"Hello, everyone, this is the live broadcast of the World Sprite Alliance Conference..."
"China's Second Team and Mi Country First Team's match has been underway for five minutes, with Zheng Hongyi defeated... Currently, Mu Fan's situation is also quite unclear; I will continue to follow up for everyone."
In the Hua Nation's camp, the live broadcast commentators' tones had already turned somber, lacking the prior excitement.
The situation in this battle was indeed dire, with Zheng Hongyi suffering a crushing defeat, and Mu Fan, who went second, facing Mi Country's Dark Type King; his situation was no better than Zheng Hongyi's.
Mu Fan's core trump Pokemon, Mind Puppet, was directly shattered by the opponent's Spirit Chop Command, and it was unclear how long it would take to recover.
The other Pokemon, under the lethal attacks of the Spirit Chop Command, also fell one by one, succumbing to serious injuries.
Now, the mood of Tang Xinlan from the Hua Nation players' bench was extremely solemn, as she was up next...
During the regional qualifiers, it felt exhilarating to overcome six teams single-handedly, but now, with the same scenario on their own heads, those from China's Second Team couldn't muster a smile.
"Mu Fan, defeated!"
Above the sky, with another match concluded, Muye Liuji announced the result with an indifferent tone.
The score, 4:0.
With the competition having reached this point, a reversal was almost impossible; on the main stand, Brian continuously sighed internally. How wonderful it would have been if it was China's First Team being crushed by Mi Country's overwhelming strength. Alas, it was merely an insignificant substitute team.
"The third match..."
Muye Liuji spoke again; up next was Mi Country's Fighting King battling against Tang Xinlan from China's Second Team.
"Why not just forfeit?" Tang Xinlan stood up, and Jiang Li spoke, seeing no need to continue; it wouldn't be sensible to go on like this. They could not have any impact on the Mi Country team, and instead, it would be their Second Team who would suffer severe damages.
If China First Team were to surrender outright against Mi Country Second Team, the persistence shown now by China's Second Team would seem even more...
"As substitutes for the first team, Fang Yuan and Shang Ren should be enough, right?"
Tang Xinlan spoke slowly. At the most critical moment, those capable of being substitutes for the first team were likely Fang Yuan. This battle was almost the last chance for the others on the second team to compete, and though there was nearly no hope of defeating the opponent, giving up directly would still be somewhat regrettable.
Her Pokemon had prepared for the World Championship for so long, all eager for battle, even if it meant suffering serious injuries; they were ready for it.
"Just do what you feel is right," Fang Yuan said. Whether to concede or not, even though he, as the team captain, could decide directly, he left the choice to the team member instead. Since Tang Xinlan was willing to fight, there was no reason to stop her.
Then, Tang Xinlan took to the field, but clearly, she was no match for Mi Country's Fighting King. Even her trump-card Pokemon, Empoleon, exerting all its strength, couldn't defeat the opponent and its wings ended up broken; the outcome was already evident.
"Sigh." Upon seeing this, Master Ma Chenzong from the main stand let out a sigh.
As the president of the Chinese University Sports Competition Committee, he had seen too many one-sided battles that could crush a trainer's confidence. Compared to those confrontations, the matches that Zheng Hongyi, Mu Fan, and Tang Xinlan were enduring were even more brutal.
Once every four years, they prepared for four years for the competition, only to be easily defeated one against six on the stage; the blow was immense. However, if they could face it with the right mindset, taking it as a life lesson, it could be an opportunity for the three of them. They needed a chance to build confidence, and this chance could only come from the first team.
.........
Tang Xinlan was back; all her Pokemon were sent for treatment, yet like Zheng Hongyi and Mu Fan, she chose to stay to witness the last moment of China Second Team's match.
At this point, the live audience from Hua Nation and those watching the broadcast back in the country had entirely lost hope for this battle.
The gap in strength between the two sides was too great, even if it was China First Team facing Mi Country First Team, victory couldn't be assured, let alone now with the second team in battle.
Perhaps Fang Team could win a match?
After all, Fang Yuan had displayed very strong abilities in the previous team battles.
The Self-detonating Magnetic Monster, Monferno, and Milotic's special system left many spectators in awe, especially Monferno's short-lived ability to take on three opponents single-handedly, made its power crystal clear to the audience.
If he didn't encounter Gura, Fang Yuan might have...
"The fourth match, the team battle, Fire God Gura VS Fang Yuan!"
In the arena's half-space, Muye Liuji slowly recited the next match-up, and the battle screen immediately displayed the portraits of Gura and Fang Yuan following her words.
As Muye Liuji finished speaking and the portraits of the contestants showed up on the battle screen, several spectators from Hua Nation who still harbored a sliver of hope, had their expressions freeze.
Combatting... Mi Country's Champion?
Even those audience members not very familiar with Pokemon battles had heard about the news that had been all the buzz the day before yesterday, about how Fire God Gura effortlessly overpowered Russia's reigning Champion Andrei.
The media in Hua Nation had also reported on Gura's strength; indeed, among all the competitors in the World Championship, Gura's individual power was considered to rank among the top three, with many believing Gura to be the very best!
How could they fight this!
Facing that monstrous Volcarona, not to mention Fang Yuan's Monferno, even if it was Jiang Li's Chandelure's Ghost Fire, would it be effective against the opponent?