Chapter Summaries

Jiang Xiao confronted Hou Mingming about her defeat and encouraged her to seek a new challenge in the military, revealing his Night Watch Light Chasing assignment. Hou Mingming kept the pastries he left behind, while Jiang Xiao reassured Fang Xingyun that Hou Mingming would attend the next day's meeting.

• Jiang Xiao told Hou Mingming that she had to face defeat honestly and stop leaving her victories to luck.
• Hou Mingming said she wanted a combat role and considered joining the Mountain Shattering Army or the Pioneering Army.
• Jiang Xiao showed Hou Mingming his Night Watch Officer Certificate and invited her to consider joining the Light Chasing Group as an apprentice.
• Jiang Xiao reminded Hou Mingming to attend the morning meeting and left; Hou Mingming kept the egg-yolk pastries he had brought.
• Jiang Xiao returned to his room and told Fang Xingyun that Hou Mingming was fine and needed a new goal.
• Fang Xingyun praised Jiang Xiao's composed explanation, and he joked that Hou Mingming had frightened him by grabbing him.

Jiang Xiaopi studied the remaining World Cup contestants while Hou Mingming and Xie Yan fought their way to twelfth and thirteenth place. At the seventh-round draw, he was paired with Kimchi Country’s Jin Pingchang, leaving Jiang Xiaopi confident that he had drawn an easy opponent.

• Jiang Xiaopi edged over to Hou Mingming at breakfast, but she ate the egg he had been eyeing.
• Jiang Xiaopi studied the ten advancing contestants with Fang Xingyun and two analysts while the other National Team members analyzed matches or competed in the losers’ bracket.
• Han Jiangxue’s team advanced after a grueling match, and she later watched the replay with Jiang Xiaopi before hanging up when he asked her to kiss him.
• Hou Mingming finished twelfth and Xie Yan finished thirteenth after losing to her in their final losers’ bracket match.
• At the seventh-round draw, the Ice Country contestant received a bye while Jiang Xiaopi drew Jin Pingchang from Kimchi Country.
• Jiang Xiaopi dismissed Jin Pingchang as an easy opponent, but Zhao Wenlong warned that he could also be the hardest one to fight.

Jiang Xiao prepared for his seventh World Cup match against Kimchi Country’s Jin Pingchang, a dangerous dagger fighter, after studying the rules and training his dagger techniques. At the hostile Soul City stadium, he stood firm against the boos and rallied the scattered Huaxia supporters as the match was about to begin.

• Jiang Xiao reviewed the competition rules while his Decoy trained overnight against a dagger-wielding Gold Companion in the Calamity Shadow Ruins.
• Ma Ke and Ye Xunyang introduced Jin Pingchang as Jiang Xiao’s seventh-round opponent and discussed his aggressive dagger style.
• Fang Xingyun woke Jiang Xiao and sent him out to warm up before the match.
• Jiang Xiao blinked into the stadium and faced loud boos from the Kimchi Country crowd.
• Xia Yan and other Huaxia spectators cheered Jiang Xiao, who displayed the Huaxia flag on his chest and raised a fist toward them.

Jiang Xiao fought Jin Pingchang in the seventh round, countering his disguise and illusion-based dagger attacks with Silence, quick thinking, and an unexpected display of dagger skill. He pinned Jin Pingchang to the Green Field with a dagger and sealed his Star Skills, then looked to the referee as the stadium fell silent.

• Jiang Xiao and Jin Pingchang exchanged taunts before the match began, and Jin Pingchang charged through Jiang Xiao’s Blessing lights while disguised as Xia Yan.
• Jiang Xiao used Voice of Silence and his giant blade to force Jin Pingchang back into his original form, then evaded his illusion-inducing daggers and mist.
• Jin Pingchang disguised himself as Han Jiangxue and launched another attack, but Jiang Xiao disrupted him with Silence and pressed forward.
• Jin Pingchang knocked Jiang Xiao’s giant blade aside, but Jiang Xiao caught Jin Pingchang’s thrown dagger and surprised him with a close-range dagger assault.
• Jiang Xiao wounded Jin Pingchang, pinned him to the turf with a dagger through the throat, and sealed him with Voice of Silence before the stadium fell silent.

Jiang Xiao defeated Jin Pingchang in the World Cup’s seventh round, reached the Top Six, and broke a forty-one-year-old record for support players. After an overenthusiastic post-match interview and a warm welcome from the National Team, he reviewed the remaining contestants and posted a match photo online, where reporter Yang Yang asked to interview him again.

