Recaps

Ye Tian and Song Qing battled with their level-31 Grovyle and Grotle, trading attacks and trying to gain an advantage. After Grotle’s Leech Seed began draining Grovyle and restoring Grotle, Ye Tian ordered Grovyle to unleash Leaf Storm.

• Zhang Cheng checked the details of Song Qing’s Grotle and Ye Tian’s Grovyle before their battle.
• Ye Tian’s Grovyle used Dragon Breath while Song Qing’s Grotle attacked with Bite, and each lost a quarter of their HP.
• Grovyle struck Grotle with Leaf Blade as Grotle planted Leech Seed, which drained Grovyle’s HP and healed Grotle.
• Ye Tian decided to end the battle quickly and ordered Grovyle to use Leaf Storm.

Ye Tian's Grovyle defeated Song Qing's Grotle, giving Jiangcheng No. 1 High School another victory over Jinling No. 1 High School. After Du Peng challenged the school's strength, Zhang Cheng stepped forward and accepted his challenge.

• Song Qing's Grotle used Wide Guard against Grovyle's Leaf Storm, but the barrier shattered and Grotle was left badly weakened.
• Ye Tian ordered Grovyle to use Leaf Blade, while Song Qing commanded Grotle to answer with a full-power Energy Ball.
• Grovyle endured Grotle's Energy Ball and struck Grotle with Leaf Blade, knocking it unconscious and winning the battle for Ye Tian.
• Ye Tian taunted Song Qing, and Du Peng defended Jinling No. 1 High School by claiming Ye Tian was Jiangcheng No. 1 High School's only strong Trainer.
• Zhang Cheng confronted Du Peng, mocked him, and accepted his challenge to battle.

Zhang Cheng battled Du Peng, using Poliwrath to steal Feraligatr’s Mystic Water and summon rain before launching a counterattack. The two Pokémon charged at each other with Waterfall, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Zhang Cheng and Du Peng agreed to a two-Pokémon battle and sent out Poliwrath and Feraligatr.
• Du Peng ordered Feraligatr to attack with Water Pulse, but Poliwrath endured the hit and stole her Mystic Water with Thief.
• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath use Rain Dance, activating its Swift Swim ability as rain began to fall.
• Du Peng ordered Feraligatr to use Dragon Tail, sending Poliwrath flying and reducing it to half its HP.
• Zhang Cheng commanded Poliwrath to counter with Waterfall, and Du Peng ordered Feraligatr to meet it with Waterfall.

Poliwrath defeated Du Peng’s Feraligatr with a second Waterfall, but was left too weakened to continue. Zhang Cheng sent out Marshtomp against Du Peng’s Luxray, poisoned her after she blocked Mud Bomb with Protect, and faced her Swift attack.

• Poliwrath and Feraligatr traded Waterfall and Dragon Tail, and Feraligatr was knocked out while Poliwrath was left with little HP.
• Du Peng sent out Luxray, and Zhang Cheng recalled Poliwrath and chose Marshtomp to counter her Electric typing.
• Marshtomp attacked Luxray with Mud Bomb, but Luxray used Protect to block the attack.
• Zhang Cheng had Marshtomp use Toxic after Luxray’s Protect, badly poisoning her.
• Du Peng ordered Luxray to attack Marshtomp with Swift, sending star-shaped projectiles toward it.

Zhang Cheng used Marshtomp’s defensive moves to weather Luxray’s attacks while Poison steadily drained Luxray’s HP. Luxray briefly broke through Wide Guard with a powerful Swift, but it collapsed from the Poison after Marshtomp’s Mud Bomb was blocked, leaving the battle to Zhang Cheng’s next opponent.

• Zhang Cheng had Marshtomp block Luxray’s Swift with Wide Guard and Protect while Poison repeatedly reduced Luxray’s HP.
• Du Peng pushed Luxray to unleash a far more powerful Swift, breaking Marshtomp’s Wide Guard and cutting its HP in half.
• Su Qian and Yao Jia watched the battle, and Su Qian said Du Peng had already lost.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Marshtomp to attack Luxray with Mud Bomb, and Luxray barely stopped the attack with Protect.
• Luxray’s Poison flared again and reduced its HP to zero, ending its ability to battle.

Su Qian challenged Zhang Cheng to a two-on-two battle, and Zhang Cheng accepted alongside Ye Tian. The next morning, the teams met at Jiangcheng No. 1 High School’s training grounds and released their opening Pokémon, leaving Zhang Cheng wary of Yao Jia’s Vaporeon.

