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

Xianbu stood in front of Xia Chen and playfully made a heart shape with a ribbon.

Amidst the resounding background music of "We Are the Champions" in the arena, Xia Chen, beaming with smiles, and the elves took a group photo.

Alliance History

…………

Four o'clock in the afternoon, outside the Blazing Arena.

Winter nights always come exceptionally early; it was only a little past four o'clock, and the sun was already setting in the west.

Xia Chen looked at the crimson figure in front of him, who was forcing a smile, and asked again, "You're leaving today? Are you in such a rush?"

Red patted Pikachu on his shoulder, paused for a moment, and said firmly, "Yes, my friends and I have discussed it."

Xia Chen didn't know what to say. He knew that Chi Hong, such a competitive guy, must have been stimulated by today's competition, but it wasn't convenient for him to comfort him.

No matter how good the relationship is, the winner's consolation to the loser always feels like a mockery.

Xia Chen could only nod and say, "Let me know when you get to the capital."

Chi Hong said helplessly, "You know I didn't bring my phone with me the whole way."

Xia Chen thought about it and realized that it was indeed the case. In order to devote herself completely to her training, Crimson had been contacting her family via video call at the Pokémon Center in the city.

However, Xia Chen has countless romantic partners, so how could he be stumped by such a small difficulty?

He laughed and said, "When you get to the Qianlong Dojo, just tell the dojo master or a guy named Long Yue, and I'll know."

Chi Hong nodded in agreement.

Whether it was because of the afternoon's match or the farewell, the atmosphere was somewhat silent. Chi Hong was not a talkative person to begin with, and Xia Chen was even more at a loss for words in this situation.

The two of them stood together on the steps for a long time.

Finally, in the "Red Man" contest, Crimson was the first to concede defeat, whispering, "I'm leaving."

Xia Chen waved goodbye, "Okay, have a safe trip, see you in the capital."

As the sun set, Chi Hong adjusted the brim of his hat, turned, and left.

As they reached the bottom of the steps, Chi Hong turned back to look at Xia Chen, who was watching her leave, and suddenly said softly, "We won't lose next time, right?"

He was answered by a voice full of energy.

"Pickup!"

…………

On the other side, after seeing off Chi Hong, Xia Chen also climbed the steps, where someone was still waiting for him in the Blazing Fire Arena.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he reached the top of the stairs, he saw the person waiting for him.

The vibrant sunset cast its glow, making her golden hair shine brilliantly, both holy and beautiful.

Cynthia, leaning against the railing, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Gone?"

Xia Chen nodded: "I'm leaving."

Cynthia suddenly remarked, "That little guy is quite a promising talent."

Xia Chen suddenly remembered something, and he asked with a smile, "Isn't there anything else you want to say?"

Cynthia was taken aback. "Other? What do you mean?"

Xia Chen shrugged: "For example, 'The encounter between lives will inevitably give birth to new things' or something like that."

Cynthia frowned, then suddenly placed the back of her hand on Xia Chen's forehead, muttering to herself, "He doesn't have a fever."

Xia Chen chuckled twice and changed the subject.

"Let's not talk about that. Sister Zhulan, are you staying in Donghuang for the next while?"

Withdrawing her delicate hand, Cynthia tapped her slender, fair fingers on the railing. "I guess I'll be returning to Sinnoh early next year."

That is at least one week

Xia Chen quickly calculated the time in his mind, and then volunteered, "I think, Sister Zhu Lan, you must need a local tour guide, right?"

"Really?" Cynthia's lips curled into a playful smile. "I've been to so many regions, and I've never hired a tour guide before."

Xia Chen patiently persuaded, "So you should experience new things, shouldn't you?"

Cynthia remained noncommittal. "Then tell me how you plan to arrange things."

Xia Chen coughed lightly, finally revealing his true intentions.

"As we all know, the Eastern Huang region is the largest region in the world. It's unrealistic to travel all of it in just seven days. Why not start by visiting one place?"

Cynthia interrupted Xia Chen, a half-smile playing on her lips, and said, "For example, Zhijiang?"

Xia Chen, whose skin was as thick as a shield-and-sword monster, remained unfazed. "However, Zhijiang is located in Jiangnan and has been known as a paradise on earth since ancient times."

"Alright, alright, stop reading." Cynthia looked at Xia Chen with exasperation and said helplessly, "I'll listen to you."

Xia Chen chuckled, his smile even brighter than when he took the photos after winning the championship.

Just as the atmosphere was taking an odd turn, Cynthia suddenly asked, "By the way, what's the reward for winning this championship?"

