Inside Southland University, late morning.
The sun was blazing hot, its glare almost blinding, filling the air with a stifling, steamy heat—an unusual spell of warming.
Even the cats and dogs usually seen around campus were curled up under the shade of trees, too lethargic to make a sound.
“It’s way too hot.”
“Yesterday was nice and cool, but today it’s suddenly scorching. I’m sweating even in shorts and a T-shirt—this is unbearable.”
Two male students walked side by side, grumbling about the weather.
Arms full of textbooks and drenched in sweat, they hurried toward the self-study classroom, brushing past Andrew Han, whose jeans were nearly split at the seam.
Andrew Han made a noncommittal sound.
“Is it really that hot?”
Andrew Han found the temperature perfectly tolerable and shook his head.
He had just left the Athletics Hall and was wandering aimlessly, passing by an artificial lake on campus and following the tree-lined path straight ahead.
In all this time, he hadn’t yet explored the sprawling grounds of Southland University.
But all those endless days and nights of training had finally paid off—
He had already advanced to the Martial Artist Realm, sweeping through every Martial Arts Program Student at Southland University—a testament to his tireless training.
As for whatever lingering drama remained in the Athletics Hall, or whoever might be gossiping about his peerless strength, Andrew Han paid it no mind. All he wanted was a leisurely half-day of peace—a little time to relax.
So then.
Where should he go now?
Andrew Han blinked, feeling content, and continued to take in the lush scenery of Southland University.
Suddenly—
Two or three girls walked toward him, chatting animatedly about what to eat—should they get crispy wontons with salt and pepper, or braised chicken rice? But all three, without meaning to, glanced at Andrew Han.
Their expressions were strange.
They stopped talking and hurried away.
Andrew Han mused to himself—had growing stronger made his looks more striking too?
He pondered for a moment.
He looked down at his jeans and sighed.
That must be the issue... Just now, using Southern Thousand‑Mile March, his dark jeans had split open in several places—seven or eight obvious tears.
“Hmph.”
“They say ripped jeans actually cost more than ones in perfect condition.”
After a moment, Andrew Han carefully tidied up the tears in his jeans, making them look more even.
“Good.”
“Done.”
Andrew Han smiled at the corner of his mouth and kept strolling.
Since enrolling, he’d hardly had a moment’s rest... stance training and technique practice had filled every hour of his time.
Crack, crack.
He walked along, clenching his fist.
It was clear—though his strength was still in the adaptation phase, it had already reached Condensed Mist form. And during this process, something subtle and extraordinary seemed to be happening.
Maybe.
His Martial Artist Realm might soon possess Presented Liquid Internal Power.
“Still—”
“Even if I gain Presented Liquid Internal Power, I’m still in the Martial Artist Realm. After all, blood refinement is a slow, painstaking process—it takes ages.”
Blood refinement in the Martial Artist Realm is absolutely crucial.
It marks the first stage of the body’s transformation—the true beginning of the martial path. Through blood refinement, the blood becomes as heavy as lead or mercury, strengthening arteries and veins until, finally, the flow is harmonious throughout the body, like a river.
Once blood refinement is complete, you’ve surpassed the limits of the human body.
Simply put—
Martial arts has three realms, each designed to strengthen the body bit by bit, pushing past its limits until the results are truly extraordinary.
“Martial arts really are extraordinary.”
“The human body is like a sealed vessel, containing an immense flow of water. If the vessel is too weak, the flow will easily burst it apart.”
The vessel is physical constitution.
The flow is internal power—strength, refined force, and energy within.
For example, a Martial General’s Presented Liquid Internal Power may be unmatched, but if their physical constitution is lacking, the moment they unleash it, their body could collapse. Strength aside—just surviving would be a problem.
“No wonder.”
“Blood refinement for Martial Artists, marrow cleansing for Martial Generals—both are ways to strengthen the body’s inner structure and indirectly boost constitution.” Andrew Han’s eyes flashed with understanding.
During blood refinement, the blood vessels naturally grow stronger.
It’s not just the vessels—even the surrounding tissues become sturdier. That’s why Martial Artists can handle Condensed Mist Internal Power.
But Andrew Han was different.
Thanks to the full-body enhancement from the Graywhite Aura, his physical constitution far surpassed others at his level. Especially the toughness of his skin—it was almost beyond imagining.
Pat.
Pat.
He mused silently, walking along until he reached a tree-lined path.
This path led to the shady sports field, and beyond that was the dormitory area where Andrew Han lived. Right now, several military training squads were practicing their march on the road.
“Huh.”
“Freshman military training.”
Andrew Han made a quiet sound, squinting his eyes.
His gaze was as keen as an eagle’s, and as he scanned the squads, he caught sight of Zoe Li marching—and remembered his good friend, Monica Zhang.
“She’s not feeling well right now...”
“With this hot, muggy weather, Monica must be having a rough time.” The thought crossed Andrew Han’s mind, and he fell silent.
He couldn’t help thinking—
This was his real life. Especially lately, his memories of his previous life had grown more and more blurred.
Andrew Han frowned.
After a moment’s thought, he realized that no matter what happened to his past-life memories, his deepest feelings were always invested in this life... In other words, was his past self still the same as his present self?
At the very least—
He couldn’t feel much emotion from those old memories. The only thing that stood out was his resentment and anger toward demons and monsters.
“No!”
“Something’s not right!” Andrew Han suddenly froze at the roadside, letting the hot wind blow over him. “My past-life memories gave me a conviction that cuts to the bone... It wasn’t family, or regret—it was an overwhelming sense of defiance!”
Huff.
Andrew Han took a breath and continued to search his heart.
Ever since that martial arts theory class in senior year, he’d first relived the taste of kelp and pork rib soup, savoring the preciousness of family—
Then came the realization of his father William Han’s towering love, triggering his first Berserker State... When his loved ones were threatened, he erupted in rage and entered Berserker State again... When his village was destroyed, grief drove him into the true Berserker State for a third time.
“These feelings come from this life.”
“But in my past-life memories, all I can taste is defiance.”
Andrew Han’s heart trembled, and he suddenly realized that his conviction—the one etched deep within—had actually been forged in this life, shaped quietly and imperceptibly over time.
So then—
What exactly are those past-life memories?
Andrew Han’s heartbeat quickened, his mind racing, but after a long time he found no answers—only confusion, buried deep within.
But he had a hunch.
If he could unravel the truth behind the Graywhite Aura, he’d understand the real nature of those memories.
“Never mind.”
“I’ve just broken through to the Martial Artist Realm—these things can’t be rushed. One day, I’ll get to the bottom of it.” Andrew Han blinked and strode toward the shady sports field.
For now—
He should check on his good friend first.
So—
Andrew Han passed by the squad where Zoe Li was training, reached the edge of the sports field, his eyes gleaming sharply as he scanned the crowd, the corners of his mouth lifting in a faint smile.
"Ahem."
“If I show up so casually in front of Monica, will she be really annoyed? After all, they’re suffering through military training while I’m just strolling around.”
But then again—
He was a martial arts student, after all.
Some squads had their backs to Andrew Han, so he circled halfway around the field before finally spotting Monica Zhang, her face pale.
“Hmm?”