A garden-style villa, also the home of Roy Zhang.
Andrew Han stood beneath the entrance, waiting to depart.
Chirp chirp.
From time to time, a couple of birds chased each other, their crisp calls echoing as they soared through the sky, painting the atmosphere with the freshness of early spring.
Occasionally, a slightly chilly breeze brushed across his face.
"Hey."
"Antique market... How much Graywhite Aura will I harvest today?"
Andrew Han mused to himself, "Valuable antiques surely aren't allowed to be touched freely. But there's no need to chase after those expensive items. No matter how cheap, worn-out, or lacking in collectible value, as long as something has a hundred years of history, I can absorb Graywhite Aura from it."
Chirp chirp.
A bird circled overhead, then flew to the other side of the villa, its song fading from earshot.
In the increasingly tranquil environment, Andrew Han's thoughts drifted further away, leaving him in a daze.
After a while.
With a crisp sound from the entrance, Roy Zhang emerged in ordinary sportswear, followed by Monica Zhang in a white tracksuit.
"Xiao Dong, sorry to have kept you waiting," Roy Zhang shook his head. "Monica insisted on coming along to see the antiques."
Andrew Han blinked, "I haven't been waiting long."
He was a bit surprised.
Monica Zhang looked different from last time. Dressed in a creamy white tracksuit, her delicate features were accentuated, her figure outlined with graceful curves, making her stand out even more, along with a gentle aura.
Was she wearing makeup?
Andrew Han was genuinely startled.
He had to admit, after chatting with Monica Zhang for so long last time, he hadn't noticed her refined beauty... She could almost rival Zoe Li, though Zoe was a bit more aloof.
"Hey!"
Monica Zhang bounced over like a fawn, her bright eyes and white teeth lighting up the surroundings as she reached Andrew Han.
"Hehe, it's just that there's not much homework this week, otherwise I wouldn't be able to come out."
Monica Zhang looked Andrew Han up and down curiously. "I heard from my dad... you're a martial arts student? But you're way too skinny for that! Martial arts students should be tall and strong."
Andrew Han shook his head.
From that single sentence, he could tell Monica Zhang didn't really understand martial arts.
Martial arts are about tapping into inner strength and gradually mastering oneself... Whether one's physique is burly or not has nothing to do with martial prowess.
A thick, muscular appearance is actually a sign of shallow martial arts skill.
True martial arts lie in powerful inner strength, which can't be easily seen from the outside.
"Haha, Monica, martial arts and fitness aren't the same thing. Don't mix them up," Roy Zhang laughed, heading toward the parking spot to start the car.
"Are you really a martial arts student?"
Monica Zhang's beautiful eyes lit up. She couldn't help but lean closer to Andrew Han, gazing intently into his unwavering black eyes... Clear and bright, like a mirrored lake.
In fact,
In those clear eyes, she vaguely saw her own delicate face reflected.
There were martial arts students in her class, but Monica Zhang didn't want to get too close to them. They tended to be burly and often skipped class, which left a bad impression on her.
But Andrew Han was different.
He was the son of Uncle Han, whom her father often mentioned—someone she knew well. Plus, after their last chat, Monica had a good impression of Andrew Han.
"So pure..."
Monica Zhang muttered, subconsciously pouting, then suddenly felt her face grow warm—the heat from her breath bouncing off her cheeks.
She was so close to Andrew Han that their faces were less than ten centimeters apart.
"Hee."
Monica Zhang's heart fluttered and she quickly stepped back, her laughter masking her embarrassment. "Andrew Han, your eyes are so bright, it's like you're wearing colored contacts."
Andrew Han straightened up and replied calmly, "I have good eyesight, so I don't wear contacts."
Awkward!
Monica Zhang pursed her lips and said, "Colored contacts aren't the same as regular contacts... There are ones without prescription."
Vroom vroom.
The sound of the car engine starting broke the awkward atmosphere.
Roy Zhang drove a black Audi A6L, rolled down the window, and called out, "Xiao Dong, sit in the front. Monica gets carsick up front."
"Okay."
Andrew Han walked to the front passenger seat, gently opened the door, and got in.
Monica Zhang, no longer as lively, quietly took a seat in the back. Her beautiful eyes occasionally glanced at Andrew Han, then shifted to the window, lost in thought.
...
Night had fallen; it was evening.
Andrew Han walked alone on a secluded street, but his heart was burning with excitement.
He had gained eight strands of Graywhite Aura at the antique market today, instantly merging them into his body and enhancing his physical condition in every way.
Even now, a steady stream of power flowed within him.
It felt saturated and abundant.
It seemed to be overflowing and expanding.
"Is my body reaching its limit?" Andrew Han frowned, swinging his arms. No matter how he tried to control his body, he couldn't suppress the feeling of swelling pain. "Could it be that absorbing Graywhite Aura too frequently has brought me close to the limit?"
"Makes sense."
"Graywhite Aura can't endlessly enhance physical condition. Everything has its limit... Based on experience, I can absorb about twenty strands of Graywhite Aura in a week."
Andrew Han nodded to himself.
If it weren't for Uncle Roy Zhang's help... in a week, he would have only gained seven or eight strands of Graywhite Aura at most, not this much. There won't be such luck in the future.
From now on, he'll have to search for Graywhite Aura on his own.
Step. Step.
Step. Step.
Andrew Han walked slowly, pondering the places he might search for Graywhite Aura next week, all the while grateful for Uncle Zhang's help.
Night shrouded the city, but it couldn't cover Andrew Han's high spirits.
The oppression he'd felt since returning to life gradually faded... He'd accomplished his initial goals and now had a clear plan for the future—no more confusion, no more impatience.
No matter whether martial arts hold mysterious powers or not, he'll keep going.
Step. Step.
Andrew Han's footsteps echoed along the quiet road.
On the left was a row of abandoned buildings and empty storefronts, waiting to be rebuilt, casting a dark and silent atmosphere. On the right lay a lake, soft moonlight spilling across the water, reflecting shimmering ripples.
He walked down the middle of the road, feeling at ease.
Suddenly.
A muffled, powerful shout broke the silence, echoing through the road and seeming to pierce the soul!
The shout came from the darkness of the abandoned buildings on the left. If Andrew Han hadn't trained in martial arts and practiced the Yang Pole stance, making his senses keener, he wouldn't have heard it.
"What was that?"
Andrew Han squinted and stopped walking.
He looked around carefully but saw nothing unusual. It was as if the shout had been a mirage... Yet the shout seemed to carry a powerful force, impossible to ignore.
"Hmm."
Andrew Han hesitated for a moment, then crouched and slowly approached the dark building area.
In the past, he wouldn't have dared to venture into the dark ruins—he would have left immediately.
But now, with martial arts as his shield, even if he wasn't yet skilled in certain techniques, his improved physique gave him courage and confidence.
Skill brings courage—that's just how it is!