Xia Huna was driven to the Alliance Headquarters. As soon as he alighted from the car, he spotted Yu Longdu pacing back and forth like an ant at the entrance of the Alliance. Yu Longdu was so engrossed in his pacing, from one side to the other, then suddenly turning back, that Xia Huna suspected he might soon wear a trench into the ground if he continued any longer.
After paying the fare, Xia Huna quickly approached Yu Longdu. "What are you doing here? You're circling like a donkey on a millstone. Aren't you dizzy?"
Yu Longdu grabbed Xia Huna's hand, his voice urgent. "You're finally here. Come with me, quickly, come with me."
With that, Yu Longdu pulled Xia Huna towards the Alliance Headquarters building. Xia Huna struggled, "Wait, we're both men, and we shouldn't be too intimate. Mind your image and reputation."
Yu Longdu realized their current posture might be easily misinterpreted and quickly let go. "Come with me, don't keep the Chairman waiting."
Xia Huna followed Yu Longdu to Chairman Malanqi's office. He looked at Malanqi, who was seated at his desk. "Chairman Ma, what important matter brings you to seek me out?"
Malanqi put down the newspaper in his hand. "Ah, it's you, young Xia. Have you registered for the Grand Prix?"
Xia Huna was surprised that Malanqi was also concerned about his registration for the Grand Prix. However, he had unconditional respect and trust for Malanqi. "No, I feel this Grand Prix is a trap set for me. They hope I'll participate in the under-20 category, so I haven't registered. Safety first, safety first."
Malanqi smiled. "Don't overthink it. The grouping for the Grand Prix isn't aimed at you; there's a reason for it." Malanqi then looked at Yu Longdu. "You tell him."
"Yes, it's like this. A week ago, scientific exploration teams from various countries discovered a small island in the sea. Upon landing, they found a mysterious ore vein from which they could mine evolutionary stones."
Xia Huna interrupted, "Evolutionary stones? Are they sure?"
"Yes, experts have confirmed it. They are exactly the same as the evolutionary stones you and Mu Zhishui use."
Xia Huna stroked his chin. "The experts you're talking about aren't Mu Zhishui, are they?"
Yu Longdu was embarrassed. Xia Huna had guessed correctly; the expert they consulted was indeed Mu Zhishui. Since only Xia Huna and Mu Zhishui in this world possessed the ability for Mega Evolution, and Malanqi was worried about complications if Xia Huna were sent to the island, they had no choice but to have Mu Zhishui act as the expert and provide the assessment.
"So, what does the evolutionary stone vein have to do with this Grand Prix?"
Yu Longdu continued, "Since it was discovered by scientific exploration teams from various countries, they couldn't keep it to themselves. However, the mining output is limited, which has led to some conflict."
As Yu Longdu spoke, Xia Huna understood. "So, after discussions, the countries decided to use battles to decide the victor. But since the older generation of trainers can't be easily mobilized, they've decided to let the younger generation settle it, right?"
Yu Longdu nodded. "Exactly."
Xia Huna pondered. "That's not right. If they need young people, why did the Grand Prix set up two categories, under 20 and under 25? Wouldn't a single category for under 25 suffice?"
Yu Longdu spread his hands helplessly, and even Malanqi sighed. Xia Huna looked at Yu Longdu, bewildered. "Who do you think proposed this idea?"
"It couldn't have been our Minglong Country; it's too foolish. Could it be someone from Lixing Country? Have they found any more exceptionally strong trainers under 20?"
Yu Longdu shook his head. "No, not Lixing Country. It was Dunhe Country that proposed this method."
Xia Huna was stunned. After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Dunhe Country? Where did these fools get their confidence? Do they have any top-tier trainers under 20?"
"I don't know, but you know, after that Arceus incident, all the countries were more or less affected, you understand."
Yes, Dunhe Country had used rockets from Rainbow Star Group to bring down Arceus earlier. They were also the ones who distributed Arceus's corpse for research. But wasn't that done under immense pressure? How could it still have an impact now?
Xia Huna couldn't figure it out and decided to stop thinking about it. "So, our side wants me to participate in the under-20 category to gain an advantage in the division of the mineral resources, right?"
"No, I hope you participate in the under-25 category."
Malanqi's words hit Xia Huna like a thunderbolt. He looked at Malanqi, who was calmly sipping tea, in disbelief. "Chairman Ma, if it were under 20, I might still be able to run rampant. But under 25, I'm out of my depth. For example, our principal was already a Frontier Brain at 25. How could I possibly defeat a Frontier Brain?"
