Pokémon: Hard work pays off, moves can be upgraded infinitely.

Outside the Evergreen Arena.

Many people are queuing orderly outside the venue, waiting to have their tickets checked.

Today is the day of the provincial competition, and most of them are spectators.

Unlike the closed-door city qualifiers, the provincial qualifiers are completely open. Residents of the Yanhuang Alliance can get a ticket to watch the matches for just 70 Alliance Coins.

For the next seven days, you can visit any of the smaller battle arenas at Evergreen Battle Arena to watch the matches.

"Wow, so many people!"

Looking at the long queue for ticket inspection, Liu Jianhao sighed.

"Indeed, it's surprising that so many people are watching a high school tournament!" Zhao Hailong unusually did not refute Liu Jianhao.

"This is to let you get used to the feeling of a large-scale competition in advance," Wang He said from the side.

Pokémon battles are the most popular sport in the world, naturally attracting countless viewers.

The larger the competition, the more people will watch it, and many people will even travel from afar to watch the competition live.

Facing a massive, enthusiastic crowd, participants need to have excellent mental fortitude.

Otherwise, it's very likely that you'll find yourself completely blank-minded once you step onto the field.

After all, many people get so nervous that their legs tremble just standing on the classroom podium. If they don't get used to it beforehand, they probably won't be able to perform at even half their potential.

"Brother Yun, I'm a little nervous."

Standing next to Mu Yun, Chi Duoduo held his hand tightly, her face slightly pale.

It's obvious she's really nervous.

"Don't be afraid, just think of them as big radishes, cabbages or whatever."

Mu Yun employed the classic "carrot and cabbage" tactic.

In Northeast China, every winter you can see rows of neatly stacked cabbages, radishes, and scallions.

No one would be nervous about radishes and cabbages unless she was a bunny girl holding radishes.

"Radishes and cabbage?"

Chi Duoduo blinked and looked at the crowd in the distance.

Thin radish, coarse cabbage, and a diced radish...

As I thought about it, it seemed like things were actually a little better.

"Let's go, it's time to go inside and divide into groups," Wang He said.

Soon, the group entered the Changqing Arena through the players' dedicated passage.

As a provincial-level battle arena, Changqing Battle Arena is very large, far exceeding the city-level battle arena in Songjiang City.

The main venue is even capable of hosting regional-level events—the King of Fighters Certification Tournament!

One can imagine how large its area is and how high the site's security level is.

Of course, none of this has anything to do with Mu Yun and his group.

Even in the final knockout stage, they won't need that main battlefield.

After all, that place is too big, and it would be too unwatchable to have rookie Pokémon battle there. Moreover, every time the arena is used, it requires calling up Champion-level referees, which is not only troublesome but also expensive.

"By the way, Duoduo, don't you need to go to the Changqing City team's assembly point?"

Looking at Chi Duoduo, who had followed him in all the way and showed no intention of leaving, Mu Yun asked.

"No need," Chi Duoduo said. "Master said that apprentices at the academy can draw lots, and there's no need to specifically follow the Changqing City team."

Soon, the group arrived at the queue for drawing lots.

It's called a lottery, but it's actually just a machine that automatically generates QR codes. You enter your personal information, and it automatically generates a QR code. After scanning it, it tells you which group you're in and which venue you'll be playing against next.

"Group C, player number 7, the first match is on court number 202, starting at 9 o'clock."

Soon, Mu Yun saw his battle information on his phone.

Compared to the original lottery system used in the city selection competition, this technology-based lottery is much faster.

"I'm in Group G!"

Chi Duoduo said.

"Liu Jianhao and I are both in Group A, we're really lucky!" Zhao Hailong said with a smile after glancing at Liu Jianhao's phone.

"Tch, don't think you've got me figured out. My Arcanine is pretty strong!" Liu Jianhao retorted.

A mere attribute advantage doesn't necessarily mean defeat!

"Sun Xin and I are in Group D and Group B respectively, which is alright, we didn't run into each other," Ma Sitong said.

"I'm in Group F!" Wu Tu added.

"Well, only Liu Jianhao and Zhao Hailong ran into each other, but it's okay. There are four spots for each group to advance, so you still have a chance," Wang He said.

There are opportunities, but it's hard to say how big they are.

After all, those who can participate are the elite newcomers from various cities.

High school students, especially those in the provincial capital, are a veritable gathering place for geniuses.

