After Ash's match ended, it was Xia You's turn to take the field.
His expression was unchanged. Having competed in two major tournaments, he was already completely unfazed by a scene like this and walked calmly out of the competitors' tunnel. At the other end of the arena, his opponent was clearly competing in an event like this for the first time. Much more reserved, he could only stare at the path in front of him, not daring to look up at his surroundings at all.
As usual, the host gave both competitors a brief introduction as they entered, allowing the audience to learn a little about them.
The introduction of Xia You's opponent had been perfectly normal, but before the host began introducing Xia You, there was a noticeable pause.
Only after two seconds did the host continue in a slightly surprised voice, "Oh? I've just received word that this competitor, Xia You, is no ordinary entrant. He's the champion of this year's Indigo Conference and an Honorary Pokémon Trainer of the Orange Islands! Who would have thought our Whirl Islands Cup would attract a competitor like him!"
The Indigo Conference champion?
An Honorary Pokémon Trainer of the Orange Islands?
The audience immediately grew restless.
Being an Honorary Pokémon Trainer of the Orange Islands was one thing. Although the Orange Islands far surpassed the Whirl Islands in number of islands, economy, and population, theirs was still only a small Pokémon League tournament. Not only did the title carry limited weight, but its international standing was only a little higher than a local tournament like theirs.
But the Indigo Conference champion was another matter entirely!
That was a genuine Pokémon League Conference, almost on par with the Silver Conference in both scale and strength. They had no choice but to