Chapter Summaries

Jiang Xiao, Zhao Wenlong, and Hou Mingming fought waves of Ghost Face Monks on the seventh floor of Ancient Tower Peak while Fang Xingyun supervised from a protective barrier. After they collected Star Pearls and prepared to leave, they met a lively Xiangnan Military Academy student who promised to see Fang Xingyun at the selection tournament in three days.

• Jiang Xiao, Zhao Wenlong, and Hou Mingming battled the Ghost Face Monks while Fang Xingyun watched safely from inside her Star Power barrier.
• Hou Mingming fired Exploding Arrows at Zhao Wenlong's request, and Jiang Xiao endured the barrage while his Xia Family Blade Art advanced to Gold Quality Lv.8.
• A short-haired girl climbed along the wall, teased Jiang Xiao about his abs, and introduced herself through her conversation with Fang Xingyun as a Xiangnan Military Academy student.
• The girl told Fang Xingyun that her two soldier teammates were fighting in the northwest corner while she scouted from the wall.
• Fang Xingyun gave the team three minutes to collect Star Pearls before they descended, and the girl said she would see her in three days.

Jiang Xiao and the other contestants began the National Team preliminary round inside Ancient Tower Peak, where they had to fight their way to the seventh floor. As the opening melee erupted, Jiang Xiao used Zhao Wenlong’s dragon attack to rush forward and knock Xue Chen out of the Space Gate.

• Contest officials explained the advancement rules, warned contestants not to attack staff, and issued Jiang Xiao number 57 and Hou Mingming number 58.
• Hou Mingming showed her eagerness to fight Jiang Xiao, while Jiang Xiao warned her that Xue Chen and another contestant seemed to be plotting against them.
• Before entering the Ancient Tower, Jiang Xiao asked Zhao Wenlong to clear him a path and told him to protect Hou Mingming.
• The competition began with an earthquake and contestants unleashing Star Skills across the first floor; Zhao Wenlong sent a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon charging through the crowd.
• Jiang Xiao followed behind the dragon and jabbed Xue Chen in the kidney, launching her out through the Space Gate.

During the Ancient Tower Peak selection trial, Jiang Xiaopi healed Hou Mingming and Zhao Wenlong after contestants focused their attacks on them, while Xue Chen was eliminated for leaving the field. The trio set off to climb the tower, and Zhao Wenlong was left stunned after Jiang Xiaopi’s unusual Blessing.

• After the staff halted the attacks, Zhao Wenlong carried the badly injured Hou Mingming toward them, but they ordered him to put her down and assessed their condition.
• Jiang Xiaopi used Bell Chime to heal Hou Mingming and Zhao Wenlong, allowing both to recover enough to remain in the trial.
• Staff members declared Xue Chen eliminated because she had left the field, and Jiang Xiaopi taunted her about her judgment and the ally who betrayed her.
• After the staff allowed Hou Mingming and Zhao Wenlong to stay, the trio agreed to continue climbing the tower.
• Jiang Xiaopi cast Blessing on Hou Mingming with a slap, and Zhao Wenlong watched in shock before hurriedly urging the group onward.

Jiang Xiao, Zhao Wenlong, and Hou Mingming climbed Ancient Tower Peak while Hou Mingming led them through the maze and Jiang Xiao analyzed a rival’s trap. They exposed an opponent hiding inside a Space Gate, then continued upward, while the rival recognized Jiang Xiao by name.

• Jiang Xiao repeatedly sang improvised lyrics as Hou Mingming guided the Trio Squad to the second and third floors, where they found Ghost Face Monk corpses left by teams ahead of them.
• Hou Mingming chose a route that led the squad to a layered Space Gate, and Jiang Xiao reasoned that it was an ambush set along the only way out of a smaller maze.
• Jiang Xiao used Bell Chime on Zhao Wenlong, and the healing wave entered the Space Gate, revealing that someone was hiding inside it.
• Hou Mingming fired at the Space Gate, causing it to vanish, and Jiang Xiao urged the squad to move on rather than pursue the hidden opponent.
• The young man inside the Space Gate recognized Jiang Xiao and remarked that he lived up to his reputation before opening the gate again.