• Su Qian stopped Du Peng and challenged Zhang Cheng to a two-on-two battle at nine the next morning.
• Zhang Cheng accepted and set the match time, then reassured Ye Tian that they could win and guessed Yao Jia would be Jinling’s other battler.
• Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian trained their Pokémon’s coordination before returning to their dorms for the night.
• Zhang Cheng arrived at the training grounds the next morning, where students gathered to watch the match.
• Su Qian and Yao Jia faced Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian, and the four Trainers released Poliwrath, Butterfree, Charmeleon, and Vaporeon.
• Zhang Cheng wondered why Su Qian had chosen a Fire-type against Poliwrath and suspected Yao Jia’s Vaporeon had Water Absorb.

Zhang Cheng, Ye Tian, Su Qian, and Yao Jia began a double battle, with Zhang Cheng targeting Charmeleon because Vaporeon’s Water Absorb made her a poor target for Poliwrath. Ye Tian’s Butterfree distracted the opposing Pokémon with a feint, leaving Charmeleon exposed to Poliwrath’s second Waterfall.

• Zhang Cheng saw that Vaporeon’s Water Absorb threatened Poliwrath’s Water-type moves, then reviewed Su Qian’s powerful Charmeleon.
• Su Qian ordered Charmeleon to use Fire Fang on Butterfree, but Butterfree’s Protect blocked the attack.
• Zhang Cheng sent Poliwrath’s Waterfall into Charmeleon, knocking away a third of his HP.
• Yao Jia had Vaporeon hit Butterfree with Ice Beam, dropping Butterfree to two-thirds HP.
• Ye Tian sent Gust toward both opponents, making Charmeleon and Vaporeon retreat even though he had not mixed in Sleep Powder.
• Zhang Cheng took advantage of their retreat and ordered Poliwrath to charge Charmeleon with another Waterfall.

Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian defeated Su Qian’s Charmeleon, but Su Qian sent out Gengar to continue the battle. As Zhang Cheng assessed the unfamiliar Ghost-type Pokémon, Yao Jia prepared Vaporeon for a prolonged fight with Aqua Ring.

• Poliwrath struck Charmeleon with Waterfall, activating its Blaze Ability and leaving it with only a third of its HP.
• Su Qian ordered Charmeleon to use Flame Burst; Butterfree’s Protect broke after weakening the attack, while Poliwrath took the hit and answered with a powerful Waterfall that knocked Charmeleon out.
• Su Qian recalled Charmeleon and sent out Gengar, whose Thunderbolt gave it an advantage against Poliwrath.
• Zhang Cheng used the system to inspect Gengar, while Yao Jia ordered Vaporeon to use Aqua Ring to restore its HP during the battle.

Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian teamed up against Su Qian and Yao Jia, but Gengar dodged most attacks and knocked out Butterfree. Ye Tian sent out Grovyle to face Vaporeon while Poliwrath continued to handle Gengar.

• Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian targeted Gengar, but it dodged Butterfree's Psychic and struck Poliwrath with Thunderbolt, which Protect blocked.
• Yao Jia's Vaporeon hit Butterfree with Aurora Beam while Gengar damaged Poliwrath with Night Shade.
• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath use Mind Reader and then Endeavor, lowering Gengar's HP to less than a third.
• Gengar dodged Butterfree's Psybeam, then hit it with Fire Punch as Vaporeon's Water Pulse knocked it out.
• Ye Tian recalled Butterfree and sent out Grovyle to face Vaporeon, leaving Poliwrath to battle Gengar.

Poliwrath and Gengar knocked each other out, leaving Su Qian to send out Gabite as the next round began. Gabite joined the fight against Ye Tian’s Grovyle, which was left badly injured by Dragon Claw.

• Zhang Cheng’s Poliwrath and Su Qian’s Gengar both became unable to battle after their attacks struck each other.
• Zhang Cheng sent out his Shiny Flaaffy, while Su Qian revealed his Level 33, A-potential Gabite.
• Ye Tian ordered Grovyle to use Energy Ball on Yao Jia’s Vaporeon, while Zhang Cheng had Flaaffy attack Vaporeon with Thunderbolt.
• Yao Jia’s Vaporeon hit Grovyle with Ice Beam, then recovered some health with Aqua Ring after Grovyle and Flaaffy’s attacks struck it.
• Su Qian ordered Gabite to hit Grovyle with Dragon Claw, taking away about half its HP.

