Festival of Lights · Diwali
Jiang He outlasted Goodwin’s Earthbound Immortal and helped reseal the King of the Netherworld, then turned to the coming WRGP. He formed Team GX and defeated Sherry LeBlanc’s recruitment challenge, leaving Sherry to assemble a rival team.
Jiang He and Team GX entered the WRGP, defeated Team Unicorn through Zane, Jaden, and Jiang He, then learned Team Catastrophe was using Darkness Cards that could materialize Duel Monsters Spirits. The draw matched Team GX against Team Catastrophe, and Jiang He began their duel against Hermann.
Jiang He defeated Team Catastrophe with the Aesir gods, and Yusei Fudo overcame Team Sun's Sleeping Giant Thud. After Jiang He rescued duelists from rogue robots, Team GX faced Sherry LeBlanc's team in the quarterfinals, where Alexis Rhodes reduced Sherry to 800 Life Points and ordered a direct attack.
Jiang He’s team defeated Team Unicorn and advanced to the WRGP semifinals, where Jiang He faced Chairman Pegasus after Aster Phoenix lost. Jiang He brought out Victory Dragon, but Pegasus stopped its attack, leaving their duel unresolved.
Jiang He led Team GX to victory over Team 5D’s in the WRGP final with a field of powerful Synchro monsters. The Three Emperors of Yliaster then revealed their plan to destroy New Domino City, and Jakob challenged Jiang He to a Shadow Duel after merging with Primo and Lester.
Jiang He defeated Aporia and then Z-one, but Z-one’s defeat caused Arc Cradle to collapse and New Domino City to vanish. Heartland City appeared in its place, and Duel Academy prepared to welcome its students as Jiang He awaited their arrival.
Jiang He defeated Yuma Tsukumo in a welcome duel, then learned that Kite Tenjo and his companions were collecting Number cards. He challenged Kite to a Shadow Duel and gained the upper hand, leaving Kite with only 900 Life Points and Marshmallon on the field.
Jiang He defeated Dextra and Nistro in Shadow Duels, took their Darkness Cards, and won Nistro’s Number cards with an Exodia strategy. After learning that Vetrix’s faction had been taking souls, Jiang He agreed to enter the WDC tournament to protect the affected students.
Jiang He entered the WDC, defeated IV in a Shadow Duel, and gathered heart fragments while his companions faced other challengers. He then began a duel against Reginald Kastle, who was under Vetrix’s influence, and the arc left Jiang He facing a second Aero Shark that threatened to reduce his remaining Life Points to zero.
Jiang He defeated Reginald Kastle and Kite Tenjo, collecting their Heart Pieces and Number cards before challenging V and III alongside Yuma. In the tag Shadow Duel, Jiang He summoned Number 86: Heroic Champion - Rhongomyniad and broke through V’s Number 9: Dyson Sphere, leaving V demanding an explanation.
Jiang He defeated Fortuno and faced Robin in the WDC knockout round, where his Time Thief deck repeatedly stole Robin’s cards and stalled his attacks. The duel remained unresolved as Robin faced an emptying deck and three turns of blocked attacks.
Jiang He defeated Vetrix and won his Number Darkness Cards, then faced Dr. Faker in the final. After Dr. Faker’s Heart-eartH and traps threatened to force Jiang He’s monsters into a disastrous attack, Jiang He began a chain of Synchro Summons to turn the duel around.
Jiang He defeated Dr. Faker, saved Hart, and took control of Dr. Faker’s Heartland City businesses before uncovering Ray Shadows as a Barian infiltrator and beating him in a duel. He then began a wagered duel with Rio Kastle, whose attempt to summon Ice Beast Zerofyne was interrupted by Jiang He’s newly summoned Divine Arsenal AA-ZEUS - Sky Thunder.
Jiang He defeated Girag in a Shadow Duel and learned that the Seven Barian Emperors were pursuing the Number Darkness Cards. Alito then attacked with a controlled Nistro, and Jiang He and Akiza began a partner duel that remained unresolved.
Jiang He defeated Alito and Mizar while the Barian Emperors launched a coordinated attack on the Number Darkness Card holders. Yuma faced Vector after learning Ray Shadows was only Vector’s disguise, and Vector’s trap failed to find any cards with “V” in Yuma’s Deck.
Yuma and Jiang He defeated Vector and Durbe while Rio confronted Reginald, whose duel ended with her loss and his return to the Barian World. As Don Thousand began to awaken and Astral recovered memories of their ancient conflict, Jiang He set out to pursue the escaped Number 96: Dark Mist.
Jiang He defeated Dark Mist and Nash in duels over the Number Darkness Cards, then learned Don Thousand planned to use Fake Number Darkness Cards to merge the Barian World with the real world. When Mr. Heartland and Jellyfish Senpai attacked Duel Academy to spread the cards, Jiang He and Rio prepared to face them in a Shadow Tag Duel.
Jiang He and his allies uncovered Don Thousand’s plan to merge Duel Academy and Heartland City with the Barian World, then Jiang He challenged Vector in a Shadow Duel. Jiang He repeatedly dismantled Vector’s cards and combos, leaving Vector facing the effects of two Viruses as the duel continued.
Jiang He defeated Don Thousand, secured the Numeron Dragon and its reality-altering power, then returned to Duel Academy as a future academy’s students arrived. The arc ended with Gloria and Grace Tyler dueling Crowler and Bonaparte, their shared Life Points down to 400.
Jiang He defeated Dennis and Yuri, then uncovered Leo Akaba’s plan to sacrifice Ray Akaba’s reincarnated soul fragments. The arc left Celina staying with the Slifer Red students as Jiang He prepared for a mysterious challenger seeking his real Super Polymerization.