Chapter 343: The Semifinals!
Unfortunately, Mega Gallade's Life Dew was a drop of water in an ocean of fire.
With a final wail of agony, the shimmering water veil surrounding Mega Gallade was instantly torn asunder by the violet flames. The move didn't even have a chance to heal him before the heat flashed it into steam.
The "Abyssal Flames" produced by a Pokémon blessed by the Sacred Fire were a hundred times more potent than any ordinary burn. They didn't just singe the hide; they seemed to target the very life energy of the opponent.
Mega Houndoom stood motionless. It didn't need to strike again. It simply watched with cold, glowing eyes as Mega Gallade's remaining stamina was systematically consumed by the violet fire.
THUD...
With a muffled sound, Mega Gallade collapsed. A flash of white light signaled the end of his Mega form as he reverted to his base state, unconscious.
The moment he fainted, the purple flames—possessing a sinister intelligence of their own—finally dissipated, leaving behind a scorched and battered Gallade.
"Gallade is unable to battle!!! Houndoom is the winner!!"
"Li Xisheng has lost all six Pokémon!! The winner of this match is!!! Xun Zhurong!!!"
Mega Houndoom let out a sharp, dismissive bark and reverted to its base form. Xun's expression was flat, devoid of any joy or triumph. To him, defeating a former Champion was apparently not even worth a smile.
It was as if the outcome had been written in the stars long ago.
Strong. Ridiculously strong, Kenji thought, watching the replays on the monitor.
This was a total shutout based on raw, crushing power. It was the kind of disparity that no amount of clever tactics could bridge.
Throughout the entire match, Xun's Mega Houndoom had only used one high-level move to finish the job: Infernal Abyss. But that one move had been enough to systematically dismantle a Tier-1 Ace.
In fact, Mega Gallade hadn't even managed to land a clean hit on the hellhound. He had been toyed with from the first second.
Kenji looked down at the two Poké Balls in his hands—the ones containing Beedrill and Darkrai.
Don't worry, you two, he thought, feeling the faint vibration of their battle spirit through the spheres. It won't be long now. You'll finally get a real fight.
The third match followed: Elder Venom (Grandma Liu) vs. Xu Anran.
This was almost painful to watch. Grandma Liu treated the "Luckiest Girl in Huaxia" like a child, sweeping her entire team without breaking a sweat. Grandma Liu didn't even have to bring out her Gengar to secure the win.
Looking at the results, Kenji realized that he was actually the one who had "struggled" the most among the Top 3 qualifiers.
...
The Top Three was set.
The tournament organizers granted another three-day break to allow the finalists and their Pokémon to reach peak condition for the home stretch.
This break was vital for Kenji. The Dragon Pattern put an immense strain on Arbok's cardiovascular system and energy reserves. If the match had been the next day, the snake wouldn't have been able to perform at 100%.
The final schedule was announced:
Morning Session: A triple-threat elimination among the Top 6 losers to determine 4th, 5th, and 6th place. (Crucial because only the Top 5 could challenge the Elite Four).
Afternoon Session: The Semifinals.
In the morning matches, the veterans proved why they were legends. Xu Anran's luck finally ran out against the sheer walls of experience that were Li Xisheng and Hu Ren. She finished 6th, losing her chance to challenge the Elite Four.
The battle for 4th and 5th was a masterclass in attrition. Li Xisheng's Gallade was still fatigued from its bout with the hellhound, and Hu Ren's Garchomp was equally battered. In the end, Li Xisheng's superior tactical depth allowed him to secure 4th place, leaving Hu Ren at 5th.
Then, the afternoon arrived. The atmosphere in the Phoenix Nest was suffocating with anticipation.
Kenji, Xun Zhurong, and Elder Venom. One of these three would be crowned the Conference Champion.
The Semifinal format was a random draw. Since there were three trainers, one would receive a "Bye" and head straight to the grand final the following day. The other two would fight for the second slot.
Kenji sat in his private lounge, hands resting on his knees, staring at the blank jumbotron.
Champion of Huaxia... I've finally reached the threshold.
In the second lounge, Xun Zhurong sat with his legs crossed, red hair messy over his forehead. His face was a mask of cold confidence.
In the third lounge, Grandma Liu was checking her mask, muttering under her breath. "Please let me draw that Zhurong brat... I want to pinch his cheeks into oblivion."
...
A hundred thousand fans in the stands leaned forward. Millions more held their breath at home.
Finally, the screen flickered to life. Two names appeared in a flash of gold and fire.
KENJI vs. XUN ZHURONG!!!!
"DAMN IT!!"
In her lounge, Grandma Liu kicked a chair. She had drawn the bye.
Kenji, seeing his name next to the Zhurong prodigy, merely narrowed his eyes.
In his mind, Grandma Liu was the "Final Boss." Xun was the "Mid-Boss." To have to clear the road by defeating the Zhurong family's best before facing his mentor... it was a fitting progression.
Xun Zhurong stood up and walked toward the tunnel, his gaze like iron.
He hadn't forgotten his uncle's words. To a boy raised to be the next God of Fire, being told a "nobody" from Metropolis was more qualified for the throne was an unforgivable insult.
Watch me, Uncle Yun, Xun thought, his heart racing with a cold, focused fury. I will break him. I will prove that only a Zhurong is fit to challenge you!
The spotlights hit the center of the field.
Kenji and Xun walked out from their respective tunnels, taking their places on the elevated platforms.
They stood facing each other, the air between them thick with killing intent.
Xun turned his head slightly, looking toward the high platform where the Elite Four and the Champion sat.
Zhurong Yun's expression didn't change as he met his nephew's gaze. He simply watched, silent and unmoving.
"The two cubs are finally at each other's throats," Lawson remarked from the platform.
Kenji vs. Xun Zhurong.
The "Chosen Successor" vs. the "Legacy of Fire."
The stadium fell into a hush as the referee raised his flags.
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