Chapter 359: The Coronation! Grand Champion!!!
Grandma Liu rarely bothered with her phone and cared even less about the internet firestorm surrounding her identity.
As she reached her podium, she hopped onto it with a surprising nimbleness that defied her appearance. Before settling in, she shot a sideways glance at Xun Zhurong and let out a soft, audible huff of disdain.
...
Finally, the thunderous applause in the stands began to die down, transitioning into a heavy, expectant silence.
This time, the audience was quieter than they had been during the entire tournament.
Every soul in the stadium held their breath, their eyes fixed on the final, central podium—the only one that remained unlit.
BOOM!!!! —
The silence was shattered as the central spotlight erupted. This time, the light wasn't the standard cool white; it was a brilliant, shimmering gold that bathed the arena in a regal glow.
"And finally!! The moment the world has waited for! Let us welcome the greatest dark horse in the history of the Huaxia League! The National College Champion! The Grand Champion of the Huaxia League Conference! The man who shattered the age record for the throne! The legend who achieved a 6-0 sweep in the grand finals! The master of the Nightmare God, Darkrai! The man hailed as the brightest star in the Huaxia sky... KENJI!!!!!!"
The MC delivered the introduction in a single, breathless roar, pausing only to draw enough air to finish the proclamation.
"Contestant Kenji has broken every doubt with absolute strength. From the qualifiers to the finals, his journey has been one of total dominance. His partner, Beedrill, has used its unparalleled power and speed to dismantle every stereotype of its species.
A bug that rivals gods! A lance that pierces the very fabric of space! Wings that carry the future of Huaxia!
Now! With the loudest and most passionate applause you have ever given... please welcome our Grand Champion!!! KENJI! And his Pokémon!!! ENTRANCE!!!!"
Before the MC could even finish his sentence, a tidal wave of screams and applause swallowed the arena.
Amidst the chaos, two streaks of red light shot from the tunnel first.
In the next heartbeat, Tyranitar and Gyarados slammed onto the field. Their colossal frames took positions on the left and right of the golden carpet.
"ROAAAARRRR!!!! —"
A synchronized, earth-shaking roar erupted from the two titans. The "Desert Tyrant" and the "Sea Sovereign" turned their massive heads inward, forming a living corridor of power for their master.
Kenji stepped out of the shadows.
He walked with his hands in his pockets, dressed simply, yet he radiated an aura of untamed, peerless arrogance.
But not a single soul in the hundred thousand-seat stadium found his attitude misplaced. Kenji was nineteen. He was the master of Huaxia. At nineteen, you were allowed to be a king.
Kenji strode forward, Beedrill hovering precisely by his shoulder. Ninetales and Arbok followed close behind, their eyes sharp and proud. Then came the rest: Slaking, Annihilape, Serperior, Bellossom, Electivire, and finally, the shadowy form of Darkrai.
All eleven Pokémon were on the field.
This was a privilege reserved only for the Grand Champion. While the other finalists were restricted to a single partner for the ceremony, the King of the tournament was permitted to bring his entire household to the stage.
Flanked by his titans and surrounded by his team, Kenji walked the golden path. He ascended the central stairs and took his place on the highest podium.
As he stood tall, the four other podiums flared to life simultaneously.
BOOM!!! —
The arena lights returned to full power, and a magnificent display of fireworks exploded in the sky above the Phoenix Nest.
"Now!! Let us invite the Champion of the Huaxia League, Mr. Zhurong Yun! The Northwest Elite, Mr. Lawson! The Southwest Elite, Ms. Yuna Su! The Northeast Elite, Ms. Rainey Chang! and the Southeast Elite, Mr. Mason Chu!!
To present the awards to our five finalists!!!"
The majestic symphony of the League echoed through the stadium, blending with the rhythmic chanting of the crowd. Zhurong Yun and the four regional masters emerged from the same tunnel Kenji had used.
Each of them carried a trophy.
But Kenji's was different. While the others held silver and bronze, the current Champion, Zhurong Yun, carried a massive, shimmering cup of solid gold.
The five masters approached their respective recipients.
Zhurong Yun stopped in front of Kenji's high podium. He offered a small, sincere smile.
The last time they had spoken was a brief exchange during the National College League. Back then, Kenji was a rising star. Today, he was a peer.
"It's been a while," Yun said.
"It has, Senior," Kenji replied respectfully.
Yun held out the golden trophy, his eyes locked onto Kenji's. "I'll be right here," he said softly, his voice carrying a weight that only the two of them understood. "Waiting for you to come for my seat."
Kenji nodded, his expression hardening with resolve. "I won't keep you waiting long."
Kenji reached out with both hands and took the trophy.
It was a masterwork of craftsmanship. On one side, the Huaxia League crest was engraved in deep relief. On the other was a minimalist, aggressive sketch of a Beedrill, its lances crossed. At the base, etched in elegant script, was the name: KENJI.
The weight was immense, nearly causing Kenji to stumble, but Beedrill was already there. The insect reached out with a lance, subtly supporting the base of the trophy so Kenji could hold it high.
Kenji looked at his partner, seeing the pride reflected in its red eyes. This wasn't just his trophy; it was theirs.
Nearby, the other presentations were underway.
The most amusing sight was Lawson, the veteran Northwest Elite, presenting the silver trophy to Elder Venom. Lawson looked like a nervous schoolboy, his posture stiff and his head bowed low as he handed the award to Grandma Liu. He knew exactly who was behind that mask now, and even he couldn't maintain his "Elite" composure in the presence of his predecessor.
Click! Click! Click! —
A blizzard of camera flashes illuminated the stage. Kenji was the absolute epicenter of the world's attention.
He stood at the highest point, clutching the gold, surrounded by the Pokémon he had raised from common starters to legends. A surge of raw, unadulterated triumph boiled in his blood.
The podiums began to rise further, lifting the victors to different heights according to their rank.
Kenji reached the apex. Looking out over the 100,000 screaming fans, he felt the true weight of the crown. He was the Grand Champion of the Huaxia League.
And the Road to the Championship—the path to Zhurong Yun—was finally open.
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