Amidst Lin Fan’s guilty expression, Su Ling’s number was announced over the broadcast. She looked at Lin Fan suspiciously before walking towards the arena.
Although Su Ling was not a seeded player, her strength was definitely not weak; it was just that, in the organizers’ view, she wasn’t as good as the eight players who were designated as seeded players.
Her opponent was also a formidable Trainer, whose initial Pokémon was Magnemite, a dual Electric/Steel-type with incredibly high resistances.
Out of eighteen types, it resisted eleven and was immune to one, with only three types capable of dealing super-effective damage; however, its only 4x super-effective type—Ground—could be somewhat evaded by Magnemite’s own Levitate ability, making it almost perfect.
However, coincidentally, Machop’s Fighting-type was precisely one of those three types…
When strengths are comparable, type advantage is still very important.
The battle instantly began. Although Magnemite could float in mid-air, its floating height wasn't high, and its speed wasn't particularly fast. In front of the explosive Machop, it was completely unable to dodge the latter’s attacks.
However, Magnemite’s special attack was exceptionally good, and its inherited move Electroweb was used with masterful skill, constantly intercepting Machop’s movements and dealing significant damage to it, bringing the situation to a stalemate.
Since the official tournament began, although five seeded players had already competed, due to the disparity in their opponents' strengths, in terms of sheer entertainment, Su Ling’s Machop versus her opponent’s Magnemite was the best match so far.
Both sides went back and forth, Electroweb vs. Payback, Thunder Shock vs. Low Sweep, with the strategic depth at its peak, firmly capturing the attention of all spectators.
Due to the type disadvantage, Magnemite inevitably fell into a disadvantage.
Her opponent took a deep breath, deciding to go all out: “Magnemite, use Thunder Wave!”
As soon as these words were spoken, Lin Fan couldn’t help but shake his head.
“Silly child, how dare you use Thunder Wave before confirming whether Machop’s ability is Guts or Steadfast? The outcome is decided.”
Just as Lin Fan expected, upon seeing the faint current spreading across Machop’s body, Su Ling, far from being angry, was delighted, and shouted: “Machop, use Payback!”
Under the boost of Guts, Machop’s physical attack surged, and one punch sent the previously stalemated Magnemite flying, ending the battle directly.
This dramatic scene made the spectators on the sidelines cheer, and even people in the special guest seats couldn't help but laugh out loud.
“Today’s Trainers still lack tactical awareness. Although he wasn’t Machop’s opponent to begin with, under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have been knocked out with one punch.”
Amidst the laughter, someone looked towards the short-haired man in the very center, teasing: “Gym Leader Wu, your son is also a contestant in this group, and a seeded player at that, but his type is countered by this Machop. Considering the strength it has shown, I wonder if your son feels any pressure.”
Gym Leader Wu smiled. Although his face was resolute, his tone was unexpectedly gentle: “This Machop’s Trainer should be the daughter of Professional Trainer Su Wu from Twilight City. We had a sparring match a couple of days ago, and she is indeed a very capable Trainer. It’s normal for his daughter to have such strength. However, to defeat Wu Heng’s Onix, she might still be a bit lacking.”
Upon hearing this, the questioner also nodded, indicating agreement with his words.
Everyone present knew the reputation of Gym Leader Wu Shuo of the Rock-type Gym, who was among the top tier of the eighteen Gyms. As his son, Wu Heng naturally couldn’t be weak.
“I heard that the higher-ups plan to rectify the recent lax attitude among new Trainers and select some representatives from them. I wonder if your son will have a chance to apply after winning this Zero Moon Cup?”
Someone suddenly asked, causing the others to pause and look sideways.
Wu Shuo was silent for a moment, wondering what he was thinking, then spoke faintly: “Sometimes, being pushed out as a public figure is not a good thing, especially afterwards…”
He paused, Wu Shuo did not continue speaking, but he sighed softly in his heart.
Although he didn’t want his son to encounter any danger, that boy was exactly like him when he was young—completely unrestrainable.
Never mind, let the child do what he wants to do. With him around, protecting a child’s safety is still achievable.
In the guest seats, everyone had different expressions, all remaining silent.
In the Trainer preparation area, Lin Fan and Su Ling, however, were smiling and high-fiving, the atmosphere pleasant.
“I didn’t expect this hat of yours to actually have some good luck effect. Under normal circumstances, if I had kept battling Magnemite, even if I won, it would have been a huge drain on Machop, and might even affect the next battle. Who knew he would finally use Thunder Wave, which he hadn’t used the entire match, and actively give Machop a buff.”
Su Ling took off the hat, shook her short hair, and a fresh scent diffused. She returned the hat to Lin Fan.
“Of course, I never lie.”
Smiling, Lin Fan took the hat and put it on, his gaze suddenly turning towards the battle arena.
On one side of the arena, a familiar spiky-haired, squinting man stood there, tossing a Poké Ball in his hand. It was Wu Heng.
Su Ling followed Lin Fan’s gaze and instantly stopped joking, rubbing her beautiful hair in distress, but still seriously watched Wu Heng’s match, attempting to find his weaknesses.
Most of the spectators were locals from Xiyue City, very familiar with the Rock-type Gym. Even if they didn’t recognize Wu Heng, a brief explanation from someone nearby would make them realize, and they all waved flags and cheered for Wu Heng.
Clearly, Wu Shuo still held great prestige in the hearts of the local people.
In this match, Wu Heng’s opponent was also not simple; his Pokémon was a fierce Pinsir.
It must be said that Group F, where Su Ling and Wu Heng were, was simply a death group. Machop, Magnemite, and this Pinsir, whose strength was still unclear but definitely not weak, might not have had the strength of seeded players, but were not included in the slots due to various considerations by the event organizers.
And the ultimate winner of Group F would undoubtedly have the highest prestige among all groups, and the most supporters.
“Why does it feel like they’re creating a god?”
Lin Fan scratched his head, such a thought suddenly popped into his mind, and he himself was stunned for a moment, then laughed self-deprecatingly.
It’s just a competition, why would it go as far as creating a god?
As his thoughts turned, the battle between Onix and Pinsir on the field officially began.
Although Pinsir is a pure Bug-type Pokémon, its move pool contains quite a few Fighting-type moves, especially one called “Seismic Toss,” which, when successfully executed, has an incredibly high chance of hitting a vital spot, almost equivalent to a guaranteed critical hit. Lin Fan was extremely envious of this move.
Unfortunately, the Pinsir on the field didn’t seem to have learned this move, otherwise, with its high physical attack combined with Fighting-type moves countering Onix, it might not have been impossible to defeat Onix.
