New details have emerged regarding the upgrade paths for the highly anticipated characters Jiaoqiu and Yunli, set to debut in Honkai: Star Rail Version 2.4 in July 2026. According to information shared by leaker Dim, the game's development team has made significant adjustments to the Ascension and Trace materials required for these five-star units, shifting their resource focus back to the Xianzhou Luofu. This update, which also introduces March 7th's transformative Imaginary form, marks the narrative's return to the flagship after the Penacony saga.

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Material Overhaul and Luofu Homecoming

The leak indicates a strategic pivot in resource allocation for the new characters. Previously, beta information suggested both Jiaoqiu and Yunli would require Penacony-specific materials like Shards of Desires and Dream Making Engine for their Ascension. The updated list, however, firmly roots their growth in the flora and bureaucratic remnants of the Luofu. This change is not merely a logistical tweak but a narrative device, tying the characters' power progression directly to their homeland like a tree drawing sustenance from its native soil. For players, this means farming priorities have shifted; the Stagnant Shadows and Calyxes of Penacony are no longer the primary targets.

Jiaoqiu: The Nihility's Fiery Grasp

Jiaoqiu, a Fire Nihility character, will now require the following materials to reach her full potential:

Material Type Specific Material Primary Source
Ascension Material Raging Heart Stagnant Shadow: Shape of Ire (Penacony)
Ascension Material Immortal Lumintwig Assignments, Luofu Enemies, Synthesis, Simulated Universe
Trace Material Heaven Incinerator Calyx (Crimson): Bud of Nihility (Luofu) or Synthesis
Trace Material Regret of Infinite Ochema Echo of War: Phantylia

The Immortal Lumintwig, a Luofu specialty, replaces earlier Penacony materials. Its acquisition through multiple channels offers flexibility, but the Raging Heart still requires a trip to Penacony's Shape of Ire, a final echo of the previous adventure. Her need for Heaven Incinerator aligns her with other Nihility path characters, creating a predictable, if grindy, farming route.

Yunli: Destruction's Physical Onslaught

Yunli, a Physical Destruction warrior, follows a parallel but distinct path:

  • Ascension Materials:

    • IPC Work Permit 💼: Found at the Stagnant Shadow: Shape of Duty in Penacony. This item is a curious relic of the Interastral Peace Corporation's influence.

    • Artifex's Gyreheart 🔄: Obtained from Luofu Assignments, defeating local enemies, Synthesis, or the Simulated Universe.

  • Trace Materials:

    • Moon Range Fang 🌙: Farmed from the Calyx (Crimson): Bud of Destruction on the Xianzhou Luofu or via Synthesis.

    • Regret of Infinite Ochema 😔: The universal high-tier Trace material dropped by the Phantylia Echo of War boss.

The Artifex's Gyreheart is the new cornerstone of her Ascension, a material as intricate and essential to her growth as a master key is to a clockwork mechanism. The Moon Range Fang keeps her in line with fellow Destruction path travelers.

Shared Challenge and March 7th's Steady Path

A key commonality for both new characters is the need for Phantylia's Regret of Infinite Ochema for leveling their Traces. This ensures that all players aiming for Jiaoqiu or Yunli must regularly challenge this formidable Echo of War encounter, making her boss fight a staple of the late-game weekly routine. In contrast to the changes for the new faces, March 7th's Imaginary variant's upgrade materials remain consistent with earlier leaks. She will still Ascend using Horn of Snow and Conqueror's Will, though leaks note her base stats and Eidolon bonuses have undergone balancing adjustments, fine-tuning her performance as a Hunt path Imagary unit.

Pre-Farming Strategy for 2026

With Version 2.4 launching on July 30, 2026, proactive players can begin stockpiling resources. The material shift is a double-edged sword: it reduces the need to linger in Penacony's farming zones but demands a renewed focus on the Luofu. The requirement for Immortal Lumintwig and Artifex's Gyreheart means Assignment slots targeting the Luofu and engagements in the Simulated Universe will be highly valuable. The shared Regret of Infinite Ochema requirement is a bottleneck as predictable and unavoidable as the tide, urging players to conserve their stockpiles or prepare for repeated Phantylia showdowns.

Narrative Context and Future Glimpses

This material re-alignment coincides with the story's return to the Xianzhou Luofu. Leaked plot details suggest Yunli, along with the returning Janqing and the transformed March 7th, will take center stage in the version's main event narrative. The shift from the dreamlike, exotic materials of Penacony to the more traditional, cultivation-focused items of the Luofu mirrors this homecoming, grounding the upcoming chapter in the game's established world. For Trailblazers, preparing for Jiaoqiu and Yunli is now less about chasing ephemeral dreams and more about gathering the enduring, tangible essence of the Luofu—a task as fundamental as a blacksmith gathering ore before the forge is lit.