I Will Grind My Way To Godhood

“Li Chengxuan...”

Xue Jing watched the live broadcast, paused for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh.

“It's quite a coincidence.”

Beside him, Yin Muhu nodded and said, “I've seen several matches of this Li Chengxuan. His style, the 'Golden Wind White Rainbow Sword,' is quite interesting. It's got a bit of a name in the inner circle over there. I've heard my grandmaster mention that the 'Three Heroes of Jade City' once had a quarrel with disciples from this style.”

Xue Jing laughed, “I've heard my master mention it too.”

Yin Muhu continued, “My grandmaster said that most of the trouble those three encountered back then was stirred up by Li Qi, the Dragon King. He heard about the reputation of the 'Golden Wind White Rainbow Sword' style and confronted their disciples with a ‘What are you looking at?’”

“But I rather think this might have been my grandmaster's exaggeration. Likely, he caused the trouble himself...”

Xue Jing remained silent, thinking it likely wasn't an exaggeration. Even if there were some embellishments, it was probably mostly true.

It was puzzling why Yin Muhu held such a deep prejudice against his own grandmaster.

“Li Chengxuan's strength is decent. Ranking among the top twelve in this elimination tournament's thirty-two contestants is already within the 'upper tier.'”

Jiang Siwei spoke, her hands tapping continuously on a thin laptop.

“Industry insiders generally believe that if he's lucky, he has a reasonable chance of being one of the four to advance.”

“Jing, be careful...”

Jiang Siwei paused, then continued, “I know you're very strong... But since this is your first competition, you might not be used to it. The schedule for this elimination round is very tight, with three consecutive matches in a short span. Getting injured in any match can become a significant disadvantage in subsequent ones.”

“We not only have to win, but win while ensuring we stay as unharmed as possible. Being cautious is never wrong.”

Xue Jing glanced at her, merely smiling quietly, “Don't worry, Sister Si, I'll be careful.”

On the live screen, an energetic old man continued drawing lots. Soon Yin Muhu's name appeared.

“The ninth match... Fortunately, we're not in the same bracket.”

Yin Muhu nodded with satisfaction, relieved. The elimination tournament's schedule had the first eight matches in one bracket and the last eight in another. Xue Jing was in the sixth, within the first eight. Yin Muhu was in the ninth, in the latter half.

With this arrangement, they wouldn't face each other on the field until the tournament concluded.

Jiang Siwei asked curiously, “Aren't martial artists supposed to strive forward with courage? Afraid of facing Xue Jing... Such a mindset doesn't quite fit, does it?”

Yin Muhu looked at her, extended his right hand, and shook his thick forefinger correcting, “Not afraid of facing, but unwilling to meet. There's a difference.”

“Martial artists strive forward with courage, but they're not brainless... Knowing there's a high chance of losing, of course you'd avoid it if possible. It's not cowardice, it's a strategic retreat.”

Yin Muhu spoke with an air of justification, without a hint of embarrassment.

Xue Jing pinched his chin, agreeing, “True that.”

After watching the draw ceremony, Xue Jing and the others shared a meal at the hotel before going their separate ways.

Xue Jing returned to his room to proceed with his routine "Shaking Armor Technique" and "Hibernating Dragon Skill" practice.

After training, he entered his mental space for simulated combat battles, endeavoring to use pure vigorous strength throughout.

When he finally felt mentally exhausted and exited the mental space, it was already two in the afternoon.

After showering in the bathroom and changing clothes, Xue Jing walked out the hotel doors, planning to visit his sister, Xue Wan, at her school.

First, he called Xue Wan to make sure it was okay, and upon receiving confirmation, he hailed a cab heading towards Fengcheng University.

...

At Fengcheng University's entrance.

"Wan Wan, we’re on our way to karaoke. Want to join us? Some cute guys are coming too!"

A trio of female university students stepped out of the gate, one long-haired girl’s eyes lighting up at the sight of Xue Wan holding a cat, inviting.

"Hey, such an adorable cat! Was this cat always at school? Feels like I’ve never seen it before."

Within the group, a short-haired girl with glasses looked curiously at the cat in Xue Wan's arms, reaching out to pet it, but the cat simply turned its head away, avoiding contact.

Xue Wan chuckled, "This is my cat. It’s quite shy and doesn’t let people touch it... You guys go on ahead. My brother will be coming to school soon. I need to show him around."

"Your brother!?" The trio’s eyes lit up.

"Is it the brother you always mention? The really handsome one?"

"Must be him! Wan Wan once showed us his photo. Wow, that godlike-featured brother is actually coming to our school... slurp."

"Wan Wan~~ introduce us, please~"

The last in the group, a petite girl with young features, immediately clung to Xue Wan’s arm, whining playfully.

Xue Wan displayed a peculiar expression, "Weren’t you guys going to karaoke with cute guys..."

