Elf: Start with small diamonds, then mutate into Diancie!

As they went back and forth, Steelix's injuries continued to worsen, while Diamondback recovered its stamina thanks to Su Hao's help in learning the Moonlight move, which wasn't originally in her skill pool.

The more it fought, the weaker it became, while the bigger and more energetic its opponent grew, even the temperamental Steelix began to consider retreating.

So, after the meteor beam broke through the destructive ray and knocked Steelix to the ground once again, Steelix chickened out and chose to dig a hole to escape.

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Mizushu City, a city surrounded by water.

The city is crisscrossed by a network of small canals, and exotic buildings have sprung up around these canals.

Although the canals crisscross the city, they all eventually converge and flow into the sea next door.

In Mizushu City, people often travel by small boat instead of car.

As one of the famous tourist attractions within the Shenzhou Alliance, Shuizhou City attracts a constant stream of visitors, and its tourism industry is highly developed.

Su Hao's purpose today is not to tour the city; he plans to experience the cultural landscape of Water City after completing his gym challenge.

Upon arriving at the Water Boat Arena, a massive complex of buildings came into view.

Damn it... Is this what a tourist city is like? This dojo is twice the size of the Rising Sun Dojo... (?д?≡?д?)

The entire Water Boat Dojo consists of multiple building complexes, the largest of which is the arena used to accept dojo challenges.

Just like the Royal Stadium in Pokémon Sword and Shield, the Water Boat Arena has a spacious area and a large number of spectator seats, making it perfectly capable of hosting a tournament!

Upon arriving at the dojo reception desk, Su Hao presented the League's dojo challenge approval letter.

Upon seeing the approval letter, the receptionist's eyes lit up. She led Su Hao to the VIP room and asked him to wait a moment before trotting out in her high heels.

After a while, Su Hao, who was drinking hot tea and feeling bored, finally met the right person.

This is a middle-aged woman with her hair styled in the most fashionable bun of the moment, shaped like a beautiful cloud on the horizon, piled high and shiny black on her head. Wearing an exquisite cheongsam, she walks with elegance and poise, and judging from her appearance, she must have been a lady from a prominent family in her youth.

The woman slowly sat down opposite Su Hao, her lips slightly parted, and said, "Hello, Su Hao. Your father has already mentioned to everyone that you're here to challenge the dojo, right?"

“Yes, Gym Leader Jiewei, the purpose of my visit is to challenge the gym and obtain the beginner gym badge.” He nodded and spoke clearly to the woman.

Jie Wei covered her mouth and chuckled, "Hehe, Master Su's education of student Su is very effective~"

"That's too kind of you."

After a round of mutual flattery and several changes of tea, the two sides finally got to the point.

"The dojo challenge probably can't take place today; it'll have to wait until tomorrow," Jie Wei said to Su Hao.

"Master Jiewei, could you explain the reason?" Su Hao asked in confusion.

"That's right. Pokémon battles are an important event that everyone watches, and gym challenges can attract a lot of people."

"And our dojo doesn't cost a small amount of money to operate, so naturally we need to make money from all aspects!"

"So tonight I will announce that a gym challenge will be held at the Waterfowl Stadium tomorrow night. Residents who love Pokémon battles and tourists visiting Waterfowl City will naturally choose to buy tickets to watch."

"Of course, as a challenger, you'll also get a share of the ticket sales during the gym challenge period. I'm acquainted with your father, so I certainly wouldn't cheat you."

"We split the ticket sales 20% to you and 80% to me. After all, I handled the venue and marketing, so it would be impolite to give more. Su, you just need to count the money."

Jie Wei explained calmly and with a smile throughout.

Su Hao felt that Jie Wei's suggestion was a risk-free business opportunity; he only needed this windfall and there was nothing to worry about.

"I'm fine, Master Jie Wei," Su Hao nodded affirmatively.

"It's settled then. Remember to dress formally~ There might be a TV broadcast and a live stream~"

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Chapter 38 Dojo Challenge

A heads-up: In the next few chapters, you'll see the cat unleash its full power and Little Diamond become unstoppable. There's a reason why Little Diamond is so strong, which will be revealed when it mutates into Diancie.

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The largest forum in Shuizhou City was set ablaze by a piece of news.

1L: Did you guys see the announcement? The Dojo Challenge, which hasn't been held in ages, is starting tomorrow night!

2L: I saw it! The last gym challenge was a month ago, right?

3L: Although this is only the beginner gym challenge, it is much rarer than the advanced and intermediate gyms!

4L: That's right, every time the beginner gym challenge begins, it signifies the rise of a young genius!

5L: Why does the person upstairs think the challenger can win? Jie Wei's fans are furious!

