Pokémon: Master System.

He had been saving money, and after working for two years, he had tens of thousands of yuan in savings. With all his savings, Xie Tianming resolutely quit his job, bought his first Pokémon, and embarked on the path to becoming a Pokémon Trainer.

Over the course of five years, he endured countless hardships, nearly dying in the wild several times, and made countless efforts, but he is still only a Lord-level trainer.

This is also the helplessness of most trainers from poor backgrounds. Without good resources or powerful Pokémon, they can only wander around, constantly on the move, searching for every opportunity to become stronger. They might even accidentally die in the wild without anyone knowing.

His purpose in challenging Xia Yu this time was to prove himself. Although he came from a poor background and was only a Lord-level Trainer, at this stage, he and his ace Pokémon were absolutely invincible among their peers.

"Xia Yu, I'm going to send out my strongest partner next. I hope you can also send out your ace and fight me seriously!" Xie Tianming said, looking directly at Xia Yu.

Xia Yu frowned slightly as he listened to Xie Tianming's words. To be honest, he felt that with Xie Tianming's strength, he didn't need to send out the Lizard King at all: "Once you defeat my Charizard, you'll see my trump card."

"Alright! Don't worry, I'll make you acknowledge my abilities!"

Upon hearing this, Xie Tianming did not insist. Respect is something you earn yourself, not something you beg for from others!

Xie Tianming took a red and white Poké Ball from around his neck, looked at the black Charizard flying in the sky, and then threw it high into the air.

"Go, Infernape!"

Watching this scene, Xia Yu couldn't help but think to himself, Xie Tianming's throwing motion is really cool. I should study my own throwing motion more carefully in the future.

The Infernape, engulfed in raging flames, made its appearance, immediately catching Xia Yu's attention.

The reason was simple: this Infernape's potential was simply too good. Its near-champion level potential made Xia Yu's pupils shrink. This was the first time he had seen a Pokémon with near-champion level potential in the hands of an ordinary person.

A typical Infernape is about 1.2 meters tall, while Xie Tianming's Infernape is about 1.75 meters tall, almost the same height as Xie Tianming behind it.

Its arms hung down to its knees, and fiery red flames burned fiercely behind its head, like a red cloak draped over its back.

For some reason, Xia Yu felt that this Infernape was very unusual. Xia Yu vaguely saw the shadows of Wei Yeqin and Lucario in Xie Tianming and this Infernape. After Infernape appeared, Xie Tianming's whole demeanor changed.

There was a sense of unity and understanding between Xie Tianming and the Flame Monkey. Their eyes were equally firm and sharp, filled with confidence in themselves.

Xia Yu abandoned his dismissive attitude, his face turning serious as he focused on the situation. He looked at his Charizard and said, "Charizard, the opponent is strong; we must go all out."

"Awooo." Charizard nodded. It could also sense the aura emanating from the Infernape. It stared at Infernape, ready to pounce.

"Game start!"

"Roar!"

This time, Xia Yu didn't need to give any commands. Based on his understanding of Charizard, he was certain that it would launch another sneak attack!

As expected, Charizard did not disappoint Xia Yu. It once again launched a skillful sneak attack, unleashing a torrent of flames that flew towards Infernape like a fire dragon.

"Infernape, charge forward and get close!" Xie Tianming calmly commanded, instructing Infernape to withstand the flames and attack Charizard at close range.

Facing the Flamethrower, Infernape didn't hesitate for a moment, charging straight at Charizard head-on, the flames on its head billowing like a crimson battle robe.

Infernape burst through the scorching flames, its fist glowing red, bathed in flames and swirling with fire, as it charged straight at Charizard.

Xia Yu had already figured out that this Infernape's ability was Iron Fist, which would increase its power when using punching moves. He wasn't going to be foolish enough to wait for Infernape to get close: "Charizard, fly!"

Seeing the brute Infernape charging towards them, Charizard took flight without Xia Yu needing to say anything.

"Infernape, use Rock Slide to force it down."