The Trio Squad encountered Wu Xiaojing chasing Yu Jin through the third floor, where Hou Mingming’s arrows badly injured Wu Xiaojing’s brother after he emerged from Yu Jin’s Space Gate. Jiang Xiaopi healed him, then told Wu Xiaojing where Yu Jin was hiding, and she sealed off the corridor to wait for him.

• The Trio Squad realized they had taken the wrong route and turned back to search another corridor.
• Wu Xiaojing pursued Yu Jin, who fled through her Ice Spikes and ran into Zhao Wenlong, Hou Mingming, and Jiang Xiaopi.
• Hou Mingming fired Black Feather Arrows at Yu Jin, and Wu Xiaojing’s brother was caught in the blast as he emerged from a Space Gate.
• Jiang Xiaopi received permission to heal Wu Xiaojing’s severely injured brother, who recovered before staff carried him out of the competition.
• Jiang Xiaopi told Wu Xiaojing that Yu Jin was likely still hiding in his space, and she sealed the corridor with Ice Spikes while challenging Hou Mingming to meet her in the rematch.

Hou Mingming, Zhao Wenlong, and Jiang Xiao followed Tree Puppets through the tower and reached a Green Tree Corridor where a petite girl was fighting a short-haired young man. The girl reclaimed the Tree Puppet Jiang Xiao had carried and opened a narrow path through the greenery, inviting the trio onward.

• Hou Mingming spotted Tree Puppets scouting the corridors, and the trio decided to follow them.
• When the Tree Puppets stopped, Jiang Xiao used Blessing to win one over, carried it, and hurried after the direction it indicated.
• Hou Mingming found signs of an enemy, and the trio reached a corridor covered in glowing branches and leaves.
• The trio saw a short-haired young man trapped by branches and attacking a petite girl, who defended herself with a shield of branches.
• The girl had branches retrieve Jiang Xiao's blissfully dazed Tree Puppet, cleared a narrow path through the greenery, and invited the trio forward.

Jiang Xiao, Hou Mingming, and Zhao Wenlong crossed the Green Tree Corridor and hurried toward the seventh level after learning that sixteen contestants had reached it. On the sixth level, Xing Yan smashed through the stairway defenses, reducing the number above before Zhu Fengyu reached the seventh level and offered to help block the path.

• Hou Mingming forced Xin Ai'an to reveal the route upward, and the Female Tree God opened the way through the Green Tree Corridor.
• Jiang Xiao, Hou Mingming, and Zhao Wenlong reached the fifth level, where staff members were rescuing a contestant pierced by branches.
• The referee announced that sixteen contestants had reached the seventh level, so Hou Mingming led her team up the route with the fewest sounds of battle.
• On the sixth level, Zhu Fengyu failed to climb past a fire-and-wind defense, then followed Xing Yan as he charged through it with his shield.
• Xing Yan blasted the defenders above with his battle-axe, and the referee announced that the seventh level had fewer than sixteen people.
• Zhu Fengyu reached the seventh level and offered to help the remaining contestants block the stairway.

Jiang Xiao’s group followed Xin Ai’an’s tracking ability to find the route to the seventh floor, then reached the stairway blocked by Xing Yan and the other contestants. After Zhao Wenlong was badly wounded trying to break through, Jiang Xiao launched Hou Mingming and Zhao Wenlong up the stairs and charged after them carrying Xin Ai’an.

