In the villa district by the Yunton River, inside Roy Zhang's home.
It was late morning, and rays of sunlight streamed through the spotless floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the living room, Andrew Han's tracksuit, and the golden rims of Roy Zhang's glasses.
Andrew Han pressed his lips together and chuckled, "Thank you, Uncle Zhang, for letting me see these collectibles in person."
"Hey! Why are you being so polite, kid?" Roy Zhang sat on the sofa and adjusted his glasses. "Your dad and I have been friends for years. We met back when he first opened his supermarket. It’s been more than a decade now, and you’ve grown up so much."
As he spoke,
Roy Zhang let out a soft sigh, a touch of nostalgia in his expression.
Andrew Han smiled in response... He was simply too excited, as if walking on air.
Just moments ago, he had touched Uncle Zhang's collectibles. Seven of them contained a trace of Graywhite Aura, all of which he absorbed into his body!
Among these seven collectibles were copper coins, bamboo sticks, wine cups, door rings, and even a somewhat shabby stone ornament!
Regardless of the material, all could contain Graywhite Aura. And what these collectibles had in common—they each possessed a history of over a hundred years!
"Uncle Zhang."
Andrew Han smiled warmly and stood up—crack!
A crisp, powerful sound came from his knee joints, echoing through the living room. This was a result of his overall physical fitness surging dramatically.
Roy Zhang was momentarily stunned, his brows furrowing ever so slightly. "Xiao Dong, are you overworked from senior year studies? Is your bone density low?"
Normally,
A boy only eighteen years old wouldn’t have his joints crack just from standing after squatting for a while. Roy Zhang assumed Andrew Han didn’t exercise much and was physically weak.
Andrew Han shook his head and explained with a smile, "Uncle Zhang, I've been practicing martial arts lately, working out my bones and promoting their development."
"Oh."
Roy Zhang suddenly understood.
He thought Andrew Han lacked exercise, but the truth was quite the opposite... Andrew was actually practicing martial arts! For most people, this would just be a curiosity, but Roy Zhang was different.
He was worth tens of millions and moved in elite circles, so he knew a bit about martial artists.
From Ninth Rank to First Rank, and then comes the martial artist. In Riverdale, martial artists hold high status. The city has three martial artists who run their own dojos, each with extraordinary prestige.
Crack, crack.
Andrew Han stretched his legs and said, "Uncle Zhang, it's almost noon, so I won't bother you any longer. I'm truly grateful for this visit."
Without Roy Zhang's collectibles, Andrew Han wouldn't have obtained seven traces of Graywhite Aura, nor would he have confirmed the conditions for its existence. Even he hadn't expected everything to go so smoothly.
"Haha." Roy Zhang walked over to Andrew Han and said, "Xiao Dong, don't rush off just yet. My daughter also studies at Riverdale Experimental High School. She's in the science track for senior year, but you two should have plenty to talk about. Stay for lunch with us."
Andrew Han was taken aback. "Uncle Zhang, this..."
Thud.
Roy Zhang patted Andrew Han on the shoulder, and immediately felt as if he were touching a stone. Adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses, he said warmly, "No rush, Xiao Dong. Since you’ve come all this way, you should at least try Uncle Zhang’s cooking."
Unable to refuse, Andrew Han could only agree.
Although he was anxious to get home and further adjust his short-term plans, the help Uncle Roy Zhang had given him was simply too great for him to refuse.
Just then,
"Ah!" A bright-eyed, fair-toothed girl in light pink pajamas suddenly flung open the bedroom door, rubbing her sleepy eyes in annoyance. "Dad, who are you talking to on the phone? Can you keep it down—"
"Ah!"
She stared at Andrew Han, letting out a surprised cry... Clearly, she hadn't expected a strange boy to be in her home.
Roy Zhang said awkwardly, "Monica, did Dad wake you up? Oh, this is Andrew Han, the son of your Uncle William Han. Andrew is a senior in the humanities track at Riverdale Experimental High School, so you’re classmates in a way."
"Dad, why didn’t you tell me in advance?" Monica Zhang pursed her lips, a trace of displeasure on her face. Then she looked at Andrew Han and greeted him politely, "Hello, Andrew."
Roy Zhang shook his head. "I sent you a text, just so I wouldn’t disturb your sleep."
"Hmph."
Monica Zhang complained, "Sunday is the only day I can sleep in, and you still woke your daughter up. Are you really my dad?"
As she spoke,
She walked to the edge of the living room, glanced at Andrew Han, and said softly, "Sorry, I’m a bit grumpy when I wake up. Um... Which class are you in?"
Andrew Han replied, "I’m Andrew Han from Senior Class 7, humanities track... Uh, I know you. You’re Monica Zhang, ranked in the top ten of the science track. I used to take you as my role model."
Role model?
Monica Zhang’s eyes lit up, instantly interested. She brushed her long hair aside, "Really? How are your grades? You must be doing well, right?"
Andrew Han said modestly, "My grades aren’t worth mentioning. I heard that back in junior year, you were just average in your class... But once you reached senior year, your scores skyrocketed. Our teachers even mention your name to inspire us."
Monica Zhang was a little embarrassed. "Hehe."
After this brief exchange, Monica Zhang developed a good impression of the gentle, steady-looking stranger before her.
Roy Zhang patted his daughter Monica Zhang on the head and sighed, "Monica’s grades really are excellent. You two chat for a bit—I’ll go make lunch."
"Go on, go on, I want tomato and scrambled eggs." Monica Zhang nudged Roy Zhang, "If it’s not tasty, I’ll tell Mom when she gets home."
"You still don’t trust your dad’s cooking."
Roy Zhang laughed heartily and headed to the kitchen.
