Elf: Starts with small diamonds, then mutates into Diancie.

Zhao Yun gave him a strange look, then said, "Ask away."

Su Hao nodded, and after organizing his thoughts, he said, "I once met the captain and vice-captain of Shanghai University in Ice Peak City when I was challenging a gym."

Zhao Yun perked up her ears; she had never heard of this before.

"Back then, they called themselves juniors in college in Shanghai, and their ace Pokémon were only at the late Elite level. But in just over half a year, they now have a whole team of professional-level late-stage Pokémon... It feels like their strength has improved a bit too fast."

Is it really appropriate for you to say these things?

Zhao Yun was speechless. Su Hao's talent of building a team from scratch in less than a year was outrageous.

"However, the answer to this question is actually very simple. You should know that Shanghai University, like Tsinghua and Peking University, only uses senior students to participate in the university league, right? The captain is responsible for managing the senior team members, and the vice captain is responsible for managing the team members below the senior level."

Su Hao nodded. He had indeed heard that Shanghai University only used senior students. At the time, he wondered why Mu Xia and Dai Wu, both juniors, were included in the program.

Zhao Yun continued, "The intelligence indicates that they went on a trip to challenge gyms during their junior year and only officially became senior students after returning to school. The improvement in their Pokémon strength is also because they probably accumulated a lot of time in the late Elite level stage, and finally broke through the barrier of the Professional level, and their level has soared ever since."

Su Hao was stunned for a moment. Was that really the reason...?

Zhao Yun patted Su Hao on the shoulder and said slowly, "However, after talking to you so much, I've also figured some things out. Reaching the top four has far exceeded our expectations. Next, I will send out the strongest team battle lineup from Jiangcheng University to help you test the opponent."

"All you need to do is showcase yourself and fight for that spot..."

She had been wondering why the usually low-key Su Hao had suddenly made such arrogant remarks, until the news was published and she realized the reason.

Su Hao probably received some inside information, which is why he so boldly issued a declaration of independence.

Without Su Hao, Jiangcheng University, despite its strength, might be able to defeat Baodao University, but it would likely face a tough battle.

Su Hao made Jiangcheng University successful, bringing them back into the top five. Now it's time for Jiangcheng University to make Su Hao successful.

Su Hao tilted his head, looking blankly at Zhao Yun who was lost in her own self-pity. After realizing what she was thinking, a speechless expression quickly appeared on his face.

I haven't even had a match yet, so how come Zhao Yun, the head coach, is already certain that Jiangcheng University might lose?

Do they have any professional ethics or the fighting spirit of esports?!

Watch as I, a god descended to earth, take on three opponents single-handedly!

However, actions speak louder than words, so Su Hao remained silent and quietly watched the team battle on the field.

The two teams facing off were a Sunny Day team, with Li Xiao's Volcarona as the core, Mu Yao's Blissey as support, and Jiang Xiangyun's Venusaur as a disruptor.

Meanwhile, Shanghai University dispatched a formidable defensive force centered around Dai Wu, a key player not much weaker than Mu Xia.

Daigo didn't send out his shiny Metagross, but instead sent out a professional-level late-game Aggron with superb defense.

It can only be said that they seemed to have no intention of going all out to win this match, and were prepared to go all out in the ring from the very beginning.

As expected, Shanghai University lost the team battle. It seemed that Jiangcheng University had the advantage with two wins, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that the real stage to determine the winner was the ring match.

Shanghai University has amassed tremendous strength and intends to crush Jiangcheng University in one fell swoop during the arena competition.

As for Jiangcheng University, most of their cards have already been revealed, and they have almost no cards left to play.

The course of the game seems to be gradually becoming clear.

------------

Attached images are Eevee, Whimsicott, Rockruff, and Budew.

Chapter 554 Arena Competition

"The battle in Shanghai and Jiangcheng has entered a fierce stage. Who will be favored by the goddess of victory in this decisive arena match...?"

"In the 33-player tournament, each player is limited to sending out two Pokémon. Shanghai University's starting player is Xue Qi, and Jiangcheng University's starting player is Su Hao!"

In mid-air above the Ho-Oh Stadium, the referee, riding an Aegislash, looked surprised and somewhat incredulously followed the voice in his headset as it read out the matchup list.

What is Jiangcheng University trying to do? Why is Su Hao starting again?

In this situation, shouldn't they have their best singles players replace as many of Shanghai University's players as possible, then send Li Xiao and his Vulcan Moth to pave the way for Su Hao, and finally stage a king-versus-king showdown?

That's how it's portrayed in light novels and sports anime!

In the preparation area of ​​Jiangcheng University, Li Xiao crossed his arms and said helplessly, "He doesn't really think he can beat Shanghai University with just two Pokémon, does he...?"

Even if I sent out my own Volcarona, the best outcome would only be to trade with the opponent's ace Pokémon... This is all thanks to my dad's extraordinary skills.

By all accounts, it should be him, or Jiang Xiangyun, or Lin Daoyi paving the way for him.

"He still has a few Pokémon that haven't appeared yet... Besides, I always feel that Dragapult's strength was actually less than half of what it was when it battled Dragon Amaterasu."

