novelraw Chapter 736: Victory Road! First Round Advancement
Chapter 736: Victory Road! First Round Advancement
Chapter 736: Victory Road! First Round Advancement"Go Teacher Lu!!"
A tide of cheers rolled through the arena.
The sight of the trainer on the screen instantly moved countless viewers!
The first stage of Victory Road required ten consecutive single-battle wins to pass.
Challengers appeared at random, following a king-of-the-hill format: whoever won ten straight matches would automatically advance;
other contestants kept fighting.
This match format, designed to avoid excessive stamina drain, was packed with one-hit finishes and brutal, aggressive aesthetics.
Whether trainers or spectators, adrenaline surged!
In the stands, Ami sat upright, both fists resting on her knees, face solemn amid the roaring crowd: "Master…"
Master Ma stood with one hand behind his back, stroking his beard, smiling: "Lu Ye's popularity is huge."
President Tang sighed: "Because of his past, fans from other leagues came from far away to support him.""Although he doesn't have a champion title yet, he's already achieved many champion-level feats!"
"Even the strongest champion has moments of defeat."
Master Ma's gaze beneath his long white brows was gentle as he watched Lu Ye, like he was looking at Dan Emperor or his younger self, smiling:
"Victory Road is full of randomness, so this old man won't be rash in judgement, but… the strong aren't always the winners, yet winners must be strong."
"You mean luck matters, Master?" Mustard asked.
Master Ma shook his head slightly, eyes glittering:
"When a trainer finally stands at the top as a league champion… they will inevitably grow even stronger."
The commentator's voice rang with excitement:
"Both trainers are in position! Lu Ye has brought out his signature Rotom Pokédex! This is his usual style—the first-person livestream!"
Teacher Lu's livestream Rotom, like Kabu's selfie Rotom, had already gained approval from the organizers and the audience.
The Rotom Pokédex floated as viewers flooded the stream;
seeing the black-haired youth standing resolutely on the Victory Road stage brought tears to many eyes.
"A ten-year fan finally sees Lu Bao on Victory Road!"
"This is lit!"
"Even if the Elite Four show up today, this is still the Baby Cup!"
The commentator announced: "The blue-side trainer is Mogeng, the champion of Miare City from Kalos two years ago!"
"The red-side trainer, from Mo City in Donghua, Lu Ye—he's sent out a Pokémon!"
A beam of red light descended onto the field.
Arcanine's eyes flashed fiercely, its flowing mane brushing in the wind;
black-and-orange tiger-like stripes streaked across its body, the glossy fur gleaming in the sunlight.
"Awooo!!!"
A fierce, majestic roar instantly conquered countless viewers' hearts!
"Arcanine from the ancient eastern legends! Its running posture has captivated trainers across the ages!"
Mogeng, wearing an orange windbreaker, admired that impressive trainer, steadied his breath, and threw a Great Ball:
"Go, Absol!"
Absol landed lightly, limbs poised, white fur covering its forehead with a black scythe-like horn protruding near its brow.
"Absol, the disaster-prognosis Pokémon, often misunderstood, is actually kind-hearted and likes helping humans," the commentator explained.
"Its Mega form was first discovered in Kalos and possesses astonishing power to calm chaos!"
The audience held their breath.
Absol's deep eyes locked with Arcanine's vertical pupils.
The referee suddenly dropped the flag: "Begin!"
"Absol—"
Mogeng showed no hint of underestimating;
the Keystone bracelet on his wrist blossomed with dazzling light.
"Mega Evolution!!"
"Shreik!!"
Absol raised its head and howled;
the white fur on its shoulders bristled like wings, its forehead hair fell to cover the left eye, the black scythe protruding—angelic and demonic auras coexisting!
Evolutionary light bathed the arena;
the crowd showed astonishment.
"Mogeng chose to Mega Evolve right at the start!!" the commentator said.
Lu Ye stretched out his arm: "Extreme Speed!"
Arcanine ran in great strides, leaping with agile force;
Extreme Speed sliced a streak of white light and detonated with a sonic boom!
Mega Absol's body flared a turquoise Protect barrier, holding for half a second before shattering with a 'kala'!
"Stone Edge!!" Mogeng shouted.
Mega Absol was knocked away and landed lightly, claws digging into the ground as white light surged from beneath and rock pillars shot up with thunderous force!
