‘Frosty Blade’s Trial’ in Honkai: Star Rail Humbles Yanqing

Version 1.1 of Honkai: Star Rail introduced the Companion Mission “Frosty Blade’s Trial,” which shows what Yanqing is up to behind the scenes. He’s searching through the Xianzhou Luofu for the fugitive Blade. Through a jade tracer that you find on the ground, you can play as Yanqing in an instanced version of Luofu and learn some more about the going-ons of the ship.

Those who don’t have Yanqing can see what kind of person he is in his Companion Mission. He was pretty absent in the main story of Version 1.0, so some might not be familiar with his personality. As Jing Yuan’s protégé and a talented swordsman, he is very confident in his skills and hates people underestimating him for his age. He wants to be the Sword Champion, which is the title given to the best swordsman.

Screenshot by Siliconera

Here are some tips for Frosty Blade’s Trial in Honkai: Star Rail

Unlike other Companion Missions in Honkai: Star Rail, Yanqing has a very straightforward quest. You simply have to follow along the quest marker and destroy any enemy in your path. Yanqing’s Companion Mission is also the first time that you’ll see Jingliu, Jing Yuan’s old mentor, in game. She will not be a playable unit during this mission though.

Try to bring AoE Fire or Lightning units into Yanqing’s instance. Examples in Version 1.1 include Himeko and Serval. You’ll fight quite a few Mara-struck enemies, who come in little groups, and Yanqing is a single-target DPS. Another thing is that there will be a Disciple of Sanctus Medicus on the ground as you make your way to Cloudford Dock. Unless you’re in a particularly bloodthirsty mood, you can just ignore it. You don’t get any rewards from winning except a possible rush of dopamine.

Screenshot by Siliconera

What’s up with Jingliu in Yanqing’s mission?

Jingliu is a key figure for Jing Yuan, who is in turn a key figure for Yanqing. But Jingliu’s presence is not a big deal for Yanqing due to that connection. It’s because she’s likely the first person he’s ever met who has so strongly shaken his confidence in himself. We see in his interactions with the Cloud Knights that they treat him with a measure of respect. We also know that Jing Yuan is a nice and patient teacher. Jingliu, in comparison, is nuts. She would throw that boy off a cliff if she thought that would make him strong.

We also get some foreshadowing as to what we’ll see in the next story quest. The next main quest will likely be part of Version 1.2. This Companion Mission sets up Yanqing’s quest for Blade on the Luofu, as well as reveals both Jingliu’s presence and her own goal of finding Blade. Jingliu states again and again that Yanqing has no chance of winning against Blade. Despite Jingliu outclassing him, it’s doubtful that Yanqing has fully learned his lesson. A confrontation between the two swordsmen seems inevitable.

Honkai: Star Rail is readily available on Windows PC and mobile devices. PS4 and PS5 versions are in development. After you completely finish Yanqing’s Companion Mission, you will get the “Blade Abracadabra” track to play on the Astral Express. As a unit, Yanqing is perpetually available as a permanent 5-star.