"Metagross, use Hammer Arm!"
Goodra had only just managed to scramble back to its feet when it was slammed back down by Metagross's Hammer Arm.
When dealing with a Goodra, physical attacks were the most reliable method. Goodra possessed incredibly high Special Defense, making moves like Flash Cannon or Hyper Beam less effective against it. Metagross, on the other hand, had naturally high Physical Attack, so it was only logical to play to its greatest strengths.
"Goodra, can you still get up?" Zhang Zhongtian called out, his eyes fixed on his Pokémon.
Though the struggle was evident, Goodra managed to pull itself up once more.
"It certainly can take a hit," Jiang Chen noted with admiration. This Goodra was truly resilient, proving itself worthy of being Zhang Zhongtian's strongest Pokémon.
"Counterattack! Use Outrage!"
Zhang Zhongtian knew that he was likely going to lose, but he had no intention of going down without a fight. As it unleashed Outrage, even the normally gentle Goodra became violent and ferocious. With a savage glint in its eyes, it stared down Metagross before charging forward with terrifying intensity.
"Metagross, use Iron Defense, then meet it head-on with Bullet Punch!"
Jiang Chen could have had Metagross dodge, but there was no need. After using Iron Defense, even a Goodra driven into a frenzy by Outrage would find it nearly impossible to break through Metagross's bolstered defenses.
Sure enough, when Goodra's attacks collided with Metagross, the sound was like hammers striking an anvil. The dragon's strikes could not pierce that steel body. Meanwhile, Metagross stood its ground, unleashing a flurry of fists that moved faster than bullets.
Metagross remained unmoved, while Goodra was forced back step by step under the relentless pressure of the Bullet Punches. Even with the power of Outrage, it couldn't suppress Metagross.
"There really is no opening at all," Zhang Zhongtian sighed. As the Gym Leader of the Imperial City Gym, he hadn't even managed to defeat a single one of Jiang Chen's Pokémon. Anyone watching who didn't know better might think he was throwing the match.
In reality, Zhang Zhongtian hadn't held back in the slightest; he had brought out his absolute best. These were his primary team members. It wasn't that he was weak, but rather that Jiang Chen was simply too strong.
"Metagross, finish it with Mega Punch!"
One final, heavy blow sent Goodra crashing to the ground, completely incapacitated.
"Goodra is unable to battle! The winner of this challenge is Jiang Chen!" the referee announced.
"Come back, Metagross."
Metagross had performed excellently, dominating the entire match. It had only faced a bit of a struggle against Goodra, but even then, it had emerged without a scratch.
"This is our gym's badge." Zhang Zhongtian stepped forward and presented the Imperial City Gym Badge to Jiang Chen.
"That makes eight badges now."
Jiang Chen glanced at his Quest Panel. The mission to obtain eight badges was officially complete. Since the reward was three million points, Jiang Chen claimed it immediately. Adding these to his previous total, his points had finally reached the fifty million mark.
"Regarding the matter with my nephew, I'd like to treat you all to a meal as a formal apology," Zhang Zhongtian offered.
"There's no need. That had nothing to do with you, so an apology isn't necessary," Jiang Chen replied, shaking his head.
He'd much rather have Xiao Luoxue show them around the Imperial City than spend his time listening to Zhang Zhongtian apologize. Besides, neither Jiang Chen nor Xiao Luoxue had taken the incident to heart.
A flicker of regret crossed Zhang Zhongtian's eyes. Beyond the apology, he had genuinely wanted to build a better relationship with Jiang Chen. Putting aside the boy's background, Jiang Chen's sheer strength alone made him someone worth knowing.
"Gardevoir!"
As they left the gym, Gardevoir let out a soft cry of dissatisfaction. It had wanted to fight as well, but Jiang Chen hadn't given it the chance to take the field.
"If I let you play, it would just be bullying," Jiang Chen teased.
He reached out and gave Gardevoir a gentle headpat. The gesture worked like a charm, melting away Gardevoir's annoyance instantly. The Pokémon leaned in, affectionately hugging Jiang Chen's arm.
Ling Wanqiu and Xiao Luoxue saw this and were immediately on high alert. Neither of them was even holding his hand, yet a Pokémon was already making a move. They exchanged a quick look and stepped forward together to pull Gardevoir away.
