In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.
During his spare time, Andrew Han seized every moment to adapt to the power of the First Rank.
If he couldn't fully master this newfound strength, he would have to be extra cautious in his daily life. A single careless moment could lead to disaster.
For example... crack!
Andrew Han looked at the stainless steel nail clipper in his palm, now broken in two, the fracture jagged and uneven.
"The power of condensation is just too strong."
He shook his head, tossed the broken nail clipper into the trash, and took a deep breath. "I can feel the strength inside me growing every moment, as if it will never end."
This was the hallmark of the First Rank.
At Second Rank, one tempers their strength to the limit, refining their blood and energy to the peak.
Thus, upon reaching First Rank, it is the union of strength that can grow no more and blood and energy that can rise no further—a process that takes time and cannot be accomplished overnight.
"In other words."
"When strength and blood and energy reach their limits and the path ahead is blocked, one must transcend, forming internal power and forging a new way forward."
Andrew Han pondered deeply.
She unconsciously set down her chopsticks, feeling a sudden chill emanate from her son, a pressure like a massive stone weighing on her heart.
"Andy."
Linda Chen thought it was just her imagination and paid it no mind. She picked up her chopsticks and placed two slices of potato on Andy's plate. "For some reason, the authorities are preparing to commend your father these days."
Andrew Han clenched his fist, eyes shining. Suddenly, a surge of confidence rose within him—perhaps he could crush reinforced concrete with his bare hands.
"Who would have thought."
"Back then, behind that crumbling wall, I witnessed firsthand the power of a fist that could shatter the air. Now, I am about to possess such incredible strength myself—at least, it's no longer an unattainable dream."
Snap.
A smile appeared on Andy's face. "Mom, let's just eat for now."
Andrew Han felt a surge of emotion as he glanced around his small bedroom. Every movement of his body stirred the power of condensation, like a beast awakening.
After reaching First Rank, the world was utterly different.
The desktop computer on his desk hummed softly. The clock on the wall ticked steadily. Even the sounds of children playing in the neighborhood were crystal clear to his ears.
It was a world beyond imagination.
His senses, now incredibly keen, granted him a world of intricate detail.
Suddenly, his mother Linda Chen called from outside the door, accompanied by the melodious laughter of Lucy Han. At last, it was lunchtime.
"Time to eat." Andrew Han opened the door and stepped out.
...
At the dining table.
Linda Chen wore a long-sleeved home outfit, her voice gentle and warm: "Your dad is busy with the grocery store business. He's been swamped these past two days, so let's eat first and not worry about him."
"Busy with what?" Andrew Han asked in surprise.
Since the day before yesterday, the assets under Stone Martial Arts Gym had been fully accounted for. With the witness of Louis Zheng and two other martial artists, everything was transferred to his name.
As for the authorities...
All the high-ranking officials were now aware that a new martial artist had appeared in Suhe City—Miles Ning's disciple, Andrew Han!
Even though he was still at First Rank, martial power decided everything.
Defeating Mr. Stone head-on and matching Louis Zheng in combat was proof enough.
In short, Andrew Han believed that no one would dare cause trouble for his father, William Han, in business. Even lower-ranking officials who weren't qualified to know his identity were kept in line by Victor Dong's influence, preventing any issues.
With that thought...
"Big brother."
Huh?
"No picky eating." Andy said with a smile.
She unconsciously set down her chopsticks, feeling a sudden chill emanate from her son, a pressure like a massive stone weighing on her heart.
"Xiao Dong."
At that moment, Andy sat at the side of the round table, sometimes glancing at his sister Lucy Han, sometimes chatting with his mother Linda Chen. His heart was filled with a sense of happiness.
"Oh?" Andrew Han blinked.
He could feel the condensed strength at First Rank within him, constantly growing stronger. As his strength and vitality gradually fused, true internal power would form—marking the moment he advanced to Martial Artist.
Clearly...
She felt something was off, guessing it had to do with her son Andrew Han—or, more precisely, with Sir Newman.
Snap!
"You child..." Linda Chen was deeply moved by all the changes at home and outside, but didn't know where to start. "I really don't understand. It's just apprenticeship, but how could Sir Newman have such a huge influence?"
Andrew Han smiled faintly.
Fortunately, his master had appeared twice, otherwise it would have been difficult to explain these changes.
