The Law Realm, above Martial Lord, is shrouded in mystery.
In the current era, Law Realm experts do not show themselves; all reside in artificial satellites outside the atmosphere. As for Demons and Specters comparable to the Law Realm, Andrew Han has neither heard of nor seen any, and there is simply no video evidence to be found.
Whoosh, whoosh.
A gentle breeze brushed his face as Andrew Han frowned in thought.
"I shouldn't be mistaken."
"Judging by Liam Lee's subtle expressions and the heaviness in his words, the World United Research Organization must be hiding a terrifying Specter comparable to the Law Realm." Andrew Han narrowed his eyes, pondering in silence.
He stood by the roadside as the park grew livelier.
It was around three in the afternoon; visitors, some with children, others hand in hand as couples, converged on Riverdale Park like streams merging into a river. It truly was the perfect place to escape the summer heat.
Especially the cars on the street.
Traffic flowed endlessly, cars weaving like a river. Andrew Han walked along the sidewalk, head bowed, continuing to ponder.
"First of all."
"Why did the Specter stop wanting to kill Liam Lee? Back during that hundred-mile life-and-death escape, my Inspiration was clear—I sensed the pure killing intent of a Sect-Class Specter, determined to slay Liam Lee."
Andrew Han continued walking as vehicles passed by.
In other words, the Specter's killing intent has changed.
From February to late July, perhaps Liam Lee made some new discovery—so the Specter's murderous intent turned into a strange, unpredictable threat?
The more he thought, the more alarmed he became.
Suddenly, Andrew Han understood: there is never absolute stability in this world. Beneath the seemingly calm surface, powerful undercurrents are always at work.
Take the World United Research Organization, for example.
Such an important institution has actually been infiltrated by a Specter, brazen enough to threaten by placing a blood-stained white towel in Liam Lee's bedroom drawer.
Wait a minute!
Threat... If this is a Specter’s threat, Andrew Han’s eyes lit up: "Liam Lee saw the blood-soaked towel and, overwhelmed by grief, mourned his teacher Professor Victor Zhou. But is it possible—the elderly scientist Professor Victor Zhou is still alive?"
The death of Professor Zhou was merely Liam Lee's one-sided sorrow.
Because Liam Lee is so absorbed in research, even with love nearby, he has no time to care—he probably never even considered this possibility.
Thinking of this,
Andrew Han slammed his right fist into his left palm, a little excited.
"Looks like I need to find a way to help my friend... He lives too bitterly, and under too much pressure."
"But."
"With my current martial strength, I’m still far from enough."
Andrew Han’s eyes flickered, his expression changing several times.
At that moment, some hurried pedestrians glanced at the visibly agitated Andrew Han, surprised, and subtly shifted their walking path to avoid him.
"No matter what."
"I have to help him." Andrew Han suppressed his stray thoughts and let out a gentle breath. He understood Liam Lee’s suffering better than anyone.
It was as if he could feel it himself.
A kinship of suffering.
A year and a half ago, he too lived under constant repression. It was this pressure that drove him to train martial arts so obsessively—otherwise, he could never have endured endless days and nights of practice.
"Thinking about it,"
"At least I’m luckier than Liam Lee."
Andrew Han stood at the intersection, gazing at the countdown on the opposite traffic light. Around him, crowds of pedestrians poured in from every direction, the bustling cityscape painted by giant shopping malls.
Cautious women pushed baby strollers.
Sweating men clutched briefcases and hurried past.
Groups of young men and women, two or three to a team, strolled by laughing and chatting, their carefree voices blending with the summer air.
"This is the life I want," Andrew thought to himself.
"But for now, it's still out of reach." Andrew walked leisurely with the crowd, heading toward the side street. "And lately, I can sense my Solidified Core Internal Power inside me—it's undergoing a subtle, indescribable transformation!"
What exactly was changing?
Even Andrew himself wasn’t sure. But based on past experience, he felt a strong premonition—perhaps this was Internal Power evolving beyond the Solidified Core state, something unprecedented in history.
...
That night.
In the kitchen, Linda Chen was preparing a lavish dinner, working on the final dish.
Sizzle, sizzle.
The heavy iron wok flipped back and forth as Linda Chen checked the color of the chicken wings. By habit, she estimated there were five minutes left before they’d be ready.
"Child, keep an eye on this," Linda Chen said, washing her hands and starting to toss the cold side dishes.
Andrew helped out nearby, taking over the wok and flipping the chicken wings inside. Curious, he asked, "Is there some special occasion today? Why such a feast?"
He was genuinely curious.
The recent weather had been so hot and muggy it felt like a steamer; even his mother, who practiced martial arts every day, seemed listless.
Linda Chen shook her head and laughed. "I just happened to have some free time today—and Lucy has been craving meat for ages."
"Oh," Andrew replied.
Andrew raised his eyebrows, intrigued.
Just then, a small head poked out from the olive-colored kitchen doorway, swaying like a ponytail before a delicate face shyly appeared.
It was Lucy.
Her little face was flushed red with excitement as she cried out, "Meat, meat! Meat, meat!"