Xia Huanao's first match after waking up was successful. Although it was a bit troublesome, he emerged victorious without any major incidents. Xia Huanao still had one more match scheduled for today. As for his opponent, the intelligence provided by Zhang Hong indicated that it wouldn't be too difficult to handle, being a participant who also qualified in the final push.
Let's briefly touch upon the second stage of the competition. All qualified contestants from each major region of the Minglong Kingdom were randomly divided into sixteen groups. Only two participants from each group would advance to the subsequent knockout stages, directly determining the top thirty-two. These matches were all scheduled to conclude before the 28th. Following that, the 29th would be a rest day, the 30th would see the conclusion of all matches for the under-20 division, and the under-25 division would wrap up on the 31st.
As for Xia Huanao, he joined Shen Yu and the others in the spectator stands to watch the matches. He waved to Gongsun Xue, who was observing him from the side, and said, "Good afternoon, Sister Xue."
The three Gongsun siblings also approached Xia Huanao. "Good afternoon. You've been keeping your cards quite close to your chest, haven't you?"
Xia Huanao chuckled. "Sister Xue, you must have known. I asked you for so many secret manuals back then, I doubt you had no ideas of your own."
Gongsun Shuang peeked from behind Gongsun Xue. "Guagua has learned a new secret technique. What about Diancie? You've been learning from me for so long, you must have some special preparations, right?"
Xia Huanao pondered for a moment, then shifted the blame. "I was originally planning to practice. But I was with your unworthy disciple before, so Sister Shuang, you understand."
Gongsun Shuang glanced at Zhang Hong, her eyes conveying a clear threat.
As the group chatted enthusiastically, some naturally curious individuals wanted to inquire about what had happened to Xia Huanao. However, even when Xia Huanao took the stage for his second match, he simply offered a faint smile and remained tight-lipped about their questions.
In his second match, Xia Huanao again had the good fortune of choosing to go second. His Rockruff engaged in a fierce battle with his opponent, ultimately securing a narrow victory.
That evening, in the backyard of Yu Rui's pastry shop, everyone gathered around two round tables while Yu Rui and Shen Yu, the two chefs, busied themselves in the kitchen. Yu Longdu slung an arm around Xia Huanao's shoulders. "Old Xia, you know, this is the first time Little Rui has gone to such lengths to make dinner. You have to remember you owe me one."
Xia Huanao turned his head. "Huh? If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be in this state! And I owe you? Have some shame, right, Sister Linglong?"
Just then, Yu Rui emerged carrying two plates. "My last dish, five-spiced pan-fried eggplant shreds. Please make way, everyone!"
Yu Rui placed the two plates on the tables. "This is my signature dish, and my favorite. Everyone, please try it."
Shen Yu also brought out two trays from the kitchen. "This is the soup I made. There are no more dishes. Let's dig in."
Everyone raised their glasses. "Come, let us toast to classmate Xia Huanao's recovery. Cheers!"
As they ate and chatted, the conversation soon turned to Xia Huanao's condition. "Boss Xia, what exactly happened to you?"
Xia Huanao sighed. "I was experiencing self-doubt, but as I was doubting, I suddenly heard Guagua and Diancie's voices..."
Xia Huanao's explanation left everyone incredulous. It was Diancie and Guagua who had rescued him from his self-doubt. The story sounded like a fairy tale. However, Zheng Xiaoxiao and Yu Linglong were staring intently at Xia Huanao, making him feel rather uncomfortable.
"No, sisters, what are you two looking at me for?"
Yu Linglong explained, "In our Yu family's records, there are similar accounts. Some trainers can achieve a telepathic connection with their Pokémon, where even without direct commands, their Pokémon can sense their thoughts."
Zheng Xiaoxiao agreed. "Exactly. According to what Xia Huanao said, he's been trying to communicate with his Pokémon these past few days, seemingly reaching a state of utter focus. He must have been trying to seize an opportunity. While such opportunities are rare, you certainly made everyone worry."
Xia Huanao nodded. "Yes, you elder sisters are right. I will pay more attention to everyone's feelings in the future and won't make you worry so much."
After his explanation, Xia Huanao breathed a sigh of relief. What he had said was still only half true. The true part was that he had indeed entered a state of complete focus. The false part was that he had initially intended to perfect the Bond Evolution state with Guagua, but something had gone slightly awry. However, this situation was rather difficult to replicate, so he had simply continued with it, accepting the outcome. As a result, Xia Huanao's match performance during that period had been particularly poor because all his energy was focused on Guagua; a slight lapse in concentration could have resulted in him breaking out of the state.
Yu Longdu looked at his sister. "Sister, why haven't I heard of this?"
