Chapter 晚上 Neon Country, Edo City

That night, Edo City, Neon Country.

Jiang Xiao was sitting in a taxi from the airport to the hotel, wearing headphones and watching the news on Teacher Fang's phone:

"As of 17:00 Beijing time, the third round of the World Cup singles competition has ended."

"In the third round of the Star Martial World Cup individual competition, there were a total of 162 participants, with 1 person receiving a bye. The bye spot was awarded to a contestant from the African Gold Brick Republic."

"A total of 5 contestants from our country entered the third round, achieving a complete victory in this round!"

"Hou Mingming, from the Imperial Capital Star Martial University, easily defeated a Malaysian-Chinese contestant, advancing powerfully into the world's top 82."

"As the captain of the national team, Hou Mingming's performance has been as strong as ever. In the past three rounds, she has not encountered much resistance, leading the Star Martial World Cup speed battle rankings with an excellent average time of 3 minutes and 31 seconds per game."

Jiang Xiao grinned. A speed battle ranking?

This kind of ranking is really for the experts. For regular participating students, it would be good enough to save their lives, let alone think about competing for speed?

Since it was a detailed report, the host showed Hou Mingming's battle footage while introducing the competition. After the host finished the introduction, Hou Mingming's interview segment was also broadcast.

In the camera, even though Hou Mingming had just finished the competition, her national team uniform was not messy at all. Wearing a pure white baseball cap, she had a proud smile on her face and was radiant.

Reporter: "Congratulations on winning the game in just 2 minutes and 40 seconds."

Hou Mingming responded with a smile, "If I don't show some strength, I'm afraid the title of national team captain will be given to someone else."

Reporter: "Does Hou Mingming also know about the situation in Sky守 Castle?"

"Of course." Hou Mingming looked at the camera and said, "You played well in this game. It seems you are a person who keeps your word. You promised me during the national team selection competition that our battle would be left to the World Cup arena, so..."

The reporter moved the microphone closer.

Hou Mingming looked at the camera, as if looking at Jiang Xiao himself. Her eyes were like torches, full of high fighting spirit, making all the viewers in front of the TV feel uneasy: "Jiang Xiaopi! See you in the finals!"

Jiang Xiao's expression was strange. This is your victory! And it was a rapid victory in the third round. With such a terrible result, why are you talking about me throughout the entire interview?

The news footage switched...

"Yu Jin from the Magic Capital Star Martial University has displayed super strength, defeating the Russian Federation War Bear!"

"This battle was extremely fierce, lasting a total of 19 minutes and 55 seconds! Just as the competition was entering the countdown and the judging panel was preparing to judge the winner, student Yu Jin made a last-second kill, securing another advancement spot for China!"

In the footage, Yu Jin, who should have been surrounded by water mist, was actually burning with hot flames.

On the star map with crossed daggers, the star slot where the two daggers intersected and overlapped lit up with a dazzling light, and Yu Jin's speed suddenly increased greatly!

His attacks had never broken the Russian Federation War Bear's defense, but this time, the water mist dagger had turned into a flame dagger, directly wiping across the opponent's throat.

The scene flashed and immediately switched to Yu Jin's post-match interview.

Yu Jin was breathing heavily, apparently pulled directly from the arena: "Fighting... is... what I should do. I... desire victory. Wait, let me catch my breath first. Right, congratulations... to all the Chinese players who have already achieved victory, especially... Jiang Xiaopi."

The scene switched again.

"Wu Xiaojing, from the East China Naval Military Medical, took 15 minutes and 32 seconds and ultimately made a clever move, narrowly defeating a contestant from ancient Egypt, advancing into the top 82."

In the post-match interview footage of Wu Xiaojing, she herself was fine, probably completely healed, and her clothes were spotless. But unlike Hou Mingming, she had changed her clothes afterwards.

Wu Xiaojing's beautiful face was full of joy: "Aiya, you saw it too. That Sand King was so powerful. I was really lucky to win..."

Speaking of this, Wu Xiaojing's beautiful eyes turned slightly, she leaned towards the microphone and imitated someone's tone: "Extremely lucky."

Female reporter: "..."

Wu Xiaojing's face bloomed with a smile, and she gave a thumbs up to the camera.

It was unclear whether she was cheering herself on or conveying this gesture to Jiang Xiao.

Jiang Xiao, holding his phone, was stunned for a moment. This girl...

It seemed that his game today was attracting more attention than he had imagined.

A scholar can be killed, but not humiliated?

This Maple Leaf captain was probably incurring public wrath.

"Xie Yan from Central Plains Star Martial ended the game in eight minutes. The reputation of the master of fists and kicks is well-deserved. He completely countered the Gangbu contestant and won easily."

Today he came to the post-match interview.

Reporter: "Evaluate today's game."

Xie Yan lowered his head and untied his black fist wraps: "Not bad."

Reporter: "Your opponent is the same type of warrior as you. Is this beneficial to your performance?"

Xie Yan was still looking down, expressionless, and finally untied the fist wraps: "Yes."

The reporter was a little helpless and could only ask from a different angle: "There will be a few days of rest time next. How do you plan to prepare for the next round?"