6L: Rumor has it! It's said that the challenger is actually the son of the Sunrise Gym Leader!?

7L: To be honest, I still find it hard to believe. After all, even in a beginner gym challenge, the gym leader would use two elite-level Pokémon and one professional-level Pokémon!

8L: Following up on the previous comment, the beginner gym challenge usually starts in the second half of the year for high school seniors. What kind of monster could possibly challenge the professional level gyms after only receiving their starter Pokémon for about two months?! ? ?

9L: The person upstairs is right. It's still too far-fetched to think that you can train two elite-level and one professional-level Pokémon in just two months. To be honest, I still think Gym Leader Jiewei will win.

10L: Anyway, tomorrow is Saturday, and all my friends and family nearby have decided to go to the water canoeing arena to watch the race! Apparently, quite a few tourists are also interested in watching!

11L: Let me share my experience. I'm a tourist from Shanghai. I thought the geniuses in Shanghai were already abnormal enough, but I didn't expect that a high school senior would suddenly appear and rush into the gym challenge!

......

501L: By the way, you guys seem to be having a great time chatting, have you bought tickets yet?

502L: Blanch!

503L: Forgot!

504L: Sold out!

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As the weather gradually warmed up, Su Hao thought he could take this opportunity to bring out the clothes that had been ordered long ago!

After donning his battle gear, Su Hao walked out of the hotel.

The pedestrians on the road were bustling about, and most of them were heading in the same direction—the water boat arena!

In the arena's lounge, Su Hao sat on the sofa, closing his eyes to rest.

"Boom boom boom!"

A knock came at the door.

"Please come in," Su Hao said, opening his eyes.

"Tap tap tap".

At this moment, Jie Wei, dressed even more lavishly than yesterday, walked up to Su Hao.

"Are you nervous?" Jie Wei asked with some concern.

"It's alright. Why would Master Jiewei care about me, the challenger?" Su Hao asked, somewhat puzzled.

“I don’t think I’ve told you yet, but your father and I went to the same university. I was the senior, and he was the junior.”

"Do I need a reason to take care of my juniors? If you don't mind, you can call me Auntie Xie."

Jie Wei still spoke gently and slowly.

"Auntie Jie, please give me your guidance in this match!" Su Hao stood up and bowed to Jie Wei in a junior's manner.

Since Jie Wei was so friendly to him, Su Hao felt he had to do the proper etiquette as a junior.

"Hehe, I told you yesterday to dress more formally, right? Why are you dressed like this?" Jie Wei asked with some confusion as she helped Su Hao up.

At this moment, Su Hao was wearing a black short-sleeved shirt, with a blue jacket over it. The cuffs of the jacket were white, and he was wearing light blue jeans with a red belt around his waist.

Su Hao wore light green and dark green fingerless gloves, white and blue sneakers, and a red and white baseball cap with a ∠ logo on his head.

That's right, this is the same outfit worn by Ash Ketchum, the protagonist of the Pokémon anime before he traveled back in time!

"It's kind of a belief, I guess. Actually, I also have a red one!" Su Hao scratched his head and chuckled.

"Alright, you young people always have different ideas than us. Whatever, but I won't hold back in a fight!" Jie Wei shook her head with a smile.

"Hehe~"

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The audience was packed with people, and deafening cheers erupted from every seat.

At this moment, the League referee, riding a Shielded Swordsman, arrived at the arena.

Ladies and gentlemen!

Welcome everyone to the Gym Challenge held today at the Water Boat Arena!

[I'm Song Jian, the commentator for this match!]

This dojo challenge is a beginner-level challenge!

First, allow me to introduce the two teams facing off in this challenge!

[Walking towards the competition area from the left is Ms. Jie Wei, the host of this dojo challenge and head of the Shui Zhou Dojo!]

[As the Gym Leader of the Water-type Gym in the Shenzhou League, Ms. Jie Wei's fighting style with Water-type Pokémon can be described as sometimes as calm as a lake, and sometimes as violent as the ocean!]

"Ooh ooh——————!"

"Clap clap clap clap—!"

The audience cheered and applauded enthusiastically.

[Walking onto the competition field from the right is the challenger for this competition! Su Hao, a senior high school student from Yangcheng!]

Wearing a red and white baseball cap, Su Hao slowly walked onto the battle stage.

Wow! What a handsome little brother!

"This outfit is so youthful! And the person wearing it looks so handsome!"

There were only a few scattered cheers from the audience, like a handful of kittens.

Su Hao was already mentally prepared for this. After all, he was just an unknown ordinary student playing on someone else's home turf. It was already a good thing that someone was cheering for him!

Both sides are now in their positions! Let's turn the camera to the referee reading the rules!