• The referee declared Jiang Xiao the winner after Jin Pingchang failed to get back up, and Jiang Xiao revealed his Red Star Flag to the cheering Huaxia spectators.
• Ye Xunyang and Ma Ke announced Jiang Xiao’s record-breaking advance to the Top Six, and Jiang Xiao credited Fang Xingyun, the National Team, and his supporters during an interview with Yang Yang.
• Jiang Xiao overdid his interview by giving the camera an impassioned pep talk, so Fang Xingyun dragged him away and told him to settle down.
• Jiang Xiao returned to Edo City with the National Team and read reports naming the five other contestants advancing to the eighth round.
• Jiang Xiao posted a photo from the match on Weibo, and Yang Yang commented to ask whether he was available for another interview.

Jiang Xiao watched the Emperor Capital team lose to the North Road Kingdom and saw Xiangnan Military Academy advance to the team competition’s top four. After studying the remaining contenders, he reunited with Hai Tianqing and Fang Xingyun at his hotel and headed out with them for a meal.

• The North Road Kingdom defeated the Emperor Capital team, leaving Song Chunxi, Wu Yao, He Xu, and Han Jiangxue injured or unconscious and ending their run in the top four.
• Xiangnan Military Academy defeated its opponent in eleven minutes and advanced to the team competition’s top four.
• Jiang Xiao confirmed that Han Jiangxue was safe and studied the Republic of Egypt and the Yaguo Countries, the other teams in the top four.
• Jiang Xiao welcomed Hai Tianqing and Fang Xingyun at his hotel, teased them about their relationship, and invited them to dinner.
• Hai Tianqing entered Jiang Xiao’s room after Jiang Xiao opened the door from inside, while Fang Xingyun went to contact the team.

Jiang Xiao encouraged Hai Tianqing as he planned to propose to Fang Xingyun after Jiang Xiao’s World Cup run ended. The tournament’s team semifinals and individual rankings unfolded, and Jiang Xiao learned that he would face Saito Nobuyuki in the eighth round.

• At dinner, Fang Xingyun grilled meat for Jiang Xiao while Hai Tianqing watched her affectionately, and Jiang Xiao teased him about their relationship.
• Hai Tianqing told Jiang Xiao he intended to propose to Fang Xingyun after Jiang Xiao’s World Cup journey ended, and Jiang Xiao wished them both success.
• The Imperial Capital Star Warrior team finished sixth after losing in the losers’ bracket, while tied individual competitors faced rematches to settle their rankings.
• Xiangnan Military Academy defeated the Yaguo Countries team, and Gu Ai beat the North Road Kingdom team to reach the team final against Huaxia.
• After the individual rankings were decided, the eighth-round draw matched Huaxia’s Jiang Xiaopi against Neon’s Saito Nobuyuki, prompting Hou Mingming to clench her fists.

Jiang Xiao prepared for his match against Saito Nobuyuki, taking in Hou Mingming’s advice before watching Ash and Helen’s brutal Top Six battle. Ash died in an explosion rather than surrendering, leaving Jiang Xiao to question what the victory had been worth as his own match approached.

• Jiang Xiao reviewed Saito Nobuyuki’s background and fighting style, then joked about his childhood in Jiang City and his Cherry Blossom Domain Star Skill.
• Hou Mingming visited Jiang Xiao and warned him about Saito’s saber technique, explosive cherry blossoms, and a tell that revealed when he was about to move at extreme speed.
• On July 7, Jiang Xiao watched the first Top Six match between North Road’s Ash and Ice Country’s Helen as supporters from Huaxia and Neon filled Edo City’s stadium.
• Helen completed her ice-mirror formation after a long struggle and cornered Ash, but he refused to surrender and triggered a massive explosion as she attacked.
• Jiang Xiao watched Ash die and wondered whether refusing to lose had been worth it.

Jiang Xiao faced Saito Nobuyuki in the World Cup semifinal and tried to provoke him by asking about his past, hometown, and former companion. Saito accepted Jiang Xiao’s challenge, and their match began with cherry blossoms and Jiang Xiao’s Green Glow.

• Jiang Xiao watched Saito Nobuyuki during warm-ups and suspected the Japanese competitor had experienced real battles.
• At the arena, Jiang Xiao asked Saito whether he had ever returned to his hometown, and Saito shook his head.
• Jiang Xiao taunted Saito about his former companion and their visit to Jiangcheng University, prompting Saito to tell him to shut up.
• Saito said he had hoped they could stop at a certain point, but Jiang Xiao declared he would either win or die.
• Saito accepted the challenge, and the match began as cherry blossoms filled the air and Jiang Xiao unleashed Green Glow.

Jiang Xiao fought Saito Nobuyuki in a fierce duel, using Silence, blinking, and his support Star Skills to withstand the swordsman’s speed and countermeasures. The battle ended with Saito in full cherry blossom armor as Jiang Xiao unleashed a torrential Wounding Tear from atop the cage and warned that he no longer needed to hold back.

