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'Using this method to hinder Incineroar's Fighting-type moves, huh…'
Li Xiang frowned slightly.
Most Fighting-type moves concentrated energy on a single part of the body, rarely covering the entire form.
If one wanted to neutralize an opponent's move, Mud Bomb was undoubtedly the optimal solution. Perhaps the venom-laced mud could even hit the opponent and poison it.
Abigail's plan was clear, her strategy obvious. But what he paid more attention to was Houndoom's offensive capability.
Just based on the earlier Snarl's performance, it already exceeded his understanding of that move. Not to mention, while Incineroar's Special Attack wasn't its strongest point, it shouldn't be suppressed so easily.
And Houndoom had just had its Special Attack lowered!
What level of training was required to achieve such a result?
'Could it be that she also had Candies to use?'
Li Xiang couldn't help but complain inwardly, though he understood that for a genius enjoying vast resources, such proficiency wasn't strange.
When Song Jie reached this stage, he wouldn't be any worse than Abigail.
After all, ordinary people training Pokémon were doing addition, while privileged geniuses were doing multiplication.
To be honest.. at this stage, Abigail was only slightly weaker than his senior sister. And among the trainers Li Xiang had fought at the Wintercrow Club, she was at least stronger than those at the Great Ball tier-nine!
If not for Li Xiang's existence, she would be the one called a monster.
Being able to compete in her third year meant she truly had skill. Moreover, she clearly still had plenty of trump cards left unplayed.
Li Xiang licked his lips, feeling slightly eager to see Houndoom's next performance.
Not far away, Incineroar's advance was hindered, but it didn't seem impatient.
It looked at the Houndoom opposite it, reddish-brown smoke gradually rising from its body. It clenched its fists, muscles suddenly bulging, right foot slightly stepping back, assuming the Beng Quan starting stance.
Instantly, an indescribable aura swept outwards, carrying a suffocating pressure that weighed on the hearts of the spectators.
"What is that?"
"Intimidate?"
"What stance is that? Do you know, Captain?"
"Not sure."
Su Qian shook her head, focusing intently on Incineroar, unwilling to miss any detail.
On the field.
"Nasty Plot."
Abigail remained calm, as if unaffected by the scene that had stunned the onlookers, greedily choosing a boosting move.
The Houndoom in front of her slightly raised its head, boldly exposing its neck despite knowing its opponent had sharp claws, looking down on Incineroar with a contemptuous gaze. A mist appeared above its head.
Special Attack sharply increased!
While Houndoom used Nasty Plot, Incineroar, surrounded by red smoke, pounced forward!
Close Combat!
Fierce punches and kicks, infused with Beng Quan techniques, each strike aimed at Houndoom's vital points!
Houndoom had just finished using Nasty Plot and couldn't use a move immediately, yet it wasn't flustered at all, even actively meeting the attack!
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!
A continuous series of dull impacts echoed across the field!
'Blocked!'
Li Xiang's mind was shaken. He maintained a calm expression, but his pupils involuntarily constricted.
On the field.
The dark demon dog was actually using its horns, neck, and the exoskeleton on its legs to continuously block Incineroar's punches and kicks, greatly reducing the power of Close Combat!
Its posture was as if it had used Detect, completely seeing through the opponent's attack paths!
'How is this possible?'
This wasn't the first time Li Xiang had seen such a scene.
When battling his senior sister's Pokémon before, her Pokémon, due to their deep understanding of Beng Quan, had perfectly blocked attacks using Beng Quan techniques.
But what about Abigail? Did she also know Beng Quan?
For a moment, Li Xiang's breathing grew slightly heavy, alarm bells ringing in his mind. He shouted, "Fall back!"
Incineroar had just finished using Close Combat. Hearing this, it hurriedly crossed its arms in front of itself!
At that moment, the passively defending Houndoom suddenly opened its mouth, releasing a wave of earthy yellow light!
Hidden Power - Ground!
The dazzling light illuminated the surroundings and sent Incineroar flying backward!
Boom!
A heart-wrenching dull impact.
'It was Hidden Power - Ground, and with such power!'
Li Xiang watched as Incineroar landed in front of him, quickly flipped up. It had large scorch marks on its body, its face ferocious. He suddenly gained a whole new understanding of Houndoom's Special Attack capability.
For the first time, he felt what his previous opponents must have felt against him.
'—This Special Attack is ridiculously high.'
Both were fourth-year students, yet the difference between the reserve delinquent from Sakura University and the official team member from Mist City University was so vast.
"How do you feel?"
He asked in a low voice.
"Roar..." (It hurts like hell.)
Incineroar responded quietly, but the excitement and pleasure on its face didn't diminish in the slightest. Its eyes remained fixed on the distant Houndoom, as if looking at a dream lover.
After all, for it, bullying the weak was actually quite boring and monotonous.
If not for Li Xiang's strong insistence and the fact that fighting weaker opponents also allowed for growth, there were many battles it wouldn't have wanted to fight.
Only powerful Pokémon like Houndoom were what it truly wanted, truly desired to defeat!
