Pokémon: Master System.

"Yes, that's me," Xia Yu replied.

"I'm a staff member from the Pokémon Association's Gym Leader Pro League. We've received your application for the Gym Leader Tier 3 League." The staff member was quite polite.

"Oh, hello, hello," Xia Yu replied politely.

"We have scheduled your Gym Leader Tier 3 League for next Saturday at Rayquaza Stadium. Do you have time to attend?"

“Saturday? I have time,” Xia Yu replied.

"Okay, please be on time for the competition. Our staff will contact you later to take your official photos and promotional video."

"Oh well."

Chapter 558 G3 League Pre-Match Preparations

Xia Yu was somewhat puzzled after hanging up the phone.

When did the staff become so friendly?

Moreover, Wu Yaozu and his group said that this kind of club owner league usually requires a long waiting list, at least a month to participate in the competition.

Why do I have to play a match every week?

Moreover, Rayquaza Stadium should be the largest venue in the entire capital city. How can a small Gym Leaders' 3rd Division League be played there?

Xia Yu became more and more suspicious. Could it be that he had encountered a scammer?

He looked closely at the incoming call number, and it was indeed the Pokémon Association's short number.

And they even have to shoot some official photos and promotional videos, making such a big fuss, I thought it was a college cup or a tournament for the top players or the king of the league.

How come I've never heard of this before?

Xia Yu felt something was wrong and quickly called Su Muzi: "Hey, Muzi."

"Xia Yu, did you miss me?" Su Muzi was very happy to receive Xia Yu's call and teased him with a smile.

"Ahem, I have something important to ask you."

"Then tell me first, did you miss me?" Su Muzi's tone carried a hint of ambiguity, stirring Xia Yu's heartstrings.

"I want to..." Xia Yu could only reply, "Didn't you participate in the GN League? I just wanted to ask if you were required to take promotional photos or videos when you participated in the competition."

"I just took a picture of a promotional poster, and then participated in the competition as usual," Su Muzi replied. "What happened?"

Xia Yu thought for a moment and replied, "I signed up for the G3 League for gym owners, and then I received a call from the staff..."

Xia Yu briefly explained what had just happened and asked the question that had been bothering him.

"That's normal." Su Muzi replied with a smile after hearing this. "They definitely want to use your popularity for publicity so they can sell more tickets. You've signed up for the G3 League, which day is it? I'll come cheer you on."

"Next Saturday."

…………

After hanging up the phone, Xia Yu temporarily put aside his distracting thoughts and focused on preparing for the competition.

The competition is next Saturday, and time is very tight. I only have one week to prepare, so I have to make the most of my time.

The first thing to do is to form a team and submit the Pokémon team roster.

For the professional league, teams must submit their completed teams to the event organizers for registration three days before the competition.

Xia Yu first needs to decide which 6 Pokémon to send out. Once the match starts, he can only choose Pokémon from these 6 Pokémon to fight and cannot change his team.

First, Dragapult is a must-have as a backup option. Second, Xia Yu plans to let Haxorus and Salamence gain experience and be more familiar with the game, so they will definitely be on the team roster as well.

This confirmed the three Pokémon.

Xia Yu hesitated about the remaining three Pokémon.

Since it's only a Gym Leader Level 3 League, the competition shouldn't be too intense. Plus, Mega Evolution isn't allowed, so Xia Yu doesn't plan to let Charizard and Sceptile participate this time.

That leaves only four Pokémon that meet the competition requirements.

Hakuryu, Diancie, Indeedee, Cinderace, and Gengar.

Diancie is ruled out first; the legendary beast still needs to be kept hidden.

Next, choosing three out of four, Ai Guan Shi Xia Yu plans to send it out.

Because Xia Yu's beloved servant has an exceptionally high master-level aptitude, but rarely participates in battles, now that there is a rare opportunity, it is time for it to make its debut and gain experience.

As for the last two...

After a slight hesitation, Xia Yu decided not to let his brother's captured Hakuryu participate in the competition.