"Stone Edge is doubly effective against Arcanine. Lu Ye chose to let Arcanine charge straight in!!" the commentator's eyes widened.
"Flare Blitz!" Lu Ye barked.
Arcanine's body erupted in raging flames, turning into an orange-gold avatar;
it smashed through the rows of stone pillars like a fiery battering ram!
Boom!!
Temperature rose;
the crowd's mouths went dry.
"Flare Blitz tore through those stone pillars!"
After smashing them, Arcanine's momentum increased—blazing orange flames twined with its agile form as it charged at Mega Absol again!
Mogeng's pupils constricted, shouting: "Absol, True Seeing!"
Absol's red eyes shone;
startled, it saw Flare Blitz bearing down, too close to evade!
Boom!!
The arena shook as Mega Absol was blasted backward, white fur singed, crashing down;
with a thud its Mega form deactivated and it collapsed, unconscious!
Black smoke cleared.
"Awooo!!!"
Arcanine stood unbowed, majestic as a lion, head raised and roaring.
Mogeng stared at Arcanine in a daze and sighed softly.
Complete… one-sided domination!
"Mega Absol was one-shot?"
"It's back—my Baby Cup's back!"
"The power gap is too big."
"Champion—this is the champion trainer's Arcanine!"
The commentator: "After the first victory, there is no rest period. The next trainer enters…"
Before he finished speaking:
Boom!!
Arcanine's Fire Blast slammed into the advertising board at the edge of the arena, leaving a huge charred crater!
"Fire Blast… it missed, huh." Lu Ye rubbed his temples.
With this move's accuracy, it's not even thirty percent, right?
"Still you, 2333."
"Who expected to see this kind of outtake reel on Victory Road!"
The second trainer, last year's Unova runner-up, opened his mouth.
Although the Fire Blast missed… the pressure was overwhelming!
His Mega Scizor, quadruple-weak to fire, already perspired with cold sweat across its brow!
The trainer glanced again at the charred pit.
Realizing victory was impossible, he decided to sap Arcanine's stamina:
"Mega Scizor, Bullet Punch!"
Mega Scizor launched, its twin pincers flashing like bullets!
"Arcanine, Flamethrower!!"
"Awooo!!"
Arcanine opened its jaws and spewed a torrent of flame, swallowing the midair-approaching Scizor!
Bullet Punch struck, leaving only a faint fist mark on Arcanine's chest—almost negligible.
When the flames faded, Mega Scizor knelt, head bowed, pincers limp, then thudded to the ground.
"Winner, Lu Ye!" the referee waved the flag.
By the second-floor viewing windows, Champion Shangren folded his arms and said coldly:
"The flames of that Arcanine… are on par with my Talonflame."
Ji Shiyin glanced at Shangren.
Can you really keep patting yourself on the back like that?
"How long did it take you to pass this stage?" Ji Shiyin asked coolly.
"Three hours… that was the fastest record back then," Shangren boasted.
Ji Shiyin tapped the glass and said calmly: "He just defeated the third opponent."
"Ahem! Three matches done already? That's less than ten minutes!"
"Mm…" Ji Shiyin's expression flickered oddly.
"Ugh…" Electivire lay on the ground, in pain, shrouded.
Arcanine turned away from the sun, bared its fangs in a friendly smile: "Awooo~"
"Ugh!" Electivire's eyes rolled and it fainted, cartoonish circles appearing.
The commentator: "One-shot again! Mega Electivire was taken out by Extreme Speed!"
"I got wrecked;
what else is there to say."
Teacher Lu: "As a champion trainer, using champion Pokémon to fight Victory Road seems fair."
Backstage:
"This gap in raw strength…" President Tang murmured, "This truly is a champion-level Arcanine."
Legend said in ancient times Arcanine ran across Donghua, dispelling long nights of darkness.
People’s love for Arcanine mirrored Unova people's devotion to Volcarona.
It's been long since a Donghua trainer raised an Arcanine to this level.
Seeing Arcanine's heroic posture, President Tang, well-versed in myth, felt a stir of excitement!
Klara looked at her master: "Next up, Arcanine's opponent is Milotic."
"As far as I know, both Dan Emperor and Teacher Lu like to teach their Pokémon moves that broaden their attack coverage," Mustard adjusted his glasses.
