Instant annihilation!

The single-day pass was much like the temporary card issued earlier, both being yellow cards. Regardless of which battle station it was, inserting the card would activate the station. Tong Si walked to the center of the club, where most battle arenas were occupied.

"Poliwag, use Bubble Beam!"
"Luvdisc, hide in the water!"

On the water-type battlefield, Poliwag and Luvdisc were locked in combat. The quality of the battle was not high, but a considerable number of trainers watched from the sidelines. Most of them had already signed up for the Newcomer King Tournament taking place in a week. Hoping to achieve good results, the trainers were working hard.

After circling the arena, Tong Si finally spotted an empty battle platform. By coincidence, a trainer was already standing at the station. Without hesitation, Tong Si walked up to the platform. When both stations were activated simultaneously, the two trainers automatically became opponents.

"Are you going to battle me?" The opposing trainer grinned as Tong Si approached. Song Xuyang was somewhat famous in the Pokémon Battle Club. With an eleven-win streak, few dared to challenge him anymore, which explained why his platform was free.

"Yes," Tong Si replied, paying Song Xuyang little mind.

"Look, someone actually dared to challenge Song Xuyang on his platform!"
"Really? Let’s hurry and see who that unlucky soul is."
"…"

Hearing the murmurs below, Tong Si narrowed his eyes and smiled.

"Come forth, Electabuzz!"

Tong Si tossed the Poké Ball, and Electabuzz made a dashing entrance.

"Beep beep!"

This battlefield was for grass-types, similar to those at the Pokémon Association, though slightly narrower.

"Shall we begin?" Tong Si prompted Song Xuyang, who still hadn’t released his Pokémon.

"Haha! How entertaining!" Song Xuyang hadn’t expected Tong Si would truly dare to challenge him.

"Go, Turtwig!"

"Bee-eh~"

As Turtwig appeared on the grassy field, it seemed to thrive, its spirit ablaze.

"Oh? Turtwig—a rather rare Pokémon." Tong Si was well-versed in the world’s Pokémon and their regional distributions. In the twenty-one provinces of Hualong Country, the top-ranking provinces each had an exclusive starter Pokémon.

Linhai Province, ranked mid-tier, had no exclusive starter. Turtwig belonged to Nanchuan Province in the south, one of its starter Pokémon. To own a Turtwig, Song Xuyang’s family must have considerable means.

There was no dedicated referee for this battle. Once both trainers were ready, the match could begin.

"I’ll let you attack first, so you won’t say I’m bullying you!" Song Xuyang flicked his bangs with confidence.

Tong Si found the phrase strangely familiar.

"If that’s the case, I won’t hold back!" Tong Si chuckled.

"Electabuzz, use Quick Attack to close in on Turtwig!"

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Electabuzz darted forward at astonishing speed, leaving Song Xuyang and several spectators speechless.

"Turtwig, withdraw into your shell!"

Song Xuyang had hoped to counterattack, but Electabuzz was already upon Turtwig. There was no time to react or use a move, so defense was the only option.

"Brick Break!"

Seeing Turtwig withdraw, Tong Si issued a direct command.

"Beep beep!"

Electabuzz, mid-Quick Attack, spun its arm furiously.

A Brick Break struck Turtwig squarely.

Bang!

Turtwig had begun in its shell, but as Electabuzz pressed on with Brick Break, Turtwig’s head popped out, its eyes spinning in a spiral.

Turtwig was unable to battle.

"What!?" Song Xuyang was stunned.

The spectators were equally incredulous.

Song Xuyang had always trusted Turtwig’s defensive power.

But Electabuzz had downed his Turtwig in a single Brick Break?

It was beyond belief.

Even more shocking was that Electabuzz had used Brick Break while executing Quick Attack.

How was that even possible?

Two moves at once!

[Beep·boop]
[Congratulations, host, on your victory. Reward: ten thousand points.]

Tong Si received his points as soon as he won.

"Next!"

Tong Si’s voice thundered, snapping the crowd out of their daze.

The battle was truly over.

Song Xuyang stared at Tong Si. "What’s your name?"

"Tong Si."

"Tong Si? Good! I’ll remember your name. In a week at the Newcomer King Tournament, I’ll be the champion!"

With those words, Song Xuyang recalled Turtwig and left the platform.

Tong Si cared little for Song Xuyang’s thoughts; he was here at the Pokémon Battle Club only to earn points.

The trainers here were different from those at the Pokémon Association.

At the Association, after Tong Si defeated Lin Jintong, no one else dared challenge him.

But at the Battle Club, everyone had paid to enter. Seeing Tong Si’s prowess, they all wanted to try their luck.

On the grass-type battlefield, Tong Si’s Electabuzz achieved a fifteen-win streak!

Upon hearing the news, Zhang Shanjie hurried over to observe Tong Si’s matches.

"Beep beep!"

Electabuzz unleashed a powerful Thunderbolt, instantly defeating the Grimer before it.

Sixteen consecutive wins!

"Who’s next?"

Tong Si’s voice sounded boldly to all.

Most spectators had already fought him.

They’d hoped that a rotating challenge would wear down Electabuzz, but it seemed tireless—after sixteen matches, not only did it not falter, it grew even stronger.

"Impressive, Tong Si. I didn’t expect your Electabuzz to be so well trained," Zhang Shanjie applauded.

"Brother Shanjie?" Tong Si wondered when Zhang Shanjie had arrived.

"Tong Si, would you come with me for a moment?" Zhang Shanjie wanted a private conversation.

"Alright."

Tong Si stepped down from the platform, and the crowd made way for him.

In Zhang Shanjie’s office, he personally brewed a cup of tea for Tong Si.

"Tong Si, the staff said you’d won fifteen matches in a row—I was skeptical. Seeing your battles, I’m convinced of your strength." Zhang Shanjie gestured for him to drink.

Tong Si waved his hand. "Brother Shanjie, just say what’s on your mind."

Tong Si disliked beating around the bush.

"Hahaha… You really are straightforward. You see, this Pokémon Battle Club is newly opened. The Newcomer King Tournament is actually meant to promote the club’s reputation. After seeing your strength, I believe you’ll be the champion."

"Brother Shanjie, are you saying you don’t want me to compete?" Tong Si’s brow furrowed.

…(To be continued)