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August.
After everyone had submitted their applications, the new students arrived.
Their setup was similar to Li Xiang's group back in the day—lugging large bags and small, streaming in through the gate, dense and bustling like ants.
And they, as seniors, were unexpectedly allowed to watch, though the no-recording rule was a bit of a shame.
The process was pretty much the same as before, no differences.
The first challenge was just having their luggage taken away and then searching for it with their Pokémon. However, from a different perspective, it was especially amusing.
There was a difference between being unlucky yourself and watching others be unlucky.
"Honestly, if you hadn't stepped up back then, we'd probably still be running around the field. Top ten? Basically impossible," Qu Sheng remarked, watching the flustered students search for their luggage.
"It's not that exaggerated. Without prior preparation, luck might have led you straight to it," Li Xiang replied with a smile. With Qu Sheng and the others' skills, a point or two wouldn't have made much difference.
"You said it yourself—'might.' There are plenty of 'mights' in this world," Yang Tianwang added.
The group "patrolled" leisurely, their relaxed demeanor drawing quite a bit of attention, but since most were still searching for their luggage, hardly anyone paid them any mind.
Arriving at the field, it was the familiar setup, the same six instructors, and the familiar Camp Leader Xiang.
"Hm? What are you all doing here?" Xiang Yangwei asked curiously. "Here to see the top ten?"
The group nodded. The top ten in luggage-finding didn't mean much; they were mainly curious to see if there was another talent like Li Xiang.
"How long did it take us to find ours back then?" Li Xiang whispered to Song Jie.
Song Jie shook his head. "Half an hour? Twenty minutes? Can't really remember unimportant details."
"That's not the point! The point is, did anyone start a group chat?!" Yang Tianwang shouted nearby.
They were all quite eager to see the next Li Xiang.
Unfortunately, no such person appeared in the Qingcheng Youth Training Camp.
They all just settled on their instructors and dorms and left. According to Corviknight's observations, every single one of them went back to their dorms.
Disappointing.
"This is the worst batch I've ever seen!" Yang Tianwang lamented dramatically. The others quickly distanced themselves from him to avoid collateral damage when he inevitably got hit.
He glared. "Am I wrong? They're just not up to par."
This guy had become particularly arrogant after learning his total score and national ranking.
But he did have the capital to be arrogant.
After all, among all the Youth Training Camp graduates nationwide, Yang Tianwang making it into the top hundred was no small feat.
Counting everyone, Li Xiang was undeniably first, his score leaving Song Jie, who was sixth, in the dust.
Next was Wu Ruoxue at sixteenth—this girl was truly remarkable. Then came Fang Xin, Qu Sheng, Luo Dayou, Yang Tianwang, Xu Wan, and Lin Feng.
Lin Feng just made it to one hundred. Within the Qingcheng Youth Training Camp, nine were in the top hundred.
It had to be said… This was something worth celebrating.
Xiang Yangwei allowing them to roam the campus was also related to this outstanding achievement.
After feeling disappointed by the newcomers, everyone returned to their dorms to rest.
In the afternoon, the newcomers' pre-meal battles.
Li Xiang took a quick stroll around, and no matter how he looked at it, he only saw two words—"feeding material."
With broader horizons, these low-level matches were good for a laugh, but trying to find promising talent here was truly impossible.
After wandering around, he headed to the A-class arena to take up his post for the final boss rush. There, he found a crowd of onlookers.
Without a doubt, these were newcomers, pointing and gossiping about the two battling inside. Though Fang Xin and the others had disappeared from the school for a year, they had left behind many legends.
The eliminated students had spread the word. They weren't allowed to disclose specific details about the camp, but they could talk about who was strong.
Naturally, most of the eliminated students pointed fingers at Li Xiang, the mountain weighing down on everyone.
Moreover, although news from inside the camp hadn't spread publicly yet, many who followed the Youth Training Camp had a rough idea of who the national first was.
In recent years, trainers had gradually shifted toward being more like athletes, becoming more civilized. But no matter what, as exemplars of individuals wielding superhuman power, trainers would always be in the spotlight.
In a technological world where personal prowess meant little, even the national fitness test top scorer could gain minor fame. In the Pokémon world, the clearly designated national top youth trainer would inevitably attract widespread attention.
This was something Li Xiang couldn't escape.
So, every single one of these spectating students was here for him, and after he appeared nearby, those who recognized him indeed crowded around.
Most were asking all sorts of questions—how he trained his Pokémon, why he was so strong, whether he cheated. Some even asked for autographs...
Li Xiang really didn't understand what was so great about his autograph.
After brushing off these students, he entered another A-class arena, silently waiting for the others to arrive.
Those without points naturally weren't allowed inside. Armored officers guarded the entrance, so Li Xiang didn't have to worry about unrelated people coming in to spout nonsense.
Before long, the various "brave ones" arrived, hoping to challenge the "Demon King" and improve themselves before everyone went their separate ways.
