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

However, upon closer analysis, it becomes clear that even without this overheating, Super Kylos would still be no match for him if the game proceeded normally.

Of course, both players performed exceptionally well in this match, but Xia Chen's outstanding performances were so numerous that they could be compiled into a weekly highlight reel, while Chi Hong rarely appeared, which is why the latter received more attention.

Back in reality, having finished their challenge at the Tiannan Dojo, the two parted ways for the time being.

Xia Chen still needs to obtain two more badges to participate in the Eastern Empire Tournament, while Crimson, having glimpsed the difference between herself and Xia Chen from the performance of the Fire Moth, realizes that the gap between them has widened rather than decreased, and prepares to undergo special training before the tournament.

Xia Chen recommended that he help Charizard and the others resolve the issues of Mega Evolution and Crystallization before proceeding.

While his years of training in the wild did hone his and the elves' resilience and combat abilities, it also inevitably led to them becoming out of touch with the times.

What era are we living in? Still playing traditional battles?

Come and experience the brand new Mega Evolution/Gigantamax version!

After hearing Xia Chen's enthusiastic recommendation, it would be a lie to say that Chi Hong wasn't tempted.

Unfortunately, he was short of money, and obtaining key stones, which cost millions and were not guaranteed, as well as the even more precious super stones, was a considerable challenge for him.

In response, Xia Chen stated that he was quite wealthy.

To be precise, the special phenomena of these elves are all part of his "family assets".

Getting Red a few spots, Keystones, Prism Stones, Maxim Bracelets, etc., is just a matter of a word.

Upon hearing Xia Chen's words, Chi Hong immediately fell silent.

Just when Xia Chen thought a pitifully thick barrier had formed between him and Chi Hong, this guy suddenly said, "I finally remember, there's an old saying from your Eastern Huang: 'Learn the barbarians' superior techniques to subdue the barbarians'..."

Xia Chen was both amused and exasperated. So that's what he was thinking about just now?

However, I had worried too much before. Given Chi Hong's temperament, it was unlikely that she would become estranged from me because of differences in material things.

So, after greeting Xia Chen and the Mega Evolution Research Institute, Red excitedly boarded a plane that day and set off for the Hoenn region.

Xia Chen, on the other hand, went with the flow and headed to the nearest major city with a dojo, Fog City.

…………

Due to its mountainous terrain, the southwestern region of Donghuang has not developed as well as the coastal plains in the southeast.

Therefore, although the area is large, there are not many large cities with dojos. The closest one is the foggy city to the north.

The Fog City, also known as the Mountain City, clearly has two names related to the city's geographical characteristics: it is mountainous and foggy, and the city itself is even built on a mountain.

This is the largest city in the southwest region of Donghuang, and can be considered a core hub.

Xia Chen had visited Funan City, which was nearby, during the six months he spent studying in the capital, to participate in the Donghuang Youth Trainer Competition. The two cities were not far apart, and their dietary habits were quite similar.

For Xia Chen, it was so spicy that he needed to go to the proctology department.

The elves' dietary preferences are similar to Xia Chen's, except for Guleton, who likes spicy food, and the two that are fire-type elves.

So, for their first meal after arriving here, apart from the three of them eating heartily, Xia Chen and the other elves didn't eat much.

Fortunately, the city has a thriving tourism industry, and there are many restaurants on the streets that cater to tourists' eating habits, so Senbu and her friends didn't go hungry.

The Gym Leader of the Fog City is Dark-type, which doesn't quite fit the city's character.

Generally speaking, the attributes of a local dojo are associated with something in the city. For example, the dense network of rivers in Zhijiang is associated with the water system, while the developed economy of Nandu is associated with the electricity system.

Logically speaking, the element most closely associated with Chongqing should be the fire element of hot pot, but the neighboring Funan district beat them to it.

There are many different theories circulating online about why the dojo here is associated with the Dark type. Some say it's because the local people used to be fierce and tough, while others use humor to refer to it as "Laozi Shudao Mountain" (a reference to a famous Chinese mountain).

Putting aside these interesting anecdotes, this gym is quite challenging for ordinary trainers, ranking among the top five gyms in the Eastern Empire.

However, Xia Chen must have completed the challenge with great ease.

He specifically sent Diancie into battle, hoping she would toughen up by facing the menacing-looking Dark-type Pokémon.

Unfortunately, the opponent didn't send out any main Pokémon, so the pressure wasn't enough. Most of them were just showy but ineffective, and Diancie easily passed the level.

However, judging from her confident demeanor after the match, this battle was not without its advantages.

After challenging the gym, Xia Chen and his Pokémon spent a few days in Fog City, taking a break and sightseeing. Afterward, they went to the nearby Funan City and obtained the Fire-type badge for the Tianfu Gym.

At this point, all eight dojo badges required to participate in the tournament have been collected.

There is less than a month left until the start of the Donghuang Tournament.

…………

October 20th, Shangjing City.

Having toured a small part of Donghuang in a whirlwind tour, Xia Chen arrived at the venue of this Donghuang Conference, Shangjing.

Aside from his hometown of Zhijiang, this city is the one Xia Chen knows best and has the deepest connection with.

Strictly speaking, Xia Chen is still a junior at Peking University.

He did not voluntarily request to suspend or withdraw from school, and the school could not possibly kick out this trainer who was only nineteen years old but was already a world legend.

Speaking of which, Xia Chen hasn't attended school for a single day since she took a long leave of absence more than a year ago to travel to the Parthian region.

