Chapter 61 Metagross Evolves, Paul's Rout!
When the light of evolution shone across the arena once more, everyone present looked at Zhang Feng with an expression filled with sheer disbelief!
As a trainer who had just debuted this year, Zhang Feng did not have the backing of a Gym Leader father like May, let alone a Gym Leader hailed as the strongest beneath the Elite Four who could be invited here by Professor Birch!
This showed that Zhang Feng truly possessed extraordinary strength!
Judging by the Pokémon he had deployed—first a Shelgon, and now a Metagross—this "novice trainer" seemed overwhelmingly, almost excessively strong!
Aside from Zhang Feng and May, which of the people present wasn't a veteran trainer with years of experience?
"It seems like Zhang Feng is indeed a formidable rival!"
Seeing this, Professor Birch beamed from ear to ear. This was an outstanding trainer discovered by him in the truest sense!
The stronger Zhang Feng became and the more famous he grew in the future, the more praise he, the Professor, would receive, proving his own exceptional eye for talent!
Soon, as the light of evolution dissipated, a mighty Metagross appeared before everyone's eyes!
When Zhang Feng checked Metagross's attribute panel, it naturally did not disappoint him!
At first, Zhang Feng had envied Steven for possessing a shiny Metagross with red potential!
Yet, as Infernape and Shiny Aggron completed their final evolutions, Metagross had now also reached red potential!
Mere Steven only had a single red-potential Pokémon, while he, Zhang Feng, now possessed three!
This demonstrated that for Pokémon with inherently high potential, a secondary evolution combined with a potential-enhancing evolution stone could elevate them into the tier of red potential!
"Ding-dong! Metagross's current attribute values are as follows:"
Pokémon: Metagross
Level: 47
Ability: Clear Body
Types: Steel, Psychic
Potential: Red
Bond Evolution: Unlocked
Mega Evolution: Unlocked
Moves: Zen Headbutt, Confusion, Metal Claw, Flash Cannon, Bullet Punch, Hammer Arm, Explosion...
Friendship: 242
History: Met in Dewford Town, an exceptional individual among the Metagross lineage, a trump-card Metagross aspiring to surpass Steven.
Hobbies: Battling, consuming minerals
Following its evolution, Metagross's strength increased once again, reaching level 47, making it one of Zhang Feng's six strongest core powerhouses, second only to Rayquaza!
Furthermore, in terms of potential, Metagross was far ahead of the pack!
Seeing this, Paul couldn't help but bite his lip, seemingly unable to comprehend why the guy he encountered was so strong!
Zhang Feng?
Wasn't he just a novice trainer who had debuted not long ago?
Had he, Paul, really fallen to the point where he couldn't even defeat a novice trainer?
With a gloomy face, Paul recalled his Nidoking and said, "Useless trash!"
Witnessing Paul's behavior, the trainers present could not help but show looks of displeasure, especially Morrison, whose personality was very similar to Ash's; he was so angry he wanted to go over and beat Paul up!
With that, Paul produced another Poké Ball. Amidst a flash of red light, his primary powerhouse and signature starter Pokémon—Torterra—made its debut!
"Ding-dong! Torterra's current attribute values are as follows:"
Pokémon: Torterra
Level: 50
Ability: Overgrow
Types: Grass, Ground
Potential: Gold
Bond Evolution: Unlocked
Mega Evolution: Unlocked
Moves: Wood Hammer, Withdraw, Razor Leaf, Giga Drain, Leaf Storm, Earthquake...
Gold potential combined with level 50 undoubtedly proved that Paul's current strength had reached the quasi-Elite Four tier!
To reach such a level at a young age proved that Paul wasn't all talk, but facing Zhang Feng, it still seemed far from enough!
"Metagross, continue the battle, use Ice Punch!"
Torterra, being of Grass and Ground types, had a fourfold weakness to Ice-type moves. Therefore, the moment Metagross executed this move, Paul immediately issued a counter-command!
"Torterra, use Earthquake!"
However, Metagross floated above the ground and did not make direct contact with the terrain, making any attempt to hit Metagross with a Ground-type move purely wishful thinking!
After dodging the Earthquake attack, Metagross's four limbs immediately shone with a dense, freezing Ice-type energy!
A quadruple barrage of Ice Punches continuously slammed into Torterra's head!
The immense impact drove Torterra straight down into the ground!
Seeing such a ferocious Metagross, everyone couldn't help but gasp in awe. Even Professor Oak couldn't help remarking:
"A Metagross capable of executing moves simultaneously with all four arms—what a true rarity!"
"Ding-dong! Metagross defeated Torterra, gained 675 experience points, leveled up, current level: Lv. 48!"
Having effortlessly defeated Paul's trump card, the young boy, already broken by Brandon, completely lost his fighting spirit!
Recalling Torterra, Paul remained wordless as he drew his final Poké Ball!
Hariyama!
Facing this opponent, Metagross dispatched him with two swift Psychic attacks!
Just like that, Zhang Feng easily swept three Pokémon to defeat Paul!
Meanwhile, Ash felt a surge of joy in his heart upon witnessing this. Although he gained a deeper appreciation for Zhang Feng's formidable strength, Ash's fighting spirit burned fiercer than ever!
Most importantly, Paul had lost!
"Pikachu, Zhang Feng is seriously strong! When we reach the Ever Grande Conference, we must, must, must beat him!"
Pikachu responded with an enthusiastic cry brimming with fighting spirit!
With the battle concluded, the second match of the second round ended with Zhang Feng's effortless advancement!
As for Paul, after giving Zhang Feng a deep, lingering look, he turned and left without saying a word. Who could tell what new insights this battle would bring him?
Moving on to the third match, Brock, whose team consisted almost entirely of Ground and Rock types, was naturally no match for Tyson!
Under the assaults of Tyson's formidable Sceptile, Brock was virtually crushed!
Thus, the third advancing contestant was decided: Tyson from the Hoenn region!
With this, including the temporarily bye-exempt Paul, the Hoenn region claimed three spots in the final four, and every single one of them was earned through sheer, unadulterated strength!
Looking at the list of qualifiers, the professors couldn't help but smile and comment:
"It seems the strength of the Hoenn region has truly progressed by leaps and bounds these past few years! Strong individuals are everywhere among the younger generation of trainers. I'd say all three of these kids possess the potential of Elite Four members!"
"Indeed, not to mention that the Hoenn region boasts two Champions, Steven and Wallace. Tsk tsk tsk, the Hoenn region is vastly superior to our regions nowadays!"
Hearing the professors' remarks, the people from the Hoenn region naturally felt immensely proud. Professor Birch's smile had not faded from start to finish!
After all, these individuals had all received their starter Pokémon from him!
Especially Zhang Feng, who had caught up to trainers with years of travel experience in less than half a year—a testament to his extraordinary capabilities!
And with the birth of the final four, the semifinals were set to begin!