Chapter Summaries

Xu Jintang’s Mask Squad studied the Dark Horse Team with information from Qiu Zhuyu, while Ji Nanqing and her teammates analyzed the Mask Squad’s mysterious powers ahead of the semifinals. As the match approached, both teams prepared to face each other, and their supporters scrambled to get tickets.

• Qiu Zhuyu sent Xu Jintang detailed videos and analyses of the Dark Horse Team, hoping the Mask Squad would avenge her team’s loss.
• Xu Jintang gathered her teammates to review the Dark Horse Team’s ruthless tactics, including how Ji Nanqing had countered and broken Qiu Zhuyu’s twin guns.
• At Xihe Alliance Military Academy, Jiang Wenzhuo warned Ji Nanqing that the Mask Squad might be secretly trained by another academy and noted that its captain had used unexplained power.
• Ji Nanqing admitted that the semifinals might be difficult after her teammates asked whether they would win as easily as before.
• Qiu Zhuyu bought a resale ticket to watch the Dark Horse Team, while Xu Jintang and her teammates secured tickets for their friends.
• Wei Zixuan shared that the Mask Squad’s championship odds had fallen to match those of the Purple Rosy Clouds Pond Flower Team as the semifinals drew near.

The Mask Squad faced the Dark Horse Team in the semifinal, where the randomly selected 1v1 gauntlet began with Xue Zhongqi fighting Xiu Delu. Xue Zhongqi surrendered after Xiu Delu’s poison gas and homing arrows overwhelmed him, and Xu Jintang sent Song Tianqi in for the next match.

• Xu Jintang and the Mask Squad entered the arena, followed by Ji Nanqing and the Dark Horse Team, and the match format was selected as a 1v1 gauntlet.
• Xu Jintang chose Xue Zhongqi to fight first, and Xiu Delu introduced himself as a peak third-tier mental-power user against Xue Zhongqi’s peak second tier.
• Xiu Delu filled the arena with Two Aspects Poison Gas and attacked Xue Zhongqi with homing arrows from a concealed-weapon artifact.
• Xue Zhongqi sustained multiple wounds as Xiu Delu’s artifact and poison gas left him unable to counterattack, so he surrendered.
• The healer treated Xue Zhongqi, and Xu Jintang told Song Tianqi to fight in the second match after giving him instructions.

Song Tianqi defeated Xiu Delu with his fire and gauntlet attacks, giving the Mask Squad a 1v1 victory. Chu Minmin then countered Song Tianqi with her Soft Bone Technique and locked him in a choking hold, leaving Xu Jintang considering how to respond.

• Song Tianqi overwhelmed Xiu Delu's defenses, burned away his poison gas, and knocked him out of the arena with a powerful punch.
• Ji Nanqing sent Chu Minmin to face Song Tianqi next, while Song Tianqi used the intermission to recover his mental power.
• Chu Minmin introduced herself and attacked Song Tianqi, dodging his flames and using her Soft Bone Technique to absorb the force of his blows.
• Chu Minmin circled behind Song Tianqi and locked her arms around his neck, cutting off his breathing.
• Xu Jintang watched the fight and thought about the information Teacher Zhuang and Zhu Qiuyu had shared about Chu Minmin's ability.

Song Tianqi defeated Chu Minmin in the third match with a fire attack that he could largely withstand, giving the Mask Squad the lead before he conceded the fourth match after exhausting his mental power. Jiang Shiyi then entered the next match against Jing Lei, with the score tied.

• Song Tianqi used Ability Trait Assimilation and his Vermilion Bird Bloodline to overwhelm Chu Minmin, and Li Xiang declared the Mask Squad the winner.
• Li Xiang explained that Song Tianqi had at least eighty percent immunity to fire damage, and Ji Nanqing accepted the loss on behalf of her team.
• After the break, Song Tianqi ran out of mental power and conceded the fourth match to the Dark Horse Team.
• Jiang Shiyi took the stage as the Mask Squad's next fighter, and Jing Lei introduced himself as her opponent.

