Chapter Summaries

The top ten advancement round began, and Zhang Cheng drew Lu Luan while Liao Wu faced Ye Tian. As Liao Wu’s battle with Ye Tian unfolded, Ye Tian sent out a previously unseen Pokémon, leaving Zhang Cheng curious about the rest of his team.

• The top ten draw paired Zhang Cheng with Lu Luan and Liao Wu with Ye Tian.
• Zhang Cheng watched Liao Wu open against Ye Tian with Dragonite while Ye Tian chose Butterfree.
• Liao Wu used Safeguard to protect Dragonite from Butterfree’s status moves, forcing Ye Tian to recall Butterfree.
• Ye Tian sent out Rampardos, a Rock-type Pokémon Zhang Cheng had not known he owned.

Ye Tian used Rampardos to wear down Liao Wu’s Dragonite, then sent out Spiritomb to curse and burn it. The chapter ended with Spiritomb using Memento to weaken Dragonite further, while Dragonite was still fighting under the effects of Curse and burn.

• Ye Tian’s Rampardos used Head Smash against Dragonite, and both Pokémon were badly injured by the collision and recoil.
• Ye Tian ordered Rampardos to use a second Head Smash, and Liao Wu had Dragonite counter with Dragon Rush, knocking Rampardos out while leaving Dragonite at dangerously low HP.
• Liao Wu used Roost while Ye Tian switched Pokémon, allowing Dragonite to recover to over half its HP.
• Ye Tian sent out Spiritomb, which used Curse and then burned Dragonite with Will-O-Wisp after surviving Dragon Tail.
• Liao Wu had Dragonite use Roost again, and Ye Tian’s Spiritomb used Memento, knocking itself out as it sharply lowered Dragonite’s Physical Attack and Special Attack.

Ye Tian sent Lucario against Liao Wu's weakened Dragonite, forcing Liao Wu to switch to Houndoom. After the two Pokémon traded powerful attacks, Liao Wu burned Lucario, but Ye Tian answered by triggering Lucario's Mega Evolution.

• Ye Tian recalled his fainted Spiritomb and sent out Lucario, whose presence disrupted Liao Wu's strategy against Hydreigon.
• Liao Wu recalled his badly weakened Dragonite and sent Houndoom to face Lucario.
• Lucario and Houndoom traded Aura Sphere and Flamethrower, injuring each other.
• Ye Tian used Heal Pulse to restore Lucario, but Liao Wu had Houndoom inflict Burn, lowering Lucario's Physical Attack.
• Ye Tian used an Evolution Crystal to Mega Evolve Lucario, greatly increasing his Physical Attack, Special Attack, and Speed.

Ye Tian defeated Liao Wu in the tournament match after Mega Lucario overcame Mega Houndoom and several other Pokémon. The referee announced that Ye Tian advanced, while Lu Luan and Zhang Cheng turned their attention to their upcoming battle.

• Houndoom recovered with Rest, but Mega Lucario broke through its hastily raised Protect and damaged it with Focus Blast.
• Liao Wu Mega Evolved Houndoom, and Mega Houndoom and Mega Lucario exchanged attacks until both had lost much of their HP.
• Mega Houndoom used Overheat to damage Mega Lucario, but the move sharply lowered its Special Attack, allowing Mega Lucario to recover with Heal Pulse and defeat it.
• Mega Lucario defeated several of Liao Wu's Pokémon, and Ye Tian sent out Hydreigon to eliminate the rest of Liao Wu's team.
• The referee announced Ye Tian of Kyoto University had advanced, and Lu Luan told Zhang Cheng he looked forward to battling him.

Zhang Cheng and Lu Luan began their tournament match with Poliwrath facing Lu Luan’s powerful Greninja. Zhang Cheng inflicted confusion on Greninja and capitalized on it, leaving Greninja injured as the battle continued.

• Zhang Cheng and Lu Luan sent out Poliwrath and Greninja to begin their match.
• Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to learn that Lu Luan’s Greninja had high potential, the Protean Ability, and a Scope Lens.
• Poliwrath clashed with Greninja’s Aerial Ace, then Dynamic Punch left Greninja confused despite causing little damage.
• Greninja’s confusion prevented him from using Water Shuriken, allowing Poliwrath’s Waterfall to injure him.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to use Hypnosis, while Lu Luan urged Greninja to recover and use Protect.

