The Lily of the Valley Conference drew to a close, but the post-match discussions remained lively.

After four intense battles, Mega Blastoise, which resembled a war fortress after Mega Evolution, became the center of attention among fans.

“Mega Launcher (×) Mega Reactor (√)”

“Can Darkrai, owned by Darkrai Trainer, withstand this Hydro Cannon?”

“A decade-old fan here, Teacher Lu really brought the water guns!”

Undoubtedly, whether it was the tenacious Infernape or Charizard descending from the sky, both displayed the level worthy of the finals.

The debut of Lucario further elevated the battle standard of this Lily of the Valley Conference by a large margin.

As forum fans put it, Ash showed skill and style in the tournament—

But Teacher Lu’s Blastoise was just too steady!!

Not only did it activate Torrent and trade punches with Infernape,

Its Mega Ability, Mega Launcher, even blasted through Lucario, who specialized in Aura Sphere!

Many eliminated contestants at this conference shed tears.

“We can’t blame the loss on anything…”

“Facing a legendary Pokémon master up front and a real rookie behind, the champion is a player with steady tactics!”

“智喷 (Ash’s Charizard), sob sob, my Charizard! o(╥﹏╥)o”

Counting this conference, Ash, a veteran of four tournaments without a championship, also has his own fans.

But undeniably, Ash’s command level still falls short compared to Paul.

Tactics like 'throwing oneself blindly onto the battlefield' have strong visual impact but carry corresponding risks.

In close quarters, if Blastoise landed a serious punch, Charizard probably wouldn’t even have a chance to flap its wings and take off.

Losing to Teacher Lu isn’t necessarily bad;

at least it’s valuable experience to raise one’s trainer level.

Teacher Lu fell into thought.

Ash from the Sinnoh region still seems inexperienced, and his team lacks a crucial Mega slot.

He wonders if, once he reaches Kalos and bonds with Greninja, he can beat Alain’s Mega Charizard X.

By then,

He guesses he and Cynthia will be honeymooning in Kalos (scratch that)… searching for tablets.

“I need to find out where he’s staying… I remember Handsome Guy, the detective, has an office in Miare City.”

Lu Ye stroked his chin, expression gradually becoming subtle.

“I still have to avoid that construction crew…”

Night deepened.

Brilliant fireworks lit up Lilycove Island, and tourists lingered on the island, enjoying the pyrotechnic spectacle.

This fireworks display marked the closing of the Lily of the Valley Conference.

Meanwhile, three days later, the Lilycove Island Champion League would commence.

Only trainers who win the conference are qualified to participate in the Champion League.

Conference champions can choose to challenge any one of the Elite Four seats.

If victorious, they may choose to succeed the Elite Four member or continue to challenge the league champion.

If successful, that conference champion will become the new league champion.

Alice defeated Adrec;

of course, there is also a system where champions like Steven and Wallace retire and transfer the title.

The value of a conference champion and a league champion differs greatly.

Every year a conference champion emerges, but very few become Elite Four members or league champions.

Many conference champions fell before Kanto’s Lorelei’s Cloyster or Sinnoh’s Flint’s Infernape…

In the anime, even Darkrai Trainer, who became a conference champion, ultimately could not defeat Flint among the Elite Four.

This alone demonstrates the Elite Four’s strength.

On the other hand, Red, who debuted by immediately winning a conference and defeating league champion Lance, had terrifying talent and power.

Ash didn’t get his first conference championship until the Alola region in the anime.

Since Alola held its first league tournament only recently, Ash directly became the Alola league champion.

Does that feel a bit like a predetermined favoritism?

Lu Ye shook his head.

He temporarily returned to his lodging on Lilycove Island.

“Blastoise…ヾ(⌐■_■)”

Blastoise took out the Full Recovery Potion previously purchased from Misty and sprayed it on its shell, causing a continuous red “+1” to light up.

Then, Blastoise looked back at its gleaming metallic shell and grinned, “Blastoise!”

Lu Ye: “…”

Everyone knows Kanto’s final evolutions, Venusaur and Charizard, are dual-type.

So my Blastoise being Water/Steel dual-type is quite reasonable, right?

Lu Ye looked at Blastoise, who habitually used Aura to scan for toxins, and quietly said, “Steel types aren’t affected by poison…”

The reward for the Lily of the Valley Conference was originally the same as the Hoenn Conference’s Firebird Feather.

Because Teacher Lu had a higher-grade Rainbow Wing, after negotiation, it was exchanged for a Hard Stone unearthed from the Canalave Coal Mine.

The Hard Stone can boost the power of Rock-type moves;

with this batch of rewards, at least it can last until Larvitar evolves into Pupitar.

Meanwhile, the long-silent system sent a notification sound.

