Seeing the figure in the office draped in a red cloak, Guo Yi recognized him immediately.
He genuinely hadn't expected one of the Elite Four—the Dragon-type Elite Four, no less—to visit him personally.
[Jin Peng]
[Age]: 30
[Background]: One of Dragon Country's active Elite Four
[Ability]: Dragon Mastery
[Compatible Template]: Dragon Trainer Lance
[Tip]: Extremely talented. Recommended to take him as a student.
Seeing the system's suggestion, Guo Yi couldn't help rolling his eyes.
Taking an Elite Four as a student?
Ridiculous!
Even if Guo Yi revealed his true identity right now, the other man would probably never agree.
After all, Jin Peng had clearly forged his own path to become an Elite Four.
At his level, meeting a stronger opponent would only serve as motivation to keep advancing.
The idea of taking him on as a student—better dismiss that thought immediately.
Besides…
Right now, Guo Yi was far more interested in Jin Peng's purpose for coming than the absurd idea of "recruiting" him.
Was he here to deliver a warning?
Guo Yi began guessing at Jin Peng's intentions.
And just as Guo Yi was sizing him up, Jin Peng was carefully observing Guo Yi as well.
For some reason…
The moment he saw Guo Yi, Jin Peng felt a faint, inexplicable sense of dread flicker through his heart.
He'd only ever felt this way when facing the Ice King and the current Champion.
Am I imagining things?
Or could it be… that this Guo Yi is still hiding his true strength?
An absurd thought surfaced in Jin Peng's mind.
Guo Yi's current performance was already monstrous enough. If he was still hiding more… Jin Peng couldn't even begin to imagine it.
Just then, Guo Yi's question abruptly interrupted Jin Peng's thoughts.
"Elite Four Jin, what brings you here? Don't tell me it's because of the Dragon-Slaying Art I've been teaching lately?"
Guo Yi lounged casually on the sofa, showing not the slightest discomfort at Jin Peng's status.
Seeing Guo Yi's relaxed demeanor, Jin Peng suddenly felt as if he were facing a peer.
"Since you already know who I am, aren't you worried I'm here to cause trouble?"
Jin Peng's expression turned serious. "Your Dragon-Slaying Art has given our Jin family quite a bit of trouble recently."
Faced with the threat, Guo Yi answered without hesitation. "Why should I be worried?"
"Are you stronger than my teacher? My teacher's Beedrill and Zapdos are both with me right now. Even if I can't beat you, can't I at least escape?"
"Besides, shouldn't you worry that I'll retaliate?"
Jin Peng froze briefly.
Wasn't this a bit too blunt—too disrespectful, even?
He shook his head helplessly and laughed. "You're the first person I've met who dares threaten an Elite Four to his face."
Your teacher is just too powerful!
"Alright, enough joking around."
"This time I'm here as a representative of the Jin family—to make peace."
"Make peace?" Guo Yi immediately replied. "On what terms?"
"The terms are simple: stop teaching the Dragon-Slaying Art, and Jin Yu has already been called back from Shanghai. He won't trouble you again."
"That's it?"
"That's it. Nothing more."
"Relax, the Jin family isn't asking anything else."
Seeing Guo Yi's puzzled expression, Jin Peng smiled as he explained.
But Guo Yi openly expressed dissatisfaction. "If the Jin family wants peace, shouldn't you at least show some sincerity?"
Huh?
This response was entirely unexpected for Jin Peng.
In previous negotiations involving the Jin family, people were always eager to maintain peace—willing to pay a small price and move on quickly.
But this guy…
He was actually demanding compensation from the Jin family?
Jin Peng shook his head, replying honestly, "There's no compensation."
Tch.
Guo Yi curled his lip. "There's no compensation and you still want to make peace? Clearly, you're not taking me seriously."
"Alright then, no peace."
Absolutely no compensation—wasn't this just looking down on him?
Just when Guo Yi thought Jin Peng would become irritated by the refusal, Jin Peng instead showed an oddly… indifferent expression.
"You're not angry?"
Jin Peng's reaction made Guo Yi curious.
An Elite Four personally came to negotiate peace, got rejected, yet Jin Peng didn't appear upset at all.
His temperament was way too good.
In response, Jin Peng chuckled lightly. "What's there to be angry about?"
"If you don't reconcile, it's the Jin family members who'll get headaches. What does that have to do with me?"
"Besides, I actually hope you continue spreading the Dragon-Slaying Art. That way, I'll have more challenging opponents in the future."
As he spoke, a fierce battle-lust ignited in Jin Peng's eyes.
It genuinely seemed like he was eager for numerous "Dragon-Slaying Heroes" to appear.
Uh…
Jin Peng's attitude completely threw Guo Yi off.
Weren't you the representative?
If your goal wasn't achieved, shouldn't you be angry?
Noticing Guo Yi's confusion, Jin Peng smiled and explained, "The main reason I agreed to be the representative… was because I wanted to meet you."
"Meet me? I'm just a nobody. What's worth meeting about me?"
Guo Yi appeared genuinely baffled.
"A nobody?"
"Guo Yi, you're seriously underestimating yourself. In all these years, you're the first person I've seen who managed to make the Jin family lower their heads."
Jin Peng couldn't help sigh inwardly.
A family like the Jin family—deeply rooted in both the underworld and official circles, powerful beyond measure.
Forcing them to proactively seek peace and soften their stance… Guo Yi was truly the first to achieve it.