Jiang Shiyi fought Jing Lei, who used copied magical artifacts and card commands to counter her, but she unleashed a devastating combination skill that forced referee Li Xiang to protect him and secured the Mask Squad’s victory. The Mask Squad took the lead, though Ji Nanqing had yet to fight.

• Jiang Shiyi and Jing Lei exchanged rocket attacks as Jing Lei used copied weapons and tracking sleeve arrows to pressure her.
• Jing Lei tried to immobilize Jiang Shiyi with a concealed Stasis Card Command, but she destroyed it with Hail of Bullets.
• Jing Lei surrounded Jiang Shiyi with multiple attacks and another hidden Stasis Card Command, prompting her to unleash her Superpower Rocket Launcher Combination Skill.
• Li Xiang shielded Jing Lei from the arena-wide barrage, and Xu Jintang confirmed the Mask Squad had won the match.
• The crowd and the other teams reacted to Jiang Shiyi’s trump card, while Qiu Zhuyu warned that Ji Nanqing had yet to fight.

During the fifth 1v1 match, Jiang Shiyi faced Jiang Yun, whose Golden Disc Magic Array unleashed a relentless, target-locking attack. Low on mental power after her previous fight, Jiang Shiyi could not use her strongest combination move and continued fleeing as the golden light scorched the stage.

• During the intermission, Li Xiang introduced Jiang Yun and Ji Nanqing of the Dark Horse Team and Jade Fox and Foodie of the Mask Squad.
• Jiang Yun began the fifth 1v1 match by dropping gold ore onto the stage, and Jiang Shiyi dodged while firing her rocket launcher.
• Jiang Yun summoned the Golden Disc Magic Array, creating a golden disc whose attacks could pursue Jiang Shiyi for five minutes.
• Jiang Shiyi's Energy-Concentrating Cannon shots bounced off the disc, and she realized she lacked the mental power to use her combination move again.
• Jiang Shiyi ran from the golden light as it chased her around the stage and scorched much of it into ruins.

Jiang Shiyi and Jiang Yun fought to a draw after Jiang Shiyi used a mental-attacking combination skill, leaving Ji Nanqing as the Dark Horse Team’s last fighter. During the intermission, Xu Jintang gave Yan Yuting instructions for her upcoming match, while Xihe Alliance Military Academy’s staff worried over the tournament.

• Jiang Shiyi evaded Jiang Yun’s Gold Mountains and Flooding Waters attack with her rocket launcher, then fought back as Jiang Yun summoned more golden attacks.
• Jiang Shiyi fired an unfinished combination skill that exhausted her mental power and struck Jiang Yun with a mental attack; both fighters lost the ability to continue, so Li Xiang declared a draw.
• Jiang Shiyi left to cheers from the crowd, and Ji Nanqing became the Dark Horse Team’s sole remaining fighter.
• Xu Jintang quietly instructed Yan Yuting to prepare for her match, while Ji Nanqing grew suspicious and worried about facing the remaining Mask Squad fighters.
• Administrators and teachers at Xihe Alliance Military Academy watched the livestream and worried that their team would lose.

Yan Yuting faced Ji Nanqing in the sixth duel and used her modified Wind Shadow Whip to challenge the stronger opponent. The match remained unresolved as Ji Nanqing launched a powerful ice attack and Yan Yuting escaped its range by pulling herself toward her.

• Jiang Wenzhuo and the other teachers watched anxiously while Miao Mingzhi and Zhuang Silin praised their squad's performance.
• Yan Yuting and Ji Nanqing introduced themselves and began the sixth one-on-one duel.
• Yan Yuting struck Ji Nanqing and her Frost Demon Bear with lightning from her modified Wind Shadow Whip, then tried to drag Ji Nanqing off the platform.
• Ji Nanqing broke free, summoned an enormous ice seed, and forced Yan Yuting to unleash the Wind Shadow Whip's first form, Myriad-Jin Thunderbolt.
• When the ice seed overwhelmed Yan Yuting's lightning, she used her whip to pull Ji Nanqing toward the platform's edge, then escaped the attack by being pulled toward Ji Nanqing.
• Song Tianqi teased Xue Zhongqi about Yan Yuting copying Xu Jintang, and Xu Jintang asked whether they had been badmouthing her.

