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"This is a good thing, proving that Carlos will have another star, a champion who is better and more reliable than me."

With a look of satisfaction in her eyes, Karuni lifted her skirt, revealing only her smile.

As the conversation faded, the counting stopped, the count reached zero, and the two champions, who stood at their respective peaks, stood up together.

Amidst deafening applause, the host raised the microphone and used a light cough to attract everyone's attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the World Championships - Semifinals!"

"The two players about to face off are Cynthia Champion from Sinnoh and Nanon Champion from Kalos. Now, please welcome both players to the stage!"

A tidal wave of shouts pierced through the walls and reached the room. Without uttering a word, the blonde beauty simply placed her hand on her slender waist and stood quietly in the shadows of the athletes' tunnel.

She wore an elegant trench coat, wide-leg trousers, and high heels that accentuated her height, making her appear even taller.

The moment the signal to enter the arena came, Zhu Lan slowly opened her eyes and gazed at the blurry figure in the tunnel opposite her.

After their previous evenly matched contest, she had been eagerly anticipating this rematch, this all-out battle.

Even facing the risk of defeat, the outcome of elimination is already known.

But if it damages their honor, they are unwilling to face it... Is this really the kind of champion that so many trainers yearn for?

Her golden hair fell loosely, obscuring her face, revealing only her crimson lips curving upwards and her sharp, piercing eyes.

No, not afraid of defeat, not intimidated by the strong, shouldering responsibility, and daring to face danger and difficulties—that's what a champion should be like!

With a dashing air, she tossed her hair aside, placed her fingers on her waist, and strolled leisurely, showing no sign of urgency.

In this battle, there is only one way forward.

Without uttering a word, the silver-haired girl leaned against the broad shoulders of the flying dragon, slowly making her way to the center of the arena as it rose and fell.

"Bamboo Orchid".

"Southern Music".

It is an invitation to battle, and even more so, a clash at the pinnacle.

Chapter 292 Victorious Return

"Battle rules: Six-on-six all-single battle, Pokémon can be freely switched, until one side is completely unable to battle!" Standing atop Aegislash, the banner that would decide the outcome flew high, its roar piercing through the clamor of the crowd, "Battle—begin!"

The moment the words fell, a chilling aura filled the air, and a dark blue scorpion beast drooped its wings and landed. The first round of battles between the Pokémon was between Rockruff and Gliscor.

So this is indeed the Pokémon used to set up the backline and rotate the team? Based on past experience, she definitely won't be using a direct offensive strategy, so—

Despite having some suspicions, Zhu Lan remained calm and simply extended her right hand, issuing the instruction.

"Flower Rock Monster, trickery."

The wedge stone opens and closes, revealing a deep purple fan-shaped body covered with green dots, its form curled up, its thoughts empty, gradually gathering momentum.

"provocative."

However, in the blink of an eye, the Scorpion King fixed its gaze on the former, unleashing a malice-filled hiss from its jaws. The invisible mental shock was like a sharp venomous sting, leaving the Flower Rock Monster uneasy, let alone able to muster any strength.

A single provocative move can strip the Flower Rock Monster of its proud qualities, reducing it to nothing more than its mediocrity.

Yes, thanks to her keen senses, Nan Yin never misses any changes in the movement of things, and she is able to pass on this ability to observe to her own children.

Poison caltrop.

Echoing the girl's whispered words, the Scorpion King moved at the command, plunging its tail into the soil beneath it. This was not an attack, but rather an act of unleashing its refined venom, transforming the battle area into a poisonous swamp that would stain anyone who stepped on it. This move was enough to restrict Zhu Lan, locking down her tactical space for rotating defenses and controlling the pace of the battle.

Misfortunes never come singly.

However, Zhu Lan's eyes showed no surprise, only the sharpness of a worthy opponent and the composure of having anticipated it. She already knew the scorpion beast's role in the Nan Yin lineup. While the Poisonous Pearl could certainly allow it to utilize its poison healing properties, the Misfortune Pair could precisely capitalize on the effects of abnormal statuses, greatly enhancing the power of its attacks.

What she was waiting for was perhaps the moment when the former focused on laying the trap.

