The "World's Number One Fighting Tournament" is widely circulated among trainers who specialize in Combat-type and is greatly pursued because becoming the champion means you can earn the title of Fighting Master.
Although this title of Fighting Master is a bit less prestigious than the master titles given by the Trainer Association after becoming a One-Star Professional Trainer, it is still a high honor acknowledged within the circle, and many aspire to obtain it.
"No one from the Extreme Martial Arts is participating in the competition?"
"Doesn't seem like it. There's only one successor from the Extreme Martial Arts Field this generation, and he earned the master title a few years ago. Haven't heard about them training a second successor."
"The Fighting King, Xu Haoran... Ah, that sort of genius, having just one is terrifying enough. The Extreme Martial Arts Field is truly the top fighting inheritance..."
"But there are also many strong competitors from other dojos..."
Most of the participants in the Fighting Tournament are trainers from various Fighting Series Dojos, with only a small portion being students like Fang Yuan, as well as civilian trainers joining the fray purely for the thrill of the contest.
Fang Yuan, listening to the discussions of other competitors and combining it with the gossip he saw on online forums, had already established several hypothetical enemies.
If he encounters these people... Just let Fierce Fire Monkey go all out! Otherwise, there's hardly any chance to even counterattack.
"Top thirty-two, just reach the top thirty-two! The master will agree to teach us the core Moves Secret book!!"
"Whether Achaa accepts my declaration of love depends on the outcome of this competition. Eevee, we must work hard..."
"The dojo successor, I've decided it will be me!"
Beyond gossiping competitors, there were also many young trainers with the spirit of fiery youthfulness, motivating themselves and their Pokemon before the match.
After listening around, Fang Yuan smiled; alright, it was time to have a meal, as being well-fed was necessary to have the energy to participate in the afternoon's preliminary rounds.
...
"Achaa."
In the contestant's resting area, Fang Yuan checked the results of the morning's preliminaries on his phone.
The Fierce Fire Monkey also peeked over, because it had been taught to look at the phone due to often being called by Eevee to play games.
"The highest score in the morning preliminaries was that 488, I heard it was achieved with a Flying Knee Strike, what a monster…" Fang Yuan and his team naturally passed the first preliminary match with ease, but even though Fierce Fire Monkey's score of 147 was high, it seems there are more than twenty Pokemon reaching professional standards this competition... Alexander.
It's worth mentioning that the rule for the first preliminary was that only one move could be tested.
So everyone refrained from using any Strengthening Moves before attacking, which means all the scores were obtained under normal conditions.
When it comes to the real battles, the preliminary scores definitely can't be taken as a reference, it's the combination of various moves that will reveal the true strength of the Pokemon...
"Attention to all competitors, the second half of the preliminaries are about to begin. Please head to your assigned area according to the number you were given..."
"All competitors please..."
After hearing the announcement, Fang Yuan put away his phone and led the Fierce Fire Monkey towards the area they needed to go for their match.
There is only one fight in the second half of the preliminaries. If they win this fight, today's battles are over.
Tomorrow will be the main event, which will attract even more spectators, guests, and reporters.
All 128 matches need to be completed this afternoon, which could be a lengthy process if held on a single field.
However, the actual arrangement is that 128 matches will take place in several areas simultaneously. With eight areas, each only needs to conduct 16 matches.
Ten minutes per match, and in less than three hours, the contestant roster for the main competition could be confirmed.
"She's in this district too, and there's that strong Heracle Cros..." After arriving at the designated area, Fang Yuan spotted the female Trainer with Elodea, as well as another Trainer who had scored 231 points in the preliminaries after him. Although it seemed that the person wasn't a Professional Trainer, their Heracle Cros should be no weaker than a typical Professional Trainer's Main Pokemon, and in addition, there was a real Professional Trainer.
"Bwoo..." Before the preliminaries started, Eevee called out boredly, asking Fang Yuan if it could go back to the backpack to sleep.
"Er... didn't you say you were going to cheer for Fierce Fire Monkey?" Fang Yuan was taken aback and then asked.
Fierce Fire Monkey, who was following Fang Yuan, also looked up at Eevee with a wronged expression.
"Bwoo..." Eevee sighed, feeling sleepy, next time, definitely next time.
"Ah—" Fierce Fire Monkey was irked to the point of grinding its teeth, but dared not express its anger.
As Eevee squeezed back into the backpack, the preliminaries quickly commenced.
In their district, the first two Trainers to take the stage had equal strength, mediocre at best, one using fists and the other kicks, they beat each other ruthlessly for 2 minutes until one finally collapsed.
A few minutes later.
"Second match, Ning Yu against Zhang Lang."
Outside the arena, the first row was for the referees, the second row was for the contestants, and only the third row was for the audience.
The number of spectators on the day of the preliminaries was sparse and scattered, with all Trainers seriously watching the battles. Once the referee announced, the two new contestants immediately took the place of the previous two, becoming the center of attention.
"Ning Yu, Elodea... I don't know the other Trainer's background, but it seems they scored 180 points in the preliminaries!"
"Her opponent, Zhang Lang, is an apprentice of the Soft Technique Dojo... I recognize him!! Although no good with machines, he's quite skilled in combat, it looks like it's going to be a battle of strength versus finesse."
While a few spectators buzzed with conversation, the two Trainers and their Pokemon were already prepared on the field for battle.
Elodea vs. Wrestling Hawk Person.
Wrestling Hawk Person is a Combat-style elf that's quite rare in Asia.
"Please go easy on me." On the field, the short-haired girl Ning Yu faced her opponent with a calm expression, and her Elodea was equally silent and still.
"Let's get started." Her opponent, Zhang Lang, nodded, and at that moment, the referee announced the start of the battle, and Wrestling Hawk Person had already spread its wings—
Just when many thought a fierce battle was about to unfold...
The next moment, the pupils of most spectators constricted.
At the very instant Wrestling Hawk Person dashed forward, Elodea's figure had vanished!
"Not good, behind you!!" Zhang Lang was also shocked.
Elodea disappeared from Wrestling Hawk Person's line of sight, but didn't leave the field, instead appearing right behind Wrestling Hawk Person.
After appearing, Elodea didn't waste a moment and immediately executed the Aerial Ace Move, slashing its attack across the back of Wrestling Hawk Person's head.
The immense shock and impact directly caused Wrestling Hawk Person to pass out!
"Teleport... War Method of Thor, huh." Fang Yuan raised an eyebrow, goodness, although he knew the power of the first Move didn't mean much, as combat skill determined victory, such a battle strategy was a bit too much.