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When an Elite Four appears, all others bow.
That might sound a bit chuunibyou, but what unfolded before Li Xiang and the others was precisely that scene.
Amidst continuous exclamations of surprise, the crowd parted like a receding tide, clearing a distinct path.
The students who had been surrounding Li Xiang turned their heads instinctively at the sound, their expressions shifting as they silently released his clothes and stepped back.
In the distance, the remaining teachers from the Top Five universities wore stiff or grim expressions. Some began making phone calls, while others felt it was pointless.
Could they possibly summon Xia Chunyu themselves?
Anyway, for Li Xiang and his group, the most immediate change was the sudden clarity of the air.
Previously, his nostrils had been filled with all sorts of scents—Perfume, sweat, foundation... even fruity fragrances. It was almost suffocating. Only when those people retreated and the surrounding air rushed in did breathing become easier.
Also, the area grew much quieter, a stark contrast to the earlier noise.
Li Xiang calmly looked up.
Elite Four Mo Ye, holding his long sword, walked steadily down the path with a composed expression, his eyes fixed on him.
He had come as promised.
"Let's go."
Mo Ye said calmly, his tall figure turning slightly. "By the way, call the other first-choice applicants from Mist City too."
"Alright."
Li Xiang nodded. Under the astonished gazes of others, he signaled to Song Jie and Wu Ruoxue with a tilt of his head. The two nodded slightly and stepped forward.
"Li Xiang..."
"Shh, I'll explain later."
Li Xiang cut them off—it wasn't something that could be explained quickly. He gave them a look, hoping they'd understand.
The three followed behind Mo Ye, heading into the depths of the venue.
After a long while…
"Is it too late for me to change my application now?"
A student asked.
"Change what? Do you think you're the national topper? That treatment is only for him! Stop dreaming!"
His companion retorted sharply.
This exchange seemed to open the floodgates, turning the entrance of the venue into a bustling market once again. Many rushed outside to deliver this bombshell news to the reporters waiting there.
—It was common for students and reporters to collaborate. After all, who wouldn't want to make money?
The crowd buzzed with discussions, all centered around the shocking scene they had just witnessed.
Was the national topper really that important? Enough to draw an Elite Four?
It didn't seem likely.
While Li Xiang was exceptionally talented, there had been young trainers his age who far surpassed their peers in the past. Yet no Elite Four had ever personally come to recruit them!
The students from various universities who had surrounded Li Xiang earlier couldn't help but complain.
"How are we supposed to compete now? He's already been taken away."
"Right? Who dares to argue with the Abyssal Elite Four, Mo Ye?"
"What's the point of even talking? No matter how good our offers are, they're useless now!"
"I even almost lifted my skirt earlier."
"Lifted your skirt? How shameless!"
"None of your business! Get lost, loser!"
"My credits!"
The universities naturally didn't expect their students to work for free. Successfully recruiting Li Xiang would mean both resources and credits.
Unfortunately, all of this vanished like a bubble after Mo Ye's arrival.
Among the teachers from the Top Five and other universities, phone calls were made one after another—to department heads, principals, and even the board.
To secure Li Xiang, they had not only made grand promises but also secured commitments for unprecedented resources. Some of the offers were even historically high.
But it was all in vain. Elite Four, Mo Ye had taken him.
The moment he arrived at the venue, all their conditions paled in comparison.
From now on, unless Li Xiang himself refused to go to Mist City, they might as well give up.
'Hang in there, young man! What's an Elite Four? Your future would be brighter with us!'
'...Sigh, if only we had gone down earlier and taken him by force.'
The teachers watched Li Xiang disappear into the distance, exchanged polite nods, and returned to their positions.
All their preparations had been for nothing. They had even prepared speeches.
The six top universities, which had once acted like hooligans toward a certain young man, once again became aloof goddesses, wrapping themselves tightly.
Different fates for different people.
...…..
Qingcheng Team.
Yang Tianwang and the others exchanged glances, silently communicating.
They had only learned about the Elite Four's visit two days ago from Li Xiang in the group chat.
At first, they didn't believe it.
But now...
"Didn't Li Xiang say it was a teacher from one of the top six? How did it become an Elite Four?"
Yang Tianwang said, pretending to be angry.
"Yeah! This guy kept it from us!" Qu Sheng chimed in.
"When he comes back, let's grab him and throw him into the bushes!" Lin Feng whispered, plotting revenge.
Their banter helped ease the complex expressions on the others' faces.
'Right. Maybe Mo Ye had decided to come at the last minute.'
Xu Wan leaned on Lin Feng's shoulder, pretending to be heartbroken but barely holding back her laughter.
'What a bunch of drama queens.'
