I Will Grind My Way To Godhood

In the Hidden Dragon Dojo’s storage pharmacy, Xue Jing stood in front of the medicine preparation table, gazing at the transparent container before him. Inside it was the liquefied ‘Dragon Thunder Powder’, freshly brewed and ready.

The golden liquid shimmered with an incredible phosphorescence, and occasionally, lightning-like streaks appeared.

Once it cooled slightly, Xue Jing transferred it into a nebulizer before donning it and pressing the start button.

Golden fluorescent mist began to rise within the oxygen mask. Xue Jing closed his eyes, sat down cross-legged, and started his breathing technique.

Within his inner vision, the tiny nebulized particles of the Dragon Thunder Powder, like miniature bolts of lightning, were inhaled into his lungs, passing through the alveoli and entering the bloodstream, spreading throughout his body.

Most particles aimed primarily for the liver, a brown-red organ.

Wherever the particles traveled, there was a tingling sensation, akin to an electric shock, especially in the liver, which was their main target.

Once the particles entered the liver, they adhered to and seeped into the flesh, gradually releasing their medicinal power.

Xue Jing could feel his liver changing amidst the tingling and pricking sensations, becoming tougher and stronger...

Time passed unknowingly until the nebulizer no longer emitted the golden mist, and Xue Jing finally opened his eyes.

In the dim storage pharmacy, his eyes suddenly brightened, similar to light bulbs.

“Has my vision improved? Though it doesn’t seem quite right.”

Xue Jing perceived his current field of vision.

“It’s not an improvement in visual clarity in the physical sense, but rather as if... I can see things that are usually invisible.”

He reached out to touch the medicine preparation table before him.

It seemed that he could vaguely see the tiny cracks and damages on the table's surface through his vision, instinctively figuring that the table could be easily destroyed by hitting here or cutting there...

Although not clear, the feeling was undeniable.

“Martial arts, as expected, are quite idealistic... This must be a manifestation of ‘mental power influencing personal reality’.”

“Simple improvement in visual acuity wouldn’t have such an effect...”

Xue Jing sighed.

He glanced at his panel.

[You have performed a Shaky Armor Skill training, fitness experience +352]

[You have performed a Shaky Armor Skill training, Hidden Dragon Force experience +330]

First were two notifications, and after a few more visceral training motions were added to the Shaky Armor Skill, more experience points were gained.

Then came a notification that caused Xue Jing's eyes to widen slightly.

[You consumed a liver-nourishing medicine, wellness experience +218]

The significance of this wellness skill is self-explanatory.

It gave Xue Jing almost boundless energy, allowing him to maintain relentless enthusiasm for self-improvement, without any desire to slack off or indulge in laziness. Just this alone makes wellness a cheat-level skill.

Let's not even mention that it offers incredibly strong physical and mental recovery capabilities.

All this time, other than the few experience points gained from an unvarying routine of early to bed and early to rise, there's been no consistent way to earn experience in self-cultivation.

Only through activities like fighting, which refresh one's spirit, could one occasionally gain some extra benefit.

But now, he finally discovered a method to steadily increase his [self-cultivation] experience!

Taking an elixir like Dragon Thunder Powder... it brings self-cultivation benefits!

Xue Jing's lips twitched.

"No wonder those so-called health supplements were utterly ineffective when I first activated self-cultivation."

"Only a medicine of Dragon Thunder Powder's caliber can yield experience points..."

He glanced at the notebook lying on the table, which contained his recently penned records of medicine usage.

Checking it against the price list and consumption quantities, the dose of Dragon Thunder Powder he'd concocted was valued at more than 330,000 Zhu Xia currency...

"Definitely a pay-to-win skill."

Xue Jing scratched his head.

Moreover, nourishing the liver with Dragon Thunder Powder was considered cheap.

The refining of the five viscera required various Dragon Thunder Powders with different recipes and precise amounts, timing, and supplementary ingredients. The main herb used was simply a plant infused with dragon thunder.

Among them, the one for nourishing the heart was the most expensive. Xue Jing did some quick calculations; its price exceeded 400,000.

"Thanks for the invite, I'm in Zhu Xia, just got off a plane, with a net worth of 20 million, ready to beg for a meal."

"This money can only last two months; I need to find a way to continue earning."

Xue Jing thought helplessly.

......

The next day, in the hills of the North District.

Silver light flashed wildly across the grass, blades gleamed, Xue Jing swung the sword in his hand. Silver-white blade energy carved the surrounding grass into a chaotic mess.