"It'll end quickly, ru~" Master Ma clasped his hands behind his back, smiling.
In the fourth match, Milotic's trainer decided on a war of attrition.
Water rings interlaced into a watery curtain that cloaked Milotic's cream-colored body;
murky currents condensed into two water arrows aimed at Arcanine's eyes!
Thud! Thud!
Arcanine used its body to block the water arrows, head thrown back to roar;
a white ball of light gathered in its mouth and shot into the sky, dispersing the cloud!
Sunlight shone dazzlingly.
"Sunny Day! Arcanine changed the weather, reducing Water-type move power!"
The opposing trainer realized Lu Ye intended the Solar Beam tactic and kept calm:
"Milotic, use Protect!"
As expected, Lu Ye: "Arcanine, Extreme Speed!!"
The stands and livestream erupted.
"No way, greedy to the max!"
"He predicted the opponent's Protect!"
"Do you read your opponent's moves even in the Baby Cup?!"
The other trainers cast resentful looks.
You were already unbeatable, and you gave Lu Ye an empowered opening!
Though if it were me… I'd also get royally screwed by Lu Ye…
Sweat dotted the opponent's brow as Arcanine zipped to Milotic's flank;
shouting "dodge now" came too late!
'Arcanine, Solar Beam.'
Lu Ye's senses tingled.
Under Sunny Day, Solar Beam needs no charge, so without calling it out, using Power of Transcendence to sense it makes it easier to hit!
"Awooo!!"
A crystalline white orb burst from Arcanine's mouth;
sunlight and motes surged into it, and Solar Beam fired in a single instant!
"Wo~"
Milotic wailed, swallowed by the solar blaze;
Milotic's cream body scorched, head bowed, black smoke rising.
"Milotic tanked it with amazing Special Defense! But Arcanine's next attack—"
Boom!!
"Awooo~~"
Arcanine showed no mercy and charged with Extreme Speed, instantly knocking Milotic out of the arena!
Thud!
Milotic hit the ground, eyes spiraling.
"Milotic's charm totally had no effect!" the opposite trainer clutched his head in confusion.
"Awooo…"
The big dog looked down at the fallen Milotic and exhaled with relief.
Lessons learned from the big sister:
The prettier the Pokémon, the fiercer and more dangerous!
Little Milotic, don't try to fool me!
"Fourth match, winner Lu Ye!"
The fifth opponent sent out the quick, agile Hitmonlee, but it couldn't match Arcanine's speed and was crushed under its crushing pressure.
In the sixth match, an Alolan trainer commanded Snorlax to unleash an exclusive Z-Move!
"Snorlax, go all out—Max Impact!!"
"Snor—"
The white glow of the Z-Ring poured into Snorlax;
its huge body flooded with red light.
Snorlax opened its half-closed eyes, brimming with destructive impulse, and stomped, charging toward Arcanine with all its weight!
The ground rumbled.
The audience swallowed hard.
Gentle Snorlax could become this berserk!
Like a collapsing mountain, it gave a crushing sense of pressure!
"Arcanine, stop it."
Snorlax's trainer froze.
Did I hear that right—stop it?
That's not even the name of a move!
I used a Z-Move, and you won't even use Protect!
"Snorlax, crush it!!" the trainer cried.
"Snor—"
Snorlax threw its full force at Arcanine.
Arcanine met it head-on!
Boom!!!
The arena shook and the crowd swallowed nervously.
"Really… it blocked it…"
"Blocking a Z-Move with a basic attack?"
In the dust and silence, the debris settled.
"Snor…" Snorlax suddenly trembled;
beads of sweat crossed its brow.
"Awooo!" Arcanine pressed its head against Snorlax's belly, baring a ruthless grin.
Then Arcanine drove Snorlax's body upward with its head;
enormous Snorlax's limbs flailed in the air.
"Snor, Snor!"
The crowd, shocked, guessed at Snorlax's words:
"I guess it said, put me down…"
Thud!
Arcanine tossed Snorlax aside and its head glinted with Iron Head light as it charged!
"Winner, Lu Ye!!"
Ami still sat like a dutiful student, fists on her knees, eyes shining: "Master's Arcanine is so strong."
