Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

"Fighting inside the crater isn't enough; we also need two legendary Pokémon to stand at the entrance." Ash nodded. "Mr. Blaine is indeed a meticulous person."

Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Zhi pushed open the door and stepped inside.

But the scene inside the door surprised him.

The spacious area was filled with people.

Men and women, young and old, and even many tourists wearing floral shirts and sun hats.

Despite their different identities, everyone shared a common expression: furrowed brows, biting their lips, and looking utterly bitter and resentful.

Their eyes were all focused on a machine in front of them, their fingers tapping on the screen.

In an instant, Ash sensed an extremely familiar aura permeating the air—

That's it! The sweet smell of exams!

Xiao Zhi's spirits lifted, and he was about to take a deep breath of the long-lost "fragrance".

Xiao Gang suddenly said.

"Ash, look over there!"

Following his hand, one could see a huge electronic display screen hanging on a wall, on which the rules of the dojo challenge were clearly written.

[Notice to Crimson Lotus Gym Challengers: You must complete the assessment (out of 100 points, 60 points to pass) to enter the battle arena.]

Each person can only answer once per day.

【考核时间：9:00——17:00，每次考试时长30分钟。】

[Note: No work on Saturdays and Sundays.]

[Note: We are also closed on public holidays.]

[Note: The owner doesn't come to work when he's in a bad mood.]

After reading the challenge rules on the screen, Xiaoxia couldn't help but blurt out.

"This gym challenge... requires an exam? And there are so many people participating!"

"Of course."

An older man who was queuing nearby turned around and looked them up and down.

His gaze fell on Pikachu on Ash's shoulder, then he looked at Brock and Misty.

"Judging from your appearance... you're not from around here, are you? Is this your first time here?"

Xiao Zhi nodded obediently.

"No wonder."

The middle-aged man sighed, his voice carrying the weariness of someone who had been through it all.

"You should know that Crimson Lotus Island is a major tourist destination."

"People come and go every day; there are so many trainers coming to challenge us, it's unbelievable. During peak season, there can be hundreds of challengers a day..."

"Isn't that great?"

Xiaoxia tilted her head.

As a former acting gym leader of Cerulean Dojo, she knew all too well the weight of the words "number of challengers".

That directly affects the dojo's KPIs, year-end rating, and even the budget allocation for the following year.

If Cerulean Dojo had hundreds of challengers a day, her sisters would probably set off firecrackers to celebrate.

"What's so good about it?"

The middle-aged man sighed.

"That's where the problem lies. With so many people coming to challenge us, the skill levels of the trainers become quite uneven."

"Some don't even understand type advantages and disadvantages, and they just rush in with a Grass-type Pokémon."

"Some even got so scared halfway through a battle that their Pokémon started running around in circles in fear of flames..."

Xiao Gang nodded thoughtfully.

"So Gym Leader Blaine set up an exam to select challengers? Only trainers who truly understand tactics and are well-prepared can enter the battle arena?"

"Oh, that's not true."

The middle-aged man waved his hand, pointed to the string of notes on the wall, and said in a flat tone.

"He simply doesn't want to go to work, and he'll just let anyone else pass the test."

179. Let's give the people here a little bit of the Pallet Town shock.

Xiao Gang: "?"

Xiaoxia: "?"

Xiao Zhi: "?"

Pikachu: "?"

Upon hearing what this person said last, the three people and the rat were all completely dumbfounded.

"No..." Xiaoxia was the first to react, "If it has nothing to do with the exam, then why did you go through all that buildup?"

How many characters are in the water section?

Upon hearing this, the uncle gave an embarrassed smile.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I'm just a chatterbox, once I start talking I can't stop."

"I thought you were asking 'Why are there so many people in line?' Turns out you're asking about the exam?"

"You are unaware of this."

The middle-aged man subconsciously looked around to make sure that Uncle Xia wasn't nearby before lowering his voice.

“That old man, Xia Bo… has become quite eccentric these days.”

"But he wasn't like this a few years ago..."

The uncle's gaze drifted into the distance.

Xiaozhi, Xiaoxia, and Xiaogang exchanged a knowing glance and simultaneously took half a step forward.

Even Pikachu perked up its ears—after all, listening to gossip is something that transcends species.

"Back then, Xia Bo was a passionate old man... he even had hair."

The uncle's tone was filled with reminiscence.

"We take challengers very seriously; we take them on one by one, or two at a time."

"Whether you're a newbie fresh out of the starting village or a seasoned veteran with six or seven badges, we'll all be dealt with with full force, and there will be no special treatment."

At this point, the uncle sighed.

"But it didn't work out later. After he disappeared for a while and then reappeared, he changed."

"It's changed?" Xia couldn't help but ask.

"It's changed."

The man nodded, his tone heavy.

"Having lost his hair, he lost all his passion, and after several betrayals by the alliance..."

Realizing he had said something inappropriate, he quickly corrected himself.

"Ahem! In short, he used to light up at the mere mention of a challenger's name, but now he's a different story. He'd rather sit than stand, and lie down than sit."

"Later on, they simply set up an exam. After all, the League didn't stipulate that gym challenges couldn't have written tests, right?"

Xiao Zhi blinked, about to say something.

But before he could even speak, the man abruptly changed the subject, patting the Pokédex on his waist.

"Don't think this exam is easy."

"Let me tell you, this test is ridiculously difficult, and the questions are incredibly bizarre, covering all sorts of things."

As he spoke, he took out his Pokédex from his person, flipped through it a few times, turned on the screen, and held it up to the three of them.

"Here, let me show you a question I encountered yesterday."

A picture is displayed on the encyclopedia screen.

To be precise, it is a circular black silhouette that at first glance looks like a blacked-out billiard ball.

"Guess the Pokémon by looking at the shadows."

The middle-aged man pointed at the circular shadow, his tone tinged with resentment.

"You guys think this looks like a lightning ball, right? With its round shape, what else could it be?"

He hadn't finished speaking.

"Naughty Thunderball," Xiaoxia replied without hesitation.

"Use the rounded rumbler." Xiao Gang crossed his arms, his tone equally confident.

"Pikachu".

Pikachu joined in the fun, raising its little paws high.

Uncle: "......."

Mischievous Raiden is understandable... but what's with using a rounded Golem?

Your thought process is really unique!

The uncle was about to reveal the correct answer.

Ash suddenly leaned closer, stared at the shadow for half a second, and then—

"Isn't this Jigglypuff as seen from above?"

"Um?!"