Xiangling: I object to the real-name system!
Within a second, this barrage floated across the live broadcast screen. Hu Tao's forehead was stretched with veins, and her almond-shaped eyes glared fiercely at the camera.
"Guoba Launcher, what do you mean by that?!"
This nickname was one Hiroshi mentioned occasionally, and Hu Tao had secretly memorized it for a moment just like this.
Xiangling: You lost to me last time!
Hu Tao's face twitched. "Hehe, that kind of baby-level battle is not a serious Pokémon competition."
Xiangling: In fact, there are records and videos in the arena! You can't deny it; you have a losing record!
Hu Tao's face gradually darkened. "You are sincerely trying to dismantle my reputation, right?"
Xiangling: Let me tell you, Hu Tao, if you want to become the number one Pokémon Master in this group, you have to defeat me first and pass the level of this chef!
Hu Tao was so angry that she shouted at the live camera, "Very good! It was you who made the mistake of bumping headlong into this Director's dump truck! It was my Gabite that made you float! It hasn't shown its true power, and now you're jumping around like this? Do you dare to come over now and have a competitive match?"
Xiangling: I've already stepped out. If I defeat you, I will be the tentative number one in this group's combat power! (Hands on hips)
Hu Tao was so angry her nostrils were practically steaming. She probably didn't expect that after taking risks and going through life and death together, her best friend would be the first to destroy her stage. This feeling... was so embarrassing!
Hiroshi was happily eating "melons" (gossip). In the live broadcast room, the group of friends also ate with gusto. It was undeniable that Hu Tao's Gabite, apart from the legendary-tier Blissey, Gengar, and Baltoy that appeared today, was the well-deserved number one in combat power in the group. After evolution, its combat strength had skyrocketed!
Tartaglia: ...Very good! If I have the chance, I will bring Alolan Vulpix over to watch the battle!
Yanfei: Hey, I just left, and such an interesting story happened? Let's turn back now!
Keqing: I'm patrolling nearby, and my shift is almost up.
Ningguang: There is nothing pressing in the Jade Chamber today.
Beidou: I just led the team out of the Ecological Zone... we're all coming to watch!
Mona (Administrator): I just received a message from Manager Hiroshi. To everyone in Mondstadt: if you want to watch the game, please arrive at the Mondstadt branch within half an hour and apply for membership cards. Enter the arena in an orderly manner!
As soon as this announcement was issued, the Mondstadt audience immediately disappeared. They were likely dropping everything to rush to the branch. As the online audience count fell, Hiroshi asked Meloetta to turn off the live broadcast and then smiled at Hu Tao.
"Good luck with your draws."
Hu Tao was still fuming. Her face was gloomy as she clicked the screen. The shadows flashed and froze.
Oddish!
Hiroshi exclaimed, "It's pretty good! Grass and Poison type. The final form has two branches: Vileplume, which continues the Grass/Poison typing, or Bellossom, the pure Grass type."
"I don't want them! I only want Dragon types! I am the Dragon Master!" Hu Tao grumbled, clicking again.
Beep. The second result: Shroomish!
Without waiting for Hiroshi to introduce it, Hu Tao clicked again. The third result: Cherubi.
Hu Tao didn't even click the next one immediately this time. Instead, she raised her head and made silent eye contact with Hiroshi.
Hu Tao: What is going on?
Hiroshi: I don't know...
Hu Tao: Why is it all Grass, Grass, Grass? Is my luck growing a lawn?
Hiroshi: Well, maybe you're just too "green" today.
Hu Tao touched the top of her head. Her hat was still there. She breathed a sigh of relief that she wasn't literally turning green. "Let's see if this fourth shot is enough!" she shouted.
Beep. The fourth draw: Sunkern!
The overwhelming green tone of the frame said everything. Hu Tao stepped back, her eyes full of disbelief. "Ahhhhhhh! Is the 'Grass' model a hit today?!"
Hiroshi wanted to laugh but didn't dare. He was afraid Hu Tao would collapse and run away before the showdown. Suddenly, Xiangling appeared on the scene.
"Clang! Chef Xiangling is here!"
Guoba followed behind her. Xiangling handed a food box to Hiroshi. "Manager, these are some of my signature dishes—Crystal Shrimp and Chili Chicken! Also, thank you for letting my Scyther learn from the Lurantis. His progress is rapid!"
Hiroshi nodded. The Scyther's learning was indeed due to his acquiescence. Just then, Xiangling caught a glimpse of Hu Tao's depressed face and the green frames in her Pokédex.
"Puff—" She smiled unreservedly. "What? Last week was all about bugs, and now this week is all Grass? Which draw is that?"
"You mock me!" Hu Tao pushed Xiangling's face away. "I will draw the fifth one and show you a legend!"
With a furious roar, she clicked the fifth time. A group of eggs appeared on the screen. Xiangling leaned in to count. "Six eggs in total? There are cracks on the shells! One is smiling, four are angry, one is sad..."
"How can there be such a Pokémon?!" Hu Tao screamed. "And it's a Grass type again! Manager, what is the connection between eggs and grass?!"
Hiroshi cleared his throat to explain before she flew into a rage. "Its name is Exeggcute. Grass and Psychic type. Even though there are six of them, they share a telepathic link, so they are six-in-one!"
He paused and smiled. "Congratulations, Director. In fact, you did draw a Dragon type..."
Hu Tao calmed down instantly. "Huh?"
"Exeggcute's evolved form is Exeggutor," Hiroshi explained. "Normally, it's Grass/Psychic. But remember Tartaglia's Alolan Vulpix? In the Alola region, the Alolan Exeggutor is a Grass and Dragon type!"
Hu Tao's face glowed with a bright smile. This lightning-fast change of mood made Xiangling speechless. Hu Tao held Hiroshi's hands excitedly. "So, the Alola form is a Dragon type?!"
Hiroshi gave a positive nod. Hu Tao cheered and jumped into the air. "My second Dragon type... GET!!"