The competition continued, with trainers bringing their starter Pokémon onto the field.

Pokémon battles always have winners and losers.

The winning trainers and Pokémon had smiles as bright as sunshine on their faces, and tears of excitement welled up in their eyes. They either encouraged each other or high-fived in celebration.

Even the young masters and ladies from the Bai and Long families were competing for the first time themselves. After winning, it was inevitable that their hearts would be filled with joy and pride.

Most of the trainers and Pokémon who lost had paid to enter the competition; some were also from the Bai and Long families. Some quietly lowered their heads, their eyes revealing disappointment and unwillingness, their tightly bitten lips betraying their inner regret. Others stood blankly, their gazes empty, as if still immersed in the moment of their defeat, unable to extricate themselves.

But there were also some who, though their eyes welled with tears, quickly raised their heads, their gazes becoming firm once more. They and their Pokémon would draw strength from their failures, preparing to meet the next challenge.

Whether it was the cheers of victory or the gloom of defeat, every pre-senior trainer and their starter Pokémon gained something from this competition.

It allowed them to take a step ahead of others in their subsequent high school and university lives.

Especially the young people from the Bai and Long families, in just a few years, these “noobs” who were pecking at each other here would quickly train their Pokémon into pseudo-legendary Pokémon with the greatest destructive power, like those outside the gym.

No wonder it’s stipulated that Pokémon must begin training after the first year of high school.

If it weren't for this strict rule, these scions of aristocratic families and children of wealthy households would probably have several fully evolved pseudo-legendaries before even graduating from elementary school.

Then the profession of trainer would be monopolized by them.

As he was idly thinking, Chen Kai again noticed Section Chief Hu’s grandson. He had spent a lot of effort to barely get his Charmander back, but the rift between them seemed to have grown even wider.

It felt somewhat out of place with the surrounding environment.

At the same time, Section Chief Hu was still nowhere to be seen, not even his bodyguards.

Another round ended, and Chen Kai was the first to enter the arena this time. He scratched his head, thinking it was better to mind his own business.

“Xiao Mei, let’s go, it’s our turn again.”

This time, the opponent was still a trainer from the Long family, but thankfully, it was no longer a Ground-type Pokémon; it was just a Deino.

As expected, Xiao Mei relied on a surging Thunderbolt, electrifying the opponent into doubting their life.

Chen Kai confidently told Xiao Mei, “As long as it’s not a completely immune Ground-type, we’re basically invincible in this match.”

“Mei.” (Exactly.)

As more and more people were eliminated, Chen Kai’s frequency of entering the arena became faster and faster.

Basically, it was an Electric Net to limit the opponent from a distance, followed by a barrage of Thunderbolt. The opponents were all powerless to fight back.

The young people in the venue secretly gave him the nickname “Thunderbolt Maniac.”

At the same time, a few conservatives quietly grumbled behind his back: What’s the meaning of bringing a Flaaffy to a competition for Dragon-type trainers?

Even if it evolves into an Ampharos, does having “Dragon” in its name count as a Dragon?

However, Chen Kai didn't hear them and successfully made it into the top four.

If he had heard what these people were discussing behind his back, he would definitely say, “Don’t let me find a Mega Stone, or you’ll be in for a rude awakening.”

Besides Chen Kai and a young man from the Long family, the remaining two in the top four were from the Bai family.

It wasn’t that the Bai family was stronger; it was just that if anyone from the Long family was tricky, they were arranged for Chen Kai to deal with.

Even so, there was still one Long family trainer left, so it seemed the Bai family was a bit weak this generation.

As Chen Kai stood ready in the arena, the young man from the Long family on the opposite side spoke, “Hey! Your name is Chen Kai, right?”

Chen Kai nodded, “That’s right, what’s up?”

“What’s up? I’m just lamenting that the Bai family seems to have no one left, sending an outsider like you, who doesn’t even have a Dragon-type Pokémon, to snipe us. How much did the Bai family pay you to come here?”

Chen Kai was a bit surprised.

So, this competition had a pre-battle trash talk segment!

He organized his words and said, “The Bai family didn’t pay me. It’s just that you guys are really too weak. There’s nothing I can do; I can’t even lose if I wanted to.”

Chen Kai spread his hands, making a helpless expression.

“Besides, who said I don’t have a Dragon-type Pokémon? Come out, Applin!”

Chen Kai threw out a Poké Ball. The ball opened, and Applin appeared, standing on Chen Kai’s shoulder, its big eyes very curious:

Why was I suddenly called out?

Chen Kai arrogantly pointed at Applin and said, “See? A Dragon-type Pokémon.”

The young man from the Long family was speechless after hearing Chen Kai’s words. He wanted to say something but couldn’t organize his thoughts.

At this moment, someone in the audience shouted, “Then why don’t you let Applin battle!”

Then several other people in the audience followed suit, “Yeah! Then why don’t you use Applin!”

“Always using Flaaffy, what’s the big deal?”

