Chapter Summaries

After selecting Crimson Demon Hall Team for the main event, Cheng Tian learned that his Spirit Attribute Extreme Value Breakthrough challenge would require him to fight first under increasingly strict bans. He had not yet decided whether to accept the challenge.

• Cheng Tian chose Crimson Demon Hall Team to advance, leaving Remilia, Sakuya Izayoi, and Meiling Hong bewildered by their unexpected entry.
• The maid recalled a strange videotape from Cheng Tian and wondered about her sense of familiarity with him and the recent Time Stop phenomenon.
• The organizers announced all sixteen main-event teams, including Cheng Tian's Oli-Oli Team and the Crimson Demon Hall Team.
• Cheng Tian received the Spirit Attribute Extreme Value Breakthrough challenge, which required him to fight first under escalating item, equipment, profession, and skill bans to win the championship.
• The challenge prompt asked Cheng Tian whether he would accept, while allowing him to abandon it later without penalty.

Cheng Tian accepted the Spirit Extreme Value Breakthrough Challenge, which imposed increasingly severe bans throughout the tournament, and explained its rules to Eileen and his allies. With his inventory already sealed and five tournament days ahead, he prepared to rely on his talent, Psychic Power, and unrestricted teammates despite the threats that might disrupt the matches.

• Cheng Tian identified ways to work around the challenge’s bans, including relying on his talent, Psychic Power, and teammates, and told Eileen about the mission.
• Eileen learned how severe the X Ban rules were and pledged to support Cheng Tian, who reassured her that his unrestricted allies could help him succeed.
• Cheng Tian accepted the Spirit Extreme Value Breakthrough Challenge, and his item inventory immediately became unusable, though his Void Garage remained accessible.
• Cheng Tian reviewed the five-day tournament schedule and considered possible disruptions from King of Fighters events and NESTS.
• Cheng Tian grew excited about the challenge despite the potential complications awaiting him.

Cheng Tian attended the Round of 16 drawing ceremony with the other qualified teams and learned that Oli-Oli Team would face Superpower Warriors Team in the opening match. The chapter ended with Athena Asamiya drawing the slip marked 02 after Cheng Tian drew 01.

• Cheng Tian bought a Stand World keychain and a Blazing Sun Mask, then noticed that his image had become popular with fans.
• The remaining teams and their representatives gathered for the drawing, including Yashiro Nanakase, Hong Meiling, Demitri, and Ren Xiaoyao.
• Demitri sensed a strange kindred aura from Cheng Tian, while Ren Xiaoyao ingratiated himself with Cheng Tian because he knew Cheng Tian had destroyed Shadaloo.
• Cheng Tian drew the slip marked 01 for Oli-Oli Team.
• Athena Asamiya drew the slip marked 02 for Superpower Warriors Team, setting the two teams against each other in the opening Round of 16 match.

Cheng Tian and Eileen discussed their upcoming Round of 16 match against the Superpower Warriors Team, while Athena Asamiya’s unusual interest in Cheng Tian unsettled Sie Kensou. The tournament began the next day, with Cheng Tian and Athena named as the first vanguard fighters.

• President Kaiba revealed the Round of 16 bracket and announced that Cheng Tian’s team would compete first the next day.
• Eileen reviewed the Superpower Warriors Team and admitted she was nervous about fighting before a large audience.
• Cheng Tian explained that Athena Asamiya inherited a goddess bloodline, prompting Eileen to worry about Athena’s interest in him.
• Sie Kensou grew concerned after noticing Athena repeatedly watched the Oli-Oli Team and paid particular attention to Cheng Tian.
• The Oli-Oli Team and Superpower Warriors Team took the stage, and Cheng Tian and Athena Asamiya were named as the vanguard fighters.

Athena Asamiya fought Cheng Tian, using psychic attacks and teleportation before he countered with Solar Punch. Blinded but sensing danger, Athena unleashed Flash Crystal Wave as The World moved in to strike.

• Cheng Tian used The World to shatter Athena's Psychic Power Ball with a flaming punch.
• Athena teleported behind Cheng Tian and threw him into the air with Super Psychic Penetration.
• Athena followed with Psychic Power Light Sword, but Cheng Tian unleashed Solar Punch and blinded the arena.
• The World reappeared beside Cheng Tian and attacked the blinded Athena.
• Athena's Danger Sense flared, and she activated Flash Crystal Wave with two blue wave balls circling her.

Cheng Tian defeated Athena Asamiya by copying her defensive technique and using Dominate to seal one of her skills, then landed a decisive blow. The arena turned against him, while Zhen Yuanzhai sent Sie Kensou to retrieve Athena.

