Southland University, early morning, a secluded grove.
Crack, crack.
Andrew Han worked out his slightly weary fists and feet, his movements fierce and swift—sometimes light, sometimes heavy and unfathomable.
"The effect of the Mountain‑Sketch Pillar Stance is remarkable."
"It's a pity I can only practice it three times a day. If I could train like the Solar Pillar Stance, for ten hours a day, I might reach the Martial Artist realm in just half a month."
He pondered for a moment.
He couldn't help but shake his head, comparing the Solar Pillar Stance to the Mountain‑Sketch Pillar Stance—it was like comparing the light of fireflies to the brilliance of the sun and moon, not worth comparing.
"Hmm."
Andrew Han pulled out his phone and glanced at the screen. Monica Zhang had sent a QQ message: We've started military training! Are you Martial Arts Program students also required to participate?
Training?
He didn't need military training, nor did he need martial arts training.
Just what his Master had taught him was enough for Andrew to benefit for a lifetime. Besides working on the degree of fusion, he also had to practice those five advanced techniques.
Sparring was meaningless.
Andrew was planning to center himself in Greenfield City, take on some tasks, and include searching for Graywhite Aura in his schedule. He couldn't afford to slack off even a little.
Tap, tap.
With one finger, he carefully tapped on his brand-new phone, slowly typing each character, afraid of repeating what happened two days ago... Andrew would never forget how, after using his old phone for over a year, he had tapped it so hard it exploded.
The screen shattered on the spot, almost punctured through.
Tap, tap.
Andrew Han's control over his internal strength grew ever more precise. With practiced ease, he typed out a message: "Honestly, I kind of envy you all—being able to join military training sounds great."
A couple seconds later, Monica Zhang replied: "Really?"
"Of course. I think military training is great for building physical strength and willpower," Andrew Han replied. "Too bad I can't join—being a Martial Arts Program student, after all."
Wow!
Are there really people in this world who actually wish for military training?
Standing in a still-disorganized formation, Monica Zhang glanced at the female instructor waiting to take roll call, sent a picture of a 'cat carrying a little ball of yarn,' and suggested: "You could actually apply for military training if you wanted. Martial Arts Program students can participate too."
"No, thanks," Andrew Han replied.
"I mean it, I'm not lying!" Monica Zhang stared seriously at her screen.
More than ten seconds passed.
The chat interface kept showing 'typing...' before a message popped up: "Go do military training, girl! Bye!"
......
Four hours later.
The sun had risen high above the horizon, bathing the slightly cool campus in stifling heat. Although it was already eleven o'clock, the freshmen's military training continued.
Tap, tap.
Tap, tap.
A string of noisy, rhythmic marching sounds echoed throughout the campus.
On a tree-lined path opposite a cafeteria, Andrew Han quietly waited for Lily Lin. Given the insistent request from his upperclassman and female driver, he had no choice but to ride in Lily Lin's car.
Vroom, vroom.
A milky-white Audi Q3 pulled up to the curb.
"Andrew Han."
The window rolled down, revealing Lily Lin's fair face. She smiled and called out, "Get in quick! My mom is cooking right now, and lunch is sure to be a feast."
Andrew Han didn't hesitate and climbed into the front passenger seat.
Vroom, vroom.
The car started up and slowly left Southland University.
"Andrew, it's been so many days since the semester started, and you haven't come to find me," Lily Lin said, shaking her head but keeping her eyes firmly on the road ahead.
Staring.
Still staring.
Utterly focused, still staring.
Seeing this, Andrew Han couldn’t help but feel speechless. It was exactly the same as last time—this was Lily Lin’s so-called ‘expert driving technique’ she always bragged about.
"Why aren't you saying anything?" Lily Lin continued, "My mom mentions you all the time, and so does my dad."
She wasn’t thinking about anything else—she was just chatting.
Her father, an important government official, was always enthusiastic whenever Andrew Han’s name came up. Even if she didn’t think Andrew deserved that much attention, there was no need to go out of her way to oppose it.
Ahem.
Andrew Han pursed his lips, his eyes fixed on the rear bumper of the black car less than half a meter in front of Lily Lin’s vehicle. He whispered, "Senior, I’m worried talking might distract you from driving."
Hearing this, Lily Lin burst out laughing.
"Hahaha."