Yao Jia and Ye Tian traded knockouts, leaving both sides with three Pokémon as Yao Jia sent out Wormadam and Ye Tian revealed Zweilous. While Ye Tian and Su Qian’s Gabite exchanged Dragon-type attacks, Zhang Cheng paralyzed Wormadam with Flaaffy’s Thunder Wave.

• Yao Jia’s Vaporeon fainted after Grovyle’s Leaf Blade and Flaaffy’s Thunderbolt, and Su Qian’s Gabite then knocked out Grovyle with Dragon Breath.
• Yao Jia sent out Wormadam, and Zhang Cheng checked her stats before Ye Tian brought out Zweilous.
• Ye Tian ordered Zweilous to use Dragon Pulse, and Su Qian answered with Gabite’s Dragon Claw; both Pokémon lost about a third of their HP.
• Zhang Cheng had Flaaffy use Thunder Wave, which paralyzed Wormadam and restricted her movement.

Yao Jia and Zhang Cheng traded Pokémon in their battle, while Su Qian and Ye Tian’s Gabite-versus-Zweilous match escalated into a close exchange of Dragon-type attacks. The chapter left Zweilous using Endure and preparing Dragon Breath against Gabite.

• Yao Jia recalled her paralyzed Wormadam and sent out Brionne, while Zhang Cheng switched Flaaffy for Pidgeotto.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Pidgeotto to use Hurricane, and Yao Jia countered with Brionne’s Icy Wind; both Pokémon took heavy damage.
• Su Qian ordered Gabite to use Outrage, and Ye Tian answered with Zweilous’s Dragon Pulse, leaving Gabite with a quarter of its HP and Zweilous with less than a tenth.
• Su Qian told Gabite to keep attacking, and Ye Tian ordered Zweilous to use Endure before striking Gabite with Dragon Breath.

Zhang Cheng and Yao Jia’s one-on-one battle began after Zweilous and Gabite knocked each other out. Brionne and Flaaffy were both on the verge of defeat, and Zhang Cheng ordered Flaaffy to use Thunderbolt again rather than switch it out, leaving the result of its final attack unresolved.

• Zweilous and Gabite struck each other down, leaving Zhang Cheng and Yao Jia as the remaining battlers.
• Yao Jia sent Brionne against Zhang Cheng’s Pidgeotto, which blocked Scald with Protect and answered with Hurricane.
• Brionne’s Aqua Jet damaged Pidgeotto, while Hurricane left Brionne badly injured; Zhang Cheng then switched Pidgeotto out for Flaaffy.
• Brionne used Perish Song on Flaaffy, and Flaaffy’s Thunderbolt reduced Brionne to a sliver of HP despite its Amnesia-boosted Special Defense.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Flaaffy to use Thunderbolt again instead of switching it out, and Flaaffy gathered Electric-type energy for the attack.

Zhang Cheng's Pidgeotto defeated Yao Jia's Wormadam, completing Jiangcheng No. 1 High School's victory over Jinling No. 1 High School. Su Qian led his team away in disgrace, while Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian celebrated their teamwork and discussed how they might fare in a rematch.

• Yao Jia's Brionne was knocked out by Flaaffy's Thunderbolt, and she sent out Wormadam as her last Pokémon.
• Flaaffy fainted when Perish Song took effect, so Zhang Cheng sent out his half-HP Pidgeotto against Yao Jia's full-HP, paralyzed Wormadam.
• Wormadam's Psychic took one-fifth of Pidgeotto's HP, but Pidgeotto's Air Slash cut Wormadam's HP in half.
• Wormadam used Protect against Pidgeotto's Hurricane, but the attack broke through the barrier and knocked her out.
• Jiangcheng No. 1 High School defeated Jinling No. 1 High School, and Su Qian led his team out of the training grounds.
• Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian praised their teamwork, and Ye Tian said his Zweilous could defeat Su Qian's Gabite in a rematch.

After Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian’s Pokémon reached level 36, the two decided to visit the Challenge Tower and try to earn the Elite Trainer title. They set out the next morning, with Zhang Cheng choosing to travel on his newly evolved Pidgeot while Ye Tian hired a Rapidash.