Even Miles Ning, with his unpredictable temper, had to obey the iron rules of the martial arts world—let alone someone like Andrew who had just entered it. If the truth were revealed, it would mean death for him and his family.
Sometimes, not knowing the truth is better.
There are no rewards without reason in this world; everything comes at a price. Martial artists like them enjoyed privileged resources, but also had to pay with life-and-death risks.
On the other side of the round table...
Linda Chen glanced at her son and shook her head.
It was clear Andrew Han had his own burdens he couldn't share. Trusting him, Linda Chen simply sighed, "I won't ask too much. Life has changed so much, your dad's been muttering for days. We're just wondering... are you thinking of going into politics?"
Andrew Han was taken aback.
Politics?
Where did that idea come from?
Linda Chen explained, "Your master is knowledgeable and well-connected. He must be some retired high-ranking official from Jiangnan Province. Haven't you considered anything like that?"
"That's a long way off." Andrew Han shook his head, amused.
"That's fine. You can think about it after you graduate. But you should plan ahead." Linda Chen said, then turned to the neglected Lucy Han and placed two leaves of vegetables in her bowl.
Lucy Han sat alone at the side, her eyes wide.
She didn't understand her mother and brother's conversation at all. As she saw the vegetables land in her small bowl, her face, busy gnawing on a bone, suddenly froze. "Mommy, Lucy doesn't want green stuff."
"No, you have to eat leafy greens." Linda Chen insisted.
"Brother."
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Lucy Han pursed her lips, let go of the round bone, and looked pitifully at Andrew Han for help.
"No picky eating." Andrew Han said with a smile.
Hmph!
Lucy Han glared angrily at the leafy greens in her bowl, as if staring down a mortal enemy.
At that moment, Andrew Han sat at the side of the round table, sometimes glancing at his sister Lucy Han, sometimes chatting with his mother Linda Chen. His heart was filled with a sense of happiness.
Meanwhile...
He could feel the power of condensation at First Rank within him, constantly growing stronger. When strength and blood and energy finally merge, internal power will be formed, marking his advancement to Martial Artist.
"By the end of the year, reach First Rank?"
"Master has underestimated me—I will become a Martial Artist before the year is out." Andrew Han took a big bite of steaming rice, his resolve unshakable.
Ding ding.
Occasionally, the wooden chopsticks tapped against the porcelain plate, producing a crisp sound.
Andrew Han glanced at Lucy Han's upturned little face, just about to speak, when an aged voice echoed in his ear: "Good disciple, your master has just returned. Come see me immediately."
Master?
It was Master Miles Ning's voice!
...
Miles Ning's residence was a three-bedroom, two-living-room layout.
In this residential complex, it was the largest type of unit. The price was relatively high, but for martial artists, it was hardly worth mentioning.
Inside the living room.
Miles Ning, as usual, wore his old black leather jacket, sitting upright on the sofa. He glanced at Andrew Han, who had just entered, a look of satisfaction flickering in his eyes.
In Andrew Han, he saw the hope for the sect's future prosperity.
"Good disciple."
Miles Ning lit a cigarette, and for once, smiled amiably: "The Nine-Tier Martial Arts Ranking is just the foundation. It’s the groundwork for your path. Above it are the Three Martial Realms—the true stages of martial arts mastery."
"Three Realms?" Andrew Han's eyes flashed.
"Don't rush. Sit down first. Let me explain the details to you." Miles Ning gestured for him to sit, his wrinkled face soft with kindness.
Andrew Han couldn't help but shiver.
Miles Ning like this was truly a rare sight.
Still, he did not let himself get carried away or arrogant, and quickly sat down on the sofa next to Miles Ning.
Sss.
Miles Ning took a drag on his cigarette, exhaling a plume of smoke. He smiled faintly: "The Three Martial Realms are, in order: Martial Artist, Martial General, and Martial Master. For example, Mr. Stone is a Lower Martial Artist, then comes Middle and Upper Martial Artist. Louis Zheng is a Middle Martial Artist, just a step away from becoming Upper Martial Artist."
Lower, Middle, Upper tiers?
Andrew Han considered his current strength. He estimated he could match a Middle Martial Artist—and if he unleashed his berserk state, he could even defeat one.
So...
After a moment's hesitation, he asked, "Master, what realm are you at?"
Sss.
Miles Ning's wrinkled face twitched, his kind expression turning distant. He said calmly, "I am now a Martial Master—an Upper Martial Master."