But Ling Yun wasn't soone who'd quietly accept humiliation.
Besides, his purpose today was precisely to stir trouble at this birthday banquet.
Initially, his father, the Eagle Head, had no intention of accepting the Azure Dragon Society's invitation—but Ling Yun had other plans.
Noticing the tapod in Su Qingxue's arms, Ling Yun imdiately sneered loudly, "Hahaha, Su Qingxue, do you seriously think raising sothing like a Beedrill will make it powerful?"
"Those online posts must be exaggerated nonsense! If that so-called 'Bug-type Master' were really that strong, would he even need to hide his identity?"
Ling Yun openly scorned the mysterious powerhouse trending online. To him, if soone truly possessed such incredible strength, they'd flaunt it openly for the world to see. A coward who concealed his identity was simply pathetic.
However—
Ling Yun's mockery instantly sparked the anger of both Su Qingxue and He Yongsen.
He Yongsen stepped forward, retorting coldly, "Ha! So people really know nothing but how to talk big. How is it any of your business whether soone shows their face or not?"
"At least he saved an entire plane full of people. And you? You just stand here running your mouth."
Even if Guo Yi weren't his teacher, He Yongsen deeply respected him for singlehandedly rescuing those passengers. Now, as his disciple, he definitely wouldn't tolerate soone slandering his teacher's good na.
Ling Yun had originally targeted only Su Qingxue, not expecting a random nobody to suddenly interfere.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Since when did you have the right to speak here? Watch your mouth!"
Ling Yun glared nacingly at He Yongsen. Did he honestly think having Su Qingxue's backing would protect him?
But facing Ling Yun's threat, He Yongsen didn't waver at all.
"Just a humble Pokémon firefighter, nothing special."
"As for whether I can speak up or not—do you really think you're qualified to stop ?"
Truthfully, He Yongsen felt zero fear of Ling Yun. With his own background and connections, even his father had the capability to procure a Growlithe for him; clearly, his family held considerable influence within the Pokémon League.
The Pokémon League hadn't intervened in the struggle between the Azure Dragon Society and Flying Eagle Gang—not out of fear, but purely strategic consideration. As long as their conflicts remained limited, the League wouldn't step in. After all, where there was light, darkness inevitably existed.
And despite seeming easy-going in front of Teacher Guo and his teammates, He Yongsen was actually extrely proud. If he didn't respect soone, his words carried a rebellious edge.
"Ling Yun, we're here to attend soone's birthday banquet. Mind your manners," a voice interjected calmly.
Just as Ling Yun was about to fire back, the man standing quietly behind him finally spoke.
"Yes, Shixiong." Ling Yun surprisingly restrained himself, nodding obediently.
He casually tossed his keys to an attendant and walked into the hotel alongside this Shixiong.
He Yongsen watched their departing figures and spat disdainfully, "What kind of people are they? Can't even speak decently."
Guo Yi, anwhile, observed them calmly before turning to Su Qingxue. "Qingxue, it seems these two are up to no good."
She nodded seriously. Their hostility was blatantly obvious. Thinking about the trouble they might cause at her birthday banquet, her expression darkened.
"By the way, Qingxue," Guo Yi asked suddenly, "Do you know that 'Shixiong' Ling Yun ntioned?"
Su Qingxue paused for a mont, deep in thought, then shook her head. "I don't have any impression of him. He's probably soone Ling Yun t after apprenticing. I heard Ling Yun took the retired Fire-type Elite Four, Lie Ke, as his teacher."
Hearing this, a faint smile flickered across Guo Yi's lips.
Interesting. A disciple of a retired Elite Four is actually one of the Seven's founders.
[Sula]
[Age: 35]
[Background: One of the founders of the Seven]
[Abilities: None]
[Compatible Template: Sage Ghetsis]
[Note: Possesses considerable potential; suitable as a disciple.]
Guo Yi had heard about the group known as the "Seven."
They were similar to a religious faction from his past life, fervently promoting their own philosophy to the world. Specifically, the Seven advocated that humans shouldn't enslave Pokémon rely to satisfy their own desires.
Interestingly enough, their beliefs echoed those of Team Plasma from the Unova region. Guo Yi wondered whether they had devised these ideas themselves or discovered them inside a Secret Realm.
