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Lightning-speed running, instant direction changes, and sudden stops for evasion.
That was pretty much it.
It sounds simple and easy to counter, but when it actually happend, most people couldn't react in time.
"Choosing the right Pokémon..."
Li Xiang stroked his smooth chin. The opponent would most likely choose their strongest Heliolisk, as the other two Pokémon, while decent, weren't as strong.
Assuming Heliolisk was the opponent, Froakie was out of the question.
Because Heliolisk knew Parabolic Charge, a move with a large area of effect. Camouflage alone wouldn't be enough to dodge it.
Although Mud Sport can change its type to Ground, the move's end lag is a significant issue that can't be ignored.
If Froakie could switch types faster than lightning, or if Mud Sport were replaced with Dig, Li Xiang would definitely use it. But unfortunately, that was not possible.
Moreover, Heliolisk also knew Eerie Impulse, a status move that ignored type matchups and drastically lowered Special Attack. There was no way around it.
As for Torracat... there was an important consideration here.
Electric-type moves have the secondary effect of paralyzing the opponent's muscles, potentially interrupting their moves before they can be executed.
No matter how tough Torracat is, it can't withstand muscle paralysis. If certain key moves are interrupted, it could be disastrous.
Heliolisk is also a Special Attack-oriented Pokémon. While Bulk Up boosts Defense, it would likely also guard against Snarl, which would make things even harder for Torracat.
So, it has to be Riolu.
A speed contest with Heliolisk. No matter how fast Heliolisk is, its Physical Defense won't increase. Riolu just needed to use Detect and predict moves in advance while moving at high speed to dodge attacks.
The accuracy of moves while moving was notoriously low.
As long as Riolu found an opportunity to boost its Attack and Speed, one hit could take down Heliolisk.
Type advantage was very important.
"It looks like we'll have to rely on speed," Li Xiang decided on his next pick.
He then went to the next class to gather intel from Lin Feng.
Lin Feng's first two opponents were fairly normal, but the third one was likely to be more challenging.
Otherwise, how could he make a name for himself in school according to the general storyline?
Li Xiang had already made a name for himself with one "battle." Lin Feng needed to shock his classmates, astonish his teachers, make the dean exclaim his genius, and have the principal secretly praise him as a future master.
Unfortunately, Li Xiang's prediction was wrong. Lin Feng's third opponent was still an ordinary student.
Why... wait!
He suddenly realized that the main event was only at the top 50, and there weren't many spectators paying attention yet.
By the time it reached the semifinals or finals, more people would naturally start paying attention.
So that's how it is!
Leaving Lin Feng, who was full of questions and confusion, Li Xiang turned and left the classroom, but halfway down the hall, Xu Wan's voice called out to him.
"Li Xiang! Wait up!"
Huh?
What does this girl want?
Li Xiang paused and turned around. "What's up?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Lin Feng, who was sitting in the classroom and also watching them.
"My dad wants to invite you to dinner at our house this weekend," Xu Wan bit her lower lip, looking slightly confused.
Clearly, she didn't know why her father suddenly asked if she knew a classmate named Li Xiang and insisted on inviting him over, but given the tense atmosphere at home and her father's recent depression, she couldn't bring herself to refuse or ask too many questions.
Li Xiang was slightly surprised. "Dinner? Just me?"
"Yes," Xu Wan nodded.
"...Please thank your dad for the invitation, but I'm busy this weekend. I'm really sorry."
Li Xiang hesitated for a moment before politely declining.
He'd be a fool to go to Xu Wan's house!
He still remembered how harshly Li Zhehan had criticized her father, and not long after, the Xu family fell from grace...
No matter what Xu Dongran's intentions were, Li Xiang couldn't just agree.
With that, he turned to leave.
But Xu Wan, hearing this, anxiously grabbed his arm. "Li Xiang, please reconsider. It's just a meal, it won't take much time."
"Xu Wan, I really don't have time. I'm sorry."
Li Xiang firmly pulled his arm away.
"Li Xiang... I'm begging you."
Xu Wan didn't even bother with formalities this time, directly grabbing the back of Li Xiang's shirt, her face red with embarrassment as she pleaded in a low voice, "For Lin Feng's sake, can you help me out this once? Just come to my house for a meal."
Honestly, although they weren't close, this was the first time Li Xiang had seen the usually gentle and composed Xu Wan act so anxious and impolite.
Moreover, girls from families like hers wouldn't normally grab someone's clothes like this.
It seemed the changes in her family had affected her deeply.
In the distance, Lin Feng, seeing this, couldn't sit still and immediately stood up to approach them.
Li Xiang, noticing this out of the corner of his eye, clicked his tongue.
