The next day, Jiang Mo returned to Kyoto University. The campus was still bustling, with students walking in twos and threes, discussing the upcoming Shenzhou Alliance High School League.
As soon as Jiang Mo walked through the school gate, the communicator in his pocket rang.
He looked down and saw that it was Li Xiang calling.
"Jiang Mo, where are you? Registration for the High School League has already started, we need to hurry and sign up!" Li Xiang's voice came from the communicator, with a hint of urgency.
Jiang Mo smiled and replied, "I just arrived at school and was about to look for you. Where is the registration point?"
"There's a registration desk next to the school gym. Let's meet there in half an hour!" Li Xiang said.
"Okay, see you later." Jiang Mo hung up the communicator and hurried towards the gym.
Half an hour later, Jiang Mo met Li Xiang at the registration point.
Next to Li Xiang stood President Wu Teng of the Fighting Club.
Wu Teng was tall and muscular, wearing a simple sports vest, looking very energetic.
"Jiang Mo, over here!" Li Xiang waved, signaling Jiang Mo to come over.
Jiang Mo walked over and greeted with a smile, "Senior Li Xiang, President Wu Teng, long time no see."
Wu Teng nodded, with a hint of admiration in his tone, "Jiang Mo, you performed very well in the freshman selection competition. It seems that with you joining this High School League, Kyoto University will gain a lot of points."
The Shenzhou Alliance High School League is divided into team competitions and individual competitions. The ranking among the various high schools mainly depends on the results of the team competition, but if excellent results are achieved in the individual competition, points can be added to the high school to which the player belongs according to a certain proportion.
The team competition would be handled by the specialized school team, and Jiang Mo did not intend to participate in that, but President Wu Teng seemed to be a core member of the Kyoto University school team.
Jiang Mo smiled humbly, "President Wu Teng, you flatter me. I still need to learn a lot from you."
Li Xiang patted Jiang Mo's shoulder and said with a smile, "Alright, stop being modest. Let's hurry and sign up, don't waste time."
The three walked together towards the registration point. On the way, Li Xiang suddenly brought up the big battle that happened in the southern suburbs of Kyoto two days ago.
"Did you hear? Two days ago, a big battle broke out in the southern suburbs of Kyoto. It's said that the Alliance was pursuing terrorists, and even Gu Yuan of the Four Heavenly Kings made a move." Li Xiang whispered mysteriously.
Jiang Mo's heart stirred, but his face remained calm: "Oh? King Gu Yuan made a move? He is the Dragon-type Heavenly King, one of the Four Heavenly Kings. His main Pokémon are said to have two that have reached Champion Class."
Wu Teng nodded, his tone carrying a hint of solemnity: "That's right, King Gu Yuan's strength is indeed terrifying. It is said that the battle destroyed most of the Misty Forest in the southern suburbs, even changing the terrain."
Li Xiang sighed, "That kind of battle is truly unimaginable. We, Gym Leader Class Trainers, probably don't even have the qualifications to get close."
"But that terrorist's strength was truly formidable, fighting King Gu Yuan back and forth."
"I wonder where that terrorist came from and what kind of heinous major incident he committed to make the Alliance go to such great lengths."
"The Alliance has always prioritized its own interests. The intensity of counter-terrorism efforts has never been this great before..."
Watching the two converse, Jiang Mo smiled and did not interject.
He knew very well that the "terrorist" in that battle was Sha Ying, the Protector of Dawn.
However, he naturally wouldn't say such a thing. He would just let them guess.
The three arrived at the registration point, and after queuing for a while, successfully completed the registration procedures.
After registering, Li Xiang stretched lazily and said with a smile, "Alright, we still have a week to prepare. Jiang Mo, President Wu Teng, what are your plans?"
Wu Teng pondered for a moment and said, "I plan to go to the training ground to further refine my Pokémon's coordination. After all, the opponents in this League are not simple, so we can't be careless."
Jiang Mo nodded in agreement, "I also plan to go to the training ground and, while I'm at it, research the opponents' information."
Li Xiang smiled and teased, "You two are really serious! But, President Wu Teng, you got a good result of top eight in the last League, so you should be even more confident this time, right?"
When Jiang Mo heard this, he was immediately surprised: "President Wu Teng, you made it to the top eight in the last League?"
Wu Teng nodded, with a hint of pride in his tone: "Yes, I was lucky last time; the opponents I encountered weren't too strong. However, the competition in this League will definitely be more intense."
Li Xiang interjected, "If you ask me, if Trainers were allowed to participate themselves, with President Wu Teng's strength, he would definitely win the Champion!"
Jiang Mo ignored Li Xiang's boasting, but his evaluation of Wu Teng increased by a few points.
To be able to reach the top eight in the National High School League, Wu Teng's strength should definitely not be underestimated.
"President Wu Teng, can you share your experience from the last League with me? Especially regarding the competition format." Jiang Mo asked sincerely.
Wu Teng smiled, patted Jiang Mo's shoulder, and said, "Of course."
"The High School League competition format is divided into two stages: the preliminary round and the ranking round."
"The preliminary round is the initial selection stage, where all registered participants must take part. Only those who pass the preliminary round can enter the ranking round."
"However, participants who reached the top 64 in the previous session can skip the preliminary round and directly enter the ranking round."
Wu Teng added, "There are also some participants from well-connected families who are said to be able to skip the preliminary round through special channels."
"Tsk tsk tsk, sure enough, no matter what the Alliance does, it can't escape the back door, a traditional skill, a traditional skill." Li Xiang said sarcastically after hearing this.
Jiang Mo nodded, secretly pondering the details of the competition system: "What about the rules for the ranking round?"
Wu Teng continued, "Throughout the entire competition, the preliminary round is conducted in a group stage format, and the ranking round is conducted in a knockout format."
"The group stage is a point system, with the top two from each group advancing to the knockout stage. The knockout stage is a single-elimination system until the final Champion is determined."
Li Xiang interjected, "It sounds quite complicated, but as long as you're strong enough, no matter how complicated the format is, there's nothing to fear!"
Wu Teng smiled and nodded in agreement, "That's right, strength is the ultimate truth."
"However, Jiang Mo, your Pokémon are very strong, especially that Eevee and Swampert. As long as your tactics are used properly, you have a very good chance of achieving good results in this League. At least the top sixteen will be no problem!"
Jiang Mo nodded, secretly pondering Wu Teng's words.
The rules of the High School League were indeed different from ordinary battles, more formal and rigorous than any competition he had participated in before.
However, the top sixteen was not Jiang Mo's goal. His goal was to be the Champion and then earn that legendary resource from the Alliance.