However, their human strength was no match for a Gardevoir. While Gardevoir relied on its psychic powers, its physical conditioning was far beyond that of an average human.
"Alright, stop messing around. This is embarrassing," Jiang Chen said, intervening and telling Gardevoir to let go.
Though slightly reluctant, Gardevoir obeyed and released his arm.
"Now that we've finished the gym challenge in the Imperial City, when are we going back?" Ling Wanqiu asked Jiang Chen.
"If you want to go back, go by yourself. Jiang Chen isn't leaving yet," Xiao Luoxue cut in immediately. Jiang Chen had finally come to the capital; she wasn't about to let him leave so soon.
"I came here with Jiang Chen, so naturally, I'll be going back with him," Ling Wanqiu retorted, meeting Xiao Luoxue's gaze with a sharp look of her own.
"Ahem, there's no rush. I plan to stay in the Imperial City for a few more days," Jiang Chen said with a light cough.
"In that case, I'll just stay here with you for a few more days too," Ling Wanqiu said smoothly, seizing the opportunity to grab Jiang Chen's arm again.
Jiang Chen's expression shifted slightly as she held him. Ever since they graduated, Ling Wanqiu seemed to have changed quite a bit. Certain parts of her were growing remarkably fast.
Seeing this, Xiao Luoxue immediately grabbed Jiang Chen's other arm.
Gardevoir: "???"
You two just pulled me away, and now you're trying to steal my spot? Gardevoir grew angry and used Confusion to gently but firmly push them both back.
"Gardevoir!" Ling Wanqiu and Xiao Luoxue glared at the Pokémon.
"Gardevoir!" The Pokémon met their gaze without an ounce of fear. It felt its bond with Jiang Chen was far deeper than theirs.
"I think Pokémon should stay inside their Poké Balls where they belong," Ling Wanqiu muttered.
"Exactly. I agree with Wanqiu," Xiao Luoxue added.
"Gardevoir—!" Hearing this, Gardevoir panicked and looked at Jiang Chen with wide, pleading eyes. It hated being inside a Poké Ball. Ever since it was a Ralts, it had always insisted on staying outside.
"Don't worry, I won't put you in a Poké Ball," Jiang Chen reassured it.
Only after receiving his guarantee did Gardevoir breathe a sigh of relief, though it continued to eye the two women with pure hostility. From now on, these two humans were its greatest enemies.
"You really spoil Gardevoir, don't you? Are you actually planning to follow in the footsteps of those weirdos and marry a Gardevoir?" Xiao Luoxue asked, giving Jiang Chen a strange look.
Jiang Chen rolled his eyes and gave Xiao Luoxue a playful forehead flick.
"What are you talking about? I'm a decent person, okay?"
He had no such "beastly" intentions. How could a human and a Pokémon truly be in love? Unless Gardevoir somehow turned into a human.
"Well, that's a relief then," Xiao Luoxue laughed, nodding. In her mind, her only real rival was still Ling Wanqiu.
"By the way, who do you think is prettier, me or Ling Wanqiu?"
At the question, Ling Wanqiu also turned her gaze toward him. Having two beautiful women staring him down created an immense amount of pressure.
Jiang Chen remained silent, looking at Xiao Luoxue with dead-fish eyes. Why are you giving me a death proposition? How am I supposed to answer that?
"I'm actually face-blind. I can't tell who is prettier; to me, all women look the same."
"Is that so? Well then, you wouldn't have any problem going over there and confessing to that woman, right?" Ling Wanqiu pointed toward a woman standing nearby. She was covered in freckles, had eyes of significantly different sizes, and was to put it bluntly exceptionally unattractive.
Jiang Chen nearly choked when he saw her. That little thing... is certainly unique-looking.
"Ahem, actually, in my eyes, you both have your own unique charms. You're both rare beauties."
"People who say that are usually scumbags," Ling Wanqiu and Xiao Luoxue said simultaneously, their faces expressionless as they stared at him.
"Hey, calling me a scumbag is an insult. If I were really a scumbag, I would have devoured you both long ago and left you with nowhere to cry."
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