After a long time, he stopped, flicked the sword aside, and channeled energy into the blade. The plant sap clinging to the blade shook off completely, restoring its pristine state, and then he sheathed the sword.

Through the scattered green bits hovering around him, Xue Jing looked at a distant tree, squinting slightly, and said:

"If you've got something to say, just come out and say it. Why hide there?"

After a few seconds of silence following these words, a figure emerged from behind the tree.

It was Ning Yuantai.

Xue Jing chuckled, brushing off the grass shavings clinging to his clothes, and casually remarked, "So, are you here to pick a fight with me again?"

Ning Yuantai awkwardly stammered, "...I'm not daring enough for that."

Xue Jing raised an eyebrow, "Not daring enough?"

Xue Jing was somewhat surprised by the response.

“So, what brings you here?” Xue Jing asked.

Had the legendary organization 'Bailing on the Edge' really become ineffective, prompting this inquiry?

While he pondered how to dodge responsibility, Ning Yuantai scratched his head and said, “Young master... I'm just here to see if you're interested in joining 'Zhi Ge.'”

Xue Jing chuckled, quipping, “The Sixth Bureau must be really short of people, wanting to recruit me into their ranks.”

He then shook his head, “I'm not interested in joining any organization... Besides, I've already talked to the White Crow. I've agreed to take on tasks as an external member, so it's not really appropriate to get involved with 'Zhi Ge.'”

Ning Yuantai seemed unfazed by Xue Jing's response, as if he had anticipated it, and explained, “Xue... Brother Xue, 'Zhi Ge' is different from the White Crow. We are a team entirely composed of martial artists, and all our resources are oriented towards martial arts practitioners.”

“For instance, we have a wide range of martial arts lineages, with most domestic styles both old and new represented within 'Zhi Ge.'”

“The nature of our work is also not as unpredictable as that of the White Crow. We deal with criminal incidents involving martial artists, where our opponents are traceable fighters. As long as arrangements are well-planned, everything can be resolved smoothly, and battling martial artists helps refine your own skills, especially for someone like you, from the old martial schools.”

After Ning Yuantai laid out all his points, Xue Jing remained unmoved, shaking his head again.

The truth was, martial arts styles needed to match suitable internal energy to be effective. His body was already molded by the Hidden Dragon Style, so other martial arts would be significantly less potent in his hands, offering only referential value, not essentials.

As for practical experience, he was never in short supply. With his conscious simulation ability, he could engage in countless duels with any of his past opponents.

“There's no need to say so much; I'm genuinely not interested,” Xue Jing stated.

Before coming here, Ning Yuantai had already consulted with Void Blade about the situation and knew that Xue Jing was resistant to the idea of being constrained by an organization, so he wasn't placing too much hope; he was just doing his due diligence.

Thus, he revealed his true purpose.

“Let's do it this way, Brother Xue.”

“We'll offer you the same conditions as the White Crow. You could become an external member of our 'Zhi Ge.'”

Xue Jing did not respond verbally but merely glanced at him.

“The assignments would be presented to you as commissions, and you can choose whether or not to accept them at your discretion. In terms of rewards... we can also offer divine relics and resources related to martial arts.”

Sincerely, Ning Yuantai added, “You've only just begun your martial arts journey, so there are many things you may not yet fully understand, and the environment here on the outer ring limits your perspective.”

“The path of martial arts is immensely long... far longer than you might imagine. The further you go, the more resources you'll need, and these become increasingly precious.”

“Many resources are not something money can buy. Countless talented martial artists have wasted decades, unable to break through due to a lack of resources...”

“You might not fully appreciate it now because you're only just starting and haven't reached the point where you lack resources yet.”

"Believe me, associating with Zhi Ge will definitely bring you great benefits."

Xue Jing's expression remained unchanged, merely smiling as he said, "Why are you so persistent about recruiting me? You're even willing to offer such conditions. Is it because of this ‘Mr. Wu’?"

Ning Yuantai hesitated for a moment, then nodded, only to shake his head afterward:

"To be honest, that's part of it... The White Crow's side is mostly because of this, but as for me... it's about fifty-fifty."

Curious, Xue Jing asked, "What is her status exactly, that even you agents seem inclined to curry favor with her?"

Ning Yuantai pondered before saying, "If you don't know yet... I can't say more. You'll have to hear it directly from her."

