I Really Didn’t Want to Be a Trainer

Chapter 740: Level 4! No-holds-barred competition format.

Ji Shiyin's pupils slightly contracted.

She had battled Champion Shangren before.

However, the power of the "Stone Edge" from the Tyranitar before her eyes was even more formidable!

Lifting her hand to withdraw the unconscious Kingdra back into its Poké Ball, Ji Shiyin's gaze sharpened as she threw out an Ultra Ball.

Red light revealed the outline of a Flygon.

The Flygon, appearing as if wearing red goggles, was entirely green, floating within the sandstorm completely unaffected.

Known as the 'Desert Spirit', the Flygon floated before Tyranitar, violently flapping its wings as Ground-type energy whipped up a gray sandstorm.

Two hurricane-like sandstorms, one gray and one yellow, clashed like two armies meeting in battle, with thunderous roars!

"Crush through it, Tyranitar!!"

Lu Ye roared loudly: "Dragon Dance!!""Bangii!!"

Tyranitar's eyes turned crimson as it opened its mouth and roared, leading the sandstorm with a 'boom' as it stomped the ground, advancing forward.

Each step stirred tremors in the earth, each step caused its body to become wrapped in dark red light!!

At the mountain peak, two sand tornadoes opposed each other, flying sand and stones grinding together, 'crackling' with sparks.

Ji Shiyin refused to yield, extending her arm and commanding: "Flygon, Dragon Dance!!"

The Flygon positioned itself at the center of the sandstorm, let out a high-pitched shriek toward the sky, circling around the central point, making the sandstorm increasingly violent!

Suddenly, Ji Shiyin's expression turned grave.

Tyranitar charged into the center of the sandstorm at incredible speed, the yellow sand tornado growing increasingly violent, as if an entire army from the desert's edge was pressing forward overwhelmingly.

Even the Flygon, hailed as the 'Desert Spirit' capable of stirring sandstorms with a single wing flap, found its Ground-type energy-summoned sandstorm completely vanished at this moment, replaced by a sandstorm filled with sky-blotting rock fragments!

"What astonishing control over weather!"

The shock in Ji Shiyin's heart lasted only a moment before she quickly issued a command: "Flygon, use Earthquake!!"

"Sssaa!!"

The Flygon emitted a high-frequency shriek, its wing flaps like a sharp sword diving downward, flying close to the ground while stirring up a row of flying sand.

That row of flying sand concealed the fissures beneath the ground, explosive white light transforming into shockwaves that advanced toward Tyranitar along with the cracks!

"Grab it, Tyranitar."

Lu Ye's gaze sharpened.

Ji Shiyin was momentarily stunned—Tyranitar showed no intention of retreating, instead facing the Earthquake head-on like this!

Boom rumble rumble!!

The ground beneath Tyranitar's feet sank, its expression fierce as the Flygon flew close before its face, just beginning to spread its wings to pull up.

A sharp claw extended like iron pliers, firmly grasping the Flygon's slender neck!

"Use, Ice Punch!!" Lu Ye commanded.

Tyranitar roared angrily, its fist covered with sharp ice crystals, swinging to smash against the Flygon's cheek.

The Flygon, quadruply weak to Ice, widened its eyes as an explosive force erupted!

Boom!!

The sandstorm subsided, flying sand settling to the ground.

Tyranitar stood tall at the mountain peak, looking down contemptuously at the fallen Flygon before spreading its arms and roaring!

"Bangii—Raaass!!"

There is only one absolute ruler of the desert—Tyranitar!

Champion Shangren crossed his arms, expression severe.

Overflowing with overwhelming presence.

I look forward to the moment my Mega Tyranitar battles against it!

Ji Shiyin switched to her weakened Goodra, but the Dragon Dance-enhanced Tyranitar struck the ground faster and heavier, using Earthquake to take it out.

Within just ten minutes, Tyranitar had defeated three major fighters in a row!

"Huu—"

The cold wind howled across the mountain peak, Ji Shiyin's face pale as bloodless, feeling slightly dizzy.

