I Will Grind My Way To Godhood

"Hm? Senior Sister Zhu, what did you do to me?"

Xue Jing raised an eyebrow and directly asked.

"N-nothing much."

Zhushan Ying clasped her hands behind her back, retreating two steps with a guilty expression.

"I didn’t do anything!"

The girl argued.

Xue Jing looked at her a couple of times, pondered, and said, "I don’t believe you."

He rubbed his temples, stood up, and walked towards Zhushan Ying.

Seeing his approach, the girl retreated continuously, matching his steps as if caught in a playful game of tag.

"Really, I didn’t do anything… don’t come any closer!"

She said hastily.

Instead of stopping, Xue Jing quickened his pace towards her.

"W-wait a moment!"

Zhushan Ying had retreated until her back was against the wall, unable to go any further.

Paying no heed, Xue Jing reached out and touched the girl’s head, feeling her smooth, waterfall-like black hair.

Then, as if twisting a bottle cap, he turned his hand, causing her petite figure to rotate involuntarily, revealing what she had been hiding behind her.

"Hm? Lipstick?"

In Zhushan Ying’s hand was a small, expensive-looking black lipstick.

Seeing this, Xue Jing wiped his lips with a finger, discovering a trace of red on his fingertip.

"...I just thought our little junior looked so good; he would look even better with some makeup."

"I couldn't resist putting a little on you."

Zhushan Ying laughed sheepishly, clearly nervous.

"You do look amazing! If we dressed you up in women's clothes, you’d be stunning!"

Xue Jing gave her a speechless look.

"Your idea is interesting, but don’t think about it next time."

Zhushan Ying quickly stepped forward, hugging his arm and pouting, "Don’t be mad, little junior. I won’t do it again…"

The subtle softness against his arm made Xue Jing glance at her. He pondered, "I’m not really mad… but the way you said that, it sounds like you might try again."

The girl continued to plead coquettishly.

“No way, you're just being overly sensitive.”

“Alright, I'm here to invite you to lunch. Let's head downstairs, junior brother.”

Xue Jing nodded in agreement.

The two of them left the practice room together.

Zhu Shan Ying lingered a couple of steps behind Xue Jing, watching his back with a look of relief on her face.

Then she gently touched her bright red lips with her fingers, her cheeks slightly flushed, and a faint smile played on her lips.

After having lunch with the playful Senior Sister Zhu, she went off to attend to her business commitments.

Xue Jing, still feeling mentally drained, found himself unusually unwilling to work on anything. He decided to take the day off from martial arts practice.

Carrying his Futu Blade, he left the manor, hailed a taxi, intending to visit the Canglong Dojo to check on its renovations and meet his long-unseen master.

Although Zhu Shan Ying's family estate and the Canglong Dojo were in separate districts, the distance between them was not significant. In less than half an hour, he arrived.

Xue Jing scanned the payment code, thanked the driver as he exited the cab, and entered the office building, taking the elevator up to the Canglong Dojo.

The incessant sound of hammering and power drills filled the air. Xue Jing glanced over at the reception desk.

A charmingly dressed receptionist in a cheongsam, the same one Xue Jing had encountered on his first visit to the Canglong Dojo, was lounging there idly scrolling through her phone, almost on the verge of dozing off.

Feeling a bit mischievous, Xue Jing silently approached her and tapped his knuckle on the counter.

Though it seemed to be a light tap, he actually channeled considerable force to his fingertips, producing a deep, resonant sound against the marble surface.

The cheongsam girl, who was already in a precarious position to be startled by any noise, jumped up from her chair in fright.

Xue Jing did not linger; he disappeared silently through the door after his prank.

The cheongsam girl raised her head, muttering in fright at seeing no one, “...Did I just see a ghost?”

Inside the dojo, Xue Jing looked around and saw the renovations were almost complete.

The corridor was mostly done, and new rubber flooring was being installed in the training hall, with new equipment also being set up.

It seemed everything would be ready in the next few days.

Afterward, he entered the inner area, making his way to the Heart Cultivation Room.

This room, made from special materials, was the quietest spot in the entire Canglong Dojo. Even amidst the banging and drilling noises from outside, once the door was closed, the room remained peaceful, with only faint sounds audible.

Xue Jing opened the door and stepped inside, casually closing it behind him.

“Master.”

Xue Jing respectfully greeted Li Qi, who was leafing through an old thread-bound book at the desk.

“Oh? Xiao Jing, it's been a few days. You're here just in time.”

