Chapter 617: The Supreme Realm (6K)

"Tauros!"

In the silent surroundings, only Hearing Nimo's worried voice echoed through Sun Plaza.

"Tauros, unable to battle!"

Under Principal Clavell's declaration, Hearing Nimo hurriedly recalled Tauros into its Poké Ball, feeling somewhat guilty in her heart.

She believed that while she might not know every detail of Teacher Luo Mu's main team, she had often sparred with them; especially in the days leading up to her challenge for the Champion Gauntlet, she had trained with them all day long.

Just like when Decidueye, under her command, fought against Cangyan Cangyan Rengui; although it ultimately failed to secure victory, it did indeed suppress Cangyan Cangyan Rengui during the battle.

But logically, Serperior, whose strength should have been on par with Cangyan Cangyan Rengui, defeated Tauros with an unreasonable, overwhelming force, almost like splitting rotten wood.

—Could it be that the strength they displayed during training was far from their true seriousness?

Once she analyzed this point, Hearing Nimo felt even more that her actions just now were incredibly stupid.

Clearly, she could have avoided sending Tauros to probe; she could have switched to something with a more favorable type matchup, like Goodra. Had she, after the Champion Assessment, become somewhat swollen with pride?

Believing she had already reached the same tier as her teacher, she had forgotten that the other party was a genius no less than, or perhaps even surpassing, herself.

Luo Mu and Serperior's domineering move directly shattered Hearing Nimo's complacency, while also calming her restless mindset back to stability.

She would challenge Teacher Luo Mu with the same mindset of a challenger as before!

Not thinking she could prove her growth merely through brute force!

"... Diejie Diejie Mengmeng!"

Hearing Nimo took a deep breath, quickly adjusting the panic in her eyes into focus.

"Good; maintaining a good mindset and not letting temporary gains or losses shake your will—this is what makes one a Champion-level Trainer."

Luo Mu, who never stinted on praising Hearing Nimo's performance, immediately followed up with a powerful move.

"Leaf Storm."

Most moves Serperior excelled at were Grass-type; although Diejie Diejie Mengmeng could resist Grass-type attacks with its Bug typing, it was still safer than using other moves Serperior was less proficient with.

A wild wind whipped up countless emerald leaves, forming a crazily spinning tornado out of thin air; the sharp edges of the leaves grew ever keener with the surging gale.

Under Serperior's control, the Leaf Storm rushed toward Diejie Diejie Mengmeng with a whooshing sound.

Given Diejie Diejie Mengmeng's size, it probably could not fully withstand such a gale and would surely suffer more severe damage than Pokémon of normal size.

While making this judgment, Hearing Nimo immediately issued a command.

"Block it with Dazzling Gleam!"

Just as she had intercepted Geeta's Dragapult's Shadow Ball, Hearing Nimo once again chose Dazzling Gleam, this versatile Fairy-type move.

The next instant.

Pastel light shimmering from Diejie Diejie Mengmeng's body burst forth; countless straight beams of light collided with and canceled out the Leaf Storm continuously.

After all, this was the first Leaf Storm launched by Serperior, so it was only natural that Diejie Diejie Mengmeng successfully blocked it.

After the Leaf Storm dissipated, red rising light waves appeared on Serperior's body; its Ability, "Contrary," activated, directly reversing the two-stage Special Attack drop that using Leaf Storm would normally cause into a rise!

Hearing Nimo's pupils constricted, and she issued her command without hesitation.

"Quiver Dance!"

Once Serperior stacked six layers of Special Attack, defeating it would no longer be a question of difficulty.

Given Serperior's current performance, it might even be able to sweep the whole team!

Hearing Nimo chose to boost Diejie Diejie Mengmeng equally, looking for an opening to exploit its type advantage and defeat Serperior.

Even if she couldn't defeat it, she still had "Baton Pass" as a fallback; ultimately, this was the best way to handle the situation.

Just as Diejie Diejie Mengmeng, taking cover under the aftermath of the collision between Dazzling Gleam and Leaf Storm, leaped up to perform its mysterious Quiver Dance.

As if he had seen through Hearing Nimo's move from the start, Luo Mu issued his command in one smooth motion.

"Taunt."

In an instant, Serperior curled the corner of its mouth, its dignified red eyes suddenly blazing with light as it looked provocatively at Diejie Diejie Mengmeng.

