Chapter 424: The Ice Queen's Objective
"Cough…"
The statement was so straightforward that even Lin Feng nearly choked on it.
He cleared his throat and quickly replied,
"Elite Luo, you must be joking. How could I possibly let someone like you challenge me?"
It was a perfectly reasonable response.
Although he had challenged the Horizon League and won the championship title, the title of League Champion was still not as prestigious as the Elite title officially recognized by the League.
As for strength, every Elite trainer had once competed in the Horizon League and achieved outstanding results.
But Luo Bingxue clearly did not agree with Lin Feng's reasoning.
Instead, she brought up the challenge rules that he himself had established.
"Didn't your rules state that anyone who clears the final stage of the Sky Challenge earns the right to battle you?"
A serious person indeed...
The thought surfaced instinctively in Lin Feng's mind.
At the same time, he adjusted his tone.
Serious people deserved serious responses.
"Is that so? Then, Elite Luo, are you planning to challenge me right now?"
Since the rules had already been set, even if the challenger was an Elite Four member, Lin Feng would never go back on his word.
He recalled the footage Rotom had shown him from her previous Sky Challenge attempt.
Her Froslass had immediately chosen to attack and unleashed Blizzard.
In truth, it had been an excellent strategy for breaking through the Sky Challenge's defensive line.
The move's range was enormous.
Even though his Pidgeots were large and could use the wind to disperse the raging snowstorm, the difference in raw power between the two sides was simply too great.
In the end, the Pidgeots had been at a disadvantage.
As a result, Froslass had passed the challenge with ease.
"Yes."
"Very well. Please give me a moment."
Lin Feng let out a long breath and turned toward the breeding house.
He began considering which Pokémon he should bring into the battle.
But just then, Luo Bingxue spoke again.
"Wait."
"Hm?"
Lin Feng turned around.
"Can you bring your Alolan Ninetales?"
"Oh?"
"Oh!"
Realization struck him instantly.
Now everything made sense.
The challenge itself was only an excuse.
Her true objective was undoubtedly his Alolan Ninetales.
Which was hardly surprising.
As an Ice-type Pokémon specialist and one of the Ice-type Elite Four, it was only natural that she would be interested in seeing such a rare Ice-type Pokémon.
It was currently midday, the busiest period of the day for the breeding house.
Combined with the fact that the Sky Challenge had already concluded and that the challenger was the Ice-type Elite Four herself, everyone's curiosity was already at its peak.
Furthermore, this was her second visit.
It almost felt like a teaser for something bigger.
The first time Luo Bingxue had appeared, many people hadn't recognized her.
They had simply wondered why this woman's Pokémon were so overwhelmingly powerful.
Only after someone introduced her identity did they realize the truth.
An Elite Four member had come to challenge the Sky Challenge!
And now she was back again!
That alone had shocked everyone.
But what truly stunned them was the fact that the Ice-type Elite Four wanted to battle Lin Feng.
The moment the news spread, excitement exploded.
Even customers who had merely come to buy Pokéblocks for their Pokémon had overheard the entire conversation.
Yet after Lin Feng disappeared into the backyard, nobody dared speak openly.
Instead, they exchanged looks.
One glance was enough.
Everyone understood.
Soon, people quietly backed away and slipped outside the breeding house.
Then they divided into groups.
Some remained where they were, frantically spreading the news through group chats.
Others sprinted directly toward the Sky Challenge arena.
Today happened to be Challenge Day.
Naturally, many people were already gathered there, either as participants or spectators.
But now, without question, the upcoming battle between these two trainers had become the center of attention.
"What?! The Ice Queen is back? And she's really going to battle Brother Lin?"
"Oh my god! This is huge!"
"Seriously! Isn't this basically making up for the exhibition match we never got during the Horizon League?"
"Can someone stream it? I'm out of town and can't make it back! I'll send gifts if anyone goes live!"
Within moments, both the challenge venue and the online group chats descended into chaos.
Meanwhile, after arriving at the plantation, Lin Feng was still deciding which Pokémon to bring.
Alolan Ninetales was an obvious choice.
Then...
Salamence?
Dragonite?
But his opponent was the Ice-type Elite Four.
Wouldn't they end up getting frozen into popsicles?
Still, he should bring them anyway.
Otherwise, he wouldn't even have enough Pokémon to form a complete team.
After some thought, he considered including Goomy.
But Goomy was still too young and lacked battle experience.
Facing an opponent of this caliber might put too much mental pressure on it.
In that case, he'd go with Serperior, Gardevoir, Blaziken, and Milotic.
And he should keep one trump card in reserve.
After all, this opponent was an Elite-level trainer.
As for the battle itself, Lin Feng usually approached battles with a relaxed, entertainment-focused mindset whenever circumstances allowed.
But when facing a truly powerful opponent, he would take things seriously.
Once he made up his mind, he finally relaxed.
Fortunately, it was still relatively early.
Most of his Pokémon had not yet begun their daily activities.
Lin Feng quickly gathered them together.
"Ying~!"
(Did you come looking for me?)
Alolan Ninetales swished its nine elegant tails, excitement appearing in its eyes.
Battles were rare around the breeding house.
If Lin Feng was gathering everyone together, then this opponent had to be incredibly strong.
"Probably for your sake."
Lin Feng gently rubbed its head.
Looking at the seven powerful Pokémon assembled before him, nearly filling his entire field of vision, he could not help but feel a surge of emotion.
Back then, he had only Serperior and Milotic by his side.
Now, he had built an entire team of powerful companions.
"Roar!"
Dragonite swung its claws, blue-green energy glowing around them.
Whenever battle approached, Dragonite's usual gentle nature would give way to a much more competitive spirit.
The other Pokémon were equally curious.
Just what kind of challenger could make Lin Feng summon all of them at once?
"She's one of the Ice-type Elite Four," Lin Feng explained.
"She seems interested in Alolan Ninetales, so she issued a challenge. But that's fine. Since she challenged us, we'll accept it."
After finishing his explanation, he took out their Poké Balls one by one and recalled each Pokémon.
When he returned to the breeding house, he discovered that the area outside was already packed with people.
However, because Luo Bingxue was standing at the entrance, nobody dared enter.
They could only crowd outside, staring eagerly.
Come on.
This was a battle involving an Elite Four-level trainer!
How could they possibly not be excited?
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