Chapter 608: The Bearing of a Champion

"Rhyperior—let the sandstorm blow even harder!"

Gu Li Si shouted urgently. He had originally wanted Rhyperior to step in and rescue Xiyangniao, but on second thought, wouldn't the weather make it even harder to fight?

He could only hope that a fiercer sandstorm might buy a chance to block it.

But the moment the words left his mouth, Porygon-II's third Solar Beam had already pierced through the sand and landed on Xiyangniao once again.

Boom!

The deafening blast and the billowing dust left the ground before Gu Li Si a complete mess, as if it had been through a mortar baptism.

He regretted it deeply.

Why did he see the Solar Beam and assume it would target Rhyperior—was it because he subconsciously thought that the Flying-type Xiyangniao resists Grass-type, so All Baimu couldn't possibly make such a basic mistake?

Clearly it was a more suitable target than Rhyperior!

"……"

Xiyangniao flapped its wings—more symbolic than practical—trying to skim along the ground using Psychic to dodge, but Porygon-II's Solar Beam was simply too fast.

"Rhyperior!!"

Rhyperior roared furiously, more sand and gravel surging beneath it, eroding toward where Porygon-II and Blissey stood amid the gale!

But in the next instant, the sandstorm was pierced through by a pillar of golden light!

Boom!

The high-energy light wave that made the air tremble surged forward without hesitation.

This time, even the Light Screen that materialized before Xiyangniao couldn't hold up—shattering into a skyful of light particles the instant the Solar Beam touched it.

Boom!

The tremendous crash that shook the ground echoed.

Rhyperior turned its head in disbelief. In the smoke-wreathed crater behind it, Xiyangniao lay sprawled out, utterly still.

The commentator cheered loudly: "It's down! Porygon-II's four consecutive Solar Beams have defeated Xiyangniao! A relentless, overwhelming offense!"

"Xiyangniao is unable to battle!"

The referee's ruling, as always, came at just the right moment.

Gu Li Si bit his lower lip, refusing to give up, and shouted: "Rhyperior! Dig!"

If they couldn't win on the surface, they'd take the fight underground!

Didn't Dragonite in the earlier rounds only lose after returning to the surface? They could fight!

"Rhyperior!"

Rhyperior stopped sustaining the sandstorm, its hammer-like arms slamming the ground and kicking up great clouds of sand, its massive body sinking beneath the surface at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Boom!

The Solar Beam came streaking in, punching through and grazing the very tip of Rhyperior's horn, which seemed to melt as if scorched by extreme heat!

"What a ferocious Solar Beam! Fired multiple times in a row with absolutely no loss in power!"

The commentator exclaimed loudly.

But the actual situation wasn't as wonderful as he made it sound.

The continuous high-power energy beams had taken a toll on Porygon-II's body and type-energy reserves.

When the fourth Solar Beam took down Xiyangniao, signs of strain had already begun to show; by the time the fifth was fully charged, its head was trembling so badly that it couldn't fire for a long while.

In the end, it only barely grazed one of Rhyperior's horns.

Fortunately, Gu Li Si didn't notice this and chose to have Rhyperior burrow underground to wait for an opening.

This was his lack of experience.

It looked like a brave struggle for a desperate turnaround, but in reality it was nothing but reckless bravado. Had he observed his opponent's Pokémon's condition more carefully, he might truly have found some exploitable opening.

All Baimu was silent. Xiyangniao's durability had exceeded his expectations—even with the Light Screen helping to attenuate the special attack's energy, the fact that it could take three hits in a row without falling was enough to earn his admiration.

Clearly this Pokémon was not only high-leveled, but had also been specifically trained in special defense.

Rest as much as possible.

Even if the time was quite short.

"Relax your mind and carefully listen for the direction of the tremors in the ground!" he issued the command.

"Porygon…"

Porygon-II let out a breath of relief, feeling that after firing Solar Beam repeatedly its eyes were burning and aching, its vision slightly blurred.

Just like a gun barrel after firing thousands of rounds in succession.

Meanwhile, Blissey looked up at the sandstorm that had been completely dispersed by the harsh sunlight, and breathed a sigh of relief along with it.

It had barely used the weather move a few times since learning it, and had been worried it couldn't match Rhyperior. Luckily it managed to hold on and stall until its partner took the opponent down.

A cause for celebration.

The two Pokémon seized the moment to rest.

Of course, they didn't forget to watch the ground, using multiple senses to determine which direction Rhyperior would burst out from.

Blissey silently counted down in its heart. Gravity still had some time left; once it ended, it could use Telekinesis, and by then, facing a Rhyperior that had also lost its mobility, victory would be all but certain.

Please don't come out so soon…

It stared at the faintly trembling ground.

Porygon-II held a similar thought. The aching in its eyes had faded, but there was still a burning, blurry sensation.

Meanwhile.

