Chapter 7.11 July 11th, Allianz Arena, Munich, player dressing room.

Jiang Xiao looked at the television screen on the wall, wincing, and said, "Is this kid out of his mind?"

On the TV was a pre-match interview with a member of the Indian team. It wasn't live, but was recorded yesterday or the day before, just after the match-up was announced.

The organizers were constantly compressing the competition schedule due to the global situation, and in this context, some groups were using every trick in the book for economic gain.

Since the draw results were announced, the Chinese team members had strictly adhered to the national team's discipline and refused any pre-match interviews.

To create conflict for this battle, the organizers had no choice but to turn to the Chinese team's opponents, the Indian team, in an official capacity.

And in the moments leading up to the match, the organizers were still hyping it up, trying to generate buzz.

On the television screen, a handsome young man with dark skin and large eyes said, "Yes, you're right. China is rising rapidly in all aspects. That's an undeniable fact.

"For example, I heard that the development of their Magic City (Shanghai) is catching up to our country's Mengmai City (Mumbai)."

Jiang Xiao: ???

Xia Yan sat astride a bench, elbows on her knees, head tilted back, looking at the TV on the wall, and asked, "Is he serious?"

Han Jiangxue elegantly crossed her legs, sitting on the other side of the bench, back leaning against Jiang Xiao's, not watching the TV, but closing her eyes to rest: "The reporter's question is problematic, it's a trap."

*Click.*

As the bathroom door opened, Gu Shian walked out, smelling of smoke, just in time to hear the reporter's second question: "Aga, China was the champion of both the team and individual competitions in the last tournament. Regardless of economic development or national strength, at least in the field of Star Warriors, they are ahead of India. Do you think that's true?"

The Indian player named Aga pondered for a moment and said, "The Star Warriors in their country are indeed very strong, but we are not weak either. We have also developed specific tactics for this Chinese team. Just wait and see!"

"Heh," the reporter continued. "As far as I know, you are the second-tier team of India. Are you confident that you can defeat this Chinese number one seed team?"

Aga: "Second-tier? Why are we second-tier? We are the ones standing here now. The so-called first-tier team in our country has already gone home."

"Pfft..." Xia Yan couldn't help but laugh. "You're right, he's out of his mind."

Jiang Xiao couldn't help but nod, saying, "Well, he's even dissing his own country's team. I guess I misjudged him..."

Aga continued: "Even if we are second-tier, so what if we fight their first-tier team? Isn't that just right? No team in this world is invincible. Look forward to our match!"

The reporter's eyes lit up, with a smile like a sly fox: "One last question, is there anything you want to say to the Chinese team? They will see it on the TV screen, you know?"

Aga looked at the camera with a serious expression and said, "Chinese Star Warrior team, your team occupies too many spots in the Top 28. Two or three teams should leave."

After these words, Aga's face froze for a few seconds before the screen switched back to the studio.

A host and two guests looked at each other, quickly discussing the interview.

Host: "That's what the Indian player said yesterday. Looking at his confident appearance, I'm afraid he has thoroughly studied the Chinese number one seed team. Maybe they have some secret weapon? What do the two guests think?"

Male guest: "He's just bluffing. The Chinese number one seed team, even in the history of the World Cup, can rank among the top. The Indian second-tier team that Aga belongs to cannot win."

The production team, of course, has its own way of surviving. Whether it's just for show or not, they really contribute a lot to the ratings of this match.

It seems that programs all over the world are cut from the same cloth.

The female guest immediately disagreed: "No, I don't think so. I don't think Aga is blindly confident! As the host said, they must have figured out a way to deal with the Chinese team.

"Aga also said that no team is invincible. Maybe they have found the Chinese team's weakness."

In the dressing room, Gu Shian grinned, his face full of disdain. He reached into his pocket and turned around to open the bathroom door again.

"Weakness! Stop smoking, that's two in a row!" Jiang Xiao's voice floated from behind.

Gu Shian froze, his hand on the doorknob, and turned to look at Jiang Xiao, saying, "Me? Weakness?"