Zhang Cheng's Poliwrath defeated Lu Luan's Greninja after a close exchange of attacks. Lu Luan sent out Flygon as his second Pokémon, and Zhang Cheng examined its data.

• Greninja used Water Shuriken and injured Poliwrath, but Poliwrath's Hydro Pump left Greninja in a dangerous state.
• Greninja changed to Psychic type and attacked with Extrasensory, but Poliwrath blocked it with Protect and struck back with Feint Attack.
• Greninja used Shadow Sneak to badly damage Poliwrath, but Zhang Cheng helped Poliwrath locate Greninja and hit it with Water Pulse.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to finish Greninja with Bubble Beam, and Lu Luan recalled the defeated Pokémon.
• Lu Luan sent out his second Pokémon, Flygon, and Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to inspect it.

Lu Luan’s Flygon defeated Zhang Cheng’s badly injured Poliwrath by using ranged attacks to avoid Endeavor. Zhang Cheng sent out his rare Togekiss to exploit Flygon’s Dragon-type weaknesses, and Lu Luan responded by summoning a sandstorm.

• Lu Luan ordered Flygon to use Dragon Breath, while Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath attempt Endeavor against it.
• Flygon used Mud Shot to knock out Poliwrath before it could reach Flygon, and Zhang Cheng recalled it.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Togekiss, a level 67 Fairy- and Flying-type Pokémon with Super Luck and a Scope Lens.
• Lu Luan adapted to Togekiss’s type advantage and ordered Flygon to use Sandstorm.

Zhang Cheng’s Togekiss battled Lu Luan’s Flygon and Gigalith, critically wounding Flygon before Lu Luan switched to a Rock-type Pokémon with a strong advantage. The chapter ended with Togekiss dodging the remnants of Gigalith’s Stone Edge after Protect shattered.

• Zhang Cheng ordered Togekiss to attack Flygon with Fairy Wind and Dazzling Gleam while Flygon’s Sandstorm and Earth Power injured Togekiss.
• Togekiss’s critical Dazzling Gleam dealt severe damage to Flygon, and Lu Luan recalled it.
• Lu Luan sent out Gigalith, while Zhang Cheng considered his opponent’s possible sandstorm team and examined Gigalith’s abilities and moves.
• Lu Luan ordered Gigalith to use Stone Edge, and Zhang Cheng had Togekiss use Protect against the boosted Rock-type attack.
• Gigalith’s Stone Edge shattered Togekiss’s Protect barrier, and Togekiss used its speed to dodge the remaining stones.

Zhang Cheng sent Kingdra against Lu Luan’s Gigalith, but Lu Luan kept the sandstorm active and made Kingdra fight through its damaging effects. Kingdra eventually overwhelmed Gigalith with Surf and Brine, interrupting its attempted Explosion and leaving it unable to battle.

• Zhang Cheng recalled Togekiss and sent out Kingdra, which tried to replace the sandstorm with Rain Dance, but Lu Luan had Gigalith summon another Sandstorm.
• Kingdra attacked with Hydro Pump, overcoming Gigalith’s Rock Slide and driving its HP below half, then used Brine, which Gigalith stopped with Protect.
• Gigalith attacked Kingdra with Stone Edge, but Kingdra’s Surf overpowered the stones and swept over Gigalith.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Kingdra to follow up with Brine, which struck before Gigalith could form another Protect barrier.
• Lu Luan ordered the badly injured Gigalith to use Explosion, but Kingdra kept spraying Brine until Gigalith collapsed and its attack was interrupted.

Zhang Cheng and Lu Luan continued their battle as Bisharp defeated Kingdra with Guillotine, leaving both trainers with two Pokémon unable to battle. Ampharos then struck Bisharp with Thunder, leaving the injured Pokémon badly hurt as the match continued.

• Lu Luan sent out Bisharp, and Zhang Cheng used Kingdra's Hydro Cannon against it.
• Bisharp broke through the water dragon with Iron Head and hit Kingdra while it was immobilized after Hydro Cannon.
• Lu Luan ordered Guillotine, and Bisharp defeated Kingdra with the attack.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Ampharos, and Bisharp attacked it with Dark Pulse.
• Ampharos's Thunder dealt a devastating blow to the already injured Bisharp.