【Ding! Large quest ‘Sinnoh League’ completed.】

【Quest Progress: (3/3)】

【Quest Objective: Win the championship at the Sinnoh League Lily of the Valley Conference.】

【Quest Reward: Luxury Ball *1, Gold Pearl *1, Orange-quality Berry *1!】

Lu Ye was stunned for a moment.

I still have something like this?

Teacher Lu recalled that Devon Corporation’s ‘∞ Plan’ could transmit objects through infinite energy to parallel spaces, which felt somewhat similar to this.

Lu Ye: “...But why another berry?”

Because a gourmet blogger’s household can’t be without ingredients!

The randomly selected berry was named ‘Lotus Plum Berry’, also called Anti-Fighting Berry, a type based on wax apple.

【Lotus Plum Berry: When attacked by a super effective Fighting-type move, it can weaken its power. (The flesh contains spicy warming components, essential in cold regions.)】

“Spicy!!” Lu Ye’s eyes lit up.

Isn’t there a dinner gathering tonight?

Teacher Lu cleared his throat: “...In the end, the champion still has to cook.”

Spicy is not the key... spicy is erased, anti-Fighting is the key.

Old Ban is four times weak to Fighting;

feeding Anti-Fighting Berries from youth can somewhat increase durability.

After all, as the desert tyrant, if he got one-shot by someone’s Mach Punch... that would be ridiculous.

Lu Ye compared the spiciness: Dragon Fire Berry’s heat is 30, Anti-Fighting Berry’s heat is 15.

Hmm... still somewhat spicy.

But adjusting the flavor, it can also be fed to Larvitar.

Teacher Lu glanced at Larvitar, quietly tilting its head, watching Togepi play games.

Rare berries, high-quality minerals, Hall of Origin floor tiles (scratch that)...

Even Red’s Snorlax might not have such treatment!

After unlocking, the Lotus Plum Berry can be exchanged directly in the system from then on.

Teacher Lu suddenly looked forward to Anti-Fruit and Anti-Grass Berries.

Old Ban’s resistances are really weak;

feeding some can’t hurt...

Other rewards:

Gold Pearl is a luxury ornament.

A large solid gold pearl, dazzlingly bright, almost blinding Teacher Lu’s eyes.

“Blastoise…ヾ(⌐■_■)”

Blastoise stared at this large gold pearl, scanned to confirm it wasn’t a bomb, then pushed up its sunglasses.

If he ever goes bankrupt, this can help him bounce back gradually...

The last reward item.

A special Poké Ball called the Luxury Ball.

The Luxury Ball is entirely red, with a black and gold pattern in the middle groove, extremely precious, known as the treasure at the bottom of the Poké Ball factory.

Silph Co. launched the Master Ball;

Devon Corporation, despite competing, was technically inferior and only released the Luxury Ball.

One focuses on capture rate, the other on friendliness.

As for the Luxury Ball... besides being fancy and flashy, it’s practically useless!

“Vulgar!” Lu Ye shouted. With a critical attitude, he stuffed the Luxury Ball into his waist pouch.

But speaking of which,

Only Mythical Pokémon are qualified to be stored in Luxury Balls for official distribution.

Teacher Lu lowered his head again, examining the deep red translucent Luxury Ball, his expression tightening.

Lu Ye: “...You’re hiding sinister intentions.”

【?】

“Gengarrr~” Haunter stood under the air conditioner, opening its mouth wide to blow cool air.

“Togepi!” Togepi ripped open a large bag of chips and handed some to Larvitar.

Larvitar opened its mouth wide, burying its head in the bag, then lifted it with a face full of crumbs: “Yum~(￣～￣)”

Togepi blinked, startled, then tiptoed down from the sofa to get another bag for itself.

Teacher Lu calmed himself, placed the champion trophy on the cabinet, and stroked Sylveon’s snow-white back.

Sylveon was strutting proudly but suddenly lowered its front legs, pressed its back into the palm, looking angry.

“Bui~!”

Lu Ye was used to this, thinking: “Tonight I’ll go to dinner with Cynthia... and check on Ash’s condition.”

Falling in the finals, Ash would naturally feel disappointed.

But that’s okay.

Because when he loses to Kurogane in Unova, he’ll be even more crushed!

Who is Kurogane? Riolu’s near-death evolution sweeping through three opponents, known as the top general Pan Feng of the Three Kingdoms.

Even champions kneel before Kurogane, let alone Ash. (Just kidding)

In the chat group, Red comforted Ash: “It’s okay, fight again next year!”

“After all, you faced Teacher Lu.” Green said lightly, “You performed very well.”

Ash’s eyes sparkled with the praise from Green, nodding vigorously: “I’ll keep working hard!”

“Everyone has their specialty.” A-Jin wiped his nose and smiled, “Ash’s strength, like mine, is outdoor battles!”