• Cheng Tian imitated the orbit of Athena's Shining Crystal Wave with his Crystal Heartscapes as she prepared to attack.
• Athena fired Crystal Super Shot, and Cheng Tian blocked it with Guardian Barrier of the Heart before sending The World after her.
• Cheng Tian used Dominate, failed to control Athena, but sealed Psychic Power Combat Method Phoenix for 15 seconds.
• Athena's teleportation failed, and The World struck her, leaving her unconscious in Cheng Tian's arms.
• The crowd showered the ring with debris and cursed Cheng Tian, whose negative Reputation reached its peak.
• Zhen Yuanzhai kicked Sie Kensou toward Athena and explained that Cheng Tian had restrained his attack.

After defeating Athena, Cheng Tian faced Sie Kensou amid the crowd’s hostility and revealed how effectively his Crystal Heartscape and Retribution Arrows controlled the fight. Sie Kensou launched a self-damaging Immortal Aura Blast to break through the arrows, but Cheng Tian teleported away, leaving the bout unresolved.

• Cheng Tian provoked Athena’s furious supporters after his victory, while the fighters in the waiting area admired him and feared the backlash of defeating an idol.
• Sie Kensou returned to the arena after carrying Athena away and told Cheng Tian that he wanted him to lose badly.
• Sie Kensou charged Cheng Tian at close range, but Cheng Tian summoned Crystal Heartscape and filled the arena with Retribution Arrows.
• Sie Kensou’s Super Ball was destroyed by the arrows, forcing him to dodge while the crowd and waiting fighters watched Cheng Tian’s new power.
• Sie Kensou activated MAX Immortal Aura Blast on himself to clear the arrows and rush Cheng Tian, who crossed his arms and teleported more than ten meters away.

Cheng Tian demonstrated that he had copied Athena's Teleportation and used his new skill to outmaneuver Sie Kensou. After rescuing Kensou from choking on a bun, Cheng Tian defeated him, leaving Orange declared the winner.

• Zhen Yuanzhai recognized that Cheng Tian had imitated Athena's Teleportation after seeing it once, while Athena angrily confronted her master about it.
• Sie Kensou repeatedly blew himself up with Immortal Aura, then ate a bun that restored some of his health but caused him to choke.
• Cheng Tian examined the new Teleportation skill he had derived, noting its high energy cost and long cooldown due to his inexperience.
• Cheng Tian used World to strike Kensou's chest and dislodge the bun, and Kensou realized he had swallowed a Pizza Bun.
• After Kensou exhausted his techniques and accepted he could not reach Cheng Tian, he pretended to faint against World's fist, and Orange was declared the winner.

Zhen Yuanzhai faced Cheng Tian after his two disciples lost, and the two masters tested each other with Drunken Fist and Cheng Tian’s powers. Zhen Yuanzhai countered Cheng Tian’s Psychic Power prison with a liquor-fueled Blast Flame Cannon, while War Elephant Mammoth watched in fascination.

• Zhen Yuanzhai entered the arena and challenged Cheng Tian, while the Dragon Dragon Dragon Team stiffened at the sight of the alcoholic master.
• Zhen Yuanzhai used Moon Gazing Drunkenness to evade Cheng Tian’s Golden Feather Arrows and rush him across the ground.
• Cheng Tian’s World grabbed Zhen Yuanzhai and tried to slam him down, but Zhen Yuanzhai slipped free and struck the stand with his gourd, revealing that some impact reached Cheng Tian.
• Cheng Tian trapped Zhen Yuanzhai inside the Nightmare Binding Barrier, which the old man recognized as a Psychic Power prison.
• Zhen Yuanzhai drank from his gourd and blasted the barrier with his finishing move, Blast Flame Cannon, as War Elephant Mammoth watched.

Cheng Tian defeated Zhen Yuanzhai and the Superpower Warriors Team with the Thunder Halberd and Stand World, securing the Oli-Oli Team’s first victory in the round of sixteen. The win advanced the team to the quarterfinals, and Cheng Tian opened three reward chests.

• Cheng Tian summoned the Thunder Halberd, and the host confirmed that he had registered it as a weapon before the match.
• Cheng Tian used the halberd to channel Psychic Lightning, trapping Zhen Yuanzhai in an electric net that left him unable to fight back.
• Zhen Yuanzhai surrendered after nearly three minutes of shocks, and Cheng Tian won the one-versus-three match for the Oli-Oli Team.
• Cheng Tian’s quest progress updated to quarterfinalist, and the team received three chests for defeating the Superpower Warriors Team.
• Cheng Tian opened the chests and obtained the Skill Stone “Eating Meat Bun,” the Spirits Floating Gourd, and Athena’s Pink Summer Special swimsuit.

