Not Yet an Elite Four… but Already Receiving Gifts?
Seven-Color Fortune — Serperior's Line Egg (Snivy Egg)!**
"Hold on—if everyone keeps saying things like that,"
"then if I don't give up my Elite Four seat, wouldn't I look completely unreasonable?!"
Seeing everyone half-jokingly push for Ethan's direct promotion to the Elite Four,
Xie Di laughed and spoke up to ease the atmosphere.
Zuo Shenghui smiled and waved a hand.
"Xie Di, that kind of awareness is admirable—but the Elite Four represent the face of the League."
"Strength always comes first."
"If contributions alone were enough to become an Elite Four member,"
"then the title wouldn't carry its current weight."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
The Elite Four position in the Donghuang League was sacred—
never something handed out lightly.
Xie Di then turned to Ethan and smiled openly.
"Hello, Ethan. I'm Xie Di."
"In three days, I'll be your opponent in the Elite Four Challenge."
"I've heard your name countless times, but seeing you in person—
you truly are exceptional."
"Zhou Yi, you really raised an incredible son."
Xie Di's words were sincere, even tinged with envy.
He had a son of his own—also a Trainer—
but talent-wise… let's just say it was passable at best.
At twenty-five, his son hadn't even passed the Professional Trainer exam.
Compared to Ethan, the contrast was painful.
And Xie Di wasn't the only one thinking this.
Nearly every Five-Star Trainer present who had children shared the same thought—
If my kid were even one-tenth as capable as Ethan, I'd be laughing in my sleep.
Ethan smiled modestly.
"Elite Four Xie, you're flattering me."
"I'm just an ordinary person."
Xie Di burst out laughing.
"Ordinary?"
"If you're ordinary, then what are the rest of us?"
"Being outstanding isn't something to deny—it's your right to be proud."
"Inside the League, humility is fine."
"But when dealing with foreign leagues?"
"You need confidence. Absolute confidence."
"Otherwise, they'll climb right over your head without shame."
Ethan nodded seriously.
"I understand. Thank you for the advice."
Xie Di's smile widened.
"That said—don't think I'll hand over my position easily."
"If you want to become an Elite Four member,"
"you'll have to defeat me properly."
Ethan met his gaze, eyes bright.
"Then let's settle it in three days."
"That Elite Four seat—
I'm taking it."
Xie Di laughed heartily.
"Good! That's the spirit!"
"Young people should be this bold!"
Global Shockwaves
Once the Elite Four Preliminaries concluded,
the League announced the final winner.
Ethan.
The moment his name went public—
the entire Donghuang League exploded.
"Didn't I say it?! Ethan is the only god! The preliminaries were a formality!"
"Someone secretly filmed the sky above Kyoto today—
that storm dragon silhouette… was that Ethan's Pokémon?!"
"No wonder the sky went dark at noon! That wasn't weather—it was him!"
"Only six months, and he's already this strong?!"
Ethan's popularity—already astronomical—
rose to an entirely new level.
The news didn't stay domestic either.
It spread overseas.
And while some foreign leagues had once entertained thoughts of eliminating Ethan—
Those ideas died quickly.
After all, a certain assassination attempt had already cost the Eagle Federation
one Five-Star Trainer… and one Elite Four member.
No one wanted to be next.
Before the Elite Four Challenge
Ethan's daily life didn't change.
He ate, slept, and trained as usual.
The only difference was that he spent time studying Xie Di's past battle footage.
Among the current Elite Four, Xie Di was arguably the strongest.
A pure Fire-type specialist.
His ace Pokémon: Incineroar,
reportedly at late Elite Four level.
According to Ethan's father, Xie Di also possessed a unique technique—
a short-term explosive enhancement skill of terrifying power.
Details unknown.
Only that Ethan needed to be careful.
Gifts Before the Battle
Three days later, before dawn,
Ethan and his father rode Metagross toward the Beihai Artificial Island,
the official battleground for the Elite Four Challenge.
The island was massive, flat, and isolated—
perfect for clashes between Elite Four–level Pokémon.
As they arrived, many familiar faces were already present.
Sun Lin.
Zhao Yu.
Even Uncle Guan Yi.
The moment Ethan stepped onto the island,
the Five-Star Trainers gathered around him.
Sun Lin was the first to speak, handing over a finely crafted box.
"Here, take this."
System notification chimed instantly.
[Obtained: Purple Fortune – Silver Powder]
[Fortune Crit Triggered]
[×30 Multiplier]
[Upgraded to: Red Fortune – Supreme Silver Powder]
Ethan blinked.
Silver Powder—
a top-tier Bug-type treasure.
Before he could react, Zhao Yu silently handed him another box.
[Obtained: Red Fortune – Supreme Wise Glasses]
One gift after another followed.
In moments, Ethan's arms were full.
He finally couldn't help but ask:
"Uncle Sun… everyone—what's going on?"
"I'm not even an Elite Four yet."
"Isn't this a bit early for congratulations?"
Sun Lin laughed.
"Don't misunderstand."
"These aren't bribes."
"They're compensation."
"You gave the League Heaven–Earth Origination for free."
"That kind of contribution… we couldn't just take it without giving something back."
Zhao Yu nodded.
"Please accept them."
"They're just tokens of gratitude."
Ethan fell silent.
He really hadn't expected this.
Then Uncle Guan Yi stepped forward, holding a Pokémon Egg.
"I don't have fancy treasures," he said with a smile.
"But I heard you don't have a Grass-type Pokémon."
"So—if you don't mind—this Snivy egg is yours."
The system exploded with notifications.
[Obtained: Red Fortune – Snivy Egg]
[Fortune Crit Triggered]
[×777 Multiplier]
[Upgraded to: Seven-Color Fortune – Snivy Egg]
Detailed data appeared.
Pokémon: Snivy
Status: Unhatched
Type: Grass
Ability: Contrary
Moves: Vine Whip, Growth, Twister, Synthesis, Glare
Potential: Divine Tier (7th Rank)
Ethan went numb.
He had come to challenge the Elite Four—
And somehow walked away with a mountain of fortunes.
Watching this, Xie Di smacked his lips.
"…I've been an Elite Four for years."
"And I've never received gifts like this."
The envy was real.
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