• Hou Mingming led Jiang Xiao and Zhao Wenlong through the crowded sixth floor, where they met Wenren Tie and learned they were running out of time.
• Jiang Xiao persuaded Xin Ai’an to use her tree-based Star Skill to locate the correct path, promising to help her reach the top thirty-two.
• Xin Ai’an found the route and guided the group to the seventh-floor stairway, where Xing Yan and the other contestants were stopping challengers from advancing.
• Zhao Wenlong tried to break through the defenses but was struck by Xing Yan’s Wind Blades and sent back down the stairs covered in blood.
• Jiang Xiao used Green Glow to launch Hou Mingming up the stairway, then boosted Zhao Wenlong after her as they attacked the defenders.
• Jiang Xiao charged up the stairway carrying Xin Ai’an while Hou Mingming and Zhao Wenlong opened the way above.

Jiang Xiao and Xin Ai'an survived the battle on the seventh level inside her Tree Fortress, and the preliminary round ended with thirty-two contestants advancing. Jiang Xiao received one hundred Skill Points and began considering how they could strengthen him for the next stage.

• Hou Mingming and Zhao Wenlong broke through the blockade on the seventh level, allowing Jiang Xiao to carry Xin Ai'an up while the fighting continued.
• Xin Ai'an created a Tree Fortress that protected herself and Jiang Xiao until the referee's countdown ended.
• Wu Xiaojing and Yu Jin exchanged threats about meeting again in the semifinals, while Xing Yan confronted Jiang Xiao over the contestants who had passed him.
• The staff counted thirty-two survivors, filling the quota for the next round of National Team selection.
• Jiang Xiao received one hundred Skill Points and considered using them to improve his skills.

While waiting in the hotel, Jiang Xiao watched CCTV celebrate his run to the National Team top 32 and discussed with Zhao Wenlong how his success could influence Star Warriors. The chapter left Jiang Xiao summoned to an exclusive interview with only ten minutes to get ready.

• Jiang Xiao read news about the National Team top 32 while Zhao Wenlong watched television and read the newspaper.
• CCTV devoted a segment to Jiang Xiao's achievements and his prospects as a support player competing for a National Team place.
• Jiang Xiao and Zhao Wenlong speculated that the authorities were using Jiang Xiao's success to encourage Star Warriors to develop their combat techniques rather than rely only on Star Skills.
• Zhao Wenlong argued that Jiang Xiao's influence could extend beyond support players to agile warriors, shield warriors, and Star Warriors of every class.
• Fang Xingyun arrived with staff members and ordered Jiang Xiao to prepare for an exclusive interview arranged by the higher-ups.
• Jiang Xiao protested that he was wearing only briefs, and Fang Xingyun blushed and left.

Jiang Xiao and the other contestants gathered for the National Team’s top-sixteen matches, where a child drew the first-round pairings. The draw set Jiang Xiao against Zhu Fengyu, and he traded teasing remarks with her as the competition began.

• Jiang Xiao discussed Ye Xunyang’s interview with Hou Mingming and Zhao Wenlong, learning it might air if he made the National Team.
• A child drew Xing Yan and Zhao Wenlong as opponents for the opening match.
• The next draws paired a Xiangnan Military Academy contestant with Zhao Wenlong, then revealed Zhu Fengyu as Jiang Xiao’s opponent.
• Jiang Xiao and Zhu Fengyu exchanged playful taunts after he raised his hand to accept the match.

Xing Yan defeated Chen Lin in a brutal first match, and Zhao Wenlong then beat Xing Aiyang. Jiang Xiao entered his match against Zhu Fengyu, whose opening attack he countered with Voice of Silence and Platinum Silence.

• Xing Yan unleashed a storm of axe blades that shattered Chen Lin’s golden defense and severed his lower leg, forcing the referee to stop the match and awarding Xing Yan a Top Sixteen spot.
• Zhao Wenlong defeated Xing Aiyang in the second match, then warned Jiang Xiao that Zhu Fengyu was faster than he might expect.
• Jiang Xiao entered the arena to face Zhu Fengyu, who focused on him and prepared to fight as an Assassin Warrior.
• When the match began, Zhu Fengyu sent three shadows forward and threw a Shadow Blade at Jiang Xiao while dodging his Blessing.
• Jiang Xiao knocked aside the Shadow Blade and used Voice of Silence on Zhu Fengyu, then aimed Platinum Silence at her.

