novelraw Chapter 735: You Will Return Like Lightning
Chapter 735: You Will Return Like Lightning
The next day.
Rocket Delivery's Goldenrod City base welcomed a brand new day.
Matori focused her gaze, reviewing the reports on her computer screen, subconsciously adjusting her round-frame glasses.
In the bottom right corner of the screen, a message from [Mentor] flashed with its avatar frame.
"Is this about the Donghua Road news..."
Matori clicked open the chat window.
'Has Teacher Lu Served Today's Meal' sent a message: "Are you there?"
"How may I assist you?" Matori replied respectfully.
"I have a very important matter to entrust to you."
Matori maintained her composure, a glimmer of light flashing in her eyes as she grew even more respectful: "Please rest assured, I will spare no effort to complete the task!"Gathering intelligence on the Elite Four would be somewhat difficult. But gathering information about other participants on the Victory Road posed no challenge for Matori.
"Excellent."
Lu Ye nodded with satisfaction: "Remember to write neatly, I'll send you the reference books too."
"Ah?" Matori froze.
Teacher Lu: [Image]
Teacher Lu: "I'll leave these assignments for you to complete."
Matori stared blankly for two seconds, removed her glasses, rubbed her stiff face, put her glasses back on, her expression shifting dramatically.
I'm a high-level secretary of Team Rocket, a top graduate from a world-renowned university, capable of earning a million-dollar salary at any Fortune 500 company!
"And you want me to do your homework!?"
"Hmm? If that's not possible, I'll find someone else."
Just as Matori was about to reply, she suddenly realized the Mentor's authority level was higher than hers.
It's just doing homework, it's not like it's anything else...
Come to think of it.
Matori held her head in despair.
Why does a trainer approaching 'Battle Legend' status still have so much homework!?
"Send it over... I'll mail it back when I'm done." Matori looked completely drained and pale.
"I believe in your abilities, Matori. Don't pass my trust along to anyone else, okay?"
"U-understood..."
Closing the chat interface, Lu Ye nodded with satisfaction.
This way, he could focus entirely on preparing for the Victory Road challenge!
With a 10 AM flight scheduled, Lu Ye entrusted the package to Delibird and picked up his backpack.
Haunter dragged the suitcase along the ground, following behind Lu Ye.
As they reached the end of the street, Lu Ye and Haunter simultaneously turned to look back toward the café.
Delibird seemed momentarily lost in thought, but when she saw them looking back, she quickly waved: "Woo~"
Indeedee held her hands together, smiling gently. Steenee and Espathra also waved their little hands.
Have a safe journey~
Lu Ye showed a smile, nodded lightly, then turned and said: "Let's go, Haunter, back to Mo City!"
"Gengarrr~" Haunter chuckled mischievously, stuffed the suitcase into his 'fourth-dimensional pocket', and floated up.
"No secretly using Lick."
"Gengarrr~(⁎˃ꌂ˂⁎)"
Haunter used Lick!
But it seemed to have no effect.
Behind the café window, Alcremie watched through the curtains, lowering her head, her voice tiny.
H-have a safe journey...
...
The news of Lu Ye challenging the Victory Road was announced through his livestream and continuously promoted by various media outlets.
He was already regarded as a strong contender for the Elite Four positions.
On Donghua's largest trainer forum, a partial list of participating competitors was published, with Lu Ye prominently included!
Additionally, the announcement of current Elite Four members and the Champion also sparked considerable discussion.
Due to the fantastical nature of his battles against Legendary Pokémon occurring in distant leagues.
People's direct impressions of Teacher Lu mainly came from his instructional videos and his identity as a food blogger.
"Teacher Lu? Just a cook, the real champion has to be Shangren!"
"Why haven't I heard about Lu Ye from last year's Donghua Conference?"
"Because he was busy cultivating his baby team back then."
"A championship team developed in just one year? Even the Breeding Master Green isn't that impressive!"
"Take a year off, then return!"
"Wow, what kind of protagonist script is this?"
In this era where Pokémon battles are wildly popular.
People have their supported trainers, pouring their hearts into watching them grow along the way.
Dan Emperor's supporters are captivated by the Champion's character and unmatched strength.
Cynthia's supporters are amazed by the Champion's beauty and stunned by Garchomp's ferocity.
People watched Lu Ye and his Haunter grow together. From fading into obscurity to the widely watched 'Teacher Lu'.
He might have had his own past glories.
But those glories are no longer known to anyone.
Now, Lu Ye, participating for the first time, officially challenges the summit of the Victory Road!
"I'm a meal companion, suggest taking it normally, after all, Teacher Lu serving meals isn't just a day or two thing."