To be honest, Xia Chen seems to have really forgotten the answer to this question.

Now that resources are plentiful, he never competes for the rewards.

Fortunately, due to the influence of his superpowers, Xia Chen has an exceptional memory.

"Besides the prize money and some rare Pokémon items, there's something called a [League Key Talent Development Program]? No one has contacted me yet, does anyone know?"

Cynthia nodded thoughtfully and said, "This plan should be the main reward; it's something that will bring you long-term benefits, and I estimate it might be something you wouldn't normally encounter."

Later, when Xia Chen thought back, he couldn't remember what Shirona had said at all.

What is firmly etched deep in his mind is that beautiful, captivating face, half-lit and half-shadowed by the sunset, a face he may never forget.

Chapter 234 I, the little mouse, am being played like a puppet!

6k)

On December 24th, Xia Chen returned to Zhijiang.

Besides Sylveon and Gardevoir, there was also a woman wearing sunglasses by their side.

Actually, his first semester classes weren't over yet, so theoretically he should have gone back to school first.

However, with the person in charge of Beijing University right beside him, and Xia Chen having just made great contributions to the school, taking a short vacation from now until winter break is a piece of cake.

Regarding the issue of course credits

The academic credits awarded to the champion of the prestigious Donghuang Youth Tournament are enough for ten trainer students to graduate normally.

It's not entirely accurate to say that this championship carries the most weight; there are competitions that offer higher academic credits as well.

For example, the World Junior Trainer Championship, various regional tournaments, the World Championship, and so on.

However, in the school's history, no one has ever graduated with the credits awarded for winning such a competition.

In short, theoretically speaking, Xia Chen and Hu Yang can both receive their graduation certificates next year.

But still the same sentence.

Yes, but not necessary.

Since I can take leave whenever I want and still travel, why not earn some scholarships every year?

Eleven o'clock in the morning.

At Zhijiang Shuijun International Airport, a plane that had taken off from Funan City landed smoothly, and Xia Chen and Xiluona stepped out of the cabin.

Taking a deep breath of the familiar air, Xia Chen smiled with satisfaction, "The air humidity in Zhijiang is indeed more comfortable."

The capital city is too dry, and the southern part of the province is too humid; the Yangtze River, situated between the two, is just right.

Unlike Xia Chen, Cynthia was not pretentious. She tightened her coat and walked outside.

Xia Chen followed, still muttering to himself, "We'll eat out for lunch, and this afternoon we need to clean the house. We haven't been back for half a year; the yard's probably teeming with wild elves. We also need to buy some New Year's goods."

Cynthia suddenly stopped, tilted her head, and asked, "Your itinerary... you're not going to spend all seven days at your house, are you?"

"Uh"

Xia Chen asked weakly, "Is that not allowed?"

Cynthia sighed, "Do you have some kind of misunderstanding about the word 'tourism'?"

Xia Chen thought for a moment and asked in return, "So, would you rather eat my cooking every day, watch TV, play games, and occasionally go shopping, or spend every day traveling and enjoying the outdoors?"

Cynthia was silent for a moment, then said, "Do as you please."

Xia Chen smiled slightly. "I knew you were a homebody the moment I saw you. Do you think I can't handle you?"

If you're on vacation and instead of relaxing at home, you go out and wander around aimlessly, what's the difference between that and your regular work life where you're always running around to ruins and the wild?

After a year of busy competitions and archaeological digging, you should just relax at home and enjoy yourself!

…………

Xia Chen's home is quite far from the airport, and it was almost midnight when we arrived near his home.

The house hasn't been cleaned for six months, so it's definitely not convenient to cook or eat for a while.

So Xia Chen took Xilona to a small restaurant that he always went to when he was too lazy to cook.

"Long time no see, Uncle Tai, and you too, Elegant Cat."

Xia Chen smiled and greeted a balding old man lounging in a deck chair at the restaurant entrance, basking in the sun, and an elegant cat at his feet.

"Meow~"

The elegant cat was showing signs of age, but it still walked gracefully to Xia Chen's side and affectionately rubbed against his leg.

Xia Chen happily squatted down, picked up the big cat, and started petting it. His skillful touch made the elegant cat wriggle its body in enjoyment.

Uncle Tai, who was leisurely sunbathing on a deck chair, opened his eyes in surprise, "Oh my, our champion is back?"

Xia Chen was somewhat amused and exasperated. "How did you find out so quickly?"

Uncle Tai chuckled and turned on the radio next to the recliner, which played a news broadcast.