That last move even included fighting techniques—an inspiration Teacher Lu got from Ash's Charizard!
In the viewing area, Ji Shiyin checked her watch: "Hmm… half an hour, six consecutive wins."
She looked up and silently observed Shangren.
"Hmph, not bad!" Shangren said coolly.
Sunlight slanted as the black-haired youth stood on the field, his shirt hem fluttering in the breeze.
Lu Ye glanced at the scoreboard and murmured: "Four matches left…"
"Then."
Arcanine planted its paws and let out an intimidating roar toward the next trainer entering the passage.
In the personal livestream, Teacher Lu's calm voice was heard:
"Next."
In the seventh match, the opponent sent out Steel-type Aggron.
"Aggron—Mega Evolution!!"
White light faded as Mega Aggron's steel armor grew harder, its grin fierce and pupils narrowing.
An orange-red silhouette surged, wrapped in roaring flames like a fiery war vehicle, detonating with thunderous sound!
Boom!!
The heavy Aggron was knocked flying, landing with a crushing thud that left the ground dented and cracked like spiderwebs!
Silence fell;
the audience stared wide-eyed.
"One round… just taken out in one round…" the commentator's voice had weakened.
"Next."
A blue light shimmered as Lu Ye's black hair fluttered with waves of Aura;
his tone was calm.
Not the usual loud roar, yet the chat filled with barrage comments!
In the viewing area, the normally quiet Elite Four sat.
Taoist Wang Binghe in his robes stroked his beard and smiled: "This young man has a unique Aura."
"Aura?" Ji Shiyin asked.
"Like mine… no, he's a higher-level Aura Guardian than I am," Wang said.
"Like my Dragon power?" Ji Shiyin slowly realized.
Shangren's face turned odd;
he said nothing.
Just a special ability—like everyone doesn't have one…
Damn, I actually don't!
The eighth challenger stepped out.
From Hoenn, named Kocha.
The commentator: "Kocha contends for Hoenn's Elite Four and once challenged the Hoenn League Champion… strong!"
Lu Ye looked at Arcanine.
"Awooo!"
Arcanine shook sweat from its mane and grinned fiercely, spirits high!
Kocha threw a Poké Ball: "Please, Blastoise!"
"Blastoise?"
"Isn't that Teacher Lu's signature Pokémon?"
"Blastoises have different builds;
you can't generalize…"
"Kar-me!"
Blastoise's forehead bore a Mega Stone device, eyes sharp.
Lu Ye felt a pang.
Putting the Mega Stone so exposed was reckless.
If this were a wild brawl, the device would be smashed and it couldn't Mega Evolve…
Kocha expected Lu Ye to think that and cursed him mentally;
he raised his Keystone bracelet and shouted:
"Blastoise, Mega Evolve!!"
Light dissipated.
Mega Blastoise erected a massive cannon on its shell and arm launchers aimed at Arcanine;
three streams of water coalesced into a hydro cannon and fired with a 'boom'!
Arcanine couldn't dodge in time and staggered back from the impact, snarling: "Awooo…"
Kocha felt smug.
Even in a wheel-match, beating Teacher Lu would be worth bragging about!
"That's a Hydro Cannon?" Lu Ye frowned slightly.
"How many of these can Arcanine take at its remaining stamina?"
Lu Ye stayed silent.
This cannon felt like Blastoise's Hydro Pump.
You call that a cannon?
In our internal matches, Turtwig's Hydro Cannons were withstood, not to mention Hydropump…
Kocha curled his lips and commanded: "Blastoise, keep firing Hydro Cannon!"
"Kar-me!"
Blastoise set up its turret, continuous hydro cannons forming three surging pillars that thundered toward Arcanine!
"Wild Charge," Lu Ye said.
Arcanine, which had been staggered, suddenly moved.
The audience's eyes widened as stones flew as Arcanine charged like lightning.
A straight line tore the ground;
blue electric light braided through the furrow.
Arcanine, like a cyan thunderbolt, ripped through the water pillars and past Blastoise in a flash!
Everyone froze for a second;
Blastoise collapsed!
Even the referee couldn't make sense of what had just happened.
The once-dominant Mega Blastoise was suddenly reversed and lay unconscious!
"Intertwined Power?"
Taoist Wang's eyes widened, baffled.
How could an Arcanine possess the power of both black and white dragons?
