Chapter Summaries

Zhang Cheng's Ampharos dealt damage to Mark's Hippowdon before fainting, and Zhang Cheng sent out Swampert. Swampert poisoned Hippowdon and defeated it with Water-type attacks, leaving Mark impressed by the strength of Huaxia's Champion-level Trainers.

• Hippowdon struck Ampharos with Bulldoze and Earthquake, but Ampharos landed a second Dragon Pulse before fainting.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Swampert, and Mark had Hippowdon use Slack Off to recover.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Swampert to poison Hippowdon with Toxic, then Mark sent Hippowdon underground with Dig.
• Swampert flooded Hippowdon's tunnel with Hydro Pump and followed with Waterfall, while Toxic drained Hippowdon's remaining HP.
• Mark recalled Hippowdon and praised the strength of Huaxia's Champion-level Trainers.

Mark sent out his trusted Starmie to face Zhang Cheng’s Swampert, and the two Pokémon traded attacks as Starmie tried to strengthen and heal itself. The chapter left Starmie badly poisoned after Swampert’s Toxic struck while it was using Recover.

• Mark sent out his third Pokémon, Starmie, to battle Zhang Cheng’s Swampert.
• Zhang Cheng checked Starmie’s details and found that it carried Mystic Water and could use a wide range of moves.
• Starmie’s Scald and Swampert’s Mud Bomb collided in an explosion that sent both Pokémon flying without badly injuring them.
• Mark had Starmie use Cosmic Power to raise its defenses, but Swampert struck it with Earth Power before it could dodge.
• Mark ordered Starmie to use Recover, and Zhang Cheng exploited the opening by having Swampert use Toxic, poisoning Starmie.

Mark’s Starmie lost to Zhang Cheng’s Swampert after Toxic wore it down, leaving Mark’s final Pokémon to face Zhang Cheng’s remaining team. Mark sent out Kangaskhan and Mega Evolved her, and the chapter ended as Swampert and Mega Kangaskhan launched their first attacks.

• Mark ordered Starmie to attack, but Swampert used Protect and Wide Guard to block its moves while Toxic steadily weakened it.
• Starmie eventually collapsed from poison, and Mark recalled it.
• Mark sent out his strongest Pokémon, Kangaskhan, whose data Zhang Cheng examined with the Detection System.
• Mark used an Evolution Crystal to Mega Evolve Kangaskhan, bringing her joey out of her pouch and giving her the Parental Bond ability.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Swampert to attack with Waterfall, and Mark commanded Mega Kangaskhan and her joey to counter with Mega Punch.

Zhang Cheng sent Swampert against Mark’s Mega Kangaskhan, and Swampert weakened her before being knocked out. Zhang Cheng then Mega Evolved Diancie, whose Diamond Storm and durability left Mega Kangaskhan struggling to break through.

• Mega Kangaskhan overwhelmed Swampert in a close-range clash, but Zhang Cheng ordered Swampert to attack from a distance with Hydro Cannon.
• Mega Kangaskhan endured Hydro Cannon and knocked Swampert out with Giga Impact, then became unable to move from the move’s side effect.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Diancie and Mega Evolved her while Mega Kangaskhan was immobilized.
• Mega Diancie struck Mega Kangaskhan with Diamond Storm, forcing her to lose much of her HP as she charged through it.
• Mega Kangaskhan hit Mega Diancie with Giga Impact, but Mega Diancie only stepped back twice and lost barely a quarter of her HP, leaving Mark stunned.

Zhang Cheng defeated Mark’s Mega Kangaskhan with Mega Diancie and claimed Zeraora, then trained his new Pokémon before preparing to represent the Modu Pokémon Center in the second assessment. The chapter ended as he arrived at Director Fang Lin’s office, confident in his preparations.

• Mega Diancie struck the immobilized Mega Kangaskhan with Light of Ruin, knocking it out and winning Zhang Cheng the battle.
• Mark honored their agreement and gave Zeraora to Zhang Cheng, who left the Abandoned Power Plant on Moltres and returned to Modu.
• Zhang Cheng took his injured Pokémon to the Pokémon Center, rested, and began training Zeraora the next morning.
• Zhang Cheng replaced Ampharos with Zeraora and trained the new member of his six-Pokémon team for five days before the second assessment.
• Zhang Cheng checked Zeraora’s stats and went to Director Fang Lin’s office, where Director Fang Lin asked whether he had caught Zeraora.

Zhang Cheng began his assessment battle against Zhao Kuang, a veteran Champion-level Trainer hired by Wang Kun. Poliwrath and Clawitzer traded attacks, and Zhang Cheng planned to use Poliwrath’s boosted Fighting-type moves as the battle continued.

