Xia Hunnao and his teammates secured three consecutive victories, comfortably advancing to the next round of the competition. Although his final win was less than glorious, Xia Hunnao declared that any victory was a good victory.
Naturally, Xia Hunnao's perspective differed from that of the Minglong Nation's contingent. For instance, Wang Zhen disliked Xia Hunnao's method of achieving victory, believing that a man should win with honor and integrity.
However, this young man constantly went against Xia Hunnao's intentions, and Xia Hunnao had long since stopped caring about his opinions.
As for Chu Xiaodie and Yu Longdu, they had been influenced by Xia Hunnao too much, seeing it as a form of strategy and thus, not minding it.
The team's opinions were sharply divided. Their team leader and coach, Meng Tianya, and Mu Zhishui, were acting as mediators, trying to prevent internal conflicts from escalating. If the team members started arguing during the group stage, they might resort to physical altercations in the next phase.
Xia Hunnao took another bite of an apple. "Our next match should be against Miren, I wonder what their current mood is. They wouldn't be thinking of targeting me, would they?"
After speaking, Xia Hunnao opened his "bloody maw" and took another bite. "It would be great if something like that bug came out."
And what was the Miren team, now targeted by Xia Hunnao, doing? They were analyzing the flaws in Minglong Nation's previous five matches. In other words, they had no intention of dealing with Xia Hunnao and Mu Zhishui. After all, they were a nation that highly valued gentlemanly conduct, and it was difficult to deal with a scoundrel like Xia Hunnao using gentlemanly means.
"As long as we gain two points more than them in the first five matches, we don't need to worry about what Xia Hunnao does."
Although the captain said this, two people in the Miren team still looked displeased. After all, they were the ones who had to deal with the scoundrel Xia Hunnao. Seeing that the captain did not intend to pay attention to them and would leave them to fend for themselves, Miren's Arthur stood up. "You guys chat. I'm going for a walk."
Arthur casually walked outside the cabin and happened to see Xia Hunnao coming out of the cabin to water his plants. He didn't know where he got these plants from; he watered them every day, but they never bloomed.
Arthur's gaze was quickly noticed by Xia Hunnao, who looked up. "If I remember correctly, you are a member of the Miren team, and you will be facing me in the upcoming match, right?"
Arthur nodded. "Yes, I will be facing you in the upcoming match. I hope to have a fair and square battle with you in that match."
Xia Hunnao looked at the serious Arthur and scratched his head. "I will compete with you, and I will definitely give it my all. You can rest assured."
Arthur roared, "That's not the answer I want! I hope you don't use those ridiculous little tricks!"
Xia Hunnao put down the watering can in his hand and wiped the water off his hands. "Do you think this is interesting? I've already said that it's no secret why we are all here. In this kind of situation, although I also want to have a good fight with you, my conscience must obey the interests of Minglong Nation. For the final victory, I will use any means necessary. Whether it's gentlemanly or not, whether it's fair or not."
Although Xia Hunnao's words were grand, those inside the cabin did not think so after listening. Yu Longdu walked over to Meng Tianya. "I say, isn't his statement just an excuse for him to use those despicable tactics? 'For the interests of Minglong Nation,' do you believe that?"
Meng Tianya still held his thermos cup. "I don't care. I am only responsible for bringing you all back to Minglong Nation safely."
Meng Tianya, repeating his old tune, looked at Xia Hunnao and Arthur, who were still confronting each other outside the cabin. Arthur reached out and grabbed Xia Hunnao's collar. Xia Hunnao was significantly shorter than Arthur. Arthur grabbed Xia Hunnao and pulled him forward. "What did you say? Are you even a man? What's the difference between your thoughts and rats in the sewer that can't see the light?"
Although he didn't know where this Arthur got such an unfortunate metaphor, Xia Hunnao was still annoyed at being held like a doll.
Xia Hunnao, suspended in mid-air, tiptoed, feeling no ground beneath his feet. His mood began to sour. He said coldly, "I advise you to let go of your hand, otherwise, you might not even qualify for the next round of the competition."
Xia Hunnao had already placed his right hand on the Poké Ball at his waist, ready to summon Squirtle at any moment. A single Water Shuriken might send Arthur somewhere to cool off.
Fortunately, before Xia Hunnao could make a move, Miren's vice-captain appeared. She was shocked when she saw the scene. Even a conflict between two ordinary trainers on this island could turn into an international incident, let alone a conflict between Miren's Arthur and Minglong's Xia Hunnao.