She had originally thought... she could at least force Teacher Lu's Sylveon to appear,

But this Elite Four-level Tyranitar had completely suppressed her without any countermeasures!

"Are you okay?"

Lu Ye spoke up: "Although I only have one oxygen tank, if you're willing to pay a high price, I might consider selling it to you..."

"...Thank you."

The match temporarily paused.

Ji Shiyin took a few breaths of oxygen, her condition gradually recovering.

The oppressive pressure of Dragon Ridge was originally meant as an obstacle for challengers.

But battling under such high pressure had even made this Dragon-type Elite Four member somewhat dizzy.

After all... the overlord Dragonite with its natural dominant aura had been curiously watching from the side the entire time, never leaving!

Ji Shiyin looked with complex emotions at the overlord Dragonite at the edge.

The Dragonite hugged its two short arms, its six-meter-plus body with a prominent big belly. Seeing Ji Shiyin turn her head, it waved its small hands cheering: "Wuu~!"

Ji Shiyin sighed helplessly—only one final match remained.

Brushing aside the blue strands at her temples, Ji Shiyin's gaze turned sharp—she had to secure at least one victory!

"I'm counting on you, Altaria!"

At the mountain peak, the Altaria had a light and graceful form, its wings like pure white clouds, floating freely.

Seeing this 'Dragon-type traitor', Lu Ye raised an eyebrow and recalled Tyranitar.

"Go, Sylveon!"

"Bu-bii!" Sylveon leaped lightly onto the field, proudly shaking its ribbons.

Ji Shiyin: ???

This is the final match, and you're still sending out your champion-level Sylveon?

Are you not playing fair!

"It's been a year since our last battle." Lu Ye said seriously: "Your Altaria must have improved greatly, so both I and Sylveon must fight with our full strength!"

Ji Shiyin: "..."

Do you think everyone is like Dan Emperor and Red, capable of becoming champions within a year...

"Altaria—"

Ji Shiyin sighed softly, raised her eyes, and said solemnly: "Mega Evolution!!"

Brilliant white light bloomed atop Dragon Ridge.

Mega Altaria, its cloud-like wings becoming even fluffier, emitted a pearl-like radiance.

The overlord Dragonite, seeing the Mega Altaria, widened its eyes, mouth hanging open.

Good heavens... she, she's so beautiful.

"Altaria." Ji Shiyin commanded, "Perish Song!!"

Altaria's singing was beautiful and crisp, making one feel as if transported into a dream. This kind of singing would cause Pokémon to lose their will to battle, leading to defeat.

Ash's Charizard initially didn't follow commands, often losing its will to battle, thus failing at the Quartz Conference.

But for Teacher Lu, who often listened to Meloetta's singing, this song was much inferior.

"Bu-bii..."

Sylveon's disgusted expression deeply stung the Mega Altaria.

"Fuu?" Altaria flapped its wings, a '#' symbol appearing on its head.

Not good? What gives you the right to say it's not good?

Lu Ye commanded: "Sylveon, Hyper Voice!!"

"Bu-bii!!"

Sylveon stood firm on all fours, lifting its small head.

High-frequency sound waves transformed into substantial impacts, rushing toward Mega Altaria from all directions.

Mega Altaria felt dizzy, an inexplicable sense of admiration arising in its heart.

It seems... the voice really is more beautiful than mine...

Ji Shiyin frowned and said: "Altaria, Sky Attack!"

Mega Altaria shook its head, let out a high-pitched cry, golden light swirling around its body as it dove down from mid-air.

"Sylveon, Quick Attack!"

Sylveon acted first, pouncing toward the powerful Dragon-type Pokémon.

A straight line cut through the air, ribbons passing by Mega Altaria as Sylveon landed lightly!

Mega Altaria stiffened for one second before falling to the ground with a 'thud'.

Ji Shiyin was stunned for quite a while before helplessly accepting reality, sighing:

"Congratulations on passing the Champion's Road... third trial assessment."

