Elf: I have a secret realm of emerald green.

As for the Poison Skull Frog... it'll probably be locked down by Ice Punch again.

If you like locking skills so much, why not wear a nice headband or scarf?

Xia Shen complained inwardly, but dared not be careless.

Five freezing punches don't mean his power is low; in fact, it's a rather terrifying number. It's just that the old craftsman's attack was too exaggerated.

Under the direction of the two trainers, the two Pokémon on the field entered into a back-and-forth tug-of-war.

…………

While Toxicroak's speed is much faster than Craftsman's, it's still worlds apart from Garchomp after it's been scaled.

It's just that it changed from a Coal Turtle to a slightly faster Super Armored Rhinoceros.

For this kind of slow sprite, the best approach is naturally to use Trick Room.

However, Toxicroak obviously didn't know Trick Room. He hid his fist, which was filled with cold air, and tried to get close to Garchomp.

Garchomp saw through the filthy thoughts beneath his innocent expression and gave him no chance.

If you dare get close, I dare to cause an earthquake.

While Ice Punch is four times super effective against Garchomp, my Garchomp's Earthquake, which is twice super effective against Garchomp after Swords Dance, deals even more damage.

After the opponent traded Ice Punch for Earthquake, he did some calculations and realized that he hadn't gained anything at all.

Therefore, they dared not take any further risks and could only maintain a distance, keeping a respectful distance.

Waiting for... the moment Garchomp's Sword Dance ends.

But the moment the orange light on Garchomp disappeared, Xia Shen decisively switched Pokémon.

A light purple Pokémon, not much shorter than Garchomp, appears. Although it looks like Goodra, it cannot be confirmed that it is Goodra.

What if it's... Zoroark?

Poison-type moves are immune to Goodra, and Fighting-type moves are immune to Zoroark.

It's time for Xia Shen's favorite classic psychological game segment.

"Nian Meilong, go into seclusion."

Xia Shen leisurely and self-satisfiedly issued the order.

The move has been made; how should you respond?

…………

"Poison Skull Frog, a surprise attack!"

Without further hesitation, just as Nume-ryu began to gather power for what might be a powerful attack during his [seclusion], the examiner gave the order.

He knew that the more he hesitated, the more he would fall into Xia Shen's trap.

By the time you finish thinking things through, your opponent will have already upgraded their skills, and it will be a loss for you to fight any further.

In this situation, Dark-type moves are very suitable.

If it's a Goodra, it can also deal normal damage, although it might be a bit low.

If it's Zoroark, that's even better; the double damage from its counter is still very painful for that squishy character.

As a Pokémon whose strength is close to professional level 5, Toxtricita's reaction is still very fast.

As soon as the temporary trainer finished speaking, Toxicroak leaped up, gathered Dark-type energy, and charged directly at the stationary Goodra.

The two Pokémon were not far apart, and before the unknown Pokémon could finish its buff, Toxicroak's unexpected attack struck her.

"state--"

The sound, almost like striking iron, and the unchanging appearance told everyone that this was the real deal, a sticky dragon.

Therefore, what she strengthened was a genuine [seclusion]!

Orange light and a faint, invisible mist simultaneously covered the surface of Goodra's body, one representing a step increase in physical defense and the other representing a step increase in evasion.

This is a situation that no physical attacker wants to see, especially with Pokémon like Toxicroak.

Xia Shen's next words made the examiner curse inwardly.

"Sticky Dragon, melt!"

Okay, now we're completely protected against the Iron Man.

"Poison Skull Frog, a trick..."

As expected of a veteran professional trainer who can become an examiner, he completed the shift in thinking in a very short time.

Your physical defense is off the charts, so can I go for a special attack build?

Although... this Poison Skull Frog's special attack ability wasn't really developed.

Although... Goodra's Special Defense ability is known as the Wailing Wall of Special Attack Pokémon.

Although... this Poison Skull Frog only learns a few special moves naturally as it levels up.

Moreover, aside from Goodra's immunity to Poison-type moves, Toxicroak's only option seems to be Mud Bomb.

Well, it's alright, at least it's something that can restrain the dragon, right?

…………

The Meltdown skill, which greatly increases defense, and the Trick skill, which greatly increases special attack, were completed almost simultaneously, one after the other.

