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With the help of the omnipotent netizens, Li Xiang actually managed to find quite a few useful things online.
In the information age, many people, in order to gain attention and seek a sense of existence, dare to post all sorts of things online.
Things like ninja invisibility techniques, shurikens, body techniques, and wooden dummy substitutes can all be found.
However, Li Xiang wasn't fooled by these unreliable things.
What is the original intention of Pokémon learning martial arts?
To practice those rigid close-combat routines?
No.
Martial arts serve humans, and the routines are mostly designed for use against humans, targeting vital points of the human body, but the opponents of Pokémon are, for the most part, not even human!
In fact, many of them aren't even related to animals!
In such a scenario, the compatibility between martial arts and Pokémon isn't very high. Moreover, many martial arts originate from Pokémon and various moves.
For example, the hand chops of [Karate Chop] and [Brick Break], the uppercut of [Sky Uppercut], the knee strike of [Jump Kick].
Even the shoulder throw of [Seismic Toss], the sweeping leg of [Low Kick] and [Low Sweep], and the German suplex of [Storm Throw].
If they can't channel attribute energy, even the most powerful martial arts techniques are meaningless.
Li Xiang was willing to let Riolu and the others learn Beng Quan because it could help them master many fighting moves.
At the same time, some martial arts techniques were indeed useful. This was something that both Riolu and Torracat, as close-combat humanoid Pokémon, needed to learn.
Therefore, it was Li Xiang's responsibility as a trainer to discern what was useful.
So far, he hadn't found any useful ninja techniques online.
Both Koga and Janine still relied on various Pokémon to execute their techniques, which showed the limitations of human ability. Froakie didn't need to learn these.
Moreover, Ghost-type Pokémon are clearly more suited for the role of assassins, as they can phase through walls and become invisible as long as there is shadow.
"Froakie, it seems your assassination techniques will have to come from other methods," Li Xiang patted Froakie's head.
Froakie was disheartened. It had thought Li Xiang was capable enough to find what it wanted.
Alas, it was all for naught.
The sad Froakie decided to sleep in the sink tonight, with the water filled to the brim.
—Unlike Riolu and Torracat, who shared a bed with Li Xiang, Froakie had no interest in silk products.
...
Half a month passed in a flash.
With Jiang Shangrong's help, Li Xiang gradually adapted to the state of losing his afternoon nap. Fortunately, he managed to choose the former between learning and failing, and was finally able to stand in a stance for ten minutes without falling.
This laid the foundation for future perception training.
Qi Sunsun believed this was a significant breakthrough and deserved encouragement and rewards.
Thus, Li Xiang had no choice but to enjoy another lavish meal at his senior sister's house.
But in fact, Li Xiang had been having dinner at his senior sister's house for the past half month.
There was no helping it; her hospitality was hard to refuse!
As for Torracat and the others... compared to their slow-witted trainer, they were much more impressive, especially Riolu, who had been lagging behind.
That pup had somehow learned some strange things from Meowstic again, and its progress was rapid. Even Jiang Shangrong praised Riolu for its calm demeanor.
Torracat was slightly behind but still impressive.
Speaking of which, the Fire type was known for producing hot-headed individuals. Every year, the number of fire incidents caused by Fire-type Pokémon could circle the planet twice.
But Torracat's personality wasn't like that. If expressed in terms of in-game natures, it should be considered Jolly... mostly Jolly.
Quite rare.
Li Xiang personally praised it often, especially when comparing it to Lin Feng's hot-headed Charmeleon.
As for Froakie... it was strange.
When it put bubbles on its head and completed its transformation, it could last for ten minutes, even an hour, without needing to close its three senses.
But without the transformation, it couldn't even last a minute, running around crying and almost hitting Li Xiang's vital points.
Is the psychological factor really that powerful?
Li Xiang was speechless and couldn't help but let his imagination run wild, wondering if Froakie's psychological factor could be considered an emotion.
This question troubled him for a long time. Even when he was hugging his third senior sister's waist on the way home at night, he was still thinking about it.
Until one day, Torracat suddenly learned [U-turn].
"Nice job, Torracat!"
Li Xiang smiled and ruffled Torracat's head. He had long been interested in the U-turn technique used by his senior sister's Pokémon.
As Li Xiang's first Pokémon, Torracat naturally understood his thoughts very well. It often quietly asked how to practice U-turn during rest times.
After much back and forth, coupled with Torracat's diligence and hard work, even during its meditation sessions, it kept thinking about this.
Finally, the heavens rewarded the hardworking cat, and it successfully learned this mid-level transition move, which has a lower threshold than [Parting Shot].
Without the assistance of rage, it truly couldn't learn [Flare Blitz], as the temperature couldn't be raised high enough, even though it was a move of its own type.
By changing targets in a timely manner, the gains were substantial.
"Meow!"
Torracat exhaled proudly, puffing out its chest and raising its head. [U-turn] was almost the fastest move it had ever learned, truly living up to its title as the "Bug King."