"What could you possibly have heard of? We have so many ancient texts in our Yu family, how many have you read?"
Saying that, Yu Linglong looked at Xia Huanao. "Little Xiazi, after dinner, let's spar. I want to see how much you've learned."
Xia Huanao thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I also want to see where Guagua and I stand in terms of strength."
...
An hour after dinner concluded, Xia Huanao, Yu Linglong, and others arrived at a training ground belonging to the Yu family. "This is our Yu family's training ground. Generally, very few people get to come here, but since you are all friends, you are welcome."
Other Yu family disciples were also practicing in the training ground. Upon seeing Yu Linglong, they all converged towards her. Xia Huanao chuckled. "Sister Linglong, your popularity in the Yu family is extraordinary."
Yu Linglong stepped onto the battle stage. "Come, let me see your progress."
News of Yu Linglong's impending battle spread like wildfire throughout the training ground, and soon, Xia Huanao and Yu Linglong were surrounded by an impenetrable crowd. Xia Huanao glanced at Guagua, who nodded and stepped onto the battlefield. Yu Linglong, in turn, sent out a Pokémon that had already garnered significant attention on camera: Primarina.
"Sister Linglong, isn't this Primarina your performance partner? Can it also battle?"
"Who told you my Pokémon could only perform? This is my very first Pokémon. Let's go."
Xia Huanao nodded, and their battle officially began.
Guagua moved at high speed, while Primarina tilted its head, watching Guagua, and then spat out a bubble that drifted towards Guagua.
Guagua initially didn't pay much attention to the bubble, but as it made contact, it suddenly expanded, engulfing Guagua entirely.
Xia Huanao was startled at first, then began to ponder what this move was. However, neither Bubble Beam nor its signature move, Sparkling Aria, involved spitting out a single bubble. Could this be Primarina's unique technique?
Xia Huanao frowned, while Guagua struggled violently. Zheng Xiaoxiao, observing from the side, shook her head. "It doesn't seem right. Linglong is definitely telepathic, but Xiazi here still seems to be relying on instinct."
Guagua finally broke free from the bubble Primarina had blown. However, Primarina immediately followed up with Sparkling Aria. Accompanied by a melodious song, a string of bubbles flew towards Guagua. The first bubble ensnared Guagua, and the subsequent bubbles repeatedly burst within the bubble.
Xia Huanao's heart grew anxious. This was clearly a variation of Sparkling Aria. The attack was fierce and relentless, yet Xia Huanao could not establish contact with his Guagua.
The system once again responded to Xia Huanao's call. "Host, you must remain calm. Guagua's heart may be in turmoil, but yours cannot be."
Xia Huanao closed his eyes and took a deep breath, while Guagua continued to struggle to escape Primarina's bubble assault. Yu Linglong, seeing Xia Huanao's effort, did not have Primarina continue its attack.
Xia Huanao closed his eyes, and faintly, he seemed to sense Guagua's struggle.
Sparkling Aria was a Water-type move, and Guagua was also a Water-type Pokémon. Water-types had no reason to fear other Water-types. The characteristics of this bubble were not dissimilar to a balloon; therefore, if he could find a weak point, it should be breakable.
With this thought, Xia Huanao shouted in his heart: "Guagua!"
Within the bubble, Guagua suddenly stopped moving, causing Yu Linglong's lips to curve slightly. It was finally about to begin.
Xia Huanao gently clenched his fist, and a Water Shuriken appeared in Guagua's hand. The shuriken directly sliced through the bubble that enveloped him, and Guagua once again faced Primarina head-on.
Xia Huanao and Yu Linglong watched the situation on the field. The battle between Guagua and Primarina continued. Primarina repeatedly blew bubbles, while Guagua, now telepathically connected with Xia Huanao, used Double Team to collide with the bubbles. Under the cover of its clones, Guagua gradually approached Primarina.
Suddenly, Primarina changed its tactic. A white light descended from the sky – Moonblast, or as it's commonly known, Moonblast.
If this Moonblast hit Guagua, with STAB and the level difference, it could potentially defeat Guagua directly. Xia Huanao quickly told Guagua to dodge. In his haste, the communication that had finally been established was once again broken.
Guagua's movement suddenly shifted, and then it stumbled forward, thus dodging Primarina's Moonblast. Yu Linglong looked at Guagua. She knew this was absolutely not a command from Xia Huanao. In her opinion, Xia Huanao's evasive maneuver would have been to roll forward and then follow up with an attack.
It must have been disconnected again. This intermittent connection is not ideal. Hadn't Xia Huanao been practicing for so long? Shouldn't he have succeeded by now?
Zheng Xiaoxiao, acting as the referee, also noticed. "It seems Little Xiazi is facing difficulties again."