Zhuqing Breeding Center.
Two days before the competition, Li Wei stopped running around.
He also handed over most of his work to others, concentrating on practicing Energy Cubes, Poffins, and sweet Pokemon food.
Although Li Wei was confident, to avoid a blunder like a certain top 16 contestant, Li Wei still diligently practiced.
Li Wei's family and the staff of the Breeding Center all expressed strong support for Li Wei's approach.
After all, Li Wei finally stopped making Chopped Pepper Fish Head and Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish; if they kept eating those, they would smell like fish all over.
According to a certain man, 2.06 meters tall, he had a dream the previous night where he turned into a giant bighead carp and was then cut down by Li Wei with a single slice.
...
The night before the quarterfinals of the Youth Breeder Competition began,
A variety show edited from the Youth Breeder Competition was also broadcast.
This variety show was also sponsored by Mr. Harrod.
The competition started with the top 32 advancing to the top 16, but the focus of this match video was a bit off, seemingly turning into a talent show.
The screen was filled with either barrages praising Li Wei,
Or barrages praising Lalami and Sasha...
It was forcibly turned into Breeder 101, as if the winners were going to debut as a pop idol group.
Looking at the screen full of barrages, Li Wei was dumbfounded.
Fortunately, as the competition progressed, more and more people shifted their attention to the content of the Breeder Competition itself.
People in the group chat also complained about this, especially a certain top 16 contestant.
A Jin: "Why are other people's barrages all 'so handsome, so beautiful,' but when it comes to me, it's all just emojis?!"
A Jin's emojis had already flooded the group chat.
Various facial expressions of A Jin were screenshotted, and the crudely made emojis were quite abstract.
...
May 7th.
Jiayuan Television.
It was finally the quarterfinals of the Youth Breeder Competition.
Tickets for the live event were incredibly hard to come by this time, but Li Wei still managed to get quite a few for his friends and family.
After all, Qinglv and Professor Oak were among the judges.
Li Wei and Qinglv were good friends, and Professor Oak was an old friend of Li Wei's grandfather.
Grandpa, Aunt and Uncle, Li Wei's parents, Xiao Meng Jie, Da You, Rui Xi, and Xiao Rou all came; they were already seated in the second row.
Since the competition was at 7 PM, it didn't affect today's breeding work.
Taking the maglev train from Jubilife City to Hearthome City was less than a 40-minute journey.
The Breeding Center had been operating to the point where they couldn't just take holidays whenever they wanted; they had to consider the feelings of customers and Pokemon.
This time, the ingredients would not be confirmed; they would remain secret until the competition began.
"So mysterious."
Li Wei really couldn't guess what kind of tricks they could pull off with spicy, astringent, sour, and sweet as themes.
"Did you guess what we're making this time?"
Hearing the voice next to him, Li Wei looked up and saw Ge Li, who had no competitive relationship with him this time.
Ge Li drew spicy, and Li Wei drew sweet.
Although everyone's goal was to advance to the semifinals, their opponents were different.
The quarterfinals advancement was one-on-one; defeating an opponent would secure a spot in the semifinals.
To some extent, there was an element of luck involved.
Ge Li had short, spiky red hair, with a small tuft of white hair on one side of his bangs, which looked quite handsome.
Especially paired with his bronze skin.
Li Wei casually said, "I don't know, Energy Cubes or Poffins, I guess."
Ge Li speculated, "I think it's more like Poké Curry Rice."
Hearing Ge Li say that, Li Wei looked thoughtful.
Ge Li seemed to be from the Galar region, and Poké Curry Rice was a very popular dish there.
It was a dish that combined berries and ingredients, and depending on the ratio of ingredients and berries, it could produce very unique flavors.
Research in the Galar region alone had developed over a hundred flavors of Poké Curry Rice, and there were also different grades.
"Seems very likely."
If Ge Li's speculation was correct, then Lian Si's luck might not be particularly good.
Although he drew spicy, which he was best at, the probability of Ge Li, who came from the Galar region, being good at making Poké Curry Rice was not low.
Especially since he specifically brought this up to Li Wei.
"You must know ChampionQinglv among the judges, right?"
Li Wei didn't deny it, "Yes, I do."
Qinglv's appearance at the Zhuqing Breeding Center had a video on Eevee Net.
Li Wei was about to explain, "Don't worry..."
Although he and Qinglv knew each other, there was no under-the-table deal, at least regarding his participation in the competition, it was completely clean.
His grandpa would never allow him to cheat.
Li Wei and Qinglv also had their own pride.
Mr. Harrod was also someone who extremely disliked favoritism and corruption.
Ge Li smiled, "You don't have to worry either, I know. Actually, we should have met a long time ago."
There was no need to add LINE, because they had already added each other before, they just hadn't chatted.
Li Wei asked in confusion, "Why?"
Ge Li smiled, "My grandpa and your grandpa are old acquaintances; I only found out when I saw your grandpa just now."
???
Grandpa has friends all over the world!
He even has friends in the Galar region.
Ge Li explained, "My grandpa and I came to the Sinnoh region for a trip; they knew each other when they were young."
The time Ge Li and his grandpa came to Sinnoh happened to be when Li Wei and Lucario were traveling.
Li Wei was slightly surprised, "So your grandpa is Mr. Xander?"
Ge Li's grandpa was named Xander, a famous Poké Curry master.
"If you have the chance, you're welcome to visit the Galar region."
"Okay."
This time, the audience seats were full, mostly young women, and many Breeders also came.
Qinglv, Mikuri, Professor Oak, Professor Professor Rowan...
These were all reasons for them to come and watch the competition.
When Li Wei appeared, there were quiet cheers from the audience, mostly from female fans.
Sitting in the second row of the audience, Uncle Li Wen could see fans holding Li Wei's support signs opposite him, and there were quite a few behind him as well.
"Our Xiao Wei is so popular!"
Even compared to popular Champions like Mikuri and Qinglv, he was no less popular.
AuntRui Sui nodded, "His account has quite a number of followers, after all."
The female host went on stage again,
"After the last qualifying round, the contestants each drew four themes for a one-on-one qualifying match!"
"Please look at the big screen!"
Photos of the eight contestants, including Li Wei and Ge Li, appeared on the big screen, sorted according to the four themes: sour, sweet, spicy, and astringent.
Eight tables were set up in the center of the studio, equipped with stoves, and each had a foam box.
"This time's competition content, still designated by Mr. Harrod, is Poké Curry Rice!"
Li Wei raised an eyebrow; it really was Poké Curry Rice...
Li Wei hadn't made it before, but it wasn't difficult for him.
The contestants' reactions to the competition content varied.
"Now, let the competition begin!"