• Dean Fang Lin told Zhang Cheng that Wang Kun had kept information about the opposing Trainer secret.
• Wang Kun arrived with Zhao Kuang, and the assessment battle began with Zhang Cheng sending out Poliwrath and Zhao Kuang choosing Clawitzer.
• Zhang Cheng used the Detection System to learn that Clawitzer had the Mega Launcher ability and a powerful arsenal of pulse moves.
• Clawitzer’s Water Pulse and Poliwrath’s Hydro Pump clashed and dissipated without either Pokémon taking damage.
• Poliwrath used Swords Dance, but Clawitzer’s Dragon Pulse hit it and reduced its remaining health to three-fifths.
• Zhang Cheng decided to rely on Poliwrath’s boosted Fighting-type attacks and recognized the pressure posed by Zhao Kuang’s experience.

Zhang Cheng’s Poliwrath defeated Zhao Kuang’s Clawitzer by exploiting its confusion and pressing the attack. Zhao Kuang sent out Toxapex next, setting up a more difficult battle.

• Zhang Cheng’s Poliwrath interrupted Clawitzer’s Protect with Dynamic Punch, damaging it and leaving it confused.
• Zhao Kuang ordered Clawitzer to fire a barrage of Aura Spheres, which broke through Poliwrath’s Protect and reduced its HP below half.
• Clawitzer’s confusion made it attack itself instead of using Dragon Pulse, allowing Poliwrath to land Submission and Double Kick.
• Zhang Cheng’s Poliwrath knocked Clawitzer out, and Zhao Kuang recalled it.
• Zhao Kuang sent out Toxapex, a defensive Water- and Poison-type Pokémon suited to prolonged battles.

Zhang Cheng faced Zhao Kuang’s defensive Toxapex, whose Toxic Spikes and Merciless ability threatened any Pokémon that became poisoned. Poliwrath used Rain Dance to gain speed and attacked while dodging Toxapex’s Toxic, then Zhang Cheng ordered it to use Hypnosis.

• Zhao Kuang ordered Toxapex to scatter Toxic Spikes across the battlefield, and Zhang Cheng recognized the danger of her Merciless ability and Baneful Bunker.
• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath use Rain Dance, activating its Swift Swim ability as Zhao Kuang laid a second layer of Toxic Spikes.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to use Hydro Pump, which removed a quarter of Toxapex’s HP.
• Zhao Kuang had Toxapex use Toxic, but Poliwrath dodged the venom glob.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Poliwrath to use Hypnosis.

Zhang Cheng used Poliwrath’s Dynamic Punch to confuse Zhao Kuang’s Toxapex, then defeated it with Brine, leaving Zhao Kuang two Pokémon down. Zhao Kuang sent out his starter Swampert to try to recover from the disadvantage as the battle continued.

• Zhang Cheng had Poliwrath use Dynamic Punch on Toxapex, confusing it and causing it to hurt itself with Sludge Bomb.
• Poliwrath followed with Hydro Pump, reducing Toxapex’s HP to a quarter while Zhao Kuang struggled to snap it out of its confusion.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Brine, and Poliwrath knocked Toxapex unconscious before Zhao Kuang could protect it with Baneful Bunker.
• Wang Kun cursed Zhao Kuang for losing two Pokémon, while Director Fang Lin celebrated Zhang Cheng’s advantage and considered future perks.
• Zhao Kuang sent out his starter Pokémon, Swampert, hoping to use the continuing rain to turn the match around.

Zhao Kuang's Swampert defeated Zhang Cheng's exhausted Poliwrath, while Toxic Spikes badly poisoned Zhang Cheng's own Swampert. Zhang Cheng ordered his Swampert to overwhelm its opponent, and its Hydro Cannon broke through Muddy Water and struck Zhao Kuang's Swampert.

• Zhao Kuang's Swampert beat Poliwrath in a Waterfall clash and then knocked it out with Hydro Pump after breaking its Protect barrier.
• Zhang Cheng recalled Poliwrath and sent out his Swampert, which became badly poisoned by Toxapex's Toxic Spikes.
• Zhao Kuang ordered his Swampert to attack with Muddy Water while Zhang Cheng urged his poisoned Swampert to end the fight quickly.
• Zhang Cheng's Swampert fired Hydro Cannon, which dispersed Muddy Water and hit Zhao Kuang's Swampert.

Zhang Cheng used Toxic and Endeavor to turn his badly poisoned Swampert’s apparent loss into a double knockout against Zhao Kuang’s Swampert. Zhao Kuang recovered his composure and considered how to continue the battle with Toxic Spikes still on the field.

