Once the admission results were confirmed, William Han and Chen Shule were overjoyed, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the acceptance letter.
As for Andrew Han's school, Riverdale Experimental High School, they tallied the admission results and prepared to post the National College Entrance Exam rankings at the school gate—a tradition for most high schools.
But none of this concerned Andrew Han.
He continued practicing the Furious Rainfall Technique as usual, with one of every two punches now carrying intent. He also trained with the Complete Solar Pillar Manual, under the guidance and corrections of Miles Ning.
A profound stance technique varies from person to person.
The standard posture is universally applicable, but it does not guarantee optimal results.
With Miles Ning's patient instruction, Andrew Han became increasingly adept at both the Furious Rainfall Technique and the Solar Pillar Stance. Coupled with the absorption of vast amounts of Graywhite Aura, the process of refining and tempering himself at the Second Rank was greatly accelerated.
...
Night fell.
Andrew Han sat on the living room sofa with his arms crossed, watching his little sister Lucy play by herself. The news played on the LCD television as worry gradually appeared on his face, his mind turning over the anxieties buried deep within.
"Memories of my previous life cannot be fully relied upon."
"When I change, the people and things around me change too. If a chain reaction like the butterfly effect occurs..." Andrew Han couldn't help but take a deep breath.
He pondered for a moment.
He understood that memories from his past life could not be entirely trusted.
There were only two ways to protect his sister Lucy: either stay at home himself, or invite a powerful martial artist to live nearby.
"Eh?"
He glanced at Lucy spinning in circles in the living room, his eyes lighting up. "No need to invite anyone! We just need to move next door to Master. With Master Miles Ning present, no demon or monster would dare harm Lucy."
This was truly the best solution.
For now, he did not have the strength to deal with those threats. Even if he stayed by Lucy's side at all times, he couldn't guarantee absolute safety.
Only Master Miles Ning could absolutely protect Lucy.
——
The next day.
In that park filled with trees.
Chirping and buzzing.
Occasionally, two or three birds circled above the woods. The incessant summer cicada calls further accentuated the serene emptiness.
But deep within the park, two figures clashed fiercely.
Thud, thud, thud!
Miles Ning's withered arms swung relentlessly, like an impenetrable wall of bronze and iron, forcing Andrew Han to retreat repeatedly.
Boom!
Miles Ning's right palm suddenly shifted shape—half a grab, half a jab—striking straight at Andrew Han's face with ruthless precision, impossible to predict.
In an instant, a cold, indifferent aura filled the air.
Such a fierce attack—if faced by an ordinary person, they would either die or be crippled.
"That move again!"
Andrew Han's pupils contracted as his waist suddenly dropped. In his mind flashed the image of raindrops pounding the earth, and his strength channeled instantly to his legs without hesitation.
His left foot pressed against the ground, instantly tensing and straightening, unleashing all his power. Using the force from his left leg and shifting his center of gravity, he dodged to the right, while his right arm struck at Miles Ning's withered arm to buy himself time.
Pa!
A crisp sound rang out.
Andrew Han struck Master Miles Ning's forearm, escaping the danger zone.
Miles Ning's palm landed directly on a lush green tree, crushing the tough bark without hesitation.
"Hmm."
Miles Ning withdrew his right palm, hands clasped behind his back. "Not bad. Your reaction was adequate—at least you know how to counterattack while fleeing."
Andrew Han let out a breath and said repeatedly, "It's all thanks to Master's guidance."
He knew in his heart that Miles Ning hadn't used his true strength. If he had struck with the power to shatter the air, Andrew would have died instantly.
On the other side.
Miles Ning paused, his wrinkled old face showing suspicion for the first time.
Pat.
Pat.
He circled Andrew Han two or three times, making Andrew uncomfortable, then finally spoke slowly, half-smiling: "Tell me, what do you want?"
Andrew Han blinked, startled. He hadn't expected Master's senses to be so keen.
"Hmph."
Miles Ning snorted, saying coolly, "You're rarely this polite. Today, you seem troubled while training. Be honest—what's going on?"
"Actually, it's like this," Andrew Han began, voicing his prepared explanation.
Out of concern for demons and monsters infiltrating the city and threatening his family, he hoped to move his family near Master's residence to avoid potential danger.
After hearing Andrew Han's request, Miles Ning just sneered twice.
"If you think like that, then everyone in the city is in danger."
"Even if monsters do appear nearby, it's unlikely they'll threaten your family. As long as you don't go out at night, weak monsters rarely intrude where people gather."
With that,
Miles Ning took out a cigarette, rubbing it between his fingers as if pondering.
Andrew Han stood silently, waiting for Miles Ning's decision... He hadn't mentioned anything about his memories from his previous life, using worry as an excuse instead.
His reasoning was insufficient; saying more would be pointless and wouldn't affect the final outcome.
Chirp.
A bird flew overhead, heading out of the park.
Miles Ning took two puffs of his cigarette and said indifferently, "I've said before—if you show me hope for the revival of our sect, I will provide you with every support... Do you remember?"
