The man, who also hailed from Pallet Town, posed the greatest threat.
He was completely unaware of Ye Feng's true capabilities.
Especially after witnessing Ye Feng's first match yesterday and realizing the opponent only had a meager two Pokémon, his apprehension grew tenfold.
Because, if he were in Ye Feng's shoes, with only two Pokémon, to achieve what Ye Feng had done.
He admitted he wouldn't be able to.
Two Pokémon, clearing eight Gyms, and yesterday, the Red Stripe Pikachu managed a 1v3.
This strength was terrifying. And legendary.
What made Shi Mao even more wary, however, was that Ye Feng had only two Pokémon in total.
The first, the Red Stripe Pikachu, was already incredibly powerful.
So, what about his second Pokémon?
"Alright, it's our turn to go on."
Li, from the player's bench, slowly stood up. He passed Ye Feng, uttered a sentence, then ignored him and strode towards the Ice Battle Arena.
"Shi Mao, Shi Mao, you're the best! Shi Mao, Shi Mao, you're the greatest!"
Shi Mao was quite lucky with women. Previously, five girlfriends had acted as his cheerleaders, and now, from somewhere unknown, another six charming girls were cheering him on from the audience.
Li brushed past Shi Mao.
They exchanged a glance, both filled with disdain.
And just as Shi Mao returned to the player's bench, he crossed paths with Ye Feng again.
"Shi Mao, if I recall correctly, you're both ten years old this year, just like Ash, right?"
At that moment, Ye Feng suddenly spoke to Shi Mao.
Shi Mao, not understanding Ye Feng's intention, nodded. "Yes, Ash and I are both ten. What's up?"
"Heh."
Ye Feng smiled.
Gazing at Shi Mao's six girlfriends, he patted his shoulder and said gravely,
"Take care of yourself, don't end up like Fanfan."
Shi Mao: "???"
"Who is Fanfan?!"
"Li, Li, you're the best! Li, Li, you're the greatest!"
Li stood on one side of the Ice Arena.
With his arms crossed, his luxurious school uniform accentuated his tall physique, making him appear very upright.
Coupled with his rather aesthetically pleasing appearance, he had attracted quite a number of fans.
Of course, these cheerleaders shouting encouragement for him were hired.
His family's objective for him was simple: to become the "Daigo of Kanto."
Daigo, as mentioned before, was the son of the president of Devon Corporation, the business magnate of the Hoenn region.
Besides being rich and handsome, he was also terrifyingly strong and the former Champion of the Hoenn League!
Remember!
It was the League Champion!
Not a tournament champion!
The League Champion was the true number one person in a region!!!!!
The Elite Four were the top combatants of a region.
Every Elite Four member possessed considerable influence! Let alone the League Champion!!!
After becoming the League Champion, Daigo brought immense benefits to his family's Devon Corporation!
Devon Corporation no longer needed to hire spokespersons; their own son stepped onto the stage!!!
Of course, the greatest benefit was gaining immense popularity among the masses.
Although many of them were women. Read books.
You wouldn't have seen it, but every time he competed, the battle venue was filled with cheers and shouts,
Cheerleaders flying everywhere.
Therefore, Li's family hoped he would become the next Daigo.
After all, Elite Four level, or even League Champion level individuals, were sought after by even the most influential families and tycoons.
Li's cheerleaders, for a time, were incredibly popular.
But when Ye Feng stepped onto the Ice Battle Arena.
The situation took a drastic turn.
"Ye Feng! Most handsome! Ye Feng! Strongest!"
"Ye Feng! Ye Feng! Ye Feng!"
From the audience, a multitude of flags and posters bearing Ye Feng's name suddenly emerged, along with banners.
Their momentum completely drowned out the cheers of the people Li had paid to hire.
Li was stunned upon seeing this, then filled with resentment.
Ye Feng was also a bit surprised. Where did these cheerleaders come from?
He was unaware that after his battle yesterday, he had gained many female fans, who had prepared this themselves.
The two groups of cheerleaders in the arena began to compete.
The noise was no longer just cheering but pure cacophony.
Many male spectators grew impatient.
They yelled loudly, "Can you shut up?!"
But their voices were like a drop of water in the ocean.
Eventually, it was only thanks to the male host of the Ice Arena, who had already smashed several microphones in frustration, that quiet was finally restored.
"Ahem."
The host's throat was hoarse from shouting, and his voice now sounded like sand clogging his throat.
He stared at Ye Feng, then at Li.
The two stood facing each other, with the Ice Arena between them.
The air was thick with tension.
"I must say, if Li hadn't paid me, I would definitely be cheering for Ye Feng."
At this moment, one of Li's female cheerleaders said, looking down.
The other female cheerleaders cheering for Li nodded in agreement.
Although Li was handsome and came from a noble family with distinguished status, he was popular among women anywhere.
But it depended on who he was compared to.
Compared to Ye Feng...
Although Ye Feng's family background couldn't compare, being very ordinary.
Yet, his looks utterly crushed yours from every angle!!
Handsomeness is an unforgivable sin!
Looks are justice!
"No, next time, unless they give me double, no, triple the money, I'll still cheer for my Ye Feng."
These whispers from the stage only intensified Li's anger.
Internally, he seethed, "Damn it, pay me more? Three times?!"
His expression remained calm.
But his heart was roaring.
"When I defeat Ye Feng fair and square!!! Then let's see what you all say?!"
"Live broadcast! This is now the tenth match at the Ice Venue, Ice Battle Arena!"
The host finally began his official proceedings.
"As you can see, on our left is contestant Li."
"Rich and handsome, a top student from Pokémon School. You must have seen his first match; his strength is outstanding!"
"And our second contestant on the right is even more deserving of an introduction."
"Ye Feng, who has gained numerous fans from just one appearance!"
"Handsome and strong, a legend of invincibility!"
"So, who among these two will win today's match and secure a ticket to the next round?!"
"Let's all wait and see!!"
"Both sides can use three Pokémon each. The side whose Pokémon are all unable to battle loses!"
The host said this, glancing at the electronic screen.
He noticed that next to Ye Feng's large portrait, two Poké Balls were still displayed.
He was a bit surprised.
This handsome guy claimed to only have two Pokémon, could it be true?
Or was it that he felt two were enough to face these opponents?!
But regardless.
"Ye Feng vs. Li!"
"The match officially begins!"
The host's shout propelled the match to its climax.
"Come out! Pikachu!"
Ye Feng threw out his Pikachu.
Pikachu landed on the vast Ice Arena.
The smooth ice surface had no effect on him whatsoever.
"Heh heh, come out! Raichu!!!"
A beige rat, several times larger than Pikachu, landed on the arena.