Chapter 78
: So I really am a genius?
After a period of commotion, Xia Ming, having recovered, led everyone to continue the challenge.
The recovered Alumina and Larvitar are now even stronger than they were in their first battle, having overcome their setbacks and grown even more powerful.
What was the result?
Xia Ming actually knew that he had a certain talent as a trainer, a fact he had become somewhat aware of during his second Hyperdimensional Operation.
Not all trainers can forge an absolute bond of trust with their Pokémon in just two or three days.
After the third Hyperdimension Neptunia operation, he clearly realized that he was a talented trainer, which is the source of his confidence to launch the Berry Challenge.
He did not believe that his carefully nurtured young Kiras was inferior to others.
But the reality that there's always someone better hit him hard, and Mingyi, this dump truck, used his talent—a talent that could be described as a "born Pokémon Master"—to take on every "genius" on an equal footing.
Xia Ming was no exception.
But when he looked back, he found that his talent seemed to be only slightly inferior to Mingyi's, and he was at about the same level as Heilian and Ashu. In fact, Mingyi might not be able to beat him in a wild battle.
This resulted in him knocking out the remaining three trainers in his three afternoon matches! Including the tournament's Super Ball-level trainer.
Even if each of them has a Grass-type Pokémon that is four times super effective against Larvitar, it's still the same.
Their reactions weren't as fast as Xia Ming's, their thinking wasn't as sharp as Xia Ming's, and every move they made was so clear in Xia Ming's eyes that it could be predicted instantly. Their teamwork with the Pokémon was even much lower than Xia Ming's.
He experienced the perspective from which Mingyi had fought against him before.
It was a feeling of... not knowing how I was going to lose!
A complete and utter crushing defeat!
Unless they can use their most cohesive and tacitly aligned main team, they have no hope of even winning a single game against Xia Ming.
"Am I really a genius?"
"Yuichi Yuichi?"
So I really am super strong?
"Lulu~"
My assessment is that it's not as good as Mingyi's stir-fried pork.
In the afternoon, after the Tree Fruit Challenge officially ended, Xia Ming and Young Gilas were both somewhat dazed.
It turns out it wasn't that they were too weak, but that Mingyi was too strong.
After the initial shock, Young Gilas was filled with even greater fighting spirit and confidence! This proved that he was neither a burden to Xia Ming nor a drag on the team.
Xia Ming's investment in nurturing him was well worth it!
He will also put in more effort to repay Xia Ming, and one day they will stand on the grand stage with dignity and defeat Ming Yi!
"It's finally over, Xia Ming. When are we going to collect our championship reward?"
Mingyi, who became friends with Xia Ming, was very outgoing. She nudged Xia Ming's shoulder with her elbow and glanced at Miss Skirt, who was watching Pokémon daily videos on Xia Ming's phone next to him.
It's 3 PM now. Xia Ming turned off the live stream after the match. But no one knows why Miss Qun'er suddenly became obsessed with this exquisite hand-held brick and started watching Pokémon daily videos on the Pikachu platform without any instruction.
What could Xia Ming do? He could only let her do it. The old lady probably had never been exposed to such high-tech gadgets before when she was on the farm.
This is also related to Xia Ming's grandfather. Xia Ming has never seen his grandfather use a cell phone. Even when his father was alive, he rarely used this little gadget. He used a laptop or desktop computer for work.
Cell phones have been common for fifty years, and now they've evolved to the point of having the Rotom Pokédex.
"Just go to my farm tomorrow at this address. Miss Skirt has time every day now. I've already spoken to her, but she can only teach you one skill."
"Doli~"
That's right.
Miss Skirt, who was scrolling through videos, nodded. She was willing to give Xia Ming this face, since she had nothing better to do anyway.
These days, the main task of the ladies in skirts is to help harvest cranberries and preserve them, which is almost like a simple game for them.
Xia Ming's real arrangements for them will have to wait until all the farm facilities are completed.
At this stage, the main task still lies with the nanny bugs.
"It's a pity your Snivy isn't a contrarian, otherwise Leaf Storm would be a good choice."
"That's not necessarily true! Do you know about special plasters?"
"You can afford one of those little gadgets that costs two million Alliance Coins?"
It wasn't that Xia Ming looked down on Ming Yi, but that although the item was clearly priced at two million Alliance Coins each, it was basically only available through special exchange channels within the Alliance, and was always out of stock on the market.
This type of special plaster can only be made by master prop makers, as the materials alone are very difficult to obtain.
The key point is that it is a disposable consumable.
Given Mingyi's financial situation... she definitely can't afford it. As for why she can't afford it, don't worry about that.
"It was a gift from Touko-neechan, but I won't receive it until next month."
"6".
What else is there to say? Just deduct six, not everyone can get a gift from a legend.
It's probably because of Mingyi's talent. Judging from what Ash said before, she probably fought against Touko with Pokémon of the same level and probably won.
After all, there's a 99% chance that Touko can't come up with a Pokémon that can truly connect with her.
"Skill instruction isn't something that can be done overnight, especially for such powerful, signature moves. Are you prepared to stay in Stardew Valley for an extended period?"
"I've discussed it with Ash and Bailu. Ash will go and scout out the gym for me first, while Bailu will stay with me in Stardew Valley for a while until we finish the skill tutorial before we go and take on the second gym."
Mingyi spoke as if she were eating, implying that the eight major gyms of the Alliance were merely speed bumps that she would have to overcome two or three times to achieve her goal.
That's pretty much the truth.
Once Seviper learns Leaf Storm and uses its ability Potion to become "Contrarian," their synergy is so good that it's practically the same as creating a speed bump.
Next year's league conference is expected to be a very exciting one.
………………
After agreeing on a time, Xia Ming led his Pokémon back to Stardew Valley.
As for Mingyi, she plans to stay in Electric City for a while before setting off tomorrow to take Bailu to Stardew Valley to find him.
Upon returning to Stardew Valley, he was greeted by his good friends.
Abigail, Hailey, Sebastian, and Sam, whom they didn't know very well, all arrived.
"Hey Xia Ming, we watched your livestream together! Your performance with Larvitar and Duraludon was absolutely amazing! Apart from that amazing girl, no one else could beat you!"
This is the passionate Abigail.
"I'm planning a party with Sam at Gus's pub tomorrow, bro, you absolutely have to come so we can celebrate with you."
Sebastian knew that defeat was hard to bear, and as a good friend, he directly comforted Xia Ming with his actions.