The Elite Four Tournament begins (Thanks to Xiangban & Hatsune for the Top Supporter Badge!)

Ye Qing shuddered. He really couldn't think too deeply about whether Wang Yao would be fathering a son or an ancestor.

Old Master Zhang handed him a stack of documents. "Ye Qing, I have a list of this tournament's contestants here. A lot of Gym Leaders will be competing in this Elite Four Tournament, so the competition will be exceptionally fierce. You can take a look at their team compositions."

"Besides, there's a vacancy in the Elite Four this time. That's certainly attracted quite a few Trainers."

Ye Qing understood that too. After all, once someone became an Elite Four-level Trainer, they were qualified to compete for a position in the Elite Four.

In the past, all four positions had been filled. Each member was powerful, with a complex web of connections behind them, which left most people content with the status quo.

But things were different now. With a vacancy in the Elite Four, many Trainers had sprung into action. After all, this was arguably the easiest way to enter the highest ranks of power. Bringing their family and associates up with them afterward wouldn't be difficult either.

Ye Qing took the documents. Many of his opponents this time were veterans, including several Provincial Gym Leaders.

They had been famous for years and were bound to have some trump cards up their sleeves.

Moreover, the rules for this Elite Four Tournament would very likely require Trainers to take the field alongside their Pokémon. That would test not only the Pokémon, but also the Trainers' mental fortitude.

Ye Qing spent the night studying his opponents' information, only going to bed when he was too sleepy to continue.

As the Elite Four Tournament drew closer, the atmosphere in the Imperial Capital grew increasingly lively.

Every household put up festive decorations, and