“This is a Dragon-type competition, so you definitely have to use a Dragon-type Pokémon!”

…

Chen Kai glanced around; it was all people from the Long family talking.

At this moment, the young man from the Long family on the opposite side also reacted and said, “That’s right, then why don’t you use Applin!”

An unevolved Applin generally has no combat power. This is what the Long family thought, wanting to provoke Chen Kai into sending out Applin.

Chen Kai thought about the Pokémon the opponent had used before and smiled disdainfully.

“Alright! But don’t cry if you lose later~

Go, Applin! You’ve been lying in your Poké Ball all day today; it’s time for some exercise.”

The young man from the Long family seemed to have gotten a bit carried away after Chen Kai’s two sentences. He said angrily, “Damn it, if you lose later, I’ll show you!

Go, Flapple!”

Yes, the opponent’s Pokémon had always been Flapple, the evolved form of Applin. They had reached the top four by relying on their advantage of flying in the air.

This was also why Chen Kai dared to use Applin. He just didn’t know why, but a few words of pre-battle trash talk seemed to have made the opponent lose his cool.

Applin looked at its kin in front of it. Can it really fly? That way, it can deal with those annoying birds!

But for some reason, this kin’s flight was a bit wobbly, not very stable.

And it was a bit thin and small…

It would be better for me to evolve into something bigger, like an Exeggutor.

The referee’s whistle blew: “Battle start!”

The opponent immediately shouted, “Flapple! Use Acrobatics!”

Chen Kai smirked, “We win, plan complete!”

If the opponent had played it safe and used Twister, he would have had a headache, but for some reason, the opponent lost his cool and chose the highest damage but close-range move, ‘Acrobatics.’ This battle was a sure win!

“Applin, dodge it! Then use Lunge!”

Flapple flapped its apple wings, attacking Applin.

Applin seized the opportunity, leaping lightly to perfectly dodge Flapple’s wings, landing right on its head.

Applin burrowed out of the hole in its tail, lunged at Flapple’s head, took a bite, and then jumped back into its apple.

Flapple, being light for flying, only weighed about a pound more than Applin. After being critically hit on the head, it actually fell to the ground.

Chen Kai seized the chance to command, “Good opportunity! Astonish, Lunge, don’t hold back, hit its face with everything!”

Applin once again jumped out of its apple, its mouth gathering purple and green energy respectively, and it proceeded to gnaw on its kin.

‘Astonish’ usually deals moderate damage, but it still made Flapple flinch a bit.

However, the Bug-type move ‘Lunge’ dealt very significant damage to Flapple, which also had a Grass typing, making Flapple scream.

At this moment, the opponent frantically shouted, “Flapple, fly up quickly, create some distance, get away from them!”

Chen Kai just shook his head. The opponent should be commanding Flapple to use ‘Wing Attack’ or continue using ‘Acrobatics.’ That way, the recoil from the move clash could push them back a bit.

Constantly trying to escape only exposed Flapple’s soft underbelly or its back.

Applin would then use ‘Lunge’ on these areas, pinning it to the ground and relentlessly attacking it.

In just over a minute, Flapple had taken 6 ‘Lunges’ and 3 ‘Astonishes,’ and was now lying on the ground, unable to move.

The referee, seeing that it was enough, made the ruling: “This match is won by Chen Kai and Applin!”

Chen Kai also knew when to stop: “Come back, Applin, you did great! honey apple is right in front of us!”

It was already very happy to have defeated its evolved form, and hearing that it would get a honey apple immediately after winning the match made it jump for joy!

“Applin!” (So cool!)

At this moment, the opponent on the other side was not so happy.

He clenched his jaw, his teeth grinding, and a furious Growl escaped through his clenched teeth. But because he was utterly defeated by his Pokémon’s initial form, he didn’t know what to say: “You… you guys…”

Chen Kai was startled, thinking: Holy cow, is the opponent really losing his cool? Bro, you started the pre-battle trash talk, are you really such a sore loser?

Chen Kai rubbed his chin, thinking for a moment.

He held his hands up in front of him, making a gesture like crab claws, and said, “Young man, if you’re weak, practice more. If you can’t handle losing, don’t play.”

After speaking, he turned and walked off the stage without looking back.

The young man from the Long family, upon hearing Chen Kai’s words, was so enraged that his face turned crimson, veins bulged on his forehead, and his eyes were wide and bulging, almost to the point of spitting blood.

At this moment in the venue, everyone felt that Chen Kai had truly earned the title of “Thunderbolt Maniac,” or perhaps just “Maniac”!

Not only did Applin crush Flapple, but his words were also so vicious. If this young man from the Long family didn’t get psychological counseling, his trainer career might be over.

However, Chen Kai didn't notice. He returned to his grandfather’s side and saw an unfamiliar white-haired old man next to his grandfather.

He heard the old man laughingly conversing with his grandfather: “Weimin, your grandson is quite good!”

