Andrew Han's expression remained unchanged, though inwardly he clicked his tongue in surprise.
In truth,
this kind of reception wasn't enough to truly impress him.
But he hadn't received any advance notice... Only after the plane landed did Andrew sense the sincere goodwill radiating from inside the airport. Now, faced with such a grand welcoming scene, he couldn't help but feel a bit astonished.
"Everyone, there's no need to be so formal."
Upholding the principle of mutual respect, Andrew swept his gaze from left to right, near to far, nodding in greeting to each person before smiling warmly and joking, "With such a big lineup, I'm actually a bit nervous."
He said this to ease the heavy atmosphere.
There was no other way.
Andrew spent his days training in martial arts and had almost never encountered such a scene. So he decided to make a harmless joke—one that could both bring everyone closer and relieve the slightly unfamiliar, solemn atmosphere.
Meanwhile, off to the side,
Chloe Ling wore an expression of disdain. "You're nervous? Your facial muscles and blood flow are steady as an old dog. What are you even nervous about?"
"Heh." Jason Jiang also looked thoroughly unimpressed.
The two were familiar with Andrew, so of course they were speechless.
But in truth, Andrew's joke did help the other martial prodigies relax. Their awe shifted into respect, and they began greeting him enthusiastically, making the atmosphere lively and dispelling the initial heaviness.
White clouds drifted overhead, making the sunlight feel gentle and warm.
Everyone began to greet him, eager not to miss their chance.
"I've heard of your reputation for so long—today I finally get to see you in person."
"Meeting you in person surpasses all the rumors. Paragon Han, your bearing is as upright and elegant as a green pine—truly a model for our generation."
"I heard Paragon Han is planning to restore Green Mountain Sect's official status? Our family specializes in building grand and imposing structures—if you ever need help, just let me know. We'll give it our all."
Some flattered him, others offered heartfelt respect.
Some carried a sense of solemn dignity, others held a reverence that bordered on worship.
It was as if a constellation of stars encircled him, bright as the sun at noon—this was the immense influence of the one publicly acknowledged as the leading figure of the young generation. Even those listed on the Titled Sequence could not command such a grand reception.
One had to understand.
Everyone present to welcome Andrew Han was an exceptional talent of the younger generation—at the very least, each was a lower-tier Martial General.
“Wow.”
Monica Zhang, feeling a little lost, was already gazing in stunned silence.
She stood quietly to the side, her mind in turmoil. Her lively, expressive eyes fell upon her boyfriend’s gentle smile, and for a moment, he seemed distant and unfamiliar.
"Han, Andrew Han..."
“Is this the true power of martial arts?” The girl bit her lip, lost in thought, a faint sadness welling up in her heart.
Until now, she had never truly understood Andrew Han’s real standing. Only at this moment, seeing with her own eyes the young geniuses who gathered around him, exuding an aura that spanned the world, did she finally realize the gulf between them—a divide as vast as clouds and mud.
It was enormous.
An unimaginable distance separated them.
And with all these martial prodigies, each radiating a rare and formidable presence, Monica felt even more reserved and out of place—as if the whole world had left her behind. Lost, unsure what to do, she stood alone at the edge of the crowd.
In truth, Chloe Ling was right beside her.
But Monica didn’t notice.
Her feelings were too complicated; she missed Chloe Ling’s mischievous grin entirely.
She gazed quietly toward Andrew Han, feeling a touch of sadness. Her boyfriend seemed to shine high above, like the blazing sun, while she was just a small white rabbit hopping along the ground.
"Us..."
Can we really never be separated? Can we truly stay together forever?
Lost in her swirling thoughts, Monica stood among the crowd. Andrew Han, sensing his girlfriend’s sadness, smiled gently, walked over to her, took her soft white hand, and turned to face the assembled martial prodigies.