But after a moment's hesitation, Jin Peng still issued a warning. "Guo Yi, I don't really want to say this, but it's best if you accept this peace."
"Even if the Jin family faces certain pressures and can't directly attack you, your students and friends aren't as strong as you."
"A thousand-year-old clan like the Jin family—they're not just talk."
Though Jin Peng had no special attachment to the Jin family, he had to admit they'd contributed greatly to him becoming an Elite Four.
Precisely because of that, Jin Peng clearly understood how terrifying the Jin family could be.
If possible, he really didn't want Guo Yi to clash head-on with them.
Not just for both sides' sake, but for Dragon Country's as well.
If the Jin family and Guo Yi's teacher ended up in open conflict, it would significantly weaken the Dragon Country Pokémon League.
After all, with the rapid rise of the Dragon Country Pokémon League in recent years…
Several foreign powers had already been watching Dragon Country closely.
If they had even the smallest opportunity to weaken Dragon Country's strength, they would certainly show no mercy.
And there was one more thing.
Jin Peng didn't want to say it, but if the two sides genuinely went to war…
The Dragon Country Pokémon League would inevitably stand with the Jin family.
Because when it came to domestic influence, the Jin family far exceeded anything Guo Yi could hope to match.
Even if Guo Yi revealed all of his identities, it still wouldn't be enough.
"I see…"
If Jin Peng had entered with threats, Guo Yi wouldn't have hesitated—he'd have refused outright.
But Jin Peng had approached him with advice, almost as a friend.
That forced Guo Yi to reconsider his stance.
Just as Jin Peng said, Guo Yi himself could shrug off the Jin family's retaliation, but his disciples and friends couldn't.
Besides, his main conflict with the Jin family was centered entirely around Jin Yu.
There was no reason to drag the whole Jin family into a personal feud.
Doing so would only create needless trouble.
"Alright. Elite Four Jin, thank you for your advice, I'll agree to this peace."
In the end, Guo Yi softened his original stance and chose to reconcile…
As things stood, this was beneficial to both sides.
He didn't need to let his pride escalate into an all-out conflict with the Jin family.
Afterwards, Guo Yi chatted casually with Jin Peng. During their conversation, Jin Peng expressed strong interest in Guo Yi's Dragon-Slaying Cloyster.
On that topic—Guo Yi didn't conceal anything, openly explaining the Cloyster's breeding method.
Listening closely, Jin Peng couldn't help but sigh.
"This Dragon-Slaying Cloyster is indeed much harder to breed than your first two Dragon-Slaying Pokémon."
"Especially raising a Shellder to Ace Tier—it needs extremely high potential."
To raise a Dragon-Slaying Cloyster, the critical move was Shell Smash.
And there was only one way for Shellder to obtain that move: reaching level 44 naturally—no shortcuts available.
However... raising an unevolved Shellder to Ace Tier…
That required Shellder's potential to be at least Pseudo-Elite Four, if not Elite Four or higher.
Yet… precisely because it was so challenging, the threat it posed to Dragon-type Pokémon was equally lethal.
At this point… Jin Peng couldn't tell if this "peace" favored the Jin family or Guo Yi more.
Because—If Guo Yi's future Dragon-Slaying Art continued at this level, the Jin family's dominance really could be at risk.
After exchanging pleasantries, Jin Peng bade farewell and left.
Watching Jin Peng's departing figure, Guo Yi could only sigh inwardly. Looks like I'll need to release the Life Orb information earlier than planned.
Since he couldn't continue teaching the Dragon-Slaying Cloyster openly, Guo Yi naturally needed a backup plan.
The Life Orb was perfect for that.
...
A few days later.
Ling Si and Tang Hu finally realized what had happened.
"Jin Yu actually slipped away!"
It was hard to accept, but the truth was undeniable.
"Damn it!"
"Jin Yu talked was talking so tough—who'd have thought he'd run?"
Tang Hu ground his teeth in frustration.
But beside him, Ling Si was oddly calm.
He'd expected Jin Yu to leave sooner or later. He just hadn't imagined it happening so quickly.
It's about time… this ends.
Ling Si sighed inwardly.
Without bothering with Tang Hu, he walked away alone.
Tang Hu watched Ling Si's retreating back, his expression shifting repeatedly, until finally, he could only return angrily to the Tang family.
This time… Tang Hu could say he'd suffered a complete defeat.
From now on, he'd better behave and remain quietly as the Third Elder.
If he caused any more trouble, even his big brother probably couldn't protect him.
...
Two months passed.
In those two months, Shanghai appeared calm on the surface, but beneath, the currents surged violently.
The biggest upheaval was the destruction of the Flying Eagle Gang.
After hearing of Jin Yu's departure, various forces began making moves again.
Only—this time, the Azure Dragon Society firmly rejected them.
After consolidating for this period, the Azure Dragon Society had thoroughly absorbed the Flying Eagle Gang's territory.
They now possessed the strength to take over completely on their own.
If that was the case—why would Ye Qing offer outsiders a share? Especially when these forces ran at the first sign of trouble.
Ye Qing wasn't about to hand over benefits freely.
The other forces were disgruntled but dared only to curse the Azure Dragon Society privately. None dared to openly challenge them.
There was no other choice.
With Guo Yi as their powerful backer, ordinary groups wouldn't dare provoke the Azure Dragon Society, let alone grab at its "dragon whiskers."
As for Ling Si—he fell in the struggle against the Azure Dragon Society, dying by the hand of Ye Qing's Nidoqueen.
And so, an overlord's era came quietly to an end.