Pokémon: Start with a Dragon-type Gym Leader, and pick up Guroton.

Chapter 447 Li Luochen and the Dragon Ferry, Crimson, and Green

Quartz Plateau, the Quartz Conference arrives as scheduled.

The morning sunlight peeked through the gaps in the clouds, casting a warm golden glow on the Alliance headquarters building.

Colorful flags fluttered in the square, and rousing music and cheers from the audience drifted from the main venue in the distance, filling the air with the unique fervor and clamor of the festival.

Trainers from all over Kanto gathered together. Some lined up outside the venue to enter, some stopped to pick out souvenirs at the booths, and a few fans held up support signs and made victory signs at the camera.

Today, Li Luochen did not attend the opening ceremony, but instead went to the Alliance headquarters.

He crossed the square and stepped onto the steps of the Alliance headquarters.

The lobby was much quieter than outside. The receptionist was sitting behind the counter, organizing some documents, when she heard footsteps and looked up.

Seeing Li Luochen looking around, she took the initiative to speak: "Hello, have you made an appointment?"

"No, I'm waiting for someone." Li Luochen stopped and nodded slightly to her.

"May I ask who you're waiting for? I can inquire for you." The receptionist's fingers were already on the keyboard, ready to make an inquiry at any time.

"Uh... oh, he's here."

Li Luochen's gaze passed over the receptionist's shoulder and landed at the end of the corridor in the distance.

A tall figure emerged from around the corner, dressed in a dark suit, with an upright posture and steady, powerful strides.

That's Lance, the leader of the Kanto Elite Four and the League's signature trainer.

But he didn't look too good today.

His brows were slightly furrowed, the corners of his mouth were slightly downturned, and his eyes held a hint of unspeakable frustration, as if he were carrying some unpleasant matter on his mind.

"Uncle!" Li Luochen called out, his voice echoing in the empty hall.

When Yu Longdu raised his head and saw Li Luochen, his usually calm eyes suddenly lit up.

He quickened his pace and walked over, his gloomy expression seemingly wiped away by something, replaced by a heartfelt and undisguised joy.

"My dear nephew, you've finally arrived!"

Yu Longdu walked up to Li Luochen and patted him hard on the shoulder, so hard that Li Luochen's body swayed.

"Uncle, it's been a long time." Li Luochen smiled and patted Yulongdu's hand.

The receptionist stared at the uncle and nephew, her mouth slightly agape, unable to close for a long time.

She glanced at Yulongdu, then at Li Luochen, with only one thought in her mind.

So that's why the Dragon King's nephew is so handsome!

Her looks are only slightly inferior to those of the viewers in front of the screen!

"I was just about to play in an exhibition match, do you want to come?"

Yu Longdu withdrew his hand from Li Luochen's shoulder and suddenly had a whimsical idea.

It's a long-standing tradition to play an exhibition game before the league's opening ceremony.

This segment has existed since the Quartz Convention was founded—several superstars take turns to warm up the audience before the official competition begins.

Since the league underwent a major overhaul.

In the past, it was either Lance fighting Hiba, Lance fighting Lorelei, or Hiba fighting Lorelei.

It's always the same few people coming and going, and the same few routines being used in the fights. The audience went from being excited to giving polite applause, and then from giving polite applause to looking down at their phones.

Some even joked that the Quartz convention's exhibition match wasn't for the audience, but for the few superstars to enjoy themselves.

but!

If it were Li Luochen, everything would be different!

Lance understood this principle all too well—his nephew, the youngest Gym Leader in the Eastern Region, the Trainer of Regigigas, the young man who was discussed by countless people online, anticipated by countless people, and regarded by countless people as the "strongest rookie"!

If he could stand on the stage of the exhibition match, even if it was just a brief appearance or just a casual game, it would be enough to make the entire venue boil over!

"Alright then," Li Luochen shrugged, "but I can't guarantee it will have high ratings."

Yu Longdu laughed and patted him on the shoulder again: "Your presence alone is the ratings."

"Hey, Yu Longdu. This must be Brother Luo Chen over there, right?"

At this moment, a male voice with a hint of teasing rang out, his tone revealing a casual familiarity.

Li Luochen looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young man with spiky hair walking towards them, his hands in his pockets, his pace unhurried, and a half-smile playing on his lips.

Beside him followed a young man wearing a baseball cap, the brim pulled low, obscuring most of his face.

But the lower half of his face, which was exposed, had distinct features, and his lips were slightly pursed, giving him a natural indifference.

It was a vibrant green and a deep crimson!

Two legendary trainers from the Kanto region, regulars at the Indigo League, and old acquaintances of Lance.

Qinglu walked ahead with light steps, her eyes scanning Li Luochen up and down.

Chi Hong followed behind him, walking a little slower. She slightly raised her eyes under the brim of her hat, glanced at Li Luochen, and then lowered them again.

Yu Longdu turned around, saw the two of them, and looked somewhat surprised: "What brings you here?"

"I've come to see you."

Qinglu walked closer and patted Yulongdu on the shoulder with a light touch. "I heard your nephew is coming. How could we not come?"

Crimson kept his head down, his hat brim obscuring most of his face, making it impossible to see his expression. However, he reached out from his pocket and waved slightly in the direction of Dragon Crossing, as if to say hello.

The green gaze fell on Li Luochen, and the smile on his lips deepened: "Brother Luochen, I've heard so much about you. I've watched every single one of your match recordings."

Li Luochen smiled and extended his hand: "Brother Qinglu, I've heard so much about you."

Qinglu grasped his hand, shook it, and then let go.

He turned to look at Chi Hong and nudged him with his elbow: "Hey, he's saying hello to you."

Chi Hong raised his head, and his eyes, which were under the brim of his hat, were finally fully revealed.

Those eyes were very dark and bright, like two obsidian stones that had been washed with water. Their gaze fell on Li Luochen's face and lingered for two seconds.

Then he extended his hand and shook hands with Li Luochen lightly: "...Hello."

Li Luochen nodded: "Brother Chi Hong, I've heard so much about you."

Chi Hong withdrew his hand, pressed the brim of his hat down again, took a half step back, and resumed his unapproachable demeanor.

Qinglu glanced at him and shook her head helplessly: "That's just how he is, don't take it to heart."

Yu Longdu, standing to the side, cleared his throat and said, "Alright, the exhibition match is about to start. Do you want to join us?"

Qinglv's eyes lit up: "Of course!"

After saying that, he turned to look at Crimson: "Right?"

Crimson nodded slightly without saying a word, but had already taken a step towards the venue.