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

Amidst the enthusiastic discussions in the audience, the battle for the semi-finals gradually came to an end.

Besides Mu Yun, the other three are Liu Hesheng, Lü Jiayi, and a male contestant named Zhang Zichen.

His Pokémon is a Tauros, which is the kind of Pokémon that silly guy caught.

Although there are many of them, it doesn't mean that Tauros is not strong.

His exceptional speed and physical attack, combined with the Rage Acupoint ability for a desperate counterattack, propelled him all the way to the top four.

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

[Anger Point: When a vital point is hit, the attack bonus is maximized, increasing attack power by 300%.]

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

With the semi-finalists announced, the sixth day of competition naturally came to an end.

After a short rest at the hotel, the group embarked on the seventh day of the championship competition.

"Welcome everyone to the finals of the 2025 Evergreen Province High School Elf Joint Examination! I'm your old friend, Seventeen!"

Today's host is still Seventeen, who rides the Sonic Dragon.

But besides him, there are three new figures on the high platform of the battle arena today.

Seventeen then introduced, "Before the official competition begins, I have the honor of introducing our three special guests who are here today!"

As his voice rang out, the large screen froze on the three figures in the highest position.

The man in the center had thick eyebrows, bronze eyes, short hair, and bronze skin. His muscles were exceptionally well-developed, filling out his loosely tailored suit and giving him a rather imposing presence at first glance.

This person is Lü Jiayi's father, Lü Shouchun's brother, and the current head of Changqing Martial Arts Academy—Lü Shouhe.

A Champion-level trainer who also specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon.

Duoduo's teddy bear was something that Lü Shouchun had taken from him.

Sitting to Lü Shouhe's left was an elderly man with half-white hair and slightly loose skin.

Despite his unassuming appearance, he has a very impressive background.

He is Niu Lanfang, the vice president of the provincial branch of the Changqing City Trainers Association, and also a veteran top-level trainer.

However, due to his advanced age, he rarely makes a move now.

Finally, sitting to Lü Shouhe's right was a woman who looked somewhat plump and had a few wrinkles around her eyes.

Tao Jingyuan, a trainer who is close to becoming a Champion, participated in the Champion certification tournament in her early years, but unfortunately stopped at the top eight and did not become an officially certified Champion trainer.

However, this does not affect her status.

Because her primary profession is that of a breeder, a top-tier breeder.

This status is far more prestigious than that of an ordinary Elite Four level trainer.

After all, there are Elite Four level trainers every year, but top-tier breeders are rare individuals that even Elite Four level trainers respect.

Not to mention, Tao Jingyuan is also the vice president of the Changqing City Cultivator Association branch.

In terms of both ability and prestige, he is among the top people in Changqing Province.

Their presence elevated the atmosphere of the event to a whole new level.

After all, in this world, powerful trainers are far more popular than celebrities.

Local superstars like Lü Shouhe, with their powerful influence, are naturally more popular among the locals.

"Well then, without further ado, let's draw the list of players who will compete in the first match of the semifinals!"

After introducing the three special guests, the host, Seventeen, pointed to the big screen and shouted.

As the sound faded, the four avatars on the large screen continued to flash.

After about ten seconds, the flashing stopped and finally stopped on a handsome photo.

It was Mu Yun, who had fought his way through without ever being defeated!

As soon as his image was confirmed, the cheers in the arena erupted like a tsunami.

Clearly, in just a few days, the audience has already made a deep impression on this newcomer.

Trainers who own common Pokémon have all reached high positions.

However, most of them are late bloomers; there are almost none like Mu Yun, who started to exert himself in his senior year of high school.

How can we prevent them from having expectations?

"Looks like he's quite a popular kid," Niu Lanfang remarked with a chuckle, stroking his white beard.

"I heard from Xiao Shiqi that this child seems to be a favorite to win the championship this year, but unfortunately he ran into the Liu family's child." Tao Jingyuan, who was standing next to her, replied with a slight smile.

As the top breeder in Evergreen Province, she has exchanges and collaborations with various families.

Naturally, he was well aware of the situation of Liu Hesheng's Azure Flame Blade Demon.

In fact, Liu Hesheng is not an isolated case.

Every ten or twenty years, as a Azure Flame Blade Demon discovers the love in its heart, a ridiculously powerful little Azure Flame Blade Demon will appear.

"Shouhe, what do you think? Who do you think will win the championship?"

Niu Lanfang looked at Lü Shouhe, who was standing silently to the side.

The Lü family has been getting stronger and stronger in recent years. First there was Lü Shouhe, who became the head of the Changqing Martial Arts Academy, and then there was Lü Shouchun, who became a titled Heavenly King. I wonder what kind of genius the third generation of the Lü family will produce.

"Xiaochun told me that Muyun is very talented as a trainer, and I trust her judgment."

Lu Shouhe said in a serious and methodical voice.

He didn't understand Mu Yun, nor did he understand the Liu family's traditions like Tao Jingyuan did. He didn't even care much about this so-called provincial competition.

If it weren't for his daughter being there, and the fact that as a gym leader he needed to regularly appear in similar public settings, he would have preferred to stay at the gym to train his Pokémon or hone his skills.

"Oh? That's what Shouchun said?"

Upon hearing this, Niu Lanfang's eyes lit up, and she became interested.

"Alright, Old Niu, Brother Lü doesn't know the details of that little guy from the Liu family, but you, old man, don't know?" Tao Jingyuan chimed in with a smile.

"Geniuses need time to grow. During this period, even the geniuses in the capital wouldn't be a match for Liu Hesheng in a one-on-one fight."

The Liu family was once considered the number one ghost family in the Yanhuang Alliance. Their geniuses were not so easy to defeat.

unless......

Tao Jingyuan's beautiful eyes flickered as she thought of that monster among the younger generation of the Ling family.

Unless, you've stopped being human...

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

The discussion among the three invited guests did not affect the flashing pattern on the big screen.

After the first contestant was determined, the light continued to flicker across the remaining three images.

As the beating slowed down, a slightly melancholic photograph was finally captured in the light.

It was none other than the "sickly beauty"—Liu Hesheng!

"Huh? We've run into each other already?"

Tao Jingyuan snapped out of her daze, her red lips slightly parted, seemingly somewhat surprised.

She thought the two favorites to win the championship would meet in the final match, but she didn't expect them to clash so early.

Could it be that...

Tao Jingyuan glanced subtly at Lü Shouhe, who was resting with his eyes closed and as still as a mountain.

No, it shouldn't matter.

After all, no matter how they are matched, in the final battle, Lü Jiayi can't beat Liu Hesheng; it's just a matter of being fourth or second.

Moreover, Lü Shouhe's personality doesn't seem like that of someone who would do such a thing.

"What bad luck, poor little guy."

Looking at Mu Yun's photo, Tao Jingyuan sighed inwardly.

For the other three, the reward for first place, second place, or fourth place doesn't really matter; they don't care anyway.

But for someone like Mu Yun, who came from a relatively humble background, it was a considerable loss.

However, if Lü Shouchun really has high hopes for this child, his future won't be too bad.