After Lu Jiyin's 64-to-32 match ended, Jiang Mo, Li Xiang, and Wu Teng also successfully advanced.
However, in the draw for the upcoming Round of 16, Li Xiang drew a troublesome opponent—Liu Tianyu.
"Liu Tianyu?!"
Li Xiang looked at the draw result, his face instantly turning pale, "How could I be so unlucky as to draw him!"
Jiang Mo patted Li Xiang's shoulder, comforting him, "Don't worry too much. Although Liu Tianyu is strong, he's not invincible. Just do your best."
Lu Jiyin also leaned over, smiling, "That's right, Li Xiang. I also think Liu Tianyu is just for show. Maybe his getting this far is just good luck!"
Li Xiang shook his head with a bitter smile, "Don't comfort me. Liu Tianyu is a hot favorite to win this league. His strength should not be underestimated."
"My advancement this time is probably doomed."
Wu Teng frowned, whispering, "Liu Tianyu's strength is indeed very strong, but Li Xiang, you don't need to be too pessimistic. The match hasn't started yet, so it's not certain who will win or lose."
Lin Junjun also encouraged, "Li Xiang, go for it! I believe you can do it!"
Li Xiang took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
He looked at everyone, forcing a smile, "Don't worry, I'll give it my all and try to force Liu Tianyu to reveal a few more of his trump cards."
"Even if I lose, I'll let him know that I, Li Xiang, am not that easy to deal with!"
......
On the day of the match, the stadium was packed.
As a popular contender, Liu Tianyu attracted a large audience to watch the match.
Without a doubt, Li Xiang lost this battle, and he lost badly......
Liu Tianyu was too humiliating. His strength was indeed formidable, defeating Li Xiang completely with just three Pokémon: Gyarados, Electivire, and Garchomp.
During the match, Liu Tianyu would rotate his Pokémon after each of his Pokémon defeated two of Li Xiang's Pokémon. Additionally, all of Li Xiang's Pokémon were Fighting-type, making them very susceptible to targeting.
Towards the end, this match no longer seemed like a match, but rather Liu Tianyu showing off his skills.
And he especially enjoyed tormenting his opponent's Pokémon, often waiting until they were exhausted before continuously tormenting them, but without letting them lose consciousness.
Especially Li Xiang's Machamp, which refused to give up and kept holding on.
And Liu Tianyu seemed to particularly enjoy the sound of his opponent's Pokémon wailing.
Ultimately, Li Xiang couldn't bear to see his Pokémon suffer too much damage and voluntarily conceded.
Even so, after the referee had already announced the end of the match, Liu Tianyu still ordered his Pokémon to attack Li Xiang's Pokémon.
And Liu Tianyu only received a yellow card warning, which left everyone indignant.
After the match, Li Xiang silently walked out of the battle arena, his face ashen.
His fists were clenched tightly, his nails almost digging into his palms.
Jiang Mo and the others immediately gathered around him, their eyes filled with worry.
"Li Xiang, are you alright?" Jiang Mo asked in a low voice.
Li Xiang shook his head, forcing a smile, "I'm fine, just a little tired."
Lu Jiyin patted his shoulder, a hint of anger in his voice, "That Liu Tianyu is simply too much! The match was clearly over, yet he still made Garchomp attack your Machamp. Someone who violates the rules like that should be disqualified!"
Wu Teng also said indignantly, "The referee only gave him a yellow card. That punishment is too light!"
Lin Junjun looked at Li Xiang, also asking with concern, "Li Xiang, how are your Pokémon? Do they need treatment?"
Li Xiang nodded, his voice a little hoarse, "I've already sent them to the Pokémon Center. The doctor said it will take some time for them to recover."
Jiang Mo sighed, patting Li Xiang's shoulder, "Let's go, we'll head back to the hotel first. Tonight, I'm treating. Let's all have a drink together and relax."
......
That night, in a bar near the hotel, Jiang Mo and his group sat around a table.
The table was covered with bottles and glasses. Li Xiang drank glass after glass, his face already flushed.
"Li Xiang, don't drink too much." Wu Teng frowned, trying to take the glass from Li Xiang's hand.
Li Xiang pushed Wu Teng's hand away, saying with a bitter smile, "Let me drink. If I don't drink my fill today, I'll feel stifled."
Jiang Mo looked at Li Xiang, feeling a little sad himself. He knew that Li Xiang wasn't upset because he lost the match, but because Liu Tianyu's almost humiliating fighting style made him feel incredibly angry and powerless.
"That Liu Tianyu is simply a madman!"
Lu Jiyin slammed the table, his voice filled with suppressed rage, "He could have easily won the match, but he insisted on tormenting Li Xiang's Pokémon. This is blatant humiliation!"
Lin Junjun also whispered, "Yes, his Pokémon had clearly won, but he still continued to attack. It's just too much."
Li Xiang lowered his head, his voice a little choked, "Do you know? When my Pokémon were wailing on the field, my heart was breaking."
"They clearly did their best, yet they still had to endure that kind of pain... This isn't anyone else's fault, it's because we were too weak."
As he said this, his eyes were already red. This 1.9-meter tall man was like a child at this moment, tears welling up in his eyes.
Jiang Mo patted Li Xiang's shoulder, saying softly, "Li Xiang, you've done very well."
Wu Teng also comforted, "That's right, Li Xiang, your Pokémon are all very strong. They will definitely recover quickly."
Li Xiang shook his head, saying with a bitter smile, "Don't worry everyone, I won't be disheartened by this. Weakness is the original sin in this world. If you can't beat them, you just can't beat them..."
Jiang Mo was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Li Xiang, if weakness is the original sin, then use strength to wash away the sin. He will meet someone stronger than him."
Lu Jiyin also nodded in agreement, "Exactly! People like Liu Tianyu will pay the price for their actions sooner or later!"
Lin Junjun looked at Li Xiang, saying softly, "Li Xiang, your Pokémon must be very grateful to you."
"Because you didn't let them continue to suffer, but chose to concede. That's what a true Trainer should do."
Li Xiang looked up at their concerned gazes, and the oppression in his heart seemed to ease slightly.
He took a deep breath, forcing a smile, "Thank you all. Having you here makes me feel much better."
Jiang Mo raised his glass, smiling, "Come on, let's not think about these unhappy things. Let's all drink a toast together!"
Everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together.
Li Xiang also smiled, raising his glass and downing it in one gulp.
Afterward, the atmosphere finally eased, and everyone started chatting and laughing about other things.
"Jiang Mo, I need to go to the restroom."
Perhaps because she had drunk a bit too much soda, Lin Junjun felt the need to use the restroom at this moment, so she told Jiang Mo.
Jiang Mo replied, "Okay, hurry back. We should be leaving soon too."