The thick smoke was blown away by a wind that rose from nowhere; Diejie Diejie Mengmeng, currently performing Quiver Dance, couldn't help but be drawn to the light emanating from Serperior's eyes.

At this moment, Diejie Diejie Mengmeng's Quiver Dance was nearly complete; even though Hearing Nimo immediately told it not to make eye contact with Serperior, Diejie Diejie Mengmeng was still attracted by the light, just like a moth flying into a flame.

A nameless fury suddenly surged into Diejie Diejie Mengmeng's heart, twisting its cute face into something somewhat ferocious.

Even the Quiver Dance, which was about to be completed, was interrupted at this moment.

Below the field, Paul, who was watching the battle, changed his expression slightly. "The Baton Pass tactic... can no longer be used."

Under the Taunt status, Diejie Diejie Mengmeng, filled with rage, would not attempt to use any status moves at all; to a certain extent, it would even ignore its Trainer's commands, wholeheartedly launching fierce attacks against the opponent.

The Baton Pass tactic was originally taught to Hearing Nimo by Teacher Luo Mu; the moment Hearing Nimo sent out Diejie Diejie Mengmeng, he had probably already begun looking for an opportunity, preparing to trick Hearing Nimo at a critical moment.

Strong in strength and so dirty in heart, full of bad water in his belly, truly... wonderful!

Paul once again strengthened his resolve to become a Trainer like Teacher Luo Mu!

At the same time, on the battlefield.

"Don't go over there, Diejie Diejie Mengmeng!"

Even though Hearing Nimo used the method Luo Mu had taught her, shouting loudly at the Taunted Pokémon in an attempt to pull it out of its rage and gain a sliver of clarity.

But Diejie Diejie Mengmeng's attack against Serperior had long been poised to strike.

Super effective against Serperior, a cyan high-frequency vibration wave that even Serperior wouldn't dare to tank head-on was blasted out by Diejie Diejie Mengmeng, constantly distorting the air along its path.

A Bug-type Special Attack move, Bug Buzz!

Although Serperior could dodge this angry, inaccurate Bug Buzz with its speed.

It still remained in place without moving.

Just before Bug Buzz was about to hit Serperior.

Amidst a clamor, Luo Mu acted with both hands; his left hand shot a beam from a Poké Ball to recall Serperior, while his right hand threw another Poké Ball high into the air, and a petite figure similar in size to Diejie Diejie Mengmeng appeared on the battlefield, brushing past the exploding Bug Buzz!

"Mimikyu, Will-O-Wisp."

His command was issued the moment Mimikyu appeared.

In Luo Mu's calculations, had Ribombee not encountered Serperior and not been taunted, Mimikyu would have used "Burning Jealousy" to attack Ribombee, which would definitely have been boosted by "Quiver Dance."

But since it was lucky enough to meet Serperior, Ribombee would not experience the excellent effects of "Burning Jealousy," which also inflicts a burn; though regrettable, Luo Mu seamlessly switched to the backup move "Will-O-Wisp."

Ribombee had already begun preparing its second "Bug Buzz"; even though it had regained a sliver of sanity under Hearing Nimo's shouts, all it could do was aim the move at Mimikyu—it could not stop the attack.

This actually helped Luo Mu.

Making Mimikyu hit an agile, erratically flying Pokémon with its somewhat unskilled "Will-O-Wisp" was indeed difficult.

"Mimi!"

Mimikyu rubbed the dry stick disguised as Pikachu's tail on its back against its ragged costume; instantly, several balls of ghostly fire materialized and drifted toward Ribombee!

Simultaneously, Ribombee's second "Bug Buzz" arrived; cyan shockwaves vibrating the air slammed into Mimikyu, immediately kicking up a cloud of dust!

Although Bug Buzz had landed, Hearing Nimo felt no joy whatsoever.

—She knew Mimikyu's Ability all too well; from within the dust scattered by the massive Shadow Claw, Mimikyu merely slumped slightly, yet its Disguise remained completely unbroken, proving there was no damage.

Disguise had blocked "Bug Buzz," but the flames igniting on the pained Ribombee were undeniably seared onto its body.

Not to mention Luo Mu's follow-up command.

"Hex."

