Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

Xia Chen wasn't surprised by the second half of Yu Chaohua's sentence; everyone was an adult and understood the principle of exchanging benefits.

He tentatively answered, "...Money?"

As an internationally accepted general equivalent exchange, this was the most sincere price Xia Chen could think of.

…………

“It’s too small, the scope is too narrow.” Yu Chaohua shook his head.

Xia Chen was surprised, not by the principal's refusal, but by the fact that such a prominent figure could still use internet slang so frequently...

The old man is quite trendy.

Xia Chen silently complained in his heart, but replied aloud, "So you mean..."

Yu Chaohua didn't make a direct request. Instead, he suddenly asked, "Before that, I'd like to know what your future plans are? Researcher? Trainer? Or professional streamer?"

Xia Chen's lips twitched. What the hell is a professional streamer...?

Yu Chaohua smiled and said, "It's a respectable profession. Our Beijing University is known for its inclusiveness. Even if you really want to pursue this career path, as the president, I will support you."

Xia Chen said helplessly, "Thank you for your understanding, but my current plan is to focus on trainers as the main focus and researchers as a secondary focus."

His life plan has always been clear: to raise a group of adorable or handsome creatures that he likes and spend the rest of his life with them.

Everything he did was to achieve this ultimate goal.

I became a researcher so that I could have enough capital to live a life free from financial worries.

Becoming a trainer is about having enough strength to protect yourself and your Pokémon from harm.

Xia Chen's original aspiration has never wavered, and he is willing to do everything to clear obstacles in his path.

Having met too many people and too many trainers, Yu Chaohua could clearly sense the firmness and confidence in Xia Chen's tone.

After a long pause, he replied, "I understand. So, the price I need you to pay is... to keep going down this path."

Xia Chen was a little confused. What kind of price was this? Wasn't this exactly what I was supposed to do?

The requirements were too low, making Xia Chen hesitant to accept this windfall.

He said nervously, "How about I add some more money?"

Yu Chaohua: "......"

…………

He suddenly asked, "Did you watch the Masters 8 tournament at the beginning of the year?"

Xia Chen scratched his head, unsure of what the principal meant by asking that question, but he still replied, "I watched Cynthia's matches."

Yu Chaohua nodded and said, "Did you notice Gu Kunshan's behavior?"

Xia Chen was slightly taken aback, seemingly understanding what Yu Chaohua meant.

Gu Kunshan is the current champion of the Donghuang region, but in the past two years, his performance on the regional stage has often been poor.

While it may not be widely recognized as the "weakest champion," judging from its record, it's not far off.

This was even more true in this year's Masters tournament, where they were eliminated early in the first round.

Although he was eliminated by Dante, who had made it all the way to the finals, a first-round exit is a first-round exit, and that is undeniable.

So, what Principal Yu means is, "It is your inescapable duty to revitalize the glory of Donghuang."

In this generally peaceful world, the Elf Arena is undoubtedly the focus of everyone's attention.

The combined influence and importance of the Eight Masters Tournament far surpasses that of the World Cup and the Olympics in Xia Chen's previous life.

Gu Kunshan's defeat at the Eight Masters Tournament is a far greater blow to the public's self-esteem than the Chinese men's football team's elimination from the World Cup without a single win or goal.

Yu Chaohua has always been a champion with a good reputation and a strong sense of responsibility. This is probably what he meant.

Xia Chen pondered to himself.

But, principal, are you serious about placing your hopes on a trainer who's only been in the industry for a year...?

Chapter 188 A Letter from the Parthian Region

As Xia Chen left the principal's office, she was still reflecting on the hopes Yu Chaohua had placed in her.

"Whether as a former champion or the president of Beijing University, I sincerely want to see trainers from the Eastern Region stand on that highest podium. And you, Xia Chen, are the person I have ever seen most likely to achieve this."

Is it really that exaggerated...?

Xia Chen muttered to himself.

He felt that the old man was giving him pep talks and motivational speeches, and that he might say the same thing to the runner-up in the recruitment competition.

But when they met eyes, the fire in his eyes burned so intensely.

Forget it, I don't want to think that far ahead. Let's get our hands on the Ghost-type Pokémon breeding manual first.

This was Xia Chen's thought at the time, so he agreed to Yu Chaohua's request, which wasn't really a request.

In return, he obtained the Doron Balto breeding manual from Dan-di within a month.

