Trainers returning from the Kingdom of Roc

Chapter 57: Challenging the Heavenly King

Bai Linfei, the Water Element King, didn't seem too surprised by Luo Yan's sudden challenge.

After ascending to the throne of Elite Four, she encountered all sorts of challengers, including veteran trainers eager to prove themselves, gym leaders aiming for fame, and even strong individuals from other regions.

Challenges and battles have become the norm for her.

Bai Linfei turned her head slightly, her gaze falling on Luo Yan. She looked at the determined young man with great interest, and then her lips curved into a slight smile.

"A battle challenge? I'm fine with that." She gracefully brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear and continued in a soft voice, "But the Pokémon I brought with me this time are my main partners for dealing with all sorts of situations."

Since she was invited by Hou Zhi, and given that the Church of Descent was known to be active in Jiangcheng, Bai Linfei naturally wouldn't just bring a few Pokémon with insufficient combat power here.

Her eyes were fixed on Luo Yan, and the meaning behind her words was crystal clear.

There is a huge gap in strength between the two sides; they are simply not on the same level.

Her main Pokémon are true powerhouses who have honed their attributes and tactics to the extreme through countless high-intensity battles, while Luo Yan, no matter how outstanding he is among the newcomers of the same period, his Pokémon cannot match the Elite Four's team.

This battle may not even qualify as a 'contest,' but rather be one-sided, or even a swift defeat.

Luo Yan's Pokémon might not even be able to withstand a single attack from her main Pokémon.

This is a well-intentioned reminder and a gentle piece of advice. If a new Pokémon experiences such a major setback right from the start, it will be a huge blow to the Pokémon's mental well-being.

Lu Feng, who was standing next to him, also noticed this and showed an understanding expression. He felt that Bai Tianwang had already given him a lot of face, while Hou Hao clenched his fist and made a cheering gesture to Luo Yan.

He didn't know anything about being a "Heavenly King" or anything like that; he simply trusted his brother, nothing more.

Luo Yan saw Hou Hao's actions, then turned to look at Bai Linfei. "I understand. I am very clear about the gap in strength between us. It is perhaps a mountain that I cannot cross right now."

"But please give me this chance."

Luo Yan took a deep breath and said seriously.

"I want to know, when faced with the power that truly stands at the pinnacle of this world, where exactly are the limits for me and my companions?"

"Even if we can only see a tiny outline, even if we can't even withstand a single move, this battle is an experience that my partner and I must go through."

Luo Yan wasn't aiming to win; such a thing was simply impossible in the current climate.

His purpose was to measure, to gauge just how large the gap was between himself and the strongest in this world. This battle would be the most direct way to determine his own position.

This pure desire for battle also caused a faint hint of appreciation to flash in Bai Linfei's eyes.

A moment of silence fell over the air.

Bai Linfei still had a faint smile on her face. She looked directly into Luo Yan's eyes for a long time, and finally nodded gently.

"Not bad eye. Alright, since you insist, I believe your Pokémon won't be defeated by this setback. I accept your challenge. The battle rules are one-on-one free battle, is that alright?"

One-on-one free battles refer to battles where both sides can switch Pokémon at any time as long as no Pokémon is defeated. Simply put, as long as neither Pokémon is defeated instantly, the battle can continue until one of their Pokémon is defeated.

Under these circumstances, Bai Linfei's one-on-one free battle is relatively simple. The unspoken rule is that she will not change her Pokémon, while Luo Yan can conduct a reasonable series of battles while preserving the Pokémon's stamina.

"Then, I'll be the referee," Lu Feng said, stepping forward.

Right next to the rest area on the dojo rooftop is a battle arena. This battle arena is a very basic, standard arena with no extra decorations.

Lu Feng stood in the referee's position. "Then, the battle initiated by challenger Luo Yan is about to begin. The two sides are a rookie trainer from Jiangcheng and Bai Linfei, the Water-type Elite Four member from the Water City. Blue team, please throw your Poké Ball first."

Bai Linfei, the challenged player, stood in the blue team's position, holding a shiny Eevee and throwing a sky-blue Poké Ball with her other hand. "Ready, little brother Luo? My Pokémon is this."

The sky-blue Poké Ball suddenly opened, and with a flash of light, a blue Pokémon with a ring of white fins around its neck, four legs, and a fish tail appeared on the field.

"It's the water spirit of the White King!" Hou Hao blurted out.

"It's officially called Vaporeon now, but it doesn't matter," Lu Feng whispered a reminder from the side, but quickly shook his head and said seriously, "Vaporeon is the White King's third Pokémon, one of the veterans. Xiao Luo is in trouble now."

After a pause, Lu Feng patted Hou Hao on the shoulder again. "Hou Hao, not just anyone can watch a Heavenly King's battle live, especially one like this one that's meant for teaching. You'd better watch this fight carefully."

"Yes!" Hou Hao nodded heavily. In fact, he didn't need Lu Feng's reminder at all. He was already full of excitement and even wished that he was the one standing opposite Bai Tianwang.

On the other hand, Luo Yan also threw out a Poké Ball directly.

The baby Tyrannosaurus Rex that appeared on the battlefield was a baby Tyrannosaurus Rex.

"Awooo!!"

As soon as the baby Tyrannosaurus Rex appeared, it let out a loud roar.

"Wow—this is a living, breathing prehistoric Pokémon!" Bai Linfei's lips curled up, and she suddenly felt that agreeing to this battle was not a bad idea. After all, even as an Elite Four member, this was her first time fighting against a prehistoric Pokémon.

But she quickly noticed something was wrong. "Wait, the color of your baby Tyrannosaurus Rex..."

"That's right, Brother Luo's baby Tyrannosaurus is also a rare shiny Pokémon!" Hou Hao's voice came from outside the battlefield, and this simple sentence instantly exploded in Bai Linfei and Lu Feng's minds like thunder.

Even Lu Feng was hearing about this for the first time.

Even Hou Zhi didn't know that Luo Yan's baby Tyrannosaurus Rex was shiny!

"It's just a different color." This was also one of Luo Yan's goals in the challenge. As long as the White King acknowledged ownership of this baby Tyrannosaurus Rex, no one would bother him anymore. "Brother Lu Feng, can we announce the start now?"

"Ah...ah! Both sides, please prepare yourselves. Baby Tyrannosaurus will face off against Vaporeon—"

"The match begins!!"

...