At that moment, Zhou Tu very much wanted to ask whether Huang Tian had made another breakthrough. But he felt they were not close enough for that, so he held his tongue. After a little more conversation, he rose and took his leave.
On the way back to Zhenhua Ward from Qinghui Garden,
Zhou Miaosu pursed her lips. "Uncle, he's still so confident and fearless. It seems quite possible that he's broken through, just as you suspected. Either that, or he has some way to deal with several second-rank experts."
Zhou Tu nodded slightly and let out a long sigh. "Whatever it is, the fact that he can deal with Niu Kuanyu and the others is astonishing—"
Zhou Miaosu fell silent. It was true. Whatever means he had, his ability to stand against several second-rank grandmasters was astounding. Only a few months had passed since Huang Tian entered the Guard Academy and began training!
For anyone else, reaching even the first rank in a few months would have been an excellent result.
"People really can't all be measured by the same yardstick," she murmured.
The setting sun sank toward the horizon, staining the clouds orange-red.
In Baoqing Ward, a modest courtyard stood along an alley.
Clutching an invitation, Instructor Xu was so excited he could barely contain himself. He strode into the house and began rummaging through the chests and cupboards.
"Dad, what are you looking for?" A boy of sixteen or seventeen watched him curiously from the main room.
Without looking up, Instructor Xu answered, "My new clothes. Where did your mother put the ones she bought me last month? I've looked everywhere and still can't find them."
The boy was puzzled. "Dad, what do you need new clothes for? It isn't a holiday."
Instructor Xu was about to