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

"Don't rush, there's still the finals. With preparation, Crimson can't possibly let Zoroark wipe out the team with just two Sword Dances, right?"

"Damn, I suddenly suspect that Xia Chen is a plant by the event organizers, deliberately leaving this suspense until the finals. This time, P-site, which bought the exclusive event rights, is making a fortune."

…………

The internet was abuzz with noise, and in real life, Xia Chen was also frequently harassed by those around him.

Although Xia Chen had anticipated this situation before Soroyak came on, the constant and enthusiastic inquiries still left him somewhat overwhelmed.

After lunch, in the athletes' lounge.

"Okay, Professor Oak. Hmm, I just didn't have a chance to tell you. No problem, I'll definitely go to Pallet Town after the New Year. I'll start preparing for the afternoon's match now!"

After hanging up Professor Oak's call, Xia Chen took the cup that Gardevoir handed him and took a sip of water.

Just talking on the phone with important people like Mingyi, Karune, the principal, Brock, and Professor Oak had already left him feeling physically and mentally exhausted.

After thinking for a while, Xia Chen sent a text message to a few close friends explaining the situation, then turned off his phone and hid in the rest room of the Blazing Fire Arena.

Then, the world became peaceful.

The large lounge was empty except for Xia Chen and the elves.

He planned to give a simple final pep talk before the finals.

"Milotic, Zoroark, you did a great job just now."

Xia Chen first praised the two Pokémon that competed in the morning's match.

At any time, a trainer's praise is an indispensable source of spiritual nourishment for Pokémon.

Xia Chen felt that raising elves was similar to being in a relationship; emotional value was just as important as nurturing resources in daily life.

How can you let the spirit know you love it if you don't tell it?

Milos and Soroark were pleased with Xia Chen's praise.

Zoroark, in particular, achieved a 1v3 victory in his first official match.

Although she has evolved into a cool girl and no longer makes coquettish expressions or gestures like before her evolution, her eyes are the windows to her soul, and Zoroark's eyes were full of warmth and anticipation for the afternoon's match.

Xia Chen poured cold water on the situation at the right time, "But you have to know that the reason you were able to easily defeat three opponents this morning was because others didn't know much about you. Without those two Sword Dances and your advantage over Ghost-types, we wouldn't have won so easily."

"Suo"

Zoroark was never a proud elf; she nodded solemnly in response.

Xia Chen smiled with satisfaction, and then he concluded, "Alright, in any case, we only have one last match left. Everyone, don't let your guard down. You all know Hu Yang's strength. If Chi Hong could defeat him and enter the finals, his strength will only be stronger, especially with that Pikachu."

The elves had all watched Crimson's matches and nodded in agreement, deeply resonating with his sentiments.

Xianbu nodded the most, knowing full well where Pikachu and Red would end up in the future, and she was even more cautious than Xia Chen.

Xia Chen continued, "As for tactics, it will be the same as we discussed before. As for who will participate, I will bring all of you along, and we will decide based on the situation."

The elves understood the importance of this match, and none of them, going through a rebellious phase, insisted on playing; they all nodded in agreement.

Looking at the elves, whose expressions ranged from solemn to excited, Xia Chen smiled slightly and stretched out his hand, placing the back of his hand flat in front of him.

The elves understood and stretched out their hands one by one.

Sylveon's pink and fluffy paw pads, Gardevoir's sapphire blue slender hands, Zoroark's cold, concealed hands, and even Milotic raised its large tail adorned with beautiful scales.

Five hands of different colors, shapes and sizes are stacked together, and then a whole Doronmesia is placed on top.

Xia Chen and the elves looked into each other's eyes and smiled.

"3, 2, 1, Go for it!"

…………

On the afternoon of December 23, at the Blazing Arena.

The Donghuang Youth Trainer Competition has only two matches left before the final champion is decided.

The unexpected incident that occurred during the second semi-final match in the morning caused the afternoon matches to become even more popular.

The original audience was mostly from the Donghuang region, but now the number of viewers has nearly tripled!

Undoubtedly, these new spectators were not there for the championship match, but for the still-unseen ghost, Zoroark.

However, before the final between Xia Chen and Chi Hong, there is a third-place match between Hu Yang and Bai Mu.

Although everyone came to see Zoroark, as the old saying goes in the East, since we're already here, let's take a look around as well.

As a result, the third-place match also gained popularity, and its attention increased significantly.

After a fierce battle lasting more than 20 minutes, the match ended with Hu Yang defeating Bai Mu 3-2 to win the bronze medal.

The matches will still be spaced more than half an hour apart, and the final will officially begin at 3 p.m.