Jiang Xiao fought Zhu Fengyu in a fast-paced blade-and-dagger match, enduring her attacks as the battle drove him into his Snowfield state. He upgraded Xia Family Blade Art to Gold Rank Lv.9, then faced Zhu Fengyu’s renewed fighting spirit on the Green Field.

• Zhu Fengyu used Inseparable as Shadow to attack Jiang Xiao from multiple angles, but Jiang Xiao cast Silence at his feet and stopped her from flashing between her shadows.
• Zhu Fengyu overwhelmed Jiang Xiao with her speed and close-range attacks, pushing him into the ruthless Snowfield state where his blade began leading his movements.
• Jiang Xiao and Zhu Fengyu continued fighting after the Silence Domain ended, and his massive blade blocked her dagger strikes despite her strength and speed.
• Zhu Fengyu used Shadow Blade Wrath to inflict Soul Damage, but Jiang Xiao charged at her instead of retreating.
• Jiang Xiao received the notice that Xia Family Blade Art had upgraded to Gold Rank Lv.9, while Nine Tails watched a sparring master die in the Calamity Shadow Ruins.
• Jiang Xiao trembled as he faced Zhu Fengyu’s renewed fighting spirit on the Green Field.

Jiang Xiao upgraded Xia Family Blade Art to Platinum and used its new weapon-releasing technique to defeat Zhu Fengyu in the National Team competition. After healing her, he left her hoping his next match would be exciting enough to keep their battle out of Star Warrior school textbooks.

• Jiang Xiao spent 100 Skill Points to raise Xia Family Blade Art to Platinum Quality, and Nine Tails discovered that the art now supported letting go of the blade.
• Jiang Xiao used Green Glow to fling and reclaim his Great Blade, repeatedly striking Zhu Fengyu’s forehead with its hilt and leaving her dazed.
• Jiang Xiao pierced Zhu Fengyu’s lower abdomen with a final downward thrust, and the referee declared him the winner.
• Jiang Xiao pulled out his Great Blade and healed Zhu Fengyu with Bell Chime and Medical Light until her wounds disappeared.
• Zhu Fengyu praised Jiang Xiao’s combat skill and asked him to make his next match exciting so their battle would not become a classroom teaching example.

Jiang Xiao advanced to the National Team individual tournament’s Top Sixteen but received no Skill Points, and Fang Xingyun secretly gave him a phone so he could check the news. As the remaining matches concluded, Xie Yan won with unsettling ease, leaving Jiang Xiao wary of the powerful black-flame fighter.

• Jiang Xiao wondered why his victory earned no Skill Points and concluded he might receive the next reward by reaching the Top Eight.
• Fang Xingyun praised Jiang Xiao’s fighting and secretly slipped a phone into his pocket.
• Jiang Xiao used a bathroom break to read that Little Jiang Xue’s team had advanced to the Top Thirty-Two, with He Xu named MVP.
• Hou Mingming defeated Wenren Tie, and the other competitors continued fighting for the remaining Top Sixteen spots.
• Xie Yan defeated his opponent in three minutes and thirty-five seconds with black flames and a punch, frightening Jiang Xiao with his emotionless demeanor.

After the Top Sixteen contestants were kept at the stadium for lunch and rest, the organizers held the draw for the next round. Jiang Xiao learned that he would face Xing Yan, who was stunned to draw him.

• The staff told the contestants to remain at the stadium for two hours before the drawing ceremony and advancement matches, warning them not to reveal competition information.
• Jiang Xiao ate two boxed meals, rested with Fang Xingyun waking him before the draw, and warmed up.
• Nine Tails practiced saber techniques in the Calamity Shadow Ruins and considered bringing a clock next time.
• The draw paired Xie Yan against Number 12 and Hou Mingming against Number 61.
• Xing Yan drew Jiang Xiao as his opponent and reacted with disbelief.

