As the match between Fang Yuan and Gura concluded, at this very moment, audiences around the world couldn't even care about the next battle.
Whether on computers or mobile phones, everyone went back to watch the replay.
Starting from the very beginning...
On the screen, Fang Yuan's sunny smile appeared before everyone.
If the live audience missed or didn't pay attention to Fang Yuan's words due to the noisy surroundings or other reasons,
as they rewatched the match, the viewers finally heard them clearly this time.
Recorded and broadcast by the in-stadium drones, Fang Yuan's conversation with Gura was played out clearly.
"So, are you serious?"
"To be precise, are you serious, Gura? Leaking information before the battle, as a team captain, can be said to be quite derelict of duty. Next, I advise you to send out your strongest three Pokémon, otherwise, you will surely regret it."
"Regret it for life."
This was the exchange between Fang Yuan and Gura before their battle; now, every viewer who had seen the grand finale wore strange expressions on their faces.
How should I put it?
Gura was just too pitiable, very pitiable, extremely pitiable, especially pitiable, because no matter what, Gura would regret it for life.
If Gura didn't send out his core combat power, he would inevitably be beaten brutally by Fang Yuan for underestimating him, resulting in a lifelong regret.
And in the case where Gura did send out his core combat power... well, he was still brutally beaten by Fang Yuan, and his ace even suffered heavy damage, becoming a complete burden to the American team. That choice would definitely be another lifelong regret.
Anyway, after the Canadian team recovered from their shock, they were all ecstatic. Fang Yuan, our god!
And countries like Japan, the UK, Russia, and France started taking Fang Yuan more seriously.
...............
"Fang Team, awesome!!"
"Truly very strong."
"Hmm."
After returning to the seating area, Mu Fan, Zheng Hongyi, and Tang Xinlan couldn't help but exclaim.
The negative emotions from the crushing defeat against the American team, although not entirely dissipated, were mostly released as Monferno demonstrated divine presence and America was severely damaged.
"Impressive."
"Well done."
Jiang Li, Su Shu, Yun Kai, Xu Haoran, and Xie Qingyi congratulated Fang Yuan and then fell silent, looking at Fang Yuan as if he were a monster.
Isn't it so? Gura, who was discreetly touted as the strongest in this competition, was he really going to be completely crushed by Fang Yuan to the point of being disabled?
If Fire God Gura lost his Volcarona, what kind of Fire Champion would he be? He would be equivalent to being downgraded to a Fire King.
Fang Yuan actually had such an ace up his sleeve...
"Unless America has some special treatment method, neither the Volcarona nor the other two Pokémon are likely to recover quickly," Fang Yuan said.
"However, as a consequence, my Monferno and Ditto may not be able to continue in this World Championship either."
Fang Yuan had forgotten how much damage Monferno had inflicted on Volcarona; although Volcarona might not be out longer than Monferno, the chance of it performing at full strength was virtually impossible.
"Monferno's injuries are severe too?"
Su Shu and the others paused. They all guessed that Monferno must have used some combat technique with significant side effects, so they weren't too surprised.
But what kind of combat technique could allow a Monferno, whose base qualities hadn't reached top-level, to dominate Volcarona?
This power was almost on par with the abilities of Legendary Pokémon mentioned in myths.
"But this battle was still worth it. The American team will likely have a tough time next round. And even if they make it to the fourth round and encounter us again, their energy will definitely not be what it is now," Yun Kai said.
Indeed, Fang Yuan rendering Gura disabled should make the Canadian Team the happiest.
Uh?
Something's not right.
"The fifth battle, team battle, Shang Ren VS Chaske."
On the field, Head Referee Maki Noboru-hime, although shaken by the previous battle, knew the match had not yet ended, and she had to continue presiding over it.
As Maki Noboru-hime's words fell, the China Team members collectively realized that the battle between China's Second Team and Mi Country's First Team was not entirely over!
From start to finish, even after Fang Yuan returned, except for saying "Congratulations," Shang Ren had not spoken another word, because now, Shang Ren was the one under the most pressure.
He really wanted to ask Fang Yuan, if he won, whether Fang Yuan could turn the tide in the arena match and lead the second team to victory over Mi Country, but he dared not ask.
