A secluded corner of the tranquil park.
Chirping and chattering.
From time to time, birds soared overhead, their crisp calls accentuating the peaceful atmosphere.
A look of shock and suspicion flickered in Miles Ning's eyes. His withered hand glimmered faintly as he struck at Andrew Han, meeting Andrew's surging right fist. The two forces collided midair, locked in a stalemate.
"Master?"
Andrew Han took a deep breath.
Miles Ning spoke in a deep voice, "All your strength. Use everything you have."
In an instant, the scene was enveloped in silence, broken only by the rustling of leaves. Andrew Han braced against his master's withered palm, veins bulging as power surged endlessly from within him.
His resolve was unwavering.
Even if a red brick wall stood before him, he could make it tremble.
To Andrew Han's astonishment, Miles Ning's withered left palm was like an immovable mountain, completely unaffected by his force.
After a long moment.
Miles Ning's hand trembled slightly as he gently pushed Andrew Han away. For the first time, excitement and joy appeared in his usually indifferent eyes, and a natural smile spread across his wrinkled face.
Good.
Excellent, excellent! Second Rank grants you the strength of ten thousand pounds—it's the martial arts extreme. If you break through to First Rank, you'll be able to fight martial artists head-on. As your master, I can say with certainty, you are absolutely capable of carrying the future of our sect.
Miles Ning smiled so widely his eyes narrowed, his hands clasped behind his back.
Huff.
Andrew Han adjusted his breathing rhythm and couldn't help but mutter, 'Do I really have the strength of ten thousand pounds... First Rank? Martial artist?'
Miles Ning glanced at Andrew Han and replied with a faint smile, 'First Rank is when your qi and blood and strength merge. When the process is complete, you generate inner force, and become a martial artist.'
Inner force?
Andrew Han's eyes widened in astonishment.
Could such a legendary concept truly exist? Although Andrew had long suspected it, hearing Miles Ning confirm the truth left him shocked.
So that's how it is.
Andrew Han pursed his lips thoughtfully.
Perhaps inner force is the foundation of martial techniques; with its existence, martial artists are like dragons hidden in the clouds—mysterious and seemingly unattainable.
Cough, cough.
Miles Ning coughed and chuckled, 'You don't need to know too much for now. Second Rank brings the strength of ten thousand pounds, sweeping aside others of the same rank. But with such strength comes difficulty in managing power and qi.'
Andrew Han frowned, a tremor passing through his heart.
If he couldn't break through to First Rank, or become a martial artist by year's end, how would he face Miles Ning's punishment?
Rustle.
Miles Ning kicked at the fallen leaves by his feet and said kindly, 'Don't worry. As your master, I'll relax your requirements a bit. Just reach First Rank by the end of the year.'
Oh.
Andrew Han caught his breath and nodded.
Miles Ning continued to clap and praise, 'Rank is important, but not everything. For example, with your ten thousand pounds of strength, you can easily crush an ordinary First Rank, rivaling the peak of First Rank.'
If you can maintain this state, surpassing even a First Rank martial artist is possible.
Also, as you wish—I'll allow you to gradually experience the Martial Arts World. If a suitable task comes up in the next two days, I'll let you see it firsthand and witness those demons and monsters yourself.
With that, Miles Ning lit a cigarette, fell silent, and gestured for Andrew Han to continue practicing his martial technique.
Crack, crack.
Andrew Han stretched his limbs, flexing his tendons and bones. He practiced Raging Downpour as he pondered.
Andrew Han stretched his limbs, flexing his tendons and bones. He practiced Raging Downpour as he pondered.
My master and I sparred, but he never used his true martial strength... No matter, I won't dwell on it.
After all these days of perseverance, I've finally made some progress. My strength has reached ten thousand pounds, and I've earned my master's recognition. Soon, I'll enter the Martial Arts World.
Excitement flickered in his eyes.
After four months of grueling practice, he'd reached the Second Rank's limit. Now, facing those things, he finally had the ability to protect himself. Soon, he would face real combat and truly step into the Martial Arts World.
Yet a lingering doubt remained hidden in his heart—
Had he truly reached the absolute limit of Second Rank? If so, his strength should feel saturated, overflowing through every fiber of his body.
But the problem was, he didn't feel that sensation at all.
——
July slipped away, and at last, the month drew to a close.
The heat persisted, stifling warm winds sweeping across the land.
Inside Andrew Han's home, in the living room.
Han Wenzhi lounged comfortably on the sofa, a look of satisfaction on his face. "I don't know what's going on lately, but the attitude of the business and tax departments has changed. They're so much friendlier when they come to inspect, and they don't nitpick anymore."
Chen Shu sat beside him, holding little Qian, saying nothing.
Sigh.
Han Wenzhi continued, "The supermarket next door complained to me today. Their tobacco license is about to expire, but the renewal process is slow. There might be a gap where they can't sell cigarettes."
Chen Shu replied casually, "Isn't that a good thing? It's good for our business."
