Hearthome City.
Li Wei came to participate in the Breeder Competition again today.
Today was the 32 to 16 round.
One more step, and he would meet the system's minimum requirement.
The judge wasn't Qinglv yet.
Qinglv would only serve as a judge in the top eight.
This year's Breeder Competition was highly anticipated because the other three judges were Mikuri, Professor Professor Rowan, and Professor Oak.
It was the first time there had been such a lineup.
Four judges, three Champions!
As for who was just there for show, we won't name names.
There was also a League-recognized Master ClassBreeder—Miss Joey Snow—making a friendly appearance.
In total, there were five judges, all of them heavyweights.
The judges for the 32 to 16 round were:
One was Miss Joy from Hearthome City.
As for the other three judges,
Li Wei had heard a little about them, but not much.
Their information could be found on the League's official website; they were all top-tier Breeders recognized by the League.
On this day, excellent Youth Breeders selected from various regions finally gathered in Hearthome City.
The competition was scheduled to start at 4 PM, but the staff asked Li Wei to arrive before 2 PM because he needed to get his makeup done.
Starting from the top 32, the competition was being recorded at Jiayuan Television and would be broadcast as a variety show.
When Li Wei arrived, seven people had already finished their makeup and were waiting.
Among them, Li Wei saw a woman in a pink top with green hair, and for a moment, she seemed familiar.
But Li Wei couldn't recall who she was.
The other few people were plain-looking and unremarkable.
When Li Wei entered the studio backstage, everyone waiting involuntarily turned their gaze to Li Wei.
"Is that Li Wei?"
"He really is just like the rumors say..."
"Why does he have a light on his head?!"
Coincidentally, a spotlight shone down at the entrance.
After the list of the top 32 was announced,
Some busybodies listed a clear ranking online: who was the first seed, who was the second seed, and so on.
Relying on his terrifying popularity, Li Wei surpassed the former celebrity trainer A Jin to become the first seed.
A Jin also participated in this competition, but because he was the second seed, he was jokingly called "Jin Lao Er" in the group chat.
The staff lady had a sweet smile on her face, "Please follow me."
"Thank you." Li Wei and Lucario followed behind her into the makeup room.
As Li Wei sat down, he realized his neighbor was an old acquaintance, "Yo, Jin Lao Er."
"You—!"
Before Jin Lao Er could unleash his fury, the makeup artist held him down, "Don't move around, your makeup will get ruined."
A Jin was angry but dared not speak.
Li Wei only needed some simple touch-ups, and it was done in no time, "Alright, your base is excellent."
Li Wei's makeup was done, but A Jin's was not.
Li Wei looked in the mirror and found that he seemed to have become a little handsomer, and couldn't help but exclaim...
The power of makeup is truly amazing!
Li Wei pointed to A Jin, who was still getting his makeup done.
"Can I wait for him here?"
"Of course, no problem."
A Jin, who was getting his makeup done, watched helplessly in the vanity mirror as Li Wei, guided by the young lady, sat on a sofa chair, and was even served drinks and a fruit platter...
Damn it, I'm jealous!
Why don't I get such treatment?!
A Jin always thought he was a somewhat handsome, sunny boy. I'm not ugly, I just don't stand out in my handsomeness!
It's just that the world's perception is too harsh.
It's not me who's wrong, it's the whole world!
This was a true reflection of A Jin's life.
"Thanks."
Although Li Wei didn't actually want to eat.
Li Wei picked up his phone, took a picture of A Jin in the vanity mirror, and sent it to the group chat.
A Jin getting makeup.jpg
This photo instantly caused a stir.
Qinglv: "What a miraculous transformation, makeup artist."
Red: "Haha, are you going to be on TV?"
Brock: "This time it's going to be a variety show, so everyone in the top 32 and beyond needs makeup."
Lance: "I look forward to your performance, I'll be watching."
Lt. Surge: "Don't bother with makeup, you won't be handsome no matter what."
Kelisitaer: "It's... it's still good."
Blue: "@Li Wei, what about you? Are you done?"
Li Wei opened his front camera and took a selfie.
Li Wei, with his strong facial contours, his cheekbones and jawline forming a golden triangle, and a high nose bridge.
His eyes were large and spirited, with a pair of eyes that seemed to tell a story, even his eye bags seemed to have a built-in makeup effect.
His cool, pale skin gave Li Wei a natural highlight filter, forming a sharp contrast with his thick black hair.
In addition, the makeup artist made some modifications to Li Wei, further highlighting the advantages of his eyebrows and eyes.
Kona: "Sword-like eyebrows soaring into the temples, sharp features—now this is what you call a handsome guy."
Qinglv couldn't help but send a voice message to complain: "Where did you learn so many bizarre adjectives...?"
Sabrina: "You're suited to be an actor, very photogenic."
Sabrina, who started her career as an actress in Unova's Hollywood, had never seen anyone more photogenic than Li Wei.
Qinglv: "I've seen him in person, he's actually not that photogenic."
Steven: "I just saw Li Wei yesterday, he's even more handsome in person."
Li Wei: "You're too kind, we're fifty-fifty."
Kelisitaer: "Well, there is indeed a gap."
Kelisitaer still felt she couldn't lie...
Red: "Indeed..."
...
A Jin, with his makeup done,
looked at the screen full of messages, and his world collapsed...
Opening strike!
A Jin: "Be human, all of you!"
Lt. Surge: "Who told you to be Jin Lao Er!"
A Jin opened his voice message and roared,
"I'm going to fight you to the death!"
But A Jin completely forgot that this was the backstage of a studio, and silence immediately fell all around.
"Hahahaha——"
When people are speechless, they laugh.
Li Wei quietly moved a little further away from A Jin.
"Hey! Aren't you being a bad friend?!"
Many people thought there would be a fierce rivalry between Li Wei and A Jin, that they would be lifelong enemies...
In reality, they were friends.
Friendship first, competition second.
A Jin rubbed his nose, "No, competition first, friendship second! This time, this great master will definitely beat you."
"I'm going to make them call me Jin Lao Da!"
"..."
Alright, whatever makes you happy.
A Jin still quietly put some distance between himself and Li Wei.
Li Wei was confused, "What's going on?"
"Nothing..."
A Jin would never say that he didn't want to be in the same frame as Li Wei.
A Jin was barely 170cm tall with shoes on, and standing next to the 186cm Li Wei put too much psychological pressure on him.
However, once seated, A Jin seemed much more relaxed.
Li Wei and A Jin automatically formed a small group, starting to chat while replying to the group messages.
Bored, Li Wei also got the list of the top 32 from Brock.
Although Brock didn't participate, he was following it.
This time, in the Youth Breeder Competition's top 32,
There were 20 males and 12 females.
Around 3:30 PM, a staff member pushed open the door, "The competition is about to start. I'll go over some important points with you first."