After his Presented Liquid Internal Power had formed, Andrew Han stretched his limbs for a while, then pulled out his feet and slipped on the plastic slippers left by the roadside.
Flip-flop.
Flip-flop.
He walked along the dimly lit road toward the dormitory.
Most of Southland University's students had already left—some went home, others traveled elsewhere. Andrew Han, too, was in no rush, strolling leisurely.
"The blood flow speed has finally returned to normal."
As Andrew Han walked, he lifted his flushed right palm. His blood had just surged so rapidly that the skin all over his body had turned red.
Creaked and popped.
His right hand slowly clenched into a fist, tendons and bones creaked and popped.
Standing beneath the branches, Andrew Han hesitated for a moment. He glanced around—front, back, left, and right. Only the rustling of leaves could be heard; the area was clearly deserted.
"Let's test the Presented Liquid Internal Power!"
He muttered under his breath, eyes flickering with excitement.
Even with Andrew Han's normally steady temperament, he couldn't suppress his joy in this moment. It was as if a child had finally obtained a long‑dreamed‑of precious toy... No, it was even more exhilarating, like waves crashing against his soul, urging him onward.
Because—
Presented Liquid Internal Power can emit light.
To create light with nothing but flesh and blood—ordinary people couldn't even imagine it. In terms of emotional impact, even a surge in martial strength couldn't compare to this luminous trait.
Creak.
His right palm alternated between clenching and relaxing, Presented Liquid Internal Power flowing through it.
As Andrew Han focused intently, the center of his palm lines suddenly vibrated several times. Presented Liquid Internal Power seeped through his skin, radiating an unmistakably bright light.
It shone as brightly as a phone screen.
Rustle.
A gentle breeze occasionally stirred, making the woods softly rustle.
The glow of Internal Power in his right palm gradually intensified, eventually stabilizing completely. It was like a delicate, miniature light source, illuminating Andrew Han's face—filled with delight, wonder, and serene longing.
"Amazing. Martial arts are truly amazing."
"Presented Liquid Internal Power can already emit light. What about the Solidified Core stage above it, or the realms beyond Martial Lord—could they be even more incredible?"
They must be.
Absolutely.
Andrew Han asked and answered himself, raising his head to gaze at the sky.
Dark night blanketed the earth, painting it with tranquility, yet it couldn't hide the countless stars scattered across the sky—each one twinkling, eternal.
......
Inside the dormitory.
Creak.
The old fan's rotation stirred the air. Andrew Han stood beneath it, moving gently as he dialed his Master's WeChat voice call.
"What is it?"
Miles Ning's cold voice suddenly rang out.
Andrew Han didn't mind—he was used to his Master's unpredictable moods. "Master, I've advanced to the Martial Artist Realm."
As soon as he said it—
On the other end, Miles Ning tugged at his wrinkled old face, his cold expression flickering with a trace of confusion. "You advanced today?"
"Mm." Andrew Han thought for a moment, then replied.
Silence.
Miles Ning did not speak further on the other end of the call.
He frowned, his usually indifferent eyes glimmering faintly.
Such a terrifying cultivation speed was rare even in Martial Arts Sects. Besides, the fusion of blood and internal strength was notoriously difficult to accelerate—unless one happened to consume some rare, precious natural treasures.
But then Miles Ning reconsidered— the stronger Andrew Han became, the more glory he could bring to the sect.
At that thought—
He stopped thinking further, and his tone softened a little, striving to sound more amiable: "Disciple, you're a good disciple. When will you come home?"
Hiss!
Andrew Han drew a sharp breath, his heart trembling.
Such gentle words were unprecedented, making him a little nervous. "Ahem, I plan to return to Riverford after I've mastered my Internal Power. It'll take about two or three days."
Ding-dong.
He'd barely finished speaking before the WeChat voice call was abruptly hung up.
"Uh..."
"What is my Master up to now?" Andrew Han looked at his phone with a strange expression, then tapped the screen again to call his mother, Linda Chen.
He had already discussed with his parents that he would return home in a couple of days.
Swish, swish.
Linda Chen was peeling an apple for Lucy, sighing as she worked: "Your Master is so knowledgeable, and he really cares about early childhood education... Well, Mr. Newman has been telling Lucy all sorts of virtue-filled children's stories lately. Sometimes I listen in too—they're wonderful."
"Mm," Andrew Han nodded.
He was long accustomed to Miles Ning's eccentric behavior.
Still, hearing 'cares about early childhood education' used to describe Master Miles Ning always felt a little off to Andrew. He could only marvel at how broad a madman's thinking could be—no one could ever predict Miles Ning's peculiar logic.
On the other side—
Linda Chen continued, "By the way, Lucy Han is already four. Today we talked to Mr. Newman about recommending a good kindergarten."
"Kindergarten? Isn't that a bit early?" Andrew Han asked in surprise.
"Not at all! Some kids start at three," Linda Chen replied. "It's hard to explain over the phone. When you get back, we'll decide together which kindergarten to choose."
"Alright."
Andrew Han nodded and ended the call.
He also believed choosing a kindergarten was important. After all, Lucy Han was only four—if she were bullied at school, what would they do?
Hmm.
Wait!
Andrew Han suddenly felt a chill, setting down his phone and thinking to himself, "Did Master hang up so quickly because he's picking out a kindergarten for Lucy?"
Forget it.
This time when I go back, I need to discuss it with Mom.
Andrew Han pondered for a moment, then walked over to the window and looked out at the campus shrouded in darkness.
It was just eight o'clock, but outside the window a quiet stillness pervaded, so different from the usual lively, bustling atmosphere that he felt a rare sense of loneliness.
Monica Zhang has gone home.
Kevin Lin has left too.
Andrew Han muttered a couple of lines, then suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
Although his Internal Power had just transformed into Presented Liquid form and he couldn't control it skillfully yet, it was the perfect opportunity to take on a mission.
After all,
Facing those Demons and Specters, he didn't need to worry about using too much force. By taking on a mission, he could earn some Sinoveran currency and adapt to his Internal Power even faster.
Flip-flop.
Flip-flop.
He took two steps to the bedside, pulled out the Martial Communicator, glanced through it casually, and fixed his gaze on a particular mission listing:
Task type: Clean-up assistance.
A mine near Southwood Township was suspected of harboring more than ten Specters. Martial Artists are invited to assist in exterminating them as soon as possible. The reward: one million Sinoveran currency.