May 4th.
Just past dawn, Andrew Han left home and hurried toward the Riverdale Gardens, where antique relics were kept.
Indeed.
May Lin had given him the pass, originally intending for him to use it after the college entrance exam, to help him decide what major to choose.
But now, May Lin had already left Riverdale, his father was busy running the supermarket, and his mother was taking care of Lucy Han. With the pass in hand, he could go at once without causing any trouble.
He didn't need to stay in the gardens all day—just a few minutes would suffice.
As long as he touched those antique relics and absorbed the Graywhite Aura, merging it into himself, he could leave immediately.
In other words,
No one would pay attention to a high school student wandering around.
......
The main gate of Riverdale Gardens.
Andrew Han wore a black tracksuit, carrying a black backpack. His blue-and-white school uniform was carelessly stuffed inside, and his eyes revealed a mix of excitement and anticipation.
If all went well, he might still make it to school for classes later.
"Once I reach Third Rank, I'll tell Mom and Dad." He smiled. "It'll be a grand surprise—the most dazzling gift I could give them."
"Until then, I'll keep things as they are."
"As long as there's enough Graywhite Aura, I can always find time to practice the Solar Pillar Stance, no matter where I am."
He pondered silently.
According to Andrew Han's plan, once inside the gardens, he couldn't afford to waste time. He would pretend to stroll around out of curiosity, then leave, so as not to annoy the staff or have them report to May Lin.
Chirping sounds.
A flock of birds circled overhead, their twittering calls filling the air.
Andrew Han stretched his arms and legs, feeling the surge of power within him. He nodded to himself: "Three minutes... I only need three minutes."
He pursed his lips and looked up at the main entrance of the gardens.
Tap.
Andrew Han strode into the gardens, a red badge with a blue lanyard gleaming on his chest.
No one stopped him, no one asked any questions.
Following his memory, he walked to the hall where the antique relics were displayed. The middle-aged woman immediately recognized Andrew Han, greeted him, and gestured for him to browse on his own.
Even Andrew Han hadn't expected everything to go so smoothly.
Gulp.
Andrew Han swallowed his dry saliva, stepped forward, crossed the threshold of the hall, and gazed at the many antique relics arranged inside.
It was as if countless strands of Graywhite Aura swirled before his eyes, illuminating his mind and lighting the path ahead.
He knew.
The greatest opportunity since his rebirth was right before him.
......
On May 4th, Andrew Han harvested thirty-one strands of Graywhite Aura. Feeling his body swell with pain, he decisively left, without hesitation.
He returned to school and practiced the Solar Pillar Stance to ease the pressure brought by his sudden physical improvement.
That night,
Andrew Han officially completed the bone and tendon harmonization phase and reached Fourth Rank.
It must be understood,
There is a limit to the strengthening of tendons and bones. Once the peak is reached, breaking through to Fourth Rank comes naturally.
The harmonization of tendons and bones for Fifth Rank must wait until physical development is complete.
The training for Fourth Rank is about refining one's vital energy until it reaches satisfaction.
By comparison, reaching Fourth Rank is easier than Fifth Rank, but it also means entering the phase of tempering vital energy, which requires consuming large quantities of food, especially meat and high-protein dishes.
......
May 5th, nighttime.
Only the ticking of the clock remained in the bedroom. Dad had gone to bed early, and Mom and Lucy Han were asleep as well. A tranquil silence filled the room.
"Fourth Rank."
Andrew Han stood in the Solar Pillar Stance, his eyes radiating with vigor and power.
Rustle, rustle.
If one listened carefully, they could faintly sense a gentle stream flowing within him, endlessly circulating.
But ordinary people couldn't hear it at all.
Unless Andrew Han reached the peak of First Rank and unleashed all his inner power, causing his vital energy to surge, only then would the sound of flowing energy be audible.
First Rank was still a distant goal.
His primary goal remained Third Rank.
This was an answer sheet he swore to complete perfectly. Attaining Third Rank meant qualifying for the Academy, and it was also the most important summary of his three months since rebirth.
.
"But..."
Andrew Han released the Solar Pillar Stance, stretched his arms and legs, and frowned: "My daily food intake is almost twice what it used to be, and meat is expensive. My allowance isn't enough."
It must be understood,
Martial arts Fourth Rank is precisely the stage of tempering vital energy.
Energy must be conserved; the increase in vital energy cannot arise out of thin air. Even with the boost from Graywhite Aura, his body still needed extra nutrients to convert.
He shook his head, picked up his phone, and opened the WeChat interface.
He sent a text message to his cousin Hannah Zehui: "Cousin, my appetite has suddenly increased for some reason. Can you lend me some money?"
After sending the message, he pursed his lips.
It was already eleven at night; he didn't know if his cousin was asleep. But the first people he thought of to borrow money from were his two cousins.
His father, Winston Han, had once told him:
No matter how desperate for money, even if you can't afford food, never borrow from friends.
