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

This was never something Xia Chen considered. It wasn't that he wasn't interested in the honor of the championship, but he cared more about enjoying the process of the competition itself.

Therefore, Xia Chen decided to launch Taijinghua in the next round of the competition!

…………

There are still two days left in the next round of the winners' bracket, during which the two rounds of the losers' bracket must be completed first.

Xia Chen didn't care about any of that. Instead, he took the Guleton flight overnight to Padiya to find Champion Yeci.

Ye Ci is a very dedicated champion; she's basically either training or handling league affairs. Xia Chen easily arranged to meet her in her office.

"Master Xia Chen, shouldn't you be holding the selection competition right now?"

Ye Ci was somewhat surprised by Xia Chen's sudden appearance in Padiya.

Without exchanging pleasantries, Xia Chen went straight to the point about the purpose of his visit: "President Ye Ci, I presume you are aware of the [Tai Crystallization] phenomenon that Dr. Futu and Dr. Orin are researching in Zone Zero?"

Ye Ci's expression of surprise deepened. "I know, but wasn't this research project stopped because it harmed the spirits?"

Even so, Ci looked at Xia Chen with a hint of hope in her eyes.

She knew that Xia Chen had stayed in District Zero for more than a month recently, and she was even more aware that his bringing up this matter was definitely not so simple.

Xia Chen did not disappoint Ye Ci's expectations and replied concisely: "That's right, Dr. Orin and I have figured out the crystallization phenomenon. Now, it can be harmlessly extended to all elite-level and above Pokémon."

"Success?"

Ye Ci exclaimed in disbelief.

She didn't actually have a direct sensory experience with crystallization because the research project was shut down ten years ago, when she was still far from being a champion.

However, when he took over as champion, this information, called [Tai Crystallization], was classified as top-secret S-level data, making it the most important secret in all of Zone Zero.

How could such a significant project be restarted after a ten-year hiatus and actually succeed?

After the initial shock, Ye Ci looked at Xia Chen with a strange expression.

Could this guy really be the chosen one...?

Clearly, although Xia Chen said that the research was done by him and Dr. Orin, a closer look reveals that the key variable was Xia Chen himself.

To overcome a major research stagnation of ten years in just over a month—what else could this be but a chosen one?

…………

Regardless, this is a significant and far-reaching good thing for the Padia League and even the entire Elf world.

Ye Ci snapped out of her thoughts and, suppressing her excitement, asked, "So, what are your plans to release the research findings? When?"

The Zero Research Institute holds a very special position in Padia. Although it has the obligation to report to the Alliance, it is very independent in other matters, and it decides for itself whether to publish its research results.

Xia Chen is now considered a member of Research Institute Zero, hence Ci's question.

Xia Chen nodded and replied, "In a few days, the final round of the selection competition will take place. I estimate that after this competition, Taijinghua will set off a wave of popularity no less than that of super evolution, so I came to communicate with you in advance."

Yeci readily replied, "No problem, the Padia Alliance will fully cooperate."

As the current champion, Ye Ci absolutely has the right to set the tone for this matter.

It's so comfortable communicating with reasonable people. Xia Chen immediately introduced the specific details of the crystallization research results, as well as the unavoidable defects in its use.

After a full ten minutes of one-sided presentation, Xia Chen finally finished introducing the research results from the past month.

Ye Ci quickly grasped the key point and said thoughtfully, "So what the alliance needs to do most is to identify the elves that can crystallize and to establish a stable crystal transportation system?"

Xia Chen affirmed, "That's right, but there's no rush. Like Mega Evolution, a top-down approach might be easier. Before most Pokémon Centers are equipped with the [Tai Crystal Charging System], rapid popularization won't be very useful."

Ye Ci had been a champion for several years and had much more management experience than Xia Chen, so he naturally understood what he meant and nodded in agreement.

