"All right."
Steven stepped forward, interrupting everyone's murmured conversations. He looked at Yong and Wuneng Hao and said,
"Since you're both here, let's get started!"
Steven smiled faintly.
"This isn't an official match, but we still need rules. Three-on-three, with substitutions allowed, but each of you only gets one substitution. As for your wager..."
"Hao, if Yong wins, the Wuneng must stop obstructing his Ecological Park application. Do you understand?"
Wuneng Hao nodded solemnly.
"I understand, Steven!"
Steven nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Yong.
"Likewise, if you lose, you must give up on establishing an Ecological Park. Otherwise, you'll have to try dealing with suppression from the Rock-type, Ground-type, and Steel-type factions, Yong."
Yong nodded as well.
"Yes, I understand, Mr. Steven!"
Pleased with their responses, Steven looked around at everyone present and continued,
"Everyone here is a witness, not just me, so you don't need to worry about anyone interfering with the outcome. Drake, I'll leave the refereeing to you!"
Elite Four member Drake always wore a stern expression, and this moment was no exception.
"Leave it to me!"
Once everything had been settled, everyone followed Steven to the edge of the battlefield. Apart from Yong, Wuneng Hao, and Drake, the other boys and girls sat in the seats that had already been arranged around it.
"Do you think Hao has a good chance of winning?"
Takuya Ruri leaned toward Yi Tengguang and asked quietly.
Yi Tengguang shook his head.
"I haven't actually battled either of them, so I can't make a clear comparison. But I've watched Shiyan Yong's battle footage. The sheer size of that Steelix alone is enough to prove he's not someone to take lightly!"
Yi Tengguang paused.
"As for Hao, we have a pretty good idea of his strength. He still has some trump