Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game.

Xia Chen pondered to himself.

But, principal, are you serious about placing your hopes on a trainer who's only been in the industry for a year?

Chapter 188 A Letter from the Parthian Region

As Xia Chen left the principal's office, she was still reflecting on the hopes Yu Chaohua had placed in her.

"Whether as a former champion or the president of Beijing University, I sincerely want to see trainers from the Eastern Region stand on that highest podium. And you, Xia Chen, are the person I have ever seen most likely to achieve this."

Is it really that exaggerated?

Xia Chen muttered to himself.

He felt that the old man was giving him pep talks and motivational speeches, and that he might say the same thing to the runner-up in the recruitment competition.

But when they met eyes, the fire in his eyes burned so intensely.

Forget it, I don't want to think that far ahead. Let's get our hands on the Ghost-type Pokémon breeding manual first.

This was Xia Chen's thought at the time, so he agreed to Yu Chaohua's request, which wasn't really a request.

In return, he obtained the Doron Balto breeding manual from Dan-di within a month.

Xia Chen was immediately shocked; this was far more valuable than his original goal—the Heavenly King-level cultivation manual.

Who is Emperor Dan?

A Galar regional champion and runner-up at the Masters 8, it's no exaggeration to say he's the second best active player in the world.

Although Dragapult is not his ace Pokémon, it is still an absolute main force.

Such a valuable breeding record is beyond the measure of money.

This made Xia Chen feel particularly embarrassed, and he insisted that the principal give him some more requirements.

Yu Chaohua was also speechless. After thinking it over, he decided to give Xia Chen a short-term task: to participate in this year's Donghuang Youth Trainer Competition and win the championship.

Thinking back to this, Xia Chen couldn't help but rub his temples in worry.

Let you be a smart aleck

…………

Is this difficult?

It's undeniably difficult!

Although theoretically, this competition is no different from the entrance examination for Beijing University that Xia Chen participated in.

This is a competition among the best young trainers of the same age group in the Donghuang region.

However, the age limit for this competition is 21 years old and below, so it is basically only eligible for junior and senior college students.

In other words, Xia Chen, with only a year and a half of training experience—no, a trainer's experience—is going to defeat a group of opponents who have been in the industry for at least three or four years.

This is about as difficult as making Groudon fly.

Xia Chen suddenly remembered that Long Yue seemed to be around the same age, so maybe she would have some experience.

Back in the dormitory, Xia Chen asked Long Yue about the competition.

"Are you going to participate in this year's competition?"

Long Yue sounded somewhat surprised on the other end of the phone.

"Yes what's the matter?"

Xia Chen didn't quite understand what Long Yue meant.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone before a voice came through, "It's okay. With your ability, you should have a good chance of making it to the quarterfinals or the round of 16. The important thing is to participate."

Are the top eight and top sixteen teams all about participation?

Xia Chen was also rendered speechless. Long Yue knew him inside and out, yet this was the evaluation she received. It seemed that the competition was even more intense than she had imagined.

Perhaps fearing that Xia Chen wouldn't believe her, Long Yue continued, "I also participated in that competition last year, and only made it to the top four."

Is Long Yue only a top four contender?

Xia Chen thought for a moment. Long Yue's Dragonite evolved in July or August this year. If we divide it according to the level system in the game, it is now around level 55. So when it participated in the competition more than half a year ago, it must have been at least level 45.

Although the combat power of a second-tier pseudo-legendary Pokémon is not as strong as that of many fully evolved Pokémon, with the training manual from the Deep Dragon Gym, the difference wouldn't be too great, and it would probably be at the elite level by then.

Moreover, that Hakuryu wasn't Long Yue's strongest fighting force at the time.

Is this level of skill only good enough for the top four?

…………

Xia Chen compared her current lineup with that of Fairy Cloth. Don't be fooled by how she beat the elite-level Desert Dragonfly so badly a few days ago.

However, firstly, his elemental affinity was weak against the Desert Dragonfly, and secondly, the previous freezing beam had damaged the Desert Dragonfly's wings, restricting his movement.

If it were a Pokémon of a type with no type advantage or disadvantage, Sylveon would have a very hard time winning, right?

Xia Chen was also a little uncertain, after all, this guy had always been creating miracles.

You can always trust Ibrahimovic!

And aside from Eevee, the team's strongest Pokémon, the other Pokémon are even more formidable.

Before going to Dragon Island, Milotic's strength was probably around the intermediate level of a senior. It's unclear what it was after receiving the blessing of the "Dragon God".

It's estimated that it will rise a little, but not by much.

Kirlia's strength is roughly at the beginner level of senior.

Further down the line, there's no need to even mention Zoroya and Doromecia, who are still in their baby stage.

In short, the task is arduous and the road ahead is long.

Pulling himself back to reality, Xia Chen asked, "When does the competition start?"

Long Yue replied, "I'll prepare well in December. It's a pity I'm two months over the age limit, otherwise I would definitely win the championship this year!"