The long-haired girl put on a serious face, "Ordinary cute guys are always available."

The short-haired girl with glasses quickly added, "Top-tier handsome guys are hard to come by, even just getting a glance is life-extending, let alone a taste~"

Xue Wan’s lips twitched, “A taste... don’t you dare have any designs on my brother."

"Of course not," all three chimed in unison.

The long-haired girl smiled slyly, "However... if your brother has designs on us, that can’t be helped."

Xue Wan waved dismissively, "Ah, you guys shouldn’t get your hopes up; that won’t happen."

"Huh? Why not?" The girl with glasses asked curiously.

Xue Wan smiled, "He’s grown up with me since childhood... you know."

The petite girl looked confused, "Huh? What does that mean?"

Xue Wan pointed to her face, revealing a beautiful smile.

"Growing up alongside such a top-tier beauty, he’s long since maxed out his resistance to women!"

The trio instantly ground their teeth in frustration.

However, seeing Xue Wan's beautiful face that left people speechless, they all had to reluctantly admit that it might be true.

"Damn it, hurry up and share some of your genes with me!"

"I want to rip apart that annoying little mouth of yours!"

Laughter erupted amongst the group.

The cat yawned while nestled in Xue Wan's arms, thinking to itself that women can be quite bothersome when gathered together.

After a while, a taxi drove in and came to a slow stop not far away.

The rear door opened, and after scanning to pay, Xue Jing thanked the driver and stepped out.

Adjusting the glasses on his face, he walked towards the school gates.

From a distance, he saw his sister Xue Wan holding the cat and chatting with several other girls.

"Wanwan, why hasn't your brother arrived yet? Maybe you should call him,"

suggested the long-haired girl.

"Yeah, call him and check. He hasn't been accosted by some female hooligan en route, right?"

the short-haired girl voiced her concern.

Xue Wan rolled her eyes at them. "Why so anxious..."

Then her eyes shifted to a spot nearby.

"Ah, he's here."

They focused their gaze, looking around yet still couldn't spot him.

"Where exactly is he!"

At that moment, the cat jumped down from Xue Wan's arms. After a lazy stretch, it gracefully padded over to a seemingly ordinary man wearing glasses not far away.

Once in front of him, the cat made an agile leap, landing onto his shoulder and sat there, licking its paw.

Xue Wan waved at him. "Ajing, over here."

The three female college students finally noticed him.

Then, they all exchanged subtle glances. "Eh... is he, the brother?"

"Totally different from what I imagined..."

"I thought he'd exude a star-like aura."

"Why does he seem a bit... ordinary?"

The petite girl stared at Xue Jing for a while and suddenly said, "No, look carefully, his face is actually very handsome!"

"But why... does something feel off?"

Xue Wan walked up to Xue Jing, reaching out to help him adjust his collar, and curiously asked,

"Why are you wearing glasses now?"

Xue Jing chuckled, "Without them, things might get a bit troublesome."

"No worries," Xue Wan said casually, "Let's go, I'll show you around the campus. By the way, have you thought about which university you want to apply to? You're almost in your final year now."

The two of them started walking into the campus.

"We'll see… I might not even go to university," Xue Jing thought for a moment, then replied.

Xue Wan nodded, "That makes sense... Your martial arts skills are really impressive now. If you pursue that path, you have a great future. However, our parents might have some concerns… Honestly, I still think it's a good idea to experience university life, not just for the degree, but for the unique experiences that come with it. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you don't want to miss."

"We should enjoy our youth to the fullest..." Xue Wan said, her eyes reflecting a complexity beyond words.

They walked up to a group of three female university students.

"These are my classmates... They said they wanted to meet you," Xue Wan introduced them, gesturing toward Xue Jing.

Xue Jing looked at them. His glasses reflected the sunlight as he smiled, "Hello, ladies, I'm Xue Jing."

The three female students were momentarily stunned and then exchanged glances.

The long-haired girl smiled and greeted, "Hi there, I'm Zhao Lu."

"I'm Shang Ping."

"I'm Wei Juan…"

The other two introduced themselves one after the other.

They all walked together, meandering through the campus, chatting along the way.

"You're still in your second year of high school, right? Have you thought about applying to our Feng University in the future?"

"Do you have a girlfriend? Do you prefer someone younger or older?"

"You're into martial arts, right? Wanwan couldn't stop bragging to us that you'd made the news..."

As they chatted, the female students discreetly took out their phones, communicating in a small group chat of just the three of them.

"Though he seems pretty average at first glance, his smile is inexplicably charming... So strange."

"A bit peculiar, but undeniably, he's a top-tier good-looking guy."

"If there's a chance, we shouldn't let it slip away!"

The cat sitting on Xue Jing's shoulder glanced at them, its mouth curving into a slight, mocking smile.

