The venue for the Whirlpool Island Cup Competition is different from the qualifying competition. It is a huge circular water arena with a strong ancient Greek style. Every brick and stone in it has been in existence for an unknown number of years, and it looks full of history.
The arena can accommodate 20,000 spectators at the same time. Its center is flowing sea water, and above the sea water, there are more than a dozen stone pillars of different sizes and heights for trainers and Pokémon to stand.
Compared with the perfunctory preliminaries, the standard of the opening ceremony of the main competition was undoubtedly much higher. Not only were fireworks and salutes fired, but there was also an elegant and beautiful female priest holding a scepter in hand, presiding over the competition!
At nine o'clock in the morning, the entire stadium was already packed, and countless spectators had been waiting here early and looking forward to it.
Xia You, Xiaozhi, Xiaoxia and the other 61 contestants took a dozen long and narrow wooden boats and sailed into the sports ground from the sea. On the boats, while accepting the cheers and encouragement from the surrounding audience, the contestants also Stand up straight and try to show your energetic side to the audience.
Looking at these players, the audience gave them great applause and cheers.
It was in this atmosphere that the male host's thick and clear voice began to echo over the arena, which also meant that the opening ceremony had officially begun!
"Everyone, please look! These are the players who have passed the qualifying rounds every three years and are aiming to be the Hero of the Sea! Since ancient times, the Whirlpool Islands have had an independent culture and civilization. We worship water Pokémon and work together with them. It has survived to this day! This culture has not disappeared and continues to be passed down by the sea priestess Maya who has been protecting the tradition since ancient times!"
What the host said, in fact, it wasn’t until she became an official contestant last night that Xia You knew that the Whirlpool Islands Cup competition was not just a Pokémon competition, but also that in accordance with the ancient tradition, a hero of the sea would be selected to participate. During this ceremony!
Listening to the host's introduction, Xia You couldn't help but turn his head again and look at the main stage in the distance.
Because they were not very far apart, he could see clearly. The female priest was wearing a blue dress, holding a golden scepter in her hand, and her long purple hair was gently fluttering in the wind. Even without looking at the facial features, just judging from her temperament. It's already very noble and elegant.
However, Xia You has already experienced this kind of ritual once on Asia Island in the Orange Islands, and has also met the festival girls there, so she is not too unfamiliar with such a gimmick.
It's just a formality, he thought to himself.
When Xiaozhi and Xiaoxia beside them saw Xia You turning his head, they couldn't help but follow his gaze and also saw the great priest.
Xiaoxia put her hands on her cheeks and was extremely envious: "So beautiful!"
Xia You didn't know whether she was envious of the great priest's temperament, envy of the great priest's attention, or something else.
The high priest is indeed very beautiful, but Xiaoxia has always considered herself to be the most beautiful girl in the world, so naturally she is not an ugly duckling. She is just young now and has not fully grown. If she waits until the same age, Xia You believes She's certainly not far behind.
At this time, I heard the host say again: "Well, now I would like to ask the priest, Ms. Maya, to make a declaration for the conference!"
As he spoke, the great priest took a step forward. She raised her scepter and said loudly: "Everyone, the three-year water Pokémon celebration has begun. On behalf of the Whirlpool Islands, I welcome you all. ! Here, we live together with the water Pokémon. Those who control the sea and Pokémon have been praised as the braves of the sea since ancient times, and every sea brave will receive the "Soul of the Sea" blessing of! Endowed with the ability to telepathically communicate with all water Pokémon!
"
The soul of the sea? Empathy?
Xia You's eyes couldn't help but move to the scepter in the priest's hand.
The scepter was made of pure gold and shone with golden brilliance under the sunlight. There was a fist-sized round blue gemstone at the top. The gemstone exuded blue light and looked like it was not a common thing.
"Then, I wish all the players good results, and then accept the blessings of the soul of the sea!"
As the high priest raised his scepter, the soul of the sea instantly emitted brilliant light. These lights were soft and not dazzling, covering the entire sports field!
Including Xia You, this was the first time they saw such a person, and they all looked surprised.
Is this the soul of the sea...
The light shone on Xia You and reflected everyone into a dull blue. Although it had no effect other than that, Xia You couldn't tell whether the light was a stage effect or whether this blue gem really had some magic. The magic!
After all, this world is not normal, and it would not be surprising if there is such a thing as a blessing.
At least judging from the more excited and fanatical reactions of the audience, they seemed to really feel that the players in the field had become a little different at this moment!
Behind him, Xiaozhi raised his hands, looked at the blue light on his hands, and murmured: "Have we really been blessed?"
"Are you an idiot?" Xiaoxia next to him couldn't help but roll her eyes at him, "Didn't the priest just say that only the last brave man of the sea will be blessed? This light now is just showing off the gem. It’s just my ability!”
"Ah? Is that so?" Xiaozhi finally understood the rules completely. He sighed in disappointment, "What? Although I like the name of the Brave of the Sea very much, this kind of thing is just a false name. If I win in the end, If you lose the game, doesn’t it mean you have nothing?”
Xiaoxia sighed helplessly: "Please, did you read the process before the game? After the finals, the winner will not only receive the title of brave, but also receive generous bonuses, and even a mysterious drop of water! Only then! It’s a real reward, but... hum, this kind of thing is destined to have nothing to do with you, and the one who wins the final victory will definitely be Brother Xia You!”
Xiaoxia is a determined Xia Chui. Whenever Xia You participates in any competition or battle, she supports Xia You without any hesitation and without hesitation!
As for Xiaoxia bragging about herself so much and frantically planting flags for herself, Xia You could only smile and shake her head.
However, he did not stop her. After all, this was also his goal. Since he participated, his goal was to be the champion. If he didn't want to win the game, then why would he be a trainer?
Although he also knew that Xia You was very powerful, Xiaozhi was naturally dissatisfied when Dan belittled Xiaoxia and started arguing with Xiaoxia angrily.
Listening to the fight between the two people behind, Xia You couldn't help but think of the mysterious water drop.
Just like Xiaoxia said, in addition to the bonus, the winner will also get a mysterious water drop, which is a magical stone. After wearing it, the power of Pokémon's water-based moves can be strengthened to a certain extent. It is indeed a good thing!
