The Arrival of the Four Heavenly Kings

Chapter 123 The Arrival of the Four Heavenly Kings

After the first round of the preliminary rounds ended, at noon, Xia Mu took Sonia to a nearby restaurant, along with his parents, Uncle Xia, and Sonia's grandmother, Mulan.

Even if others follow, it's impossible to integrate into their close circle. Deliberately trying to get close will only result in being ignored and putting you in a dilemma. In the end, you'll have to wisely leave on your own.

This kind of thing happens because there are bound to be people who are overly friendly and think they are great, only to be met with indifference.

Normally, Xia Mu might have chatted with these people, since they approached him with good intentions.

But the timing isn't right now.

……

In the afternoon, the Quartz Conference continued. First, a revival round was held to eliminate the first round of contestants. Then, after the number of participants was finalized to 128, the second round of the preliminary rounds began.

Compared to the first round, Xia Mu appeared much faster in the second round of preliminaries; otherwise, she would have had to wait in the waiting area for the system's arrangements, which would have been a complete waste of time.

Xia Mu's opponent was a young man named Li Shu, who was about the same age as Xia Mu, but whose strength was really average.

Unsurprisingly, Xia Mu advanced easily after a mere 3 seconds, while the other contestant left the stage dejectedly.

It should be said that once he realized his opponent was Natsuki, he already knew he was bound to lose, because Natsuki was a legendary Pokémon trainer.

This young man was indeed unlucky, because if he had encountered other younger opponents, he should have been able to advance to the round of 64, or even the round of 32.

Just like Xiao Zhi, who made it to the top 16, Chun Chun relied on luck.

Oh right, there's someone even luckier than Ash, Natsume remembers his name is Hiro.

Ash made it into the top 16 through luck, and so did this guy. In the end, Ash lost to him because Charizard wouldn't listen to him.

Back then, some people suspected that the main character of the animation would be changed to this Hiro.

Fortunately, their popularity was only average, and in the end, it was Ash who started the story of the Orange Islands, until Ash and Pikachu's positions became more and more secure...

Recalling the original story, the official team tried to change the protagonist more than once, but all attempts failed. It wasn't until the Padia storyline unfolded that Ash was given the title of World Champion, bringing the story to a close.

Having advanced to the third round, Xia Mu left the waiting area and found Sonia again.

The Quartz Conference was actually a bit too easy for him.

His situation is like a max-level player returning to the beginner village to bully newbies, which is utterly unpleasant.

If his family hadn't been there, he would have wanted to run away long ago, because this level of combat wasn't even worth watching for him.

It was a rare opportunity for him to see the game in a new light.

……

By the time the second round of the preliminary rounds ended, it was already evening.

It wasn't as tight as the first round of budgeting in the morning, but it was still quite full.

After the match, Xia Mu and his family left the stands and returned to their hotel to rest.

For viewers, although Pokémon battles are a major and attractive event, sitting in one place all day can be quite tiring.

Some people might leave halfway through because they can't stand it, but the vast majority will continue watching. This is because many of them are family members of the contestants, as well as trainers who have already been eliminated and come to the stands to watch the competition and receive commemorative medals after it ends.

That evening, Xia Mu was summoned by Yan Tie once again.

The reason is that the four Heavenly Kings of Kanto have gathered at the Quartz Plateau, and he must go and meet them.

Awa, Kikuko, Kona, Shiba.

The first meeting was somewhat awkward, and the atmosphere was quite heavy, because after winning the Indigo League, Natsuki was going to challenge them.

Regardless of Xia Mu's actual strength,

Regardless of whether Xia Mu can defeat them now.

The fact that Xia Mu is a legendary Pokémon trainer is enough to make them take it seriously.

Although the three divine birds are not invincible to experts of their level, and some of them have even defeated them, subduing them is a completely different matter.

"Indeed, not bad. The younger generation is truly formidable. This old woman is really getting old," Kikuko said first.

Her voice was relatively kind, but her eyes were unusually sharp, as if she could see right through people at a glance.

As the Elite Four member of the Ghost type, Agatha Christie is not only as powerful as a Champion, but as the most senior Elite Four member, she was once considered the strongest in the Kanto region.

Even compared to her, A-du is far inferior in some aspects.