And their performance...
Instant-kill battles hardly showed any performance; if anything, it was just Li Xiang's solo show.
Like, tanking a Water Gun to forcefully take down a Primarina, ignoring Double-Edge to get close for Close Combat, outspeeding a Porygon2 until it got dizzy and knocking it out with one punch, using Aerial Ace to run circles around a Blaziken, or Icy Wind to keep a Rillaboom from sliding.
Other highlights included a mobile 'Washing Machine' electrocuting a Blastoise, or a Brave Bird diving from a hundred meters high to smash a Sceptile.
The students outside went from wondering why these graduates were so weak, whether they were throwing the match, to—
"WTF, how is this guy so strong? Is there no justice? No humanity?"
This brief process.. unless you were blind, you probably wouldn't see it.
Otherwise, anyone with any battle sense would know that the others weren't not fighting back—they just didn't have a chance to!
"I didn't believe he was national first before, but I do now."
"He didn't get held back, did he? He looks like he's sixteen or seventeen."
"Thank goodness he's not in our year. Long live the Tower Lord."
"He's so handsome! But that white-haired one is slightly more handsome!"
"Right, right! I want to get his WeChat number!"
"Add me too!"
The newcomers chattered noisily; it seemed the seniors had left quite an impression on them. Unfortunately, the seniors were aloof, especially those two ridiculously handsome and strong ones.
Basically, no one could get anything out of them, whether it was phone numbers or WeChat numbers.
Dorm harassment was also prohibited; you couldn't even knock on their doors.
Just like that, a short half-month passed.
...…...
Interview time arrived.
At the same time, after the interviews ended and all points were used up, the graduates could leave the Youth Training Camp.
Mancheng Battle Arena.
Higher education institutions from all over Zhu Xia gathered in this stadium-like venue, waiting to make their selections.
Li Xiang's friends were basically set. For Shanghai University, the top hundred were definitely wanted, unless higher-ranked applicants swarmed in and snatched all the spots.
As for Li Xiang, he wasn't really nervous. He'd been surprised at first, but after adjusting, he didn't feel much. With his results, he could go anywhere in Zhu Xia; there was nothing to worry about.
This time, he was here to fight for better benefits, not to interview for a job or take college entrance exams where he might fail.
Song Jie was absolutely set too. If Mist City University didn't want the national sixth place, then Mist City had to be out of its mind.
Wu Ruoxue was also in a similar situation.
Everyone slowly got off the bus. And then, suddenly someone shouted, "The Qingcheng group is over here!"
After those words, a crowd surged over, surrounding them, cameras flashing madly.
"Which one is Li Xiang?"
"Student Li Xiang, how do you feel about becoming the national first?"
"Which school is Student Li Xiang applying to? Shen Island? Tiandu?"
Question after question bombarded Li Xiang like explosives. Microphones were shoved toward his mouth, as if afraid he couldn't handle it.
The reporter profession, for firsthand news, was crazy in any world. Thankfully, the armored officers at the venue weren't just for show. The reporters were driven away just as their questions started.
Li Xiang and the others were also escorted inside the venue under their protection.
Free from the reporters' harassment, everyone silently breathed a sigh of relief. When had they ever experienced such a scene at their young age?
Only Song Jie's expression remained calm. He'd attended press conferences with his father as a child and been on TV; he was used to such scenes.
But unexpectedly, after entering the venue, another storm surged toward them.
"Student Li Xiang! Tiandu University, your second choice, is here!"
"Junior! Come check out Shen Island University!"
"Shanghai University has very beautiful seniors! Junior Li Xiang, come take a look! The school assigns jobs!"
"Longdu University is a great place! Junior, listen to me! There are tons of pretty girls here!"
"Yandu University welcomes you, junior! It doesn't matter if you didn't list us!"
"Sakura University has the best scenery! Tons of Pokémon!"
It was the other four schools he'd applied to, plus some schools he hadn't even listed.
They crowded around, endlessly urging Li Xiang to come take a look. Behind them, many teachers stood in small groups, talking and watching him expectantly.
'Holy crap... this is exaggerated, right?'
Just after entering, before he could even get a clear look inside, Li Xiang felt himself being pulled in every direction by countless hands, completely helpless.
The Zhu Xia Big Six were acting like hooligans, completely unlike their usual goddess-like demeanor. They deployed beauties and all sorts of tactics, fighting over Li Xiang's allegiance. The teachers were practically joining in too.
Nearby, Song Jie was receiving similar treatment.
National top six—also a target of their competition.
So, where was Mist City University, his first choice, you ask?
Well…. Smirking coldly at the edge of the crowd, because their ace bomb was about to be dropped.
Mist City U: 'Let's see who can outdo whom!'
Just as they thought, the crowd suddenly erupted with gasps!
'It's here!'
The Mist City University students' eyes lit up!