In mid-air, the Flower Rock Monster, driven by rage and restless, suddenly erupted with a ghostly light from the core of the wedge stone. Countless distorted phantoms surged out from the fan-shaped cracks, not coalescing into spheres, but transforming into beams of energy that ignored physical distance and instantly coiled around the Scorpion King, who had not yet regained his footing.

"Hiss!"

Feeling a burning pain, and amplified by the abnormal status, this attack severely injured the scorpion beast, causing its dark blue armor to show signs of decay.

Pre-reading and anti-pre-reading.

A suppressed gasp rippled through the stands. The battle between champions is ever-changing; a tiny misjudgment or a miscalculation in timing could ruin a winning situation.

Seeing this, Nan Yin remained calm. Admittedly, Zhu Lan's counterattack was sharp and precise, but the Scorpion King had not yet fallen, and the slight recovery brought by the poison treatment was still in effect. Most importantly, the speed advantage was still on her side.

"Turning back immediately."

Suppressing the pain, the dark blue scorpion beast flapped its wings and used the momentum to leap behind the young woman. At the same time, a light figure soared into the air, like a colorful butterfly flitting among flowers.

It is an ancient paradoxical species, spreading its wings.

Just as the Flower Rock Monster caught a glimpse of its manifestation, the fairy's aura had already forced open the filthy, cold ghostly aura.

Once it appears, amidst its radiant glow, it thwarts the ambitions of those who came before. In the blink of an eye, the pure white moonlight pierces the sky, engulfing everything in sight.

The power of the moon.

Just one strike.

Just moments before, the Flower Rock Monster had severely injured the Scorpion King and held the upper hand. Under the influence of this type advantage and the huge difference in speed, it couldn't even struggle. The resentment that constituted its form had been completely purified and dispelled. The core of the Wedge Stone that carried its soul crashed heavily to the ground, and its light gradually dimmed.

Despite the initial defeat, Zhu Lan remained calm and composed.

After a brief pause, a dignified figure stepped onto the stage, exuding an aura of power.

"Please, Lucario."

As a Steel-type Lucario, it does have some room to maneuver against Fairy-type Wingshot.

The offensive and defensive strategies alternate between the two.

Suddenly, the force of his fist was fierce, like a comet crashing down; suddenly, a ghostly light rose, weaving between reality and illusion.

"Taking advantage of the opportunity, Comet Punch retaliates."

Once again, the blue-black canine beast held firm against the overwhelming onslaught. Seizing the opportunity, it stomped its foot and used the recoil to close in on the front, unleashing several condensed steel fists with its waist and stance in perfect harmony.

However, at the very moment the fist and palm were about to strike, Zhenyi Fa disappeared into the shadows, evading physical pursuit, and then reappeared from behind, seizing the weakness where the old power was gone and the new power still remained.

A stealthy attack.

With a muffled groan, Lucario knelt on one knee, trying to get up, but the deepening curse and severe injuries made it impossible for him to rejoin the battle.

Despite their reluctance, the burning pain still bent the soldier's spine.

The score has changed, and the gap is now apparent.

With her arms crossed, Zhu Lan pondered for a moment before finally deciding on the strategy for the later stages of the battle.

"Go, Milotic."

With its cherry-colored fins and silvery-blue tail, the graceful feathered serpent is coiled in the center, standing upright.

On the opposite side, the Scorpion King, re-entering the battlefield, took the place of the former, his eyes gleaming coldly, determined to use his remaining strength to create a greater advantage for the girl.

The valley cracked open, and the wings brushed past the cold wind and missed the icy gleam.

The two sides are intertwined, and both are teetering on the brink of collapse, their momentum waning.

The order came again, determined to determine who was superior, but the subtle difference in physical strength led to different results.

Shaking his head, Milotic struggled to his feet, while Scorpion King collapsed from exhaustion, losing consciousness.

The score fluctuated, but as the dust settled, a pale lightning bolt tore through the thick clouds, pulling out a magnificent brilliance.

She pursed her lips, a sense of crisis welling up inside Zhu Lan.

Suppressing her emotions, she forced herself to speak, "Milkyr, regenerate!"

The command was issued, but before the feathered serpent could respond, its dazzling lightning wings sliced ​​through the autumn wind and extinguished any remaining possibility.