Rhyperior couldn't wait any longer, and burst out from underground at an opportune moment!

Boom!

Rocks flew in all directions!

A massive figure appeared five or six meters behind Porygon2 and Blissey, yet it had not launched a direct attack on them from underground.

"Rock Blast!"

Gu Li Si shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Thud-thump!"

Mega Aggron snarled ferociously, bringing its arms together before its chest. From the Kong Dong in its palms, gravel spewed out continuously, and in the blink of an eye condensed into a giant boulder wrapped in red light, spinning ceaselessly.

All Baimu's brows knit tightly. Catching Gu Li Si's resolute expression from the corner of his eye, he immediately shouted: "Double Protect!"

The words had barely fallen.

Boom!

The red-glowing boulder was struck by Mega Aggron's twin arms, sent spinning as it hurtled toward Porygon2 and Blissey. Wherever it passed, its enormous volume stirred up a rumbling wind!

The tremendous reaction force sent Mega Aggron sliding back into the pit behind it, its muscles rigid and unmoving for the moment.

Speaking reasonably.

Given Porygon2's reaction speed, even without hastily countering with Solar Beam, the Rock Blast was within a range that could be safely dodged.

After dodging, it could seize the chance to strike and try to take it down in one go—or something like that—

That had indeed been All Baimu's original plan, but upon seeing the expression on Gu Li Si's face across the field, he abandoned it.

No rush.

Stability above all.

Porygon2 and Blissey's eyes lit up at the words. Before them, two overlapping azure honeycomb light shields instantly appeared, squarely blocking the Rock Blast's path.

Thud!

A heavy, muffled crash!

The latter abruptly slammed into the first light shield. The highly condensed date-red Rock-type energy, spinning along with the Rock Blast, poured wildly onto the shield, grinding straight through it!

What terrifying power!

The commentator cried out in disbelief: "The first Protect has been broken! The Rock Blast cannot be stopped! Can the second Protect hold!?"

As if to confirm his question.

The spinning Rock Blast suddenly blazed with an even more dazzling red light. Then numerous cracks spread across its surface, and the surging energy within could no longer be contained, bursting forth from within!

Boom!

Like a cannon shell exploding.

The terrifying shockwave, with unimaginable might, shattered the second shield. The flames from the erupting Rock-type energy engulfed Porygon2 and Blissey!

The audience erupted in an uproar at the sight, waves of discussion breaking out.

The commentator shouted frantically, "A second attack! Such a powerful Rock Blast actually has a secondary effect! Mega Aggron's attack has paid off! Porygon2 and Blissey are in crisis!"

The giant screen displayed a scene shrouded in smoke, along with All Baimu's expressionless face.

It worked!

Joy spread across Gu Li Si's face.

This Rock Blast with an explosive effect was the ultimate trump card he had been saving, originally planned for use in the semifinals or even the finals.

He hadn't expected to be forced to use it in the very first round of the main tournament by All Baimu!

But it was all worth it. He believed that with Blissey's defensive ability, it definitely couldn't withstand the lingering force of the explosion. When the time came, Mega Aggron versus Porygon2 in a one-on-one, there would be a complete chance to turn defeat into victory!

"Mega Aggron! One more Rock Blast!"

Gu Li Si issued the order in extreme excitement. The only drawback of this move was that its paralysis time was longer than a normal Rock Blast, but the underground hole could serve as Mega Aggron's defensive fortress.

However.

"Helping Hand, Solar Beam."

From within the smoke, a thick golden pillar of light suddenly pierced through the haze and shot forth!

It was Porygon2, its eyes having finished cooling down.

Behind it, Blissey solemnly raised its small hands and clapped continuously. Bai Guang flew up and merged into Porygon2's body, pushing the Solar Beam's might to an even higher level.

"Happy!"

The pillar of light, now infused with gathered sunlight, suddenly swelled!

"They're fine!?"

Gu Li Si was stunned, then hurriedly shouted to Mega Aggron: "Quick, use Dig!"

The lingering explosive force of the Rock Blast was indeed fierce enough to pierce through the second Protect, but he had underestimated Blissey's defense—a miscalculation.

Of course.

Even if his judgment had been correct, it still wouldn't have changed the final outcome.

Boom!!

The stiffened Mega Aggron was struck on its upper body by the Solar Beam. Feeling a heat as if it had fallen into the sun, it let out an incomparably agonized muffled roar.

Several seconds later.

The Solar Beam faded.

Mega Aggron's entire body was emitting blue smoke, its front pitch-black, even the originally date-red rock now turned into a smoke-scorched, fire-blasted mess.

"Thud…… thump……"

It howled with eyes rolled back, collapsing forward and causing the ground to tremble slightly.

It couldn't even withstand a single hit!

After all, the Sandstorm's Special Defense boost and the Light Screen's Special Attack halving effect had both worn off, and Mega Aggron's pitiful Special Defense could never be compensated for by its Sturdy Rock-type trait.

