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There's Something Off About My Pokémon. [64]

At this moment, Wang Yingjie finally revealed his true trump card! Though Wartortle's speed was lacking, the continuous use of Dig had completely nullified Grovyle's speed advantage. The only outcome left was for Grovyle to be trapped on an increasingly smaller patch of ground, left vulnerable to Wartortle's relentless assaults from all directions.

Wartortle's razor-sharp, serrated teeth, akin to those of a piranha, were truly terrifying to behold. As it lunged forward, Grovyle's neck was grazed, leaving a thin layer of skin peeled away, with a faint greenish fluid beginning to ooze. However, at the same moment, Grovyle's bone sword struck back, slashing across Wartortle's body, causing a flash of pain to twist across its face.

"Wartortle, Dig again!" Wang Yingjie didn't hesitate for a second, immediately commanding Wartortle to dive underground once more. Like a hunting leopard, Wartortle was methodically testing its prey, waiting for the moment when Grovyle would be exhausted and then it could strike the final blow.

The arena once again fell into a tense silence.

"The advantage is clearly in Wang Yingjie's favor now!" Even Ding Lei, the commentator, hadn't expected Wang Yingjie's strategy to be so meticulous. Perhaps... a little too cautious? This hit-and-run tactic, moving from one point to another, was like the essence of guerrilla warfare!

"If Lu Cheng doesn't come up with a counter soon, Grovyle's speed advantage will continue to erode!" Ding Lei continued.

But Lu Cheng didn't show a hint of panic on his face. He was waiting. He hadn't forgotten what he learned from the battle with Gongsun Rong. Defense and counterattack. If Wang Yingjie was waiting for his moment, then so was Lu Cheng.

In fact, that last exchange hadn't entirely gone in Wartortle's favor. Grovyle had managed to land a solid Slash with its bone sword just as Wartortle was retreating.

An inch longer, an inch stronger.

Grovyle had a natural talent for moves like Slash, and with the added power of the bone sword crafted from Cubone's bones, its attacks were even sharper and more precise!

Although Wartortle seemed to have the upper hand, Wang Yingjie knew well that his opponent had another trick up his sleeve. Taking a deep breath, Wang Yingjie's gaze locked on Lu Cheng's face once again. He couldn't give him the chance to reveal that trump card!

Defensive counterattacks made for an incredibly dull strategy, especially when both sides were playing it. Yawns rippled through the audience. Wang Yingjie remained on guard, wary of Lu Cheng's unknown finishing move. Meanwhile, Lu Cheng stayed equally cautious of Wartortle's Ice Punch. Even when Wang Yingjie deliberately left openings, Lu Cheng didn't bite. Frustrated, Wang Yingjie decided to change tactics.

"Wartortle, use Water Gun!" he commanded.

The turtle Pokémon popped out of a distant hole and unleashed a Water Gun in Grovyle's direction. From such a far distance, it seemed impossible for Grovyle to counterattack. The battlefield was now littered with dug-out holes, leaving Grovyle with only a small space to maneuver—too little room to mount an offense.

But then, Lu Cheng gave a sudden command. "Grovyle, block it with the bone sword!"

As the speeding jet of water shot toward him, Grovyle raised his eyes coolly, crossing the bone sword in front of his body. With a precise strike, the sword cleaved through the stream of water! Although it didn't block the attack entirely, the force of the Water Gun was reduced to the point where it posed no threat.

The crowd immediately erupted in cheers at the unexpected display of skill.

"What kind of move is that?" Even the usually composed Ding Lei was momentarily stunned. "Lu Cheng's Grovyle used its sword to split Wartortle's Water Gun in two?"

Leo, clearly impressed, adjusted his flashy glasses and cleared his throat. "Grovyle's weapon is a new addition for this match. It seems Lu Cheng came fully prepared!"

Initially, Lu Cheng had only intended for Grovyle to tank the Water Gun, but it had more than exceeded expectations. If Grovyle could parry Wartortle's long-range attacks this effectively, then Wartortle's ability to fight from a distance was practically nullified.

Lu Cheng's eyes narrowed. It's time.

As Wartortle's repeated Water Gun attacks were effortlessly deflected, its agitation became clear. It darted between holes, firing again and again, only to have each shot thwarted by Grovyle's precise counters.

It was only then that Wang Yingjie's expression shifted.

"Long-range attacks really aren't going to cut it," he muttered. "But... what's your real trump card, Lu Cheng?"

He could no longer wait.

Wang Yingjie's expression turned ice-cold in an instant. He had never been one to hesitate. In underground fighting competitions, he had faced countless do-or-die decisions. Sometimes, a single mistake in command could lose the entire battle. But he trusted his instincts, and even more, he trusted his Wartortle, who had fought by his side through thick and thin.

Suddenly shifting his tactics, Wang Yingjie shouted, "Wartortle, use Ice Punch from the nearest hole!"

Ice Punch was Wartortle's strongest move. At this stage, the only way forward was close-quarters combat! However, just as Wartortle emerged from the hole, Grovyle had already used Quick Attack, leaping into the air and landing behind its opponent.

"Grovyle, use Leaf Blade!" Lu Cheng commanded.

The leaves on Grovyle's wrists shimmered with a sharp, glowing energy as it prepared to strike. This was the essence of a defensive counterattack: finding the opening during the opponent's assault and delivering a decisive blow.

"Leaf Blade?!" Wang Yingjie's face twisted in surprise. He had never heard of Lu Cheng's Grovyle using this move before.

Leaf Blade was a Grass-type physical move that Grovyle had only recently learned, making it a perfect counter to Wartortle. The match suddenly tilted in Lu Cheng's favor.

"So this is your trump card?" Wang Yingjie growled, his face contorting in frustration. "But that won't be enough to take down my Wartortle!"

"Wartortle, retreat into your shell and hit it with Ice Punch from behind!"

Even with Grovyle's two boosts to speed, Wartortle still felt slow in comparison. Yet, as the glowing Leaf Blade descended on Wartortle, its sturdy shell absorbed the impact. The heavy blow made Wartortle scream in pain, but the next second, icy crystals began forming around its hands.

Ice Punch!

The two moves clashed—Leaf Blade versus Ice Punch. The doubled Ice-type damage caused Grovyle to wince, the frost biting deep into its body. At the same time, the King's Rock on Wartortle's head gleamed brightly.

King's Rock: has a chance to make the opponent flinch!

Grovyle's movements froze for a split second, while a thin layer of ice began to form across its body.

The ice effect had triggered!

"It's over," Wang Yingjie said coldly, already tasting victory.

But Lu Cheng's lips curved into a slight smile. "Grovyle, jump back to the open ground!"

Even though Grovyle's body was coated in ice, its eyes burned with unyielding determination. With a quick leap, Grovyle pushed off the ground, moving even faster than before.

Wang Yingjie blinked in surprise. What the—?

But before he could react, Lu Cheng's voice rang out with finality, "Mega Drain!"

Wartortle, eyes bloodshot and fists raised, rushed toward Grovyle with every intention of landing a fatal blow. Yet Grovyle only stood there, coldly watching. With a flick of its bone sword, a green energy burst from Wartortle's body, seeping out of it and into Grovyle.

Wartortle's expression twisted into one of sheer agony as its movements slowed, step by step. Its once-powerful fists never made contact with Grovyle, instead falling limply to its sides.

With a thud, Wartortle collapsed to the ground.

The ice encasing Grovyle had already melted away. Looking down at the defeated Wartortle, Grovyle held its bone sword confidently and walked back to Lu Cheng, not even sparing a glance for its fallen foe.

The match was over.

---

If there are any mistakes let me know!

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