Xie Tianming frowned as he watched the Charizard take off. His Infernape was almost invincible at close range among Pokémon of the same level, but it was difficult to exert its advantage when facing a Pokémon like Charizard that could take off.

He immediately changed tactics, having Infernape use Rock Slide! Charizard, being a Fire/Flying type, is four times weak to Rock. If it takes a Rock Slide, it will most likely be defeated. Even if it manages to withstand one Rock Slide, it definitely won't be able to withstand a second one.

Infernape slammed its fist into the ground, causing cracks to appear like a spider web. It then dug out a huge rock from the ground, lifted it high, leaned its body slightly backward, and hurled it with all its might. The huge rock flew towards Charizard like a cannonball!

"Charizard, use your metal claws to smash the rocks!"

Although Xia Yu's Charizard is geared towards special attacks, he still trains diligently. While his physical abilities are not as good as those of physical attackers, he can still be a lifesaver in critical moments.

Seeing the rapidly approaching rocks, Charizard swung its claws and roared. Steel-type energy enveloped its claws, and a huge silver steel-type energy claw emerged, cleaving through the rocks!

The massive rock instantly shattered into countless tiny rocks that scattered in all directions.

"Infernape, stealth rock!"

Infernape's Rock-type energy surged, and it suddenly raised its fist upwards, unleashing a burst of Rock-type energy. The small rocks scattered on the ground were controlled by Infernape and flew into the air, floating around Charizard and above it before disappearing completely.

Attached image: Infernape

Chapter 161 Near-Champion Infernape

Xia Yu's heart sank. In the game, Stealth Rock only works when switching Pokémon, damaging the Pokémon that switches in. But in reality, Stealth Rock is an excellent way to deal with Flying-type Pokémon.

In the current situation, the sky is filled with countless invisible rocks, which will seriously affect Pokémon's flight. If Charizard dares to continue flying, it will crash into an invisible rock and instantly get a wound. Moreover, the faster the flight speed, the greater the damage it will suffer when it crashes into an invisible rock.

Dozens or even hundreds of invisible rocks filled the air, and Charizard didn't dare to move at all!

The situation has turned against them.

Xia Yu's face darkened. Xie Tianming was deliberately waiting for his Charizard to break the rocks so he could use the small rocks to create an Invisibility Rock.

"Infernape, charge! Use the continuous rockfalls to force it down!"

After using Stealth Rock to restrict Charizard's flight, Infernape dug up a huge rock from the ground and threw it at Charizard!

Xia Yu frowned. The Charizard was affected by the Stealth Rock and dared not fly freely. Faced with Infernape's constant Rock Slide, the Charizard, which was not good at physical attacks, could only hold out for a while with Metal Claws, but it definitely could not last long.

"Charizard lands, dodges Rock Slide, and uses Heat Wave!"

Upon hearing Xia Yu's command, Charizard descended, avoiding the rockfall. At the same time, the sharp Stealth Rock sliced ​​through Charizard's body, instantly creating countless tiny wounds.

The injured Charizard let out a painful cry, then opened its mouth, took a deep breath, and a wave of heat swept over Infernape!

Looking at the injured Charizard, Xia Yu felt a little sorry for it, but that's how battles are, no one can avoid getting hurt!

"Sonic punch!"

As Charizard landed, Xie Tianming knew his chance for victory had arrived. Infernape bravely withstood the heat wave and charged into the scorching flames, blasting towards Charizard. It even punched through the heat wave!

"boom!"

The Sonic Punch struck Charizard with a muffled thud, and Charizard immediately showed a pained expression on its face, its face contorted, and its body staggered back several steps, clearly demonstrating the astonishing power of the Sonic Punch.

Xie Tianming's eyes shone with confidence; once he got close, his Infernape would be absolutely invincible.

"Sonic punch!"

Infernape clenched its right fist, suddenly accelerated, stepped forward with its left leg, and threw a punch – a standard straight punch!

Infernape's movements are quite standard and swift, feeling more like martial arts training than a skill.