After all, Secret Realms not only contained rare Pokémon, but also hidden ruins, technologies, and facilities. Many of today's technological advancents stemd from discoveries in these realms. Sotis, the value of knowledge uncovered in Secret Realms far exceeded that of rare Pokémon.
Take Shu Xinni, for example—she had personally traveled to YN City to negotiate for a certain dical technology, yet still lost it to another company. Clearly, corporations placed enormous value on this kind of hidden knowledge.
As for Sula's template—"Sage"—perhaps not everyone recognized it imdiately, but its leader, Ghetsis, was undoubtedly infamous. In a sense, Team Plasma had been led by the Seven Sages.
Guo Yi wondered briefly if the other mbers of the Seven had similar templates. Sotis, history bore an astonishing resemblance to past events.
"Teacher, what's wrong?" Su Qingxue asked curiously, noticing his thoughtful expression.
Snapping back to reality, Guo Yi smiled reassuringly. "It's nothing. Let's go inside."
"No matter what they're plotting, we'll deal with it as it cos."
With absolute confidence in his strength, Guo Yi didn't fear any tricks. Su Qingxue felt the sa. With Teacher Guo here, she had nothing to fear.
Under Su Qingxue's lead, they soon entered Binjiang Grand Hotel.
As a renowned five-star hotel in Shanghai, Binjiang Grand Hotel's decor was naturally extravagant. The luxurious hall shimred with elegance, and well-appointed private rooms awaited guests. Everywhere, servers in neat skirts bustled about attentively, pouring tea and water. Delicious delicacies were laid out, free for guests to enjoy.
As the banquet's guest of honor, Su Qingxue naturally drew everyone's attention as she entered. Behind her, Guo Yi and He Yongsen stirred curious whispers from the crowd.
"Who are those two? Why are they dressed so plainly?"
"Well, they look poor, but they're both quite handso!"
"I don't know about that pretty-boy on the side, but the other one—I saw him on the news yesterday. He's a Pokémon firefighter. Heard he saved over ten people in yesterday's forest fire!"
"A firefighter? Didn't know the Azure Dragon Society had ties to the Pokémon Fire Brigade."
"Hey, I've got so gossip—apparently, when Miss Su was hiding in the countryside, she apprenticed herself to a Pokémon teacher!"
"No way! A countryside Pokémon teacher? Has she lost her mind?"
The murmurs continued, intrigue building among the guests.
Every gaze in the banquet hall fell curiously upon Guo Yi and He Yongsen as they calmly approached Ye Qing.
"Teacher Guo, you've finally arrived," Ye Qing greeted warmly, elegantly lifting a wineglass as she walked toward him. Her graceful movents accentuated by her luxurious evening gown drew many admiring glances. Every subtle gesture exuded undeniable charm.
"Madam, you're too kind." Guo Yi graciously accepted the offered glass. "I've been tied up recently and almost didn't make it back in ti."
At that mont, Su Qingxue stepped forward eagerly, holding up Guo Yi's gift box.
"Mom, Teacher specifically went to find this Perfect-Grade [Moon Stone] for . Look!"
Not bothering to lower her voice, Su Qingxue took out the [Moon Stone], clearly displaying it for everyone to see.
A collective gasp swept through the crowd.
A Perfect-Grade Moon Stone?!
Items of this caliber were practically priceless, rarely seen even among the elite. They hadn't expected this seemingly ordinary young man to possess such a rare treasure.
Was this the definition of hiding one's strength?
Seeing everyone's stunned expressions, Su Qingxue felt imnse satisfaction.
Hmph! Serves you right for looking down on my Teacher! Just this one Perfect-Grade [Moon Stone] is worth more than all your gifts combined!
But at this mont, a mocking voice abruptly broke through the crowd's astonishnt.
"Heh! You say it's Perfect-Grade, and we're supposed to just believe you?"
Ling Yun leisurely sipped his champagne, a sneer twisting his lips.
"Perfect-Grade [Moon Stones] never appear openly on the market. Sure, the official valuation might be around sixty million, but even on the black market, soone offered two hundred million and still couldn't buy one."
"And soone like him, casually giving away a Perfect-Grade [Moon Stone] as a gift?"
"Ridiculous!"
