Only when it was almost time for the awards ceremony did Ye Qing finally drag himself out the door.
Thinking that reporters might be waiting outside, and perhaps even a group of people looking to dig up dirt on him, Ye Qing simply let Gardevoir out and had her teleport him outside the venue.
After pinpointing his destination, Ye Qing had Gardevoir teleport again, into the stands, before the people around him could react.
"Cousin!"
Zhao Ziran waved happily the moment he spotted Ye Qing.
Ye Qing nodded at him and hurried over to his family.
"It's Ye Qing!"
"Look, look! Ye Qing's here!"
Seeing Ye Qing appear, the people nearby immediately crowded around him.
Faced with such enthusiasm, Ye Qing hurriedly put on sunglasses and had Ditto turn into him and run off somewhere else.
After emergency repairs, the burned Floating Island had been mostly restored. At least, nothing looked wrong on the surface.
Since Long Zinuo had his eye on the fourth-place prize, he had voluntarily forfeited third place to Zhao Ling.
Xie Yu had also been disqualified from the rankings because of his identity, and the next contestant in line had taken his place.
Cynthia and the other big shots gave speeches in front of the awards podium on the Floating Island before inviting Ye Qing and the other seven contestants up to receive their prizes.
Standing on the highest step of the podium, Ye Qing held his trophy and quietly waited for his Master Ball!
Cynthia and the other big shots lined up and presented everyone with their prizes.
"This belongs to you. Congratulations."
Cynthia smiled and came up to Ye Qing, holding a crystal box.
"Thank you."
Ye Qing nodded his thanks and looked down. Inside the crystal box sat a fist-sized purple Poké Ball,