Pokémon: Master System.

"Okay." Old Lin said and hung up the phone.

…………

After hanging up the phone, Xia Yu received many more calls.

For example, Long Yanning's phone call. She and Chi Hanqing were very close friends. Now that such a big thing had happened to Chi Hanqing's family, she was at her most vulnerable. Naturally, Long Yanning wanted to go to Chi Hanqing's house to see her and keep her company.

Chi Hanqing lost both her parents at a young age and was practically raised by Old Master Chi. Old Master Chi's death was definitely a blow to Chi Hanqing.

In addition, Xia Yu also received calls from his master, Sylvia, and others, all about Elder Chi.

Given Chi Lao's status and position, his death was a major event for the entire country of China, and his funeral was undoubtedly of the highest standard.

…………

It was more than half an hour later when Xia Yu finished answering all the calls.

Xia Yu frowned and looked out the window. He still remembered that before winter, Old Chi was in excellent spirits. He never expected that after just one winter, he would be gone.

Although his relationship with Chi Hanqing wasn't particularly good, Xia Yu still respected the highly respected Elder Chi.

…………

As night fell, Xia Yu arrived at Teacher Long's house. Unlike her usual excited and thrilled feelings, Xia Yu felt somewhat uneasy about coming to Teacher Long's house today.

Xia Yu instinctively felt guilty when facing his father-in-law, Long Fan.

"You've arrived, please have a seat." Having not seen his master for a long time, Xia Yu noticed that his master seemed to have aged considerably, with more gray hair at his temples.

"Master, you've worked so hard, I've missed you so much. You should take this opportunity to come back and rest properly." Xia Yu said respectfully, and at the same time got up to get a cup to make tea for his master: "Here, Master, let me make you some tea."

"Alright, alright...stop pretending." Long Fan mercilessly exposed Xia Yu: "If you really miss me, why don't you come to Shanghai to see me?"

"Ahem. Master, I've been busy with experiments... You know about the giant Pokémon thing, I'm so worried about it, the pressure is too much."

"Hehe." Long Fan looked at Xia Yu with a cold smile: "Alright, let's get down to business. Besides visiting Elder Chi and Han Qing, I also came back to talk to you about something important."

“Master, please speak,” Xia Yu said respectfully.

"The first thing is about becoming the Gym Leader. This Imperial Capital Dragon-type Gym Leader Ranking Tournament is both an opportunity and a challenge for you. With your current strength, I believe you can definitely win." Long Fan looked at Xia Yu with a serious expression: "Prepare well and be sure to become the Imperial Capital Dragon-type Gym Leader."

"Okay," Xia Yu nodded in response.

"The second matter concerns the giant Pokémon experiment." Long Fan looked at Xia Yu seriously: "The tallest tree in the forest catches the most wind. You, Hu Xi, and Jiang Wan'an are competing. If you win, you'll naturally advance further, but if you lose..."

Although Long Fan didn't finish his sentence, the meaning behind it was self-evident.

…………

Chapter 625 Bad News

Long Fan's eyes flickered as he looked at Xia Yu.

Without a doubt, Xia Yu was the most outstanding of all his disciples.

According to his original plan, Xia Yu only needed to keep a low profile and grow slowly, so that he could become the head of the Imperial Capital Dojo, then one of the Four Heavenly Kings, and finally even have the opportunity to win the championship.

But Long Fan did not expect that his disciple would be so outstanding, growing much faster than he had anticipated, excelling in both scientific research and combat, and displaying astonishing talent.

Xia Yu's brilliance completely overshadowed all her peers.

and…………

Long Fan scrutinized Xia Yu intently, his eyes sharp as knives, observing carefully as if trying to see through Xia Yu's true nature.

Is it really him?

…………

After a long silence, Long Fan's voice rang out: "You have to keep the experimental matters in mind. I don't know how confident you are, but I must remind you that you have no way out now. You can only succeed, you cannot fail."

"Yes." Hearing Long Fan's serious tone, Xia Yu sat up straight and nodded vigorously: "I understand."

"Good that you understand." Long Fan said this with a serious expression: "I don't understand scientific research, so I won't interfere. You need to manage your own situation."

"Okay." Xia Yu nodded, then changed the subject, looking at Long Fan with concern and asking, "By the way, Master, are you getting used to life in East China?"

"It's alright." Speaking of East China, Long Fan smiled and looked at Xia Yu, saying, "You little rascal, you know how to care about me?"

"I was just concerned about when you'll become the champion, Master," Xia Yu said with a smile.

“You rascal.” Long Fan shook his head: “If you really cared, you wouldn’t have never come to see me.”

“Aside from the King’s ship incident, things have been relatively peaceful in East China recently, except for a shortage of personnel. The old champion is already in a semi-retired state, and Xiao Tianwang, for some reason, has been on sick leave since the end of last year and hasn’t been seen since.”

"In the East China region, it's just me and two other members of the Four Heavenly Kings doing the work right now, and we're simply too busy."

At this point, Long Fan seemed to remember something and looked at Xia Yu: "Weren't you quite close to the Xiao family? You were the one who suggested I go to East China, guaranteeing that the Xiao family would support me. Do you know what's going on with her lately?"

Hearing this, Xia Yu broke out in a cold sweat. Fortunately, he had been through a lot and his skin was thick: "How would I know? I meant that when I talked to her about cooperation recently, she said she was very busy. I thought she was busy with the Pokémon Association."

