For the Piplup Cup's second-round group stage, media outlets mobilised upon hearing the news.
All reporters received word that Gastly's trainer was finally appearing!
Outside the contestant tunnel, reporters crowded with shouldered equipment.
Even the semifinals historically never had such fanfare.
Under the organisers' marketing and hype, Gastly had become this tournament's most-watched dark horse!
"Look quick, is that the guy?"
"Right, right, that's the Gastly!"
A tall, handsome youth in a white shirt had a Poké Ball at his waist, with a faintly visible Gastly floating above his head.
Reporters rushed before Lu Ye with cameras.
"Do you have confidence in this match?"
"Why didn't you appear in previous matches?"
"What's your expected ranking?"
Lu Ye smiled politely at the camera. "Just hoping for no regrets."
Lu Ye's actual thoughts: So hot, really want to go home and enjoy AC!
"Ssssskeke!"
Watching sweat-drenched Lu Ye, Gastly snickered secretly.
Fooled you! I'm Ghost-type, not afraid of heat!
Groupings were already out. Lu Ye faced a third-year student from Hangzhou Second High.
These students pursuing trainer paths could apply to Pokémon Academy early admissions through competitions, interviews, etc.
But clearly, the high school student's commanding level differed from Lu Ye's by miles.
In battle, Lu Ye's bullying-level predictions guessed the opponent completely clean.
"Why does it seem like Butterfree's every move is anticipated by Gastly?"
"Strength gap! Butterfree can't keep up with Gastly's speed!"
"No, Lu Ye's commands are too timely!"
Butterfree with Will-O-Wisp on both wings wailed, crashing from the sky.
Simultaneously, the referee's flag declared victory.
"Damn, where did this dark horse come from!"
"Heard he's from Magic City University, but he's not a Battle major?"
"The next field also has results!"
The adjacent arena saw Magic City University's Shen Tingzhi crush Jiaotong University's contestant with absolute dominance.
Shen Tingzhi's Granbull again demonstrated the Fairy-type family's strength: Timid in internal wars, fierce in external battles!
"Why did I win again..."
Lu Ye recalled Gastly, looking utterly baffled.
Just leaving the contestant tunnel, a figure suddenly blocked his path.
The visitor was tall and thin, shorts with Poké Balls at his side, expression extremely excited.
"T-Teacher Lu?"
The visitor exclaimed, "I'm Feng Shu, your fan! I'm even a level-10 badge in your stream!"
Lu Ye pondered momentarily. No impression of this person.
But since he was a level-10 badge, probably an old fan.
Lu Ye smiled warmly. "Oh, you! Speak slowly, no rush."
"My stream ID is 'How Does Bulbasaur SubToxic.'"
Feng Shu scratched his head, grinning foolishly. "Thanks to your guidance, it's evolved now!"
"Nice, using starter Pokémon as initial Pokémon!"
Lu Ye said in surprise, "You're also competing?"
"Yeah, already advanced to the top sixteen!"
Lu Ye pondered momentarily, suddenly remembering Tian Youwei had indeed mentioned this person.
Jiangzhe University's Battle Department freshman, whose family were veteran Grass-type trainers. Feng Shu lived up to expectations, passing school team selection as a freshman.
In family background, Feng Shu wasn't inferior to Shen Tingzhi; his strength even exceeded hers!
"Nice, work hard in upcoming matches, aim for the championship!" Lu Ye patted Feng Shu's shoulder.
"No, no, no." Feng Shu shook his head frantically. "With you competing, I can at most hope for second place."
"My Gastly might not beat Ivysaur!" Lu Ye said helplessly.
"You're joking! What if you pull out other Pokémon? Everyone here together couldn't beat you!"
Feng Shu had witnessed Lu Ye's tactical level. Even Sinnoh's Grass-type Gym Leader wasn't his match.
If Teacher Lu wasn't a powerful trainer, how could he possess such exquisite commanding awareness?
The only conclusion: Teacher Lu just captured Gastly and coincidentally encountered the Piplup Cup's opening.
Teacher Lu, disdaining such rookie events, reluctantly participated to let Gastly level up.
In the first two matches, Teacher Lu didn't appear, letting Gastly battle autonomously.
This was the best proof!
"Being able to compete in your tournament, I'm already satisfied!" Feng Shu bowed deeply.
In some sense, Feng Shu's speculation wasn't unreasonable.
Trainer strength equalled trainer commanding level plus Pokémon strength.
Could Teacher Lu, who could go even with Master trainers, only capture one Gastly? Absolutely impossible!
Plus, Teacher Lu was so young.
Feng Shu's admiration flowed like the mighty Yellow River, unstoppable.
Such a person competing in the Piplup Cup, even using just-captured Gastly, was crushing the rhythm!
Please, don't let me face Teacher Lu!
Lu Ye smacked his lips.
What you said makes some sense.
But the problem was, he genuinely had no other Pokémon!
"I only have one Gastly." Lu Ye pondered.
"You only brought one Gastly?" Feng Shu's eyes lit up.
"Uh... could say that."
Lu Ye tiredly waved. "See you in tonight's stream!"
"Don't worry Teacher Lu, I'll definitely send gifts!"
Returning home, the chat group was hotly discussing a new YouTube video.
Since these big shots all posted in Japanese, clashing with other fans, Lu Ye pulled this batch into a separate small group.
Current members: World Championship Champion Red, Kanto Champion and Viridian Gym Leader Green, Sinnoh Grass-type Gym Leader Gardenia, Viridian Power holder Yellow, Hoenn Electric-type Gym Leader Wattson, who kept pestering Lu Ye for games after losing, plus unemployed vagabond Gold.
Ahem... Gold's title was "Hatcher." Lu Ye felt this was quite impressive among Special manga protagonists.
Hatched Pokémon were at least 5V starting stats; how many breeding party players dreamed of this ability!
[Gold: Holy crap, holy crap! YouTube's top video is absolutely blazing!]
[Yellow: (๑´ㅂ`๑) I also watched, so cool!]
[Green: Lucian made many mistakes; otherwise, he had winning chances.]
[Wattson: Hahaha, watching made this old man want to stretch his muscles!]
[Red: ...]
Red, whose typing speed was too slow and only managed to type ellipses, was lurking in self-isolation.
[Teacher Lu: What video?]
[Gold: Go watch yourself! Get online early tonight, waiting to crush you!]
[Teacher Lu: ?]
[Gardenia: Ah, Miss Cynthia is so cool...]
Cynthia?
Lu Ye scratched his head, opening a YouTube video in confusion.
The top trending was a newly released battle video.
Sinnoh League Champion Challenge: Cynthia VS Lucian.
Please vote~!
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Courting Death In The Ninja World
...
One Piece: Signing in Naruto Character Cards
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