The significance of a sacrifice play lies in sending out a less powerful unit to deplete or even trade for an opponent's stronger one. The initial objective for the Liu Ling University team was to have Chu Xiaodie contain the Charizard, thereby giving their subsequent members an advantage. However, they hadn't anticipated just how formidable North Desert University's Charizard would be.
As soon as the match began, the first attack, a Wing Attack, shattered Chu Xiaodie's Sleep Powder. The second, a Fire Blast, instantly vaporized Butterfree, which didn't even manage to escape the attack's radius. In Chu Xiaodie's own words, it was a sacrifice without a play.
Under the expectant gaze of the Liu Ling University team, Li Qiufeng stepped onto the battlefield.
"Li Qiufeng, that girl from your school showed a lot of courage, but courage doesn't amount to much against absolute strength."
"Ai Qiong, when did you become so verbose? Come on, let me see how capable your newly developed Charizard is. Feraligatr, use Crunch!"
"Charizard, take flight and use Wing Attack!"
Facing Feraligatr's aggressive charge, Charizard chose to evade the direct confrontation and attack from the sky.
"That's not like you. Last year you met me head-on, why the change this year?"
"As long as I win, does the method matter? Charizard, grab Feraligatr from behind!"
Charizard circled rapidly in the air before swooping down from behind towards Feraligatr. Just as Charizard's claws were about to grasp Feraligatr, Li Qiufeng commanded, "Now, turn and use Waterfall!"
Feraligatr spun around with ferocious speed, lunging at Charizard. Ai Qiong, anticipating this, countered, "Charizard, ascend!"
Feraligatr's lunge missed, and Charizard failed to grab Feraligatr. The two Pokémon separated, neither engaging the other directly.
"Li Qiufeng, you want to fight me, don't you? Alright, Charizard, close in and use Dragon Claw!"
Charizard's claws glowed, and its high-speed flight produced a piercing sound through the air. In an instant, Charizard was before Feraligatr, its claws raised to strike.
"Feraligatr, block with Iron Tail!"
Feraligatr swung its fists, colliding with Charizard's Dragon Claw, creating a brief stalemate.
"Charizard, now, use Thunder Punch."
Charizard kept one claw extended, while the other became wreathed in electricity as it attacked Feraligatr. Caught off guard, Feraligatr was hit by the Thunder Punch, its expression contorting in pain.
"Feraligatr, counter with Waterfall!"
Enduring the intense discomfort from the Thunder Punch, Feraligatr unleashed a Waterfall attack that struck Charizard directly in the abdomen. Charizard let out a deafening roar that caused everyone present to cover their ears.
"Now, Charizard, grab him and fly up!"
Charizard's Dragon Claw hand gripped Feraligatr's Iron Tail fist, while its other hand caught the fist that had just used Waterfall. Then, Charizard flapped its wings and lifted off the ground. With its feet off the ground and no leverage, Feraligatr had no choice but to be carried into the sky by Charizard.
"Feraligatr, use Ice Fang!"
Feraligatr faintly heard Li Qiufeng's voice. It opened its mouth, revealing sharp, white fangs, and lunged towards Charizard.
"Charizard, let go!"
Ai Qiong knew that if it were bitten by Ice Fang, Charizard, in its current state, wouldn't be able to hold on. Thus, it needed to create distance and was forced to release Feraligatr.
Charizard's sudden release caused Feraligatr to bite empty air. Immediately, Feraligatr plummeted to the ground under gravity's pull, crashing directly onto the battlefield.
"Before he can recover, hit him with another Thunder Punch!"
Charizard dived from the sky at extreme speed, landing a punch on Feraligatr's head before quickly flapping its wings to create distance.
"A very clever choice. His initial plan was likely to ascend, then dive at high speed to slam Feraligatr into the ground. However, to dodge Ice Fang, he couldn't fully execute that intention. While this might not be the same as a ground-based slam, the damage should be comparable. The main difference, however, would be how many Thunder Punches could be landed in the brief moment Feraligatr was stunned on the ground. Then again, what would this move be called on Lingyao Star? 'Lingyao Upper Toss'? That's a bit too radical."
...
Returning to the battlefield, although only one Thunder Punch was landed, the gap between Charizard and Feraligatr had once again narrowed. Despite only a few brief exchanges, both Thunder Punch and Waterfall were incredibly taxing moves for each Pokémon. While they didn't appear heavily injured on the surface, they were both nearing exhaustion.
"You've really improved, Ai Qiong. This Charizard is trained very well," Li Qiufeng said, looking at the expressionless Ai Qiong. Ai Qiong merely glanced at Feraligatr. "You were lucky just now; otherwise, Thunder Punch would have ended the fight."
