Naturally, Xia Chi had no interest in joining the next Donghuang Conference just to get in on the excitement.
With Trainers possessing "Champion-level potential," such as Iris and Blue, participating, this Conference was bound to carry far more weight than previous ones. Its Champion title was certainly nothing to scoff at.
Still, League Conferences were large-scale competitions primarily intended for young Trainers and newcomers. Given Xia Chi's current strength and experience, entering one now would feel rather like picking on his juniors for easy wins.
Then again, going by age alone, Xia Chi actually met every qualification for a "young Trainer."
He had fought half a lifetime's worth of battles and still returned a youth.
During their stay in Opelucid City, Iris's packed schedule ultimately prevented her from finding a suitable opportunity for the three-on-three or full six-on-six battle with Xia Chi that she had been longing for.
Xia Chi did not find that particularly regrettable.
He had already fought the two strongest Pokémon currently on Iris's team: her Salamence, capable of Mega Evolution, and her formidable Dragonite.
There was no more fear to be mined from this "juvenile" Unova Champion.
The real prize was Drayden, hailed as "Unova's strongest Gym Leader." That veteran Dragon-type master was the true "fear gold mine" Xia Chi looked forward to.
He did not have to wait long. On his fourth day in Opelucid City, Xia Chi heard from Caitlin that Gym Leader Drayden had returned from Icirrus City.
Having spent two days holed up in their luxury hotel, the pair decided to pay him a visit.
After returning, Drayden had not stayed at the Opelucid Gym. Instead, he had gone straight to the League building to handle official business.
By now, he had handed over virtually all of the Gym's daily operations to