Area E, Field 7
Inside the hotel, a certain room.
Eevee was touching a drink bottle, looking serious.
Now it had a good grasp of Ground-type energy, and could steadily and continuously manipulate Sand Attack, keeping it spinning at high speed.
At this moment, the sand inside the bottle kept spinning. After a few seconds, the bottle expanded directly, and the sand scattered all over the floor.
Eevee was already skilled at this step, and could even do it while watching TV.
However, Eevee still couldn't quite master the final step of Counter Shield, which was to expand the range of Sand Attack's rotation.
"Alright."
Seeing Eevee effortlessly burst open the drink bottle, Fang Yuan nodded and said, "The Little Phoenix King Cup will last for a week. I hope we can make even greater progress during this time."
"Eevee!" Eevee's eyes burned with passion.
The prize money was right in front of it.
It would soon have its own phone! "Warm-up's over, let's go," Fang Yuan said.
It was almost 7 a.m. now. Fang Yuan's first battle in the Little Phoenix King Cup was at 9 a.m., so he and Eevee had to hurry to the Oriental Pearl Arena.
Since these days were all preliminary rounds, many matches were being held simultaneously, and Fang Yuan and Eevee were assigned to Area E, Field 7.
This situation of multiple matches being held simultaneously would continue until the top 128 were decided.
At that time, every match would be held on the same field, and the surroundings would be filled with spectators.
According to annual practice, media and public figures would also come to watch the matches when they reached the top 16.
"Phew, we're finally here, there are so many people..."
Although there were no spectators yet, there were many contestants. The Oriental Pearl Arena was noisy and lively, and Fang Yuan almost fainted.
"Did you hear? There's a BT in Area C. That Trainer's Scyther is extremely fast. It didn't even use any moves in the battle, it just solved the opponent with a slash of its scythe."
The preliminary rounds started at 8 a.m. every day, and Fang Yuan was clearly not in the first batch to battle.
"What?! Could it be that the enemy was too weak?"
"I don't know, I don't know, I just hope I don't run into him."
"Minami Kotori appeared in Area A... no, Rowlet! It's a Pokémon that we rarely see in our country. I really want to battle its Trainer."
"Hahaha, the opponent is so weak, they're just here to make up the numbers. It's so easy to win."
Listening to the conversations of the contestants who had already finished their battles along the way, Fang Yuan not only didn't feel nervous, but became even calmer.
Because he also saw a few battles that were in progress, and found that most of the Trainers were indeed very weak. They probably signed up after their Pokémon hatched without even training them a few times.
These people... would basically become stepping stones for those contestants who were seriously preparing for battle.
"I can see now, there are only a few like me and Eevee who have been doing hellish training for the past two months," Fang Yuan shrugged helplessly.
Soon, it was Fang Yuan's turn to take the field.
He arrived early next to Area E, Field 7, and waited. After the referee shouted the number through the loudspeaker, Fang Yuan raised his hand and walked into the isolated field.
At the same time, Fang Yuan also saw his first opponent.
It was a cute girl with a round face and glasses.
Logically speaking, Fang Yuan should be at least a little nervous when battling in such a public competition, but seeing the opponent's flustered expression, he couldn't feel nervous at all.
"The battle rule is 1V1. Now, send out your Pokémon and start the battle on my command," the referee said simply.
In this kind of formal setting, Pokémon can't be casually left outside except during battles, so Eevee had to obediently stay in its Poké Ball.
In addition, since everyone is a Rookie Trainer, with a standard of one Pokémon each, there are no rules for who goes first or second. The process is simple and crude. After the referee gives the command, they can start fighting directly.
"Um... please be gentle, and please show mercy."
The girl with glasses opposite Fang Yuan took out a Poké Ball, pressed it to release Lotad, and said nervously.
Lotad is a small blue Pokémon with a yellow beak-like mouth and six small blue feet, with a lotus leaf on its back. Its types are Water and Grass.
Very cute, seems like a newbie.
"Don't worry, I won't let Lotad suffer for too long."
Fang Yuan replied, then threw the Poké Ball into the air, released Eevee, and then steadily caught the falling Poké Ball, his movements smooth and flowing.
One side released their Pokémon by pressing a button, while the other stylishly threw a Poké Ball to release their Pokémon. Fang Yuan's presence was immediately highlighted.
Coupled with his merciless reply, he looked like a complete villain.
"I..." Fang Yuan's opponent didn't know what to say. After the referee gave the command to start the battle, she directly and angrily gave the order: "Lotad, use Bubble."
"Eevee, Quick Attack to finish it."
The next second after Fang Yuan spoke, Lotad, who was still gurgling bubbles, only felt a flash before its eyes, and the Eevee opposite it suddenly disappeared from its sight.
The scattered bubbles hadn't even found their target yet, and the water splashed all over the place after the explosion. At this time, Eevee had already crossed half the field and arrived behind Lotad...
"So fast!"
"Not good, Lotad..."
Before the girl with glasses could finish speaking, Eevee used the speed and power of Quick Attack to knock Lotad away, directly causing it to lose its ability to battle.
Unsurprisingly, the opponent was a noob, far worse than Liu Le. Eevee hadn't even used its fastest speed before the opponent fell.
"Lotad is unable to battle. No. 444 Fang Yuan advances. Please pay attention to the Official Website for the next battle information."
After the referee announced the result, Fang Yuan recalled Eevee.
...
Fang Yuan: The first battle went smoothly. Senior Du Ai, I don't think the tactics you taught me are very suitable for me.
In the small group chat of the Pingcheng First High School Psychological Society, Fang Yuan, who had finished the battle, reported the good news to everyone.
President: What? Du Ai taught you something? How come I don't know?
Fang Yuan: Yesterday, Senior Du Ai privately told me that psychological warfare is also part of the battle. Using trash talk to interfere with others in advance will cause the opponent to collapse mentally and make wrong judgments. I thought it made sense, so I tried it today, but because the opponent was too weak, I didn't see any effect. Instead, I felt a little guilty in the end.
Senior: What did you say?
Fang Yuan described his battle process just now.
Vice President: "Damn, you're too straightforward, aren't you? You have to pick your targets for trash talk. The cute girl you were facing even asked you to show mercy. You could at least pretend to be polite."
Senior: "Don't listen to Du Ai's poisonous words..."
Du Ai: "Huh? Talking about me behind my back while I'm not there? Fang Yuan, don't listen to them. Trash talk is definitely useful. Trust me, gaining some experience now won't hurt you."
Fang Yuan pondered for a moment...
Then replied: "Then I'll try again in the afternoon battles?"
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