CHAPTER 63
063 : Combusken's Breakthrough! Elite Level Achieved! Hong Shen's Old Partner Enters the Battle
If Combusken were struck by Ariados' Poison Barb, it would enter a poisoned state, rendering it incapacitated for at least a minute. Given the current battle conditions, such a setback would almost guarantee Combusken's defeat.
Ariados was still in good condition, while Kirlia—Qin Yun's remaining Pokémon would struggle against two opponents.
"Got you."
A glint of satisfaction flashed in Hong Shen's eyes. Yes, it was excitement.
In most Gym matches, especially against novice trainers, his approach was methodical, unaffected by wins or losses. Having overseen countless battles, victory and defeat had long since become routine.
But today, that wasn't the case.
This battle had ignited something within him something he hadn't felt in years. And the cause of that excitement? Qin Yun.
But then… something unexpected happened.
The Poison Barb sailed toward Combusken—only to pass through its body as though it weren't even there.
"What!?"
The entire audience gasped in disbelief. For a split second, Combusken's form flickered, its body seeming almost ethereal, as if it had momentarily ceased to exist in the physical world.
"Impossible!"
Even Hong Shen, a seasoned Gym Leader, was momentarily stunned.
"Combusken, Blaze Kick!"
Qin Yun seized the moment. Against an experienced trainer like Hong Shen, openings like this were rare. If he hesitated even for a fraction of a second, the chance would be gone.
"Ariados, move!"
Hong Shen reacted quickly, but Combusken was faster. With the battle aura still burning strong, it had already anticipated this moment.
Its foot ignited in flames as it launched a devastating Blaze Kick, striking Ariados dead-on.
Boom!
The ground cracked as the impact left a deep crater, fire spreading outward in waves.
Ariados let out a shriek of pain as the flames engulfed it. The sheer force of the attack sent it crashing into the dirt, its legs twitching before going still.
A clean knockout.
"Ariados!"
Hong Shen rushed forward, recalling his Pokémon. Despite its endurance, Ariados had no chance of continuing the fight.
The Poké Ball's recall function stabilized its condition, but even that couldn't undo the one-sided defeat it had just suffered.
"Good job, Ariados… You fought well."
Hong Shen's eyes burned with determination.
Qin Yun had completely surpassed his expectations.
That Combusken was far beyond what an entry-level Pokémon should be capable of.
Not only had it executed flawless combat techniques, but it had also displayed an ability that defied conventional logic. That moment of intangibility—was it some kind of Ghost-type trick? No, that wouldn't make sense. Combusken wasn't a Ghost-type.
Yet, the fact remained it had dodged an otherwise certain hit.
"Combusken, well done!"
Qin Yun exhaled in relief. Two victories secured.
Now, it was two against one.
If Combusken could even slightly weaken the last opponent, Kirlia would be able to wrap things up and claim victory.
But then…
Combusken's body started glowing.
Not with the pure white radiance of evolution, but with a deep, pulsating blue light.
Qin Yun's eyes widened.
"A breakthrough?"
Evolution was usually triggered by reaching a certain level of experience, but this was different. It wasn't evolution—it was advancement.
Combusken wasn't evolving into Blaziken just yet. But its strength was increasing nonetheless.
"Wait, is it…?"
Hong Shen's pupils shrank.
The audience erupted.
"Did that Combusken just hit elite level?"
"Damn! I didn't even realize it was still at entry-level before this! It just fought like a mid-tier elite Pokémon!"
"That means Qin Yun didn't just get lucky—he's actually that good at training!"
Before, some had dismissed him as someone who relied purely on high-potential Pokémon. After all, his Fomantis had also fought above its level, rivaling mid-tier elites despite being at entry peak.
But this was different.
This was undeniable proof of talent.
"Ariados is unable to battle. Combusken wins!"
The referee's voice echoed throughout the stadium, though it took him a moment to fully process the result himself.
"The final match is now set!"
Qin Yun turned his attention back to Hong Shen.
The Gym Leader's expression had shifted.
Before, he had been a composed veteran. Now, there was admiration in his gaze.
"You're strong, Qin Yun. You've truly impressed me today."
Qin Yun remained humble. "Master Hong Shen, you flatter me."
Hong Shen chuckled. Then, his expression became serious once more as he retrieved his last Poké Ball.
"You are indeed strong, but I won't be holding back."
The atmosphere changed.
"This Pokémon… was my very first partner."
A nostalgic look crossed Hong Shen's face.
"It's been with me since the beginning, through all my toughest battles."
"But in the end… its potential wasn't enough."
A heavy silence fell over the crowd.
Many trainers faced this reality—not every Pokémon could keep up forever.
While a trainer's journey continued, their first Pokémon often reached their natural limits.
It wasn't about effort or skill. Some Pokémon simply had lower potential, making it nearly impossible to break past certain barriers.
Even as a Gym Leader, Hong Shen had faced this harsh truth.
"No matter how much I wanted it to remain in my main team, its growth slowed. Eventually, it became clear that it could never reach the same heights as my others."
"But that doesn't mean it's weak."
"This Pokémon may not be my strongest, but it's the one I trust the most."
He threw the Poké Ball.
A white flash filled the battlefield—
Pinsir emerged.
[Pokémon: Pinsir]
Type: Bug
Ability: Mold Breaker (Ignores opposing Pokémon's Abilities when attacking.)
Strength: Elite Advanced
Potential: Low-tier Potential
Moveset: Vice Grip, Focus Energy, Seismic Toss, Double Hit, Harden, Focus Blast, Storm Throw
Even with low potential, Hong Shen had pushed Pinsir far beyond its limits.
It had climbed all the way to elite advanced—a testament to Hong Shen's skill as a trainer.
He looked at Pinsir, nostalgia evident in his gaze.
This was more than just a battle.
This was the partner who had been with him from the very beginning.
Qin Yun studied the data and exhaled.
Luckily, his system ensured that his Pokémon would never face that limit.
With the Hundredfold Amplification System—and the Thousandfold Upgrade in the future—his team would never be held back by something as cruel as potential caps.
Every one of his Pokémon was at the highest potential possible.
At least until he became a Champion-level trainer, he wouldn't need to worry about them hitting a wall.
Hong Shen stepped forward.
"Pinsir."
His voice was firm, filled with deep emotion.
"Let's fight together. One last battle."
"Carol."
The final match was about to begin.
...
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