"Let's talk somewhere else. It's too crowded here, and it doesn't look good."
As Lin Feng approached, Li Xiang said this to Xu Wan, and also to Lin Feng.
Xu Wan naturally agreed.
The three of them went to the rooftop garden.
"Xu Wan, I'll be honest with you. No matter what you say, I can't agree to this."
Li Xiang got straight to the point.
Lin Feng listened quietly, though he had many questions, he didn't interrupt.
Xu Wan took a deep breath, trying to calm her frustration. "Can I ask why? My dad is really sincere and hopes you can spare some time..."
"Since your dad didn't tell you, it means he doesn't want you to know. I can't say much... How about this, I'll consult my dad and give you an answer tomorrow."
Li Xiang realized that a direct refusal wouldn't make Xu Wan give up.
Xu Wan, though still reluctant, knew that pestering Li Xiang wasn't in her nature and wouldn't help her case.
So she nodded in agreement.
Lin Feng, who had been listening, finally asked what was going on.
It was a simple matter.
After hearing it, Lin Feng found an excuse to send Xu Wan away.
Xu Wan, hoping Lin Feng could persuade Li Xiang, glanced at the two of them before reluctantly leaving.
The garden was now just the two of them, silent for about half a minute.
Then Lin Feng spoke. "Can you tell me the reason for refusing?"
His words were blunt, and many people would scoff and ask who he thought he was to demand an explanation, but Li Xiang frowned slightly before calmly replying, "It's mainly because my dad and her dad have some... conflicts? You know how it is. This is complicated, and neither Xu Wan nor I have a say in it."
"Got it."
Lin Feng didn't press further.
Li Xiang telling him this much was already a sign of their friendship. No one is obligated to share their family matters with others.
...
The matter of Xu Dongran's dinner invitation somewhat affected Li Xiang's battle mindset.
Honestly, these adult issues shouldn't involve kids like them.
But Xu Dongran still set his sights on Li Xiang, and it was likely with malicious intent.
If his intentions were good, why not approach Li Zhehan directly?
Why use his daughter to invite Li Xiang?
There was definitely more to this!
"Ugh, so much drama."
Li Xiang patted his cheeks, trying to perk himself up.
On the other side, a boy named Ni Wei was gripping his Poké Ball, ready to release his Pokémon.
"Five, four, three..."
The referee began the countdown.
When it reached one, accompanied by a sharp whistle, both sides released their Pokémon!
"Agility!"
"Run! Thunder Wave!"
Both Pokémon landed and immediately dashed toward each other!
Riolu, of course, used Agility to boost its speed.
But Heliolisk's move surprised even Li Xiang, who had prepared for this.
Heliolisk used its hands to send a burst of electricity into its legs, causing them to spark with energy!
Instantly, its speed surged, and Li Xiang's dynamic vision couldn't keep up!
Electric stimulation of the muscles!
Pokémon physiology varies, and Heliolisk had activated special cells in its leg muscles by directly shocking them!
It was as if it had used Agility and Double Team, forcibly boosting its speed and evasion!
In just twenty meters, the two Pokémon closed the distance in the blink of an eye!
"Close your eyes! Magnet Rise!"
~ Woosh!
As the two Pokémon faced each other, Riolu shut its eyes and leaped into the air!
Meanwhile, Heliolisk spread the frill around its neck, turning it into a large umbrella and releasing a blinding light!
The flash was momentarily even brighter than the sun!
Many students in the audience screamed, temporarily blinded.
Of course, Li Xiang wasn't among them.
"Dodged it!"
Ni Wei was shocked. His tried-and-true strategy had been predicted by Li Xiang!
Seeing Riolu floating behind and above Heliolisk, he shouted, "Behind you, slightly above! Thunderbolt!"
"Copycat!"
Li Xiang, with a slight smirk, gave the command.
Heliolisk turned its head, its frill glowing yellow as bolts of electricity shot out, directly facing the now-flashing Riolu at close range!
Instantly, Heliolisk's vision went blank, and its trainer screamed, shutting his eyes!
You used Flash? Well, I'll use Flash too! And again!
Some students who had just recovered were caught off guard and blinded once more.
"Ugh! What kind of battle is this?!"
"My eyes! My eyes!"
"Stop with the flashes! Please!"
"This is ridiculous!"
Many people were affected, as Riolu's Prankster ability shortened the move's startup time, leaving them no chance to react.
On the field, Li Xiang chuckled unapologetically. "Swords Dance!"
The opponent was smart. Despite losing vision, they didn't let their Pokémon stand still, instead having it run around the field erratically.
At least it could dodge some attacks.