Chapter 729: Breaking the Relay Team

Da Zhong clenched his fists and rolled up his sleeves.

Cheng Hong's strong start filled him with fierce ambition for the upcoming battle.

He would teach this arrogant brat a lesson—don't think just because he's from Silicon Beryllium City he's something special!

"Go! My partner!"

The Poké Ball shot high into the air, then—BOOM—a flash of Bai Guang.

"Thoom—"

Dun Dun Jia, its hide thick as a car, raised its long trunk, its stout tusks lending it a fierce demeanor.

"Pfft! Just Dun Dun Jia! I've seen plenty!"

Fu De tossed out another Poké Ball with disdain, then smirked: "Let me give you some education!"

Boom!

"Lin!"

A Pokémon appeared, towering like a giraffe, its head seemingly bitten by the mouth of some black-bean creature.

Confident Da Zhong and Dun Dun Jia froze in shock.

What Pokémon is this? Qilinqi? That can't be right! Qilinqi isn't this tall!

An evolved form?

Does Qilinqi even have an evolved form? I haven't learned this Pokémon yet!

Da Zhong began to sweat profusely.

Fu De, thoroughly pleased with his display, crossed his arms and laughed loudly: "Never seen one before? Let me teach you! This is Qilinqi—the evolved form of Qilinqi! The rest… figure it out yourself! Use Dual Beam!"

"Lin!"

Qilinqi let out a crisp, youthful cry, and its watery big eyes shot out pink-purple beams!

Hum—

"Dodge!"

Da Zhong frantically ordered Dun Dun Jia to evade; luckily, Dun Dun Jia reacted quickly, rolling forward just in time to avoid the eye beams of Qilinqi.

Boom!

A shallow crater exploded on the ground; sweat trickled down his temple.

Did Qilinqi's type change after evolution? What about its ability? Which stats improved compared to before?

Might as well treat it as Qilinqi for this battle!

Da Zhong decided to fight Qilinqi as if it hadn't evolved—after all, back when information was scarce, he'd fought just fine without knowing the details; the difference wasn't that big.

Far away.

Baimu saw Da Zhong gritting his teeth and knew the boy was rattled—his next battle would be tough.

If he offered a word of advice, he could help Da Zhong…

Not necessary.

Given his opponent's arrogant attitude, no matter the outcome, Da Zhong would surely buckle down and study Pokémon knowledge afterward to avoid this humiliation again.

Still, Qilinqi was interesting—its tail curled around its head like a hat.

"Now it's really a giraffe."

Baimu only learned online later that Qilinqi had gained an evolution; having never played Zhu Zi, he assumed Qilinqi was a ninth-generation Pokémon.

He turned his gaze to the other battlefields.

Seemingly spurred on by the 4:1 score, the Silicon Beryllium City young trainers were aggressively pressing the Huang Tie Arena side.

What surprised Baimu was that Yin Ma was also falling behind.

Inside the arena.

A Scizor dodged the vine whip swung by Bellossom with astonishing agility, then slashed its massive claws in a cross pattern, unleashing a emerald cross-shaped energy blade.

Boom!

"Hahna!"

Bellossom cried out and slid backward several meters.

Excellent dodging technique!

Baimu looked at Yin Ma's opponent—the boy the arrogant youth called Jin Ge—about thirteen or fourteen years old, calm and utterly confident.

This battle clearly wasn't putting enough pressure on him.

Yin Ma!

Are you even capable?!

You're supposed to be one of the arena's top trainers—you just crushed someone you used to lose to, got your revenge, and now you're slacking off again in two days?

Do you think you're Kamen Rider's second rider?!

Inside the arena, Yin Ma seemed to hear Baimu's frustrated thoughts from outside; he swiftly switched Bellossom out for Sharpedo.

Unlike his earlier distant demeanor, Sharpedo now responded to Yin Ma's commands promptly—not inferior to the opponent's.

Undoubtedly.

After this period of effort, the proud Garchomp had reluctantly accepted Yin Ma.

And Sharpedo, as Baimu had instantly recognized, lived up to its promise—using type advantage and superior mobility, it quickly turned the tide.

The fierce battle between the two Pokémon caused Jin Ge's calm expression to gradually vanish.

Baimu smiled in relief.

At least the pursuit by the Manetric wasn't in vain.

He turned back to Da Zhong's side, watched for a moment, then his smile faded and his brow furrowed.

The situation wasn't looking good.

How long had it been since he last paid attention? Was this the rhythm of a massive comeback?

On the field, Fude shouted a command to Baton Pass, leaping high to dodge Donphan's Roll Out as the Poliwrath was switched out, and the towering Qwilfish-line Pokémon re-entered the field.

"Qwaa!"

It tanked Donphan's Roll Out head-on and blasted it at close range with Twin Beam.

Boom!

Smoke billowed up.

The fierce assault, like Superman's heat vision, broke Donphan out of its Roll Out state, leaving it looking worn out like a stranded little car.

Yet just seconds ago, Donphan had been on top.