Xu Jintang faced Ji Nanqing in the final semifinal match, using ice attacks and the Ice Soul Dragon’s aura to counter her stronger opponent and frighten the Frost Demon Bear. Ji Nanqing realized the bear feared something in Xu Jintang’s ability, and the fight continued as it fled from her control.

• Yan Yuting lost to Ji Nanqing after harassing her for several exchanges, and Li Xiang announced the Dark Horse Team’s victory.
• During the intermission, Xu Jintang reviewed Yan Yuting’s match footage and prepared to face Ji Nanqing.
• Xu Jintang and Ji Nanqing introduced themselves and began the semifinal match, trading ice attacks and concealed crossbow bolts.
• Xu Jintang’s Ice Soul Dragon aura made the Frost Demon Bear freeze and panic, puzzling Ji Nanqing and the livestream viewers.
• Ji Nanqing tested the effect again, and the Frost Demon Bear fled in fear; Xu Jintang then sent ice chains after Ji Nanqing while the bear repeatedly ran from her aura.

Xu Jintang and Ji Nanqing fought to a stalemate before Xu Jintang used her dragon blood pressure to turn Ji Nanqing’s Frost Demon Bear into an unwilling mount. The duel ended in a head-on clash that left Ji Nanqing badly injured, while Xu Jintang’s condition remained unclear.

• Xu Jintang and Ji Nanqing traded blows for sixteen minutes, with neither gaining a clear advantage.
• Ji Nanqing ordered the Frost Demon Bear to use Sonic Wave Impact, but Xu Jintang’s mental-sea barrier reflected the attack and she mounted the frightened bear.
• Xu Jintang directed the Frost Demon Bear around the arena and used it to evade Ji Nanqing’s attack until Ji Nanqing canceled its summoning.
• Ji Nanqing activated Demon Bear Possession, her power-concentrating artifact, and Ability Trait Assimilation as Xu Jintang prepared her own amplified abilities and Ice Blade Storms.
• Xu Jintang and Ji Nanqing collided in a burst of icy-blue energy, and Ji Nanqing emerged pale and bleeding before Li Xiang caught her and called for a healer.

The Mask Squad defeated the Dark Horse Team and advanced to the Ability User Competition championship match. After the post-match interview, the next semifinal between Purple Rosy Clouds Pond Flower and the Light and Brightness Team was set to determine their opponent.

• Healers helped Ji Nanqing off the arena, and Li Xiang announced the Mask Squad as the winner of the semifinal.
• The Mask Squad celebrated its victory as fans cheered, while teachers from Xihe Alliance Military Academy and Leikdasi Military Academy reacted to the result.
• Xu Jintang told Li Xiang that the Mask Squad was confident about the championship match, and Jiang Shiyi, Song Tianqi, Xue Zhongqi, and Yan Yuting answered questions in the post-match interview.
• The captains of Purple Rosy Clouds Pond Flower and the Light and Brightness Team discussed facing the Mask Squad and prepared for their own semifinal.
• Li Xiang announced a half-hour intermission before Purple Rosy Clouds Pond Flower and the Light and Brightness Team faced off for a place in the championship match.

Xu Jintang and the Mask Squad watched the second semifinal between the Purple Rosy Clouds Pond Flower Team and the Light and Brightness Team after making a bet about which team would win. As the match began, Xu Jintang received messages from Qiu Zhuyu and Yu Wanyao, who had taken unflattering photos of the squad.