However, this does not prevent him from becoming a legend at Kyoto University.

On the school's Pokémon Battle ladder leaderboard, Xia Chen, who hadn't played for several "seasons," ranked zero above first place with a score of zero, roughly equivalent to a lifetime achievement award.

And no one ever objected.

There's even a separate section on the school's forum dedicated to discussing Xia Chen.

The pinned post detailing Xia Chen's achievements since his debut has garnered over 100,000 replies and likes, a number that's more than 100,000 people in the entire university...

In short, Xia Chen already possessed all the privileges that only ancient legends could enjoy before he was twenty years old; the only thing missing was a statue of him at the school.

Wearing a mask and walking alone on campus, Xia Chen couldn't help but sigh that life is truly as lonely as snow.

Having only been here for less than half a year, Xia Chen didn't have much of an emotional attachment to the place. After casually strolling around for a bit, he went to the administration building to visit Principal Yu.

It's been over a year since I last saw the old principal, and he has even more gray hair now.

"How did you manage to come back, kid?"

Principal Yu was delighted to see Xia Chen and immediately stopped his official duties, instructing his attendant to make tea for this rare guest.

"You don't actually intend to participate in the Eastern Empire Tournament, do you?"

Before the main competition of the Donghuang Tournament begins, there is a preliminary round with an exceptionally large number of participants, which is hosted by Beijing University.

Xia Chen smiled helplessly, "What are you saying? Can't I participate?"

Principal Yu shrugged. “That’s good. Our school hasn’t produced a champion in the Donghuang Tournament for over twenty years. This is a good opportunity to add another achievement before I take office.”

Xia Chen was surprised, "You're stepping down? Why? Aren't you still healthy and strong?"

Principal Yu smiled and said with a sigh, "I already have such an outstanding student as you. I suppose I can't cultivate anyone who can surpass you. Education has reached this level, and that's enough."

Xia Chen comforted her with high emotional intelligence: "Don't think like that, Principal. If you look at it from another perspective, I wasn't trained by you either. Does that make you feel less pressured?"

Principal Yu: "......"

…………

"Just kidding, just kidding."

Xia Chen said solemnly, "I will always be proud of my alma mater, and you are my most respected principal!"

Whether it's sincere or not, at least the words sound nice.

Principal Yu finally caught his breath and said irritably, "I'm not teasing you anymore. My resignation has nothing to do with this matter. I just want to see if I can take it a step further."

He looked at Xia Chen meaningfully, "You know best how restless the world has been these past few years. If the Donghuang region experiences a similar situation, at least my old bones can still move around."

Xia Chen sat up straight, his face deeply moved. "The principal is truly righteous!"

Principal Yu added, "Actually, apart from me, the world's top trainers have felt a sense of crisis in the past two years, not only because of those legendary Pokémon, but also because of the ones you gave us."

Xia Chen was surprised, "Me?"

Principal Yu nodded and said, "Your growth rate is terrifying. It's like a rocket chasing after you. You must have heard of the 'King Catfish Effect,' which means that if you put a King Catfish into a group of Weaklings, it will stimulate their vitality and even cause them to gather into a Weakling school to fight against them."

"While not entirely accurate, you are the catfish king that has been energized."

Xia Chen nodded thoughtfully, and upon reflection, it seemed that this was indeed the case.

During the few times I contacted Cynthia these past few days, she was always training in the wild. I wondered why she was still working so hard when she was already a champion.

In retrospect, I realize I was just making assumptions.

"However, I don't think turmoil is all bad."

Xia Chen suddenly said, "At least after a disaster, people will feel much more at ease. For example, Wuji Titanium, being trapped underground is ultimately a time bomb. Releasing, reconciliation, and then coexisting are the only ways to eliminate future troubles."

"Similarly, the people in the Hoenn and Kalos regions probably think the same way."

Although that's the logic, Principal Yu still shook his head and said, "That's because you happened to be there, and you happened to have the ability to handle it. We can't take this as inevitable just because it happened. What if next time, it's something even more powerful than the Infinite Titanium that has reached its ultimate form?"

Does such a thing exist?

Xia Chen thought for a moment, and thought of Giratina from the Reverse World, Ultra Beasts from the Ultra World, and Necrozma, the Radiant God who could even devour light.

Or perhaps it's the Taleborgs, capable of creating worlds through imagination, or even some other being unknown to them...

Thinking of this, Xia Chen nodded in agreement.

He clenched his fist and muttered to himself, "You're right, my strength is still too weak."

Principal Yu fell silent for the second time. You're still weak when you have two legendary Pokémon in your hands?

I've been holding it in for so long, but I just had to get it off my chest, so I finally said what was on my mind.

"Please, have some decency..."

Chapter 452 The Eastern Glory Conference Opens

After visiting Principal Yu, Xia Chen went to the Ghost Department faculty office building to visit Professor Mo Lan.

In fact, without her reminder, Xia Chen would not have thought of studying the evolution of the Cyborg while traveling in Padia, nor would he have encountered the Money-Seeking Spirit.

Regardless of the reason, he should thank Teacher Mo Lan properly.

Before coming here, he specially went to Hoenn to get a Gengar Mega Evolution set, intending to give it to Mo Lan as a thank-you gift.

The office floor of the Ghost-type teacher was as dark and gloomy as ever, with many mischievous Pokémon such as Haunter and Misdreavus appearing there to scare the students coming and going.