Li Qi put down the book, smiling as he spoke.

He reached out and turned the wheelchair, moving to the front of Xue Jing.

“Let me see your progress over these past few days,” he said.

Xue Jing nodded, replying, “Yes.”

He stretched out his hand, and Li Qi's aged palm grasped his wrist.

A surge of force seeped through Xue Jing’s wrist into his body, instinctively setting him into motion. Inside, the true dragon released an irate roar, ready to counterattack on its own.

At this moment, Xue Jing, with a mere thought, wielded his strong and commanding mental awareness to suppress the dragon's discontent, making it obediently quiet.

Witnessing this, Li Qi was somewhat taken aback.

“You can control the dragon within to such an extent... Unbelievable, considering how little time has passed.”

Habitually exclaiming in awe, Li Qi calmed himself to perceive Xue Jing’s current physical state through his inner force.

As more information poured in, he nodded in approval.

“Very good, the progress in the 'Five Great Trainings' is substantial. How on earth did you develop such a perfect physiological structure? I really wish I could see a genetic breakdown...”

“Your advancement now allows you to begin the internal nurturing process known as ‘organ cultivation’...”

After a while, Li Qi released Xue Jing’s wrist and pondered aloud, “It's enough. Next, while practicing the 'Trembling Armor Skill,' you’ll need to incorporate a few additional movements and switch the medicine to 'Dragon Thunder Powder.'”

Xue Jing, puzzled, asked, “Dragon Thunder Powder?”

Li Qi explained, “It is the secret medicine we use in the Canglong sect for 'organ cultivation', made from certain special plants found in the borderlands.”

“Pure-blood dragon species can breathe a unique lightning called 'Dragon's Thunder'. Some plants struck by this lightning survive unexpectedly, becoming infused with its power.”

“The Dragon Thunder Powder, crafted with these plants as the primary ingredient, works exceptionally well with the Trembling Armor Skill to vibrate and temper the internal organs. The only downside is... it's very costly.”

Li Qi thought for a moment before continuing, “Given your current pace, if you consume a sufficient amount of Dragon Thunder Powder daily... it would cost over three hundred thousand.”

“You have just over twenty million in your account now, so you’re covered for two months, don’t worry.”

He patted Xue Jing on the shoulder reassuringly.

“... That's truly extravagant consumption,” Xue Jing said with a touch of wordless disbelief.

Two million not even warmed up, and he’s already told he’ll bid farewell to it in two months?

Li Qi waved his hand dismissively, saying, “Your talents are remarkable, so you must use superior medicines. Otherwise, it would waste your potential. While there are other options for organ-nurturing medicines, if you have access to the best, do not compromise.”

“Buy what you need. The money isn't truly spent; it's simply transformed into another form that stays with you.”

Xue Jing let out a slight sound, considered it, and said, “Master, I’ve already mastered four out of the five major killing moves, but I have no leads on the final one, 'Flowing Vision'...”

The five major killing moves of the Canglong sect:

Regarding the technique for ‘Skin’ defense — Turning Golden Scales.

Regarding the technique for ‘Muscle’ explosion — Rolling Thunder.

Regarding the technique for ‘Bone’ counterattack — Sealing Cloud Tail.

On the technique of breaking defenses using 'Blood'—Swinging Starfire, all of these moves have been mastered by Xue Jing. Only the trick associated with 'Muscle', the Moguan-ryu, remains elusive; he shows no signs of comprehending it at present.

Clearly, Xue Jing feels that this move should be highly compatible with him…

Li Qi chuckled and said, "No need to rush, 'Moguan-ryu' is somewhat special. It involves an advanced level of 'muscle training', which is tied to 'organ training'."

Xue Jing tilted his head inquisitively, "How so?"

“What we refer to as 'organ training' is actually an extension of the 'five major trainings'." Li Qi began his instruction.

“In traditional medical practices and Daoist theory, there are correlations between the five organs.”

"The so-called 'skin, flesh, muscles, bones, blood', are termed as the five bodies in ancient medicine, closely related to the five organs. The lung corresponds to the skin, the spleen to the flesh, the liver to the muscles, the kidney to the bones, and the heart to the blood.”

“A strong lung engenders firm skin, a strong spleen leads to resilient flesh, a strong liver results in tough muscles, a strong kidney fills the bones, and a strong heart ensures abundant blood.”

“Our Canglong style is an external martial art, progressing from external to internal, from outward to inward, training the skin, flesh, muscles, bones, and blood first, then extending this strength to benefit the five organs.”