• Zhang Cheng and Zhao Kuang’s Swampert clashed with Waterfall, then traded attacks as Zhang Cheng’s Swampert’s poison steadily drained its HP.
• Zhao Kuang had his Swampert use Protect to block Zhang Cheng’s Toxic, believing Zhang Cheng had no way to win.
• Zhang Cheng revealed he had baited Protect and ordered Endeavor, reducing Zhao Kuang’s Swampert to nearly no HP.
• Zhang Cheng’s Swampert used Water Gun before the poison knocked it out, and the attack also knocked out Zhao Kuang’s Swampert.
• Zhang Cheng recalled his Swampert, while Zhao Kuang regained his composure and considered his remaining advantage from the Toxic Spikes.

Zhang Cheng sent Moltres against Zhao Kuang’s Espeon and pressed the Psychic-type Pokémon with repeated physical attacks. Espeon used Reflect and Morning Sun to endure and recover, while Moltres continued its assault.

• Zhang Cheng sent out Moltres to avoid the Toxic Spikes, and Zhao Kuang sent out his level 74 Espeon.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Moltres to use Brave Bird, but Espeon evaded it with Detect and countered with Psychic.
• Zhang Cheng had Moltres strike Espeon with Wing Attack, while Espeon’s Psychic damaged Moltres.
• Zhang Cheng sent Moltres into another Brave Bird, and Zhao Kuang had Espeon use Reflect to reduce the damage.
• Zhao Kuang ordered Espeon to recover with Morning Sun, but Zhang Cheng immediately told Moltres to attack with Aerial Ace.

Zhang Cheng’s Moltres battled Zhao Kuang’s Espeon, trading attacks and recovery moves as Espeon used Calm Mind and Future Sight. Moltres’s critical Brave Bird left Espeon barely standing behind Reflect, while Moltres also suffered heavy damage.

• Zhang Cheng switched Moltres to Flamethrower, and Zhao Kuang had Espeon answer with Psybeam before boosting it with Calm Mind.
• Moltres healed with Roost as Espeon strengthened its Special Attack and Special Defense, then Zhang Cheng resumed physical attacks with Flame Charge.
• Zhao Kuang had Espeon use Future Sight and Psychic, but Moltres avoided Psychic with Fly before Future Sight struck and badly injured it.
• Moltres plunged down with Fly and hit Espeon, which used Reflect to defend against further physical attacks.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Moltres to use Brave Bird, and its critical hit left Espeon with only a sliver of HP.

Zhang Cheng’s Moltres defeated Zhao Kuang’s Espeon and gained the upper hand in their battle. Zhao Kuang sent out Drampa, whose Berserk ability activated after Moltres’s Brave Bird, and ordered a barrage of Dragon Pulses.

• Moltres landed a critical Brave Bird that made Espeon flinch, then defeated it with Air Slash.
• Zhao Kuang sent out his level 74 Drampa, a Dragon-type Pokémon with A-grade potential and the Berserk ability.
• Drampa attacked Moltres with Dragon Pulse, but Moltres weakened it with Air Slash and blocked Glare with Protect.
• Moltres struck Drampa with Brave Bird before Drampa could escape using Fly, reducing Drampa’s HP to half.
• Drampa’s Berserk ability activated, and Zhao Kuang ordered him to unleash a barrage of Dragon Pulses.

Zhang Cheng recalled Moltres after Drampa defeated it, then sent out Kingdra to battle Zhao Kuang's weakened Drampa. Kingdra's Outrage forced Drampa to block the first strike with Protect and meet the second with Dragon Pulse, leaving the clash unresolved.

• Zhao Kuang ordered Drampa to use Dragon Breath, striking Moltres as it tried to escape with Fly and forcing Zhang Cheng to recall it.
• Zhang Cheng sent out Kingdra, and Zhao Kuang welcomed the Dragon-type matchup, confident that Drampa's activated Ability would give it the advantage.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Kingdra to use Outrage, and Drampa blocked its first strike with Protect.
• After Protect faded, Drampa countered Kingdra's second Outrage strike with Dragon Pulse, and the attacks canceled each other out.

Zhao Kuang sent out his final ace, Beedrill, and Mega Evolved him into a fearsome opponent for Zhang Cheng’s Diancie. Mega Beedrill then struck the confused Kingdra with X-Scissor, leaving it with less than one-fifth of its HP.

