Male dormitory building.
Whss...
The late September night breeze carried a touch of chill, painting a quiet, serene sleep environment, occasionally punctuated by the calls of a few kittens and puppies.
Most of the other dorm rooms had already turned off their lights.
But in Andrew Han's room, the light was still on.
Huff...
Huff...
He reclined sideways on his bed, eyes closed, his face immersed in deep sleep. His breathing was steady and rhythmic, each inhale and exhale clearly audible.
But if someone stood nearby, they would notice something unusual.
Crash!
Within Andrew Han's body, his thick blood-energy began to circulate, growing increasingly intense and pronounced, even producing faint sounds. Though not as fluid as the sound of blood refinement in the Martial Artist Realm, it was still remarkably clear.
Crack, crack!
As his blood-energy churned violently, like boiling water surging in all directions, his physical strength fused with it, causing every muscle and bone in his body to ring out, as if being forged from steel.
Vaguely, Andrew seemed to sense it.
But the sudden surge in fusion consumed his spirit and stamina; he only felt a wave of drowsiness sweeping over him, sinking deeper into sleep—peaceful, serene, and secure.
......
Chirp, chirp.
The calls of two or three birds drifted in from outside the window, sometimes near and sometimes far, mingling with the feeling of waking from a dream. Occasionally, there was also the barking of a puppy.
It was already morning.
The newly risen sun cast its rays across the horizon, driving away the chill. Through the uncovered glass window, sunlight fell upon Andrew Han's peaceful face.
"Mm."
Andrew Han murmured softly.
His foggy mind instantly cleared, and his bright, clear eyes snapped open, revealing a trace of confusion and bewilderment.
"I fell asleep?"
"This is the second time I've dozed off without realizing it."
Andrew had a faint sense of foreboding. His gaze swept over the quiet dorm room as he got up with utmost gentleness, afraid of collapsing the brand-new metal-frame bed.
Thud.
He stood on the floor, carefully sensing within his body.
"What!?"
"Fusion level over ninety percent!" Andrew's eyes widened with joy, a faint smile curving his lips.
Just a little more.
Only a tiny bit left!
The last time his fusion level soared was in early September, just after starting university, and it was then that Andrew Han gained the Condensed Mist form of fused force.
This was the second time!
The phenomenon of a sudden surge in fusion level had appeared again!
According to Andrew's own speculation, the true reason for this abrupt surge was that his martial force and strength had reached their peak, naturally elevating without the need for long, gradual tempering.
Hoo.
Suppressing his excitement, Andrew exhaled, then walked barefoot to the window. He gazed out at the slightly chilly world, dew glistening on the leaves, while two little black dogs chased each other into the distance.
The academy was still in the early morning hours, empty and quiet.
At this very moment.
Gazing out the window, he saw the joyful river flowing quietly.
A faint smile hung on his lips, and the determination in his eyes grew ever clearer... Half a year ago, he would never have imagined advancing to the Martial Artist Realm so quickly.
Even when he started university, he hadn't expected it.
Fast.
Too fast.
He had expected to reach the Martial Artist Realm before November, but now it was only late September—and even the freshman military training hadn't ended yet.
"Martial Artist Realm... Martial Arts World."
Andrew Han leisurely admired the dew-dropped leaves, holding onto his conviction: "This is the life that truly belongs to me."
At this moment.
No words could truly describe his feelings.