When Vigoroth fell into the cursed state, it meant its stamina was on a countdown.

"Shadow Ball!"

Qianli was well aware of this and planned to end the battle quickly. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Yalu!"

Vigoroth suppressed the pain on its face, created a pitch-black energy ball with both claws, and hurled it at the Galarian Corsola like a bowling ball.

"Hang in there!"

Baimu shouted, choosing neither to dodge with Galarian Corsola nor to use a move to defend, opting instead to directly take the Shadow Ball.

Bang!

The Shadow Ball exploded on Galarian Corsola, causing it such pain that all its tentacles flared up.

"Body Freeze Technique!"

Blue light replaced the red light in its eyes, and a massive blue ring expanded outward, with smoky tendrils extending and piercing into Vigoroth, immobilizing it.

The cursed ghost shadow reappeared, tearing at Vigoroth’s shadow.

"Yalu!"

It let out a miserable scream.

In the animation and specials, the effects of the Body Freeze Technique differed from the games, lacking the forced confinement. Xiaoxia’s Psyduck was initially considered a bug partly due to this move and Telekinesis.

"Break free!" Qianli shouted.

Vigoroth gritted its teeth determinedly, fought fiercely against the restraints of the Body Freeze Technique, and soon regained its freedom through sheer strength, though it temporarily couldn’t use Shadow Ball.

Baimu: "Absorption Power!"

Since the Body Freeze Technique had ended, it was time to follow up with other moves.

"Swoosh!"

Galarian Corsola wiggled its tentacles, and green light dots rose from Vigoroth, quickly merging into its body.

The backlash damage from the curse and the Shadow Ball’s damage were quickly compensated for.

Physical Attack is indeed high.

Baimu clicked his tongue inwardly, noting that Absorption Power had better recovery effects against opponents with higher Physical Attack. The fact that Vigoroth’s Physical Attack still allowed Galarian Corsola to recover this much even after being lowered once was impressive.

On the other side.

Qianli marveled at Baimu’s control over the pace.

Essentially, his first two Pokémon were slow-paced, while Vigoroth was fast-paced. The battle pace change could influence the challenger’s judgment.

Unexpectedly, Baimu seemed to adapt very well to the pace changes. Aggron was the type to take the initiative to attack and seek opportunities, while Galarian Corsola became the passive counterattacking type, successfully establishing an early advantage.

"Baimu, you truly excel in many areas," Qianli couldn’t help but say loudly. He glanced at Vigoroth’s state and suddenly exclaimed, "Now, let’s go with the final move!

"Thunder!"

"Yalu——!!"

Vigoroth raised its claws high, its body lit up with blinding lightning, which then gathered into a thunder dragon and blasted towards Galarian Corsola!

Baimu didn’t say a word and had already switched out Galarian Corsola with a Pokeball, bringing in the Mega Steelix before Vigoroth even started.

The Mega Steelix was immediately struck by the incoming Thunder upon entering the battlefield.

"Huh?"

It looked puzzled at the lightning jumping around its body. It felt a bit warm, but it was nothing compared to the hottest noon in Pyrite Town.

"Ya...lu..."

Having given its all but losing to Attribute Compatibility, Vigoroth widened its eyes before losing the last bit of stamina due to the curse, and collapsed with a thud.

"V... Vigoroth is unable to battle. Steelix wins, and the victor is Contestant Baimu!"

Jin Zhi announced the match result loudly, casting a shocked glance at the Mega Steelix.

Qianli was stunned for a full two seconds before he could react, giving a helpless smile, "Right up to the end, you stayed calm, not forcing your Pokémon. Thank you, Baimu, you gave me a terrific battle!"

"Thank you!"

Baimu responded loudly.

Many trainers, upon sensing their victory or defeat, can’t help but get anxious and make some unwise decisions.

Baimu didn’t.

He didn’t even try to let Galarian Corsola take Thunder. Instead, he exercised his right as a challenger to freely switch Pokémon, bringing out Steelix to withstand Thunder.

As for its size... While uncommon, Qianli thought it didn’t shine nearly as brightly as the qualities Baimu demonstrated.

"Thank you for your hard work, Vigoroth."

He recalled Vigoroth into its Pokeball, bypassed the sand pit created by Aggron earlier, and approached Baimu.

At this point.

Baimu was comforting Steelix.

"It’s okay, tanking is crucial too, isn’t it?"

"Roar..."

"Next time, you’ll be up to battle. I’m not one to lie, and whoever lies is a big meanie."[Pieman-related idiom]

"Roar~"

"Good boy, you’re already great for being able to block Thunder. Didn’t you see I didn’t dare let Galarian Corsola block it?" Baimu patted Steelix on the head and noticed Qianli approaching, greeting him, "Qianli-san!"

"Congratulations!"

Qianli smiled as he took the prepared Libra Badge out of his pocket, "Here is the badge you earned, take it."

"Thank you."

Baimu accepted the badge. When playing games, he was curious about the badge’s texture. Now touching it, he felt it inexplicably empowering, perhaps due to the sense of achievement?

Qianli continued, "If you’re not in a hurry to leave, why don’t you stay for dinner? Since you traveled so far, we hadn’t properly prepared before. This time, we’ll make sure to treat you well."

"Then I’ll accept your invitation,"

He couldn’t refuse Qianli’s warm invitation, so he simply agreed.

——

Pokémon Center.

When Baimu handed Aggron and the others to Miss Joy, he saw Shuji entering from outside.

As their eyes met, the latter’s eyes lit up as he approached.

"Baimu—brother, did you win?"

"I did indeed win," Baimu nodded.

Shuji was momentarily surprised, having not expected the other to win so smoothly, and quickly asked, "Have you decided where to challenge the next Gym?"

"Of course, it’ll be the Gym in Kanaz City. Why, are you trying to persuade me to challenge your family’s Gym again?" He looked at him with a half-smile.

"Heh heh heh..."

With his intentions exposed, Shuji scratched his head awkwardly and pleadingly said, "Please! Please definitely challenge our family’s Gym—I can even pay you!"

"Hey! Are you trying to make trouble? If you’re reported for paying someone to challenge, your brother’s Gym might be closed tomorrow."

Baimu lightly knocked Shuji on the head, scolding him, "Why do you have so many harmful, self-destructive ideas as a young kid?"

"I don’t know,"

Shuji said, feeling wronged as he covered his head. He really didn’t know many things shouldn’t be done.

"Where’s your brother?" Baimu looked around but didn’t see Shunsuke’s figure, "If you usually have no challengers, what’s he doing? Waiting in the Gym in vain?"

"As the Hall Master, my brother is certainly waiting for challengers in the Gym. Otherwise, if someone comes and he’s not there, won’t they miss out?"

Shuji defended his brother Shunsuke.

"...Your brother has his own quirky antics too; you two are quite alike." He sighed.