• Kingdra’s third Outrage hit Drampa and knocked it out, though Kingdra fell into confusion afterward.
• Zhang Cheng challenged Zhao Kuang to reveal his final Pokémon, warning that it would need to defeat Diancie for Zhao Kuang to have a chance.
• Zhao Kuang sent out his level 75 Beedrill, whose rare A-grade potential and extensive training surprised Zhang Cheng.
• Zhao Kuang Mega Evolved Beedrill, whose Adaptability, boosted Attack and Speed, and Silver Powder made his Bug-type moves exceptionally powerful.
• Zhao Kuang ordered Mega Beedrill to use X-Scissor, and the attack hit the confused Kingdra, reducing its HP to less than one-fifth.

Zhao Kuang’s Mega Beedrill nearly defeated Zhang Cheng’s Kingdra with a powerful X-Scissor, but Kingdra used Soak before it fell, changing Mega Beedrill into a Water type and weakening its Adaptability. Mega Beedrill gained an Attack boost from Fell Stinger, but Zhao Kuang was left with little hope of challenging Zhang Cheng’s Mythical Pokémon.

• Mega Beedrill struck Kingdra with X-Scissor, nearly knocking it out and astonishing Wang Kun and Fang Lin.
• Zhao Kuang ordered Mega Beedrill to finish Kingdra with Fell Stinger so it could gain a drastic Attack boost.
• Kingdra used Soak to change Mega Beedrill from Bug and Poison types to a single Water type, weakening its attacks.
• Mega Beedrill defeated Kingdra with Fell Stinger and gained the Attack boost, but Zhao Kuang realized it had lost its Bug-type bonus.
• Zhang Cheng recalled Kingdra, while Zhao Kuang faced the prospect that Mega Beedrill could not withstand a Mythical Pokémon’s attacks.

Zhang Cheng sent Zeraora to face Zhao Kuang’s weakened Mega Beedrill, and the two Pokémon exchanged powerful attacks despite Zeraora’s severe poison. The battle reached a decisive clash as Zeraora charged into Giga Impact and Mega Beedrill prepared a final Poison Jab.

• Zhang Cheng sent Zeraora onto the field, where Toxic Spikes badly poisoned it, and Zhao Kuang realized he faced another Mythical Pokémon.
• Zhang Cheng ordered Zeraora to use Plasma Fists while Zhao Kuang sent Mega Beedrill into a head-on X-Scissor clash.
• The clash injured Mega Beedrill severely because Soak had changed it into a Water type, while Mega Beedrill’s counterattack and the poison cut Zeraora’s HP in half.
• Zhang Cheng revealed that Zeraora’s Plasma Fists had charged its next attack and ordered it to use Giga Impact.
• Zhao Kuang ordered Mega Beedrill to stake everything on Poison Jab as Zeraora hurtled toward it surrounded by plasma electricity.

Zhang Cheng defeated Zhao Kuang’s Mega Beedrill, earned fifty million Pokémon Coins for helping the Modu Pokémon Center pass its assessment, and spent six months training until all his Pokémon reached level 80. He arrived at Modu’s Challenge Tower to challenge for the Champion-level title, where Sun Hai checked that he met the requirements.

• Zeraora’s Plasma Giga Impact shattered Mega Beedrill’s stingers and knocked it out, deciding the match in Zhang Cheng’s favor.
• Zhao Kuang congratulated Zhang Cheng and accepted his defeat, while Zhang Cheng reminded Fang Lin of their payment agreement.
• Fang Lin paid Zhang Cheng fifty million Pokémon Coins, and Wang Kun left the battlefield looking grim.
• Zhang Cheng left after his Pokémon recovered, bought a home in Modu for his mother, and trained for half a year until all his Pokémon reached level 80.
• Zhang Cheng rode Moltres to Modu’s Challenge Tower and asked to challenge for the Champion-level title.
• Sun Hai met Zhang Cheng and stated that challengers needed at least six Pokémon at level 80 or above; Zhang Cheng said he met the requirement and asked to be registered.

Zhang Cheng entered the Modu Challenge Tower’s Champion-level assessment, where he had to defeat Sun Hai’s six level 80 Pokémon. His Kingdra faced Sun Hai’s Alakazam, and the battle left Alakazam badly hurt after Kingdra’s Rain Dance-boosted Waterfall.

• Sun Hai introduced himself as the Challenge Tower’s examiner and explained the Champion-level assessment and its benefits and obligations.
• Zhang Cheng and Sun Hai began a six-on-six battle, sending out Kingdra and Alakazam as their leads.
• Sun Hai had Alakazam use Calm Mind while Zhang Cheng ordered Kingdra to set up Rain Dance.
• Alakazam struck Kingdra with Psychic, taking about a third of its HP, but Kingdra reached Alakazam with a rain-boosted Waterfall.
• Kingdra’s Waterfall exploited Alakazam’s weak physical defense, sending him crashing to the ground with half his HP gone.