Xie Yan had already untied the fist wraps, and the reporter thought he was going to answer the question properly. But who would have thought that Xie Yan would start re-wrapping the fist wraps.

He lowered his head and said two words again: "Work hard."

Reporter: "..."

The awkward interview almost made Jiang Xiao laugh to death. This CCTV news was too much. They could even broadcast this. However, it did add some humor to the tense World Cup competition.

The vehicle stopped in front of the hotel. Jiang Xiao and Fang Xingyun paid and got out of the car. After showing their credentials, they entered the hotel.

The management of the national team was a bit strict. The defeated players had to return to the team immediately, meet with the main force, and live together in this hotel.

Returning to China would have to wait until the end of all the competitions, and then return to China with the team. Of course, if you wanted to go shopping or watch the games live, you had to submit a report in advance, which didn't seem easy to get approved.

Therefore, the students, led by the old cadre Zhao Wenlong, watched the live broadcasts together in the small auditorium, occasionally listening to national-level analysts explain the games live, which was also a great benefit.

Jiang Xiao's current status was that of a victor, so he had to maintain a proper attitude when chatting with the team members or visiting them.

No matter how much Zhao Wenlong was called an old cadre, he was also a young Star Warrior, and everyone's self-esteem was very strong. So, Jiang Xiao brought a small gift and knocked on Zhao Wenlong's room door.

Opening the door, Zhao Wenlong was obviously stunned for a moment, never expecting that Jiang Xiao would use his rest time to return to the hotel "base camp." After all, outside, with the teachers leading them, eating, drinking, playing, and shopping could be communicated privately.

Returning here was different. If you wanted to go out for a stroll again, you had to report to the team.

"Here." Jiang Xiao opened one hand and handed over a tea bag.

Zhao Wenlong blinked: "What is this?"

Jiang Xiao said: "It's tea. You drink your own tea every day. This time, try the kimchi country's tea."

Zhao Wenlong: "You bought it?"

Jiang Xiao scratched his head and said: "When I was checking out, I specially swiped it from the hotel for you."

Zhao Wenlong: "......"

Jiang Xiao cautiously looked at Zhao Wenlong, who was holding the tea bag. Suddenly, Zhao Wenlong put his arm around Jiang Xiao's neck, clamped him under his arm, dragged him into the room, and used his other hand to grab Jiang Xiao's hair.

The buzz cut has made another contribution!

Jiang Xiao struggled hard, but he was no match in terms of strength: "Hey, hey, it hurts."

"Good job! The game really boosted our morale! Knowing when to advance and retreat, knowing when to tighten and loosen! You achieved free control within the rules, not bad, not bad!" Zhao Wenlong's whole state changed, congratulating Jiang Xiao with great joy.

Jiang Xiao felt relieved. So he was just pretending just now.

To make Zhao Wenlong make such unexpected moves, it seemed that he really admired Jiang Xiao's battle against the Maple Leaf captain.

The two chatted for a while. Jiang Xiao still wanted to hear the familiar "slurping" sound, but unfortunately, Master Zhao didn't have the habit of drinking tea at night.

After that, Jiang Xiao finally revealed his true colors. He carefully prepared his words and asked Zhao Wenlong about the game against George Star.

In the mist, probably only Zhao Wenlong knew what happened most clearly. Even George Star himself was probably so mad that he didn't even know what he had done.

Zhao Wenlong didn't have any strong reaction. He thought for a while and said: "That guy is much stronger than he appears. His substitute puppet has a very fast casting speed and extremely strong defense."

Jiang Xiao: "Mm..."

Zhao Wenlong continued: "You must have heard the explosion in the mist, but I can responsibly say that although his pumpkin bombs were thrown in front of me every time, he was never injured at all. His skill combinations are very proficient. What's more troublesome is..."

Jiang Xiao: "What?"

Zhao Wenlong: "That lifelike substitute puppet is not just a shield. It can move freely, almost indistinguishable from him. Although ordinary attacks don't have much lethality, the movements are extremely realistic. Too many of my attacks hit the puppet."

Jiang Xiao nodded: "He pulled out a gun in the end? I heard a gunshot. Was it the one he pulled out of his hat before? The one he later stuffed into his lower back?"

Zhao Wenlong shook his head: "What really caused damage to me was not the star power weapon, but still his substitute puppet. That puppet can self-destruct. He hid many of the puppet's characteristics."

Zhao Wenlong sighed: "In addition, his multi-colored balloons don't need to be pulled out of his hat. They can be actively transformed.

In the mist, it was difficult for me to distinguish what the balloon colors were, and I didn't know what kind of mist each color balloon represented. I felt at least the effects of paralysis and slowing down, and..."

Jiang Xiao: "What?"

Zhao Wenlong: "I don't know if it's just my illusion, but when I was conscious, I felt the effects of increased star power and body self-healing."

Jiang Xiao was stunned for a moment: "What do you mean?"

Zhao Wenlong: "His support-type skills have clearly exceeded the category of agility-warrior support skills."

Jiang Xiao: !!!

Yes, both the war and magic systems have their own schools of support skills, various buffs, debuffs, etc., but medical skills? No one can cross the boundaries of the star map!

Zhao Wenlong nodded: "He may be like you, an extremely special healing-type Star Warrior..."