Now, it was obvious to everyone that Xia Hunnao was definitely the rising star of Minglong Nation, and even the entire Spirit Monster Star. He possessed two powerful strengthening methods. As long as nothing unexpected happened, he could undoubtedly break through all obstacles. If Arthur were to kill Xia Hunnao on the island like this, it would force the top combatants of Minglong Nation to make a visit to Miren.
"Arthur, put him down quickly! What are you doing?"
Hearing the voice of the vice-captain, Arthur reluctantly put Xia Hunnao down. Miren's vice-captain walked over to Xia Hunnao. "I'm sorry. I am Zhuo Lei, the vice-captain of Miren. I apologize to you for what just happened."
As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face, especially when a cute young woman smiles at you. Xia Hunnao would never take his anger out on a girl.
"It's okay, I'm not hurt anyway."
Xia Hunnao couldn't help but develop a good impression of this elegant Miren vice-captain. Perhaps it was because conversing with her felt like bathing in the spring breeze. Xia Hunnao was almost led astray by her words.
Fortunately, Xia Hunnao bit his tongue in time, and then he came to his senses. "You flatter me. I know that the previous match where Miren lost to Dunhe also had elements of training and holding back, didn't it? You are so confident in your own strength that you would do something like this."
"Perhaps things are as you say, but will Minglong Nation's upcoming matches be the same? You have already won three matches and should be able to qualify. Will you use more training lineups against us?"
Xia Hunnao bowed slightly. "I don't know the team's arrangements. But if my opponent were a beautiful girl like you, I would fight with all my might. No matter what, I can't let down a beautiful girl, right?"
Zhuo Lei beamed with a warm and brilliant smile. "Is that so? But it's a pity. This kind of thing cannot happen. However, if possible, we could have a private match to deepen our friendship."
"It would be my honor, if such an opportunity arises."
Xia Hunnao and Zhuo Lei chatted briefly. Zhuo Lei then sternly took Arthur away, her expression changing so quickly that it was impossible to tell which was her true self. However, despite having made an appointment with Zhuo Lei, Xia Hunnao's focus was not on this.
Xia Hunnao turned and returned to the private room. He first took out a bank card from his backpack and then asked Mu Zhishui, "Zhishui, if I buy something now, can the logistics of Rainbow Star Mall deliver it before the match starts?"
Mu Zhishui answered this question with absolute certainty. "Of course, as long as you are on Spirit Monster Star and have the money, you can get most goods from Rainbow Star Mall at most times. I have confidence in Rainbow Star's logistics."
Xia Hunnao nodded, then took a notebook and went to the side to study. As he left, he only said, "I'm not very willing to use such methods, especially in front of a girl I've just met..."
Everyone wondered what Xia Hunnao was up to. Only Yu Longdu's eyes showed a hint of pity as he looked in the direction of Miren's camp. "The person just now was called Arthur, right? This child is finished. But it's good, at least we've already secured one point for our next match."
Wu Gongping asked, "What do you mean by that?"
Yu Longdu subtly pointed to Xia Hunnao, who was lying on the bed with his thumb. "Do you know what that notebook in his hand is?"
"It flashed by just now, I didn't see it clearly. Did you see it?"
"I did. That thing is a paper copy of this tournament's rules. Xia Hunnao is really determined to go all out and play dirty this time. To be honest, I've known him for one or two years, and this is the first time I've seen him study the rules so diligently. And he's willing to spend money. None of his previous opponents received this treatment. Even the Song family didn't see him this ruthless."
Hearing this, Wu Gongping shuddered and turned his head tremblingly to glance at Xia Hunnao. However, he was decisively deterred by the sinister smile on Xia Hunnao's face. Xia Hunnao patted the Poké Ball at his waist, then took out his phone and started to place an order. "Well, in that case, I might as well spend a little more. Although this thing is quite expensive, it's not like I'm short of money right now."
Xia Hunnao's fingers tapped incessantly on his phone, and the smile on his face gradually shifted from sinister to mischievous, becoming increasingly so. If Zhuo Lei were to return now, she would surely be scared away by this smile.
Yu Longdu sighed. "People say that when someone is wicked, heaven will eventually punish them. But why has Xia Hunnao been forgotten by heaven?"