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

"Ahem, we're doing a sound check, can everyone hear us?"

Just as Liu Jianhao and Zhao Hailong made their bet and invited Mu Yun to be their witness, a piercing microphone test suddenly came from the stadium.

"Attention all students who have received their battle number plates, please take your seats in the designated preparation area. Four battlegrounds will be open simultaneously. Students whose numbers are called, please assemble in the designated area immediately. Those who are late will be considered to have automatically forfeited!"

"Let's go, let's head to the preparation area first."

As the broadcast sounded, Mu Yun grabbed one of the two men by the arm and led them to the preparation area.

Upon arriving at the preparation area, the three were quickly drawn to the large screen there.

The competition process and rules are currently scrolling on a loop above.

The competition is divided into two rounds. The first round is a points-based competition, where each person will be randomly matched with three opponents. A win earns two points, a draw earns one point, and a loss earns no points.

Ultimately, the 20 players with the highest scores advanced to the second round and were assigned to the Elf Start-up Flight, also known as the small class.

The second round is an internal competition among the 20 students in the small class.

There were three rounds in total, and the top five were selected in the end.

In fact, as long as you make it into the top 20, you can enjoy the benefits of a small class.

For example, during the school term, students can eat for free in the school cafeteria, and energy cubes are available in unlimited quantities during dining hours.

Those who pass the cultural studies exams can be exempted from studying arts and sciences subjects and only need to attend the professional courses in the Elf Class.

If you make it into the top ten, each person will also receive an extra jar of one hundred basic energy cubes of any attribute.

The effect is similar to the general-purpose basic energy cube that Mu Yun bought before. The difference is that because of the attribute specialization, the corresponding attribute spirits will absorb it faster.

The top five will receive one hour of access to the gravity chamber per day for one month.

I don't know what this so-called gravity chamber is. Is it some kind of high-end black technology?

"Battleground 1, players 1 and 11; Battleground 2, players 2 and...; Battleground 4, players 4 and 39. Players whose numbers are called, please proceed to your designated battle area immediately." The announcement sounded again.

Upon hearing his number, Mu Yun immediately got up and headed to Battlefield No. 4.

The arena's battleground is the same as the newbie battleground, measuring 40m x 20m, about twice the size of a basketball court.

"Please both students, stand in your respective areas."

As Mu Yun entered the No. 4 match arena, a teacher wearing a striped referee uniform was already in the referee area.

Beside the referee was a huge purple sprite—the Morusmoth.

Clearly, he was the referee's assistant, used to prevent unexpected situations from occurring during the game.

Mu Yun activated his Data Eye and glanced at the level of the Moru Moth: level 39, peak professional level. Among its learned moves were psychic power and immobilization techniques, two of which could stop the battle in time.

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[Immobilization Spell: Impairs the opponent's movement to a certain extent; duration and effect depend on the levels of both parties.]

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Unlike in games where a used move becomes unusable, in reality, the effect of immobilization is comprehensive, encompassing both immobilization (unable to move) and silence (unable to perform moves).

However, its drawbacks are also obvious: it is almost ineffective at the same level, but it is extremely effective when the level is overwhelming.

It's worth mentioning that this move is also effective against humans, and the results are excellent.

The real-world cases were learned by Mu Yun from "Daily Legal Talk".

A poor man was pinned down by his girlfriend and stabbed 47 times, but he only suffered minor injuries, which can be described as a "miracle".

"The competition rules are 1v1. Recalling your Pokémon midway through the match is considered an automatic forfeit. During the battle... Finally, the entire match will be recorded. If you have any objections to the judgment, you can apply to review it within 24 hours after the match."

The referee quickly explained the rules.

The rules are pretty much the same as before in the newbie battle arena, except there's an additional step where the video can be recorded and used for follow-up.

"Please release your spirits!"

After explaining the rules thoroughly, the referee raised the small flag in his right hand and said...

"Go on, Little Du!"

Mu Yun immediately threw out the Poké Ball.

Mu Yun's opponent was an ordinary-looking girl. Upon hearing the referee's instruction, her eyes narrowed and she immediately threw out her Poké Ball.

"Thank you for your help, Doi ninja!"

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[Elf: Earth Dweller Ninja]

Gender: Male

[Attribute: Insect + Ground]

[Level: 11 (Normal)]

【Characteristics: Compound eyes (numerous and densely packed eyes, possessing stronger observational abilities)】

[Moves: Insect bite, scratch, harden, absorb, pluck sand]

【Items to bring: None】

[Potential: Senior Level]

[Racial stats: 266]

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The Earth Dwelling Ninja is a pale-bodied spirit with a pair of tiny wings, a thick and long body, and slightly thin limbs. It looks like a locust. Because it lives underground all year round, it is not used to sunlight and uses its antennae to sense things.

Of course, this refers to wild, dwarf ninja.

After countless generations of artificial selection and cultivation, the eyes of the Doi ninja have long been adapted to sunlight, and some Doi ninjas with compound eyes even have exceptionally good eyesight.

Clearly, the one in front of Mu Yun was it.

It's a pity that the potential is not high; it's only at the senior level, so it probably wasn't issued by the school.

"Beedrill, this is getting a bit tricky..."

Upon seeing that her opponent was a flying sprite, the girl's expression changed.

Although the Doi Ninja has a pair of small wings, they are so small that they can hardly fly except when used as fans in the summer.

Only after he evolves into the Iron-Faced Ninja form can he truly fly.

"Never mind, we have to do it, even if it's difficult!"

The girl gritted her teeth and decided to take a gamble.

It's just a bee; as long as you find the right opportunity to get close and launch a bite, victory is not impossible.

After making up her mind, the girl's unpleasant expression finally eased a bit.

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Inside the preparation zone.

"Jianhao, do you think Brother Yun can win?"

Zhao Hailong asked with some concern.

Although Doi Ninja cannot fly, his physical defense is extremely high. If he were to withstand Beedrill's attack and have his wing bitten, Beedrill would probably have a hard time breaking free!

"Can we win?"

Liu Jianhao scoffed, "Please remove the 'yao' (幺). Brother Yun's Beedrill is really awesome!"

Judging from his appearance and tone, Zhao Hailong almost thought that the giant bee was one he had trained.

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Inside venue number 4.

Once both Pokémon were in position, the referee immediately waved his two small flags and loudly announced, "Both Pokémon are in position, the match begins!"

"Ninja Tui, use Harden! Wait for him to get close!"

"Little Du, get hard first!"

Through his data-driven understanding, Mu Yun naturally knew that his opponent had no ranged attack moves, so he chose to let Xiao Du stack armor first.

"Hiss!!"

With a light touch of his two needles, the metallic luster flashed across his body, making the silver needles seem even brighter.

This is a sign that the hardening process has been successfully completed and the bones have been strengthened.

"Beedrill uses hardening? Is it that reliable..." the girl thought to herself.

She hardened her skin because she had no other choice but to wait for the Beedrill to get close.

But isn't it redundant for a bee to harden?

It's important to know that status-boosting moves don't all have positive effects; each use will put a strain on the body.

For example, hardening does increase one's defense with each use, but the trade-off is that the stamina and energy consumed by using moves will also increase in this state.

Although the increase is not much, low-level Pokémon have less stamina and energy to begin with, and any burden could affect the final outcome of the battle.