• The principal praised Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian for their battle and rewarded each of them; Zhang Cheng found an Evolution Crystal in his box.
• Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian trained daily until their Pokémon reached level 36, with Zhang Cheng’s Poliwrath reaching level 37 and several of his Pokémon completing their final evolutions.
• Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian agreed to visit the Challenge Tower the next day, and Zhang Cheng arranged leave with Bai Yuling, who reminded him to get into Modu University.
• The next morning, Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian met at the school gate and left for the Challenge Tower.
• Ye Tian hired a Rapidash for transport, while Zhang Cheng sent out Pidgeot, prompting Ye Tian to complain that Zhang Cheng could have told him sooner.

Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian returned to the Challenge Tower to take their Elite Trainer assessments, and Zhang Cheng began his battle against an examiner’s Beedrill. Poliwrath established rainy weather and launched a boosted Waterfall, leaving Beedrill’s fate unresolved as the examiner ordered Protect.

• Zhang Cheng flew to the Challenge Tower on Pidgeot and waited for Ye Tian to arrive before they registered for their assessments.
• Zhang Cheng learned the Elite Trainer assessment rules and entered a three-Pokémon battle against an examiner.
• The examiner sent out Beedrill, and Zhang Cheng checked her stats before ordering Poliwrath to block Sludge Bomb with Protect.
• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath use Rain Dance, then dodge Beedrill’s Pin Missile; one missile hit Poliwrath.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to attack with a rain-boosted Waterfall, and the examiner told Beedrill to use Protect.

Zhang Cheng used Poliwrath to defeat Beedrill by putting him to sleep with Hypnosis and striking him with Waterfall and Body Slam. The examiner sent out Ludicolo, whose Grass typing and Rain Dish ability threatened Zhang Cheng’s rain team, and Poliwrath began attacking with Dynamic Punch.

• Poliwrath broke through Beedrill’s barrier, then used Hypnosis to put him to sleep and Rain Dance to extend the rain.
• Poliwrath struck the sleeping Beedrill with Waterfall, leaving him badly weakened as Beedrill scattered Toxic Spikes across the battlefield.
• Poliwrath knocked Beedrill out with Body Slam before Beedrill could lay a second layer of Toxic Spikes.
• The examiner sent out Ludicolo, and Zhang Cheng checked its information and learned that its Grass typing and Rain Dish ability could counter his rain team.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to use Dynamic Punch against Ludicolo.

Zhang Cheng’s Poliwrath battled the examiner’s Ludicolo in the rain, but repeated super-effective Razor Leaf attacks overcame it despite its Fighting-type moves. Zhang Cheng sent out Pidgeot to face Ludicolo, which struck Pidgeot with Ice Beam after being badly damaged by Air Slash.

• The examiner’s Ludicolo hit Poliwrath with Razor Leaf, while Poliwrath answered with Dynamic Punch and confused Ludicolo.
• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath use Submission, but Ludicolo’s Rain Dish repeatedly restored its HP as the battle continued.
• Poliwrath tried to land Dynamic Punch, but Ludicolo’s Razor Leaf struck first and knocked Poliwrath out.
• Zhang Cheng recalled Poliwrath and sent out Pidgeot, which attacked Ludicolo with Air Slash.
• The examiner ordered Ludicolo to use Ice Beam, and Ludicolo fired it at Pidgeot after Air Slash left it with less than one-tenth of its HP.

Zhang Cheng’s Pidgeot defeated the examiner’s Ludicolo after confusion made it knock itself out, then faced the examiner’s final Pokémon, Alakazam. Pidgeot and Alakazam traded attacks, and the chapter ended with both still battling and Alakazam holding a slight advantage in remaining HP.

• Zhang Cheng’s Pidgeot prepared to finish off Ludicolo, but confusion caused Ludicolo to hit itself with Ice Beam and faint.
• The examiner sent out Alakazam as his final Pokémon, and Zhang Cheng scanned its stats.
• Zhang Cheng’s Pidgeot attacked with Hurricane, but Alakazam blocked it with Protect.
• Alakazam struck Pidgeot with Psybeam, and Pidgeot used Protect to withstand the attack.
• Pidgeot charged with Brave Bird while Alakazam countered with Psychic; both moves hit, leaving Alakazam with a slight HP advantage.

Zhang Cheng defeated the examiner’s Alakazam and passed the assessment to become an Elite Trainer. He waited in the lobby while Ye Tian began his own assessment battle.