Xie Yan and Hou Mingming secured the National Team’s first two spots with swift, brutal victories, while Jiang Xiao faced Xing Yan in a highly anticipated match. Jiang Xiao used Silence, a Yearning Halo, and teleportation to survive Xing Yan’s overwhelming attacks and build a torrential Wounding Tear, leaving the outcome undecided as he vowed to win.

• Xie Yan defeated his opponent in under four minutes, refused assistance afterward, and returned to his seat visibly wounded in mind and body.
• Hou Mingming overwhelmed her opponent with a barrage of arrows and became the National Team’s second official member.
• Xing Yan entered the arena carrying a battle-axe and lit the Star Map slot for Axe Blade Storm before the match began.
• Jiang Xiao struck Xing Yan with Silence and retreated under a Yearning Halo as rain began to drain Xing Yan’s strength and resolve.
• Xing Yan’s axe blast sent Jiang Xiao into the iron cage, but Jiang Xiao teleported across the arena before Xing Yan could finish him.
• Jiang Xiao’s drizzle became a torrential downpour as he faced Xing Yan from across the field, then vowed to win.

Jiang Xiao defeated Xing Yan in the National Team selection trials by using Rain of Tears and Voice of Silence, leaving Xing Yan emotionally devastated. After healing him, Jiang Xiao returned Xing Yan’s battle-axe, and the two parted on better terms as Xing Yan returned to his seat.

• Jiang Xiao waited for Xing Yan to tire as Rain of Tears drained his vitality and worsened his emotions.
• Xing Yan tried to attack Jiang Xiao with Axe Blade Storm, but Jiang Xiao’s Voice of Silence knocked him down and left him unable to continue.
• Xing Yan broke down sobbing, and the referee declared Number 57 the winner.
• Jiang Xiao used Platinum Calm Bell to soothe Xing Yan, who got up and tried to leave the stadium despite the referee’s warning.
• Jiang Xiao returned Xing Yan’s battle-axe, and Xing Yan said he was a senior before following Jiang Xiao back to the audience seats.

After reflecting on how his Platinum Wounding Tear affected Xing Yan, Jiang Xiao learned that he had made the National Team’s starting lineup. He lifted his spirits by posting a teasing Weibo that provoked a nationwide reaction.

• Jiang Xiao woke in his hotel room and thought about Xing Yan’s distress after their match and the dangers of the Wounding Tear Star Skill.
• Zhao Wenlong told Jiang Xiao that the National Team’s starting eight had been announced and that Principal Yang planned to reward the trio with Star Pearls and have them film a promotional video.
• Jiang Xiao saw the public reaction to his National Team selection and discovered that his official Weibo profile had been updated.
• Jiang Xiao posted a joke about being selected for the National Team while his peers were still in high school classes.
• The post drew a flood of comments from students and teachers, lifting Jiang Xiao’s mood as he looked ahead to the semifinals.

Jiang Xiao faced Xie Yan in the National Team selection tournament’s top-eight matches and chose to test his unarmed combat against the powerful fighter. The chapter ended as Jiang Xiao charged Xie Yan with fists and feet, leaving the outcome of their bout undecided.

• At breakfast, Xin Ai'an told Jiang Xiao she would concede if they met in the quarterfinals, and Zhao Wenlong acknowledged her plan.
• The contestants drew their matchups: Jiang Xiao faced Xie Yan, while Hou Mingming faced Zhao Wenlong and the remaining competitors were paired off.
• Hou Mingming urged Jiang Xiao to take his match seriously, and Xie Yan opened the bout with his fist-shaped Star Map and black flames.
• Xie Yan dodged Jiang Xiao's Blessing and demanded that he concede, but Jiang Xiao refused and decided to use the match to improve his unarmed combat.
• Jiang Xiao extinguished Xie Yan's flames with Silence, then planted his giant blade in the ground and charged Xie Yan in a fighting stance.