The punch was so fast that Xia Yu couldn't even see it clearly, and Charizard didn't even have time to react. It was hit directly in the stomach, and a look of pain appeared on its face again. With its weight of nearly 130 kilograms, Charizard was sent sliding backward several meters away, only managing to stop itself by flapping its wings.

Such an exaggerated scene made Xia Yu wonder if Infernape really used the Mach Punch move? You know, Charizard, which has the Flying type, is twice resistant to Fighting type moves. Mach Punch is all about speed, but its power is not high. How could Charizard be so badly injured?

"Are you alright, Charizard?" Xia Yu asked worriedly, seeing that Charizard's condition was clearly not good.

"Awooo." Charizard responded with a frown, clearly not in good condition. It felt nauseous and glared fiercely at Infernape opposite it, panting heavily.

The injured Charizard's face contorted with ferocity as it stared intently at Infernape, its eyes gleaming with menace.

Infernape wasn't in good shape either. Although its attacks were powerful, it was in pretty bad shape after being hit by Heat Wave and Flamethrower.

"Charizard, unleash your most powerful heat blast!"

Xia Yu knew that Charizard could probably only last one or two more moves, so he immediately ordered Charizard to stop attacking and use its maximum power Heat Wave!

Charizard took a deep breath, its mouth radiating heat, then raised its head and unleashed a torrent of flames!

"Infernape, charge!"

Infernape pushed off with its feet, its body springing out like a spring, charging towards Charizard despite the heatwave. The flames on Infernape's body burned fiercely, clearly showing that even a Fire-type Pokémon could not withstand the high temperature caused by Charizard's hot air, and its fur was also ignited.

The Infernape, its body ablaze, seemed oblivious to the pain of being scorched by the flames. With a resolute gaze, it charged towards Charizard, crouching down in a stance resembling a horse stance.

With a push of the hand and an elbow strike, the waist and stance move as one, power originates from the feet, the shoulders lead the hands, the five fingers clench into a fist, and the iron fist strikes the Charizard's belly, suddenly unleashing astonishing power. A faint sound of air being torn apart can be heard, and the Charizard is sent flying by a single punch!

Those moves, those postures, that's definitely the work of a trained professional!

Before the previous punch, Xia Yu wasn't 100% sure if the Flame Monkey had practiced martial arts, but after seeing this punch, Xia Yu was 100% certain that this guy and Xie Tianming had definitely practiced.

If that punch had landed on me, asking for 200,000 wouldn't have been unreasonable.

…………

Both Infernape and Charizard have reached their limits after this attack, and the outcome is decided in a split second.

Looking at Xie Tianming, who was wearing a thin coat and coarse clothes even in the dead of winter, Xia Yu guessed that Xie Tianming must be a commoner trainer and that he must be living a very frugal life.

Under these circumstances, it is quite remarkable that he was able to capture a near-champion Infernape and train it to this level all by himself.

His name is Xie Tianming? Xia Yu felt a surge of interest in talent. Trainers like Xie Tianming shouldn't be overlooked; otherwise, in a decade or so, he might become the next Xu Xiu.

"Xie Tianming, wait for me after this match, I have something to tell you," Xia Yu said, looking at Xie Tianming.

Xia Yu then turned to Charizard and said, "Charizard, you've done a great job. You should rest now."

Seeing the Charizard covered in wounds, Xia Yu felt a pang of heartache and recalled it back into its Poké Ball.

"Didn't you want to see my trump card?" Xia Yu took out the Sceptile's Poké Ball and smiled.

Although he himself was also a sixth-ranking member and wanted to keep the Lizard King hidden from view, people like Xie Tianming were worthy of his attention.

Many trainers' strength does not come from their own abilities, but from the strength of their fathers!

This type of trainer doesn't inspire Xia Yu's admiration. Only ordinary trainers like Xie Tianming, who rise from humble beginnings, deserve Xia Yu's admiration.

"Come on, Lizard King!"