At the entrance of the Riverford Villa, a gentle breeze stirred as sunlight poured down. The weather was exceptionally clear today, and in the distance, kittens and puppies chased each other playfully.
Meanwhile, Andrew Han left the villa.
Behind him, many eyes watched. Seven-year-old Lucy Han gazed up with pitiful eyes, while his father, Winston Han, looked on with reserved, steady concern... Andrew was about to stage a heartfelt farewell, but suddenly paused, his eye twitching uncontrollably.
Out of the corner of his eye, Andrew caught sight of Miles Ning, seated cross-legged at the edge of the lawn.
That's right!
Miles Ning sat quietly, suspended about two meters above the ground, his thin hand actually holding a brand-new book!
And the most crucial thing was that book!
Andrew turned and walked over to his master, Miles Ning, half amused and half exasperated: "What book is that?"
At these words.
Miles Ning lifted his drooping eyelids, glanced indifferently at Andrew, and said nothing.
He squinted: 'Lately, that Andrew kid has grown a bit complacent. Life's been too comfortable, and now he's even planning interstellar tourism... The starry sky may be vast and dazzling, with countless wonders that few have seen or experienced firsthand. But without sufficient strength, wandering aimlessly is courting death, and sightseeing is just suicide.'
On the other side.
Of course, Andrew had no idea what Miles Ning was thinking.
He looked at the book and froze, nearly coughing up blood: "???"
Aside from the distinctive title, 'On Education: The Pursuit of Free Breathing,' there was a line of golden characters below, written in wild, flowing cursive—like a dragon soaring or a horse galloping!
The characters read:
'Contemporary Sage, Green Mountain Elder—this book tells the great story of the renowned teacher Miles Ning! This year's best-selling book in Sinovera! You deserve to own it!!'
?_??
Andrew's expression turned odd: "Master, you've thrown yourself into the education industry again... Honestly, Sinovera's education system doesn't really suit you."
When it comes to education, Miles Ning doesn't really know much.
Because of his noble character, he pursued immediate, professional efficiency, always striving for an educational approach that touched the heart—unique and entirely his own.
Miles Ning, upright and untainted—a renowned teacher of his generation!
If there was a way to save time, effort, and worry, Miles Ning would never waste energy on long-winded lectures.
"Hmph."
Miles Ning glanced coolly at Andrew: "Why can't your master read a book... It's a good book. I personally helped it reach the top of this year's bestsellers in Sinovera."
"Education is profound and vast. What do you know?"
Gentle exhortations only waste time and life; after much thought, true tempering is still best. Unfortunately, most people can't comprehend such painstaking intentions.
There's no helping it—those who labor painstakingly are always lonely.
So.
Based on the principle of lifelong learning, Miles Ning must read books to replenish his knowledge!
"Hmph."
Miles Ning glanced at Andrew, his wrinkled old face growing somber.
No matter how outstanding a person is—when entering an unfamiliar environment, one must speak cautiously and act quietly to have any hope for future development.
Thus, Andrew's first principle upon leaving blue Earth and stepping into the starry sky is to become stronger!
First, endure hardship and focus on cultivation, ignoring outside distractions. Only after gaining the strength to ensure one's safety should other matters be considered.
"Lately, you don't seem to have a clear sense of your own level." Miles Ning pressed his thin hand against the blue cover of the book and said coolly, "What did I teach you before? First, forge something truly impressive. Once you have a solid foundation, then go out into the world, and only then can you reach higher and see further."
Andrew replied immediately, "Master, you're absolutely right. That's exactly how I've been thinking—and doing."
"Oh?"
Miles Ning made a soft, curious sound.
Hiss.
He took a drag from his Zhonghua cigarette, carefully sizing up Andrew with a barely noticeable flicker of surprise in his eyes. His tone carried a hint of disbelief: "So what you're saying is... you're not weak? Or do you just think you're not weak?"
Faced with this question, Andrew felt utterly at a loss: "..."
The autumn wind blew, sunlight shone brightly, and the crisp air carried a slight chill, enveloping the villa's surroundings.
The pale villa stood behind, while Andrew stood at the edge of the lawn, mouth slightly open. Behind him, his parents and Lucy and Meng watched with reluctant eyes; before him was his master Miles Ning's questioning gaze.
At this moment.