Listening to Duosion II, after Qwilfish-line's first Twin Beam missed, the second one landed, but because Donphan's Roll Out speed was too fast and its surface was coated in Rock-type energy, it didn't deal enough meaningful damage.

Seeing Qwilfish-line fail to dodge Donphan's Rolling Tackle, Fude immediately switched tactics.

Shifting from active offense to dodging and buffing, once the two 【Trick】s ended he immediately 【Baton Pass】ed to switch out, bringing in the Water/Fighting-type Poliwrath.

Had to admit, the two Trick boosts were brutally effective.

Poliwrath's massively boosted Special Attack let it fire a water column as thick as a water vat when using 【Hydro Pump】, but unfortunately it seemed to share blood with ag-sensei's inside-man Lapras — three shots in a row, all dodged by Donphan.

No matter how it attacked, nothing landed.

Instead, it got sent flying by Donphan's maxed-out 【Roll Out】 and nearly died on the spot.

So Poliwrath gave up on offense too — two rounds of Bulk Up boosts, then Baton Pass to switch out. The Qwilfish-line that re-entered the field completely reversed its earlier slump, using its signature move 【Twin Beam】 to blast Donphan flat.

What exactly was the difference between before and after?

The Defense boost from Bulk Up was one thing; the different states of Roll Out were another — the power of Roll Out stacks higher the longer it goes.

"Baton Pass team…"

Baimu hadn't expected Otsuka's opponent to run a gimmick strategy. The execution was sloppy, sure, but it undeniably got results.

Still, Baton Pass teams are actually easy to break.

It all depended on whether Otsuka could seize that fleeting window.

On the field.

Qwilfish-line chased Donphan down. Twin Beam had a fast startup and long range — Donphan couldn't dodge it even with Roll Out. Seeing it get blasted flat a second time and its overall condition plummeting fast.

Otsuka couldn't hold back anymore.

"Come back!"

He seized the moment to switch Donphan out. Seeing this, Fude's expression soured — Baimu knew he was unhappy with Qwilfish-line's output.

Two Trick-boosted Special Attacks couldn't take down Donphan — Qwilfish-line's Special Attack was seriously questionable—

Why not use 【Power Trick】?

Using the multi-hit Twin Beam to break Sturdy was understandable, but the second time there was no need, right?

【Power Trick】 gains one point of power for every stat it boosts. With Qwilfish-line's two Tricks plus Poliwrath's two Bulk Ups, its power far exceeded Twin Beam.

Could he not use it?

A Baton Pass team without Power Trick is basically missing a leg!

He looked at Otsuka, who hesitated briefly before tossing out a Poké Ball.

Pop!

White light flickered.

Fude didn't hesitate at all.

"Twin Beam!"

Two pink-purple beams shot from Qwilfish-line's eyes, hitting the freshly-summoned Krookodile dead-on — but unfortunately, a pure Psychic-type energy attack landing on a Dark-type Pokémon did absolutely nothing.

"Kroo!"

Krookodile snarled ferociously and arrogantly at Qwilfish-line.

Not even checking what Pokémon his opponent sent out before attacking?

That guy Otsuka, too.

Baimu's forehead bulged with veins: "Pink-purple energy is obviously Psychic-type, and he still hesitated that long!"

Newbies pecking at each other!

Of course, he understood Otsuka was probably worried about energy level — Krookodile had only just evolved recently, barely past level forty, and its training time was short too.

But sometimes energy level isn't that important.

Besides, was Donphan's level that high? It was only five or six levels higher, at most.

What matters is whether it works.

"Magic Coat!"

Fude shouted the command in a panic.

Baton Pass teams have terrible type matchups against Dark-types — one reason being that many Dark-type Pokémon learn 【Taunt】, and one successful Taunt means no Baton Pass, instant game over.

Unless that Pokémon has already been maxed out on boosts and is ready to sweep.

Qwilfish-line clearly hadn't reached that point — otherwise Donphan would never have made it back into its Poké Ball. And facing the Dark-type Krookodile, it was hard for it to perform at full strength with the bad matchup.

"Qwaa!"

A deep purple barrier materialized in front of Qwilfish-line — Fude gambled that Krookodile would use Taunt.

If the gamble paid off, Taunt would be bounced back by Magic Coat's effect, making Krookodile eat its own medicine.

—He guessed wrong.

Otsuka: "Dig!"

"Whoa!"

The Croagunk burrowed underground, clearly avoiding ground combat with the Qwilfish.

This made Fode's eyes gleam instantly; he frantically pulled out a Poké Ball and ordered: "Switch!"

Baimu narrowed his eyes slightly.

Here's the chance!

Red light emerged above the Qwilfish's head, then expanded to engulf its entire body, transforming it into a beam that shot back into Fode's hand.

"Whoa!" The Croagunk lunged forward a moment later—just missing its target.

Fode proudly sent out Staryu.

But Da Zhuang's lips curled slightly as he shouted: "Waiting for this! Croagunk, Use Roar!"

"What?!"

Fode turned pale with shock, but Staryu had already landed—he couldn't undo it now.

"Whoa—!!"