She nearly collapsed onto the steering wheel, utterly amused and exasperated. "I’ve told you before—trust my driving skills! I’m nothing like those stereotypical female drivers."
As she spoke—
Vroom!
Lily Lin stomped on the gas, speeding ahead. "By the way, is there anything you especially want to eat? Tell my mom in advance."
"Nope," Andrew Han replied at once.
"Alright then. My brother Ryan Jiang is home too—you two can get to know each other." Lily Lin kept chattering away.
As the car sped along, the voices inside never stopped.
Aunt Lin had a son and a daughter; her eldest, Lily Lin, was now a sophomore at Southland University, while her younger son, Ryan Jiang, was still in high school. It just so happened to be Saturday, so Ryan was home today.
Aunt Lin's son?
Andrew Han's eyes flashed—he vaguely remembered that last time he visited Aunt Lin, Uncle Mark had mentioned Ryan's name.
......
Greenfield City's newly developed district was fresh and clean, with neat streets and rows of trees lining both sides.
The car entered the residential complex.
Bang.
Andrew Han and Lily Lin got out of the car together and walked toward the building entrance.
This place was quite close to the vast, shimmering Clearview Lake. If you went a bit farther, you'd reach the villa district where many martial artists lived.
"How's university life treating you?" Lily Lin tucked her dark hair behind her ear and teased, "You look pretty good, you know. Got a girlfriend yet? Want me to introduce you to someone?"
"Haha, that's not necessary," Andrew Han quickly waved his hand.
Because of suspicions from his previous life's memories, he always vaguely avoided matters of romance, planning to look into it seriously only after the Martial Arts Student Ranking Battle.
"Alright then."
Lily Lin nodded and opened the building entrance. "Come hang out by Clearview Lake when you have time—the environment is really nice. Just keep in mind, martial artists often practice their stance work here. Oh, right, you're an Upper Three Ranks practitioner too."
She chattered on as she climbed the stairs.
Andrew Han followed behind, his gaze thoughtful.
There were often people practicing stance work here?
He figured those martial artists couldn't possibly be just Upper Three Ranks practitioners—they must at least be in the Martial Artist realm or higher. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to afford a villa in Greenfield City.
And that was exactly why Aunt Lin was so wary of the area.
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Living in the apartment area was still safe, but living in the villa district was like rabbits living next to lions and tigers—far too dangerous.
"But..."
"If I advance to the Martial Artist realm, or even Martial General realm one day, maybe I'll be Aunt Lin's neighbor."
Andrew Han mused quietly as he walked into Aunt Lin's home.
......
The elegantly decorated apartment had a scholarly atmosphere.
In the living room, a delicate, antique table stood. Mark Jiang stood beside it, watching his son Ryan Jiang practice calligraphy, while Aunt Lin was busy cooking in the kitchen.
"Xiaodong."
"Your Aunt Lin bought watermelon specially for you this morning—I've sliced it all up, come and have a taste." Mark Jiang patted Ryan Jiang's shoulder and warmly greeted Andrew Han.
He knew perfectly well.
This was his wife's friend's son, and also the newly registered Martial Artist in Riverford City. He suspected that the missing Martial Artist, Mr. Stone, had been killed by Andrew Han!
Half of this information came from official channels he accessed through government authority, the other half was deduction. For instance, businesses that should have belonged to Mr. Stone were now registered under Andrew Han's name. This made Mark Jiang even more cautious.
"Uncle Jiang, you're too kind," Andrew Han smiled.
"Hey, no need to be so formal with us, come over here—I'll get you two slices of watermelon." Mark Jiang pulled Andrew Han's arm, introduced his son Ryan, and finally sat down on the sofa.
Ka-ka.
Andrew Han took a big bite of watermelon, grinning.
Beside him.
Ryan Jiang, dressed in long pants and sleeves, his face still youthful, wiped the fine sweat from his forehead and greeted politely, "Hello, Brother Andrew."
Andrew Han nodded with a smile, "Go ahead and keep writing, don't let me disturb you."
Mm.
Ryan Jiang responded almost inaudibly, glanced shyly at Andrew Han, then picked up his brush again, dipped it into the scentless ink, and continued writing in regular script.
Ka-ka.
Andrew Han kept eating watermelon, quietly amused.
Before coming here, he'd wondered what kind of person Ryan Jiang would be.