"Finally, there's the issue of profit distribution. I've already reached an agreement with Dr. Orin and the others at Research Institute Zero. I'll have my assistant communicate with your alliance afterward, since the competition is in a couple of days and I can't get involved in such trivial matters."

Xia Chen said with a hint of apology.

Ye Ci smiled slightly, "There's no need to worry about such a small matter. Well then, I wish you a great victory in the next match, so that the whole world can witness the brilliance of Taijing from our Padia region!"

…………

After meeting with Ye Ci, Xia Chen returned to Research Institute Zero and told Orin everything about his plans and communication with the Padia Alliance.

The AI ​​nodded without hesitation, indicating that as long as Xia Chen kept his initial promise, that would be fine.

After Xia Chen nodded in agreement, he suddenly asked, "By the way, Taijinghua will inevitably increase the number of staff at the lower levels. Won't you be exposed then?"

Orin AI said indifferently, "So what if it's exposed? It just means the alliance will take over earlier."

Xia Chen hesitated slightly and said, "I'm worried... whether Papa will be able to accept it."

It would be hard for anyone to accept the discovery that their parents are actually living in the world as artificial intelligence.

In comparison, dying in an accident ten years later is actually a better ending.

Orin AI paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "We will try our best to hide it well."

Xia Chen remained silent. After discussing some more matters related to crystallization with her, he left the research institute.

He rested for one night in Padiya, and the next day, he hurriedly returned to Donghuang.

During the two days Xia Chen was missing, the qualifying competition was still in full swing. As the competition entered its second half, more and more attention was being paid to the preliminary matches of the World Dojo Master Tournament.

The third round of the winners' bracket, which will take place tomorrow, is undoubtedly the focus of attention.

As usual, Xia Chen discussed tactics with the elf before the match, and then went to bed early to prepare for the next day's match.

The following morning, the final match of the qualifying rounds took place at the Xingsha Arena.

The first match was between Long Yuan and Lu Jingyan. These two were old rivals and were generally regarded as the first and second leaders of the Donghuang Dojo.

However, the gap between the first and second place is not always small, as can be seen from their world professional trainer rankings.

The former has consistently ranked among the top fifteen in the world, with Donghuang ranking second, while the latter can only hover around seventy or eighty.

The gap is like that between the Chinese and Japanese men's football teams in a previous life. As long as Longyuan prepares seriously and doesn't throw the game, it's hard for them to lose.

And indeed, with a score of 6:4, Longyuan won his first ticket to the World Gym Leader Tournament with relatively little difficulty.

The second card was decided in the battle between Xia Chen and Jian Zhenyue, the Steel-type Gym Leader.

Chien Chen-yue's appearance is somewhat similar to Nezha from the 100,000 Cold Jokes that Xia Chen read in his previous life, but the proportions are not as exaggerated. Overall, he is a rather beautiful, muscular Barbie.

Because of her unique appearance, she is considered a relatively well-known gym leader in the world, similar in status to Bea, the Fighting-type gym leader in the Galar region.

The former is more popular with women, while most of Ayaka's fans are men.

For this reason, coupled with Xia Chen's own popularity, this match garnered even more attention than the first match.

…………

For Yu Xiachen, the significance of this competition is not just about winning tickets, but more importantly, about showcasing the charm of Taijinghua, which makes the selection of Taijinghua spirits a crucial test.

However, no matter what choices are made, it's impossible to start with too much crystallization. As the referee blew the whistle, Xia Chen threw out his starting Pokémon for the match, Sai Fuhao, as usual.

The Pokémon that appeared in front of Jian Zhenyue was a huge, handsome crow with a deep blue-black body—Corviknight, known as the strongest starter bird.

Steel-type civil war?

Xia Chen's choice of Sai Fuhao as his first starter was somewhat unexpected for most people, but considering that this guy's starting Pokémon has always been known for its casualness.

Without a particularly strong counter-pick, it wouldn't be surprising who starts the game.

Corviknight is Jian Zhenyue's regular starter Pokémon. With its excellent stats and strong defense and durability, Corviknight can ensure that it is not at a disadvantage against any Pokémon.