Firstly, Dragonair is a pseudo-legendary Pokémon, and its appearance would cause unnecessary trouble. Xia Yu would also have to explain its origins, which would be too much trouble.

Secondly, it was only recently captured and is still in the training stage.

This means the last two Pokémon will be Gengar and Cinderace.

Xia Yu's roster for this competition has been finalized: a three-dragon combination of Dragapult, Haxorus, and Salamence, paired with Cinderace, Indeedee, and Gengar.

A deformed team.

Haxorus and Cinderace are two pure physical attackers.

Dragapult and Salamence are also physical attackers, but they can also be used as dual attackers.

Gengar is a pure high-speed special attacker, and can barely serve as a harasser.

Additionally, Indeedee is also a special attacker and can also serve as a support and special defender, as well as an anti-Trick Room team.

This team composition is utterly terrible; aside from reckless brute force, it has virtually no tactics whatsoever.

Despicable tactics are only used when the opponent's strength is equal or lower.

True masters rely entirely on overwhelming skill and understanding.

This time, I'll demonstrate how brute force can overcome any skill. In the face of absolute power, all tactics become secondary.

After finalizing the list of participating teams, Xia Yu's remaining task was to focus on training and preparation.

…………

The next day.

Xia Yu arrived at the giant laboratory in the morning and had just finished his morning training with his Pokémon when he received a call from a Pokémon Association staff member.

"Hello! Mr. Xia Yu, are you free today to take some photos and videos for your costume fitting?"

"I'm free," Xia Yu replied.

"Mr. Xia Yu, where are you? We'll send someone to pick you up. Just tell us your address... We'll send someone to pick you up."

Faced with the enthusiastic staff, Xia Yu replied, "I can do it myself. Just give me an address."

"Okay, the address is in the Pokémon Association office building..." The staff member was very friendly: "I'll wait for you at the gate. Just call me when you get there."

…………

Half an hour later, Xia Yu arrived at the Pokémon Association building and saw the staff waiting for him.

"Hello!" The staff member recognized Xia Yu at a glance, waved enthusiastically at Xia Yu, and ran to Xia Yu's side.

"Hello? Are you going to film a promotional video for the Level 3 League? I had no idea about this?" Xia Yu finally asked the question that had been on his mind after seeing the staff of the Pokémon Association.

“Normally we don’t need to, but for important 3rd-tier league matches, we’ll shoot some promotional videos and raise the standards of the competition.” The staff member patiently explained to Xia Yu, “You were the champion of the previous college cup and you’re very popular, so we’re holding this competition at the highest level this time.”

"Oh, okay." Hearing the staff member say that, Xia Yu felt a little smug. This was the power of his popularity. "Alright, what do you need me to do?"

"Mr. Xia Yu, since you didn't bring an assistant, I'll be in charge of coordinating with you. Let's go to the dressing room first; the makeup artist and stylist are waiting for you." The staff member walked ahead, leading the way for Xia Yu: "The shooting of the promotional video and makeup photos won't take long; it can be finished before the end of the day."

"Ok."

…………

Following behind the staff, Xia Yu experienced what it's like for a celebrity to run around doing promotional appearances for the first time.

Makeup, haircut, then taking promotional photos, shooting promotional videos, and then interviews.

By the time I finished all of this, it was already dinnertime.

Director Zhou of the Pokémon Association's tournament organizing committee also warmly invited Xia Yu to have dinner together, but Xia Yu declined, as he was genuinely tired after a busy day.

…………

Chapter 559 G3 League

After a long day, Xia Yu took a shower and lay in bed, wondering if she should hire an assistant. Doing everything herself was getting too tiring.

Xia Yu lay on the bed with her eyes closed, and one name after another flashed through her mind.

Su Muzi... Gao Yanxin... Xie Tianming... Zhao Ruohan... Sylvia

Xia Yu rejected all of these people one by one. After careful consideration, he realized that none of them were suitable and it would be a waste of their talents to have them as his assistants.

Ugh.

Finding a capable and trustworthy assistant is not an easy task; it takes time.

Ask Sylvia to keep an eye out for suitable candidates.