Apart from Mu Yun, Wang He wasn't very optimistic about the others; their chances of advancing depended on luck.

"Alright, after you get the information, head to the competition area and get ready. No matter the outcome, just do your best," Wang He concluded.

"Yes, Instructor Wang!"

The group nodded in response.

"Duoduo, let's go."

Mu Yun glanced at Chi Duoduo's match schedule: court number 202, the match at 9:30, which was his next match.

It's quite a coincidence, actually.

Soon, following the signs, the two passed through the complicated corridors and arrived at the entrance to the rest area of ​​Battlefield 202.

"Duoduo!!"

Just then, a surprised female voice rang out.

Immediately afterwards, a fragrant breeze wafted over, not the scent of rouge, but more like the smell of hormones secreted by a woman after exercising.

Of course, it wasn't Mu Yun who was attacked, but Chi Duoduo who was standing next to him.

"Sister Jiayi!"

Chi Duoduo, who was being hugged by Lü Jiayi, also looked pleasantly surprised.

Mu Yun glanced at Lü Jiayi.

She is a little over 1.7 meters tall, with wheat-colored skin, and is a vibrant young woman with well-proportioned muscles.

He looks somewhat similar to Lü Shouchun, except his leg muscles aren't as exaggerated.

It seems they must be a relative of Lü Shouchun or something similar.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have met Chi Duoduo.

"It's been a few days, and Duoduo is still so cute!" Lü Jiayi cupped Chi Duoduo's little face and rubbed it against her cheek.

She loves sticking stickers with small and cute creatures!

After they kissed, Lü Jiayi leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Is this the little lover your aunt was talking about?"

Suddenly, Chi Duoduo's face turned red.

But she didn't refute it, just gave a soft "hmm" in response to Lü Jiayi.

"Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Lü Jiayi, and I'm Duoduo's senior!"

Seeing this, Lü Jiayi stopped teasing Chi Duoduo and, grinning, extended her hand to Mu Yun to introduce herself.

"Brother Yun, Sister Jiayi is Master's niece, and she also practices martial arts with Master!" Chi Duoduo added from the side.

"Hello, Mu Yun."

Mu Yun nodded.

You guessed right, this girl is indeed a relative of Lü Shouchun, they both have the same wheat-colored skin.

"Jiayi, you're not in Group C, are you?"

After a brief introduction, Chi Duoduo seemed to have just thought of something and asked with some concern.

She was well aware of Lü Jiayi's strength; Tongtong and Yaya were no match for her, so she was very worried that Muyun would run into her.

"Haha, don't worry, my opponent isn't him. I'm in Group G, the second match on this field." Lü Jiayi knew exactly what Chi Duoduo was thinking, so she pinched her cheek and comforted her.

Upon hearing this, Chi Duoduo first breathed a sigh of relief, then blinked and said, "Ah, so Jiayi, your opponent is me!"

"Well, there's nothing I can do about it. I won't hold back, you know~" Lü Jiayi said with a smirk, looking like she was teasing a kitten.

Amidst laughter and playful banter, the three of them walked together into the rest area of ​​venue number 202.

..............................

in the audience.

"Brother Mu?"

A young man with slicked-back hair looked at Mu Yun as he walked into the rest area, his expression a mixture of surprise and confusion.

If Mu Yun were here, he would definitely recognize him as the kind person who "gave" him Alliance Coins more than two months ago, the young master of Qingyun Arena—Lin Youzhe.

"Brother, what's wrong?"

Beside Lin Youzhe, a boy who was more than a head taller than him, standing at least 1.9 meters tall, asked in confusion.

"It's nothing. I think I saw someone I knew just now, but I must have been mistaken. This is a high school league, after all. He couldn't possibly be here," Lin Youzhe said, shaking his head.

Honestly, how could he mistake someone else for Mu Yun!

Mu Yun's Beedrill already had the strength of a senior-level peak two months ago, and it's probably already at the mid-to-late stage of professional level by now. It's impossible for it to appear in a battle between high school seniors.

He must have been so craving that bee-bumbled that his eyes were playing tricks on him!

"Youqi, keep up the good work! Aim for fourth place, strive for second, and try to take the runner-up position!" Lin Youzhe encouraged.

"Yeah, I'll try my best, bro."

Lin Youqi raised his large, fan-like hand and rubbed the back of his head, giving a simple, honest smile.