A Golden Opportunity in Qin Yingying's Hometown!!**
"Wait… that's a shiny Metagross?!"
The moment Metagross appeared, the entire stadium froze.
Not just the audience—
Even the Donghuang Alliance's top brass in the VIP box were stunned into silence.
Most ordinary spectators could only tell that it was an enormous, silver-colored Metagross with an overwhelming presence.
But to the league executives—
The instant Metagross descended, the terrifying energy fluctuation it released told them everything.
Especially Zuo Shenghui.
As one of the few people present who had personally encountered Totem-level Pokémon, he could instantly tell—
This Metagross had already stepped into the Totem realm.
And not just barely.
Its aura was far more oppressive than any Totem-level Pokémon he had ever seen.
That realization made Zuo Shenghui feel… genuinely lost.
He could accept Ethan having:
A King-tier Skeledirge,A monstrously powerful Swampert,Even a Legendary like Entei.
But this?
A Totem-level Pokémon willingly following an eighteen-year-old trainer?
That crossed a line his common sense couldn't handle.
Totem-level beings—even ones as friendly to humans as the Dragon Lord of Yunshan Dragon Valley—rarely follow trainers.
At that level, humans simply can't help them grow anymore.
Historically, many powerful Pokémon chose to leave their trainers once they reached the peak, seeking their own paths.
But Ethan's Metagross?
Already Totem-level—
Yet still staying by his side.
That was terrifyingly rare.
Zuo Shenghui glanced sideways at Victor Stone.
Victor looked shocked—but strangely calm.
"Victor," Zuo Shenghui asked slowly,
"Don't tell me… you already knew about that Metagross?"
Victor nodded.
"I know it."
"I just didn't expect it to become this strong."
That answer stunned everyone in the box.
Before they could press him, Victor continued—explaining Metagross's past.
When they heard that this shining Metagross had been a frail Beldum only ten years ago, the room nearly exploded.
A Totem-level Metagross… that was barely ten years old?!
That alone shattered all logic.
But Victor wasn't done.
"Half a year ago, it was still only at Apex Overlord level," he said calmly.
"After officially following Ethan, its strength began growing at an absurd rate."
"Three months ago, it was already late-Champion tier."
"And after the International Rookie Exchange on Sea Cliff Island…"
Victor paused.
"That's when it truly transformed."
"Gao Bing called me back then."
"He told me Ethan's Metagross had entered the Totem realm."
"At first, I thought it was just a breakthrough."
"But now…"
Victor's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I think it's at least on par with the Dragon Lord of Yunshan."
"…Maybe even stronger."
Silence.
Half a year.
From Apex Overlord to something rivaling the Dragon Lord.
That wasn't training.
That was madness.
In the VIP box, Donovan Kovsky clenched his fists in excitement.
"No… I can't wait anymore."
"I have to get Aurora to Donghuang as soon as possible."
"A son-in-law like this can't be snatched away!"
Aftermath on the Battlefield
Down below, Metagross released Mega Aggron and calmly returned to its Poké Ball.
With the danger resolved, Mega Aggron—already unconscious from Swampert's decisive blow—collapsed to the ground and reverted to its normal form.
Mega Swampert, its strength finally exhausted, also reverted and fell to one knee.
"Swampert, are you okay?"
Ethan rushed over.
Despite being completely spent, Swampert flashed him a huge, toothy grin.
"Swamp~"
Ethan laughed in relief.
"You did amazing."
"You straight-up defeated a King-tier opponent."
Swampert's chest puffed out proudly.
And in that very moment—
The energy it had been bottlenecking finally exploded.
Swampert broke through.
King-tier achieved.
Ethan's fourth King-level Pokémon.
After ensuring Swampert was stable, Ethan recalled it for rest.
Then—
A voice spoke from behind him.
"…Thank you."
Ethan turned.
It was Li Yao.
"That save… you saved my life."
Ethan smiled lightly.
"No need to thank me."
"You're one of Donghuang's greatest assets."
"And I wasn't about to become the guy who got a King killed during an exam."
Li Yao laughed helplessly.
"Fair enough."
"Still… congratulations."
"You're officially a Five-Star Professional Trainer now."
A Celebration—and a Quiet Escape
The stadium erupted.
History had been made.
The youngest Five-Star trainer the Donghuang Alliance had ever seen.
Yet strangely—
Most of the internet buzz wasn't about Ethan's new rank.
It was about that Metagross.
A shiny, silver Metagross.
Massive.
Effortlessly stopping Mega Aggron mid-air.
Speculation went wild.
But the league quietly suppressed coverage.
Some things… weren't meant to spread.
Ethan didn't care.
That night, Victor hosted a massive celebration banquet at the estate.
Relatives.
Alliance officials.
Academy leaders.
Gifts poured in endlessly.
Blue fortunes nonstop.
Even purple fortunes from his grandfather, uncle, and Principal Gao Bing.
Ethan made a fortune.
And finally had more than enough resources for Riolu and Noibat.
Still, Ethan slipped away early.
He preferred quiet.
An Invitation from Qin Yingying
In the garden, Meloetta fluttered over excitedly.
"Ethan! Look!"
"Qin-jie made me a flower crown!"
"It's beautiful," Ethan smiled.
"You thanked her, right?"
"Thank you, Qin-jie!"
Qin Yingying laughed softly.
She was staying one extra day—no direct flight back to the northwest yet.
Unlike the banquet, she loved the garden's calm.
"So," she asked casually,
"Want to visit my hometown tomorrow?"
Ethan hesitated.
But… he was free.
And Qin kept talking—about food, mountains, and a place called Falling Thunder Valley.
Then—
The system chimed.
[Ding! Detected: Golden Opportunity in Falling Thunder Valley]
[Recommendation: Acquire immediately]
Ethan looked up.
A smile slowly formed.
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