With the added protection of the advanced version of Cleanse's ability [Mirror Armor] and the guaranteed [Roost] which restores a large amount of HP, Corviknight is only missing a move like [Stealth Rock] or [Stealth Rock] to be a perfect starting Pokémon.

However, even if such a team existed, a melee team like Jian Zhenyue's would basically never use it.

"Corvus Ark, Tailwind!"

Although they are a team that relies on brute force, once they reach the Elite Four level, they generally have several well-established battle systems.

When Corviknight is the first to be played, Jian Zhenyue will most likely take advantage of its excellent durability and unleash Tailwind without any scruples.

Most Steel-type Pokémon are characterized by their large size, which makes them more durable, but their unavoidable weakness is their lack of speed. Tailwind can perfectly make up for this deficiency.

The massive, dark blue raven flapped its wings, which were mostly hardened, at an extremely fast pace, yet its movements were not at all clumsy like those of a steel-type creature; instead, they were graceful and powerful.

With each flap of its wings, a powerful gust of wind swept behind the Steel-Armored Raven, and in just a few moments, a powerful airflow with astonishing wind speed swept across the entire field.

Meanwhile, Xia Chen wasn't idle either.

"Sai Fuhao, charging beam!"

Although Cypher has more powerful moves like Thunderbolt or Thunder in its move pool, Xia Chen wasn't in a hurry to launch a fierce attack, considering Corviknight's use of Roost.

Strange winds were blowing across the battlefield due to the antics of the Steel Crows, while on the ground, the golden Cypher was bathed in electric light.

Most of it transforms into a bright beam that shoots into the sky, while the rest transforms into Cypher's own power—this is what makes the Charge Beam different from the 100,000 Volt. Although its power is somewhat weaker, it has a very high probability of enhancing its own special attack.

Defeating Corviknight is no easy task, but it is equally difficult for Corviknight itself.

While the Steel/Ghost combination has more weaknesses than the Steel/Flying combination, it still boasts superior resistances.

Corviknight's main attack methods are listed. Its two STAB moves, Flying and Steel, are doubled, and its Fighting-type move [Pounce], which converts physical defense into offense, is completely immune.

Corviknight's move pool has almost no moves that can beat Sylvanas Windrunner. The reason I didn't say it outright is because there is another obscure Dark-type move called [Thief].

However, Jian Zhenyue seemed to disdain this move with such a despicable name. After releasing Tailwind, she directly commanded, "Corpse Raven, Brave Bird Attack!"

Xia Chen raised an eyebrow in surprise. This guy is so brave? Even with Saifuyu offering double the resistance, he still stubbornly fights back against Brave Bird's relentless attacks?

Surprised as he was, he calmly commanded, "One more time, charging beam!"

Currently, nothing has emerged that could pose a threat to Sai Fuhao, so Xia Chen is not in a hurry and continues his steady and methodical battle rhythm.

…………

In the sky, the Steel-Armored Raven, aided by the tailwind, was incredibly fast. With a few flaps of its massive steel wings, it swooped down in front of Sai Fuhao.

Just as the two were about to meet, Jian Zhenyue suddenly changed his mind and said, "Turn back immediately!"

The Armored Raven reacted extremely quickly, adjusting its posture from a domineering swooping attack to a conservative flight posture with its claws slightly retracted.

Before Cypher's second charging beam could finish, its massive body lightly touched Cypher's body like a dragonfly skimming the water, and then turned into a red light and returned to the Poké Ball.

Xia Chen almost instinctively adjusted his command as well, "True Qi Blast!"

The electric light that had been dancing on his fingertips vanished instantly. Sai Fuhao held his breath and focused intently on circulating the fighting energy within his body.

Having clearly heard Xia Chen's instructions, Jian Zhenyue quickly retrieved the Steelix Poké Ball he was about to throw and instead threw another one from his waist.