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

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

[Ding! Alolan Vulpix (20) has defeated Aldebaran (26). Permanent Quest 1: Battle Completed. The opponent's level was detected to be higher than yours. Congratulations, host, your reward has been doubled! You have received 20 points!]

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

[Ding! Target detected as Short-Term Task 8: Provincial Joint Examination II. Bonus points awarded: 52!]

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

"Old Dragon is unable to fight. The winner is the red team's Ice Vulpix!" the referee announced.

Ice Six-Tail was a name given to Bingbing by the referee team on short notice.

Because Bingbing is a newly introduced variant of the Pokémon, and the official unified name has not yet been determined, the judging panel could only give it a temporary name based on its resemblance to Vulpix and its Ice type.

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

Inside the athletes' rest area.

"What a powerful Ice Vulpix! Although it's not the first time I've seen it, I'm still amazed every time I see her unleash her Ice Storm!"

Lin Youqi looked at the gradually calming ice storm in the arena, and then at the old dragon that had turned into an ice sculpture, and sighed in his heart.

We're all talented, so why is there such a huge difference...?

In front of him was Beedrill, and behind him was Vulpix; one could take two of his lives in one move, and the other's attack range was terrifyingly large.

I'm a little envious.

"How about it? Isn't our Brother Yun amazing!"

Liu Jianhao, who was drinking with Liu Hesheng, looked at Mu Yun, who was in the middle of the room, and said with a grin.

Although he didn't qualify for the next round, he still felt proud watching Mu Yun dominate the field.

"Indeed, he is very impressive. Among the thirty-one contestants, he is the undisputed number one." Liu Hesheng took a sip of his drink and nodded calmly.

"Thirty-one? You didn't forget to count yourself, did you?" Liu Jianhao asked, also taking a small sip of his drink.

"He is very strong, stronger than every other scion of a noble family, but he is no match for Azure Flame Blade Ghost. It's not that I look down on him; on the contrary, I admire his talent. I even think his talent is above mine, but he can't beat me."

Liu Hesheng said in a tone of considerable appreciation.

These are his heartfelt words.

He had read Mu Yun's information: an orphan, from a small city, self-reliant, intelligent, disciplined, and exceptionally talented.

If he had been born into the Liu family, he would definitely have surpassed Qi Heng to become the champion and allowed the Liu family to reclaim its position as the number one ghost family in the Yanhuang Alliance.

Unfortunately, sometimes talent takes time to realize.

His Azure Flame Blade Demon Body is equipped with the Azure Flame Blade Armor, which is the incarnation of the Azure Flame Blade Demon at the peak of the Heavenly King level. No one of his peers can hurt him. This alone is enough for him to crush all his peers before advancing to the Heavenly King level!

This is not something that talent can overcome; it's pure wealth accumulation!

His goal was never within the province, but to become the top scorer in the regional college entrance examination, challenge the prodigy of the Ling family in Heijiang, and lead Heijiang University to win the Heilong Cup!

Provincial competitions are just a formality, a way to convince one's peers.

"Tch, don't talk big and you'll bite the hand that feeds you. My brother Yun has never lost, so don't underestimate him!" Liu Jianhao curled his lip, looking unconvinced.

Despite his words, he still picked up his wine cup and clinked it against Liu Hesheng's. After downing the cup, his eyes darted around, and he asked:

"Want to make a bet?"

"What are we betting on?"

"I'm betting on who will win the championship, you or Brother Yun!"

"What's the stake?"

Liu Hesheng neither confirmed nor denied it, but pressed for details about the stakes.

Clearly, he didn't want to refuse a bet he was guaranteed to win.

"The loser has to wear ten sets of women's clothing!"

"??"

Liu Hesheng gave Liu Jianhao a strange look.

Dude, you don't have a problem with your sexual orientation, do you?

"What kind of look is that? I'm straight, a pure straight man!" Liu Jianhao felt offended.

He was simply curious about how Liu Hesheng's women's clothing compared to his own.

It just so happens that the two are about the same height and build. He also has a lot of women's clothes that Liu Yingying bought for him, which he wore once and has been sitting untouched in the closet ever since.

"Alright, I'm not going to lose anyway, just be prepared."

Liu Hesheng gently pinched his chin, looking Liu Jianhao up and down.

He had an expression as if he was taking stock of the size and preparing to choose clothes.

"Is there anything you don't want to wear?"

"What do you mean? You think I'm doomed to lose?"

"That's not important. What don't you want to wear?"

"Lolita sweet style and gothic style, one is too effeminate and the other is too unconventional." Liu Jianhao seriously recalled the women's clothing he had worn and selected the two styles that he found most unacceptable.

"Then these two, five sets of each, I'll get you an expedited custom order." Liu Hesheng's lips curled into a slight smile, like a cunning fox who had just succeeded in his scheme.

"?"

What happened to being kindred spirits in the same boat? Is this how you do things?

"Wow, these two are playing such fancy tricks..."

Zhao Hailong, who had been quietly watching the drama unfold, gasped when he heard about the bet between Liu Jianhao and Liu Hesheng.

Is this really a bet, or some kind of weird play between the two of you?

Jianhao, you are the only male heir of your Liu family. Uncle Liu is still waiting for you to carry on the family line. You must not go astray!

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

On the other side, Mu Yun, unaware of the bet between Liu Jianhao and Liu Hesheng, had just returned from the battlefield.

As soon as he entered, Chi Duoduo pounced on him and clung to him, drawing envious glances from a small number of the other contestants.

Why is it only half?

Because most people's attention was drawn to Liu Jianhao and Liu Hesheng, whose faces were flushed.

Not many people know Liu Hesheng because he only attends important gatherings. So, apart from Lü Jiayi and Lin Youqi, many people think that the two are a pair of pretty girls who love to drink.

One is a "white moonlight" stained with blood, and the other is a "sickly beauty" who is drunk. They are chatting and laughing together, and it is hard not to attract their attention.

In particular, these two are not like ordinary girls; they are very sensitive to the gazes of those around them.

They're not afraid to be seen at all.

After all, they're all men, what's there to be afraid of?

If you want to watch it, then watch it.

"Brother Yun, let me tell you, just now..."

After Mu Yun sat down, Zhao Hailong leaned over and quietly told him about the bet between Liu Jianhao and Liu Hesheng.

Then, with a worried look, he asked, "Brother Yun, do you think they wouldn't really...?"

"Ahem, don't talk nonsense."

Mu Yun coughed lightly.

We're all brothers, so respect, understanding, and blessings are all we need to do.

Regardless, it's a personal choice.

"Really what?"

Chi Duoduo, standing to the side, blinked her big, watery eyes and asked curiously.

"It's nothing, kids shouldn't ask such questions." Mu Yun stopped the filthy thoughts that were about to enter Chi Duoduo's mind.

"What? I'm not small at all! Xin Xin even said mine is huge!"

Chi Duoduo rubbed against Mu Yun, somewhat unconvinced.

The soft touch immediately made Mu Yun close his mouth.

Okay, it is indeed quite large.

Seeing this, Zhao Hailong turned his head away sadly, tears of envy streaming down his face.

Damn it, it's one thing for Yun-ge to have a girlfriend, but why can even Liu Jianhao find a new love?! When will the god of love descend upon me?!

Isn't it said that baseball players are the most popular? He's dark and strong, doesn't he look like a baseball player?