The speculation circulating online in my past life was that the reason Lance couldn't become the regional champion of the Kanto region wasn't because Lorelei's Ice-type moves stopped him, but because Akiko was too powerful.

After all, A-Du openly claimed to be the Dragon-type Elite Four member, and later even called himself the Dragon-type champion, but in reality he was just a Flying-type Elite Four member.

The only Dragon-type Pokémon I owned at the beginning was Dragonite.

Of course, Natsuki didn't know whether Lance had any other Dragon-type Pokémon. He thought Lance definitely had other Dragon-types, but his Flying-type Pokémon with Dragon-type characteristics were indeed too eye-catching.

"You're not old at all, Grandma Kikuko. If you were old, you would have given up this position long ago." Kona, standing to the side, pushed up her glasses, exuding a mature and sophisticated aura.

Kona, the dream girl from her past life, perfectly captured Xia Mu's aesthetic sense with her temperament and figure.

Kikuko wasn't annoyed that Kona had seen through her words.

The Four Heavenly Kings are inherently divided among themselves, unlike the Four Heavenly Kings in other regions. Because they represent different powers, they inevitably exchange some playful banter when they come together.

However, while they target each other internally, they unite as one when it comes to external affairs.

"You silly girl, it's been over a year, and your verbal skills have only gotten better. Now even this old woman doesn't dare to argue with you. You can't deny getting old, and this time, I might have to give up my position as the Ghost-type Elite Four member. This young man is different from the previous challengers... Old man Yan Tie, since everyone's here, let's hurry up and decide who among us should step down?" Kikuko leaned on her cane, looking at Yan Tie, who was sitting in the head seat, with a tentative expression.

The fact that Kikuko could speak to the commander-in-chief of the Kanto Alliance like that shows how much influence she carries in the Kanto region.

"Don't worry, it's not time for you to step down yet. Just keep an eye on the few forces behind you and don't cause any trouble. You think you're old, but I haven't said I'm old yet." Yan Tie's eyes were filled with a strong sense of intimidation.

That one look made Kikuko lose her edge, and she could only turn her head away slightly, no longer speaking.

After this exchange, she had gotten the answer she wanted.

As long as she isn't demoted and the power dynamics remain the same, she doesn't care about anything else.

If they're not going to let her step down, then who would it be?

Shiba?

Kona?

A-Du?

In the Kanto region, if a new Elite Four member is needed, it seems impossible to replace Lorelei, in addition to Shiba and Wataru.

Kona represents the island powers. If the relationship between the Kanto region and the Orange Islands breaks down and things escalate, it will keep Yan Tie very busy.

There has always been a plan to form an independent alliance in the Orange Islands.

Currently, it's just Shiba and Adu, one of them is the king of two regions, and the other is already the regional champion of Chengdu, so removing one of their titles won't have a big impact.

But is it that simple?

No one would willingly give up power they've already acquired, as the potential gains and losses are too great, unless a much larger compensation is offered.

At this moment, not only Kikuko was scheming, but the other three were too.

Undoubtedly, they had already made their own plans before coming, and thus had roughly organized their thoughts.

Now, it all depends on how Yan Tie arranges things.

"I could step down, since it doesn't really matter whether the Kanto region has me as its king or not. Besides, I've already become the champion of the Chengdu region, so there's not much point in keeping the king's position," A-Du suddenly said, which abruptly changed the atmosphere.

A voluntary abdication?

Kikuko was shocked and found Awato's courage incredible.

Kona's eyes gleamed with shrewdness; her intelligence and composure allowed her to quickly guess A-Du's true intentions.

Clearly, A-Du was unwilling to accept Xia Mu's challenge. If Xia Mu were to challenge his position as the Heavenly King, it would be beneath A-Du's dignity, regardless of whether he won or lost.

After all, he is now the champion in the Chengdu region.

If the target is him, he is willing to give up this position. It depends on how Yan Tie plans to handle it, or whether Xia Mu wants this position that he is giving up.

Anyone with a brain can figure it out quickly.

Xia Mu roughly understood what he meant: if they were to use him as an example, they would have to consider whether Xia Mu would be trusted by others after he became the king.

Even though Natsuki is a legendary Pokémon trainer, without a challenge to demonstrate his strength, most people would doubt his abilities.

"You will continue to hold this position of Heavenly King until the day you voluntarily step down." With a single sentence, Yan Tie defused this scheming conspiracy.