"And that Diancie, to this day, we still don't know the true extent of its strength."

Mu Yao shook her head. She was already very close to achieving her family's goal and had successfully avenged herself against Treasure Island University, so her mind was much calmer.

Therefore, she is better able to view everything objectively.

Zhao Yun hesitated for a moment before revealing her guess: "While you were fighting on the field just now, I chatted with Su Hao for a bit. I guess his goal was probably... to demonstrate an absolute difference in strength and get that spot."

"Perhaps he really is confident that with just two Pokémon, he can achieve a stunning victory against all six of Shanghai University's top three aces..."

Zhao Yun's words plunged the two into silence, their gazes slightly unfocused as they looked at the field, lost in thought.

"Please send out your Pokémon."

Seeing that the two had reached their positions, the referee spoke up at the opportune moment.

Su Hao and Xue Qi, the other contestant, made eye contact and nodded slightly. Clearly, they were both highly qualified individuals and had no intention of exchanging trash talk.

Choose to let your strength speak for itself.

"Elegant water spirit, Milotic!" Su Hao copied the line from the female champion in the Pokémon world and threw out the Luxury Ball.

A flash of red light, and Milotic, with its elegant and noble movements and shimmering scales, slowly landed.

"Fuwu~"

Milotic murmured softly, his captivating ruby-like eyes fixed on his opponent.

On the left, Xue Qi directly demonstrated his experience as a pioneer of Shanghai University, saying in a deep voice, "Don't be careless, Desert Dragonfly!"

Su Hao had just seen the desert dragonfly in the desert not long ago. It flapped its wings and stared intently at Milos, then froze.

Could it be... that it's going to fight against such a beautiful goddess?

A hint of pity flashed in the desert dragonfly's eyes, but more so was reason.

It understands the seriousness of its current situation and that any sentimentality will prevent it from bringing victory to its trainer.

A Pokémon of the opposite sex will only slow down its attack speed!

"Sharp stone attack!"

To Su Hao's surprise, Xue Qi did not let the Desert Dragonfly create a sandstorm, but instead chose to launch a strong attack from the very beginning.

It seems he knows a lot about Milotic, and knows that Milotic is quite proficient in rainmaking. Once it gets into a long battle for the weather, Flygon will definitely be the first to give out.

Sharp rock pillars jutted out of the ground with the roar of desert dragonflies, coming from all directions, seemingly intending to block Milotic's escape space.

Milos narrowed her beautiful eyes, without Su Hao reminding her...

It autonomously wraps the water around its long tail, easily defeating all the attacking sharp rocks.

If, in the past, due to the interference of Latias and Latios, it was more proficient in Dragon and Psychic moves than Water-type moves, now, after obtaining a fragment of the Water Stone, its Water-type talent has completely surpassed its predecessor.

Even the hardest and sharpest rock pillars cannot gain any advantage in this mysterious and unpredictable water flow.

Seeing that the Desert Dragonfly's all-out attack of sharp stones was easily blocked, Xue Qi's already dejected face showed a hint of helplessness, and he muttered to himself, "As expected, each one is very strong... They are truly monsters."

Although the coach had analyzed before the match that Su Hao's Milotic and Incineroar, which he had not yet sent out, would probably be stronger than the Pokémon that had appeared before, not to mention Diancie, the Infernape that was able to defeat the Fire-type Elite Four a few months ago.

In actual combat, the pressure is immense.

This guy, does he already have a Gym Leader-level Pokémon?!

Xue Qi shook his head, dismissing this unrealistic and terrifying fantasy, and said in a deep voice, "Dance of the Dragon!"

Regardless, the only option is to maneuver around while wearing down Milotic's stamina. The first priority is to improve Flygon's mobility...

However, Su Hao's first command caught Xue Qi off guard, leaving him bewildered and asking, "Huh?"

Milotic, mesmerizing!

Milos glanced helplessly at Su Hao, only to receive a toothy smile in return.

If it had to choose, it would rather use its raw power to smash the enemy's head than use force.

With a sigh, Milotic roused itself and began to unleash the charm inherent in its race.

Milotic's body, which seemed to radiate a hazy halo, captivated the attention of Flygon, who had even forgotten to continue its Dragon Dance, with every single movement.

With every smile and frown of Milotic, Desert Dragonfly's heart, which had vowed to sever all ties of love, was unknowingly filled with Milotic's presence, and she no longer responded to Xue Qi's calls.

Now, Flygon only has Milotic in its eyes.

Milotic is its everything; even if it means its death, the desert dragonfly would gladly accept it.

Seeing that Flygon had completely become his lapdog, Milotic inwardly condemned Su Hao's perverse sense of humor and slowly murmured, "Foo~" (Just consider it for my sake, okay? You're just hurting yourself, Flygon!)

“Shhhhhh…” (My pleasure, Your Majesty)

As soon as he finished speaking, Flygon, beaming with happiness, began to self-harm using various Dragon-type moves. Amidst the hissing sounds from the audience, the preparation area, and even the referee, he laughed as he lost his ability to battle.

To this, Su Hao shook his head and commented, "A simp, a simp, in the end, he gets nothing!"