• Xu Jintang and her teammates bet that whoever guessed the semifinal winner incorrectly would handle the squad's future competition interviews.
• The competition organizers presented a dance by Star Entertainment Company's rookie idol group before introducing the semifinal teams.
• Xu Jintang and the Mask Squad assessed the Purple Rosy Clouds Pond Flower Team's strength and worried about facing either semifinalist in the championship.
• The Purple Rosy Clouds Pond Flower Team and the Light and Brightness Team began a mixed 2v2 and 3v3 battle.
• Xu Jintang received a congratulatory message from Qiu Zhuyu, then opened Yu Wanyao's series of unflattering photos of the squad.

The Mask Squad advanced to the championship match against the Purple Rosy Clouds Pond Flower Team, and accepted an invitation to appear on Happy Match-Up. Xu Jintang broke through to the fourth tier and tested her new Ice Mist Snow Lotus skill, leaving the squad with another ability for the championship.

• Xu Jintang and her teammates watched the Purple Rosy Clouds Pond Flower Team win both semifinal matches, including a comeback led by Mu Yongshou.
• The Mask Squad advanced to the championship match, secured at least second place, and discussed repaying the military academy from their prize money.
• Xu Jintang told her teammates that Happy Match-Up had invited them to record a livestream, and they agreed to attend.
• Xu Jintang broke through to the fourth tier after nearly two months of cultivation, then received reminders from the Green-Membrane Archaeopteryx and Jin Xiaobao to keep training.
• Xu Jintang tested her fourth skill, Ice Mist Snow Lotus, creating three explosive snow lotuses and an Ice Mist Domain that chilled the training arena.

Xu Jintang and the Mask Squad appeared on Happy Match-Up with the Wood Spirit Show Idol Group, where Shen Mucheng quickly charmed the team. During the livestream, Xu Jintang recognized a staff member as possibly connected to the Reform Society and left to search for him.

• Xu Jintang tested her new skill and reached the peak of the fourth tier, drawing startled reactions from Song Tianqi and the others.
• Xu Jintang and the Mask Squad arrived at the Happy Match-Up studio, where they met the Wood Spirit Show Idol Group and Shen Mucheng won over Song Tianqi, Yan Yuting, and Xu Jintang.
• The Happy Match-Up livestream began, and Xu Jintang noticed a staff member whose figure reminded her of a Reform Society member she had seen at an underground black-market ball.
• Xu Jintang left the filming area to search for the staff member and sent the Green-Membrane Archaeopteryx to look for a tall, well-built man with a black buzz cut.

Xu Jintang caught a suspicious staff member carrying a Reform Society badge, but he escaped after an accomplice attacked, and explosions disrupted the livestreamed recording. Song Yuanlang arrived to investigate and questioned Xu Jintang about the staff member.

• Xu Jintang recognized a staff member as someone who had caused trouble at Mirage and had the Green-Membrane Archaeopteryx help capture him.
• The man admitted he was not from the Reform Society, then escaped using a Teleportation Inscription after an accomplice fired a hidden arrow.
• Xu Jintang gave the badge to the security captain, who reported the apparent Reform Society infiltration to the Administration Bureau.
• Explosions struck the recording venue, stopping the show and sending staff and guests into a panic; Xu Jintang returned to the Mask Squad and said someone was acting in the Reform Society's name.
• Song Yuanlang arrived with the Federation Administration Bureau, sealed off the venue, and questioned Xu Jintang about the staff member she had recognized.

Xu Jintang concealed what she knew about the group behind the explosion while preparing with her teammates for the championship match against the Purple Rosy Clouds Pond Flower Team. As the match drew closer and tickets became scarce, Zhuang Silin traded for two tickets and received a call from Xu Jintang.

• Song Yuanlang questioned Xu Jintang about the badge, and she hid that the captured man had denied belonging to the Reform Society.
• The Happy Match-Up recording was canceled after an explosion, and Zhuang Silin warned Xu Jintang to avoid crowds and announced special training after the competition.
• Xu Jintang and her teammates analyzed the Purple Rosy Clouds Pond Flower Team, while the Administration Bureau later confirmed the Reform Society faction was responsible for the explosion.
• Xu Jintang offered five of the team's ten tickets to Yu Wanyao's group and gave Yu Wanyao a ticket for Jing Yuanzheng.
• Zhuang Silin traded a third-tier magical treasure for two championship tickets, then answered a call from Xu Jintang.

