HBWnovel Chapter 338 338: Is That Brother Feng?
Chapter 338 338: Is That Brother Feng?
East China Arena.Even before the matches began, the stands were already packed to the brim.
Spectators from all across the Eastern League filled the seats, their eyes fixed on the central battlefield with curiosity and anticipation. Though nothing had started yet, the atmosphere was already alive with excited chatter.
"Hey, I actually managed to get tickets to this year's Zongheng Championship!"
A young boy stared at the battlefield, tugging on his mother's sleeve.
"Mom, one day I'm going to qualify for this tournament too. And I'll win first place. I'll be the champion!"
"Then you'll have to work very hard," his mother replied gently, smiling.
"Champion, do you see that? Champion! That's Moltres' flame!"
A sudden shout cut through the crowd.
High above, a streak of blazing red tore across the sky like a feather of fire.
It was Moltres, carrying Feng Yang on its back.
Today, Feng Yang was still dressed in his usual off-white shirt, but this time a vivid crimson cape draped over his shoulders, giving him an imposing presence.
He guided Moltres toward the referee's platform, separate from the audience stands. With a casual wave of his hand, followed by a firm gesture, he signaled for silence.
Gradually, the noise in the arena died down.
He did not say much. Instead, he glanced at Moltres.
The legendary bird understood immediately. It soared across the battlefield, releasing streams of fire into the sky. In an instant, towering pillars of flame ignited across the arena, burning with a sacred intensity.
Moments later, Moltres returned to his side.
Feng Yang flicked his cape with a sharp motion.
"All right. This year's Zongheng Championship officially begins!"
The moment his voice fell, the entire arena erupted.
"Captain Feng Yang! Captain Feng Yang!"
"Are you going to challenge the Champion this year? Will there be an exhibition match?"
"Wow!"
"Oh, forget it. None of the top elite trainers showed up this year. Without them, how could there be exhibition battles?"
"Enough talk, let's just start already!"
Amid the roaring cheers, a young man in a suit rode in on an Aegislash, emerging from somewhere unseen.
He looked excited, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke into the microphone.
"Hello to all viewers across the League. I'm Li Bing, your commentator for this year's Zongheng Championship. I know most of you aren't here for me. What you really want is to witness the incredible battles between our competitors!"
"But I do need to add one important detail."
"Due to adjustments in the rules, this year's tournament has more participants than ever before. Once the top 32 are decided, the format will shift to full 6-on-6 battles. This will test not only the trainers' overall team development, but also their tactical thinking and psychological strategy."
"As a result, this year's championship will run longer than usual!"
"I won't keep you waiting any longer. Let's turn our attention to the big screen and enjoy the first round of matches!"
Li Bing's excitement was impossible to hide.
Ever since he stopped traveling earlier this year and became a commentator, he had discovered something surprising.
This job paid very well.
Especially after people learned that his partner was an Aegislash, he found it easy to secure commentary roles at major events. Step by step, his reputation grew, until he finally earned the chance to commentate this prestigious tournament.
As his voice faded, a massive virtual screen appeared above the arena, as if summoned out of thin air. Countless Rotom units buzzed around it, maintaining the display.
On the screen were the portraits of all 128 participants.
Below, the ground rumbled with a series of heavy clicks as a massive stone platform descended, then slowly rose into the air.
When it fully emerged, all the participants stood clearly upon it.
There were all kinds of people.
Men and women. Young trainers and middle-aged veterans. Even what looked like a little girl, casually licking a lollipop.
Yet according to the League's trainer regulations, anyone standing here had already met the official age and qualification requirements.
Some stood beside their Pokémon.
Venusaur, Beedrill, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, Crobat, Gengar...
Others stood alone, hands empty.
Originally, Lin Feng had not planned to release his Pokémon.
But Alolan Ninetales absolutely refused to stay inside its Poké Ball, so he had no choice but to let it out.
Soon after, Serperior expressed the same unwillingness, and he released it as well.
At that moment, however, two pairs of eyes locked onto Lin Feng.
One of them belonged to Fang Youzhi.
Beside him, a Flareon stood, staring at Lin Feng in confusion.
When the participants were first gathering, Fang Youzhi had already seen him from afar, but the distance had been too great to recognize him clearly.
Now, standing together on the battlefield, he saw him unmistakably.
That was Xiao Feng... no, Brother Feng!
His eyes widened as he tried to find something different.
But Serperior, Alolan Ninetales… these were all Pokémon he recognized.
There was no doubt.
The man standing there was Lin Feng.
The first time Fang Youzhi returned home, he had only heard vague rumors.
Later, after settling back, he learned the truth.
That Dragonite that helped build roads… it was terrifying.
After that, while preparing for the Zongheng Championship and challenging gyms, he had not paid much attention to the ranch.
But every now and then, curiosity got the better of him.
And once he started looking things up…
He discovered the so-called "Sky Challenge."
A giant Pidgeot, twice the size of a normal one, capable of leading a flock to generate devastating winds.
Winds that could reach hundreds of meters into the sky.
That was the final stage of the challenge.
Just thinking about it left him stunned.
He was certain he would never pass it.
And what shocked him even more…
That shiny Gardevoir.
The one that had once frightened a Jynx.
It had faced more than twenty Pidgeot at once, enduring a raging storm without effort. It weaved through them effortlessly, capturing each one in turn.
Unbelievable.
Fang Youzhi could not even begin to imagine how strong that Gardevoir truly was.
How could a single Gardevoir reach such a level?
Was there something hidden within it… something like the power of a legendary Pokémon?
Thinking back to the bold ambitions he once declared in front of Lin Feng, Fang Youzhi felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him.
Thankfully, he had come out of that phase early.
Otherwise, standing here now, he would not even be able to say a word.
But now…
Lin Feng was here too.
Competing in the Zongheng Championship.
In that instant, Fang Youzhi felt his scalp go numb.
Would that Gardevoir appear?
He could not help but wonder.