Time flew by like an arrow, the days slipping away.
Ever since the National Day holiday, life seemed to move even faster.
Andrew Han still practiced the Mountain-Sketch Pillar Stance three times daily without fail. The rest of his time was spent training in various techniques, grasping their patterns and pondering their deeper principles.
Occasionally, he would also take on some missions.
The Demons and Specters in Greenfield City and its surrounding areas were generally quite weak; Andrew could kill one or two with a single punch, facing no real danger at all.
Gradually,
Some martial artists in Greenfield City began to learn that Southland University had produced a peerless warrior named Andrew Han, said to be on par with those at the Lower Martial General Realm.
“In his normal state, he’s about the same as an ordinary Martial General.”
“After all, his Presented Liquid Internal Power can’t be revealed. The Berserker State is too terrifying—once activated, he’d slaughter everything around him.”
Standing in a secluded grove, Andrew Han pondered quietly.
In the distant woods, he could vaguely see three or four couples. Andrew walked deeper into the grove, glanced around to make sure no one was watching, and only then began practicing his techniques.
Most ordinary martial arts students trained in the Athletics Hall.
But Andrew Han preferred solitude. After all, being the focus of every martial arts student's intense gaze felt rather odd.
Whoosh, whoosh!
His fists spun around each other, swirling like whirlpools of water.
In his mind's eye, he visualized scenes of dark clouds blanketing the sky, unleashing torrents of rain, and storms swirling and crashing down. These images merged together, making his Raging Downpour technique even more violent and forceful.
Swish!
His right fist froze in front of him, nearly whipping up a gust of fierce wind.
Some of the yellowing leaves trembled on the branches, on the verge of falling.
And this was only the pure physical force of his body. If he unleashed his Presented Liquid Internal Power, he could probably create a thunderous boom that echoed for hundreds of meters.
"Since Raging Downpour is modeled after a storm—"
"It should naturally have its rises and falls. After the violent barrage, there should be something that follows—like a lingering drizzle."
Raging Downpour was the very first technique Andrew Han ever practiced.
Though this technique was relatively simple, he had mastered it so thoroughly that it was almost fused into his body. Among all the arts he practiced, his understanding of this one was the deepest.
Transcendent Mastery means making the technique truly your own.
Fusion Mastery means it has become a bodily instinct. With every gesture, you can unleash the technique, wielding it naturally and effortlessly.
Rustle, rustle.
The autumn wind swept through the woods, making a rustling sound.
Andrew Han withdrew his fists, a look of realization flashing in his eyes: "So that's it—this is Fusion Mastery. Even in everyday walking or sitting, I can use Raging Downpour."
At last, Raging Downpour had been elevated to the level of Fusion Mastery.
As for the next tier, Unity Mastery, Andrew Han didn’t dare to imagine it yet. A Unity-level technique could even alter the environment within a small area—far beyond anything he could conceive.
Maybe someday.
Back when Miles Ning unleashed his blazing chain of fire, that must have been a Unity-level technique.
He pondered for a moment.
Standing on the muddy ground, Andrew Han raised his right palm and began to channel his Presented Liquid Internal Power.
Earlier, what troubled him most was the glowing nature of Presented Liquid Internal Power. If he unleashed it at full force, the blinding light was impossible to hide.
But now, that flaw had been resolved.
"Reversal Art!"
Andrew Han whispered the command to himself.
This was a profound technique given to him by Miles Ning. If he reached Transcendent Mastery, he could instantly reverse the flow of Internal Power within his body.
Boom!
His right palm clenched suddenly, then struck downward through the air.
The blow made the air erupt with a thunderous boom, sending chaotic gusts swirling all around, underscoring the weight of his punch.
"Not bad."
Andrew Han smiled faintly, breathing a sigh of relief: "With the Reversal Art, the Presented Liquid Internal Power that bursts out can instantly be drawn back inside. I can unleash my full power and still avoid my palms glowing."
After careful thought, he began practicing the Mountain-Sketch Pillar Stance.
Hiss, hiss.
With his feet sinking into the mud, Andrew Han brought his palms together in front of his chest, forming a complex seal—embracing the round, grasping the void. This was the key to reaching the First Mountain Realm of the Mountain-Sketch Pillar Stance.
Paired with visualization, his palms traced out a mountain—this was the First Mountain Realm.
"Almost there."
"I can faintly sense it—the First Mountain Realm is almost complete."
Andrew Han's clear eyes held an unwavering depth, as steady as a towering mountain—radiating a weighty, profound calm.
Swish, swish.
He could clearly hear the flow of blood within his body.
After days of stance training, something mysterious had changed in his blood—it had grown denser and stronger, and now shimmered faintly with light, a sign he was on the verge of advancing to a higher martial realm.
......
About two kilometers from Aunt Lin's home, in the villa district.
Splash.
A beautiful woman in a qipao sat gracefully on a wooden chair, poured herself a glass of fine red wine, and took a delicate sip.
In front of her stood Yan Cangtu, hands clasped behind his back. His ancient-style robe and long black hair gave him an ethereal air.
"Big Brother."
The beautiful woman savored her wine and smiled faintly: "Peerless Andrew Han seems quite interested in antiques and artifacts. Lately, he's often visiting private collections. I must admit, this Peerless Prodigy does have some taste."
"Mm." Yan Cangtu replied.
"But he is, after all, the disciple of Crazy Ning. Big Brother, since you're the martial arts instructor at Southland University, you should teach him a lesson—let him know his place." The beautiful woman sipped her wine, her tone imperious.
Silence.
A long moment passed.
Yan Cangtu turned to quietly regard his extraordinarily gifted younger sister: "Andrew Han is a Peerless Prodigy. I have no wish to provoke him."
Crash!
The beautiful woman hurled her wine glass to the floor, red wine spilling everywhere: "Back then, Miles Ning provoked us! Have you forgotten how Father died? I haven't!"
Yan Cangtu sighed: "That had nothing to do with Andrew Han. Besides, Father chose it of his own will."
Hmph.
The beautiful woman sneered and stood up: "The sect has ordered that in March's Peerless Prodigy Battle, we must suppress Andrew Han with full force and strive to see his peerless talent destroyed."
Additionally.
He won't have it easy in the upcoming Martial Arts Student Ranking Battle either! The sect has recruited two Martial General realm students to gang up on him during the tournament.
Gang up?
Yan Cangtu frowned.
The beautiful woman curled her lips: "If outside interference keeps him from making the top hundred, Miles Ning will be furious. His anger is my delight."
Whew.
Yan Cangtu exhaled: "The sect would never order anyone to provoke a Peerless Prodigy. This must be Mother's idea."
Crunch.
The beautiful woman said nothing, grinding the shards of the wine glass beneath her right foot.
Bathed in autumn sunlight and fresh air, her face was frosted over, her eyes flashing with cold light as she stared intently at Yan Cangtu.
There was no right or wrong in what happened back then.
Yan Cangtu adjusted his robe, speaking as if to comfort and reflect. Under the beautiful woman's icy gaze, he quietly left the villa.