Cheng Tian and the girls divided the loot from their victory, including Athena's swimsuit, Eating Buns, and a Fiery Liquor Gourd. Cheng Tian then learned that the quarterfinals had imposed an equipment ban, while the next round-of-sixteen match began between the Female Fighters Team and the Crimson Demon Hall Team.

• Cheng Tian offered Athena's swimsuit to the girls, and Eileen volunteered to take it after Bazett showed interest in its Anti-tremor attribute.
• Cheng Tian assessed Eating Buns and the Fiery Liquor Gourd, considering Bazett and the War Elephant Mammoth as potential users for the skill and gourd.
• Cheng Tian discovered that entering the Extreme Breakthrough Challenge's second stage had turned his equipment slots red under the Item Ban and Equipment Ban rules, so he saved the gourd's liquor for a championship celebration.
• The arena prepared the Female Fighters Team versus the Crimson Demon Hall Team, and the audience's excitement rose as the all-female teams entered.
• King and Hong Meiling stepped forward as their teams' vanguards, took their fighting stances, and began the match.

Hong Meiling defeated King in a brutal match but was scolded by the Head Maid for spending too many Talismans. Mai Shiranui entered the arena as the Female Fighters Team’s next fighter, drawing loud cheers and turning Cheng Tian’s attention toward the upcoming match.

• Hong Meiling adapted to King’s attacks, strengthened herself with Tiger Force, and defeated her with Star Qi Star Vein Earth Rotation Bullet.
• The Head Maid reprimanded Hong Meiling for using too many Talismans and wished she had defeated all three opponents without needing to fight herself.
• The Female Fighters Team sent King for treatment and named Mai Shiranui as their next fighter.
• Mai Shiranui entered the arena, played to the audience, and drew enthusiastic cheers while Cheng Tian watched.

Terry struggled with the effects of her feminized body while Hong Meiling defeated Mai Shiranui in the ring. Cheng Tian learned that Athena’s fanatics had targeted his laboratory and planned to use the incident to approach Athena, as Chizuru Kagura called Meiling down and sent Sakuya to face her.

• Terry felt irritation and envy while watching Mai Shiranui and feared that her changing thoughts meant she might never turn back.
• Utan told Cheng Tian that fanatical intruders had appeared around the laboratory, and Cheng Tian ordered them beaten and recorded so he could demand compensation from Athena.
• Hong Meiling defeated Mai Shiranui, and Andy rushed onto the ring to carry Mai away.
• Chizuru Kagura told Hong Meiling to leave the ring and sent Sakuya to face her.

Sakuya Izayoi replaced Hong Meiling to face the Female Fighters Team’s final fighter, Chizuru Kagura. Chizuru’s mirror techniques and ability to take control of Sakuya’s daggers revealed the Yata no Kagami’s power, while the Hell Band watched the fight on a giant screen.

• Remilia ordered Hong Meiling to withdraw and sent Sakuya Izayoi to fight in her place, as Cloudy Sky weather favored Sakuya.
• The host introduced Chizuru Kagura as the Female Fighters Team’s final fighter and Sakuya as the Crimson Demon Hall Team’s second fighter.
• Chizuru opened with a deceptive attack that vanished like a broken mirror, and Sakuya answered with four spinning daggers.
• Chizuru used Tamasaka’s Koto Sound to seize control of one dagger and made the others strike her mirror image while her real body retreated.
• Cheng Tian recognized Chizuru’s Yata no Kagami, and the Hell Band watched the match on a giant screen.

Sakuya Izayoi fought Chizuru Kagura, who summoned the Yata no Kagami to reflect Izayoi’s knives. Izayoi stopped time to end the fight, but Cheng Tian moved inside the frozen world, leaving her stunned.

• Izayoi launched a spread of Silver throwing knives that rebounded through the air toward Chizuru.
• Chizuru summoned the Yata no Kagami’s phantom and reflected every knife back at Izayoi.
• The three members of Hell Band sensed the mirror’s power and headed toward Kagura Zaibatsu HQ, followed by paparazzi and a Bunshun Daily correspondent.
• Izayoi spent four spirit orbs and four Card Slots to stop time across the dungeon.
• Cheng Tian moved during Izayoi’s Time Stop under the protection of an Orange-gold humanoid guardian, then scratched his butt and farted.

Izayoi used Time Stop to disable Chizuru Kagura with precise, nonfatal wounds, securing the Crimson Demon Hall Team’s advance. As Chizuru fainted and the Yata no Kagami’s halo dimmed, the Hell Band members appeared near the shrine guarded by the Kagura Zaibatsu.

