Upon entering the simulated training room, Li Qingfeng couldn't help but quip, "Isn't this just an arcade...?"
Xiao Zhi, however, was quite curious about the environment, and Xiao Gang and Xiao Xia also looked around, "Is this the Pokémon class's equipment? It feels pretty similar to the arcade in Yu Hong City."
Xiao Gang had been to Yu Hong City and knew about its famous buildings; this so-called simulated training room was indeed quite similar to the arcade machines there.
Xiao Chun, on the other hand, put on airs:
"Hmph, hmph, you guys wouldn't understand this. Here, we can put our poké balls into the machine, and it will analyze the Pokémon's current strength using data, thereby assigning the Gyms to challenge."
"Take me, for example. Although my strength isn't great here, I can still defeat the Pewter Gym and the Cerulean Gym. As long as there's a type advantage, I'm sure to win. Don't look at me like this, I've defeated these two Gyms many times."
Xiao Chun's words made Xiao Gang and Xiao Xia's expressions sink. As Gym Leaders, when they heard this, they felt as if the other person was disrespecting them.
Xiao Zhi stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Simulation is simulation. How can victory in reality be achieved simply by relying on type advantage? It's not me bragging, but just before, I used Pikachu to defeat a Sandshrew."
Xiao Chun heard this and waved his hand, "That just means that Sandshrew didn't know Ground-type moves. The book says that type advantage is the way to go!"
Clap, clap~
Clapping sounds emerged from somewhere.
"Stop," a clear yet slightly arrogant voice came.
The three looked over and saw a girl in a uniform standing to the side, accompanied by several boys. Xiao Chun was a bit embarrassed; he hadn't expected Yuto Seihiro to appear here.
Yuto Seihiro glanced at Xiao Chun and slowly said, "To be honest, I believe the ideal classmates are those who spar and respect each other. Not those who gloat about winning a Gym in a simulated training."
"And you, in your current state, are truly arrogant, believing yourself to be superior to others. Type advantage is not wrong, but there is still a strength gap between Pokémon."
Li Qingfeng nodded in agreement, "I agree with that last sentence. What determines the battle is not just type advantage. While type advantage is important, the strength between Pokémon is also very important."
Yuto Seihiro saw a Pikachu beside Xiao Zhi, frowned, and said haughtily, "Hey, why do you have your Pikachu out?"
Xiao Zhi felt annoyed by her tone and retorted, "What's wrong with having it out? My Pikachu just likes to be outside."
"Pika!" (Exactly! I don't like going into a poké ball to eat your family's rice, do I?)
Pikachu cried out in dissatisfaction. Why was it getting shot at just for standing obediently?
At that moment, an old man and a shirtless muscular man walked in.
"Wait, isn't that the Elite Four? Why are they here?" Li Qingfeng frowned slightly, identifying him as Shiba, the Fighting-type Elite Four of Kanto.
Xiao Gang was so shocked by his arrival that he stammered, "Sh-Sh-Shiba Master!"
"Hmm? Ah, you're the Gym Leader of Pewter Gym, aren't you?" Shiba glanced at Xiao Gang and immediately recognized him as a Gym Leader.
Xiao Gang nodded repeatedly, "Yes! Shiba Master!"
Shiba smiled slightly at this and turned to Xiao Chun, saying, "Yes, you can't blindly pursue type advantage. When the strength gap is too great, type advantage becomes meaningless."
Xiao Chun could only give up and quickly thanked him, "Yes... Thank you for your guidance, Elite Four."
"Young man, your Pikachu is well-trained," Shiba bent down and stroked Pikachu's chin. "Its fur is very soft. From the looks of it, you're a Rookie Trainer who just set out, aren't you?"
Xiao Zhi nodded and replied, "Yes, I am Xiao Zhi from Masara Town!"
This was an Elite Four, a top-tier combatant of a region, someone who was hard to come by. If he could battle him, that would be great.
Shiba felt Xiao Zhi's fervent gaze and said approvingly, "I look forward to your performance at the Indigo Plateau Conference."
Yuto Seihiro stood to the side, unsure what to do. She had originally wanted to lecture Xiao Zhi. Now that the Elite Four was here, her plan was foiled. And now that this young man was praised by Shiba, she couldn't say anything.
Shiba smiled and patted the old man next to him on the shoulder, saying,
"How about we let them battle and see? I've noticed that your school's students haven't achieved good results in the Indigo League in recent years, and I also want to take this opportunity to see how strong your school's genius girl is."
At these words, both Xiao Zhi and Yuto Seihiro's expressions brightened. Xiao Zhi wanted to take the opportunity to practice, while Yuto Seihiro wanted to use this chance to teach Xiao Zhi a lesson.
Both agreed without a second thought.
The group arrived at the battle arena, which was somewhat similar to those used in conferences. This was Xiao Zhi's first time seeing one, and he couldn't help but feel excited: "Will I be battling in places like this in the future? That's great!"
"Please, both parties, take out your poké balls and release your Pokémon." Shiba acted as the referee. Yuto Seihiro's Pokémon was a Karakara, while Xiao Zhi used Pikachu.
Once both had released their Pokémon, the battle began!
Yuto Seihiro gave textbook-like commands: "Karakara, use Leer!"
Xiao Zhi quickly shouted, "Pikachu, don't be afraid! Use Iron Tail!"
Karakara stared at Pikachu with wide, angry eyes, which made our Electric God shiver. However, it didn't stop because of that; instead, it quickly moved next to Karakara, ready to deliver an Iron Tail!
Pikachu's tail shimmered with a metallic glow, becoming incredibly hard, like a steel rod.
It swiftly swung its tail, drawing a lightning-fast arc in the air, and heavily slammed it into Karakara's waist.
This blow instantly caused intense pain, and Karakara's body was jolted back several steps by the powerful impact.
"Karakara, use Bone Club!" Yuto Seihiro frowned; she hadn't expected Pikachu to have learned a Steel-type move.
Karakara held the bone club in its hand and scurried along, but in Pikachu's eyes, it was as slow as a Caterpie.
"Pikachu, continue with Iron Tail."
Xiao Zhi's command made Pikachu launch continuous fierce attacks. Karakara had just tried to attack when Pikachu used Iron Tail to swat its bone club away.
Disarmed, Karakara was at a loss, and was knocked to the ground by Pikachu's second Iron Tail.
It immediately burst into tears.
"Even more of a pushover than that Psychic Water-type, it was down in three moves." Li Qingfeng was quite helpless; this Karakara was indeed quite weak.
The battle ended, and Yuto Seihiro was severely defeated. Shiba, as an Elite Four, also gave her timely guidance, and eventually, Xiao Zhi and the other two left for Kuye City.
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Regarding Li Qingfeng's questioning, there was indeed a lot of it in the early stages. It will get much better later, so please bear with it patiently. I am truly sorry about this!
The humble author bows to everyone. Thank you all.