Lance said slowly: “In formal battles, you might still lose to Ash.”

“Huh?! I just haven’t participated in the league tournament!” A-Jin corrected.

“Actually, it’s because you couldn’t collect eight badges,” Xiao Yin exposed, “So you can’t enter the tournament.”

“Hey! Stealing badges to compete isn’t any better!”

The back-and-forth between A-Jin and Xiao Yin continued, with Crystal hastily mediating.

Teacher Lu was slightly stunned.

Even A-Jin can’t get past the gym battles?

Makes sense;

the gym leaders in Celadon City must want to kill him when they see him...

“Three days until the Champion League.”

Flint changed the subject, clenching his fists, eyes burning with fire: “Teacher Lu, have you decided which Elite Four member to challenge?”

Among Sinnoh’s Elite Four, Flint was the second strongest despite only recently appointed.

The weakest was fourth seat Bug-type Aru, followed by Grandma Kukuno.

The strongest and most competent was first seat Psychic-type Lucian.

“Not decided whether to participate yet,” Lu Ye replied.

He’ll go all out in the Baby Cup.

If he fights the Elite Four, he’d have to call Big Brother for help.

But Darkrai easily shuts down Lucian;

if Colossal Pokémon awakens, Brandon will cry again...

“Oh! Then I’ll be waiting!”

Though he’d get beaten badly, Flint still looked forward to a full battle with Teacher Lu.

Fire-type trainers tend to be passionate fools like that... Blaze is also the easiest ability to trigger a frenzy.

Lu Ye sighed lightly.

He’s tired;

after fighting Big Brother and Charizard, he doesn’t want to fight another wild card.

If he competes officially, Grandma Kukuno is about to retire... rarely accepts challenges now.

Then the choice is only between Aru and Lucian...

Lu Ye stroked his chin, deep in thought.

Lucian exhaled, pushed up his glasses seriously: “I accept challenges anytime!” Google seaʀᴄh NoveIꜰire.net

Finally, Teacher Lu is coming to challenge me!

Let’s finish work quickly, go home to read, and drink some good beer, okay?

7 PM.

The summer night was sultry, the sea surface faintly shimmering, cicadas continuously chirping.

Lilycove Island is covered with forest, with the brightly lit Sinnoh League and conference venues at its center.

Spectators boarded boats to leave gradually, while others arrived especially for the Champion League.

Cynthia finished her affairs and returned to her lodging at the league, ready to change out of her black coat.

It was really too hot... she wanted ice cream.

Cynthia sighed softly and pushed the door open.

A cool blast of air conditioning greeted her, making her squint contentedly.

“Going to dinner with Professor Oak and the others tonight?” Lu Ye stood up, looking somewhat proud: “I’ll cook.”

“Just won the conference championship and already cooking?” Cynthia crossed her arms, resting a delicate hand on her chin, surprised.

“Playing the Baby Cup is just a hobby.”

Lu Ye said, “I, Lu Ye, also want to be a culinary god!”

“Is there ice cream?”

“...Yes.”

“Let’s go!” Cynthia’s eyes curved into a smile.

While Cynthia went upstairs to change.

“Garchomp!”

Garchomp sharpened its twin scythes with a clanging sound, glaring at Lu Ye with some dissatisfaction.

Lucario, however, crossed its arms, closed its eyes, and leaned against the wall.

After staying so long, it was familiar with Lu Ye’s aura...

“Gengarrr~(￣▽￣)/” Haunter casually handed a bottle of iced cola to Garchomp.

“Garchomp…” A drop of cold sweat traced Garchomp’s temple as it stared at the cola, its scythe hands helpless.

Finally, Garchomp half-layed on the coffee table, sipping the drink through a straw with a relaxed expression: “Garchomp…”

Lu Ye folded his arms, frowning slightly, pondering the menu for tonight.

As the chief of the Top Ten in the Far Moon, Lu Ye once conquered Head Chef Nakiri Senzaemon with spicy flavors!

Eh... no such thing?

After waiting half an hour, Teacher Lu suddenly recalled—

Facing the wardrobe... Cynthia also has decision anxiety!

“Lucario.” Lu Ye said, “Go upstairs and have a look.”

“Lucario.” Lucario slightly nodded, detached from the wall, and started up the stairs, then suddenly hesitated.

Why do I have to follow his orders?

“Lucario!” Lucario sulked and walked back downstairs, leaning against the wall again.

Lu Ye: “Then I’ll go up myself.”

Lucario hesitated for a moment, then stiffly nodded: “Lucario…(ー`´ー)”

Lu Ye smirked.

Little guy, playing mind games with me!

His phone screen lit up.

Cynthia: “Not decided yet…”

Teacher Lu: “I’ll pick for you myself!”

…