The first rays of morning light slipped between rows of towering skyscrapers, bathing the city in a soft golden glow. As the most prosperous city in the Eastern League, Jinghua seemed almost wrapped in something sacred.
At this hour, the Eastern League Stadium should have been quiet.
Instead, it was already alive with noise.
Most of the audience had finished breakfast and taken their seats. Even at the very top of the stands, Champion Feng Yang had already arrived.
But today, he was not alone.
Ji Yan had come with him.
The moment he heard that Lin Feng was participating in this year's League Championship, especially that his Gardevoir would be competing, he rushed over on his Charizard without hesitation.
"Phew."
Before he had even properly settled in, Ji Yan leaned forward from the upper seating area, peering down at the field. Feng Yang frowned at the sight.
"Can you act a little more mature?"
Ji Yan blinked. "Huh?"
"Like me."
Ji Yan curled his lip. "Yeah right. You didn't sound like that on your blind dates."
He ignored Feng Yang completely.
Despite the seven or eight year age gap between them, the two had always gotten along well. Especially after Ji Yan discovered Feng Yang's little weakness, their friendship only grew closer.
After all, the dignified Champion who seemed so composed in public would turn into a stammering mess the moment he sat across from a woman on a date. He could barely string together a sentence, especially if the woman was beautiful or confident.
The result was always the same. Either the date fell apart because he lost confidence, or because he simply could not carry a conversation.
"…"
Feng Yang froze, then sucked in a sharp breath. He wanted to argue, but no words came out. In the end, he could only swallow his frustration and stay silent.
Just then, there was another knock at the door of the private lounge reserved for Champions and Elites.
Both men turned in mild surprise.
A tall figure stepped inside.
She wore a pale white dress and a wide-brimmed hat of the same color. She looked to be in her early twenties, her delicate features almost like something painted into existence.
But her expression was cold. Completely emotionless.
"You weren't traveling in Kanto?" Ji Yan asked, confused. "When did you get back?"
The newcomer was one of the six recognized Elites of the Eastern League, an Ice-type specialist, Luo Bingxue.
She glanced at Ji Yan, her gaze flickering slightly.
Though both of them were relatively new Elites, and she looked younger, she was in fact close to thirty.
"I've been back for two or three weeks."
Ji Yan paused. "Then why come back now?"
Luo Bingxue said nothing. She glanced at him, then at Feng Yang, and chose to ignore both as she calmly took her seat.
Feng Yang immediately turned on Ji Yan, unleashing a barrage of criticism.
"She's back to scout candidates for the League Championship! In just three weeks, she's already picked three promising trainers. And you? You spend every day bouncing between bars!"
"You've only recommended one person!"
His words came fast and sharp, practically spraying spit.
Ji Yan was unimpressed.
"Quality over quantity. The one I picked will definitely make the top sixteen."
"Stop bragging. The top sixteen depends heavily on luck. If you're going to pick someone, aim for top four."
Ji Yan scoffed. "You think I go to bars every day because my Charizard likes drinking?"
"You're blaming that on your Charizard?" Feng Yang shot him a glare.
They continued bickering back and forth, but beneath it all, there was an easy familiarity between them.
Luo Bingxue sat off to the side, silent.
In truth, their argument was partly for her sake.
Because she spent most of her time traveling outside the region, her presence within the Eastern League had always felt faint. Her reputation, compared to the others, was not particularly strong.
In fact, aside from the ever-busy Champion, most Elites lived relatively relaxed lives.
This year's new policy was Feng Yang's idea. He wanted every Elite to take on responsibilities, to build stronger connections with the public.
It was likely inspired by regions like Kanto and Paldea, where Elites were far more active.
To ease the tension, Feng Yang had redirected the focus onto Ji Yan instead.
It worked.
At least, Luo Bingxue had nothing to say about it now.
Still, watching two grown men behave like this made her shake her head slightly.
"I saw someone in Kanto," she said suddenly.
The argument stopped instantly.
"Who?" they both asked at the same time.
Then they glanced at each other.
"Damn it."
Ji Yan blinked, then subtly winked at Feng Yang as if to say, I win this round. You're buying me dinner.
Feng Yang shot back a look. Fine. I'll even buy you two meals.
"…Sigh."
Luo Bingxue let out a quiet sigh.
With a Champion and Elite acting like this, one might think the Eastern League was doomed.
Yet in truth, under Feng Yang's leadership, the region had only grown stronger.
Advanced medical systems had been established, represented by the Joy family. Law enforcement, symbolized by the Jenny officers, upheld order with unwavering dedication. Gyms flourished, and the League Championship only grew more successful each year.
After their silent exchange ended, Feng Yang finally turned back.
"Who did you see?"
"Liang Feng."
She answered simply.
"Liang Feng?"
"Liang Feng?!"
Ji Yan sounded confused. He had heard the name before, but only vaguely.
Feng Yang, however, reacted completely differently.
The name struck him deeply.
He still remembered that battle. The Beedrill that had once been battered and broken had, in that moment, bloomed again, its stingers gleaming with terrifying brilliance.
It was unforgettable.
But after that battle, Liang Feng had vanished.
"He went to Kanto?" Feng Yang asked, astonished.
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