The live stream's popularity did not decrease after the match ended; on the contrary, as the morning's videos gained traction, the number of viewers increased.

When a guest appeared in the studio that no one could believe, the live stream chat exploded with excitement.

"Holy crap, Cynthia!"

Amidst a barrage of comments, a stunning blonde woman, dressed in an elegant light blue dress, sat on the sofa in the studio.

Cynthia not only came, but she was there in person, not just a virtual hologram!

She simply sat there with a smile on her face, and all eyes were drawn to her. The beautiful female commentator next to her looked like a little maid.

This has little to do with looks. The confidence brought by the champion's aura, combined with the unique mysterious charm of a mythologist, makes this woman more attractive than the most expensive perfume in the world.

Regardless of gender, age or status.

She's used to big events, being able to commentate on matches of this caliber, but when Cynthia actually sat next to her, she still showed visible nervousness and excitement.

Under Cynthia's control, the final pre-tournament preview of this tournament officially began.

…………

"Welcome Ms. Cynthia to our Grand Finals live stream. I won't read out her titles and names, as I'm sure you're all more familiar with them than I am."

The commentator first cracked a small joke to lighten the mood, then looked at Cynthia with excitement in her eyes.

"Actually, like all of you viewers, I didn't expect to meet Ms. Cynthia herself here. In fact, I heard from the event organizers that they invited her on a whim, but they not only succeeded, but they even managed to invite her in person."

Cynthia replied with a smile, "Even champions get holidays. When they're on vacation, they think about going somewhere for a few days. Donghuang hasn't been here much, so I came over and took on this competition."

This answer perfectly reflects Cynthia's easygoing personality. The commentator nodded, and was about to say something when Cynthia added, "Of course, another reason is that a friend of mine is also participating in this tournament, so I came to visit him."

Undoubtedly, this friend refers to Xia Chen.

The comments section erupted into chaos.

"Xia Gou, I'm going to kill you!"

“Miss Cynthia, I hope you really are just doing this on the side.”

"I came to visit Xia Chen and also took the opportunity to travel around Donghuang. Is that alright?"

"Ma Xiu in the morning, Xilona in the afternoon, Xia Chen, you really deserve to die!"

"Everyone, please be rational. Xia Chen is just a junior that Cynthia has high hopes for. Please stop spreading rumors about my goddess."

"You can lie to your brothers, but don't lie to yourself. Would you let a younger woman you like stay at your house for a month?"

"Am I the only one who thinks they're a good match?"

People in the live chat are willing to say anything, but commentators certainly can't.

Although his gossip-loving soul was burning brightly, the commentator still asked in a serious tone, "You're talking about Xia Chen, right? But you accepted the invitation so early, are you really that confident he can make it to today's finals?"

Cynthia paused for a second, then suddenly laughed and said, "Of course, just like last year's Masters 8 tournament, he had the same confidence that I could win."

…………

Xia Chen was unaware that Cynthia had arrived in the studio. At that moment, he was making his final preparations before going on stage.

This is the final of the highest-level Pokémon battle tournament he has ever participated in.

But unusually, he was more relaxed than when he participated in the Bogaman Cup, his first time competing in front of so many spectators.

It wasn't so much confidence in his own abilities as Xia Chen thought it might be the composure that comes from being used to all sorts of things.

Having grown and traveled all along, this regional finals no longer held much weight for him.

Of course, the competition is still important, especially since the opponent in the final is Red.

Although this is not Silver Mountain, and Crimson is not currently at the peak of combat, this match is of great significance to Xia Chen.

A knock sounded on the door of the lounge, followed by a notification from event staff.

"Xia Chen, you may now come to the stage."

"OK, thanks."

Clearing his mind, Xia Chen retrieved the elves who had been resting with their eyes closed in the lounge and walked to the corridor leading to the arena.

The corridor was quiet, but the brightly lit end was filled with lively chatter.

Xia Chen gently stroked each of his Pokémon in their Poké Balls before striding forward.

Let this championship be my farewell to my second year in this world!

------

Outside the battlefield, the shouts of the audience were like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing.

On the battlefield, Xia Chen stood facing a boy dressed in red and white training uniforms.

The two did not speak, but the sparks that flew between them spoke louder than a thousand words.

Although the battle of the Eastern Glory Tournament they agreed upon is still far away, this battle is a review of their experiences and growth over the past year.

This significance, belonging only to the two of them, is perhaps even greater than the final itself.

Shortly after, the referee glanced at his watch and blew the whistle to start the match.

Xia Chen and Chi Hong simultaneously threw out their Poké Balls.

"It's up to you, Senbu!"

"I choose you, Pikachu!"

Two flashes of white light, and the starting Pokémon of both sides officially entered the arena!