Jiang Xiao said with a smile: "Am I the weakness?"

"Fine," Gu Shian nodded with a smile. "I'm the weakness. I hope all four of them focus fire on me. I'll rush into the enemy's formation to hold them back. Han Jiangxue will unleash Ice Roar at me, don't care if I live or die, see who dies first between me and them!"

As he spoke, Gu Shian put a cigarette in his mouth, smoothed his Mohawk, and opened the door to enter the bathroom.

Jiang Xiao opened his mouth wide, staring blankly at the closing bathroom door. He turned his head to look at Xia Yan.

Xia Yan: "What's wrong?"

Jiang Xiao: "He's so cool, so stylish!"

Xia Yan: "..."

Jiang Xiao shook his head and sighed softly: "When can I be as cool and cocky as him?"

"You?" Xia Yan picked up the greatsword at her feet, twisting the hilt, and said, "Aren't you cocky enough? Yesterday, that action of poking Wu Haoyang's face got you a bunch of fans? Your Weibo exploded."

Jiang Xiao looked at Xia Yan and said, "You secretly look at my Weibo? Why don't you leave a message?"

Xia Yan shook her head and said, "No, if I leave a message..."

Jiang Xiao: "..."

You guys are awesome!

Each one more cocky than the last!

Xia Yan placed the greatsword horizontally on her lap and casually asked, "By the way, what's the deal with that Yi Qingchen? What did she mean by her Weibo message to you?"

Jiang Xiao said, "Nothing's going on."

"Hmph," Xia Yan's slender fingers gently tapped the sword, making a crisp sound. "It better not be."

"Eh?" Jiang Xiao blinked and said, "Actually, there might be something going on. She wants to become my disciple, to learn the art of the Fangtian Halberd from me."

"Hmm?" Xia Yan raised her head and looked at Jiang Xiao, saying, "You agreed?"

Jiang Xiao looked embarrassed and said, "Guiding, sparring, I have no problem with that, but she wants to formally become my disciple.

"It's not the modern kind of finding a teacher or coach, but the ancient kind of kowtowing to the teacher. Who can handle that? I can't stand it anyway."

Xia Yan's eyes lit up and said, "I can handle it."

As she spoke, Xia Yan smiled and pointed to her feet, saying, "Come on, Jiang Xiao, complete the apprenticeship ceremony, hurry up."

"Yaha!?" Jiang Xiao leaned against Han Jiangxue behind him and said, "Have you noticed that since she reached the Star Sea stage, her former style has returned."

Han Jiangxue: "Hmm?"

Jiang Xiao said, "I mean, when I was in the Star Dust stage and you two were in the Nebula stage, Xia Yan's arrogance, confidence, and spirited state."

Han Jiangxue smiled and said, "Confidence comes from strength, it's normal. Her attitude has changed a lot. How could you stand it if she was still like that back then."

Jiang Xiao grinned and said, "Isn't it because I've been feeding her Jiu Xing Du Nai (Nine Star Milk) bit by bit?"

Xia Yan: ???

Jiang Xiao looked at Xia Yan and said, "Remember, if I ever kowtow to you, it's definitely not to become a disciple. The only situation is when we kowtow together, husband and wife worshiping each other."

Xia Yan gripped the greatsword on her lap: "Ya!"

At the entrance of the bathroom, Gu Shian, who had just come out, stared blankly at Jiang Xiao and Xia Yan. At this moment, the two youngsters were glaring at each other. Sensing someone coming out, they turned their heads to look over at the same time.

Gu Shian smiled and waved his hand, retreating back into the bathroom: "You guys continue, continue."

*Click!*

The dressing room door opened, and Chen Da Pang waved to the group: "It's time, let's go warm up!"

In the bathroom, Gu Shian had just lit a cigarette, but he reluctantly grinned and threw it into the toilet.

The quartet filed out, heading towards the player tunnel, walking from the quiet building to the wide green field, and the noisy sounds gradually entered their ears.

"What are you planning? To take her as a disciple?" Han Jiangxue's questioning voice came from the side.

