Inside the living room.
Miles Ning had just finished explaining the concept of Inspiration, and Andrew Han was left stunned.
Inspiration?
It can simply distinguish goodwill from malice?
This is precisely the Mystic Sense I developed after advancing to First Rank! Although I haven’t sensed any malice yet, the goodwill from Gavin King and Louis Zheng is faintly perceptible.
"In other words,"
"The moment I reached First Rank, I became a Peerless Prodigy?" Andrew Han looked at his own hands, blinking twice. "So this sense is Inspiration. Martial artist Tanya Li seemed to have mentioned it before."
With Inspiration, one can track traces of monsters and specters.
But for martial prowess, at least for now, it offers no real benefit.
Hiss.
Miles Ning lit another cigarette, sat on the sofa, and said quietly, "Inspiration is a fundamental sensory ability for Martial Lords. A handful of Martial Generals and a very few Martial Artists may also develop it."
"However."
"Given your current experience, it's quite difficult to develop Inspiration. That's why I require you to participate in as many missions as possible—honing yourself between life and death, growing through combat. Only then will you have a slim chance."
With that, he said no more.
He waved his hand, signaling that Andrew Han could leave.
"..."
Andrew Han stood in place, hesitating for a moment.
Above First Rank Limit is Peerless Prodigy; I have probably already reached it. But Andrew Han worried that if he revealed the truth, Miles Ning might set even harsher demands.
Each step is harder than the last—no one could withstand it.
But still.
Clearly possessing Peerless Prodigy aptitude, yet pretending to be ordinary is truly unnecessary. If I were to demonstrate my Peerless Prodigy, Master would surely pay me more attention.
But the most important thing is my closest family!
Miles Ning lives nearby, which is enough to keep my family safe, but it's just a casual protection—far from sufficient. If I show Master greater promise and then request protection for my family, he’ll surely take it to heart.
So then.
Should I reveal the emergence of Inspiration?
Andrew Han hesitated, a thoughtful look in his eyes.
"What is it, do you still have questions?" Miles Ning frowned.
"According to what Master said, there are only three aspects to the three realms of martial arts: internal power, the essence of techniques, and conscious awareness?" Andrew Han asked tentatively.
"No, only internal power and technique mastery." Miles Ning shook his head. "Conscious awareness gives rise to Inspiration, which is an elevation of the body’s senses. It requires not just physical strength, but also a strong mind."
Then,
With Andrew Han's persistent questioning, Miles Ning continued to provide brief answers.
Inspiration is actually a sixth sense that emerges when the intensity of human consciousness reaches a certain threshold, and is built upon a strong physical foundation—hence the name Inspiration.
At first, Inspiration provides only weak perception.
For example, Andrew Han can currently only faintly sense martial artists with vigorous qi and blood; as for the goodwill or malice of ordinary people, he cannot sense it at all. The difference between the two is like that between a fluorescent lamp and an LED.
Most importantly,
Inspiration allows one to more clearly sense the presence of monsters and specters. The chilling aura and fierce malice they exude are as obvious as a searchlight, making them easy to detect.
As for higher levels of Inspiration, Miles Ning did not elaborate.
Clearly, he believed Andrew Han had no chance of developing Inspiration yet. Besides, in the three realms of martial arts, internal power and technique mastery are the main focus; Inspiration is a rare sensory ability.
"Don't overthink it for now. Only through life-and-death trials can Inspiration emerge," Miles Ning said coldly. "Inspiration requires an indomitable will. If an ordinary specter dares to possess a martial artist with Inspiration, it will be instantly annihilated."
"That's incredible," Andrew Han exclaimed in surprise.
He started to understand.
After a specter possesses someone, it becomes a battle of consciousness. A strong mind naturally drives out the specter.
Miles Ning exhaled, "There's no specific method to temper one's consciousness; it can only be grasped in the face of life and death. Of course, virtually all Martial Lords possess this ability."
"I see," Andrew Han replied.
"You should leave now," Miles Ning said, closing his eyes.
Everything that needed to be said had been said.
The Martial Arts World isn’t all that complicated; it’s simply hidden within everyday life. After all, no matter how powerful a martial artist is, they still need to live—they can’t be cut off from society.
As for monsters and specters...
Andrew Han would understand everything once he visited the border.
Exhale.
