The more they analyzed, the uglier their expressions became.
After several minutes of silence, Harris finally asked, "What do we do now? If we continue with 1v1, we probably won't even get past Hatterene. Should we just give up? If we do, we'll become the laughingstock of the entire world."
Joyce pondered for a long time, then shook her head and said, "Of course not. We initiated this match. If we surrender like this, we won't be able to show our faces outside anymore."
"But do you have the confidence to defeat that Hatterene?" Harris retorted, annoyed. "If we get swept, we'll be even more humiliated then."
"Have you forgotten about that?" Joyce suddenly said.
Harris looked at Joyce, puzzled, "What are you talking about?"
Joyce said, annoyed, "The Champion Challenge rules aren't just one."
Harris's eyes widened instantly, "Are you talking about the new rule?"
Joyce smiled, "Exactly. If it's that rule, we at least won't be completely defeated."
Compared to the two inside discussing tactics, Park Sang-eun, who had surrendered outside, was too ashamed to stay.
The second he impulsively surrendered, he regretted it.
"Damn it, why did I surrender?" Park Sang-eun cursed inwardly. "Otherwise, even if I had to drag it out with stamina, I would have worn down that Hatterene!"
One must know that they were competing in 10 6v6 matches. Even if he stood there and let Hatterene attack him, the opponent would still have to defeat 36 Pokémon to secure victory.
So many Shadow Balls, even throwing them one by one would be exhausting.
Yet, he was intimidated by the opponent's aura and surrendered directly.
He could even imagine how the public would curse him after he returned to South Korea.
Even now, he wanted to curse himself.
It was simply too humiliating.
However, he didn't choose to leave the venue immediately but remained in the stands.
He had indeed lost, but he still wanted to see how those two would lose.
As for winning?
He didn't believe that those two boastful Americans could win, assuming Mu Li didn't go easy on them.
The victory in the first battle instantly ignited the enthusiasm of the audience.
Chinese people have always believed that the highest strategy is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Although Mu Li and Park Sang-eun's battle involved two matches, it already had a strong sense of subduing the enemy without fighting.
This, in turn, really thrilled the audience.
"Next one!"
"Next one!"
"Next one!"
...
The audience below began to shout together, sounding incredibly exciting.
However, Mu Li had just finished one battle, and there was still a 30-minute break for the Pokémon to receive treatment and recover their stamina.
During this time, the three commentators hosted the show.
Xiao You's mouth was already wide open at this point.
Ever since she saw Park Sang-eun surrender directly, she knew that this match would make headlines again.
"Director Ling, what are your thoughts on the South Korean player's withdrawal?" Xiao You initiated the topic.
Ling Fei sighed and shook his head, "I actually think it was a wise decision."
"Indeed, I think so too," Yan Jin agreed wholeheartedly.
"How so?" Xiao You was a bit puzzled. "I just heard a few audience members mention this as well. If Player Park Sang-eun hadn't surrendered, he could have at least dragged Hatterene until she ran out of stamina, and if A Li wasn't fully prepared, Park Sang-eun might have even turned the tables and won."
"Turn the tables and win?" Ling Fei showed an expression that said, 'Are you kidding me?' "You still don't understand A Li."
Xiao You looked utterly confused.
Ling Fei continued to explain, "Why do you think A Li sent Hatterene out first?"
"Why?" Xiao You asked, puzzled. "Isn't it because Hatterene is very strong?"
Ling Fei couldn't help but roll his eyes, "Have you seen A Li's Gardevoir?"
Xiao You's eyes immediately lit up, "I have! I saw it on TV, at the All-Star Game! The Gardevoir that compressed Star Core Collapse with one hand and threw it back, almost instantly defeating Super Hu Di!"
Ling Fei continued to ask, "Do you think their strengths differ much?"
Xiao You thought carefully, "Probably not much, right?"
"Exactly." Ling Fei nodded. "This Hatterene is the apprentice of A Li's old Alakazam. Her strength level isn't low, but in terms of battle experience, she's far behind. So do you know why he let Hatterene come out to battle?"
Xiao You's face showed a strange smile, "Could it be... could it be that A Li is using her for training?"
"I don't think so..." Yan Jin suddenly said.
"Oh? Player Yan Jin, what's your take?" Xiao You's eyes lit up.
"Based on my understanding of A Li, that guy sent Hatterene out most likely because Hatterene had some leverage over him... so he let her come out and play a bit..." Yan Jin explained.
Xiao You's mouth twitched, "Player Yan Jin, are you serious?"
Yan Jin rolled his eyes and said, "If you don't believe me, ask him later and see if that's the result."
"This... this is too childish, isn't it?" Xiao You said, a little flustered.
"Childish? What's wrong with that? Didn't he surrender early?" With that, Yan Jin specifically pointed at Park Sang-eun in the stands.
Xiao You didn't know what to say at this moment.
However, she looked back at Ling Fei, and to her surprise, Ling Fei didn't refute Yan Jin's words. Instead, he nodded earnestly, "That's also true. A Li is indeed capable of doing such a thing."
Xiao You was dumbfounded on the spot, and so were the audience.
No, this is a World Champion Challenge, after all, isn't it? Is it really this casual?
But from Ling Fei and Yan Jin's expressions, it seemed like these two weren't joking at all!
Things were indeed getting more and more outrageous, but this only made everyone anticipate A Li even more. What was going on?
Xiao You didn't know what to say either. Fortunately, time passed quickly, and the second challenger, Harris, also took the stage.
But unexpectedly, Harris immediately said, "I want to change the challenge rules."
At this, Ling Fei's brows furrowed.
"Change the match rules?" Mu Li was also a bit stunned. "Are there other rules for this match?"
He subconsciously looked at the referee, "What does this mean?"
The referee's expression also became somewhat serious. He looked at Mu Li and asked, "You don't know about this?"
Mu Li nodded.
At this, not only did the referee's expression change, but all the audience members present fell silent.
"Is this Harris going to activate the new rule?" Yan Jin asked, frowning.
"Probably," Ling Fei said, nodding with a serious expression. "This guy is taking advantage of A Li not having paid attention to matches for too long. A Li probably doesn't even know what this so-called new rule is."