His disdainful words quickly cast doubt over the hall, and whispers erupted imdiately.
"He's right. Who'd casually gift a Perfect-Grade [Moon Stone]?"
"Seriously, even a Mid-Grade stone would be questionable, given his appearance."
"Exactly! If soone that ordinary-looking could actually produce a Perfect-Grade [Moon Stone], I'll eat this entire table!"
Most guests present maintained only superficial ties with the Azure Dragon Society, so they felt no qualms openly gossiping. Besides, with Ling Yun, the young master of the Flying Eagle Gang, openly stirring trouble, many were more than happy to fan the flas.
"You're deliberately causing trouble, Ling Yun!" Su Qingxue snapped coldly.
If Ling Yun hadn't interfered, even if so guests doubted the quality of the stone, none would have openly voiced it, out of basic courtesy. Now, however, Ling Yun had incited open skepticism.
Though Su Qingxue firmly believed in her teacher, words alone wouldn't convince anyone now. Getting a professional appraisal imdiately was out of the question—it'd be too late by the ti results ca back.
Yet, despite Su Qingxue's fury, Ling Yun remained unfazed. Creating chaos was precisely his goal tonight, and he wasn't about to miss this perfect chance.
"Miss Su, I'm rely stating facts. If you insist it's Perfect-Grade, prove it!"
Imdiately, soone in the crowd echoed Ling Yun's demand, "Yes, show so proof! Without evidence, who would believe you?"
Clearly, Ling Yun had co fully prepared. Several allies of the Flying Eagle Gang had already begun openly supporting him.
"You—!" Su Qingxue hadn't anticipated her innocent words would lead to this embarrassnt.
Guo Yi, unwilling to watch his disciple endure further humiliation, calmly stepped forward.
"Proving its quality is simple. Qingxue, let your Nidorina use the [Moon Stone] to evolve."
Due to her previous kidnapping incident, Nidorina had been training extrely diligently. Her current level had reached LV35, nearly maximizing her potential at this stage—ideal for evolution.
"Oh, right! How could I forget that?" Su Qingxue lightly tapped her forehead, suddenly enlightened.
Aside from professional appraisal, evolution would provide the clearest proof. Ordinary and Lower-Grade [Moon Stones] rely guaranteed evolution success, with any increase in potential solely dependent on the trainer's daily nurturing. Mid-Grade or High-Grade stones moderately improved potential alongside evolution, while a Perfect-Grade [Moon Stone] would drastically enhance both strength and potential upon evolution.
If Nidorina evolved using this stone and clearly increased in strength, no one could dispute its authenticity.
Just as Su Qingxue was about to hand the stone to Nidorina, Ling Yun's voice abruptly stopped her again.
"Wait!"
"Miss Su," Ling Yun approached casually. "We have no idea about your Nidorina's current strength. What if you deliberately hide her true abilities now and only reveal them after evolving? Wouldn't you be deceiving everyone here?"
"Unless..."
"Unless what?" Su Qingxue coldly retorted.
Ling Yun smiled arrogantly, elegantly sipping his wine again.
"Unless you accept my challenge to a Pokémon battle. After all, battling is the clearest way to gauge a Pokémon's strength."
He continued mockingly, "Surely, the esteed student of Shanghai Pokémon Academy wouldn't refuse such a simple request?"
With these words, Ling Yun revealed his true intentions openly. His goal tonight was always to challenge Su Qingxue publicly. If he won, he'd restore the Flying Eagle Gang's recently tarnished reputation and simultaneously signal to everyone present that the Azure Dragon Society's power was waning—killing two birds with one stone.
Naturally, it was a double-edged sword; failure would similarly embarrass him greatly.
Su Qingxue hesitated briefly, realizing Ling Yun's confidence wasn't baseless. But after glancing at Guo Yi and seeing his reassuring nod, she answered decisively, "Fine, I accept your challenge."
"But on one condition—if you lose, you must loudly shout three tis that the Flying Eagle Gang is inferior to the Azure Dragon Society. Do you dare?"
Quick-witted as ever, Su Qingxue fully understood Ling Yun's motive. Since he wanted to gamble, she'd simply raise the stakes.
Without hesitation, Ling Yun agreed confidently, "Of course. I accept your condition."
He'd co prepared. There was no way he could lose.
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