• Izayoi recognized Cheng Tian and Stand World as another source of Time Stop, then charged at the frozen Chizuru Kagura.
• Cheng Tian watched as Izayoi struck Chizuru across the body with Silver Daggers while Stand World resisted her Time Stop.
• When time resumed, Chizuru’s wounds erupted with blood, but she sealed them with her muscles and energy, leaving herself unable to fight normally.
• Chizuru surrendered, and the host declared Izayoi the winner and the Crimson Demon Hall Team advanced; Kyo Kusanagi rushed to call for medical help.
• Mosquitoes gathered Chizuru Kagura Blood Material for Cheng Tian’s Gene Bank, and Chizuru fainted beside Kyo as the Yata no Kagami’s halo dimmed.
• The three members of Hell Band appeared near the shrine guarded by the Kagura Zaibatsu.

Hell Band used the tournament’s violence and Cheng Tian’s attack on Athena Asamiya to gather enough energy and negative emotions for Orochi’s revival, then launched an assault on Kagura Zaibatsu to seize or destroy the Yata no Kagami. The attack became public, prompting Kyo Kusanagi to rush toward the zaibatsu as Cheng Tian disappeared from the arena.

• Hell Band realized that the tournament’s fighting had provided enough energy for Orochi’s revival, and Cheng Tian’s attack on Athena Asamiya had provoked the negative emotions they needed.
• After learning the Female Fighters Team would fight next, Chris, Yashiro Nanakase, and Shermie left the arena to target the Yata no Kagami at Kagura Zaibatsu.
• The trio followed Orochi’s aura to the zaibatsu, where Yashiro Nanakase broke through the guards with Final Impact and triggered an invasion alarm.
• The arena host announced that Hell Band had attacked Kagura Zaibatsu, and the shocked audience watched footage of the assault.
• Kyo Kusanagi recognized the danger from his memories of 1996 and rushed away from the infirmary, while Cheng Tian vanished after confronting the Head Maid.

After Chizuru Kagura was defeated, Sakuya Izayoi confronted Cheng Tian about being her wild father’s alternate-timeline counterpart. When Cheng Tian learned that Hell Band had attacked the Kagura Zaibatsu, he went to pursue them, and the organizers turned their clash with the Japan Team into an unrestricted Advancement Match.

• Sakuya Izayoi told Cheng Tian that her mistress believed he might be her wild father’s alternate-timeline counterpart, and Cheng Tian agreed that the description was accurate while insisting they remain independent individuals.
• Cheng Tian learned from the Doll Unit that Hell Band had attacked the Kagura Zaibatsu and sent Stand World toward the fight to challenge the band’s awakened members.
• Kyo Kusanagi rushed to help the Kagura family, followed by Iori Yagami, Benimaru Nikaido, and Goro Daimon.
• The organizers moved the Japan Team’s match against Hell Band forward and announced an unrestricted, life-or-death Advancement Match.

Yashiro Nanakase, Shermie, and Chris attacked the Kagura Grand Shrine, where Kagura Mame’s soul defended the Yata no Kagami by reflecting Yashiro’s strike. As the Eight Heavenly Kings moved to destroy the mirror, the Stand World stopped time and removed Mame and the sacred artifact, leaving the attackers to clash with one another.

• Yashiro Nanakase, Shermie, and Chris entered the Kagura Grand Shrine and found the Yata no Kagami glowing with Kagura Mame’s phantom.
• Yashiro Nanakase struck the mirror, but its Mirror Image met his punch and blasted the Hell Band trio backward.
• Chris recognized that the mirror could reflect attackers, then directed Yashiro Nanakase and Shermie to circle around it.
• Kagura Mame realized the trio had found her weakness and prepared to destroy the mirror along with them.
• As Yashiro Nanakase, Shermie, and Chris attacked together, the Stand World stopped time and removed Kagura Mame and the Yata no Kagami.
• When time resumed, the Eight Heavenly Kings faced one another while the Stand World watched from above with Kagura Mame and the sacred mirror.

Cheng Tian’s Stand World rescued Kagura Mame’s soul and the Yata no Kagami from Hell Band’s attack on the Kagura shrine. Kyo Kusanagi, Iori Yagami, Benimaru Nikaido, and Goro Daimon confronted Hell Band as the Japan Team versus Hell Band death match began.

• Cheng Tian used World to rescue Kagura Mame and take the Yata no Kagami, while Kagura Mame reacted warily to him.
• Kyo Kusanagi arrived, recognized World as Cheng Tian’s summon, and mistook Kagura Mame for a safeguard stored in the mirror.
• Iori Yagami arrived and accused Hell Band of serving Orochi, prompting Yashiro Nanakase to taunt him about the Yagami family’s history.
• Kyo stopped Iori from attacking Hell Band before the tournament match, and Benimaru Nikaido and Goro Daimon joined them.
• The arena host announced an unrestricted death match between Japan Team and Hell Band, and the fight began.