"I'm a fan of Champion Shangren. He fought his way through the era of shining stars to reach the championship as a veteran. He's not a prodigy, but when other trainers faded away, the one who truly became champion was the former Elite Four Shangren!"
"You shall return like lightning, the league will feast heartily! Lu Bao, go kill it!!"
On the popularity rankings initiated on the forum, veteran Shangren ranked third in popularity.
Lu Ye's popularity surpassed Shangren's, ranking second.
And the top spot on the popularity chart was quite telling.
The former Dragon-type Gym Leader, current Dragon-type Elite Four member, part-time Coser, Miss Ji Shiyin.
The forum frequently reposted Ji Shiyin's costume photos - Dunhuang flying dancer, paper umbrella white snake, peacock flying southeast, and so on.
A combination of modern and traditional, using this to promote Donghua culture. Plus Ji Shiyin's aloof appearance and waist-length black hair, she possessed immense popularity.
"Elite Four Ji, my Elite Four Ji o(╥﹏╥)o"
"I really want to be Miss Ji Shiyin's Altaria, so I can carry her while flying."
"It's over, waiting for Sylveon to slay dragons, Teacher Lu becoming the Fairy-type Elite Four."
"Be bolder, maybe he'll become the Champion!"
Lu Ye scrolled through the discussion posts on the forum, slightly dazed.
A speculation, is it possible these people are all pretending to be confused?
Just speculation, not necessarily correct...
Additionally, he could invite the Team Rocket Trio to visit Donghua and set up stalls at the Victory Road.
Lu Ye rubbed his chin, continuing to browse posts.
In the list of participating competitors, he spotted an old friend.
"Old Tang?"
Lu Ye was startled.
Mo City Gym Leader, Tang Hui, planned to challenge the Victory Road and compete for an Elite Four position.
"Gengarrr!" Haunter became interested.
This one is my old friend too.
Lu Ye fell silent.
Gym Leader Tang was the first Gym Leader to be soloed by Haunter.
That was his first badge, the beginning of all subsequent badge collection...
After getting off the flight, Lu Ye sent a message to Tang Hui.
"Want to go to the Victory Road together, Gym Leader Tang. (Grinning emoji)"
After half an hour, as if the other party had finally made up his mind.
"Meet at Mo City Gym. (Sunglasses emoji)"
**
Tang Hui, dressed in a suit and tie with a mask, looking like an ordinary office worker, stood in front of Mo City Gym.
He looked up and immediately spotted the black-haired young man wearing a mask in the crowd.
"Have you eaten yet?" Lu Ye greeted as he approached.
"Not yet, waiting for you." Tang Hui said grumpily.
"The flight was delayed." Lu Ye smiled: "How about I borrow your kitchen to cook something for you and your Swoobat."
Tang Hui's Adam's apple bobbed.
Having a guest cook as soon as they arrive goes against hospitality etiquette.
But he had also watched Lu Ye's food videos, making it hard to refuse a master chef's skills.
"Just make something simple." Tang Hui said vaguely: "We depart tonight, the Victory Road opens tomorrow."
"So soon."
"Of course, time waits for no one."
Lu Ye originally wanted to visit Mo University again but decided to depart directly.
Dinner consisted of shredded pork with green peppers, stir-fried shrimp, cucumber salad, braised pork ribs, and tomato egg drop soup.
Tang Hui examined the table full of dishes and said slowly: "Lu Ye, are you looking for a wife? I have a daughter..."
"Stop right there!"
As night fell, Mo City's neon lights intertwined.
The two headed to Mo City airport.
Tang Hui carefully worded his question: "There are rumors that you defeated Groudon..."
"Let me clarify."
Lu Ye coughed lightly: "That's not a rumor, and it was Primal Groudon."
Tang Hui: "..."
Your main team isn't actually composed of Legendary Pokémon, is it!
The Victory Road was located near the Imperial Capital, gathering challengers from various regions, including plenty of Conference champions and Gym Leader-level trainers.
The venue was artificially created, using Pokémon power to form unique landscapes like stone forests, snow mountains, deserts, and forests.
"I know you definitely didn't carefully read the manual contents."
Tang Hui said: "Let me explain again. The first round requires consecutively defeating ten challengers, winning 10 consecutive 1V1 single battles to advance to the next round."
"During this period, you can't use recovery items, can't rotate Pokémon, and can only use one Z-Move or Mega Evolution."
Tang Hui frowned deeply: "With bad luck, even an Elite Four member encountering ten Conference champions consecutively would be worn down to defeat!"
Lu Ye: "..."
Bad luck - I suspect you're hinting at something!
These rules did seem familiar;
Alain from the anime had also challenged this format.
Restricting item recovery wasn't an issue for Teacher Lu at all.