Andrew wanted to speak, to tell Miles Ning the truth: 'Master, I have a solid foundation. I'm really not weak.'
But somehow,
Miles Ning's gaze seemed to carry a trace of light and heat, causing Andrew to fall silent, words caught in his throat.
Andrew considered his current state: his martial arts system had reached peak Fourth-Order Cosmic Light, comparable to peak Fifth-Order Creation Light.
And this was only his apparent strength—
For example, no one knew the progress of his Soul-Will cultivation, nor the long-sealed Berserker State.
If he went all out,
Even Andrew himself didn't know how terrifying he could be; his mere aura might accidentally knock his master unconscious.
"Sigh." Andrew secretly lamented, "No matter how much I explain, Master can't possibly grasp how strong I've become. Besides, he has his own pride—I shouldn't show off."
Seeing Andrew fall silent, Miles Ning, still seated in midair, raised his eyebrow and his wrinkled old face remained unchanged: "What's wrong?"
Andrew gathered his thoughts and smiled lightly: "Actually, Master, our views are perfectly aligned. Ever since I left Earth, I've ignored all distractions and focused solely on cultivation."
"Mm." Miles Ning's wrinkled face took on a serious expression.
Andrew continued, "Perhaps Master doesn't know... I've long been able to buy a life planet and experience the dazzling starry sky. But I chose to remain in quiet cultivation, striving to grow stronger. Now, at last, I possess a solid foundation and the strength to face this stellar system head-on, so I finally considered a bit of interstellar tourism."
"Oh."
Miles Ning took another drag from his cigarette.
After a moment of silence, Miles Ning's world-weary gaze lingered on Andrew, as if weighing something.
Miles Ning exhaled a puff of smoke: "So that's how it is. Your thinking is correct—my years of painstaking teaching weren't in vain."
"Of course. When it comes to strength, at least I know where I stand," Andrew replied with a smile as the autumn wind blew and sunlight gleamed on the hovering Green Mountain ship nearby.
Miles Ning lowered his eyelids: "Go on."
Andrew nodded, glanced at his master's empty wrist, a silent look passing through his eyes, then smiled and said, "Time to head out—if I don't leave now, I'll be late... It's a rushed trip, but next time I come back, I'll bring Master something good."
Even in the vast starry sky, there is an immense gulf between Starlight Tier and Cosmic Light, a hierarchy of status and power.
But!
Andrew had his own principles and bottom line. Loyalty and righteousness are what make life meaningful; every kindness and grudge must be repaid.
In his heart, Master Miles Ning had saved his life—how could he not honor and respect him? How could his attitude change just because of strength or status?
No matter how weak Miles Ning might be, the title of 'master' was already engraved deep in Andrew's life, nearly as close as family.
Whoosh, whoosh.
The cool autumn wind drifted over the villa.
Occasionally, the sounds of kittens and puppies could be heard, complementing the lazy afternoon sunlight. Andrew had already piloted the Green Mountain ship away from blue Earth, heading deep into the starry sky—toward Dreamvale Administrative Star.
Back at the edge of the emerald lawn,
Miles Ning took a drag from his Zhonghua cigarette, a thoughtful look passing over his wrinkled face.
"Not weak?"
"It seems the kid really isn't weak." Miles Ning scratched his chin and looked down at his thin hand. On his previously bare wrist, a bracelet slowly appeared.
This was a bracelet Andrew had given to Miles Ning, said to calm the mind and nourish the spirit.
The blue Archan Bluewood had changed into a blend of pitch black and crimson, with crystalline threads running through its core, as if it had undergone a baptism by flame.
Immediately after,
A faint smile curved Miles Ning's lips as he lifted his head, his pupils reflecting a majestic sun. He gazed into the dark depths of the starry sky where the Green Mountain ship had vanished.
"Well then."
"I'm not weak either."
——
The vast starry sky was dark and silent.
The Chenriver Stellar System resembled a silvery disk; the Chenriver Empire ruled a quarter of its area, with over a hundred billion planetary systems.
The entire Chenriver Empire, according to its spatial structure, was divided into seven major regions—
Central Empire, Upper Chen Region, Lower Chen Region, Eastern Region, Southern Region, Northern Region, and Western Region.
......
At the edge of Chenriver's Eastern Region lay a sub-administrative star called Dreamvale.