Chapter 14: A Thousand Miles—Which Rookie Trainer Uses Rayquaza to Challenge the Gym?

“Thank you for the compliment, Gym Leader Qianli, but I still believe I can prove my strength by earning the Balance Badge from the Celadon Gym!”

Although Zhang Feng appreciated Qianli’s recognition, Qianli was unaware that Zhang Feng still had a true trump card hidden away. Once this Pokémon appeared, even if the opponent was the Hoenn League Champion Wallace, Zhang Feng was confident he could thoroughly overwhelm him.

“Confident, aren’t you? Then let me see your even more impressive performance!”

As Qianli finished speaking, his Slaking rose from the ground, a faint white glow beginning to shimmer over its right arm. However, upon inspecting Slaking’s status panel, Zhang Feng was surprised to find that, even after reaching its final evolution, its bond evolution remained locked. Yet, the hyper-evolution option was marked as available.

Curious, Zhang Feng received an explanation from the system: any Pokémon, upon reaching its final evolutionary form, can enter hyper-evolution if it obtains a Hyper Evolution Stone. The system’s scan would thus indicate the option to unlock hyper-evolution if it hasn’t been activated yet, and if it has, it would display the Pokémon’s hyper-evolved form.

With this clarification, Zhang Feng understood the situation.

The battle continued as the two trainers ended their brief exchange and resumed combat.

“Pidgeot, once more—use Tornado!”

“Slaking, show him your strength. Use Hammer Arm and shatter that Tornado!”

Following their commands, Pidgeot summoned a fierce tornado and unleashed it centered on Slaking. However, the vast level difference rendered the attack insignificant against Slaking.

At Qianli’s command, Slaking roared and slammed its fists into its chest, concentrating white energy and forcefully striking the tornado. The resulting explosion shattered Pidgeot’s tornado and the released energy enveloped Slaking.

After this, Slaking resumed its lazy posture, collapsing onto the battlefield, allowing Pidgeot and Zhang Feng to attack it freely.

Witnessing this, Zhang Feng couldn’t help but feel some helplessness. Slaking’s thick hide and high level meant that even with both Pidgeot and Grovyle attacking, they likely wouldn’t be a match. If Slaking found an opportunity, it could finish them in a single blow.

“Pidgeot, full power Air Slash!”

Taking advantage of Slaking’s lethargy, Pidgeot struck again, but the damage was negligible.

After enduring the attack, Slaking let out a furious roar. Following Qianli’s command, it began gathering a devastating Hyper Beam, sweeping across the battlefield and knocking Pidgeot out of the air.

The blow was so severe that Pidgeot was defeated mid-flight and lost the ability to fight.

Zhang Feng recalled Pidgeot and praised, “Good job, Pidgeot!”

He then sent out Grovyle’s Poké Ball.

“Grovyle, even if we lose, fighting strong opponents brings new gains.”

As red light flashed, Grovyle glowed green with its Overgrow ability activating.

“That’s right. Now, use Leaf Blade!”

With Grovyle’s Overgrow boosting the Grass-type move, the attack was significantly stronger.

Despite the large level gap, when Leaf Blade struck Slaking, it inflicted notable damage. The usually lazy Slaking winced, clearly feeling the pain.

When Grovyle’s Leaf Blade cut an “X” shaped wound across Slaking’s abdomen, Qianli’s expression showed a trace of surprise.

“Slaking, finish it. Use Earthquake!”

Qianli unleashed a wide-reaching Earthquake. Despite Grovyle’s Overgrow, it was critically injured and forced to succumb on the spot.

Yet, before losing consciousness, Grovyle charged Slaking at full speed, enduring the continuing tremors.

Finally, Grovyle stopped right in front of Slaking, its Leaf Blade just half a hair’s breadth from Slaking’s nose.

Unfortunately, as the light from Leaf Blade faded, Grovyle was still standing, but its eyes swirled in circles—it had lost the ability to battle.

“This battle spirit is truly remarkable. Among countless trainers I’ve seen, Grovyle’s resolve ranks at least in the top three,” Qianli remarked.