• Zhang Cheng’s Pidgeot and the examiner’s Alakazam traded attacks, leaving both Pokémon unable to continue after Alakazam used Recover.
• Zhang Cheng sent out his Shiny Ampharos, which struck Alakazam with Thunderbolt and then defeated it with Thunder after breaking through Protect.
• Zhang Cheng thanked the examiner, had his result recorded, and waited for Ye Tian in the lobby.
• Ye Tian agreed to begin his assessment battle, and he and the examiner threw their Poké Balls onto the battlefield.

Ye Tian’s Butterfree defeated the examiner’s Venomoth but took heavy damage, while Venomoth scattered Toxic Spikes across the battlefield. The examiner then sent out Golduck for the next battle.

• Ye Tian sent out Butterfree against the examiner’s Venomoth and ordered Acrobatics, while Venomoth hit Butterfree with Sludge Bomb.
• Butterfree’s Acrobatics badly injured Venomoth, and Venomoth used Leech Life to damage Butterfree and restore some of her own HP.
• Butterfree struck Venomoth with a second Acrobatics, but Venomoth survived by a sliver and scattered Toxic Spikes before Butterfree finished her with Bug Bite.
• The examiner recalled Venomoth and sent out Golduck as his second Pokémon.

Ye Tian's Butterfree traded attacks with the examiner's Golduck but fainted after Scald triggered a burn. Ye Tian sent out Sceptile, which injured Golduck before protecting itself from Hypnosis.

• The examiner's Golduck attacked Butterfree with Water Pulse, and Butterfree blocked it with Protect before striking Golduck's Protect barrier with Energy Ball.
• Golduck hit Butterfree with Scald while Butterfree landed another Energy Ball, but Scald burned Butterfree and caused it to faint.
• Ye Tian recalled Butterfree and sent out Sceptile, prompting the examiner to worry about Golduck's disadvantage against a Grass-type Pokémon.
• Sceptile used Leaf Blade and Golduck countered with Zen Headbutt, leaving both Pokémon injured.
• The examiner ordered Golduck to use Hypnosis, and Ye Tian had Sceptile use Protect.

Ye Tian's poisoned Sceptile defeated the examiner's Golduck but was knocked out by Scizor, whose Bullet Punch landed as Grass Whistle put it to sleep. Ye Tian sent out Heracross and used Scizor's sleep to boost Heracross twice before Scizor woke and began using Swords Dance.

• Sceptile endured Poison and Golduck's Confusion, then defeated Golduck with Energy Ball before Poison left it with little HP.
• The examiner sent out his final Pokémon, Scizor, and ordered it to attack Sceptile with Bullet Punch.
• Ye Tian had Sceptile use Grass Whistle as Scizor charged; Bullet Punch knocked Sceptile out, while Grass Whistle put Scizor to sleep.
• Ye Tian sent out Heracross and warned it to stay airborne to avoid Venomoth's Toxic Spikes.
• Ye Tian had Heracross use Bulk Up twice while Scizor slept, then Scizor woke and used Swords Dance.

Ye Tian’s Heracross battled the examiner’s Scizor, enduring its powerful attacks before turning the fight around with Counter and finishing it with Megahorn. Scizor’s HP fell to zero, leaving Heracross victorious.

• Ye Tian sent Heracross’s Brick Break into Scizor, taking away a third of its HP.
• Scizor broke through Heracross’s Protect with Metal Claw and struck again with Bullet Punch, leaving Heracross badly weakened.
• Heracross endured Bullet Punch and used Counter to reduce Scizor to less than a tenth of its HP.
• Ye Tian ordered Heracross to use Megahorn, and it smashed through Scizor’s Protect and knocked Scizor out.

Ye Tian passed the Challenge Tower challenge, and Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian prepared for the college entrance exam. Zhang Cheng finished the theory test confidently and arrived at the battle venue for the practical test, which was about to begin.

• Ye Tian defeated the examiner's Scizor with Heracross's Counter and earned praise before Zhang Cheng helped him register his Elite Trainer certification.
• Zhang Cheng and Ye Tian celebrated their success, then returned to school and spent the following week preparing for the college entrance exam.
• Zhang Cheng completed the theory test in under twenty minutes and waited until the bell rang before handing in his paper.
• Ye Tian told Zhang Cheng that the theory test had gone well, and they trained their Pokémon together ahead of the practical test.
• Bai Yuling messaged Zhang Cheng to wish him luck and asked him to tell her when his results came out.
• Zhang Cheng arrived at the school's training grounds, where candidates would take the practical test against League examiners.