Riolu and Froakie watched silently, then buried themselves in their training with renewed determination.
Especially the latter.
It had been almost a month, and Froakie hadn't learned a single new move. There wasn't even a hint of [Ice Beam] or [Hidden Power].
Speaking of which, Li Xiang had originally planned to have Froakie and Torracat learn a pledge move together.
When [Water Pledge] and [Fire Pledge] were used in combination, they would merge into a dual move, not only increasing in power but also creating a rainbow effect. It looked incredibly cool.
But after some thought, Li Xiang decided that there were too many moves to learn, and since pledge moves were mainly for double battles, they could be put on the back burner for now.
Another week passed.
The two senior sisters gradually started their new semester and had to return to school.
Li Xiang's private training sessions had to be temporarily put on hold.
Of course, Jiang Shangrong didn't forget to create a study plan for Li Xiang, requiring him to follow it step by step. She also told him to call her immediately if he encountered any difficulties.
She was truly responsible.
On the day they left, Li Xiang went to the airport to see them off, waving goodbye reluctantly and thanking them for their care over the past month.
There really weren't many people in the world who would treat him so well. Li Xiang kept this kindness in his heart, looking forward to the day he could repay them.
After sharing this with Anya, he took a bus back to school.
If he didn't hurry, he would be late for his afternoon classes.
Speaking of Anya, he had already confirmed through Song Jie that it was indeed that girl. After all, Song Jie was a bit silly, not daring to ask Abigail directly and instead going through his sister to get it.
In the end, he got fooled.
Li Xiang didn't expose it. If his sister liked to play, he would play along. After all, his evenings were quite free.
Everyone was just having fun, so it was all the same.
At school, Li Xiang saw Lin Feng secretly buying milk tea at the gate and quickly went over to extort a cup from him.
Lin Feng was now a local tycoon. After selling all his energy blocks, he was incredibly generous.
The closed dock had reopened last week, but the Sea Cave was still under partial lockdown.
Qingcheng had been safe for a month, indicating that no new Ultra Beasts were interested in the area for now.
As a daredevil, Lin Feng had discussed Buzzwole with Li Xiang multiple times, even speculating whether Buzzwole was actually a Pokémon, coming up with all sorts of wild theories.
Pure nonsense.
Li Xiang wasn't too concerned about the secrets of Ultra Beasts. He was more curious about whether there was an Ultra Megalopolis and an Ultra Recon Squad in this world.
These people were quite impressive in the games, owning a Legendary Pokémon and having ancestors who subdued Necrozma and stripped it of its power.
But later, they weren't as strong and couldn't handle Necrozma anymore, having to seek help from other worlds to capture it and make up for their ancestors' mistakes, bringing light back to Ultra Megalopolis.
If they existed, these people could potentially elevate the technological level of this world.
After all, Ultra Megalopolis was said to possess incredibly advanced technology, even creating an artificial sun.
"When are you going to take the exam?" Song Jie's question interrupted Li Xiang's thoughts.
"Exam? Oh, the Trainer Qualification Exam? I'll go in my third year. Otherwise, I'd need a recommendation from the school," Li Xiang replied instinctively.
Only trainers with a qualification certificate were officially recognized by the League. The prerequisites for taking the exam were being at least fourteen years old or having a recommendation from a Trainer Academy.
With this certificate, Li Xiang could raise more Pokémon.
"At the end of each school year, the school gives ten spots to each grade. Aren't you planning to compete for one?" Song Jie shared some insider information.
Really?
Li Xiang became interested. "How do you compete? Is it based on the advanced class? Strength? Grades? The homeroom teacher's recommendation?"
"All of the above," Song Jie took a sip of tea. "The application requires being in the advanced class or ranking in the top ten of the regular class midterm exams, with three Pokémon.
"To ultimately get it, you need to be in the top twenty in the final academic exams, top ten in strength in the entire grade, and have the homeroom teacher's approval."
"Hmm... Top ten in strength for the entire grade? Who decides that? Is it the same format as the final exams?" Li Xiang rubbed his chin. If it was like that, getting into the top ten wouldn't be too hard.
"No, you sign up yourself, and the top ten are determined through a knockout tournament format," Song Jie explained. "There's even a revival round, so the opportunities are plentiful."
A knockout tournament!
It would be a shame not to participate. This format was Li Xiang's favorite, as it was like having a bunch of candies delivered right to his doorstep.
"Will you participate?" Li Xiang asked.
"Of course. Missing this opportunity means waiting another year. How many years does a trainer have?" Song Jie stated calmly. "Registration is in May, arrangements start in June, and the competition ends just as the final academic grades come out."
So there were only two months left to prepare?
Li Xiang felt a growing sense of anticipation.
Unlike the purely luck-based battles of the final exams, this qualification competition would be a real fight.
The requirement of having three Pokémon meant the format wouldn't be simple one-on-one battles.
This would add more variables to the competition, which was a good thing.