His grandfather seemed very happy and replied with a smile, “Not bad, not bad, after all, he also carries a bit of our Bai family bloodline!”

His grandfather called Chen Kai, who had already arrived, and introduced him: “Ah, Xiao Kai, this is Bai Yi from the main family. You should call him Grandpa.”

Chen Kai found it a bit strange. Why was this old man from the Bai family suddenly here? But he still followed his grandfather’s words, nodded, and greeted the old man: “Hello, Grandpa.”

The old man smiled and said to Chen Kai, “Young man, you’ve raised your Pokémon well!”

Chen Kai humbly replied, “Just so-so.”

“Your grandfather told me you want to use a honey apple to evolve Applin, is that right?”

Chen Kai nodded, “That’s right.”

The old man still smiled and said, “There are indeed honey apples in the Bai family’s warehouse. You’re not an outsider, and you performed well this time. I can decide to give you a honey apple later.”

“Oh! Thank you, Grandpa.” Chen Kai outwardly agreed happily.

But he muttered to himself: Why do I feel like there’s a hidden meaning in this old man’s words?

The old man changed the subject and pointed to the stage: “Look, these two who are on stage now are also young people from our Bai family.”

Chen Kai looked at the arena. There were two girls. One’s Pokémon was a Goomy, and the other’s Pokémon was cool, a pink Dratini.

He thought that the shiny Dratini was truly beautiful! Evolving into Dragonair was also incredibly beautiful, but it’s better not to evolve into Dragonite…

“That pink Dratini is my granddaughter’s,” the old man continued.

Chen Kai commented, “Then your granddaughter is also quite good!”

On the field, Dratini first paralyzed the opponent’s Goomy with Thunder Wave, then followed up with continuous Twister attacks.

The opponent’s Goomy kept fighting back with Water Gun and Absorb, but Grass-type and Water-type moves didn’t cause much damage to the Dragon-type Dratini. On the contrary, Twister dealt very high damage to Goomy.

This shiny Dratini kept pushing the opponent back.

Chen Kai didn’t quite understand how this Goomy had won its way through the Dragon-type internal battles to reach the top 4.

Chen Kai said, “It looks like your granddaughter is going to win!”

“Yes, it looks like she’s going to win this match.” The old man intertwined his fingers and continued, “I think she can win this competition’s Champion. What do you think?”

“Huh?”

So, this is what you were waiting for?

His grandfather thought Chen Kai didn’t understand, so he pulled him aside and whispered, “Xiao Kai, Grandpa means for you to go easy and let his granddaughter win. Even if you go easy now, you’ll still get a honey apple!”

Chen Kai said, “Grandpa, I’m not stupid; I understood.”

His grandfather patted his shoulder and said, “Good! It’s good that you understand.”

At this moment, Dratini sent out another Twister, knocking Goomy flying. Goomy fainted and lost its ability to battle.

Dratini won. At this point, a team of medical personnel immediately rushed out to help Dratini recover its status.

His grandfather said, “Okay, then you just go up on stage and make a show of it.

Then we can give Applin the honey apple.”

At this moment, the large screen also showed that Chen Kai could go on stage for the finals.

Chen Kai walked onto the arena with a blank expression. At this time, the medical personnel had helped Dratini recover its stamina.

At this moment, the old man from the Bai family also came to the closest position to the arena, probably so he could congratulate his granddaughter the moment she won.

The girl on the opposite side sent out Dratini again, cheering it on: “Go, Dratini! The opponent is strong, but if we win, we’ll be the Champion!”

Chen Kai could tell that the girl took this competition very seriously, and most likely, she didn’t know what her grandfather had done, right?

At this moment, the old man still had an innocent expression, cheering on his granddaughter from the side.

“Hmph!” Chen Kai chuckled.

He loudly said to the old man, “Hey, old man, do you know?

One of the things I, Chen Kai, like to do most is to say ‘NO’ and refuse people who think too highly of themselves.”

The old man from the Bai family was dumbfounded by Chen Kai’s sudden words. He asked in confusion, “What? What do you want to say?”

Chen Kai threw out a Poké Ball, sending out Xiao Mei. The referee, seeing that both sides had sent out their Pokémon, announced the start of the battle.

At this moment, Chen Kai pointed a finger at the somewhat bewildered old man and said, “So, what I want to say is, your idea is great.

But, I refuse!”

Chen Kai felt as if an unknown something was flowing from his body towards Xiao Mei; it was probably the Taijing Energy within him.

He then loudly said to Xiao Mei, “Xiao Mei, use Thunderbolt with all your might!”

Xiao Mei felt Chen Kai’s determination, and the light bulb on its tail burst forth with brilliant light.

“Mei!” (Okay!)

“Boom!”

A violent bolt of lightning erupted from Xiao Mei, illuminating the entire arena, lighting up the old man’s astonished face, and blinding those who had been talking about Chen Kai behind his back.

It illuminated the evening, already somewhat dim, arena as if it were broad daylight.