I Will Grind My Way To Godhood

“What is a 'Treasure Body'?” Xue Jing asked curiously.

Chen Fuguang explained, "The so-called Treasure Body literally means honing one's physical form into a 'treasure'."

There was a hint of melody in his voice as he continued, "In ancient times, a poem like this was passed down—"

“Muscles harbor dragons and elephants, tendons like iron, skin like glaze, bones refined to jade.

Blood like molten fire, scorching red gold, the supreme and wondrous true treasure body.”

“What it refers to are the legendary 'Five Realms of the Treasure Body.'"

“'Muscles Harboring Dragons and Elephants,' 'Iron Vines Entwined Around Tendons,' 'Skin Unfolding as Glaze,' 'Bones Unyielding as Jade,' 'Blood Drops as Molten Gold.'"

"These five grand realms represent the highest form of humanity imagined by ancient martial artists."

Xue Jing was captivated, drawn in by the realms depicted by these ancient warriors, and couldn't help but ask:

“What specifically do these five realms represent?”

Chen Fuguang was very pleased with Xue Jing's reaction, greatly satisfying his desire to share. He smiled knowingly and explained,

“The so-called 'Muscles Harboring Dragons and Elephants' implies that the muscles seem to host dragons and elephants. Among aquatic creatures, dragons possess the greatest strength; on land, elephants are the mightiest. These two are the legendary beings with the greatest strength, making the concept of muscles harboring dragons and elephants easily understandable.”

“There is an old proverb that praises: Why do you shake the divine land? It is because you have perfected the dragon-elephant muscles.”

As Chen Fuguang spoke, he couldn't help but sway his head, exhilarated by the tale he was recounting.

“Secondly, 'Iron Tree Entwined Sinews' refers to one's tendons being like the roots of an iron tree. Trees are resilient by nature, and the iron tree even more so, unyielding and tough. Muscles and tendons are intrinsically linked; muscles are extensions of tendons, while tendons are the essence of muscles. Possessing tendons like iron tree roots can harness the power of one's dragon-elephant-like muscles, allowing them to unleash their full potential to the utmost degree.”

“As the old saying goes: When divine strength moves mountains with ease, the iron tree sinews wrap roots gracefully.”

Chen Fuguang recited this knowledge as if he were recounting his family treasures, and when he mentioned the proverb, he almost sang like a professional storyteller.

“Thirdly, 'Glazed Skin' does not imply that the skin appears like glaze, but rather that the skin is flawless and unblemished like glazed glass. Once mastered, no weak points remain on the body. It seals all the blood and spirit within, minimizing consumption, and can even block external pressure, akin to diamond-hard glaze, impervious to weapons.”

“Another saying praises: Perfection is rare in this mortal world; flawless glazed skin.”

“Fourthly, 'Indestructible Jade Bones' means refining one's bones into eternal, unyielding jade. Such bones have unmatched blood-producing capabilities, and their qi is boundless. Any bodily depletion becomes insignificant, as they are as hard and sharp as diamond. Such bones elevate martial techniques to lethal power far beyond ordinary bones.”

“And the saying goes: Millennia may erode civilizations, but never an eternal bone.”

Xue Jing quipped, “Why doesn’t this one rhyme?”

Chen Fuguang chuckled, waving a hand dismissively, “Rhyming? It's all about being cool!”

“Don’t interrupt, let me finish.”

Chen Fuguang took a moment to gather his thoughts, a touch of wistfulness in his eyes:

“Fifthly, 'Blood Melting Gold' is known among ancient martial artists as the most challenging of the five legendary 'Treasure Body' realms to achieve. It describes when controlling one’s body, the blood flows boiling-hot, like volcanic lava. Just one drop can melt pure gold. Blood is the source of human power; imagine the might of blood that can melt gold and iron!”

“And it is said: True gold fears not mystical flames, only the warrior's gold-melting blood.”

Xue Jing expressed his astonishment:

“It feels more like a myth than a realm description.”

As soon as he spoke, Chen Fuguang's face darkened.

The once lively atmosphere came to an abrupt halt.

“Yeah, it's just a myth.”

“No one can truly achieve it.”

Chen Fuguang sighed deeply.

His master, Li Qi, back then, had passionately described to him the martial artists' ultimate pursuit of physical perfection, but after speaking, he too let out a weary sigh.

Not to mention how unlikely it is to reach such a state, even if one did, what would it achieve?

The times have changed…

Geniuses can be manufactured. A few injections of prohibited substances paired with scientific training methods can quickly create a strong individual, not to mention the existence of 'bio-enhancements.'

Ten years of martial arts training cannot compare to a single surgery.

The path of old martial arts has long reached its end…

Chen Fuguang looked despondent and fell silent. Xue Jing seemed to sense something and did not try to persuade him, simply staying quiet.

They were different after all; Chen Fuguang was saddled with the greatest anomaly of this world.

To him, things that are impossible for others are not beyond reach.

Legend speaks of the five great realms of forging the body...

Perhaps he could give it a try, see if he could become a 'martial myth.'

“Alright, Junior Brother, you keep practicing. Senior Brother here has work to attend to, so I'll head out first.”

Chen Fuguang patted Xue Jing's shoulder, smiling as he spoke.

Xue Jing nodded, “Take care, Senior Brother Chen.”

…

Two days later, in the Hidden Dragon Dojo, within the training room.

Xue Jing halted his training of the Dragon Subduing Technique, standing on the hardwood floor, his breath slowly calming.

At his feet lay a significant pool of sweat, excessive enough to make one wonder how a human body could possibly contain such an amount.

【You completed a Dragon Subduing Stance practice: Fitness XP +208】

【You completed a Dragon Subduing Stance practice: Power Conduit XP +201】

【Fitness level increased to Lv5】

【Power Conduit level increased to Lv3】

Xue Jing's entire body crackled sharply as if a burst of fireworks had ignited, and his physical attributes suddenly soared. He experienced a comprehensive enhancement.

He clenched his fists, feeling the power surge with his breath, and a patch of skin on his arm suddenly bulged as if a small creature were scampering beneath it.

With a flick of his fingers, that 'creature' darted up to his index finger, and Xue Jing positioned his thumb against it in a snapping gesture, *snap*!

Just that mere snap unleashed an explosively powerful sound!

"Good! The power reaches the fingertips, a flick to kill someone. Even as your teacher, I didn't expect that besides having a remarkably gifted physique, you have such a talent for channeling power!"

Li Qi, sitting beside him in a wheelchair, clapped and laughed.

Gazing at the disciple before him, who couldn't be more satisfying, Li Qi's head, reminiscent of a Mediterranean baldness, seemed to shine a bit brighter.

"There's an old martial adage: 'A sound worth a thousand gold!'

Being able to channel power to the finest detail, reaching the fingertips, a flick to kill — in the olden days, such skill was already the mark of a master. Step out into the world, and you'd be respectfully addressed as 'Master.'"

A hint of satisfaction appeared on Xue Jing's face. He smiled and said, "It's all thanks to your excellent guidance, Master."

Li Qi nodded and said, "Your rapid progress far exceeds my expectations; you can indeed try moving on to the next phase ahead of schedule."

Xue Jing asked with curiosity, "The next phase? Is it the Iron Shirt Technique?"

Li Qi shook his head, "No, it's the Visualization Method."

"The technique of Dormant Dragon's Stance is meant to 'nurture the dragon's energy,' and where does this dragon energy originate? It naturally comes from within your heart!"

“In your heart, you must nurture a dragon.”