After strolling for a while, Xue Wan suggested, "Hey, how about we check out the martial arts club? Our university's club is quite famous."

Zhao Lu's eyes lit up as she chimed in, "Our Feng University's Martial Arts Club often participates in the inter-university competitions and has won multiple championships."

"You should take a look, too. Maybe visiting it will pique your interest in our university," she added.

Xue Jing, having come to accompany his sister mainly for conversation, didn't mind where they went. Hearing this, he nodded and said, "Sure, let's check it out."

…

The Martial Arts Club of Feng City University, inside a spacious arena.

On a floor covered with rubber mats, dozens of male and female university students were practicing in their training uniforms, engaged in club activities.

Within the bustling arena, some were sparring with each other, others were training with equipment, while some were engaged in giving or receiving instruction.

A man nearly two meters tall, with short hair and a robust build, was hands-on with a younger student, giving meticulous guidance.

"That's not right, don't lift your foot too high. The feet are the foundation of the body, and any use involving them must be cautious. A loss of balance is critically dangerous for martial artists…" he explained.

Suddenly, someone hurriedly rushed through the entrance of the complex.

"Brother Feng, Brother Feng!" the newcomer panted as he approached the man known as Brother Feng.

Brother Feng replied slowly, "What's the rush? Take your time."

Catching his breath, the man nodded and finally managed to say, "The goddess Xue, the goddess Xue is here!"

Upon hearing this, Brother Feng widened his eyes slightly, but only furrowed his brow. "Just passing through?"

The man shook his head vigorously, "No, she's really here, heading straight toward our club, with Zhao Lu and the others, plus a guy!"

Brother Feng narrowed his eyes.

"Oh, right, that guy bears a strong resemblance to the goddess Xue. I think he might be her brother," the man added.

Hearing this, Brother Feng smacked the man on the back of his head. "Why didn't you say so earlier!" he scolded, feeling relieved. "As long as it’s her brother…"

The man rubbed his head, protesting, "I needed to catch my breath."

Ignoring his complaint, Brother Feng instructed, "Stay alert later. Xue Wan is likely bringing her brother to tour our martial arts club."

"I'll personally welcome them and ensure we leave a good impression of our Feng University Martial Arts Club on her brother."

…

As they approached the martial arts club, Xue Wan turned to Xue Jing and said, "Oh right, Ah Jing."

Xue Jing looked at her, puzzled. "Hmm?"

With a playful smile, Xue Wan said, "The president of the martial arts club might want to give you some guidance later."

"Just agree to it, then… go a little harder on them if you must."

Xue Jing adjusted his glasses, which flashed briefly. "Why?"

From the side, Zhao Lu interjected, "Isn't it obvious? It's because of that issue… That guy is annoying. Wan Wan clearly turned him down, yet he won't give up."

"But he's quite skilled. He even participated in the U19 tournament last year. Brother, are you sure you'll be alright?" she asked with some concern.

Xue Jing chuckled, "I should be just a bit better than him."

…

[]

Chapter 128 Grandstanding, What Champion Are You? Acting Lv1

“His martial arts skills are top-notch, and everyone at the school is afraid of him. Now, hardly any men dare approach Wanwan.”

Zhao Lu recounted the misdeeds of the martial arts club president. After Xue Jing finished listening, he shook his head and sighed, “This guy really lacks vision.”

Xue Wan raised her eyebrows, reached out to pinch his waist, and threatened, “What did you just say?”

Xue Jing shrugged, “Nothing at all.”

As the group chatted, they walked into the martial arts club venue. A male college student, wearing a training uniform, instantly brightened up upon seeing them and approached with a smile, “Hey, Goddess Xue is here, welcome!”

Xue Jing glanced at his sister, uttering an “Uh” in surprise, “Goddess?”

Hearing such a title from her brother, Xue Wan felt slightly embarrassed, her face tinged with red. But she quickly regained her composure and said with confidence, “What’s wrong with that?”

The short-haired girl, Wei Juan, chuckled, “Wanwan is famous at Feng Da, right? The ‘Most Beautiful Campus Flower of the Decade’?”

Teasingly, she turned to Xue Wan.

Xue Wan: “……”

Xue Jing cast a glance at Xue Wan, smiling slightly as he remarked, “They seem to greatly misunderstand you, Goddess.”

Xue Wan shot him a glare. "Can't you just say less?"

She then cleared her throat and addressed the male college student, "My brother is here visiting Feng City. He's had some martial arts training, so I thought I'd bring him to tour Feng University's martial club. You wouldn’t mind, right?"

The male student responded exuberantly, "Of course not, you're very welcome! As the goddess' brother, if you wanted to be the president, Brother Feng would definitely step down for you."

Xue Wan merely smiled lightly and asked, "No need to step down... where is your president?"