Zhang Cheng’s Ampharos and Togekiss defeated Lu Luan’s Bisharp and Flygon, forcing Lu Luan to reveal his trump card, Tyranitar. Zhang Cheng answered with Swampert, whose Water-type moves threatened Tyranitar, and checked its stats before the battle continued.

• Zhang Cheng’s Ampharos broke through Bisharp’s Protect with Thunderbolt, then knocked Bisharp out with a critical Thunder Punch.
• Lu Luan sent out Flygon, and Zhang Cheng switched Ampharos for Togekiss.
• Togekiss’s Moonblast overwhelmed Flygon and knocked it out with a critical hit.
• Lu Luan sent out his trump card, Tyranitar, and Zhang Cheng responded with Swampert.
• Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to inspect Tyranitar’s stats and moves.

Lu Luan and Zhang Cheng Mega Evolved Tyranitar and Swampert, then sent them into a fierce battle. Both Pokémon suffered severe injuries, leaving Lu Luan under pressure as he had fewer Pokémon remaining.

• Lu Luan Mega Evolved Tyranitar, and Zhang Cheng Mega Evolved Swampert as a sandstorm swept the battlefield.
• Mega Tyranitar's Crunch and Mega Swampert's Waterfall collided, canceling each other out.
• Mega Tyranitar used Giga Impact as Mega Swampert fired Hydro Cannon, and both Pokémon took heavy damage before becoming immobilized.
• After recovering, Mega Swampert struck Mega Tyranitar with Hydro Pump, and Tyranitar retaliated with a powerful Payback.
• Both Pokémon were severely injured, while Lu Luan worried that he had too few Pokémon left to overcome Zhang Cheng's remaining team.

Zhang Cheng defeated Lu Luan’s Mega Tyranitar with Diancie’s Light of Ruin after Mega Swampert weakened it with Brine. Lu Luan sent out Slowking as his final Pokémon, and Zhang Cheng inspected its abilities before the battle continued.

• Lu Luan ordered Mega Tyranitar to use Outrage while Zhang Cheng had Mega Swampert trade attacks with it using Brine.
• Mega Tyranitar’s second Outrage defeated Mega Swampert, but Swampert’s final Brine left Tyranitar severely injured.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Diancie, which ignored Mega Tyranitar’s final Outrage and unleashed Light of Ruin.
• Light of Ruin shattered Mega Tyranitar’s Protect barrier and knocked Tyranitar unconscious.
• Lu Luan recalled Tyranitar and sent out Slowking as his final Pokémon.
• Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to inspect Slowking before their battle began.

Lu Luan used Slowking’s Trick Room to pressure Zhang Cheng’s Diancie and Ampharos, but Zhang Cheng switched Pokémon and overwhelmed Slowking with Electric-type attacks. Slowking fell before its delayed Future Sight could strike.

• Lu Luan sent out Slowking and had it set up Trick Room while Zhang Cheng’s Diancie battered it with Diamond Storm.
• Slowking used Yawn to make Diancie drowsy, but Zhang Cheng recalled Diancie and sent out Ampharos.
• Slowking struck Ampharos with Psychic, then blocked its Thunder with Protect, though the barrier broke and Slowking took heavy damage.
• Lu Luan had Slowking use Future Sight, while Zhang Cheng ordered Ampharos to attack with Thunderbolt.
• Trick Room faded, and Ampharos hit Slowking with Thunder before Future Sight could take effect, knocking Slowking out.

After defeating Lu Luan, Zhang Cheng rested while the first round and repechage determined the remaining quarterfinalists. The quarterfinal draw paired Zhang Cheng against Jiang Chi of Yuenan University, while Ye Tian was set to face Lu Luan.

• Zhang Cheng defeated Lu Luan, and the five first-round winners advanced directly to the quarterfinals.
• Zhang Cheng recovered with his Pokémon as the remaining first-round matches ended, and three other Trainers from Kyoto University, Qingbei University, and Yuenan University advanced.
• Lu Luan defeated Liao Wu in the repechage, while Zhang Cheng read online arguments about whether his Diancie could win the championship.
• The referees drew the quarterfinal matchups, pairing Zhang Cheng with Jiang Chi and Ye Tian with Lu Luan.
• Zhang Cheng arrived at his battlefield and met Jiang Chi, a Yuenan University Trainer who specialized in Ghost-type Pokémon and unusual tactics.