That Hidden Power - Ground hurt, but it also made the belt around its waist burn even more fiercely.
'I've never been afraid of anyone in my life!'
'No matter what kind of dog you are.. I'll still fight you!'
'Without Bulk Up, and can't use Fire-type moves? I still have high output!'
The feline Incineroar panted heavily, its eyes gradually covered with blood vessels, muscles all over its body squirming before tightening like steel reinforcement!
Opposite it.
Houndoom didn't pursue, its arrogant eyes coldly watching the roaring tiger, like a superior looking down on an inferior. But its slightly trembling body and paws proved that the earlier Close Combat wasn't useless; it hadn't completely tanked it all.
"Even the metal bones couldn't block it... I see. And this physical defense, no wonder it was highlighted in red."
Abigail murmured softly.
The shock was mutual. Li Xiang was surprised by Houndoom's blocking skill and Special Attack, while Abigail was astonished by Incineroar's endurance and attack power.
"It's coming, Hidden Power!"
She said quietly.
Houndoom lowered its body, its maw full of sharp teeth slightly opening, gathering earthy yellow light.
Just as she said, Incineroar charged forward again, eyes blazing, still using Drain Punch!
But the two vortices were noticeably larger than before!
"Roar!"
Houndoom let out an angry howl. Intense light shot from its mouth, transforming into a fierce wave of earthy yellow energy that surged forward!
"Roar!!"
Incineroar roared back, not willing to be outdone. As if giving up on defense, it faced the energy wave head-on, planting its feet firmly on the ground!
Boom!
Energy exploded!
Dust billowed outwards in all directions!
The spectators outside the field were stunned, thinking Li Xiang was placing too much trust in Incineroar's defensive capabilities.
Could one just randomly take a Hidden Power of this caliber?
But soon, they understood that Incineroar really could just take it!
From within the dust, the unrestrained and arrogant tiger charged out. The fiercely burning belt around its waist almost turned into a jade-like material. High temperatures continuously eroded its body, pain constantly stimulated its brain, but made the vortices in its hands even brighter!
The more it hurt, the stronger it became!
"Roar!!"
Amidst Houndoom's slightly incredulous expression, Incineroar laughed maniacally as it leaped high, descending like a demon god, swinging its blazing fists down upon it!
Beng Quan · Earth-Shaking Cannon Hammer!
Red light flashed brightly!
Boom!
The ground trembled terrifyingly!
Everyone saw Houndoom as if hit on the head by a steamroller, its body sinking!
Then, the ground beneath it cracked like a spiderweb!
'How much strength was that!?'
Houndoom forced itself to support its body. The intense pain in its head made its once clear mind grow muddled. The arrogant expression disappeared, replaced entirely by shock and fury!
But Incineroar's attack wasn't over yet.
Drain Punch had restored some of its stamina, allowing it to have more energy to deliver punch after punch to Houndoom's head!
"Roar.. roar.. ROAR!"
It bellowed, putting all its strength into every punch!
As if it wanted to beat Houndoom to death with these fists!
Unfortunately.. Houndoom wasn't prey on its chopping block. By the time Incineroar landed its third punch, a terrifying wave of black energy erupted from Houndoom's center, spreading outwards in all directions!
Omnidirectional, no blind spots!
BOOM——!!
The air trembled and shrieked, emitting frightening, eerie sounds as it swept outwards along with the black smoke wave!
In the distance.
Li Xiang watched as Incineroar was sent flying high into the air, landing behind him. He lowered his stance to avoid being affected, his eyes full of gravity.
'Finally, here it is? This unknown move.'
He had seen Abigail's Houndoom use this move on the battlefield before, but the commentator hadn't explained what it was, so he tried to look it up online.
Yet he found no information at all.
The most likely possibility… it was a variant of Dark Pulse, because this black smoke wave carried a fearsome power, identical to Dark Pulse.
But without a doubt, Incineroar couldn't block this move. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been blasted into the sky and landed behind him.
It could block the super-effective Hidden Power - Ground, but not a Dark-type move...
'Damn it. Good thing I'm only a first-year!'
Li Xiang quickly retreated, arriving at Incineroar's side.
The latter staggered up, but then knelt on one knee, clutching its chest as if unable to suppress the pain.
Excitement was one thing, but Pokémon still felt pain.
"Roar?" (Should we use the cigar?)
It panted heavily, asking Li Xiang as he ran over.
"No, no need to reveal our trump card on the first day of school. We don't need to win this one match that badly."
Li Xiang shook his head. In this situation, the Blaze ability definitely couldn't be activated.
The cigar could be used, but it wasn't necessary.
The intra-school selection tournament hadn't started yet. If they carelessly revealed the cigar, it would be easy for someone to leak this important information.
Li Xiang glanced around at the watching official and reserve team students. During the selection tournament, it was inevitable that some would have friends or relatives; it wouldn't be good if it got out.
"Roar..." (Alright then.)
Incineroar nodded, suddenly stood up, and charged towards Houndoom once more!