Xia Chen believed that Long Yue was not bragging. A Dragonite with the strength of an elite-level two or three stars was enough to dominate the youth tournament.

Long Yue continued, "By the way, just a reminder, this is a competition for young trainers nationwide, so don't just focus on schools. Trainers from academies have never won this competition."

Xia Chen: "."

This was yet another piece of bad news, and he naturally knew who Long Yue was referring to.

They are descendants of large families with a rich heritage and traditions that do not rely on school resources.

For example, on the other end of the phone, the inheritor of the oldest Qianlong Martial Arts School in the Donghuang region...

The principal's "small goal" has become even more difficult to achieve.

After hanging up the phone, Xia Chen lay on the soft mattress, staring blankly at the ceiling.

However, since I have promised the principal, there is absolutely no reason for me to give up halfway.

Competitions are only interesting when they are challenging.

Besides, since my debut, Xia Chen has never come in second place in any competition!

"Xianbu, don't you think so?"

------

"To the idiot Xia Chen."

"It's been forty-three days since I arrived at Orange Academy in Tabletop City, Padia Region, and I still haven't received a message from that bastard. Where have you been gallivanting off to this time?! If I don't receive a reply in my inbox within three days, that person is dead meat!"

"Getting back to the main point, although the Padiya region is quite far from Donghuang, I've had a fairly comfortable time here. Zhuotai City is not as bustling as Zhijiang, but the scenery here is just as beautiful, and the locals are very welcoming."

"I met a friend here named Nemo. She's a huge fan of Pokémon battles and incredibly strong. The pressure I felt battling her was almost as intense as yours. I'll introduce you two sometime. I'm mentioning this to tell you, there's always someone better, you idiot!"

"The Pokémon in the Padia region are also very interesting. Can you imagine a Pokémon unleashing power stronger than a pseudo-legendary Pokémon just to save another Pokémon? Dolphin is so cool! Oh, and the Grass-type starter Pokémon here is the very cute new Leafeon. You'll definitely like it, but I already have Serperior, so I didn't catch it."

"However, I caught a Padian form of Upo. You can't imagine how cute its evolved form, Terrell, is. It's so silly and goofy, just like you. My next target Pokémon is the pseudo-legendary Pokémon Rissordra from the Padian region. I hope to encounter it in my future adventures."

"Finally, I hope that idiot doesn't forget his promise to travel to the Parthian region. Trust me, you'll love this place."

"Finally, this is a photo I took. If you have any conscience, please return it to me."

"Mingyi, the future champion of the Donghuang region. August 28, 2023"

…………

"To my dearest Mingyi."

"Please forgive me for not writing to you sooner; I've been too busy these past few days. Four days after you left, I also left Zhijiang and came to Beijing. Zhijiang without you is not worth staying for."

"Then, congratulations on catching your new Pokémon. But I still need to remind you that you can insult my strength and character, but don't insult my appearance. Although I've never seen the Earth King, since it's a regional form of the Quagsire, it definitely won't look like me!"

"Speaking of catching Pokémon, I also caught a new one, Dracomesia, which I caught on the mysterious Dragon Island. It's a very cute little guy. Sorry, I caught a pseudo-legendary Pokémon before you. Good luck, big sister studying in Padia!"

"Although I really don't want to brag anymore, my pen just started writing involuntarily. I got my hands on the breeding manual for Draco Valeto from Leon! If you also have a cute Draco Mercia, I would definitely share it with you. What a pity~"

"But the great Xia Chen once said that fate has secretly marked the price of every gift in the world. The price of obtaining this secret manual is to win the Donghuang Youth Trainer Competition at the end of this year. I have to say, even for me, it is a considerable challenge. But just wait and see me and Xianbu standing on the podium on TV."

"With the start of the new school term approaching, my daily training schedule has become even more demanding, so I'm only now finishing this letter. Please forgive me."

"As for the trip to the Parthian region, definitely next year! *gulp*"

"Finally, here's the photo you requested. Isn't little Dorgon adorable? But why does it look like Fairy Blossom has gotten chubby again?"

"Your dearest Xia Chen, August 31, 2023"

…………

As the start of the semester draws ever closer, the campus of Beijing University is becoming increasingly lively, and so is the dormitory area where Xia Chen lives.

Every now and then you can see thunder and snow falling under a perfectly sunny day, which means that the upperclassmen have probably returned to school one after another.

Because this dormitory area is exclusively for the Beijing University team, Xia Chen has been observing their strength in the shared training hall and practice arena here for some time.

Knowing yourself and your enemy will ensure victory in every battle. If nothing unexpected happens, these guys will be your opponents in the year-end Young Trainers' Feast.

After observing, Xia Chen came to a conclusion.

The overall strength of these guys' teams is such that none of them are weaker than themselves.

That is, there are senior intermediate level as a basic level, and there are several elite level!