Xu Jintang and her teammates sold three spare tickets to the Ability User Competition finals, then trained hard as the competition approached. On finals day, the Mask Squad and the Purple Rosy Clouds Pond Flower Team entered the venue, while Yu Wanyao and Jing Yuanzheng discussed which team to support.

• Xu Jintang offered her three spare finals tickets for sale, accepted deposits from three buyers, and split the money with Yan Yuting, Song Tianqi, Jiang Shiyi, and Xue Zhongqi.
• The finals tickets sold out in two seconds, and Xu Jintang arranged delivery of the three tickets while her teammates trained for the competition.
• Xu Jintang cultivated at night as her mental power strengthened, while the Mask Squad's collaborative merchandise sold out and preparations for the Military Academy League continued.
• On finals day, Xu Jintang and her teammates met Mu Yongshou and the Purple Rosy Clouds Pond Flower Team before entering the venue.
• Zhuang Silin, Wu Jinghong, and Miao Mingzhi concealed their identities with ghost-face masks as they joined the ticket-check line.
• Qin Shuxue learned that Jing Yuanzheng belonged to the Jing Family and teased Yu Wanyao about dating him; Yu Wanyao then asked which team he supported.

The Ability User Competition’s final day began with opening speeches from distinguished guests, culminating in the surprise appearance of Federation Commander-in-Chief Jing Hongyi. Xu Jintang and her teammates reacted to his presence as they waited for their championship match.

• Yu Wanyao and Jing Yuanzheng discussed which team they supported before entering the venue.
• Xu Jintang and her teammates waited in the lounge while Ji Nanqing’s Dark Horse Team prepared to face the Light and Brightness Team for third place.
• Li Xiang opened the event and introduced Jiang Wenzhuo and Deputy Director Wang as guests.
• Li Xiang revealed Jing Hongyi as the final guest, startling the audience and Xu Jintang’s teammates.
• Jing Hongyi reassured the audience about recent unrest and praised the competition for selecting talented contestants.

The Mask Squad completed its pre-match interview, with Xu Jintang confidently predicting that they would win the championship. After the teams prepared for their matches and the arena's opening performances ended, the Dark Horse Team and the Light and Brightness Team were called onstage to compete for third place.

• Li Xiang introduced the Dark Horse Team and the Light and Brightness Team as the contestants in the third-place match.
• Xu Jintang and her teammates agreed that Xue Zhongqi and Song Tianqi would handle most of the Mask Squad's live interview questions.
• Xu Jintang told viewers that the championship belonged to the Mask Squad.
• Miao Mingzhi and Zhuang Silin discussed the competition's popularity while watching from the stands.
• Jing Yuanzheng awkwardly spoke with Yu Wanyao, who told him to stop forcing a conversation and watch the match.
• Xu Jintang and her teammates returned to the lounge, discussed which team might win third place, and watched Li Xiang welcome both teams onto the stage.

The Light and Brightness Team defeated the Dark Horse Team to claim third place, while the Mask Squad received a secret-order invitation from the Command Center. As the championship match approached, Xu Jintang and her teammates entered the arena to roaring cheers.

• Jing Hongyi told Deputy Director Wang and Jiang Wenzhuo that he had come to recruit the Mask Squad.
• Xu Jintang received a secret-order invitation from the Command Center and put it away to open later.
• The Light and Brightness Team defeated Xing Lei and Jiang Yun in the first match, then beat Ji Nanqing and her teammates with a powerful combined mental attack to take third place.
• Xu Jintang and the Mask Squad prepared to enter the championship match after a staff member summoned them.
• Xu Jintang and her four teammates entered the arena and waved to the cheering crowd.