Riverdale Experimental High School, Martial Arts Training Grounds.
Miles Ning, clad in an old black leather jacket, leaned against the edge of the ring, his eyelids drooping and his face expressionless as he silently smoked.
Sss, sss.
One puff after another.
As circles of smoke drifted out, the iron gate to the grounds was gently pushed open. Andrew Han, carrying a backpack, walked toward his master, Miles Ning.
"Master."
Andrew Han spoke softly.
Miles Ning lifted his eyes to look at Andrew Han, a distinct curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. He took a deep drag, finishing half the cigarette in one breath, and then, moving like a phantom, appeared before Andrew. The cold, emotionless eyes gradually shone with brilliance.
It seemed like a surge of excitement.
"Second Rank?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"Just now."
The scene fell silent. A mixture of joy and confusion seemed to fill the air. Miles Ning narrowed his eyes and circled Andrew Han dozens of times.
He couldn’t figure it out.
His newly accepted disciple, Andrew Han, had—within just a hundred days and relying solely on himself—risen from an ordinary person unfamiliar with martial arts to achieve the Second Rank.
It wasn’t doubt—it was shock.
No matter how gifted a martial arts prodigy, to reach the Second Rank so quickly either takes time or requires ample nutritional support.
There’s a reason behind the old saying: 'The poor study literature, the rich practice martial arts.'
In the early stages of martial arts, it’s not that obvious. But once you reach the Upper Three Ranks, without sufficient nutrition, it’s nearly impossible to continue advancing.
"Interesting, truly interesting."
Reaching the Middle Three Ranks is one thing, but to advance from Third Rank to Second Rank, you need massive nutritional supplementation... Yet you managed it on your own?
Miles Ning frowned and lit another cigarette.
Amid swirling smoke, his wrinkled, unpredictable face appeared, as if deep in thought.
Andrew Han was about to speak.
Miles Ning sighed first: "To reach Second Rank so quickly without relying on nutritional supplements, I truly can't imagine it. What secret do you have?"
"You must understand."
"Any martial artist faced with such a secret could never remain indifferent."
Until now, Miles Ning thought Andrew Han had just acquired a few secret techniques.
If Andrew Han’s experience spread through the Martial Arts World, Miles Ning doubted he could protect him.
Crash.
Miles Ning frowned, then walked to the edge of the ring, picked up a battered-looking backpack, and tossed it in front of Andrew Han. The contents rattled noisily inside.
"What’s this?"
Andrew Han couldn’t help but ask.
Miles Ning replied coolly: "This is the Basic Nutrient Solution of the Martial Arts World, packed with abundant nutrition. Take it and use some. Remember, when you reached the Middle Three Ranks, I already provided you with a massive amount of nutrient solution."
Andrew Han blinked, feeling relieved.
For now, this master not only guides him in martial arts, but also genuinely helps him maintain the image of a true martial arts prodigy.
Though his personality is a bit odd, in other ways he’s not bad at all.
However...
Even in the Martial Arts World, is there really no one who knows about the mysterious Graywhite Aura?
"Listen, I’m warning you—never trust anyone," Miles Ning said coldly. "Because martial artists must battle demons and monsters, their personalities are wildly varied: some are truly kind, others are evil and cruel, some are cold and heartless, while others are deeply passionate and loyal."
But there is one thing they all share.
When the stakes become unimaginably high, most martial artists would choose to kill you and steal your secret.
Andrew Han listened quietly, frowning.
Logically, possessing great power should require a matching mindset—this seems to be the natural law of things.
After thinking it over, Andrew Han didn’t ask further.
Once he meets other martial artists and enters the Martial Arts World, all will become clear.
"For now, take the nutrient solution home and use it as you see fit—the instructions are inside." Miles Ning leaned against the edge of the ring, saying calmly, "I promised you: as long as you reach my expectations and give me hope for the revival of the sect, I’ll do everything I can for you."
"But all of this comes at a price."
"Once you become strong, you must restore the Martial Arts Sect to glory."
Andrew Han nodded.
But deep down, he was always a bit curious—what exactly does ‘restoring to glory’ mean? And how large is the sect?
Thinking about this...
Andrew Han eventually voiced his question.
Miles Ning pondered, "Back in the day, the sect had thirty-three disciples, all extremely powerful. Now, it’s probably just me... and you."
Andrew Han was stunned.
Miles Ning continued, "As for what ‘restoring to glory’ means—it’s spreading the sect’s name! Let the name of the Martial Arts Sect resound throughout the Martial Arts World!"
Andrew Han was surprised: "Don’t we need to expand the sect?"
Miles Ning was surprised too, frowning, "Why expand? What’s the point of more members? Spreading the sect’s reputation through the Martial Arts World—that’s true restoration to glory."
Andrew Han blinked, a bit confused.
He’d always thought Master Miles Ning wanted the sect to flourish and prosper.
But now it seemed it was just about reputation. What Master emphasized as restoring the sect to glory really meant making it world-famous, renowned everywhere, echoing throughout the world.
Such an unusual way of thinking actually matched Miles Ning’s eccentric temperament.
"Alright."
Miles Ning clapped his hands, took out a small booklet, and began to read: "Let me first teach you—the technique of martial arts."
Andrew Han immediately focused all his attention and listened quietly.
......
The concept of martial arts is to establish methods of combat.
Any move or technique can be called a 'technique' and falls within its scope. Technique means enhancing one’s abilities through accumulation, reaching proficiency, mastery, or even forming patterns.
......
Miles Ning read seriously.
Andrew Han couldn’t help but mutter, "Technique—isn’t it just a methodology?"
Miles Ning glanced at Andrew Han and said indifferently, "In short, martial arts are the strongest skills distilled from summary and analysis. And these techniques must be based on inner strength."
Then—
Miles Ning couldn’t be bothered to read definitions and instead summarized succinctly.
Martial combat is fighting with technique, like fitness or boxing.
Martial skills are already integrated with the art of war, forming a complete concept, such as methods of exerting force or sparring styles.
Martial arts means the initial systematization of martial combat, summarizing some patterns and producing true techniques with great power—like a punch that can shatter the air.
Andrew Han couldn’t help but ask, "Is there anything beyond that?"
Miles Ning exhaled, a trace of nostalgia and regret flashing in his eyes. He shook his head, "I’ll tell you later. For now, just learn the basics of technique—so you won’t have to start from scratch when you become a martial artist."