Chapter 168: Zhurong Yun!
"Is that clear?"
"Clear!"
Coach He nodded with satisfaction, then waved his hand. "Dismissed!"
Kenji looked at the room card in his hand. It was black with a gold rim, featuring the Phoenix Nest Battle Arena logo and the Huaxia League emblem on the front.
On the back was the room number.
Kenji's room was on the 18th floor.
He took the elevator, and in no time, it stopped at the 18th floor.
The extravagance of the Phoenix Nest Battle Arena was truly consistent, from the outside in. Even Kenji was slightly shocked by it.
But only slightly.
After all, the current Kenji was no longer that inexperienced kid from Edgecliff City who hadn't seen the world.
Back in his room, Kenji unfolded the team uniform. Metropolis Academy's aesthetic sense was still online; the uniform design was quite sharp.
The main color was black with subtle accents, and a small Metropolis Academy crest was emblazoned on the chest.
After changing into the uniform, Kenji walked out of the room.
By the time he arrived at the lobby, most of the team had gathered, everyone dressed in their Metropolis Academy uniforms.
After waiting for two or three minutes, Coach He nodded. "Since everyone is here, let's head out. For the next few days, we'll rest and build up our energy, training appropriately to prepare for the upcoming competition."
With that, Coach He led Kenji and the others to the training grounds.
The training grounds were quite close to the hotel, just next door. In a few minutes, the group arrived.
The National Collegiate League was currently holding its preliminary rounds. The preliminaries would take five days, plus two days for adjustment afterward.
That added up to a week.
"Kenji, remember, in this competition, safety comes first, fun comes second, and the match comes third..."
Coach He rambled on for a while, but there wasn't a shred of "friendship comes first" in his tone.
"Kenji, when you meet those little brats from Imperial Academy, remember—you don't need to hold back. Beat them ruthlessly for me. Whatever feels good, do it!" Coach He clenched his fist as he spoke.
Kenji raised his hand, making an 'OK' sign. "No problem. Leave this competition to me."
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye.
Before they knew it, the day of the official opening arrived.
The Opening Ceremony.
"Audience friends in front of your screens!! Hello everyone!! Welcome to this year's National Collegiate League! I am your commentator for this tournament! Candy!!"
"And I am your commentator!! Forrest!"
In mid-air, a man and a woman dressed in formal attire were flying. The man stood on the back of a Flygon, while the woman stood atop an Altaria.
After a brief opening introduction, Forrest extended his hand toward three seats positioned high above the arena.
"Next!! Let's welcome the guests of this National Collegiate League with thunderous applause!! First up is our Capital City Gym Leader!! Mr. Drago!!!"
As Forrest's voice rang out, the camera angle switched. A man who looked to be in his fifties walked slowly out from the entrance and stood on a platform.
As the man appeared, cheers erupted from the audience, rising and falling in waves.
Once Drago stood firm, the platform beneath him levitated, carrying him toward the seats above.
The burly Drago waved, greeting the camera.
Drago, the Gym Leader of the Capital City Gym (Imperial Gym), was a Dragon-type specialist. His strength was widely recognized as the strongest among the current Provincial Gym Leaders.
Some even believed his true strength was sufficient to rival a Regional Elite Four member.
Drago's main team consisted of Haxorus, Dragonite, Altaria, Tyrantrum, Noivern, and Kingdra.
This Dragon-type Gym Leader was clearly much more honest than a certain Flying-type Elite Four (Lance).
When he said he played Dragon-types, he really meant it. Every single one of his six Pokémon possessed the Dragon type.
Despite being in his fifties, his muscles hadn't shrunk in the slightest. His bulging muscles, paired with his bronzed skin, gave off a full sense of security.
As Drago took his seat on the right...
Candy introduced the second guest.
"Next!! Let's welcome, with equally enthusiastic applause, the Chairman of the Huaxia League Tournament Organizing Committee, Old Mr. Lu Yunye!!!"
This old gentleman was much older than Drago. His hair was completely white, and he wore a simple white traditional Tang suit. Despite his age, he looked spirited and walked with steady steps.
As Lu Yunye took the seat on the left, both Forrest and Candy suddenly fell silent. They exchanged a glance, and once the arena quieted down, Forrest spoke again.
"Next! I hope your cheers! Can drown out the entire arena!!"
"Are! You! Ready!!"
Candy took over, her voice trembling with excitement. "Let's!! With the warmest applause, welcome the current Champion of the Huaxia League!! Mr. Zhurong Yun! Please enter!!!!"
"ROAR!!!—"
Instantly, the cheers from the audience in the battle arena crashed like a tsunami. Some people even stood up in excitement, waving and shouting.
Amidst the roaring cheers, a man who looked younger than both Drago and Lu Yunye walked out slowly.
The man walked with steady steps, dressed in formal attire, a faint smile on his face. He radiated an arrogance and confidence unique to those in positions of supreme power.
This was the man currently standing at the pinnacle of trainers in the Huaxia League.
Zhurong Yun!!!
The most distinctive feature about him was undoubtedly the red totem on his wrist—a phoenix pattern that seemed to dance with the beating of his pulse.
That was the totem unique to the Zhurong Clan.
It was also the locus of the Zhurong Clan's faith—Ho-Oh.
The cheers lasted for a long time. Even after Zhurong Yun took the center seat among the three, the cheers did not cease.
This was the glory unique to a League Champion; just sitting there could compel tens of thousands to chant his name.
After a good while, the cheers subsided. The two commentators then invited the three guests to say a few words.
As the League Champion, Zhurong Yun naturally spoke last. The speeches were all more or less the same, generally offering encouragement to the contestants.
After that came the entrance ceremony for the contestants from each academy.
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