Xia Shen looked at his opponent's choice, and although he was somewhat surprised, he wasn't too worried.

While Toxicroak's Special Attack isn't exactly low, it's far from high either.

Even with the enhanced trickery, Xia Shen could only comment that it was just average.

Although this strategy did avoid his own seclusion and melting, Goodra's two buffs were definitely not a waste.

Firstly, the improvement in physical defense is not just about increasing durability; Goodra has been training for a long time to master the move called [Pounce].

Furthermore, Toxapex has cunning and can be used for a special attack build, but it would be troublesome to build a Master Craftsman.

He was already missing a pillar, which greatly reduced his combat power.

In addition, his special defense is really poor, and he is not in good condition after just battling Garchomp.

It can be said that as long as this Poison Skull Frog is worn down, the final builder will be completely outmatched by the Goodra even if it takes three punches from the Farmer's Blessing.

Pulling himself back to reality, Xia Shen commanded, "Sticky Dragon, Turbid Flow."

Muddy Current is also not listed in the move list of Goodra, but it is a move that a regular Goodra can learn by leveling up.

Like with Togekiss, Xia Shen found a regular Goodra to teach him, and his own Goodra quickly mastered this very useful move.

Although she was still clinging to Mei'er, she had already learned to use a more powerful water cannon.

However, compared to water cannons, muddy currents have a significant advantage: they have a 30% chance of further reducing the opponent's hit rate.

Combined with the increased evasion rate from seclusion, the odds are stacked against each other. If an opponent has a slightly weaker mental fortitude, they should be discouraged before the match is even over.

Of course, the primary prerequisite is that this additional effect must be triggered.

……

On the other side, just as Xia Shen had predicted, the examiner's instruction was, "Poison Skull Frog, Mud Bomb!"

Mud Shot and Turbid Stream have the same additional effect: reducing hit rate by 30%.

Unlike Xia Shen, who was deliberately trying to annoy his opponents, Poison Skull Frog's mud shooting was out of desperation.

No need for this... he's out of moves.

In any case, there was no other way at the moment, so we had to bite the bullet and go for it.

Although the name "mud shooting" sounds rustic, it doesn't mean you can just pick up a lump of mud from the ground and throw it at your opponent's face.

On the field, Toxicroak awkwardly channeled its Ground-type energy, condensing a solid mud bullet in its hand before shooting it toward Goodra's face.

It's clear that the Poison Skull Frog's skill level in this move is pitifully low.

In other words, the Muddy Stream used by Good Dragon is an area-of-effect move that requires a long charging time.

Otherwise, it's questionable whether this mud bomb could hit the sticky dragon against the current.

At the same time, water energy surged beneath Niumilong's feet, and murky water appeared on the ground.

Then, the turbid, surging water, imbued with special energy, rushed toward the Poison Skull Frog.

The dark yellow water slammed against the rocks of the field, stirring up waves of murky water that splashed into the eyes of the poisonous skeletal frog, eroding its vision.

The weakened energy flowed from the eyes into the whole body, and purple light flickered around the Poison Skull Frog.

The additional effect of Turbidity is now apparent, reducing the hit rate of Poison Skull Frogs!

Xia Shen let out a soft "hmm," never expecting that he, the unlucky old man, would have such a day.

But it's just icing on the cake. Only when you're in adversity and it has this effect will it be considered a stroke of good luck.

The opponent, however, was not so lucky. The Mud Shot, aside from causing damage, had no effect on the Good Dragon.

What's even more embarrassing is that the damage is pitifully low.

That's right, even with enhanced trickery and double the restraint, this mud shot... couldn't even make the GooMei Dragon frown.

The reason is that, on the one hand, the Poison Skull Frog doesn't use dual blades, and the significant increase in its cunning doesn't make it as effective as plastering mud on a wall.

Besides, the basic power of mud shooting is just so-so.

On the other hand, it's naturally because of Goodra's terrifying Special Defense.

The Sighing Wall on the Special Defense side, did you think it was playing a joke on you?

…………

The situation on the field completely disheartened the examiner; how could they possibly compete like this!

Continue mud shooting?

Even if the opponent stands still and lets the Poison Skull Frog attack, whether it hits or not is another matter.

Even assuming it hits, the damage already inflicted is still there...

Compared to the old craftsman's freezing fist, it's worlds apart!