"I never expected a game to draw a larger crowd than our traditional festivals. External tourist traffic is up 60% compared to our peak season; it's unprecedented."
In the high-altitude offices of the Sky-Faring Commission, Yukong studied the population flow reports with a mixture of pride and exhaustion. Beside her, Tingyun fanned herself, her tail twitching with amusement.
"The culture of the Xianzhou has reached corners of the galaxy we couldn't touch with standard diplomacy, Madam Yukong," Tingyun noted. "When you have billions of fans, even a one-percent turnout is enough to drown a space station."
Yukong's expression turned sharp. "It caught us off guard once, but it won't happen twice. I want air traffic control on high alert—no clogged lanes. If the Sky-Faring Commission is short-handed, borrow a battalion from the Cloud Knights. We must ensure the quality and price of goods are strictly regulated. Julian Reed handed us this golden opportunity; I will not let the Luofu's reputation be tarnished by price-gouging or chaos."
"Understood, Madam Yukong," the messengers replied in unison, scurrying off to their posts.
Yukong turned to the window, looking down at the endless sea of people filling the plazas. Not even the Starward Martial Ceremony had felt this global. Pokémon was no longer just a game; it was a bridge.
The Liuyundu Stadium
Three days of preparation vanished in a heartbeat. The morning of the first Pokémon Master Challenge arrived with a roar that could be heard from the Exalting Sanctum. The Liuyundu Stadium was packed to the rafters, a sea of glowing light-sticks and holographic banners.
"Welcome, everyone, to the Xianzhou Luofu! I'm your host, Owlbert!"
The Interastral Peace Entertainment mascot hovered over the center of the arena, his wings flapping with theatrical flair. "Before we dive into the blood, sweat, and Poké Balls, let us thank Arceus Studio and the Xianzhou Alliance for making this miracle possible! Now, enough talk—let the opening ceremony begin!"
The lights dimmed. Suddenly, the entire stadium floor transformed. Holographic projectors turned the sterile stone into a vibrant, sprawling forest.
Bang!
Fireworks erupted in the shape of a Poké Ball, and the high-octane prelude of "Aim to be a Pokémon Master" blasted through the speakers. The crowd began to chant along, but the noise reached a fever pitch when a lone figure stepped into the center of the holographic grass.
"Robin!"
The galactic superstar stood center-stage, her voice soaring over the stadium:
"I caught a Pokémon!
Inside the fire, deep in the water, through the grass of the great forest...
In the soil, in the clouds, or right in your pocket... you must find it!"
As she sang, digital Pokémon swarmed the arena. A Butterfree danced around her microphone; a Squirtle and Bulbasaur engaged in a playful skirmish above the audience's heads. The performance culminated as Robin raised a hand to the sky.
A piercing shriek echoed from the heavens. A bird of living flame tore through the clouds, plummeting toward the stadium's center.
"It's Moltres!" the fans screamed.
The legendary bird dived into the massive ceremonial torch at the heart of the arena, igniting a pillar of white-hot fire that would burn for the duration of the tournament. Small torches along the perimeter ignited in a chain reaction, bathing the stadium in a warm, triumphant glow.
"Thank you, Ms. Robin, for that breathtaking performance!" Owlbert shouted as the singer took her bow. "And now, under the eternal flame of Moltres, I declare the first Pokémon Master Challenge... officially open!"
The Exhibition Match
Owlbert spent the next few minutes introducing the top 32. From the stoic Arlan to the mysterious "Fruit Shop Part-timer," each name was met with thunderous applause. The bracket was shuffled on the big screen, and the first official match was set: Yan Le (Xianzhou) vs. Arlan (Herta Space Station).
"But wait!" Owlbert interjected, his eyes gleaming. "Before the tournament begins, we have a special treat. A trainer who needs no introduction—the man who dreamt this world into existence. Please welcome the producer of Pokémon, Mr. Julian Reed!"
Julian stepped out from the tunnel, blinking against the blinding spotlights.
"Julian! Buff the Pikachu line!"
"Release Generation Two tomorrow!"
"I love you, Architect!"
The cheers were deafening. Julian walked to the trainer's box, feeling the weight of thousands of gazes. He looked across the field to the empty opposing box.
"Mr. Reed," Owlbert said, landing nearby. "Everyone is dying to know: why an exhibition match? And who could possibly be worthy of facing the creator himself on this stage?"
Julian adjusted his collar, a small, confident smile playing on his lips. "The purpose is simple. I want to show the galaxy what a 'Soul Connection' truly looks like. As for my opponent..."
He looked toward the opposite tunnel. "She's been asking for a rematch since we first started coding the Kanto region."
From the shadows of the far tunnel, a girl in a signature jacket stepped out, blowing a bubble of digital gum that popped with a sharp crack.
"Silver Wolf?!" the crowd gasped.
The world's greatest hacker stepped into the light, her eyes fixed on Julian with predatory focus. "The Architect versus the Programmer," she said, her voice amplified by the stadium speakers. "Let's see if your 'Soul' can keep up with my logic, Julian."
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