"You don't know either?" Long Fan looked at Xia Yu with a hint of doubt on his face. Seeing that Xia Yu didn't seem to be talking, he frowned and said, "Alright, I'll go visit King Xiao when I get back this time."

"........."

At this point, Long Fan stood up and steered the conversation back to the main topic: "I'm going to the Chi family later, do you want to come along?"

Is it appropriate for me to go?

“Go ahead, there’s nothing inappropriate about it,” Long Fan said, then couldn’t help but sigh, “Alas, Elder Chi…”

As Long Fan spoke, he shook his head: "With Elder Chi gone... the Chi family is in trouble. The only direct descendants left in the Chi family are the two sisters, Chi Hanqing and Chi Hanxiao."

Speaking of Elder Chi, Long Fan was also somewhat moved.

The Chi family and the Long family are actually quite powerful.

The Chi family had always relied on Old Master Chi to support them. With Old Master Chi gone, the only direct descendants of the Chi family were the two sisters, Chi Hanxiao and Chi Hanqing.

The Long family's situation is actually very similar to that of the Chi family. The Long family also relies entirely on him. If he leaves, Yan Ning will be the only one left in the Long family.

It's time for Yan Ning to get married.

Thinking of this, Long Fan's gaze involuntarily fell on Xia Yu.

Although he had known for some time that his daughter and Xia Yu were dating in private, he felt that Xia Yu was unreliable no matter how he looked at it.

Xia Yu also noticed the growing murderous intent in his master's eyes. His heart skipped a beat, and he kept thinking back to whether he had offended his master recently.

"Master..."

Xia Yu had just opened his mouth when Long Fan waved his hand to interrupt him: "How long have you been dating Yan Ning?"

"Ahem. Master, what are you saying? I'm still a university student. I need to study hard, improve every day, contribute my meager strength to the construction of China, become a pillar of the nation, and have lofty ambitions..."

"Stop." Long Fan interrupted impatiently. He now understood why his daughter had fallen for his trick. With Xia Yu's shameless attitude, plus his youth, wealth, and handsome looks, there were really few women who could resist him.

"I'll ask you one more time, how long have you been dating?" Long Fan looked at Xia Yu, still convinced he could handle the kid: "If you two aren't dating, I can arrange blind dates for Yan Ning, since she's getting on in years."

"Ahem, it's been almost nine months." Hearing that Long Fan was going to arrange a blind date for Teacher Long, Xia Yu got a little anxious and honestly replied.

"Nine months?" Long Fan looked at Xia Yu coldly: "That is, when the College Cup just started last year?"

"To be precise... it was after I used Mega Evolution in the High School Cup," Xia Yu said, forcing a smile.

"How far have you progressed in your relationship?" Long Fan asked calmly.

“Master, we are in a proper relationship. Our feelings are genuine, but we remain within the bounds of propriety.” Xia Yu replied, “What are you saying… I don’t quite understand.”

Long Fan frowned as he looked at Xia Yu: "Is that so?"

"Ahem." Xia Yu coughed twice, looking at Long Fan with a frank expression: "Our relationship is purely platonic, Master. I have to criticize you. Don't you believe me? Don't you believe your daughter?"

"I believe in my daughter, but I don't believe in you." Long Fan looked at Xia Yu, a dangerous glint in his eyes, and said, "Since you're dating, just date honestly and don't do anything to betray Yan Ning."

Hearing Long Fan's words, Xia Yu broke out in a cold sweat: "No, Master, you don't trust my character?"

"hehe."

If it weren't for his daughter's affection for Xia Yu, Long Fan would absolutely not have supported Xia Yu and Yan Ning being together.

"I'll be busy with Mr. Chi's funeral these next few days. After the funeral, I might have to stay for a few more days."

"Master, you should rest well and take a few more days off. You've worked so hard. Besides, Yan Ning and I miss you. It would be good if you stayed a few more days." Xia Yu quickly flattered him.

Even if you wear it a thousand times, you will never wear it.

“If you have any questions, you can ask me. I’ll be going back to Shanghai after these few days.” Long Fan said to Xia Yu, “After Elder Chi left, the Chi family will definitely be under a lot of pressure. We have a cooperative relationship with the Chi family, and Han Qing also works in your lab. Please take good care of her.”

“Sigh…” Speaking of Han Qing, Long Fan couldn’t help but sigh: “Han Qing’s parents died early, and now that Elder Chi is dead, the two of them are truly all alone. When I’m not in the capital, you and Yan Ning should take good care of them. If you encounter any problems that you can’t solve, you can tell me directly.”

Long Fan shook his head as he thought of Chi Hanqing, then said, "I just wonder who Elder Chi will leave his Pokémon to."

"Neither Chi Hanqing nor Chi Hanxiao are professional trainers. We don't know if they can control the trainers. If they can't, the Chi family will be in real trouble."

…………

Chapter 626 G2 League - The Guild Master

Three days later, Mr. Chi's funeral was held as scheduled.

After not seeing him for several days, Chi Hanqing had become much thinner. Dressed in black, his expression was blank, like a puppet on strings.

The two sisters, Chi Hanqing and Chi Hanxiao, stood together, their eyes filled with sorrow. Besides them, many members of the Chi family's collateral branches also came.