This move would carry far more deterrent power if used by a Ghost-type Pokémon with outstanding Special Attack; Mimikyu, a Pokémon excelling in physical attack, was actually unsuited for using Hex.

But under the disparity in strength, all this seemed less important.

The true eye on Mimikyu's abdomen blazed brightly, firing a beam of dark purple light like a laser straight at Ribombee.

Ribombee, having largely regained its mobility through sheer will, forcibly halted the move it was preparing under Hearing Nimo's direction, attempting to dodge "Hex" with a swift sidestep.

But the beam's flight speed was too fast, and with Ribombee currently in a state of internal conflict, half the beam still grazed its body and continued to pour out damage relentlessly!

"Bee—"

Ribombee let out a miserable cry; the flames that had just subsided flared up again across its body.

In its burned state, Ribombee ceased even the flapping of its wings and crashed headfirst to the ground.

"What a pity; if Mimikyu's Special Attack were a bit higher, 'Hex' would truly be a killing move."

Luo Mu thought with a sigh.

Being engulfed by the attack of Hex while the burn on its body was further aggravated—

Just ask, who could withstand this little combo?

At least a Ribombee with Weak Armor could not.

"End this match; Shadow Claw."

As Mimikyu pounced upon Ribombee, which had temporarily lost its ability to act due to pain,

Realizing a comeback was hopeless, Hearing Nimo gritted her teeth and shouted, "Hang in there, Ribombee! Use Sticky Web!"

At the very least, they had to restrict Mimikyu's movement speed!

"Bee!" Half-opening its eyes, Ribombee struggled to push its body up with its slender arms; the instant Mimikyu pounced, it unleashed Sticky Web, effectively reducing Mimikyu's movement speed and agility!

Boom!

The next moment, Mimikyu's wildly dancing Shadow Claw landed mercilessly on Ribombee; after a violent tremor, the thick smoke cleared, revealing Ribombee's unconscious form before everyone.

"Ribombee is unable to battle!"

Clavell pushed up his glasses and delivered the judgment in a calm tone.

In the crowd, Rika irritably scratched her hair.

"Miss Hearing Nimo has fallen completely into that black-hearted fellow's rhythm."

"Tsk, truly merciless."

From this brief confrontation, rather than the overwhelming, crushing pressure Serperior had displayed when demolishing Tauros earlier, Luo Mu instead demonstrated a calm mastery of strategy.

Mimikyu's own strength was not particularly obvious—no, perhaps it should be said that most Ghost-type Pokémon fight this way.

This time, after Hearing Nimo recalled Ribombee, Luo Mu simultaneously recalled Mimikyu.

"A normal rotation; shall we throw our Poké Balls together?"

Luo Mu smiled and explained to Hearing Nimo, who nodded lightly with an "Mm."

Although she had lost the first two rounds quickly, she had vaguely begun to realize something.

Her raw strength could not compare to Serperior and Mimikyu, and her tactical thinking was merely a complete inheritance from Teacher Luo Mu.

As if issuing a warning, the opponent had dealt heavy blows to both of her approaches in succession, simultaneously waking Hearing Nimo up.

What were her own characteristics? What was the battle style she excelled at?

It was not blindly showing off what she had learned from Teacher Luo Mu; that was merely teaching one's grandmother to suck eggs.

Rather, employing her own methods to execute the battle style she was best at—perhaps that was the answer.

Seeing Hearing Nimo subtly gaining enlightenment, Luo Mu hid his smile in his heart and, together with Hearing Nimo who had taken a deep breath, threw the Poké Balls in their hands.

"Cangyan Cangyan Rengui!"

"Decidueye!"

Two Pokémon of similar height, both humanoid in form, faced off on opposite sides of the battlefield.

On one side stood a handsome, cold swordsman of blue flames; on the other, a mysterious and spirited ghost ranger.

Immediately, this stirred up cheers from the spectators who had spontaneously gathered around.

"Both Pokémon look incredibly strong!"

"Decidueye, do your best!"

Due to the live broadcast, although people recognized Hearing Nimo's disadvantage, there were still many in the crowd cheering and waving flags for Decidueye.

It was simply because during its battle against Geeta, its final magnificent arrow using Spirit Shackle to restrict Dragapult, allowing its teammate to secure the knockout, had been too cool.

At this moment, Hearing Nimo recalled that morning's battle, where under her command, Decidueye had fought Cang Yan Ren Gui.