• Jiang Xiao and Saito Nobuyuki exchanged a prolonged series of close-range blade attacks inside and beyond Jiang Xiao’s Silence Domain.
• Jiang Xiao began blinking around the field to pursue Saito, draining his stamina and Star Power through their clashes and Yearning Halo.
• Saito detonated cherry blossoms around Jiang Xiao, then formed detached cherry blossom armor to defend against his attacks.
• Saito expanded the armor into a full suit and grew into a giant, while Jiang Xiao used Bell Chime and Wounding Tear to transfer the armor’s Star Power to himself.
• Jiang Xiao appeared atop the iron cage as his Wounding Tear became a downpour, and he told Saito he did not need to hold back.

Jiang Xiao defeated Saito Nobuyuki, whom he recognized as Gu Xinzhi, after the rain of tears brought out Gu Xinzhi’s grief for home. He briefly healed Gu Xinzhi before knocking him unconscious to secure Huaxia’s victory, then celebrated with the crowd.

• Jiang Xiao and the enormous cherry-blossom samurai struck each other with their blades, shattering the samurai’s armor and leaving Jiang Xiao falling through the air.
• Jiang Xiao used Blink to land beside the weakened Saito Nobuyuki and whispered that his playmate had kept his promise and that the cherry blossoms in his hometown still bloomed.
• Jiang Xiao called Saito Nobuyuki Gu Xinzhi and watched him break down in tears, saying that he missed home and could not return.
• Jiang Xiao used Bell Chime to heal Gu Xinzhi, then attacked him with two blows to the chin while Gu Xinzhi did not defend himself.
• The referee declared Huaxia the winner after Gu Xinzhi lost consciousness, and Jiang Xiao raised his fist toward the cheering western stands.

Jiang Xiao defeated Saito Nobuyuki and reached the World Cup individual competition Grand Finals, though Wounding Tear left him emotionally subdued. As Xia Yan helped him recover on the way to the locker room, he prepared to wash up and eat before the final.

• Jiang Xiao gave Yang Yang a joking interview, said he would fight for his life in the final, and left the field with Fang Xingyun.
• Xia Yan leaned over the stands and flipped down toward Jiang Xiao, who caught her by the ankle before she landed safely.
• Jiang Xiao told Xia Yan that Wounding Tear was keeping him calm, and she kissed his cheek and forehead to cheer him up.
• Xia Yan and Jiang Xiao bickered playfully as they headed for the locker room, then agreed to get barbecue.

Jiang Xiao discussed Xia Yan’s Exploding Tear Star Skill and their changing relationship, then learned that Han Jiangxue had requested a rare Void Calamity Shadow Star Pearl for him. After watching the semifinal, he discovered that his championship opponent would be the Shield of Europe.

• Jiang Xiao urged Xia Yan to test her Exploding Tear Star Skill after they returned and to use it only with his permission, while promising to teach her great-blade techniques.
• Jiang Xiao video-called Han Jiangxue, who praised his achievements and said she had requested a Void Calamity Shadow Star Pearl for him.
• Han Jiangxue told Jiang Xiao that Imperial Capital Star Warrior University might give her Star Pearls suited to control and mobility or a chance to capture a Star Pet.
• Jiang Xiao watched the semifinal and learned that the Shield of Europe would face him in the championship match.

Xiangnan Military Academy defeated the Yaguo Republic to win Huaxia the World Cup team-event championship. As the celebration ended, the commentators reminded everyone that Jiang Xiaopi still had to compete, and the National Team rallied behind him.

• The North Road Kingdom defeated the Yaguo Countries for third place, while the battle between Xiangnan Military Academy and the Yaguo Republic reached its decisive stage.
• Xiangnan’s four soldiers broke through the Yaguo team’s sandstorm formation and attacked from inside the enemy’s half of the field.
• Xiangnan’s Magic System user trapped an opposing Magic System user in his space, and the Yaguo shield warrior surrendered, giving Huaxia the team-event victory.
• The auditorium erupted in celebration as Ye Xunyang and Ma Ke announced that Huaxia had won its first team-event championship in twelve years.
• After Ma Ke noted that the pressure was now on Jiang Xiaopi, Hou Mingming, Xing Yan, Zhao Wenlong, Wu Xiaojing, Xin Ai'an, Xie Yan, and Yu Jin encouraged him to win the championship.

As Huaxia celebrated its team championship, Jiang Xiao prepared for his individual final against Neil Muller, the Shield of Europe. After studying Neil’s abilities, Jiang Xiao settled on an attrition strategy and revealed he could use a bow, prompting an analyst to seek one for him.

• Huaxia celebrated winning the team championship while Jiang Xiao’s individual final was rescheduled for July 11.
• Jiang Xiao and Fang Xingyun’s analysts reviewed Neil Muller’s Star Skills and assessed his formidable offense and defense.
• Jiang Xiao argued that Neil could counter his Silence and Wounding Tear, but remained eager to fight him.
• Fang Xingyun and the analysts recommended an attrition battle that used Jiang Xiao’s Light of Reversal, Yearning Halo, and Dawn.
• Jiang Xiao proposed using Wounding Tear with a bow and arrows, and an analyst immediately volunteered to find him a bow.