Andrew Han exhaled, feeling both amused and helpless. "My master really is direct. At least give me some essentials for martial training."
Stance Training, a brand-new technique.
These two are the most basic foundation of the three realms of martial arts.
Miles Ning yawned, sprawled comfortably on the sofa, and said blandly, "Don’t delay my nap. Leave quickly."
Hiss.
He squinted and leisurely lit a cigarette.
"Yes."
Andrew Han nodded.
Inspiration is related to the strength of one's will, not to comprehension.
His conviction had always been firm, and after the life-and-death battle with Mr. Stone, it wasn’t unreasonable for Inspiration to have been awakened.
Andrew Han pondered for a moment, glanced at the sofa debris scattered across the living room floor, and silently affirmed his reasoning. He then whispered, "Actually, I've already developed Inspiration."
As soon as he said this, the living room fell into sudden silence.
Tock tock.
The clock’s hands moved, filling the air with a thick, frozen silence.
Click.
The freshly lit cigarette fell onto his black trousers.
The glowing tip flickered, about to burn the fabric, when a visible dark glow—like a burst of electricity—suddenly shot out, bouncing the cigarette away and scattering sparks.
At the same moment—
Miles Ning’s wrinkled old face looked a bit stunned.
He stood up and stared intently at Andrew Han. "You know the consequences of deceiving your master."
"Of course," Andrew Han muttered, exasperated by yet another threat.
He could only tell himself to focus on the positives.
His master, aside from being fond of roughing up his disciple, was often cold, occasionally flew into wild rages, and issued threats... but didn’t seem to have any other flaws.
Whoosh.
A sudden gust swept through the living room.
Andrew Han’s eye twitched. He hadn’t even seen how Miles Ning ended up in front of him, but that wrinkled old face so close reminded him not to lose focus, or the consequences would be painful.
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"Master."
"Based on what you said, I really have developed Inspiration."
As soon as he finished, Miles Ning’s shocked expression flashed across his face, as if he couldn’t believe it.
Peerless Prodigy?
Did I just happen to take on a disciple—and he turned out to be a Peerless Prodigy?
Anyone with the aptitude of a Peerless Prodigy is destined to become a Martial Lord. If that’s the case, the rise of the Martial Arts Sect may not be so far-fetched after all.
"When did you develop it?" Miles Ning pressed.
"After my life-and-death battle with Mr. Stone. I had already broken through to First Rank by then," Andrew Han said quietly.
Gulp.
For the first time, Miles Ning swallowed nervously. This situation truly held up under scrutiny.
"Let me ask you something."
His tone became unprecedentedly gentle, and his wrinkled face forced out a radiant smile, which made Andrew Han shiver. "Do I treat you with goodwill or malice?"
Andrew Han tried, but said blankly, "I can't sense it."
No matter how focused he was, that Mystic Sense didn’t work at all—it was as if he were facing ordinary people.
"Ha!"
Miles Ning laughed heartily, fully satisfied.
As a Martial Lord, no matter how relaxed his mood or intense his emotions, Andrew Han wasn’t qualified to perceive them.
As for the previous question, it was just a test.
Goodwill or malice—only two options. No matter which Andrew Han chose, it would prove he was lying.
On second thought—
"Then guess—which is it, goodwill or malice?" Miles Ning asked again.
Hmm.
Guess?
Andrew Han took half a step back, leaned against the cold wall, observed Miles Ning’s kindly expression, and breathed a sigh of relief. "It should be goodwill."
Miles Ning chuckled and settled back onto the sofa. "Come here again the day after tomorrow. Stance Training and technique should be on the agenda—you’ll receive the true inheritance of the Martial Arts Sect."
"Yes."
Andrew Han’s lips curled into a faint smile as he hurriedly agreed.
His judgment had indeed been correct.
Concealment was not the wise choice. Hiding things would only hinder his martial training; to earn better treatment and more resources, he naturally needed to show greater talent.
Now—
He had succeeded.
Click.
Andrew Han walked to the security door, one foot out the door, then suddenly remembered the earlier question and couldn’t help but turn back. "Master, just now—were you treating me with goodwill or malice?"
Hiss.
Miles Ning sat on the sofa, neither rising nor turning around.
But from behind the sofa, Miles Ning’s faint chuckle drifted out: "Actually, I was just pondering—"
"How I might slap you to death."
......
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