"Dragonite lost the ability to battle! Ai Li's Pokémon has four remaining!"
The announcer's voice was loud and clear.
On the big screen, the symbol next to Ai Li's avatar for Dragonite dimmed, followed by the Archeops symbol above it. Only Garchomp remained bright.
The audience's cheers were incessant.
Coupled with the victorious roar of the Giant Steelix on the field, the competitive atmosphere made the scene thrillingly exhilarating.
Online discussion surged rapidly, as this Hoenn Tournament's publicity was already well executed, combined with the astonishing performance of Porygon II and Steelix, attracting more and more battle enthusiasts.
Among them were acquaintances of both Contestant Baimu and Ai Li.
For instance, Ash Ketchum and Pikachu back in Pallet Town, Hitron, Youx Lijia in Lumiose Gym, and Celestial Tung traveling coincidentally to Carlos, Granny Long from Dragon Land with Changpu, elders and young Dragon Tamers from Meteor Town, and even Rocket Team's trio working hard to repay debts, etc...
Not to mention those who have long been following the event.
As a regional-level tournament, the attention it received already far exceeded this level.
Even the regional Champion Alliance wouldn't be this hot.
Segments of the battle between the two were made into dynamic images and uploaded to blogs, and many people sensed the presence of Hoenn Champion Da Wu and Master of the Gorgeous Competition Mikoli through likes.
Numerous Gym Leaders from the Hoenn Region emerged one after another, and even Celestial King Bonnie and Furong made comments.
The heat soared again.
Within ten minutes of the start, keywords related to the two had already made it to the top five worldwide, above which were some major technological breakthroughs, Dan Emperor's consecutive victories and new endorsement in the All-Star Game, and Nazi's new movie announcement, etc.
World-renowned!
Shanren and the Hoenn Alliance tournament affairs bureau also found that the situation had already exceeded their control, with the former realizing he had played it big.
Baimu had only been out for less than a year, where did he know so many celebrities?
He now only hopes that the future Champion from Ore he placed high hopes on can withstand this heat; if the ship capsizes, the backlash of public opinion would be quite terrible.
But if he can endure it...
The whole world will witness Baimu's existence!
Of course.
The turbulence on the internet didn't overly affect the two battling onsite or the audience engrossed in watching the match.
Currently, the score was 2:0, Ai Li was greatly disadvantaged.
"Ai Li..."
Xiaoguang watched the field worriedly at the brown-skinned girl whose face was indistinct.
Before the finals started, both sides showcased strength far exceeding other contestants, but does this suggest they are evenly matched?
The answer is negated.
Even among the strong, there are distinctions in strength.
From the beginning of the match till now, the record in the big screen clearly illustrated this point, as Baimu suppressed Ai Li just like he did with other contestants.
The enigmatic Porygon II and the Sandstorm-dominating Steelix, each incredibly powerful beyond the ordinary.
Xiaogang lamented, "It's different now."
He still remembers the first time he saw the Giant Steelix, who wasn't proficient even in basic techniques like Tie Tight.
Nowadays, not only Tie Tight techniques but even mastering the Counterattack Shield fully, and its Sandstorm manipulation amazes him as a Rock-type Gym Leader.
Really want Jiro to see it too.
Recalling his younger brother who succeeded him as a Gym Leader, Xiaogang couldn't help but smile.
Mann Chong's eyes were dazed, constantly fantasizing about his Pokémon battling the Steelix, gradually losing his focus.
Liuqia was furiously swiping through blogs, using a secondary account to like numerous comments praising Baimu, while downvoting and reporting critical comments, his fingers danced flexibly.
On the field.
With the Wind paused.
The Sandstorm had already dissipated with Steelix voluntarily releasing it.
The only arena state remaining was Magic Space, but it likely won't last long either.
Ai Li retrieved her fainted Dragonite, saying solemnly, "Dragonite, you've tried your best, rest easy now."
She glanced at the Giant Steelix, fists clenched tightly.
"Ugh..."
Having sent three Pokémon in, all of them in disadvantage, how could she fail to see Baimu's strength surpassing her own? In her quest for Rayquaza, she grew while he advanced at an even faster pace.
The gap was indeed evident!
And at this juncture, the opportunities left to her were dwindling.
Even dispatching Garchomp again wouldn't equate their Sandstorm, but rather hasten the intermission.
Looking back carefully.
Ai Li felt she was thinking too much, whereas apart from implementing her battle will, fighting until the last moment, idle thoughts were useless.
Bravely forward, no retreat!
"At such a moment, it should be left to you—"
She threw out a Pokeball, sending out her fourth Pokémon, while opposite Baimu also retrieved Steelix, and released a new Pokémon.
The audience was surprised.
Bang bang!
Sharp-eyed Excadrill and the smiling Blissey fell onto the sand.
Due to the previous rounds mostly taking place in the air, the two shallow pits made by Porygon II were covered again by Steelix's sandstorm, so the field was relatively flat.
However, both sides had short legs, causing their feet to sink into the sand upon landing.
It looked quite amusing at first glance.
"Contestant Baimu swapped Pokémon again voluntarily!" the announcer exclaimed with a light chuckle, "Could this be some special tactic?"
The big screen lit up with the avatars of both Pokémon.
The trainers' commands were synchronized and issued.
"Use Direct Charge Drill from underground!"