Ji Shiyin adjusted her mood, a slight smile appearing on her aloof face as she extended her hand: "I look forward to seeing your performance going forward, Mr. Lu Ye."

Lu Ye politely shook her hand, pondering before saying: "About that..."

"Wh-what." Ji Shiyin's face showed a hint of flustered redness.

"For the oxygen tank money, are you planning to pay by card or cash?" Lu Ye asked seriously.

...

In the facility halfway up Dragon Ridge, President Tang and the others looked at each other.

They had expected Lu Ye to defeat Ji Shiyin, but hadn't anticipated him clearing so effortlessly.

"Should this challenge video still be uploaded to the official website?" Klara blinked.

"Well... that's the rule." President Tang said.

Wang Daozhang muttered: "Is this what the young people call... public execution?"

"What did you say?"

"Nothing." Wang Binghe stroked his beard, smiling: "The next trial will be my assessment of young brother Lu Ye."

Master Ma held his hands behind his back, smiling: "Oh, is it that competition format?"

"Yes, the no-restriction format mimics wild battle conditions."

President Tang nodded: "Trainers rotate through six Pokémon, defeating any one of the opponent's counts as victory, while also being able to attack the trainer directly."

Hearing this, Mustard said in shock: "This is really a brutal format!"

Master Ma shook his head: "You're all still too young... even the League Conferences used to adopt this format back in the day."

"Moreover..." Master Ma cautiously glanced at Wang Daozhang.

This Taoist priest is a master of qinggong (lightness skill)!

Wang Daozhang stroked his beard, his gaze profound, smiling without speaking.

...

The next day.

A total of four challengers challenged Elite Four member Ji Shiyin.

But only one trainer successfully passed the assessment, advancing to the fourth round trial.

That was contestant Lu Ye from Mo City.

The official satellite footage of Lu Ye's battle with Ji Shiyin was uploaded, once again causing a sensation!

"Why is this overlord Dragonite so intimate with Teacher Lu?!"

"I understand! Actually, Teacher Lu is a centuries-old monster, and this overlord Dragonite is just a Pokémon he casually captured back then!"

"If you can talk, you should write a book."

In this battle, Teacher Lu's prediction and switching deeply impressed trainers.

Prediction, rotation... these are basic skills for trainers, yet the more fundamental the skill, the more it demonstrates one's foundational mastery.

And when Tyranitar defeated three in a row, standing tall at the mountain peak roaring loudly, it instantly gained countless fans!

"Old Tyranitar is mighty!!"

"Desert Emperor, Tyranitar!!"

As a second-generation pseudo-legendary, Tyranitar conquered countless trainers with its contemptuous demeanor.

On the Champion's Road, Teacher Lu's Tyranitar once again ignited trainers' passion!

"Looking forward to seeing the showdown with Champion Shangren."

"They won't really pull out the Precipice Blades, will they? (laughs)"

"Champion's Road, your Tyranitar, has returned!!"

After defeating Ji Shiyin, Lu Ye could choose to replace her as the new Elite Four member.

Or continue pursuing higher rankings.

Lu Ye naturally chose to continue.

To proceed to the next region for assessment, he prepared to leave Dragon Ridge.

The overlord Dragonite lowered its head, looking pitifully wronged, bidding farewell to Lu Ye: "Wuu..."

Despite being over six meters tall and weighing in tons... such is Dragonite's nature—affectionate toward humans, gentle and kind.

Lu Ye reached out to pat its belly, smiling: "After I finish my business, I'll come back to see you."

"Wuu~!" The overlord Dragonite's eyes sparkled with faint light, happily nodding its head.

Leaving Dragon Ridge, walking along the mountain path.

Lu Ye rubbed his chin.

Did I accidentally... set up another Flag just now?

Returning to Budew Hotel, Lu Ye learned about the next trial's content from the staff.

"No-restriction format!?" Lu Ye exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes. Defeating any one Pokémon, or directly knocking out the trainer, counts as victory." the staff member said.

Lu Ye nodded lightly, flexing his wrist, falling into thought.

This seems... to be a format I'm good at too...