December 15
With the berry orchard's yield steadily declining, Lin Feng officially announced on his video channel that the nursery had entered its off-season for the year.
Although the comment section overflowed with requests for him to continue a bit longer, he had no choice.
He simply explained that next year, once the trees in the new berry fields matured, the nursery's production of energy cubes would increase.
Once the news went out, the debates settled.
Soon, however, the discussion shifted to how large the new berry fields would be, and how many energy cubes Lin Feng could produce daily.
Seeing these comments, Lin Feng just smiled knowingly.
These days, his main focus had been training Floragato.
At this point, Floragato's energy level had reached 27–29.
The Sky Challenge had also been completed beyond the first stage.
Every day brought some improvement.
Yet, given its current strength, Floragato was still far from passing the second stage.
Back at home, the Alolan Ninetales and Eevee sat on the couch, eyes glued to the television, which was broadcasting the Sea Piplup Cup.
On the vast, endless sea floated a massive buoy, riddled with holes, beneath which chilled water swirled.
On top of the buoy stood two Pokémon: a Water-type Psyduck and… a Blastoise!
Lin Feng's gaze immediately fixed on the Blastoise.
Behind it stood Qin Shuwei, exuding authority.
She wore a down jacket and stood solemnly on the buoy.
Psyduck's trainer, in contrast, was a young man in his twenties.
"Here it comes! The long-awaited Piplup Cup is finally underway! Hello, viewers at home, I'm your commentator for this event, Li Bing!"
"This year, the Sea Piplup Cup has 36 participants, each of whom has earned six Water-type badges to qualify for this competition.
They come from different cities, but without a doubt, they are all outstanding trainers…"
Watching Li Bing commentate from atop his Shieldon and Honedge in such weather, Lin Feng's mouth twitched.
Goodness, he seemed to appear in every tournament Lin Feng attended.
Meanwhile, the Squirtle had evolved into a Blastoise, and the match began quickly.
Lin Feng watched with interest from the sofa.
"Ying Ying Ying!"
"Bulbasaur, Bulbasaur…"
The younger Pokémon at home had gathered around the TV to cheer for the Blastoise.
It had to be admitted: through this journey, the Blastoise had improved immensely in stamina and reaction speed.
The opposing Psyduck didn't appear to be the main fighter for its trainer, and it quickly fell in the face of Blastoise's Water-type moves.
The second match began soon after.
Before Lin Feng could focus, Rotom's alert caught his attention.
"Lotto! News about the champion, news about the champion, Master!"
"Champion?" Lin Feng paused, then looked at the flying Rotom.
[Feng Yang: Are you there?]
He hadn't caused any trouble with the weather recently, had he?
A flicker of doubt crossed Lin Feng's mind, but he quickly replied.
[Lin Feng: I am here.]
…
East China League, Pokémon League Headquarters
As time went on, this year's Zongheng Championship began to attract attention.
As the largest trainer competition in the East China League, the League Headquarters was always busiest at this time of year.
They needed to verify participants' qualifications, prepare multiple battle arenas, and handle extensive publicity.
In short, this grand event relied on the hard work of countless staff members.
As the champion of the East China League, he was always full of energy during this season.
Because he had his eye on the talented young trainers in the league.
They were the league's fresh blood and its future.
At this moment, Feng Yang sat in his office, Rotom projecting a video before him.
It showed the Youth Cup held in Changsha City.
The footage focused on Serpent King unleashing a Grass Terrain in the final moments.
"What an incredible acceleration."
Feng Yang was momentarily speechless.
He had just watched the Baby Cup soccer match in Wutong City.
Back in July, that Serpent King had still been a Servine.
And in just a few months, its control over Grass Terrain had reached a level comparable to elite-class Pokémon.
It was unbelievable.
It was nearly on par with that red-haired youth who had shone at the Indigo Plateau Conference.
"Another month has passed. This Serpent King must be even stronger now."
Excited, he immediately began making arrangements.
Feng Yang wanted the league's top young trainers to participate in the Zongheng Championship.
First, he wanted the young trainers to improve by learning from each other.
Second, he aimed to select a group of outstanding trainers to serve as role models for the East China League, inspiring more newcomers to embark on their journeys.
At the same time…
He was quietly scouting candidates for the next league champion.
He wanted to retire.
But he was still young.
So if he wanted an early retirement, he needed to find a successor.
It would take time, and Feng Yang was in no hurry.
Since Lin Feng had already replied, he clarified his intentions.
[Feng Yang: Are you aware of the Zongheng Championship?]
Lin Feng: Of course.
Champion, you mean you want me to participate in the Zongheng Championship?
Inside the nursery, Lin Feng suddenly remembered the Zongheng Championship upon receiving the message from the champion.
[Feng Yang: Yes. I think your Pokémon are strong enough to compete.]
Getting some experience outside is good… yes, try to rely on the Pokémon you train and catch yourself. You cannot use Dragonite, Mewtwo, Mew, or any of them…
Feng Yang suddenly realized: apart from the master, there were Mew and Mewtwo, those two extraordinary Pokémon.
If they were allowed to participate, the Zongheng Championship might not even need to take place.
[Lin Feng: Mewtwo is training, and Mew is out playing.]
It hadn't returned home for a while, so it probably wouldn't come back in the short term.
[Feng Yang: All right, judging by your tone, it seems you're quite interested.]
Shall I register you then?
[Lin Feng: ???]
[Lin Feng: I need to think about it, Champion!]
[Feng Yang: Young man, you need some challenge.]
Show your strength in the competition, and don't back down.
[Lin Feng: …]
[Feng Yang: Just kidding. If you don't want to join, shall I tie you up and force you to go?]
Watching the silent Rotom, Lin Feng found it amusing and thoughtful.
In fact, he had originally planned to participate in the Zongheng Championship.
Because Serpent King wanted to face a variety of opponents.
But now things were different. The weather was cold, and Serpent King didn't feel like moving.
At home, it was more flexible, occasionally lying on the carpet, but now it refused to leave the room.
"Forget it, I'll ask everyone."
Watching the Alolan Ninetales sitting on the sofa, eagerly watching the TV, Lin Feng thought silently.
It was better not to decide such things alone.
At that moment, Gardevoir picked up Rotom and checked the chat on the phone.
"Gardevoir?" (Can I join this competition too?)
Lin Feng: ???