Li Qi extended his withered hand, pointing to his old, clouded eyes.

"The five bodies and five organs correspond to the five senses.”

"Form, sound, scent, taste, touch—that is, sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch.”

“Moguan-ryu is a lethal move concerning 'muscles', corresponding to the liver among the five organs, and the liver is connected to vision, strong liver ensures bright eyesight!”

"Therefore, the essence of Moguan-ryu does not lie in the 'muscles' themselves, but rather in the 'eyes'.”

"This technique is a 'sure-hit skill', seeing through all the enemy's illusions, piercing like a true dragon's gaze, parting the sea of clouds, revealing every flaw and weakness, hence striking with precision.”

"Once you commence organ training and fortify your liver to a certain extent, you will naturally grasp it.”

Upon hearing this, Xue Jing, enlightened, said, "I see."

Li Qi chuckled, "Once you comprehend all the five lethal moves, the next step is the mastery of the 'five kills into one' secret—Spotlight..."

He couldn't help but reflect, "Time flies; it's been over a month, and I feel like my knowledge is being exhausted."

Then, he changed the subject, "Alright, I will now teach you the following organ training moves for Shaking Armor Technique. Extend your hand.”

Complying, Xue Jing did as instructed.

Li Qi grasped his wrist, infusing his strength, then flicked it like stretching dough.

Xue Jing quelled the innate restlessness of his internal dragon, relinquishing bodily control to Li Qi's energy, all while performing a complex array of moves and breathing patterns.

This was the 'muscle training' sequence within Shaking Armor Technique. As he moved, the fascia entwining his muscles began to feel numb and sore.

Although he completed dozens of actions he was already familiar with, his body did not stop, instead continuing to execute new moves.

These were even more complex, more challenging, stretching the fascia and even faintly pressing upon his internal organs.

He closed his eyes, entering an introspective viewpoint.

In his field of vision, as his external movements aligned with his body, his liver, a rich reddish-brown hue, began to pulsate and vibrate, secreting faintly dark, murky substances.

The blood circulation accelerated, flowing into the liver, carrying these substances away, leaving the surface of the liver with a more lustrous, translucent sheen.

Though there was no visible light in his internal perspective, Xue Jing simply felt this way.

Once the entire exercise was completed, Xue Jing opened his eyes.

His muscles felt comfortably itchy, achy, and numb, and his liver ached faintly, yet he felt inexplicably refreshed.

He blinked, unsure whether it was just an illusion, but his vision appeared to have improved slightly.

“How do you feel?” Li Qi inquired.

Xue Jing pondered for a moment and then replied, “It seems like my eyesight has improved somewhat.”

Li Qi acknowledged this with a nod.

“A strong liver leads to clear vision. As you delve deeper into organ training, your five senses will become increasingly acute. I once knew a young girl from a Taoist sect back in my youth who trained in the art of ‘Liver Fortification’ with remarkable proficiency. Her tactile sense was extraordinary—she could place her hand on the ground and feel footsteps from dozens of kilometers away, even discerning the strength of the person walking.”

Xue Jing was taken aback. “That's unbelievable!”

What kind of human radar…

“Unbelievable, indeed,” Li Qi said, nostalgia in his eyes.

“I wonder how that girl is doing now. Back then, I had a dispute with her master and ended up receiving a Gold Vase Palm strike—my second most life-threatening moment…”

Xue Jing interrupted, “Master, I’d rather hear stories about Sister-in-law…”

Li Qi hesitated a moment, giving Xue Jing a stern look. “You're getting picky now, aren't you? Well, I refuse to indulge you.”

Xue Jing chuckled, surprised by a sudden thought, and spoke up:

“By the way, Master, there's something else.”

“I have a friend who mentioned a theory to me...”

Xue Jing relayed the theory about ‘mental power interfering with personal reality’ that Wu Youqing had discussed with him.

Li Qi listened closely, falling into a contemplative silence.

Then, his eyes blinked open, first in understanding, then delight… his expression a collage of emotions.

“I see… this explains so many things…”

He muttered to himself, as if recalling some forgotten truth, his aged eyes losing focus as if entranced.

When he finally snapped back to the present, Li Qi's expression was a swirl of emotions.

“A true word from a thousand lies…”

“I’ve taken such a long detour.”

He patted Xue Jing's shoulder, his face full of satisfaction. “Good child, good child…”

“Thank your friend on my behalf.”

“What a debt of gratitude I've incurred…” sighed Li Qi.