It was utterly insufficient to withstand a same-type Solar Beam boosted by Helping Hand.

If I can't take down a Sigilyph, I can't take down you!?

The referee's flag was raised high. "Super Armor Rhino has lost the ability to battle! Porygon2 and Blissey win! The victor is Trainer Baimu!"

"He took it! Unbelievable! Just a second ago Super Armor Rhino held the advantage, yet it was instantly taken down by a Solar Beam! Was all of this within Trainer Baimu's grasp!?"

The commentator's excited voice drew gasps of applause from the audience.

When Rock Blast broke through two layers of Protect, they really all thought the match was about to turn around, that Porygon2 and Blissey might lose.

Who could have expected that in the blink of an eye Super Armor Rhino would fall beneath a Solar Beam.

Utterly dramatic.

Baimu also found it dramatic, but what he considered dramatic was that Super Armor Rhino had happened to use that Rock Blast—just before Porygon2's eyes had fully cooled down—a move that had genuinely surprised him.

It caused a sudden twist in what should have been a smooth battle, giving Miss Liuqi unnecessary illusions.

"Good work."

He patted the returning Blissey and Porygon2, which had reverted to its original form.

He was just about to recall them into their Poké Balls.

Miss Liuqi walked over.

The boy was seen taking a deep breath, his face full of admiration as he extended his hand: "Congratulations! Baimu-san! Your Pokémon are way too strong!"

"Yours weren't bad either. Sigilyph's special defense was outstanding, and the power of Super Armor Rhino's Rock Blast was truly worthy of praise."

Baimu shook his hand sincerely.

Up to now, very, very few Pokémon had been able to break straight through Blissey's Protect head-on—break through a double Protect? Before encountering today's Rock Blast, he couldn't have even imagined it.

Boy, you truly have the makings of a champion.

He gazed at Miss Liuqi with eager anticipation, mainly hoping that in the future he could simulate this young fellow's challenges in other leagues.

Surely he would achieve fine results.

The latter, however, felt somewhat overwhelmed by his gaze, never having expected that after losing so badly, the other party would appreciate him so much. "Th-that's too kind!"

The resentment in Miss Liuqi's heart over losing the match lessened considerably. He smiled and said: "I will definitely learn from you, challenge many Gyms and leagues, and become a seasoned Trainer!"

"A seasoned Trainer?"

"Yes! You've surely been raising Pokémon for a very long time, right? You can tell just from your Pokémon seasoned battle experience!"

"Uh, I'm a new Trainer."

"Eh?"

"I only started raising Pokémon in the second half of last year. Don't be fooled by the fake news online."

"Eh—"

Miss Liuqi's eyes went wide, and the resentment in his heart suddenly surged to a level that could curse an ordinary person to death.

Baimu was startled by the boy's suddenly changing expression, chuckled as he withdrew his hand and walked away, thinking to himself: why did he react so strongly upon hearing that he was a new Trainer?

That said, his age was indeed a bit older, not fitting the mainstream regions' tradition of setting out on a journey at ten. It was perfectly normal for Miss Liuqi to think he was a seasoned Trainer.

So he felt the gap? Well, it wasn't hard to understand…

—

"What did you do to him?"

"Nothing at all."

"Then why did he walk off looking so lost?"

"He lost the match, didn't he? He even brought out a move as fierce as Rock Blast and still didn't win—can you not let the guy feel down for a moment?"

Baimu retorted righteously to Miss Liuqi.

Manchu nodded in agreement: "The first time I entered a tournament and lost, I was pretty much the same as Miss Liuqi-san. It didn't feel good."

Miss Liuqi, seeing this, didn't press further, even though she had indeed seen Miss Liuqi only turn into that state after talking with Baimu.

He was even smiling when they first shook hands.

Xiaoguang stared at her phone screen and suddenly said: "Alice's match is about to start!"

"Let's hurry!"

"Where's Xiaogang?"

"He got lured away by a passing big sister. It's fine—Croagunk will drag him back."

The moment Baimu finished speaking, a Croagunk no taller than anyone's knee came dragging Xiaogang, who was paralyzed all over, over. A short distance away stood a beautiful woman with a helpless smile.

When she saw him, her eyes lit up, and she hurried over to ask for an autograph and a photo together.

Xiaogang, gradually recovering, looked envious. "How nice… Baimu, if only I were as handsome as you."

"Setting aside whether you're handsome or not, your problem isn't your face—it's how you act when you see other people. Honestly, the fact that no one's ever managed to take you for a pervert all this time, I think your face deserves some of the credit."

Baimu patted his shoulder with earnest gravity.

Which girl could handle Xiaogang's single-knee-kneeling style of hitting on people?

…Well, fine.

There really are some.

In the anime plot, plenty of people liked Xiaogang, but sadly it all came to nothing in the end.