Jiang Xiao carried the great blade, shrugged his shoulders, and said, "Teaching her is fine, but I don't really want to take her as a disciple. I can tell that her family is very traditional. I'm afraid she'll drag me back to the Central Plains to hold an apprenticeship ceremony."

"Then go," Han Jiangxue said.

"Hmm?" Jiang Xiao was slightly surprised, walked out onto the green field, habitually waved to the audience, and asked, "Where do I have the time?"

Han Jiangxue: "Yi Qingchen is famous. I've followed her. She seems to be from a large family.

"After our parents passed away, you and I relied on our own efforts and the competitions held by the country and the world to stand on the platform of the Imperial Capital Star Warrior, and then came to where we are today.

"We can be core fighters in our respective armies, but having more friends means more options. You never know when you might need help from what kind of person."

Han Jiangxue was very calm and analyzed things very realistically.

Jiang Xiao's journey to this day has always focused on personal growth and improving personal strength.

The friends and comrades he has made are all due to Jiang Xiao's character, behavior, and actions, which have resulted in many "bonuses" along the way.

Jiang Xiao has never consciously tried to expand his network or get to know a so-called family.

Han Jiangxue: "This world is getting more and more chaotic. We are no longer facing this world alone. At least in your heart, you have many people you care about.

"You are very strong, so strong that you don't care about these things, but you are just one person after all. Maybe one day, she and her family will help you. Maybe you should become her master, what do you think?"

The team warmed up while listening to Han Jiangxue's advice to Jiang Xiao. No one responded.

Jiang Xiao sat on the sidelines, straddling his legs, grabbing his shoes with both hands, stretching, and said, "Okay, taking a disciple on official orders, I'll listen to you."

Han Jiangxue smiled and leaned down to rub Jiang Xiao's buzz cut.

At the host's seat, Yu Feibi had just finished her routine and opened her mouth to say, "Our Chinese team looks very relaxed, chatting and laughing, showing the demeanor of the strong!"

Jing Xinyue nodded in agreement: "The four people's expressions are very relaxed, and they don't seem to be affected by the Indian team members' interview."

Yu Feibi: "I always feel that the Indian team is plotting something. They sent a member to say these things, it should be to attract firepower. We must not fall for it!"

Jing Xinyue: "If you can see it, how could the national team not see it? Just be steady and strictly follow the team's battle plan. I don't think the Indian team will bring us any trouble."

Yu Feibi: "The Indian team is obviously different from our Chinese team. Their faces are very serious, and they all look preoccupied. What conspiracies are they thinking about?"

"Hmm..." Jing Xinyue's tone suddenly became low, and she said, "Viewers, now for a news flash. In the match that just ended at the United Stadium, the Chinese team from Magic City (Shanghai) Star Warrior narrowly lost to the North Road Kingdom's national team first team, stopping in the Top 14.

"According to the front-line news, there were no deaths on either team. The most seriously injured, the agile warrior Liu Ye and the support Wang Yujun, are now out of danger."

Although the competition days are the same, for the sake of ratings, the main events of each stadium are mostly staggered in time. There are always those who are resting and warming up, and there are always those who are starting the battle.

Yu Feibi hesitated for a moment and said a rather generous sentence: "May all the Star Warriors in this world who expedition overseas, shed blood and sacrifice themselves for the dignity and honor of the country, return home safely."

Jing Xinyue sighed deeply: "We wish them well."

The audience in the stands, of course, could not hear the voices of the two Chinese hosts, but the news was obtained by the audience through mobile phones and other channels.

One person tells ten, ten people tell a hundred...

"Hmm?" Xia Yan was moving her ankles, but turned to look at the red audience area in the east.

Disordered applause, noisy cheers and shouts, slowly converged into two simple words: China.

People chanted in unison, rhythmically, a sea of red flags waving, and the sound waves converged like waves:

"China!"

"China!"

"China!"

Xia Yan frowned slightly: "What happened? The match is still more than ten minutes away?"

Jiang Xiao looked up at the sea of waving red, his eyes flickering slightly: "I don't know, just do it."