Ryan was at the age of adolescence, and with such a privileged family, Andrew had expected him to be arrogant, unruly, and perhaps even disdainful of others—someone who might need a lesson in kindness.
But reality turned out to be the opposite of imagination.
Ryan was indeed a teenager, but almost excessively introverted.
Beside the sofa.
Mark Jiang, wearing gold-rimmed glasses, sighed, "This child is rather introverted, doesn't talk much. He never wears shorts, at least his pants have to cover his knees. Xiaodong, I hope you don't mind."
"To be honest—"
"The last time I saw you, I felt you were a good kid—calm, cheerful, steady, and composed. If Ryan could be half as outstanding as you, I’d be satisfied."
It sounded like a sigh, but was really praise.
To build a good relationship with Andrew Han, Mark Jiang didn’t hesitate to downplay his own son.
"Haha, Uncle Jiang, you flatter me. Honestly, it’s fine for Ryan to be a bit introverted—it’s normal for teenagers." Andrew Han smiled and lowered his head to keep eating watermelon.
If this had been right after the college entrance exam, Andrew would have been genuinely moved and warmed by such words. But after everything he’d experienced since then, he was no longer an innocent teenager.
He could already guess some of Mark Jiang’s intentions.
He thought:
It’s not bad to play the role of a watermelon-eating bystander today—it keeps Uncle Jiang from prying too much information out of me. When it comes to verbal sparring, I’m no match for him.
"Hey, Xiaodong."
Mark Jiang adjusted his glasses and sipped some light tea. "How’s Southland University? I heard this year there are over four thousand freshmen—there must be plenty of Martial Arts Program Students, right?"
He subtly steered the conversation toward martial arts.
Ka-ka, ka-ka.
Andrew Han took small bites of watermelon, grinning. "There are plenty of Martial Arts Program Students. They're all very enthusiastic."
He always felt that chatting with Aunt Lin was much more relaxed, since she never worried about all those complicated rules and social games.
Oh?
Mark Jiang took another sip of tea and smiled lightly. "Are the other Martial Arts Program Students very friendly to you? That's good. I was worried you might be excluded since you’re from another city."
Mhm.
Andrew Han nodded.
So far, he’d only really gotten to know Kevin Lin, and maybe Lily Zhao counted too... but he figured the other Martial Arts Program Students must be pretty friendly.
After all—
Who would dare not be friendly to him?
......
By afternoon,
Andrew Han finished Aunt Lin’s lavish home-cooked lunch, chatted with Lily Lin and Ryan Jiang for a while, then politely took his leave.
Mark Jiang didn’t try to keep him.
But Aunt Lin insisted on packing him some fruit to take back to his dorm.
In the car,
Lily Lin covered her mouth, laughing. "Watermelon-eating martial student, you ate a whole watermelon today!"
"Sister Lily, it’s just that Aunt Lin’s watermelons are too delicious." Andrew Han said with a smile from the passenger seat.
Of course, Inspiration couldn’t sense the goodwill or malice of ordinary people.
But his extremely sharp senses allowed Andrew Han to feel Aunt Lin’s sincerity—at least, it was more genuine than Uncle Jiang’s, free from any ulterior motives.
Screech.
Lily Lin suddenly hit the brakes at a red light. "By the way, Andrew, I didn’t see you at the Martial Arts Program entrance sparring a few days ago."
"Oh, I had something to do at the time," Andrew Han replied casually.
"Mhm, you know that First Rank martial student Kevin Lin? He beat the other martial students in just two or three moves—he’s really impressive," Lily Lin said admiringly.
Andrew Han sat quietly in the passenger seat, listening.
Scenes outside the window sped by: broad, busy streets full of cars, crowds of hurried pedestrians, rows of tall buildings—the city’s endless variety on display.
He even saw, in a tall office building, a woman standing at a window, crying.
As the car sped down the street, Andrew grew more comfortable with Lily Lin’s driving—though she hit the accelerator and brakes a bit hard and barely checked the rearview mirror, she was competent in other ways.
Suddenly—
A heavy vibration pulsed from his backpack.
Martial Communicator?
Andrew Han frowned, glanced at Lily Lin who was focused on driving, and pulled out the communicator, eyes settling on the screen.
Four blood-red characters slowly appeared—Emergency Assistance!
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