Croagunk roared at Staryu; the semi-transparent sound wave directly knocked it back into its Poké Ball—fast, precise, brutal.

Inside the Poké Ball, Staryu looked utterly bewildered; the recalled Qwilfish was even more confused.

"Hahaha!" Da Zhuang laughed uncontrollably; Cheng Hong and others watching him cheered loudly: "Perfect!"

In Silicon Beryllium City, spectators were baffled—some didn't understand, others focused on the more intense battle between Yin Ma and Jin Ge; Da Zhuang and Fode's exchange had terrible spectacle value.

Even in the arena, most were watching Yin Ma; they'd glanced twice out of curiosity at the Qwilfish at first, then stopped paying attention.

So what exactly happened over there? Only Baimu, Cheng Hong, and Lady Ayana—who followed Baimu's gaze—knew.

"Broadening your horizons is important, isn't it?"

Baimu turned and smiled at Lady Ayana.

Lady Ayana nodded; Da Zhuang's move was truly impressive.

After the reversal, Croagunk pressed the advantage; its fierce battle spirit and Da Zhuang's control of the rhythm left Fode, whose Dao-heart had nearly shattered, powerless to respond.

First, the Qwilfish was defeated by Croagunk; then, Dunsparce knocked out Staryu, who had tried to switch back in.

The battle was decided.

When Fode sent out his third Pokémon with an extremely grim expression, Baimu knew Da Zhuang had already won—unless Fode could suddenly breakthrough, regain his composure, and retake control of the rhythm.

It's true Da Zhuang loves the move 【Rollout】—he's used it from start to finish without tiring.

Too bad his dream of 【Rollout】 blocking everything is becoming harder to realize; he once thought it possible because the trainers he'd seen were all weak.

Baimu shifted his gaze back to other battles.

At this point, two arenas had already ended their matches—

In Huang Tie Town, one win and one loss; the losing arena trainer turned pale, greeted enthusiastically by his teammate who had lost in the previous round.

He felt relieved to have company in suffering.

The focus of everyone—Yin Ma and Jin Ge—now entered a white-hot phase.

Poliwhirl briefly summarized the events.

Sharpedo dominated its battle against Scizor; Yin Ma decisively employed Sandstorm tactics to expand his advantage, but he hadn't expected Jin Ge, as Zheng Yi's student, to be intimately familiar with Sandstorm tactics.

A single 【Clear Smog】 dispersed most of the sand, exposing Sharpedo, which had burrowed underground; Jin Ge not only avoided the ambush but countered with Quick Attack to safely withdraw.

Kingdra entered the battle; Jin Ge moved swiftly, with the two Pokémon alternating so fast that Yin Ma had no chance to act.

As soon as it appeared, Kingdra used Water Gun to close in on Sharpedo, charging like a bandit without regard for its own safety.

Yin Ma panicked instantly, ordering Sharpedo to fly and use Sand Tomb to force Kingdra back—but it played right into Jin Ge's hands.

Kingdra took Sand Tomb head-on and countered with Hail.

Dark clouds appeared too quickly; ice needles rained down with a rustling sound; the double-power Ice-type move instantly dropped Sharpedo, quadruple-weak to Ice, to its knees, unable to rise for a long time.

Yin Ma wanted to switch, but Jin Ge gave him no chance; Kingdra, still in Sand Tomb, blasted Water Pulse straight into Sharpedo's face—a stationary target—and Sharpedo fell.

Only after losing a major Pokémon did Yin Ma calm down and consider his next move.

Victreebel entered the battle.

Yin Ma used the dual concealment of Sand Tomb and Sandstorm to quietly order Sleep Powder to mix into the storm, attempting to spread it to Kingdra via the wind.

But Kingdra used Drill Run in a spinning charge, transforming into an invincible spinning top that burst out of Sand Tomb.

Its momentum remained as fierce as before.

Yin Ma didn't dare underestimate it; he promptly ordered Victreebel to use Sunny Day, exploiting its hidden ability, Chlorophyll, to evade Kingdra's Drill Run.

Seeing Sleep Powder had no effect, Yin Ma gritted his teeth and ordered Victreebel to use Hypnosis point-blank.

Jin Ge intended to continue with Drill Run, but didn't expect Yin Ma to be just as bold; Kingdra's Drill Run landed—but it was also put to sleep.

Vine Whip immediately bound it; Kingdra, tightly wrapped in vines, couldn't be recalled by Jin Ge; he could only shout as he watched Victreebel plant Leech Seed on Kingdra and use Growth to wildly strengthen it.

When Kingdra awoke, Victreebel's close-range Solar Beam arrived.

Both sides lost a major Pokémon.

In the 2-vs-2 scenario, both grew increasingly aggressive; Scizor landed with Cross Chop, Victreebel took it head-on—its lost HP from Drill Run fully restored by Leech Seed.

Honestly,

Victreebel's hide was thick and tough; without Sword Dance, Scizor's same-type Cross Chop couldn't break through—and nearly got caught by a Vine Whip, but luckily Scizor's reflexes were astonishingly fast.