Just as he was thinking, his phone vibrated. Hannah Zehui replied instantly: 'What's going on? Are you training in martial arts? Did you switch to martial arts student??'
Andrew Han thought for a moment and replied honestly, "Yeah, I haven't told Mom and Dad yet. I want to surprise them."
Nowadays, practicing martial arts was no longer something to hide.
If someone was at Sixth or Seventh Rank, it might still be seen as the wrong path. But reaching Third Rank in martial arts meant that even without college, one could find a good job with a decent salary.
A Third Rank martial arts student was an honor—a bright future.
In an instant, Hannah Zehui replied with a 'dumbfounded dog' emoji, followed by a black-and-white meme that read, 'I haven't read much, don't lie to me.'
Clearly, she was utterly shocked—her cousin Andrew Han had surprised her.
Secretly switching to martial arts student?
There's only a month left until the college entrance exam. If this affects your scores, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Crazy, truly crazy.
Hannah Zehui hurriedly asked, "You!? When did you switch to martial arts student? Last year you were still studying normally—why the sudden change? Don't let it affect your grades! What martial arts rank are you at, is it Seventh Rank??"
Even through the screen, Andrew Han could sense his cousin's flustered, panicked, and concerned tone.
His heart felt warm, but there was also a hint of pride.
Reaching Fourth Rank in three months, and now on the verge of Third Rank! Such terrifying progress, yet he couldn't share it with anyone—he could only keep it to himself, enjoying it alone.
The feeling was truly uncomfortable.
Heh heh.
With a smile at the corner of his mouth, he replied matter-of-factly: "I'm currently at Fourth Rank in martial arts. I estimate I can reach Third Rank within a week."
He tapped his finger and sent the message.
Then the screen fell into a dead silence; no more messages came, as if Hannah Zehui had exited WeChat.
But...
At the top of the chat interface, 'The other party is typing...' kept appearing.
About two minutes later,
His phone vibrated—Hannah Zehui sent a WeChat transfer of three thousand Huaguo yuan, followed by: "I need to calm down. I'll keep this secret. Also... waiting for your good news. Good luck! Third Rank and into the Academy! Top-tier Academy!!"
Andrew Han replied with a couple of messages before accepting the transfer.
Three thousand Huaguo yuan was more than enough.
Now, nothing could stop his progress. With two weeks left until the martial arts test, he was determined to reach Third Rank and take the Academy's martial arts exam.
......
On May 6th, Andrew Han harvested another thirty-two strands of Graywhite Aura, then felt his body ache.
......
In the days that followed, Andrew Han could relieve his body's pressure every other day, then return to Riverdale Gardens to absorb Graywhite Aura.
Each time, he gained at least thirty strands of Graywhite Aura—a tremendous harvest.
Combined with Solar Pillar Stance training, his physical fitness was like a car accelerating onto the highway, speeding up steadily.
Day and night, life was plain and monotonous.
Aside from going to Riverdale Gardens to absorb Graywhite Aura, Andrew Han had only one task: practice the Solar Pillar Stance relentlessly.
Because the Solar Pillar Stance could effectively relieve the pressure from his rapidly improving physique.
He used to practice four hours a day, but now his training had increased to about ten hours. When exhausted, he would rest in the classroom for twenty minutes before continuing with the Solar Pillar Stance.
The cycle repeated endlessly, without pause.
What should have been a long phase of tempering vital energy seemed greatly shortened—strangely brief.
It’s worth mentioning.
To avoid exposing his Fourth Rank martial arts status, Andrew Han would only return to class after he had finished practicing the Solar Pillar Stance and depleted his vital energy. He no longer attended the afternoon martial arts sessions.
......
May 12th, nighttime.
On a road leading home, quiet lakes lay on both sides, along with the ruins of old buildings. This was the very place where Andrew Han had witnessed the unbelievable power of a punch that could shatter the air.
Splash.
Ripples spread across the lake. Occasionally, a breeze stirred the water, creating waves and enhancing the tranquil atmosphere.
Chirping sounds.
Two or three birds cried out, flying away from above the lake.
In the ruins of the buildings, moonlight shone brightly, warmth filled the air, revealing Riverdale's early summer climate in early May.
Click, click, click.
Wearing his blue-and-white school uniform, Andrew Han was drenched in sweat. Crisp sounds came from within his body, mingled with the faint rush of vital energy—like a machine running at high speed.
"Tempering vital energy, overflowing throughout my body!"
"Power connected, full and abundant inside and out!"
In an instant, Andrew Han let out a low shout. Without releasing the Solar Pillar Stance, he stepped forward in a standing posture, firmly planting his foot on the gravel.
Thud!
A muffled sound!
With that step, fueled by his rising spirit and the training of the Solar Pillar Stance, plus the Graywhite Aura absorbed in recent days, his vital energy roared like an engine, surging throughout his body and overflowing!
Vital energy fully tempered, power connected throughout!
At this moment, Andrew Han officially entered the upper Third Rank in martial arts, becoming a Third Rank martial arts student!