Monica Zhang invited Andrew Han to sit down, and they chatted about senior year stories, moving from strangers to a bit more familiar.
——
That night, in his bedroom at home.
Andrew Han gripped his black mouse tightly, clicking away as he searched for information on martial arts. The glow from his desktop monitor illuminated his delighted face.
"Today was a good day—I absorbed a full seven traces of Graywhite Aura. I can feel power coursing through my body." He smacked his lips. "And Uncle Zhang's cooking was great, but he was almost too enthusiastic, insisting I add Monica Zhang as a QQ friend. Luckily, Monica is gentle... If she were a typical teenage girl, she’d probably be annoyed and uncomfortable."
This chapter isn’t over yet~.~ Please click the next page to continue reading the exciting story!
Click.
Click, click.
Andrew Han clicked his mouse, studying the detailed information on the screen.
......
The martial arts ranks from Ninth to Seventh focus on health and strength training, resulting in abundant energy and powerful strength. When the strength of limbs and core are fully integrated, one reaches the peak of Seventh Rank.
Ranks Six to Four refine the body, resulting in overflowing vitality and extremely strong bones. When one's strength reaches a balance of hardness and flexibility, that is the peak of Fourth Rank.
Ranks Three to One master the flow of power, granting immense strength and stamina. When one can freely control and perfectly unify their strength, that is the peak of First Rank.
These are the descriptions of martial arts ranks.
As for martial artists above First Rank, there was no information online—it was clearly classified.
"A thousand pounds of strength."
Andrew Han pressed his lips together and thought, "A thousand pounds of force is indeed formidable, far beyond that of a normal person, but not beyond the human limit. Even boxers who don’t practice martial arts can reach that level... But in terms of combat ability, martial artists are clearly superior."
Andrew Han clicked his mouse, casually browsing the vast information online. His short-term plan was gradually becoming clearer... to keep searching for Graywhite Aura, absorb it into his body, and use it to advance his martial arts rank.
He needed to reach at least Seventh Rank in martial arts before the college entrance exam.
"Above Seventh Rank, you can get into a regular university. If you reach Fifth Rank, you might even get into a top-tier university!" Andrew Han dreamed, then wondered—what martial arts rank did he actually have?
Ninth Rank?
Or Eighth Rank?
Suddenly, Andrew Han’s right hand froze, and an awkward smile tugged at his lips. "This morning at Uncle Zhang’s house... I said I was practicing martial arts and strengthening my bones—did Uncle Zhang think I was above Sixth Rank?"
"Ugh!"
"I—I don’t have a rank yet..."
——
Monday morning, in the classroom of Senior Class 7.
It was lunchtime, and the students were all resting. By the window in the third row, Gavin Bright and Andrew Han were quietly chatting.
Gavin Bright looked at Andrew Han in confusion and whispered, "Andrew, are you crazy? There are just over ninety days until the college entrance exam, and you want to switch to a martial arts student? Your grades are great—why insist on switching?"
"The martial arts exam is meaningless for you."
Gavin Bright shook his head repeatedly.
You need at least Seventh Rank in martial arts to get into a regular university. Fifth Rank is required for top-tier universities... As for the academies, you need to be at least Third Rank!
With Andrew Han’s grades, he had a good chance of getting into a top-tier university.
In other words, only reaching Third Rank in martial arts would help Andrew Han now. But Third Rank? That’s impossible... Even reaching Eighth Rank is incredibly difficult.
In short.
The martial arts exam couldn’t possibly help Andrew Han.
Andrew Han smiled and shook his head, his eyes flashing with determination. "No need to persuade me... I have my reasons for switching to a martial arts student."
Gavin Bright chuckled helplessly. "Switching to a martial arts student is your choice, but how will you do it? Our homeroom teacher, Mr. Li, would never approve. Even if he did, you’d still need the grade director’s signature—it’s too much trouble, way too complicated."
"The Senior Year grade director definitely won’t approve."
Gavin Bright sighed softly.
The school’s rules were complicated. No matter how valid your reason, if the teachers didn’t agree, you’d be stuck—there was no hope.
In fact, it was just a simple matter of adding a name to a list.
Mr. Li might actually approve, since our homeroom teacher is strict and old-fashioned, but he always considers things from the students’ perspective. But the Senior Year grade director is famous for being cold and arrogant.
What he says is the rule.
His opinion is always right.
If Andrew Han wanted to switch to a martial arts student, the Senior Year grade director would never agree.
"Ah, my deskmate," Gavin Bright said quietly, "Unless you get your parents to come to school and talk to the grade director, you should give up on this idea—it’s impossible."
"Mm."
Andrew Han nodded.
Indeed.
Even if homeroom teacher Mr. Li agreed, the Senior Year grade director would not.
But... what if he went straight to Principal Eugene Yu at Riverdale Experimental High School and explained his plan? With the principal’s signature, he’d officially become a martial arts student.
With the principal’s approval, all obstacles would be swept away!
As for asking his parents to come to school? That was absolutely out of the question—he didn’t want to shatter their hopes or make them anxious and worried.
"Heh."
Andrew Han chuckled quietly, stood up from his seat, and Gavin Bright quickly made room for him, watching his deskmate Andrew Han leave the classroom.
"Where’s he going?"
Gavin Bright stared in astonishment, but didn’t dare ask. After all, it was lunchtime and the classroom was very quiet.
Behind him, at the next desk.
The beautiful art student, Rina Xu, hadn’t slept at all—she’d heard the entire conversation.
She blinked her delicate eyes, pressed her rosy lips together, and glanced up at Andrew Han as he left. Then she lowered her head and continued to play with her nails, the soft pink polish flecked with tiny sparkling stars.
They looked like exquisite pink petals.