"Likewise. If not for your quick reflexes, the aerial battle would have concluded moments ago."
Although their words seemed like pointless taunts, both were actively seeking an opening. One strike was all it would take to end the match, and that strike represented an opportunity for both.
"Charizard, Fire Blast!"
Charizard exhaled flames from its mouth, forming a large character that shot straight towards Feraligatr.
"Feraligatr, use Waterfall to dodge it!"
Li Qiufeng, seeing the approaching Fire Blast, knew that a simple evasion would still result in being grazed by its area of effect. Therefore, he opted to use Waterfall as a means of movement, expanding his range and making Feraligatr safer.
Seeing Li Qiufeng's Feraligatr dodge the Fire Blast, Ai Qiong couldn't resist a taunt. "What, don't you prefer close-quarters combat? If you're so brave, why not take that hit head-on? Why dodge?"
Li Qiufeng smiled. "I think you were right earlier. As long as I win, the method doesn't always matter. We might as well wear each other down like this. You'll have to attack head-on sooner or later."
Hearing Li Qiufeng's words, Ai Qiong pouted. Li Qiufeng was right; if they continued to stall, they would eventually engage directly. Fire Blast consumed a considerable amount of energy, and Charizard had enough for at most five uses. It had already been used once against the first-year student, and this was the second. If Li Qiufeng managed to dodge the remaining three, it would likely lead to a close-quarters melee.
"Charizard, take to the skies and look for an opening!"
Charizard flapped its wings, soaring back and forth above the battlefield. On the ground, Feraligatr constantly moved, tracking Charizard's movements. The atmosphere on the field grew tense.
"Vice-captain, do you think the captain will win?" Lu Bingming asked softly, approaching Wei Chiting.
Wei Chiting replied, "From a personal emotional standpoint, I hope the captain wins."
"And in reality?"
Wei Chiting shook his head. "It's highly likely to be a draw."
Just then, the situation on the field suddenly changed. Feraligatr, which had been moving on the ground, suddenly stumbled, and Charizard, in the sky, seized the opportunity to swoop down.
"Charizard, use Dragon Claw!"
Just as Charizard's Dragon Claw was about to hit Feraligatr, Li Qiufeng's counter came. "Feraligatr, use Iron Tail!"
The two Pokémon clashed again, fist against claw. Neither lingered, and after a brief exchange, they separated.
"You've learned to use feints now, huh? Is it fun?"
"It's quite fun. You fell for it, after all."
After a few words, both sought openings again. However, this time Ai Qiong was more cautious. He decided that if Feraligatr were to stumble again, he definitely wouldn't attack. He even hesitated to use Fire Blast to sweep the area, fearing the depletion of Charizard's energy if tricked.
However, Li Qiufeng also understood that some things couldn't be repeated. Playing such a trick once was enough.
"Should I praise Li Qiufeng for this, or... he's taking quite a gamble. If he's not careful, he could be eliminated."
At that moment, Feraligatr suddenly tripped again. However, having learned from "past experience," Ai Qiong didn't attack this time, merely having Charizard watch. But it was awkward; Feraligatr had genuinely fallen.
Seeing Feraligatr slowly getting up, Ai Qiong finally reacted. "Charizard, use Dragon Claw!"
But by the time Charizard approached Feraligatr, Feraligatr had recovered. Their attacks this time did not collide. Charizard's Dragon Claw struck the top of Feraligatr's head, while Feraligatr's Waterfall accurately hit Charizard's chin.
Both attacks landed simultaneously. Then, Charizard's head tilted back slightly before it fell forward, while Feraligatr stood motionless, allowing Charizard to fall onto it. Both Pokémon collapsed onto the battlefield simultaneously. The individual match portion concluded.
Li Qiufeng and Ai Qiong recalled their respective Pokémon and returned to the waiting area.
In the waiting area, the Liu Ling University team gathered around Li Qiufeng. "Captain, that was brilliantly done."
"Yeah, Captain is too strong! With this, we're only one point behind. Everyone, let's keep up the effort."
Li Qiufeng looked at Wei Chiting. "How are things looking for the team battle? Any ideas?"
Wei Chiting shook his head. "The opponent will definitely send out Charizard again. As long as Charizard flies high enough, the opponent can just use self-destruct five times. It's incredibly difficult to deal with."
"But we still have to fight. At worst, I'll let Steelix take more of a beating."
Wei Chiting nodded. "That's the only way. We'll use Steelix's ability to force out as many self-destructs as possible. Yan Chunyu, are you ready? Captain, it seems Feraligatr will need to go on the field again."
Yan Chunyu nodded. "Yes, I've already changed the moves."
Li Qiufeng looked at the Poké Ball of Feraligatr, which had just finished recovering. "I understand. Let's go on stage."