The methods for Ditto to train its physical strength are few, and among them, the most common is to consume energy after transforming and then to recover that energy.
Then, resistance training is not only for strengthening the body but also for forging Ditto's willpower.
If Ditto reverts to its original form immediately after being hurt while transformed, it can only be said that its training has not yet reached fulfillment.
To become a powerful Ditto, these two trainings are unavoidable.
After handing Ditto over to Monferno, Fang Yuan thought carefully and felt that this might be the best choice…
Monferno, after all, is a symbol of diligence and resilience within the team, making it arguably the most suitable Pokemon to partner with Ditto.
While staying at the Dragon Palace Dojo, Fang Yuan arranged training tasks for Ditto and began to quietly await the start of the qualification battles.
Originally, Fang Yuan thought he would spend these two days peacefully, but during this time… Eevee suddenly gave him a big surprise.
…
Two days later.
The battle for qualification to enter the Temple of the Sea was about to begin.
Under the statistics of the Binhai City Trainers Association, three One-Star Professional Trainers, fifteen regular Professional Trainers, one Practicum Professional Trainer, and nine non-professional Trainers confirmed participation in the battle for qualification.
The number of participants was much higher than what Guan Cheng had mentioned, indicating that not every Trainer was willing to give up.
After all, with the battle rules being two-on-two, some Senior Trainers, although unable to present four or five Professional level Pokemon, could still manage to bring out one or two.
In such cases, they might not necessarily be unable to compete with Professional Trainers.
Therefore, on the day of the battle, the final number of confirmed participants for the qualification battle was 28.
Outside the Water Arena, Eevee lay on Fang Yuan's shoulder as they entered the arena, chatting with Guan Cheng, who was leading the way.
"You seem very relaxed…" Guan Cheng said, as he glanced over.
"No, I'm very nervous," Fang Yuan shook his head.
The Water Arena, as the name implied, was constructed above the sea, with only the Trainers standing on platforms — the rest of the area was entirely the sea, even purer than the Water Arena, all water!
To enter the arena, one must first pass through a hall, and almost all the Trainers participating in the qualification battle had gathered in the hall. When Fang Yuan and Guan Cheng arrived, about twenty-odd people had already assembled there.
Among them were Trainers participating in the battle, as well as staff.
When Fang Yuan and Guan Cheng entered, over half of those present turned their eyes to the pair.
In the distance, Master Yun Miao, the Sect Leader of Qinglong Dojo, who was conversing with Ni Feng, the Sect Leader of the Waterfall Flow Dojo, and Master Zhang Yuhai, Vice-Chairman of the Binhai City Trainers Association, noticed Yun Guancheng and Fang Yuan, and smiled lightly.
First, he explained to the two Masters beside him, then waved towards Fang Yuan and company.
"That's Uncle Yun, he's signaling us to come over," Guan Cheng said to Fang Yuan, before taking the lead in walking over.
Fang Yuan followed obediently, but after bringing Fang Yuan there, Guan Cheng realized in the next moment that he was being ignored.
The three Masters started to focus on Fang Yuan, effectively crowding around him.
"So you're Fang Yuan, the champion of this year's national championship? A young talent indeed," Master Zhang Yuhai lamented, adding, "My child just started at Mo Da this year. It would be great if he could be as outstanding as you."
"I watched this year's national championship too, Student Fang Yuan, your Milotic was exceptionally well trained," Master Ni Feng from the Waterfall Flow Dojo remarked with a smile.
"This kid indeed has a way with things," said Master Yun Miao, a familiar face to Fang Yuan, who finally understood why Xie Qingyi, arguably the most talented female Trainer in Hua Nation at present, gave so much attention and care to a junior.
From various indications, Fang Yuan was seemingly not inferior to that Fairy King who defeated the Dragon Lineage Four Heavenly Kings with ease.
If only you knew how good you are saying I am...
Being lavished with praise upon his arrival was something Fang Yuan had become accustomed to, so he responded with ease and began to converse politely with the three masters.
At the side, Yun Guancheng was tearful, feeling that his own genius from the Dragon Lineage was also very impressive...
"Did I just hear that the young man chatting with the three masters is some kind of champion?"
"It's the university national championship. No doubt about it, the young man speaking with the three masters is Fang Yuan from Magic City University..."
The surrounding Trainers also took notice of Fang Yuan. Some recognized him, and others did not, but it didn't really matter. About ten minutes later, a middle-aged man in a yellow referee uniform pushed the door open and entered.
"Hello, everyone. I am the match Referee appointed by the Binhai City Trainers Association. I will take you to the arena next," the middle-aged referee in the yellow outfit announced to the twenty or so people in the hall.
As he counted the participants... he saw many familiar faces, all his superiors; the middle-aged referee sighed. This qualification battle was really a clash of titans.
"Thank you for your hard work," Master Zhang Yuhai nodded and said.
"Now, please follow me, and I will reiterate the competition rules once more..."
Fang Yuan listened to the rules roughly. It seemed that within one day, each Trainer had to battle multiple opponents at different times, and the seven spots would be determined by a points system.
"In the first battle, the two Pokemon you send out will be bound to the contestant, and for the second, third, and subsequent battles of the day, you can only use these two, with no changes allowed. Injuries and exhaustion will be solely recovered by the tree fruit and potions distributed..." the Referee continued to explain.
Fang Yuan scratched his cheek, which meant that if he was really unlucky, he could consecutively face three masters... In such a case, if he let Milotic and Dragonite join battle together, there seemed to be some risk.
The Self-detonating Magnetic Monster was definitely taking one spot, so the other spot...
Fang Yuan paused mid-step, thinking to himself, "Let's go with Dragonite."
Although the Water Arena was Milotic's home turf, against flying Electric Elves, Milotic's advantage would become a disadvantage. On the other hand, if it were Dragonite, with its thick skin and flesh, even against master level opponents, it could still fiercely compete.
...
After entering the Water Arena, including the three masters, all contestants began the first round of drawing lots. Fang Yuan drew a sphere from the box inscribed with the red number "four."
With 28 contestants, there were 28 balls: red one to red fourteen and black one to black fourteen. The corresponding red and black contestants would battle each other...
At that moment, only Fang Yuan's name was associated with the red four.
Then, not long after, the black four appeared. Sect Leader Ni Feng from the Waterfall Flow Dojo silently looked at the black four in his hand...
"To face a master right at the start... poor kid." The uncle next to Fang Yuan thought.
"Holy crap, holy crap, holy crap," Yun Guancheng was also shocked.
"Uh... another strange turn of events," Fang Yuan fell silent too, as his prediction seemed to have come true once again.