Zhang Cheng battled Jiang Chi’s Dusknoir with Pidgeot, using its immunity to Ghost-type moves while Jiang Chi established Trick Room and burned it. Pidgeot gained the upper hand, but Dusknoir trapped it with Mean Look as Pidgeot healed with Roost.

• Zhang Cheng sent out Pidgeot against Jiang Chi’s Dusknoir, which used Trick Room after Pidgeot struck it with Hurricane.
• Dusknoir burned Pidgeot with Will-O-Wisp, and Pidgeot copied the move with Mirror Move to burn Dusknoir in return.
• Jiang Chi had Dusknoir use Future Sight, while Zhang Cheng answered with Air Slash and damaged it further.
• Dusknoir used Mean Look to prevent Pidgeot from switching, and Pidgeot used Roost to recover its injuries.

Zhang Cheng and Jiang Chi traded Pokémon after Pidgeot and Dusknoir knocked each other out, then sent out Togekiss and Decidueye. Togekiss gained the advantage in their opening exchange, leaving Jiang Chi’s Decidueye facing a type disadvantage.

• Jiang Chi used Destiny Bond with Dusknoir to trap Pidgeot, and Zhang Cheng ordered Pidgeot to attack with Brave Bird.
• Jiang Chi had Dusknoir use Memento, causing both Dusknoir and Pidgeot to lose the ability to battle.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Togekiss while Jiang Chi chose Decidueye, anticipating that Zhang Cheng would send out a Water-type Pokémon.
• Jiang Chi ordered Decidueye to use Spirit Shackle, pinning Togekiss’s shadow and preventing it from approaching.
• Zhang Cheng had Togekiss answer with Air Slash, and both Pokémon hit each other, but Togekiss dealt super-effective damage and gained the advantage.

Jiang Chi’s Decidueye and Zhang Cheng’s Togekiss traded attacks and recovery moves as each Trainer adapted to the other’s strategy. Togekiss landed a critical Sky Attack that left Decidueye badly injured, and Jiang Chi ordered it to use Curse.

• Zhang Cheng ordered Togekiss to attack, but Decidueye used Phantom Force to evade and then struck from a distance with Long Reach.
• Togekiss used Roost while Zhang Cheng waited for Decidueye to attack, prompting Jiang Chi to disrupt its recovery with Shadow Claw.
• Togekiss countered Shadow Claw with Air Slash, and Decidueye used Synthesis to heal its injuries.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Sky Attack as Decidueye finished healing, and Togekiss landed a critical hit that dealt devastating damage.
• Jiang Chi ordered the badly injured Decidueye to use Curse.

Jiang Chi sent out Chandelure after Decidueye fainted, while Togekiss continued to suffer from Curse. Chandelure and Togekiss exchanged powerful attacks, leaving both badly injured as Togekiss launched one last strike.

• Jiang Chi recalled Decidueye and sent out his level 68 Chandelure.
• Chandelure used Taunt, preventing Zhang Cheng's cursed Togekiss from using defensive moves.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Togekiss to use Sky Attack, while Jiang Chi countered with Inferno, burning and severely injuring Togekiss.
• Togekiss broke through Inferno and struck Chandelure with Sky Attack, sending him crashing to the ground.
• Zhang Cheng ordered a weakened Togekiss to use Air Slash, and Jiang Chi had Chandelure use Protect; the attack broke through the barrier but left Chandelure able to continue fighting.

Zhang Cheng sent Kingdra against Jiang Chi’s Chandelure, then faced Jiang Chi’s Jellicent after Chandelure used Memento to weaken Kingdra. Kingdra cleared the stat drop and broke free of Jellicent’s Constrict, then prepared to attack with Outrage.

• Zhang Cheng recalled Togekiss and sent out Kingdra, which blocked Chandelure’s Pain Split with Protect.
• Kingdra attacked with Hydro Pump, but Jiang Chi ordered Chandelure to use Memento, lowering Kingdra’s attacking stats before Chandelure fainted.
• Jiang Chi sent out Jellicent, whose Water Absorb ability Zhang Cheng identified as a counter to his Water-type Pokémon.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Kingdra to use Haze, restoring its lowered stats while Jellicent remained unaffected.
• Jellicent trapped Kingdra with Constrict, but Kingdra struck her with Dragon Claw and broke free.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Kingdra to use Outrage, and Kingdra’s eyes turned crimson as it gathered Dragon-type energy.