Back then, they had fallen just short; Hearing Nimo had failed to anticipate Cang Yan Ren Gui's smoke emission, causing their battle line to collapse, squandering their earlier advantage and resulting in a failed challenge.

But this time, Cang Yan Ren Gui would be commanded personally by Luo Mu!

Feeling uncertain was normal, yet even as Hearing Nimo's fingers trembled slightly from nervousness, her heart burned with excitement.

She loved challenging her own limits more than anything!

"Spirit Shackle!"

As if sensing its Trainer's surging emotions, Decidueye spread its wings, grasped the shed feathers to transform them into bow arrows, and with a belief capable of piercing through everything, loosed the feather arrows from its fully drawn bowstring!

"Shi-luo!" Well done!

Dark flames flickered in Cang Yan Ren Gui's eyes; with its keen sight, it was easy to see that compared to a few days prior, Decidueye's arrow shooting speed was faster and its power even more sufficient!

The pressure brought by the Champion's consecutive battles had successfully pushed Decidueye one step further.

—But just this much was still not enough!

Cang Yan Ren Gui stepped forward, its great sword of blue flames, fused with its arm, acting as if it had eyes, intercepting the inevitable path of the feather arrow and splitting it directly in two!

This was not all; before that initial arrow even arrived, Decidueye had already fired several consecutive shots, all attacking from cunning angles.

Without changing expression, Cang Yan Ren Gui swung its blade, the great sword of flames transforming into a sky full of sword shadows, knocking down every single incoming arrow.

But taking advantage of the opening while Cang Yan Ren Gui was knocking down arrows, Decidueye, having already risen into the sky, entered a diving posture, descending from above!

"Shadow Claw!"

As if mimicking the regional form its own kind once possessed, Decidueye's sturdy claws became wreathed in a ghostly purple light, carrying a gloomy, sinister momentum as they struck directly toward Cang Yan Ren Gui.

No, rather than a scratch, it looked more like a kick.

"Well done!"

Luo Mu's eyes lit up, commanding Cang Yan Ren Gui to meet this "Shadow Claw" head-on with its blade.

Decidueye's movements resembled Robin Hood darting freely through a dense forest, constantly using Cang Yan Ren Gui's force to leap, adjusting its posture with its wings, while the sharp hooks beneath its feet clashed against the sword blade, leaving a trail of sparks.

Had it been any other Pokémon, it would likely have fallen into a disadvantage under Decidueye's fierce assault within moments.

Unfortunately, the Pokémon engaging it in close combat was Cang Yan Ren Gui.

Regarding Cang Yan Ren Gui's dedication to sword techniques, it could be said that whenever it had free time, it would train itself or seek someone for a sparring match.

From dawn to dusk, it worked diligently without cease, never slacking for a single day.

In the past, it had even sparred with Iron Leaves, another master of the sword.

This was because the opponent possessed an AI-like ability to analyze Cang Yan Ren Gui's sword moves and formulate countermeasures.

To cope with this, Cang Yan Ren Gui optimized its techniques based on the experience gained from battling Iron Leaves, ultimately honing its sword skills to a higher realm.

If this were a different worldview, calling it the "Supreme Realm" would not be an exaggeration.

In close-quarters combat, Cang Yan Ren Gui possessed absolute confidence!

As the close-quarters battle between the two intensified, Hearing Nimo discovered with shock that Cang Yan Ren Gui, still swinging its blade, remained calm and composed, whereas Decidueye had accumulated numerous wounds.

Even when there was an opportunity to break through the defense, the damage Shadow Claw inflicted upon Cang Yan Ren Gui's armor was far from impressive, being extremely limited.

—As expected, Cang Yan Ren Gui had also held back a trick during that morning's sparring match!

The instant she realized this, Hearing Nimo, unlike her hesitation with Tauros, made a decisive command: "Create distance!"

"Jiu-nai!"

Responding to the command, Decidueye used the force of Cang Yan Ren Gui's swinging blade to boost its altitude.

Naturally, Cang Yan Ren Gui would not let it escape so easily; without hesitation, it shattered the ground beneath its feet, leaping high into the air while pursuing Decidueye to kill!