...….
Mist City University's designated area.
Like the other top six universities, it was located at the very back of the venue but occupied the largest space with the highest flag.
On the flag, within a shield-like outline, was a verdant tree. On either side were ancient characters, and at the top were two majestic beast-like figures.
At first glance, they resembled Suicune.
"That is the Tree of Beginning."
Mo Ye said abruptly from ahead.
Li Xiang withdrew his gaze. "You mean the origin of all things?"
The Tree of Beginning—legend had it that Arceus created Mew, a new Pokémon containing the genes of all Pokémon across past, present, and future, on this tree that supported heaven and earth.
And from Mew, all other Pokémon proliferated.
"Correct."
Mo Ye nodded, leading the three into the designated area.
The first thing they saw was a spacious reception area. A table was placed at the entrance, with several students seated there. They stood up excitedly upon seeing the group.
"P-Professor!"
"Mn."
Mo Ye acknowledged them, then called inside, "Chao! Take care of them!"
"Coming! Coming!"
A dark-skinned young man with an Aipom on his shoulder walked out, holding a stack of papers and a pen. "Everything is ready, Professor!"
Mo Ye turned to Song Jie and Wu Ruoxue. "You two, go with him."
"Alright."
The two nodded.
The young man named "Chao" led them away.
"My name is 'Chao'. I'm a fourth-year, so your senior. The interviews will be conducted by me and another teacher. If you have any requests, feel free to tell me..."
The three gradually disappeared.
Mo Ye then took Li Xiang to a small room at the very back of the area.
It was somewhat cramped due to the venue's overall size, but it still easily fit two chairs and a table.
'...Kinda feels like an interrogation room?'
Li Xiang looked around and proactively sat in the interviewee's seat.
Mo Ye sat opposite him, never letting go of his sword, and spoke first, "It's just the two of us here. Whatever you want to say or ask for, go ahead."
The important figure spoke with a tone that suggested he had already secured Li Xiang. As if he were already a student of Mist City University.
Li Xiang didn't feel offended. He glanced around and softly asked, "Professor Mo, why did you call me?"
He was incredibly curious about this.
Was it because of his talent? To recruit talent for Mist City University?
It was possible, but unlikely.
In Li Xiang's memory, Mo Ye was known by many as the most pure trainer. He had no interest in anything beyond improving his Pokémon's strength, focusing entirely on battles, chasing his rival, Xia Chunyu.
So much so that even after turning thirty, there were no rumors of romance—some even said he had never held a girl's hand.
The closest women to him were his fellow Elite Four and rival, Nan Gongmeng, and his family.
Online, some called him asexual, others said he admired Xia Chunyu. Some even claimed he was a robot.
For someone like this to actively call a student...
Li Xiang found it hard to comprehend.
After all, they had only met once before, and it was during Li Xiang's most disheveled moment.
"Because both my sister and I want you to come to Mist City University."
Mo Ye's eyes were calm. "That's the reason. My sister gave me your number. I don't like talking to 'representatives,' so I came to find you on interview day."
"Representatives" likely referred to his parents. Li Xiang twitched his mouth, surprised by the Elite Four's bluntness.
It suited his personality.
And Mo Ye's sister was probably the current principal of Mist City University, Bai Wanhua, also the youngest principal among the top six universities.
Was the Abyssal Elite Four no longer solely focused on battles? Was he now nurturing the next generation of young trainers?
Li Xiang felt this news could sell for a lot of money.
Why would Mo Ye undergo such a change...
The only connection between them was their brief encounter at the underground palace in Saizhou.
"You want me to go to Mist City University because of last year, don't you?"
Li Xiang asked softly. He wouldn't have asked this question if it were anyone else but Mo Ye.
"Correct, that was initially the case."
Mo Ye was honest, disdaining lies and beating around the bush—which was why Li Xiang dared to ask. "But not anymore."
"I think you're decent. In battles, you could achieve something."
He spoke slowly. "You remind me of Xia Chunyu when he was young. Part of an Elite Four's duty is to nurture successors."
'Damn.'
If Lin Feng heard this, he'd probably chew Li Xiang to death.
Li Xiang's thoughts drifted, his demeanor gradually relaxing. Mo Ye was easier to get along with than he had imagined. He had been slightly nervous earlier, wondering if this important figure wore a mask.
But now it seemed Mo Ye truly was like this.
Rubbing his nose, Li Xiang straightened up. "In that case, Professor, I'd like to make some requests."
He was definitely going to Mist City University. The conditions he would propose next would determine what his six years in Mist City would be like.
"Go ahead."
Mo Ye nodded, taking a sip of water from the table, as if ready to listen to Li Xiang's demands.