The male student pointed towards a tall man not far away in the hall. "He's over there instructing the new members. Brother Feng is so serious that he might seem a bit unromantic. It's rare for the goddess Xue to visit our martial club, yet he doesn't even come over to greet you..."

The man, dressed in training attire, was carefully correcting a member's posture. Although he seemed focused, his gaze would occasionally sneak glances towards Xue Wan.

Zhao Lu seemed mildly amused and shook her head, saying, "Putting on a show..."

"Let's go over." Xue Wan said.

"Yes, put your foot on your hand, your hand on your hand, and your butt on your head…" Brother Feng mumbled to himself as he kept an eye on Xue Wan's situation. "Huh? Brother Feng, I don't quite understand, could you repeat that?"

The student he was instructing looked completely confused.

Out of the corner of his eye, Brother Feng saw Xue Wan and her group approaching. Suppressing his excitement, he turned to a junior with a serious face and said, "If you don't understand, it's because you haven't been working hard enough. Haven't you been paying attention in Mr. Zhang's classes?"

"What?" the junior asked, taken aback.

By this time, Xue Wan was already close.

Today, she was dressed in a sweet style, with a white lace blouse and semi-transparent long sleeves, paired with a black pleated mini-skirt that covered half her thighs. On her feet were white sneakers, showcasing her long, sculpted legs, both sexy and cute.

Her waist-length wavy black hair cascaded like a silky waterfall, and despite no visible makeup, her flawless face bore a subtle, teasing smile. Just being near Brother Feng instantly stirred his emotions.

Although there was still some distance between them, Brother Feng felt as if he could already smell her enticing fragrance, his eyes betraying a mesmerized gaze.

"Chen, guiding the juniors, I see?" Xue Wan asked with a light chuckle.

Chen Feng cleared his throat, trying to present a composed front as he waved off the junior, saying, "You go practice on your own now."

The junior stared blankly at Xue Wan.

Chen Feng frowned, suppressing a rising irritation, and gave the junior a gentle tap on the back of his head. "Get going!"

The junior snapped back to reality, quickly replying, "Yes," before scuttling off to the side.

"Wanwan, do you need something from me?" Brother Feng asked, feigning gentleness, his voice deliberately low and accompanied by exaggerated intonations.

Standing behind Xue Wan, Zhao Lu couldn't handle the theatrics and immediately covered her mouth to stifle her laughter.

"Brother Feng, I've told you before not to call me 'Wanwan,'" Xue Wan said, frowning slightly.

Brother Feng replied tenderly, "If you don't like it, I won't say it. Don't be upset."

Xue Wan clicked her tongue, rubbing her left hand against the goosebumps on her right arm, and said, "...Never mind. Let me introduce you. This is my brother, Xue Jing."

Brother Feng glanced at Xue Jing, speaking warmly, "Oh? So you're Wanwan's brother. I'm Brother Feng. You can call me Feng-ge..."

Xue Jing: "..."

Xue Wan looked at him with amusement in her eyes and said, "Brother Feng, my brother has recently started practicing martial arts. He seems to have some talent and has picked up a few things, but he's becoming increasingly arrogant and self-centered... I want him to understand that there are always people better than him."

"Brother Feng, could you do me a favor and teach him a lesson?"

Brother Feng was taken aback, "This..."

Xue Wan sighed, "The person I'm most worried about in my life is my brother. But now that he's grown up, I can't control him anymore. So I've decided that I must find him a boyfriend who can keep him in check."

Brother Feng stood up straight, crossing his arms with a solemn expression. "Wan Wan, you don't need to say more. I understand your intentions. This matter, I will not shirk my responsibility."

Xue Wan's lips twitched slightly. "...It's good that you understand, but relatively speaking, I will never consider someone who can't even manage to beat my brother. I hope you're clear on this point."

Xue Jing, cooperating perfectly, put on a haughty expression, nostrils flaring, and said disdainfully, "Sis, what's there to talk about? Hurry up and start. Your school's martial arts club looks like it doesn't have anyone worthwhile."

Brother Feng shook his head, chuckling softly. "Xue, my young friend, you must just be new to martial arts. Otherwise, you'd have heard of my name, the champion of last year's Southern College League—"

Before he could finish his sentence, his vision suddenly blurred.

"Bang—"

A slender hand, moving at a speed beyond his comprehension, grasped his throat, lifted him up entirely, and slammed him to the ground.

The rubber flooring left a human-shaped indentation from the impact.

The entire martial arts club venue fell silent due to the sudden occurrence.

Brother Feng lay on the ground, still dazed, when a foot stepped firmly onto his chest.

A voice full of cool and arrogant disdain rang in his ears.

"Huh? What champion are you?"

Xue Jing spoke with a tone full of disdain.

"Have you met the conditions? Activating skill: Acting."

…