Its cloak fluttered loudly in the fierce wind; Decidueye locked its calm and focused gaze onto Cang Yan Ren Gui rushing toward it, nocking an arrow with practiced ease, and fired three arrows almost simultaneously at Cang Yan Ren Gui.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Cang Yan Ren Gui directly blocked all three arrows with its blade!

But this brief moment of opening gave Decidueye an opportunity.

"Feather Dance!"

The instant Hearing Nimo's command rang out, Decidueye shook its cloak, causing countless glowing white feathers to rain down from the sky, densely filling Cang Yan Ren Gui's field of vision!

If Cang Yan Ren Gui were touched by these feathers, it would be akin to cutting off its own arm, weakening its specialized physical attack.

Although slightly surprised that Hearing Nimo chose to use "Feather Dance" at this timing, Luo Mu immediately provided a solution.

"Fire Dance. Flame Wheel!"

Just like the sword technique Luo Mu had nearly misspoken, Cang Yan Ren Gui twisted its body mid-air, sweeping both held blades across the air, upon which the blue flames surged violently!

A massive flame tornado burned all the glowing feathers to ashes; amidst the thick black smoke, the force from Cang Yan Ren Gui's kick off the ground dissipated, and its body began to return to the ground, pulled by gravity.

—Just then, behind Cang Yan Ren Gui, a figure appeared out of nowhere, shrouded in layers of shadow, crashing directly into Cang Yan Ren Gui!

Just as Luo Mu could attack using Zhang Yan Fa, Hearing Nimo had imitated this method in her own way, ultimately creating this perfect surprise attack!

Decidueye slammed heavily into Cang Yan Ren Gui's back with "Phantom Force," hitting even though Cang Yan Ren Gui had reacted, leaving it with nowhere to push off and only able to barely sweep its blade horizontally!

Thud!

This time, it was Cang Yan Ren Gui that was crashed into the ground by Decidueye!

In the crowd, someone covered their mouth, "Could it be—" defeating the first Pokémon.

Before the words could be fully spoken, a wave of gasps immediately erupted among the spectators.

Seeing Decidueye, having just completed a beautiful counterattack, about to withdraw, it was suddenly smashed to the ground by a blade striking directly from behind!

"What!?"

Even Hearing Nimo had not expected such a sudden move.

Behind Decidueye, from an otherworldly channel churning with black mist, Cang Yan Ren Gui calmly stepped out.

Judging by the dust stained on the armor upon its body, it was easy to confirm that Decidueye's "Phantom Force" had indeed successfully hit Cang Yan Ren Gui.

—But just as Cangyan Cangyan Rengui was slammed heavily into the arena, its sheer willpower opened a gateway to another dimension in that instant; using the move "Spectral Ambush," it appeared behind Decidueye and, harnessing the force of its fall, delivered a fierce blow!

"Hoo-hah—"

The highly effective attack exploded upon its fragile form; Decidueye, its vision darkening, struggled to rise again from the massive crater.

It absolutely had to secure victory for Hearing Nimo!

But at that moment, a pair of great swords, their temperature constantly rising and churning with azure flames, rested upon its shoulders.

"Sss-lo." Well done.

After offering this sincere encouragement, Cangyan Cangyan Rengui swung its flaming great swords down.

While "Grudge Blade" completely drained the last shred of Decidueye's stamina, it also restored Cangyan Cangyan Rengui's condition to a favorable state.

Cangyan Cangyan Rengui was never a fragile swordsman; relying on its signature move "Grudge Blade" that saps stamina, combined with the exceptional willpower forged through past experiences...

... it became an azure flame swordsman that would continuously rise again so long as it had not completely lost consciousness and fallen, recovering its own strength by draining its opponent's.

In the very end, Hearing Nimo should have ordered Decidueye to launch a finishing assault on the spot where Cangyan Cangyan Rengui landed, rather than retreating and intending to merely observe the situation.

In the crowd, Geeta stood with arms crossed, watching that Cangyan Cangyan Rengui.

This performance reminded her of a memory from a year ago, when Cangyan Cangyan Rengui, enduring counterattacks like Avalugg's "Avalanche," had hacked Avalugg into unconsciousness purely through "Grudge Blade."

Simultaneously, after confirming the condition of the fallen Decidueye, Clavell took a deep breath and announced, "Decidueye is unable to battle! Champion Hearing Nimo, please send out your next Pokémon!"

(End of Chapter)