“Zhang Feng, shall we continue the third match? Even if you don’t fight, I can still award you the Balance Badge!”

Hearing this, Zhang Feng recalled Grovyle, comforted it, then produced a Master Ball.

“Mr. Qianli, as trainers, we never give up until the very end—that is the true spirit of a trainer!”

With admiration in Qianli’s eyes, Zhang Feng’s final Pokémon was revealed.

In truth, Qianli had sensed something unusual when Zhang Feng drew the Master Ball.

And sure enough, despite claiming to be a rookie trainer who just debuted this year, Zhang Feng pulled out the most powerful Legendary Pokémon from Hoenn—the Rayquaza!

Upon seeing the nearly six-meter-long Rayquaza on the battlefield, Qianli was momentarily stunned.

Qianli muttered, “Are you mocking me? Wait, I am Japanese after all…”

“Where is this rookie trainer you mentioned? What rookie has a Legendary Pokémon?”

Qianli’s voice sharp with disbelief.

“Zhang Feng, your Pokémon… it can’t be…”

Zhang Feng smiled and said, “Yes, this is the sky deity of Hoenn, Rayquaza. That’s why I said a trainer never gives up until the last moment.”

Qianli’s disciple was dumbfounded, and even Qianli himself wasn’t much better off.

“Since it’s a Legendary, this match is basically decided—I concede.”

“But as the gym leader, I want to send out my strongest ace. Zhang Feng, since you have a Legendary, why not face my best in a friendly match?”

After pondering, Zhang Feng decided that using Rayquaza against a level 30-something Slaking would be uninteresting.

If he was to fight, it would be against Qianli’s strongest ace, to see just how powerful the man heralded as the strongest trainer below the Elite Four truly was.

This would also give insight into the current strength of the Elite Four and champions.

“Very well, then the next match will be a friendly battle!”

Upon Zhang Feng’s agreement, Qianli recalled his Slaking and sent out his strongest Pokémon—his starter Pokémon.

Unsurprisingly, Qianli’s ace was also a Slaking.

Pokémon: Slaking
Level: 59
Ability: Truant
Type: Normal
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Locked
Hyper Evolution: Unlockable
Moves: Hammer Arm, Payback, Hammer Arm, Arm Thrust, Hyper Beam...

This nearly level 60 Slaking radiated a fierce aura. As Qianli’s ace, it surprisingly did not exhibit laziness, but rather exuded a monstrous presence.

No matter how monstrous, against Rayquaza, it was still no more than a novice.

Given Qianli’s strongest Slaking was level 59, it seemed the main Pokémon of regional Elite Four hovered around the low 60s in level. As for champion-level strength, Zhang Feng imagined it must exceed level 70.

“Slaking, your opponent is a Legendary. This may be our only chance to face such a power in our lifetime. Go all out—use Arm Thrust!”

Following Qianli’s command, Slaking charged with full force, roaring, its power seeming to tear through the air.

But with Zhang Feng’s order, Slaking was sent flying backward, utterly defeated in a single strike.

“Rayquaza, use Dragon Tail!”

Though only about six meters long, Rayquaza unleashed terrifying power, blasting Slaking away.

The impact shattered the roof of the Celadon Gym as Slaking crashed down.

With victory assured, Zhang Feng recalled Rayquaza.

Witnessing his ace’s helpless defeat, Qianli slumped to the ground with a bitter smile.

“You really are... something else.”

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Level grading standards:

1-10 Rookie Trainer: White potential
11-25 Ordinary Trainer: Green potential
26-40 Elite Trainer: Blue potential
41-60 Prospective Elite Four: Purple potential
61-70 Elite Four Trainer: Purple potential
71-80 Champion-level Trainer: Gold potential
81-90 Master-level Trainer: Gold to Red potential
91-100 Gym Leader-level Trainer: Red to Multicolored potential

Potential represents the maximum level cap. For example, purple potential can only reach Elite Four level at best, while gold potential can reach Master level.