Jiang Xiao prepared for the World Cup individual final against Neil Muller after Gu Xinzhi won the bronze-medal match. The rivals faced off with taunts during warm-ups, and the chapter ended with Jiang Xiao calling Neil the runner-up.

• Gu Xinzhi defeated the Flower of Lancy in the match for third and fourth place.
• Jiang Xiao planned to wear Neil Muller down with his bow and Yearning Halo before fighting at close range.
• Huaxia's National Team cheered for Jiang Xiao, and Wu Yao tossed Han Jiangxue into the air to get her excited.
• Jiang Xiao and Neil Muller entered the arena for the Grand Finals and exchanged hostile stares.
• Neil crossed into Jiang Xiao's warm-up area and called him a crying baby, while Jiang Xiao taunted him as the runner-up.

Jiang Xiao faced Neil Muller in the World Cup individual final, provoking him before fighting with a bow and arrow while refusing to use several control skills. As Neil launched his ultimate hammer attack, Jiang Xiao flashed behind him and struck upward with the Great Blade.

• Ma Ke and Ye Xunyang introduced the final as Jiang Xiao entered carrying a bow and quiver alongside his Great Blade.
• Jiang Xiao taunted Neil and promised not to use Silence, Purifying Tear, or Bearing Seal, while Neil's coach calmed him before the match began.
• Neil summoned his Kite Shield and heavy hammer as Jiang Xiao used Wounding Tear and Yearning Halo, then fired arrows that drained Neil's vitality and Star Power.
• Neil charged through the rain and used a speed boost and invigorating mist to pursue Jiang Xiao while dodging his rapid arrows.
• Neil launched a Platinum Star Skill hammer attack, but Jiang Xiao flashed behind him and swung the Great Blade upward.

Jiang Xiao overwhelmed Neil in the World Cup final by combining teleportation, arrows, Wounding Tear, and relentless aerial attacks, then defeated him with a devastating blade strike. He stopped his final dive when the referee declared Huaxia the winner and honored those who had protected children like him.

• Jiang Xiao launched Neil into the air and repeatedly struck him with his blade and Star-powered arrows while Neil's hammer attacks failed to catch him.
• Jiang Xiao's Wounding Tear and attacks drained Neil's Star Power and stamina as he kept him spinning and rising through the rain.
• Jiang Xiao used the Sixteenth Form, Twilight of the Gods, to shatter his giant blade and send Neil crashing into a crater.
• Jiang Xiao began diving toward Neil, but stopped when the referee blew the whistle and declared Huaxia the winner.
• Medical Star Warriors pulled the unconscious, badly injured Neil from the crater, and Jiang Xiao ended Wounding Tear.
• Jiang Xiao touched the hidden number 29 on his uniform, looked toward the sky, and murmured that countless children were growing up under the protection of the departed.

Jiang Xiao won the 2017 Star Warrior World Cup individual championship, and Huaxia celebrated its victories in both the team and individual competitions. As he lifted the trophy, he remembered the suffering and relentless training behind his achievement and cried with joy.

• Huaxia celebrated Jiang Xiao's victory as teammates, teachers, and spectators cheered around him.
• Fang Xingyun embraced Jiang Xiao and thanked him, while Hai Tianqing gave him a thumbs-up before leaving through the Players Tunnel.
• Jiang Xiao washed and changed, then joined Huaxia's players and staff for the award ceremony.
• The host announced Jiang Xiao as the individual champion, and Jiang Xiao lifted the trophy as golden confetti fell.
• Jiang Xiao saw Han Jiangxue and the cheering crowd, remembered his ordeals and training, and wept while smiling.

Jiang Xiaopi received three rare Black Void's End Star Pearls after winning the World Cup individual championship, then faced a press conference before joining the team’s celebration. The championship festivities ended with Hai Tianqing proposing to Fang Xingyun and the team showering everyone with champagne.

• Jiang Xiaopi accepted the championship trophy and discovered that his reward contained three Black Void's End Star Pearls with powerful space-type Star Skills.
• Fang Xingyun escorted Jiang Xiaopi to a press conference, where he answered questions about his championship journey, Neil Muller, Juliette Mo Luowen, Jin Pingchang, and his plans to retake his exams.
• Jiang Xiaopi and Fang Xingyun entered a flower-filled locker room, where Hai Tianqing proposed to Fang Xingyun and she accepted.
• The National Team members flooded the room with champagne, and Wu Xiaojing pulled Xin Ai'an into the celebration as Jiang Xiaopi was drenched by his teammates.