Whether sending out Latias or Arcanine, they could use moves to achieve recovery.
"What about defeated competitors?"
"They can revive through points, but it's very difficult to compete for Elite Four positions."
Lu Ye nodded. No matter what, he couldn't be eliminated in the first round, otherwise his 'Tactician' title would be meaningless.
"Are move numbers restricted?"
"No restrictions."
"That's good." Lu Ye grinned, showing white teeth.
Without move restrictions, there was plenty of room for command!
Tang Hui looked strangely at him.
Suddenly feeling sorry for the trainer matched against Lu Ye in the first round...
That evening.
Lu Ye checked into the Victory Road's Budew Hotel.
Three trainers in other suites were Teacher Lu's stream followers, gathering to discuss.
"Did you get matched against Teacher Lu?"
"No, what about you?"
"I didn't either, haha, wonder who's that unlucky."
The remaining trainer said tearfully: "I'm that unlucky one!"
The other two trainers paused, then patted his shoulder comfortingly:
"This is what happens when you watch his streams too much! Now your face is almost as dark as Teacher Lu's!"
Inside the hotel suite.
Lu Ye crossed his arms, thinking about tomorrow's lead Pokémon.
"Since I need ten consecutive wins, I should send Arcanine. Intimidate can effectively counter physical attackers, plus there's Morning Sun for recovery." Lu Ye muttered to himself.
Hearing this, Arcanine who was lying on his side slowly stood up, wagging his tail, showing a simple and honest smile.
His thick mane radiated abundant life energy, with faint blue static electricity crisscrossing through it, symbolizing Arcanine's inner excitement.
"Awoo! ᕦ(･ㅂ･)ᕤ" (Leave it to me!)
「Actually, I could battle too.」 Latias said.
"Gym Leader Tang said the Victory Road restricts Mythical and Legendary Pokémon."
Lu Ye explained, looking up at the sky: "Somehow I feel this restriction might as well list my ID number..."
...
September 27th, Monday.
Dawn's light fell on the Victory Road's stone steps. Following the mountain path upward, the Donghua League's sacred fire burned fiercely in a silver basin.
The source of the sacred fire was the legendary Flame of Life - flames only Ho-Oh and Entei possessed.
Trainers looked up at the sacred fire, inexplicably feeling their fighting spirit ignite!
The main stadium was built on the mountainside, with spectators entering by ticket, featuring vendor areas and sub-venues.
Some seeded competitors' first-round matches would be held in sub-venues, including Lu Ye's.
Vendor area.
The girl looked at the Meowth coin sign nearby, her face pale.
"Oh no! I'm going to lose money again this time!"
Ami walked through the crowds, looking around.
She was traveling through the Donghua region, visiting martial artists, hence coming to watch her master's match.
Meanwhile at the organizing committee.
An unexpected guest, accompanied by disciples, walked into the backstage with hands behind his back.
The guest had two long white eyebrows, wore a green baseball jacket, hunched slightly, and smiled: "President Tang, long time no see."
"Master Ma." President Tang said respectfully: "Troubling you to come all the way from Armor Island."
Mustard had opened a Donghua-style dojo on Armor Island. At President Tang's invitation, he specifically returned to the Victory Road to serve as an examiner.
"Not at all, I'm also very interested in the Victory Road challengers." Mustard smiled.
Behind him, Klara with purple eyeshadow held her blushing cheeks: "Great... finally able to meet Teacher Lu offline!"
Mustard, wearing a magician's hat, thought: "I hope you and Master won't scare Teacher Lu..."
Mustard's representative Pokémon, Urshifu, came in Single Strike Style and Rapid Strike Style, based respectively on Donghua martial arts' Baji Quan and Tai Chi.
Fifty years ago, Mustard won 18 consecutive Galar League championships, but chose to retire after being asked to throw matches by the then League president. He purchased the Isle of Armor, opened a dojo, and trained Dan Emperor as his student.
The 'Battle Legend' Mustard from his youth, even fifty years later, still possessed championship-level strength!
"By the way." Mustard asked kindly: "Has Lu Ye's match started yet?"
"Of course, it's in the sub-venue."
President Tang brought Mustard's group to the broadcast screen.
On the screen, the audience's cheers surged like tides, with every seat filled all around!
In the circular arena, the referee held flags in both hands, with the trainer on the left already in position.
Passionate commentary echoed.
"Next, let's welcome, contestant Lu Ye!!"
From the long competitor corridor, light poured from the open end, the cheers becoming more real and intense.
Lu Ye stepped out of the shadows, adjusted to the glaring sunlight, looked up at the aerial drone, and nodded with a smile.
Instantly, the large screen reflected the exceptionally handsome trainer, causing an uproar!