Han Wenzhi shook his head, glanced at his phone, and then chuckled, "He thinks I have connections with the authorities, so he asked if I could help speed up the process."
Chen Shu frowned instinctively at his words.
The authorities?
Neither her relatives nor Han Wenzhi's had any connections with the authorities. There was no way to help.
Thinking of this, Chen Shu wondered aloud, "He thinks we know someone in the authorities, and maybe he has a point. Those officials have been unusually polite to our family lately—it's a bit odd."
Han Wenzhi set down his phone, confusion flickering in his eyes. "Yeah, I feel it too. Maybe someone put in a good word for us?"
The elderly couple exchanged glances, but couldn't figure it out no matter how hard they tried.
Little Qian stared with wide, watery eyes, pursing her lips. She couldn't understand what her parents were saying, so she played by herself, sometimes patting the couch cushion, sometimes spinning in circles.
She was just over three years old, but already quite sensible.
Her brother was practicing martial arts in his room, so she didn't disturb him. Pouting, she glanced at Andrew Han's bedroom door, hoping he'd come out and play with her.
Inside the bedroom.
Andrew Han's eyes shone with determination. His legs were planted firmly as he stood in the full Yang Pole stance.
A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips... His parents didn't know the real reason for the officials' friendliness, but he did.
It had to be Dong Quhan who put in a word for them.
Through martial arts practice, he gained the strength to face demons and monsters and prevent disasters, and his status had risen as well.
This chapter isn't over yet ^.^, please click next page to continue reading!
Huff.
Andrew Han exhaled and released the Yang Pole stance.
He picked up his phone from the desk and scrolled for a while... There was a message from Gao Liang'an inviting him to go horseback riding, a greeting from Dong Quhan, two QQ messages from Zhang Meng, and a mention in the Senior Class Seven group chat.
Forget it, I'll reply later.
Andrew Han tossed his phone aside, glanced at the sun-blocking curtains, then sat down at the desktop computer to search for martial arts information.
Unfortunately.
Information about Third Rank and above was pitifully scarce, and details about martial artists were even rarer.
Something's off.
A hint of hesitation flashed in Andrew Han's eyes as he squinted. "I can clearly feel my strength continuing to increase, as if it will never end. So far, there's only a vague sense of fullness, but it's far from saturated."
He pondered for a moment.
He pursed his lips, staring at the computer screen, calculating silently.
Since my master judged that I have the strength of ten thousand pounds, I've gained 216 strands of Graywhite Aura. Based on previous growth, my strength has increased by about three thousand pounds.
In other words...
My current strength is about thirteen thousand pounds!
Andrew Han mused, lost in thought. According to his master, ten thousand pounds is the Second Rank's limit—no more, no less.
But now, he'd already surpassed that limit.
Andrew Han realized it must be the effect of Graywhite Aura, enhancing his body in every way—not just boosting, but expanding, forcibly raising his strength ceiling.
Ten thousand pounds of strength rivals the peak of First Rank.
If I get even stronger—fifteen thousand, maybe even twenty thousand pounds—perhaps I could fight martial artists head-on.
Andrew Han couldn't help but imagine the possibilities.
But at the same time, he grew more cautious.
Even Miles Ning insisted that ten thousand pounds was the martial arts extreme, yet he'd surpassed it. If discovered, he might become a target.
Still, there was no need to worry too much.
The Martial Arts World is mainly about dealing with demons and monsters. As long as I keep my abilities hidden, I can train in peace. Once I have enough power to protect myself, I needn't fear.
Suddenly, an old voice called into the bedroom.
"Disciple."
"There's a guardian in a nearby town who posted a request for help. She hopes a First Rank will assist her in tracking down demons and monsters—the reward is two hundred thousand. Will you accept?"
As soon as the words fell...
Andrew Han's contemplative gaze sharpened with anticipation. He looked up and said quietly, "I'll take this task."
Immediately.
Miles Ning's voice fell silent, but Andrew's phone buzzed with a WeChat message from him—
Task type: Investigation assistance
A suspected ghost has infiltrated Xuanyang Town and is difficult to locate. A First Rank martial artist is invited to assist in the investigation and find the ghost as soon as possible. The reward is two hundred thousand Huaguo dollars.
......
Andrew Han read in silence, a smile curling at his lips.
Below the message was the contact information for the female martial artist. As for when to arrive—the sooner, the better.
I've finally set foot in the Martial Arts World.
First Rank is suited for assistance-type tasks. But that word 'assistance' stings. With my thirteen thousand pounds of strength, I should be able to handle those things alone." Andrew Han reread the message twice, his eyes lighting up.
He hadn't noticed before—the reward is two hundred thousand?
That's real Huaguo currency. According to his memories from his previous life, it would take years of regular work to save up that much.
Just like the car his uncle wanted to gift him—it was worth more than two hundred thousand.
Andrew Han hadn't expected an assistance-type task to pay so well. If it were for a martial artist to help with a kill, the reward would surely be even higher.
Tap.
Tap.
He paced the room twice, settling on his departure time—tomorrow morning!