"Is that so," Xue Jing nodded in understanding, then inquired, "So... you say the reason is fifty-fifty, one part because of Mr. Wu, what about the other part?"

Ning Yuantai didn't answer that question directly. Instead, his demeanor suddenly turned inexplicably respectful... even reverential, as he cautiously asked, "Could you... let me see your eyes?"

…

【Someone has developed a sense of belief and reverence towards you, Charm Art experience +236】

After Ning Yuantai left, Xue Jing glanced at the panel, then closed it.

The silver hue in his pupils gradually faded, and his expression shifted from aloof disdain back to normal.

He eventually accepted Ning Yuantai's invitation, becoming an external member of ‘Zhi Ge’, following the White Crow.

If everything Ning Yuantai said was true, then agreeing to the invitation held significant benefits.

And Ning Yuantai... was unlikely to deceive him.

"The combination of the Charm Art with the essence of the Heaven's Will Blade... is quite dangerous," Xue Jing contemplated.

He recalled Ning Fengwan's reaction from that day, as well as Ning Yuantai's recent reaction.

"If this were ancient times, I reckon I could easily play the role of a Jesus or a Buddha," Xue Jing shook his head.

He didn't particularly enjoy this eerie allure and even felt a shiver of fear.

"Better not let people close to me see this form. Otherwise, it might lead to situations I'd rather avoid."

Exhaling deeply, Xue Jing cleared his thoughts, walked to the lake, and sat down cross-legged.

Then, he immersed his mind into a space of consciousness, beginning to construct a scene.

On the streets, in a dark alley, amidst the rain-soaked night...

"Boom——"

"Splash, splash——"

A torrential downpour engulfed everything, the dark rain-soaked night illuminated only by the sporadic flashes of lightning overhead.

Pixelated blocks swirled, coalescing into the form of Xue Jing.

In his right hand, he grasped the Blade of the Rabbit.

Then, before him, another figure slowly emerged.

“Crack—Boom!”

In the fleeting burst of lightning, the impenetrable darkness of the alley briefly surrendered, revealing the figure's true visage.

An unbearably handsome face with an aura of aloof disdain, holding the same Blade of the Rabbit in his right hand.

And those silver eyes that pierced through even the darkest night.

It was—Xue Jing himself.

“Come, let me see just how strong I really am...”

Xue Jing felt a thrill surge within him, flicking the blade in his hand, his eyes awash in silver, with a center of calm black flame.

The pitch-black rain-soaked world instantly came into sharp focus through his eyes.

The silver blade took on a sheath of black film as Xue Jing murmured to himself:

“If it were me... how would I respond to this move?”

“Black Sky Blade: Furious Thunder!”

“Boom!”

Thunder crashed.

The dark swirling dragon tornado blade cleaved through the ground, sweeping the torrential rain within it like a monstrous grinder, crushing all in its path as it surged toward the opposing figure.

‘Xue Jing’ stood still, neither dodging nor evading, and at the moment the dark tornado approached, the blade in his hand also donned a black film.

Both hands gripped the weapon, and he spun rapidly like a top, morphing into a vertical black tornado.

The two tornados clashed, emitting a metallic screech that lingered.

Eventually, it was Xue Jing's ranged attack that faltered first, shattering into scattered arcs of blade light, slicing through the rain and carving deep ravines into the surrounding ground and walls.

“Using the sword-steel stance to unleash the Spinning Golden Scale and neutralize it, as expected of me.”

Xue Jing looked towards the ceased spinning, unharmed figure, his eyes alight with excitement.

With a step, he and ‘Xue Jing’ vanished simultaneously from their spots.

The next moment, a cacophony of clashing sounds erupted.

In the rain-shrouded midst, the two figures intermittently appeared and disappeared, with each clash birthing a burst of blade light, sharp and fierce, leaving cutting marks upon the ground and walls.

The relentless rain was frequently pierced by gaps as the two continued to maneuver at lightning speed; one moment atop a high building, the next on the ground, the metallic clamor of their engagement never ceasing.

The two employing the Twin-Speed technique moved in a manner inconceivable for humans, resembling the absurdities of a super-powered combat manga.

Pitch-black flames erupted everywhere, as one building after another exploded into rubble. Within just a few minutes, the entire street was left in ruins, a scene of utter devastation.

The two Xue Jings, both operating at full capacity with no restrictions on their divine skills, were even more formidable than in the real world. The mere shockwaves from their battle were terrifying beyond measure.

……