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

Inside the lounge.

Unlike yesterday's lively scene with dozens of people, only the four contestants were seated in the lounge today.

Apart from Zhang Zichen, Mu Yun had some interaction with the other two, but with the competition underway, no one was interested in chatting.

Mu Yun naturally remained seated, quietly waiting for the match to begin.

"You two have run into each other!"

As the two portraits on the big screen froze, Lü Jiayi exclaimed in surprise.

"It's earlier than I expected."

Liu Hesheng slowly stood up and came to Mu Yun: "You are Jianhao's friend, so I don't want you to be discouraged by one match. You have almost no chance of winning this match. I hope you are mentally prepared and don't take it to heart."

After saying that, Liu Hesheng seemed to feel that it wasn't enough, so he added, "Losing the game wasn't because you were weak, nor because I was strong, but because my surname is Liu. This isn't a difference between us, but a difference in our backgrounds."

Liu Hesheng's tone remained soft and gentle, and there was no condescending sarcasm on his face.

It seems to be simply stating a predetermined event.

"Hey, hey, hey, the match hasn't even started yet, how do you know Mu Yun is going to lose!"

Seeing Liu Hesheng launch his "pre-match trash talk" tactic, Lü Jiayi, who was standing to the side, spoke up indignantly.

Although she didn't think Mu Yun could win, even if he lost, she would comfort him afterward; there was no way to demoralize someone before the match even started.

Isn't that disgusting?!

Duoduo, I, your senior sister, will personally protect your lover!

However, just as Lü Jiayi was feeling indignant, Liu Hesheng paused for a moment, realized something was amiss, and said with a hint of apology:

"Feel sorry."

"?"

Lu Jiayi's expression froze.

No, why did you apologize?

Seeing this, Mu Yun stood up slightly, ending the farce.

"Liu Hesheng, if you only lose one game, will you give up on yourself?" Mu Yun looked directly into his eyes and asked seriously.

Seemingly surprised by Mu Yun's question, Liu Hesheng paused for a moment, then shook his head and affirmed:

"Won't."

He is the eldest son of the Liu family, the most talented person of the new generation of the Liu family, and he shoulders the expectation of surpassing Qi Heng and revitalizing the Liu family as the number one ghost family. How could he be so discouraged because of a small provincial competition?

"If that's the case, why do you think I would?" Mu Yun asked calmly.

Liu Hesheng was taken aback, then fell into deep thought, seemingly stumped by Mu Yun's question.

Seeing this, Mu Yun didn't say anything more.

Arrogance is not simply a haughty, condescending attitude.

Isn't some of the pity and sympathy that we take for granted also a kind of hidden arrogance?

Of course, Mu Yun did not hate Liu Hesheng because of this; on the contrary, he was somewhat surprised that Liu comforted him.

It seems that the other party truly considers Liu Jianhao a close friend, and even he has been extended to Liu Jianhao because of this affection.

Otherwise, according to what Lü Jiayi said before, Liu Hesheng is a very aloof person and doesn't care about the feelings of those around him.

His question was simply meant to tell Liu Hesheng that he was not someone who couldn't accept defeat.

He's not the one who's bound to lose!

"Matchmakers Mu Yun and Liu Hesheng, please assemble at the competition venue!"

The loud broadcast broke the silence in the lounge and brought Liu Hesheng back to his senses.

He raised his head, looked at Mu Yun with a determined gaze, and suddenly smiled.

His smile, like the pure white pear blossoms blooming in early spring, left Zhang Zichen, who had been silent, somewhat stunned.

"You're really different. If you had been born into the Liu family, I think things would be much easier for you."

Mu Yun smiled as well: "I was born in Yanhuang, and it's just as good, isn't it?"

"Too."

"Let's go, the match is about to begin."

"Um."

After saying that, the two walked out of the lounge one after the other.

"What are they talking about?"

Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Lü Jiayi scratched her head in confusion.

Weren't we just about to have the classic pre-match trash talk?

What is all this about?

Well, at least Duoduo's lover wasn't hurt.

My senior sister is so competent!

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

"Now, please welcome the contestant from the first match of the semifinals!"

"Seventeen, the host, shouted from above the battlefield, standing on the back of the Sonic Dragon."

As his voice faded, Mu Yun and Liu Hesheng emerged from the passageways on either side.

The two looked at each other from a distance, smiled, and then walked together toward their respective contestant platforms.

"Please release your spirits!"

As the two players took their positions, the referee immediately announced the start of the match.

"Go on, Little Du."

"Hiss!"

"Azure Flame Blade Demon, it's yours now!"

"ashamed!"

The bright yellow Beedrill and the deep purple Azure Flame Blade Demon stood on either side, facing each other from afar, making the atmosphere of the audience even more heated.

Both were strong favorites to win the championship, and they met again in the semifinals.

This means that the winner of this competition is very likely to be the champion of this year's provincial competition.

The championship battle is something they are really looking forward to!

"It seems our players are all ready to go. Without further ado, let's see what kind of exciting battle these two will deliver!"

As soon as the host finished speaking, the screen showed the battlefield.

The referee announced, "Both Pokémon are in position. The match begins!"

"Little Du, chase him down!"

Mu Yun made a decisive statement.

Azure Blade is a Fire/Ghost type Pokémon with a fourfold overall resistance to Bug-type moves. Combined with the significant damage reduction from its mother's armor, even with the power boost from its unique moves, its final damage is still less than that of Dark-type moves that it is twice as effective against.

"Hiss!"

Xiao Du started with his familiar gathering of energy, and with a flap of his wings, his aura suddenly rose to a new level.

Flight speed +200%, energy mobilization speed +200%, personal strength +200%.

As the aura shifted, deep black light began to gradually fill the silvery-white bee stingers on Xiao Du's head.

As the dark halo stained the entire stinger black, Xiao Du's condition improved once again.

During skill usage: Strength +200%, Flight Speed ​​+200%, Attack Speed ​​+200%.

In an instant, Xiao Du's figure gradually blurred in the eyes of the audience, and a bright yellow stream of light appeared in the arena.

At the same time, Liu Hesheng's voice also reached Cangyan Rengui's ears.

"Azure Flame Blade Demon, Regret Sword!"

He still started with the Regret Sword.

Flames danced in the crimson eyes of the Azure Flame Blade Demon, and as energy surged at the ends of its arms, blazing blades of fire suddenly materialized.

"ashamed!"

Azure Flame Blade Demon met the extremely fast Xiao Du head-on without flinching. Although he was slightly slower, he remained completely calm.

The defensive bonuses and damage reduction provided by the Azure Flame Blade Armor gave him extraordinary confidence.

He can make countless mistakes, but as long as he hits the target once, the balance of victory will shift!

Not only him, but Liu Hesheng thought so too.

He admitted that Mu Yun, the giant bee, was very fast, so fast that even he couldn't catch a glimpse of it.

However, speed alone cannot determine the outcome.

As he was thinking, the two figures on the battlefield clashed for the first time.