Xia Chen was immediately shocked; this was far more valuable than his original goal—the Heavenly King-level cultivation manual.

Who is Emperor Dan?

A Galar regional champion and runner-up at the Masters 8, it's no exaggeration to say he's the second best active player in the world.

Although Dragapult is not his ace Pokémon, it is still an absolute main force.

Such a valuable breeding record is beyond the measure of money.

This made Xia Chen feel particularly embarrassed, and he insisted that the principal give him some more requirements.

Yu Chaohua was also speechless. After thinking it over, he decided to give Xia Chen a short-term task: to participate in this year's Donghuang Youth Trainer Competition and win the championship.

Thinking back to this, Xia Chen couldn't help but rub his temples in worry.

You're so mean...

…………

Is this difficult?

It's undeniably difficult!

Although theoretically, this competition is no different from the entrance examination for Beijing University that Xia Chen participated in.

This is a competition among the best young trainers of the same age group in the Donghuang region.

However, the age limit for this competition is 21 years old and below, so it is basically only eligible for junior and senior college students.

In other words, Xia Chen, with only a year and a half of training experience since his debut... no, as a trainer, has to defeat a group of opponents who have debuted at least three or four years ago.

This is about as difficult as making Groudon fly.

Xia Chen suddenly remembered that Long Yue seemed to be around the same age, so maybe she would have some experience.

Back in the dormitory, Xia Chen asked Long Yue about the competition.

"Are you going to participate in this year's competition?"

Long Yue sounded somewhat surprised on the other end of the phone.

"Yes what's the matter?"

Xia Chen didn't quite understand what Long Yue meant.

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone before a voice came through, "It's okay. With your ability, you should have a good chance of making it to the quarterfinals or the round of 16. The important thing is to participate."

Round of 8 or Round of 16, is participation the most important thing...?

Xia Chen was also rendered speechless. Long Yue knew him inside and out, yet this was the evaluation she received. It seemed that the competition was even more intense than she had imagined.

Perhaps fearing that Xia Chen wouldn't believe her, Long Yue continued, "I also participated in that competition last year, and only made it to the top four."

Is Long Yue only a top four contender?

Xia Chen thought for a moment. Long Yue's Dragonite evolved in July or August this year. If we divide it according to the level system in the game, it is now around level 55. So when it participated in the competition more than half a year ago, it must have been at least level 45.

Although the combat power of a second-tier pseudo-legendary Pokémon is not as strong as that of many fully evolved Pokémon, with the training manual from the Deep Dragon Gym, the difference wouldn't be too great, and it would probably be at the elite level by then.

Moreover, that Hakuryu wasn't Long Yue's strongest fighting force at the time.

Is this level of skill only good enough for the top four?

…………

Xia Chen compared her current lineup with that of Fairy Blossom... Don't be fooled by how she beat the elite-level Desert Dragonfly so badly a few days ago.

However, firstly, his elemental affinity was weak against the Desert Dragonfly, and secondly, the previous freezing beam had damaged the Desert Dragonfly's wings, restricting his movement.

If it were a Pokémon of a type with no type advantage or disadvantage, Sylveon would have a very hard time winning... right?

Xia Chen was also a little uncertain, after all, this guy had always been creating miracles.

You can always trust Ibrahimovic!

And aside from Eevee, the team's strongest Pokémon, the other Pokémon are even more formidable.

Before going to Dragon Island, Milotic's strength was probably around the intermediate level of a senior. It's unclear what it was after receiving the blessing of the "Dragon God".

It's estimated that it will rise a little, but not by much.

Kirlia's strength is roughly at the beginner level of senior.

Further down the line, there's no need to even mention Zoroya and Doromecia, who are still in their baby stage.

In short, the task is arduous and the road ahead is long...

Pulling himself back to reality, Xia Chen asked, "When does the competition start?"

Long Yue replied, "I'll prepare well in December. It's a pity I'm two months over the age limit, otherwise I would definitely win the championship this year!"

Xia Chen believed that Long Yue was not bragging. A Dragonite with the strength of an elite-level two or three stars was enough to dominate the youth tournament.

Long Yue continued, "By the way, just a reminder, this is a competition for young trainers nationwide, so don't just focus on schools. Trainers from academies haven't won this competition yet..."

Xia Chen: "......"

This was yet another piece of bad news, and he naturally knew who Long Yue was referring to.