Ji Shiyin remained silent.
I suspect your Arcanine is a disguised pseudo-dragon, and I have ample evidence…
Shangren turned away, aloof.
Intertwined Power… has nothing to do with me as well…
Kocha's smile froze;
he looked blankly at his fallen Blastoise, then at Lu Ye.
"Your Blastoise's Hydro Pump was used pretty well."
Lu Ye smiled faintly.
Kocha was dazed—yet that was a Hydro Cannon…
"Hahaha, mind games!"
"Don't take Blastoise's Hydro Cannon as the norm!"
The spectator stands erupted in uproar.
"Next." Lu Ye looked toward the trainer passage.
Irresistible cheers echoed through the arena.
Ami straightened her back, spine trembling, eyes sparkling: "Master… so handsome…"
The ninth was a livestream fan who announced himself, and the chat went "whoa".
"Truly fans everywhere!"
"Turns out Victory Road isn't just the Baby Cup, it's also a fan tournament…"
"Teacher Lu fights fans brutally!"
When the match began, Lu Ye calmly said:
"Arcanine, Morning Sun!"
Arcanine raised its head and howled;
sunlight and motes flowed into its body, tiny flames ignited and wounds visibly closed!
"An hour of wheel battles and then the boss's HP is full again."
"So hopeless… that's Teacher Lu's pressure."
The fan's Nidoking couldn't match Arcanine and was knocked out under Arcanine's Iron Head within five minutes.
Beep—
The big screen showed Lu Ye had achieved nine consecutive wins;
one more and he would advance!
The timer read only one hour—on track to set a new fastest-clear record!
The last challenger stepped out, veteran fire-dojo master Ji Lie.
Touted as a likely future Fire-type Elite Four member, he'd once met Entei.
Ji Lie took out a Great Ball and said gravely:
"For some reason, I sensed a familiar aura on your Arcanine."
"I'll test my hunch with Pokémon battle." He tossed the Great Ball.
"Go, Infernape!!"
Thud!!
Infernape landed;
black-and-gold markings on its belly pulsed like flames, orange fire burned on its shoulders, its build solid.
Lu Ye paused slightly.
Everyone knew Infernape's nickname was "Big Brother" and Infernape's counterpart "Second Big Brother" was another familiar moniker…
As for the aura Ji Lie mentioned—it's likely related to the Flame of Life bestowed by Entei.
This Infernape has the ability "Guts," which boosts self-sacrifice moves, but not as much as Intertwined Power's amplification.
Ji Lie disagreed, voice focused: "Infernape, Flare Blitz!!"
Boom!!
The ground beneath Infernape cracked, rocks flew;
shoulder flames flared and Infernape was wrapped in towering fire.
"Roar!!!"
Lu Ye glanced at Arcanine and saw it turn its head and nod fiercely: "Awooo!"
Lu Ye nodded: "Arcanine, Flare Blitz!!"
Boom!!
Orange flames surged amid intertwining cyan electric sparks;
heat rolled as Arcanine was enveloped!
The audience held their breath.
Thud, thud!
Arcanine sprang as Infernape charged;
the two collided in a blaze!
No one expected a balanced fight.
Ji Lie's pupils constricted, bewildered and confused.
How is this possible?
One-sided crushing domination.
The king-level Infernape gave up thinking in less than two seconds!
Booming explosions sent black smoke upward.
Infernape's back was singed and it collapsed before Arcanine.
Beep—
A bright electronic tone echoed in the silent arena.
The timer stopped at 1 hour 10 minutes.
Ji Shiyin again silently glanced at Shangren.
"Ahem, prepare for the next round." Shangren turned and slipped away.
"Awooo! ᕦ(･ㅂ･)ᕤ"
On the field, Arcanine showed a good-natured grin;
its mane glittered in the sunlight.
A roar of cheers erupted from the stands.
"Big dog is so cute!"
"Teacher Lu: I can fight ten more!!"
Master Ji finally came back to his senses and shook his head: "My intuition was not wrong…"
That was the Flame of Life like Entei's, surging with abundant stamina!
"Ten matches complete—let's congratulate Lu Ye on successfully advancing."
The commentator inhaled deeply and said:
"We witnessed history, the first stage of Victory Road, and the birth of the fastest-clear record!"