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Straight punch, block.
Front kick, leg sweep.
The battle between the two Lucario looked exactly like the martial arts films or mixed martial arts matches that Jacob had watched, except these two Lucario moved faster and struck with far greater force.
All that could be heard was the continuous sound of fists colliding, bodies clashing, and shockwaves rippling across the water.
The two sides countered each other's moves, appearing evenly matched.
Ryan remained leisurely lying on his bamboo raft, while Westin sat cross-legged on his.
"Is this what a Champion-level Pokémon battle looks like?"
"Why does it look so much like choreographed fighting, one move after another? Honestly, professional wrestling puts on a more exciting show than this."
"These two must be fakes hired by the streamer, right? A Champion-level Pokémon battle only causes this little commotion?"
… … … …
Not only were the spectators confused, but even Jacob found it strange. Both Pokémon clearly possessed Champion-level strength, yet the disturbance from this battle seemed surprisingly small.
If it were Jacob's Iron Valiant unleashing a full-power attack, it might not cause rivers to stop flowing, but it could certainly cleave through the water's surface in an instant.
Yet the battle between these two Lucario appeared to be merely a small skirmish, barely stirring up any waves.
Just as Jacob continued to wonder about this, the situation on the river changed in an instant.
Westin's Lucario suddenly shifted to fierce offense, combining punches and kicks in a relentless assault that poured down on Ryan's Lucario like a torrential storm.
Persistent attacks eventually yield results. Finally, under Westin's Lucario's continuous, airtight assault, it successfully tore open a gap in the defense, finding a slight opening in its opponent's guard.
"You lost!" Westin's eyes flashed with sharp intensity as he watched this unfold, and a loud, resonant voice like a booming bell rang out, deafening in its power!
Almost the instant Westin's voice fell, his Lucario unleashed a full-power punch that nearly grazed the other Lucario's ear.
A fierce wind howled, shockwaves surged outward, and the erupting Fighting-type energy stirred up enormous waves. The area where Jacob stood began violently swaying, causing his boat to rock heavily.
If Westin's Lucario hadn't intentionally redirected that punch at the last moment, Ryan's Lucario would have suffered serious injuries.
At this moment, Ryan, who had been lying on the bamboo raft, suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Westin. A hint of clarity flashed through his previously hazy gaze.
How long had it been? This was the first time his Lucario had fallen into a disadvantage in less than a minute of combat.
"You have talent and potential. It's a pity you've wasted your prime years. Even if you want to play the hero, one person's strength is ultimately limited," Westin said, standing up. His tall, sturdy figure looked down at Ryan with a hint of regret in his eyes. "Human strength has its limits. Only by spreading the principles of martial arts can one truly achieve their ideals."
Westin's voice was as loud as ever, full of vigor, rumbling like distant thunder. "Although you're older now, it's never too late to change your path. There's still time. Don't waste your talent or your Lucario's potential. Come work under me."
"As you are now, your strength can only surpass a lower-tier Heavenly King like Sawyer. You're no match for any stronger Heavenly King, let alone a Champion or Trainers above Champion level."
"A frog at the bottom of a well can only see the small patch of sky above it."
"There are also vast differences between Champions."
… … … …
Although Westin's words were harsh, they were blunt but truthful.
Ryan, possessing Aura powers, undoubtedly had the potential to become a Champion—because Westin himself also possessed Aura powers.
Since he could become the Champion of the North China region, why couldn't Ryan? This was precisely why Westin felt such regret about Ryan wasting his talent. If Ryan were truly willing to commit himself, under Westin's guidance, there would still be many opportunities for China to gain another top-tier expert.
Westin had both the strength and the confidence to make this happen.
Although Westin was relatively young—only forty-five years old, considered quite young for a Champion—his Champion title held extremely high value.
Because in China, there are only two ways to become a regional Champion.
The first is when the previous Champion voluntarily steps down after reaching the age limit. The chief Heavenly Kings from all seven regions each have the opportunity to compete for the Champion position, with the strongest directly advancing to become the new Champion. This is how the vast majority of Champions rise to their position.
The second way is for a chief Heavenly King to directly challenge the reigning Champion. The winner becomes the Champion, while the loser either chooses to resume their role as chief Heavenly King or retires. Of course, most Champions choose to retire directly after losing, as working under a former subordinate would be extremely awkward.
Westin was someone who, six years ago at the age of thirty-nine, challenged the previous North China regional Champion and successfully won, becoming the new Champion of the North China region.
In becoming Champion, Westin also broke multiple records. He was the youngest Champion in history and the first Champion under forty years old. This series of accomplishments was enough to demonstrate just how formidable Westin truly was.
… … … …
Iron-blooded resolve and overwhelming power had become virtually synonymous with Westin's name.
Although Jacob and Westin had experienced some conflict over a Mega Evolution Stone, Jacob had to admit that Westin was undoubtedly one of the strongest Champions in all of China.
His master, Maximus, once said that if he wanted to challenge for a Champion title, he could only do so in other regions. With Westin holding the position, the Champion seat in the North China region wouldn't change hands for at least twenty years.
From that single statement alone, it wasn't hard to see just how dominant Westin truly was. He stood like a towering mountain, his presence weighing down on every Trainer in the entire North China region until they could barely breathe.
As long as he didn't retire, the Champion of the entire North China region would remain unchanged.
Also because of Westin's formidable strength, he enjoyed extremely high popularity throughout the nation, and countless young people looked up to him as a role model.
People always admire the strong, especially someone as powerful and upright as Westin.
… … … …
Jacob watched the two people battling before him, and at this moment, he felt a surge of emotion rising within himself.
Jacob realized that perhaps because of winning the championship, he had indeed become somewhat complacent during this period.
Those years of hardship and struggle in the Secret Realm had, at some unknown point, quietly faded from his daily thoughts. Now he spent his days touring scenic mountains and rivers, drifting along the current, letting his youth slip away!
Learning is like rowing upstream—if you don't advance, you fall back.
The ancients truly spoke the truth.
After this realization, Jacob suddenly felt that even the colors of the surrounding mountains and rivers had dimmed.
High mountains and long rivers eventually reach their end; the clear wind and bright moon differ from passing clouds.
Power and strength are what a man should truly pursue.
Jacob looked at Westin in the distance, his heart filled with ambition. He wanted to become the future Champion of the North China region!
Since Westin was considered the strongest Champion, he would simply have to become even stronger than Westin.
Jacob secretly made up his mind. After finishing his tour of the River, he would return home for a period of intensive training and then head to the Secret Realm Gap in Aqualis City!
"Boom!"
Jacob had just solidified his resolve, his heart brimming with ambition and ready to survey the world around him with newfound determination, when suddenly the boat was violently struck. Jacob stumbled forward, nearly flying off the deck.
Jacob's temper flared instantly. He sharply turned his head and discovered that they had been rear-ended by another boat.
"Who the hell did that?"