A flash of joy appeared in Andrew Han's eyes. "I remember," he replied at once.
A moment later,
Miles Ning squinted and took a deep drag on his cigarette, burning it up in an instant. His face was expressionless. "Go home for now."
——
That evening at dusk.
Andrew Han sat on the living room sofa, sometimes checking his phone, sometimes flexing his fingers, producing crisp pops from his joints.
"What did Master mean?"
"He told me to go home, but didn't say whether he'd agree to my request."
He pondered for a while, then simply set aside his worries and returned to his bedroom to practice the Complete Solar Pillar Manual, letting sweat drip onto the floor.
Relying on others is not as good as relying on oneself.
No matter if Master agrees or not, only by becoming strong himself can he lay the foundation for everything.
He had absorbed hundreds of strands of Graywhite Aura; the empty feeling within him had long since vanished, replaced by a sense of fullness, as if his body had become heavy.
This was a sign that the Second Rank was nearly fully refined.
"It should be soon."
"It's mid-July now. If I keep absorbing Graywhite Aura, by the end of July or early August, I should break through the Second Rank and reach the First Rank."
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Andrew Han cleared his mind of distractions and continued his stance training.
Practicing the Solar Pillar Stance requires maintaining an energetic and vigorous mindset. If your mood sinks, you must re-enter the stance.
Click.
In the quiet bedroom, only the sound of the clock ticking remained.
Andrew Han stood in the Complete Solar Pillar Stance, his arms trembling slightly but his legs steady as a rock, blood and energy circulating rapidly within.
Suddenly,
An old, deep voice came to his ear: "Disciple, open the curtains."
What?
Was that Master's voice?
Andrew Han's focused mind instantly cleared. He slowly released the Solar Pillar Stance, a trace of bewildered surprise flashing in his eyes.
He was familiar with the skill of transmitting sound across distance.
When practicing the Furious Rainfall Technique, Master would occasionally transmit his voice to correct Andrew's technique from afar.
"Where is Master?" Andrew felt an inexplicable excitement.
He leapt up, landing lightly on the side of the big bed by the window, and with a swish, pulled open the pale yellow curtains.
Looking out, he saw rows of apartment buildings.
Below the buildings was a green area, where three or four children were playing and chasing each other.
Whoosh!
Andrew Han didn't bother to observe, and opened the window.
At the same time, Miles Ning's indifferent voice continued: "Look ahead. The window on the fourth floor, directly opposite."
Andrew Han looked closely and was thunderstruck.
That familiar figure in an old leather jacket seemed to fill his vision, standing with hands behind his back in the building opposite, separated by dozens of meters, their gazes meeting.
Their gazes met in midair.
A sudden wave of emotion stirred in his heart.
Andrew Han took a deep breath, staring in astonishment at Master Miles Ning in the fourth-floor room across the way. He seemed to understand something, yet still couldn't believe it. "M-Master?"
Miles Ning's indifferent voice came suddenly: "From now on, I will live here."
With those words,
He gave Andrew Han a meaningful look, his wrinkled old face twitching slightly. Then he turned and walked back into the room, leaving only a cold, distant silhouette.
Inside the bedroom.
Andrew Han was stunned, and only after Miles Ning's figure vanished from sight did he take a deep breath.
Between awe and resistance, a quiet gratitude blossomed in his heart, like a grand firework filling him with warmth.
"Master."
"Your disciple will not disappoint your high expectations."
Andrew Han pressed his lips tightly, whispering with a determination he'd never felt before.
In this life, he trained tirelessly, never stopping for a moment, even giving up the comforts he should have enjoyed—all in hopes of preventing disaster and keeping his family safe and happy.
And now,
The earliest solution he had imagined had finally come true.
Miles Ning, whose fists could shatter the air, who could intimidate the whole city, and was lord of Su River, now personally lived in the building across the way. What was there left to fear?
With Master stationed here, no matter how many demons or monsters appeared, it wouldn't matter.
Unless a demon or monster stronger than Miles Ning arrived to kill them. But that was almost impossible—otherwise, the peace within China would be shattered instantly.
Based on his memories from his previous life, at least for the next five years, there was no need to worry.
After pondering for a moment,
Andrew Han felt completely at ease, his hidden worries vanishing like smoke.
"Since my rebirth, the problem that has troubled me is finally solved. Now... it's time to set new plans."
"The first priority is to break through to the Second Rank."
Andrew Han leapt up and landed on the floor, continuing to practice the Complete Solar Pillar Stance.
With the comprehensive enhancement from the Graywhite Aura, his inner strength was fully tempered, and his blood and energy refined. If he unleashed his power, even he couldn't fathom how terrifyingly strong it would be.
Especially since his current state hadn't yet reached its peak.
"Ten thousand pounds of force."
"Master once mentioned that even in the sect, it's extremely rare to reach ten thousand pounds of force at the Second Rank."
Andrew Han exhaled, suppressing stray thoughts, and continued his stance training.
Yet this faint idea struck his heart like heavenly thunder, igniting unparalleled enthusiasm and drive—Charge! Strive for ten thousand pounds of force!