Malanqi pointed to the safe beside him and asked Yu Longdu to retrieve a document bag marked "Top Secret." "Take a look. You'll understand after you read it."
Xia Huna thought for a moment and then opened the document bag. Inside were the specific rules for the mineral allocation. Although there were two categories, under 20 and under 25, the under-20 category accounted for only thirty percent, while the under-25 category comprised seventy percent. The battles were also diverse, with all sorts of formats. Xia Huna's head started to spin.
Dizzy and confused, Xia Huna shook his head. "So, the Alliance wants me to compete for the allocation rights in the under-25 category?"
Malanqi nodded expressionlessly. "It would be a waste of your abilities if they were only used in the under-20 category."
"But in the under-25 group, am I..."
Mid-sentence, Xia Huna realized. "I'm meant to cooperate with Mu Zhishui?"
Malanqi put down his teacup. "More accurately, you two will cooperate with each other."
The document in Xia Huna's hand clearly stated that the under-25 category included two-on-two battles. If it were Xia Huna and Mu Zhishui, their dual Mega Evolution would make them quite competitive.
"Grandpa Ma, aren't you afraid I'll stumble and be eliminated from the Grand Prix halfway? If that happens, any arrangement will be useless."
Malanqi smiled without answering. Xia Huna glanced at Yu Longdu, who also remained silent. Xia Huna finally understood. He was indeed old and cunning, and Malanqi, this old fox, was both sly and shrewd. He and Mu Zhishui, as a duo, must be one of Minglong Country's trump cards. Xia Huna was accustomed to keeping one or two trump cards in his hand, and Malanqi, being so calculating, must surely have more trump cards up his sleeve.
Having understood this, Xia Huna accepted the task. "I understand. I'll go register and prepare, Chairman."
Malanqi waved his hand, and Xia Huna and Yu Longdu withdrew from the room.
Walking through the Alliance building, Xia Huna glanced at Yu Longdu. "A'Du, which tier of trump card are you playing?"
Yu Longdu wiggled two fingers. Xia Huna understood. "The under-20s."
"I know my limits. Unlike you, I'm not confident in competing in the under-25 category. I'm not even sure I can beat you now."
Xia Huna stopped. "Wait, I suspect you're subtly criticizing me. What do you mean 'not even sure I can beat you'?"
Yu Longdu quickly explained, "I mean, if even someone as talented as you is not a sure thing, how could I dare to compete in the under-25 category?"
They walked down the stairs, laughing. Xia Huna looked around to ensure no one was nearby, then said, "A'Du, you must find a way to qualify. That way, you'll be among the first to get evolutionary stones. But you need to consider, do you prefer Gyarados or Charizard?"
Saying this, Xia Huna continued forward, hands behind his back, swaying his steps. Yu Longdu was initially confused, then his eyes lit up. "Old Xia, you mean..."
"Exactly what you're thinking."
Yu Longdu hurried to catch up. "Old Xia, don't try to fool me. Are they really... I want both!"
Xia Huna turned his head. "You're truly insatiable. Doing so much in such a short period will be very taxing. If you're not afraid of turning into an idiot, then try it. But your idea is valid. If you can win first place, I'll do my best to help you get both."
Yu Longdu put an arm around Xia Huna's shoulder. "That's a true brother! How about this, come to our Yu family with me? With a brother like you, we can't possibly mistreat you. Our Yu family has some incredible treasures. I can approve you getting one of our least valuable, but still magnificent, treasures."
"Would that thing be any fun?"
"What can I do? My authority has its limits."
Xia Huna waved his hand. "Let's forget it. I need to go back and see Xiao Yu. I should at least get her some benefits with this opportunity. Otherwise, I'd be a pretty terrible boyfriend."
They parted ways at the entrance of the Alliance Headquarters. Xia Huna hailed a taxi to the airport, while Yu Longdu returned to the Alliance Headquarters to brag to Meng Tianya.
Sitting in the taxi, Xia Huna rested his chin on his hand and sighed. With the discovery of the Mega Evolution ore, countless trainers would gain the ability for Mega Evolution, thus compressing his innate advantage. To maintain his combat power, Xia Huna urgently needed to find a new method of enhancement.
Lingyao Star was currently at the research stage of Generation VII. According to the data, they should be able to find the four Tapu Koko siblings. In that case, developing Z-Moves would be the most logical means of enhancement.
Xia Huna leaned back against the taxi seat, watching the bustling traffic outside. "Eras always develop continuously. Now, a new era for trainers is about to dawn."