"Are you ready?"
"Mm..."
Lin Feng nodded.
But when he saw the crowd gathered around them and the excitement shining in their eyes, he could only sigh apologetically.
This was a battle involving an Elite Four member.
The battlefield at Parasol City's arena simply could not withstand that level of power. Either they would have to use an official Horizon League venue, or they would have to fight in the wilderness.
The Horizon League stadium was far away, and opening it would involve significant operating and maintenance costs.
It could be done.
But Lin Feng felt it wasn't necessary.
Which meant there was only one option.
The wilderness.
"Let's find an open area."
"A full-power battle?"
Rika Yukishiro looked surprised.
Lin Feng quickly waved his hands.
"No, no. I just mean finding somewhere spacious. If we fight here, the commotion will be too great and disturb the nearby residents."
The Donghua League had long since prohibited large-scale battles inside populated areas.
"That makes sense."
Rika nodded.
Neither of them realized that their conversation was breaking the hearts of the spectators below.
Why had everyone gathered here?
Wasn't it specifically to watch a battle between two top-tier trainers?
And now they were being told the fight wouldn't happen here.
"Then let's go."
Lin Feng released Dragonite and jumped onto its back.
He waited for a moment.
But Rika remained standing there, looking slightly confused.
After a pause, he asked carefully,
"Don't you have a Flying-type Pokémon?"
"I don't."
"???"
Good grief.
An Elite Four trainer without a Flying-type Pokémon?
How had she traveled all these years?
Walking?
Or did she have a fear of heights?
Although Lin Feng was shocked, he managed to keep a straight face.
With no other choice, he used Aura to call for assistance.
A moment later, a Pidgeot descended from the sky.
This time, Rika immediately climbed onto its back.
The two Pokémon took off together, soaring into the distance and disappearing from sight in an instant.
Only the spectators remained behind.
Everyone exchanged disappointed looks.
"Does anyone have a Flying-type Pokémon? Maybe we can follow them and watch?"
"Come on, are you serious? Do you think our Flying-types can keep up with Dragonite and Pidgeot?"
"You won't know unless you try!"
"Alright, Pidove, let's go! Follow them!"
The jokes continued, but the disappointment in everyone's eyes was obvious.
The two main participants had already left.
Who knew how the battle would end?
Meanwhile, Lin Feng's fan group exploded with activity.
"Brothers, who's outside right now? See if Dragonite or Pidgeot flies past your area!"
"Damn it! Why did Lin Feng have to change locations?"
"Sigh. It's understandable. Battles between Pokémon of that level cause way too much destruction... but I still want to know the result!"
"Didn't we just discuss yesterday whether Lin Feng could beat any Elite Four member if he accepted a Horizon League exhibition match?"
"Everyone, spread out! I think we still have a chance. Where do you think they'll fight?"
"Ask Li Bing. Didn't he say he commentated every one of Lin Feng's matches?"
"Good idea. Let's ask him."
Of course, none of this had anything to do with Lin Feng.
As for a battlefield worthy of an Elite Four-level Pokémon battle...
He had chosen the open sea.
The reason was simple.
Only over the ocean could they fight freely without worrying about damaging the surrounding environment.
"Is it here?"
Seeing Dragonite stop ahead of her, Rika realized they had reached their destination.
She looked down at the vast blue ocean below.
Then she raised her right hand.
A flash of red light appeared.
"Come out, Mr. Rime! Use Ice Beam!"
A bizarre Pokémon wearing a tall hat, with devil-like wings, dazzling yellow eyes, and a large red nose materialized in midair.
Mr. Rime descended gracefully.
Holding its icy cane, it tapped the surface of the sea below.
The moment the cane touched the water, frost rapidly spread outward.
Cold air surged across the ocean.
Fish and wild Pokémon immediately fled in every direction.
In truth, many intelligent sea Pokémon had already escaped the moment they saw Dragonite and Pidgeot approaching.
Within moments, a massive frozen battlefield formed across the sea.
"You aren't switching Pokémon?"
Lin Feng looked at the Mr. Rime standing confidently on the ice.
Pokémon: Mr. Rime
Gender: Male
Type: Ice / Psychic
Ability: Ice Body
Potential: Gold
IVs: HP (20), Attack (24), Sp. Atk (25), Defense (31), Sp. Def (31), Speed (31)
Strength: Level 78-79
Moves: Pound, Light Screen, Reflect, Protect, Psychic, Icy Wind, Ally Switch, Hypnosis, Mirror Coat, Psyshock, and more...
Incredibly strong.
Lin Feng couldn't help but admire it inwardly.
Its potential, strength, and overall stats were all exceptional.
Yet facing an opponent like this only made his blood boil with excitement.
Holding a Poké Ball, he smiled.
"I'm not sure exactly what Elite Four Rika wants to see from Alolan Ninetales."
"But if you want to achieve your goal easily, strength is still the most convincing answer."
"Come out, Blaziken!"
Against Ice-type Pokémon, a Fire-type was naturally the ideal choice.
Blaziken was somewhat vulnerable to Psychic-type attacks as well.
However, on an open ocean battlefield under clear skies, its speed advantage could be pushed to the absolute limit.
This was the best option.
"Blaziken!"
A blazing crimson figure appeared upon the mirror-like ice.
Its feathers shimmered as though engulfed in living flames.
Pokémon: Blaziken
Gender: Male
Ability: Speed Boost
Potential: Gold
Strength: Level 65-68
Moves: Sunny Day, Ember, Peck, Quick Attack, Flame Charge, Sandstorm, Fly, Assurance, Brick Break, Dig, Agility, Detect, Flamethrower, and more...
Since returning from the Horizon League, Blaziken's strength had steadily increased.
Not through any explosive breakthrough.
Just consistent, reliable growth.
Even so, the difference in raw energy between the two sides remained significant.
That was why Lin Feng intended to give this battle everything he had.
The instant the fiery warrior landed on the ice, he issued his first command.
"Blaziken, use Sunny Day!"
"Blaziken!"
The V-shaped crest on its forehead glowed brighter and brighter.
Scorching heat burst from its wrists.
The surrounding air twisted under the rising temperature.
The already-clear sky seemed to become even more brilliant.
The clouds vanished completely, revealing a boundless expanse of blue.
As far as activating Sunny Day went, Blaziken only needed a single breath.
And at that exact moment—
Far across the endless sea, a figure riding atop an Aegislash sped toward them at incredible speed.
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