Chapter 122

"You're just a freshman; how can you survive in an A-rank secret realm? Aren't you just seeking death?"

Qin Yun kindly advised.

However, Su Yu shook his head.

He was no ordinary freshman.

If he were an average freshman, coming here would indeed be tantamount to suicide.

But now, all of Su Yu's spirits were above level 35; he had even explored the Zhufeng Secret Realm, so facing an A-rank secret realm posed absolutely no problem.

"I appreciate your kindness, but since I'm already here, I intend to take a look before leaving."

Su Yu replied.

Seeing Su Yu's determination, Qin Yun sighed, yet he still kindly reminded him.

"Brother Su Yu, why insist? However, if you cannot endure it, simply apply to leave immediately. No one here will make things difficult for you."

Su Yu nodded to indicate he understood.

Qin Yun then asked, "By the way, Brother Su Yu, are you a successor recommended by an Elite Four member or by a Gym Leader?"

"Elite Four or Gym?" Su Yu asked, somewhat puzzled. "Isn't it restricted only to those recommended by the Elite Four?"

Hearing Su Yu's words, Qin Yun shook his head. "That used to be the case, but the rule changed a few years ago."

"The League felt the criteria should be expanded, so they allowed Gym Leaders to also recommend one person as a successor."

"Otherwise, how could there be so many people here? If it were limited strictly to the Elite Four, there might only be two or three of us left."

Hearing Qin Yun's explanation, Su Yu finally understood.

Previously, Hong Wu hadn't told him; perhaps Hong Wu himself hadn't paid much attention to it.

Thus, Su Yu was unaware that Gym Leaders could now also choose their own successors.

But thinking about it, if only the Elite Four could recommend candidates, the number of people present today would indeed be far too small.

"I was recommended by Hong Wu, Elite Four Member Hong," Su Yu explained.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yun drew in a sharp breath. "It's actually Elite Four Member Hong!?"

Su Yu asked, "What's special about Elite Four Member Hong? Is he very famous?"

Qin Yun shook his head and said, "It's not merely a matter of fame."

"During his tenure, Hong Wu was always the head of the Elite Four, standing just one step away from becoming the Champion."

"Although he never ultimately became Champion, that does not diminish his status as the absolute pinnacle among the Elite Four."

"Moreover, almost everyone in our circle knows about Elite Four Member Hong's story. His dream is to train a Champion Trainer."

"Therefore, his standards are extremely high; any disciple he favors must be extraordinary."

"If your backer is Elite Four Member Hong, it means he believes you have the potential to become a Champion!"

"At that time, many people went to Elite Four Member Hong hoping to gain his favor, but most returned in defeat."

"Never did I expect that Elite Four Member Hong would ultimately choose you."

Speaking thus, Qin Yun looked at Su Yu with a gaze filled with wonder.

"Perhaps I truly underestimated you."

Saying this, Qin Yun patted Su Yu on the shoulder. "Then, Brother Su Yu, you must do your best; do not tarnish the reputation of Elite Four Member Hong."

At this moment, the others nearby had also overheard the conversation between the two.

One of them turned his head to look at Su Yu.

"So you are the successor chosen by Hong Wu, Elite Four Member Hong? That is truly incredible!"

Another person added, "Exactly. I once hoped to become Elite Four Member Hong's successor, but he didn't choose me. My father even beat me severely over it back then."

The eyes of the others were also filled with astonishment.

"I never expected Elite Four Member Hong had already selected a successor. Has he already found someone he believes has Champion potential?"

Some others spoke with tones of envy.

"Hiss... and he's still just a freshman. Truly remarkable, to actually gain Elite Four Member Hong's approval."

It seemed that many of these well-connected individuals knew about Hong Wu's affairs.

However, one person spoke with disdain.

"He just got lucky and accidentally gained Elite Four Member Hong's approval. Who knows what his true strength is like!"

"Judging from the fact that you, a mere freshman, are participating in this training camp, your brain probably isn't very sharp."

Hearing this remark, Qin Yun turned his head and loudly rebuked, "Lin Lin Guangxiang, is this necessary just because you failed to win over Elite Four Member Hong back then?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Lin Guangxiang snorted coldly, turned away, and fell silent.

After speaking, Qin Yun turned to explain to Su Yu, "Lin Lin Guangxiang's father is a Gym Leader. At his father's request, Lin Lin Guangxiang went to see Elite Four Member Hong a few years ago, hoping to obtain the identity of his successor."

"However, he failed, so Lin Lin Guangxiang could only return to become his own father's successor."

"I think he is simply jealous that you gained Elite Four Member Hong's approval; don't take his words to heart."

Hearing Qin Yun's words, Su Yu understood the situation in his heart.

However, he did not take Lin Lin Guangxiang's remarks seriously.

Not long after, a few more people arrived, bringing the total number present to about twenty.

Once everyone had gathered, a man dressed in camouflage uniform walked over from outside.

His complexion was dark, and his entire body radiated vigorous vitality.

As soon as he arrived, he stood before the formation and spoke loudly.

"My name is Wu Zhi; you may call me Instructor Wu. I am the officer in charge of this special training camp."

"If you encounter any problems, wish to withdraw, or feel unwell, you may come to me."

"Next, I will lead you through a one-month special training program!"

Speaking thus, Wu Zhi began pacing back and forth.

"I know you all have extraordinary backgrounds, with at least a Gym Leader or an Elite Four member supporting you from behind."

"But here, I expect you all to follow orders. Do not think your background allows you to act as you please."

"Otherwise, you will be expelled from the training camp immediately!"

"Do you understand!"

Wu Zhi shouted loudly, his voice deafening.

"Understood!" the twenty-odd people who had gathered replied in unison.

"Very good!" A hideous smile curled across Wu Zhi's face.

"Then the first thing upon arriving here is to engage in immediate Pokémon battles!!"

"To become stronger, combat is indispensable. Our training camp begins with battles!"

"In a moment, follow me to the battlefield for one-on-one duels."

"Each person may use only one Pokémon! This Pokémon must not be one raised before your third year of high school!"

"The purpose is to test your ability to raise Pokémon and the bond between you!"

Wu Zhi declared loudly.

Su Yu and the others nodded.

The identities and backgrounds of the people here were not simple; although the Alliance regulations stated that one could only obtain a Pokémon in their third year of high school.

Nevertheless, many people began raising certain Pokémon since childhood.

When there are policies from above, there are countermeasures from below!

As long as they did not capture them, it did not count as obtaining a Pokémon early.

Then, after entering their third year, they would capture the Pokémon with a Poké Ball.

At that time, they would claim the Pokémon had taken a liking to them due to their personal charm.

This was not considered cheating; many members of great families used this method.

However! The Alliance could turn a blind eye to those using this method.

They would not interfere too much with your capture of a Pokémon.

However, if you intended to use this to participate in competitions, the Alliance would strictly forbid it.

After all, the Alliance demanded fairness and justice in competitions; how could you bring a Pokémon raised for over a decade to fight against someone else's few years of training?

On what grounds?!

If things were done this way, they might as well award the medals directly to the disciples of those great families; what need would there be for fairness?

Therefore, nowadays, many people with backgrounds still chose to obtain their starter Pokémon during their third year of high school.

The sole purpose was to avoid being banned from competitions.