and exploded as Flash Cannon shot toward Swampert.

Zhang Cheng and Lin Peng’s battle continued as Swampert and Magneton knocked each other out with Mud Shot and Explosion. Lin Peng sent Swellow against Zhang Cheng’s Poliwrath, whose Protect stopped her Fly before Poliwrath began a Waterfall counterattack.

• Swampert struck Magneton with Mud Bomb, and Magneton’s Flash Cannon damaged Swampert in return.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Mud Shot, while Lin Peng had Magneton use Explosion; the blast knocked out both Pokémon.
• Zhang Cheng sent Poliwrath into battle, and Lin Peng answered with his final Pokémon, Swellow.
• Swellow attacked with Fly, but Poliwrath blocked the dive with Protect.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to counter with Waterfall.

Lin Peng’s Swellow and Zhang Cheng’s Poliwrath traded heavy blows as both Trainers gambled on their Pokémon’s moves. After Poliwrath’s Endeavor brought Swellow down to a quarter of its HP, Lin Peng ordered Swellow to use Air Slash.

• Lin Peng ordered Swellow to meet Poliwrath’s charge with Air Slash, leaving Poliwrath with a quarter of its HP before Waterfall took two-fifths of Swellow’s HP.
• Lin Peng sent Swellow into the air with Fly, while Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to wait for the right moment to use Hypnosis.
• Swellow narrowly dodged Poliwrath’s Hypnosis Wave, but its changed flight path caused Fly to miss Poliwrath.
• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath use Endeavor while Swellow was close and unable to dodge, reducing Swellow’s HP to match Poliwrath’s quarter remaining.
• Lin Peng, worried about Poliwrath’s Endeavor, ordered Swellow to use Air Slash.

Zhang Cheng advanced to the top fifty after Poliwrath and Lin Peng’s Swellow knocked each other out. After resting and preparing for the next day, he learned that his top-fifty opponent was Wang Lu and faced her at the start of the round.

• Poliwrath and Swellow struck each other with Waterfall and Air Slash, and both Pokémon fainted.
• Zhang Cheng and Lin Peng recalled their Pokémon, and Lin Peng vowed to grow stronger and challenge Zhang Cheng again.
• Zhang Cheng registered his victory and advanced to the top fifty as nearby Trainers discussed his strength.
• Zhang Cheng ate, rested, ordered dinner to his dorm, and relaxed before going to sleep.
• The next morning, Zhang Cheng learned that Wang Lu was his opponent and met her at the battlefield to begin their match.

Zhang Cheng faced Wang Lu in a Pokémon battle, leading with Pidgeot against her Venusaur and anticipating her strategy. Pidgeot struck Venusaur with Hurricane, and the battle continued as Venusaur launched Sludge Bomb and Zhang Cheng ordered Brave Bird.

• Zhang Cheng sent out Pidgeot while Wang Lu chose Venusaur, whose Grass typing put her at a disadvantage against Pidgeot.
• Zhang Cheng identified Venusaur’s Toxic-based strategy and avoided using Protect when she opened with Leech Seed.
• Pidgeot’s Hurricane hit Venusaur hard, while Leech Seed drained some of Pidgeot’s HP and restored a little of Venusaur’s.
• Wang Lu ordered Venusaur to use Sludge Bomb, and Zhang Cheng responded by commanding Pidgeot to use Brave Bird.

Zhang Cheng's Pidgeot battled Wang Lu's Venusaur, enduring poison and Leech Seed while dealing Venusaur heavy damage. Pidgeot blocked Venusaur's Toxic with Protect and countered, but Venusaur blocked Air Slash and prepared to use Toxic again.

• Pidgeot's Brave Bird struck Venusaur hard, activating its Overgrow as Leech Seed and poison reduced Pidgeot's HP to around half.
• Wang Lu ordered Venusaur to use Toxic, but Zhang Cheng had Pidgeot block the attack with Protect.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Air Slash, and Venusaur stopped the blades with its own Protect.
• Wang Lu ordered Venusaur to use Toxic again after it blocked Air Slash.

Zhang Cheng’s Pidgeot defeated Wang Lu’s Venusaur but fell to Emolga’s Thunderbolt after landing a Twister. Zhang Cheng sent out Swampert to face Emolga, despite its inability to use Ground-type moves against her.

• Pidgeot used Air Slash to knock out Wang Lu’s badly injured Venusaur before it could release Toxic.
• Wang Lu sent out Emolga, whose Motor Drive ability made Zhang Cheng reconsider sending out Ampharos.
• Emolga’s Thunderbolt knocked out the poisoned Pidgeot, while Pidgeot’s Twister took a quarter of Emolga’s HP.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Swampert, trusting it to defeat Emolga without relying on Ground-type moves.