Adu wasn't surprised. He just glanced at Yan Tie and then at Xia Mu.

He didn't have much affection for Xia Mu, this junior. Although they were all family members, Xia Mu was unknown and hadn't done much.

There's absolutely no comparison between them.

Xia Mu sensed the disdain in A-Du's eyes.

But he did not respond to him.

is it necessary?

There's absolutely no need for that.

These people were clearly unaware of the real story. What Yan Tie wanted Xia Mu to do was challenge the four of them and become the regional champion of the Kanto region.

It's not just about being a superstar.

Of course, everything depends on whether Xia Mu has the ability.

After watching two preliminary matches, Yan Tie somewhat acknowledged Xia Mu's strength. At least Xia Mu's overwhelming strength was no less than that of a Heavenly King.

Most importantly, he was specially arranged as Xia Mu's opponent, so starting tomorrow, he will be able to accurately assess Xia Mu's strength.

Xia Mu was unaware of this; he never imagined that Yan Tie would arrange for someone to participate in the Quartz Conference to obstruct him.

"Then, it's my turn to abdicate. It doesn't bother me, after all, I'm currently holding the title of King of two regions, and sometimes I really do feel powerless." Shiba, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them.

It's not Kikuko, nor Wataru, and it certainly can't be Kelena, so it has to be him!

Yan Tie looked at Xiba and slowly shook his head.

Even if Natsuki fails, it doesn't mean Shiba will step down, because Shiba still holds a significant position in the Kanto region and is a heavyweight figure in the world of martial arts, irreplaceable by Shiba.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have been appointed as the king of two regions.

All four of them frowned.

Awa, Kikuko, and Shiba all looked at Kona.

The least likely person is Kona, and now none of the three are it, so doesn't that mean Kona has to step down?

Is Yantie about to pull off something big? A reform?

"There's no need for guessing or probing. Everyone knows what's going on. And if I really want any of you to step down, I won't consult you." Yan Tie displayed his authority as the commander-in-chief.

Even regional champions have to avoid being overshadowed.

"After the Quartz Conference, Xia Mu will be holding a championship challenge," Yan Tie said to the four of them.

These words caused all four of them to become somewhat unsettled.

The champion of Kanto has been vacant for a long time. Over the years, many people have had their eyes on this position, including A-Du. However, even he failed and settled for the champion of the Chengdu region instead.

Does this Xia Mu have that kind of strength?

As far as they knew, Xia Mu was Xia Bo's grandson, and even though he had been carefully nurtured over the years, this sudden rise to fame was still a bit too much.

They were unaware of Xia Mu's other identity, which Xia Mu himself found incredibly unfair.

Little did he know that Yan Tie was his great-grandfather, and that after learning about his situation, Yan Tie wanted to push him to the top.

Unaware of the inside story, the Four Heavenly Kings could only wonder if Xia Bo had paid a huge price in exchange for Xia Mu's rise to power.

"Fraudulent match-fixing?" Kikuko asked with a serious expression.

Adu's face turned ashen, Shiba frowned, and Kona's gaze was full of scrutiny.

Xia Mu was on the verge of tears, but the most crucial thing was that he couldn't interrupt yet. After all, it was Yan Tie's intention to let him listen first and speak at the end.

"Follow the rules! Even I wouldn't do anything unfair! Do you think I, as the commander-in-chief, would make such a basic mistake as fixing a match?" Yan Tie looked coldly at the four of them.

Why doubt this one thing about him?

Upon hearing Yan Tie's words, the Four Heavenly Kings were all shocked and looked at Xia Mu again, their eyes filled with even more confusion.

Could this kid be hiding something?

It's just a firebird; no matter how high its level, it's not enough to give the four of them a headache.

"Alright, Xia Mu, you can speak freely now if you have anything to say." Yan Tie spoke up, catching Xia Mu off guard.

What could he possibly want to say?

He's said everything, what other opinions could he possibly have?

Yan Tie directly provoked the Four Heavenly Kings. If he doesn't behave well, his future will be difficult.

With her thoughts racing, Xia Mu was constantly organizing her thoughts.

Since things have come to this, he has no choice but to bite the bullet and face it head-on. In any case, with his current strength, he is not afraid of the four of them.

Requesting recommendation votes and monthly votes.

(End of this chapter)