Because he lacked confidence in his own strength, American Chaske, the Ghost King, ranked second in the Four Heavenly Kings' points standings within America, was immensely powerful, with at least two top-level combat powers.
Furthermore, he was one of those dual-type, all-around top overlords, so his chances of winning were very slim.
Shang Ren's expression was complex.
"Come on," Fang Yuan said as he placed his hand on Shang Ren's shoulder.
Shang Ren hummed in acknowledgment.
Then, he nodded to his nine teammates and started walking towards the field.
Meanwhile, on the American Team's side, Gura, who had returned in a state of shock and consternation, left the entire team silent; they did not know what to say at such a time.
After the head referee announced the next match-up, Chaske clenched his fists and stood up. Gura had lost; he absolutely could not afford to lose next.
......
The battle between Shang Ren and Chaske was not very intense; rather, Shang Ren was at an extreme disadvantage.
Shang Ren's face was pale throughout the battle. Although he had one top-level combat power, his overall strength was still significantly inferior to Chaske's.
Tyranitar, Fossil Pterosaur, Forretress...
As one Pokemon after another fell into the enemy's illusion techniques and curses, unable to regain consciousness, Shang Ren's expression turned fierce.
The previous battles, if lost, were just that—lost. But this battle was the one he did not want to lose.
Sweat poured down Shang Ren's face, and he screamed heart-wrenchingly at his Pokemon, trying to make them break free from hypnosis.
If he lost to Xie Qingyi, he would lose his position as a King, and if he lost to Fang Yuan, he would lose his identity as the Fifth King. Now, was he going to allow the second team to be eliminated because of his weakness?
After all, Fang Yuan and Monferno had overcome Gura at a great cost. If only he could win one battle, with Fang Yuan's strength, they could definitely turn the tide in the arena match. But damn it, he was still too weak.
Shang Ren's eyes were bloodshot.
"Forretress, use Explosion!"
On the field, Shang Ren's pressure finally reached its peak, and he shouted out his last command with an almost roaring emotional breakdown.
"This guy..." Opposite Shang Ren, Chaske's expression became serious. Shang Ren's strength was much greater than those three from the individual battle—he had top-level combat power and could briefly contend with him. Still, it meant nothing; he was not his match. However, Shang Ren was crazier than the data indicated, his desire to win nearly tangible. Even when facing certain defeat, he wanted to take a piece of him with him.
At the players' seats for the China Team.
As Shang Ren's old teammate, Yun Kai was seeing this side of Shang Ren for the first time—so emotionally distraught, not even during his loss in the King battles had he been so discomposed.
Xie Qingyi and the others also saw Shang Ren in a new light.
Compared to the performances of Zheng Hongyi, Mu Fan, and Tang Xinlan, Shang Ren had done well, at least temporarily trading blows with the opponent and heavily damaging one of the opponent's pseudo-top-level combat powers...
However, Shang Ren was clearly dissatisfied with this outcome, and the emotion of frustration he exuded was vividly felt by Fang Yuan and the others.
"I'm sorry, I lost again."
Inside the Silver Arena, as Shang Ren's last Pokemon fell, Head Referee Maki Noboru-hime announced the result. Shang Ren spoke in a low voice while tears flowed down his face, becoming the first member of the China Team to cry on the battlefield.
China's Second Team VS Mi Country's First Team, with China's Second Team trailing by 6 points and eliminated.
............
The emotional outburst from Shang Ren moved Jiang Li and the others profoundly. Fang Yuan had not expected this—not in his past life, nor in this one, in sports or in Pokemon battles. Fang Yuan had seen many athletes shed tears on the field and during interviews, but this time, the one who cried was his teammate...
Fang Yuan felt very conflicted for a moment, but he also knew that all his teammates had done their best. Mu Fan, Zheng Hongyi, Tang Xinlan, the main force, were all badly injured, and Shang Ren's main force had also fought to their last strength...
"So next... leave it to me."
Now, all he could do was to assure Shang Ren on the field; even though China's Second Team might have lost, China Team had not yet lost, and they would definitely become the world champions.