With its golden wings and sharp beak, contrasting against the gloomy, heavy clouds, the magnificent sacred bird, even just hovering, inspires awe and reverence in all beings.

"Zetzart, Thunder!"

The peak of the attack had passed, but the thunder still lingered in the arena. Only when the situation became clear did the girl in the distance speak softly.

The legendary power is indeed formidable, but without the Scorpion King, the defensive system can no longer be established. And next up is mine—

The key to victory!

Pressing down her disheveled hair, the blonde beauty pointed ahead and spoke in a stern voice.

Soar through the skies—

It is an invisible yet powerful spirit.

The heavy object crashed to the ground like a collapsing city, and a massive amount of soil and rocks were shattered into dust by the impact, creating a sandstorm.

Dust billowed, malice surged, and in the pitch-black darkness, a pair of crimson eyes suddenly opened.

At the same moment, Zhu Lan raised her arm, revealing her wristband.

It's not about awakening one's bloodline; it's about the resolute determination to unleash one's ultimate potential.

"Garuda, Gigantamax!"

With its scythe held horizontally and claws open and closed, the earth-dwelling dragon stomps heavily on the earth and rocks amidst the fierce winds, shaking the clouds.

"Kaka!"

Its imposing presence, as solid as a towering mountain and as firm as a giant rock, is an absolute symbol and a testament to its strength.

The venue instantly erupted in cheers, filled with excited faces and resounding shouts.

"Cynthia has dispatched her ace, Garchomp!"

Looking back at that tall figure, so different from before, the blonde beauty remained silent, only outlining her crimson lips.

Just as Nan Yin often accompanies Yi Bu, her composure in every gesture reflects her confidence.

We have the confidence to completely reverse the situation.

"Garuda!"

With hands outstretched in front of him and a flick of his hair, he exudes a dashing and confident air in every word and action.

Raise your axe blade, thrust your head spike, and the Garchomp roars in response.

Through the passage of time and the hardships of the past decade, they have come to understand each other perfectly and have a tacit understanding.

"Gigantic Rock!"

The valley is rifted, the mountains are broken, and there are sharp rock peaks that pierce the sky.

The enormous body of the earth dragon was reflected in her pupils, and the nearly hundred-foot difference in size made the girl appear incredibly small.

Although her heart was unsettled, her face remained calm, and Nan Yin simply exhaled a breath of turbid air without making a sound.

Sure enough, given the current unsuitability of Mega Evolution, the female champion will not hesitate to choose the more versatile Dynamax form.

"Hold on."

With unwavering gaze and without panic, he waited for the sharp edge to approach before a thin wall of light appeared precisely in front of him.

Even if the sky collapsed and the earth cracked, Zapdos remained unmoved.

With their minds in sync, the eyes of the divine bird and Nan Yin were exactly the same.

Rocks scraped the skin and flesh, drawing out a few drops of blood. Although the sandstorm was rolling in, this initial attack was already weak and exhausted.

"Close the distance, then apply pressure!"

Knowing how troublesome Zapdos is, Cynthia prefers to nip the threat in the bud rather than wait any longer.

He twisted his shoulders and bent his waist, swinging his arm blade, but the sudden flash of white light was even faster, changing the victim of the injury ahead of time.

The well mask, coupled with the lush green grass, is ever-renewing and inexhaustible. Facing the falling rocks, the Evil Spirit Pine, which takes turns appearing, is not even flustered. It concentrates its strength on one point and strikes the center of the mountain. Even if the remaining broken rocks cut the skin, the damage is minimal.

The Garchomp's expression froze for a moment. Even after regaining its composure, the Brick Break it unleashed lost its edge. With the Dynamax turn nearing its end, even if it unleashed another unparalleled attack, the spiked shield erected by the Digivice still managed to block it.

Spike defense.

Commands were given by comrades, their eyes met, and a rumbling roar accompanied them.

The axe blade cleaved through the air and slammed down beneath him. The terrifying force seeped into the earth's veins, causing the soil to boil and tremble violently. Even so, Egui Peng remained defiant, holding his head high and indicating that he could still fight.

"Despite being so petite, she possesses an astonishing spirit. Even with her most powerful moves, she cannot crush this iron wall. Such determination and fighting spirit are commendable."