I Will Grind My Way To Godhood

He felt as though his mind was like a gem long shrouded in dust, suddenly cleansed and shining bright, capable of illuminating countless landscapes.

This was a truly marvelous sensation, where thoughts and ideas in his consciousness flowed rapidly like a flash of light or a bolt of lightning, unimpeded by any obstacles.

‘Have I... gained wisdom? No, it's more like my mind has become solidified, able to eliminate distractions outside of what I wish to focus on.’

As soon as this doubt emerged in his mind, Xue Jing immediately and resolutely deduced the reason.

‘[Visualization], its effect should be enhancing ‘control over thought’, strengthening ‘control over emotions’, and... boosting ‘imagination’?’

Xue Jing tried to visualize a dragon in his mind.

In just a fleeting moment, a true dragon with great wings, four limbs, and five claws was vividly sketched by him; every detail was lifelike, even down to a single mane or a single golden scale, all possessing a remarkably vivid sense of reality.

Then, with a shift in his thoughts, his whole being inhabited the dragon's body, transforming into a true dragon. He stretched his dragon form, muscles rippling like waves, as golden scales shimmered with a brilliant light.

In the training room, Li Qi watched in amazement at Xue Jing standing silently at the center, exuding an inexplicable aura of majesty from head to toe.

“It’s only the first time he’s practiced visualization... and he’s already developed ‘Dragon Aura’?”

Xue Jing exited the visualization, his whole body’s ‘Dragon Aura’ dissipating, as he looked over at Li Qi, puzzled, and asked, “Master, what exactly does ‘Dragon Aura’ refer to?”

Possibly influenced by his prior transformation into a true dragon in his consciousness, his voice sounded much deeper than usual, carrying an inexplicable heaviness and authority.

Li Qi chuckled, his expression gentle as he replied, “The so-called ‘Dragon Aura’ is essentially just an emotion.”

“Humans are fascinating creatures, easily swayed by emotions. For instance, a person who is angry will undoubtedly strike harder than usual. You’ve probably heard of stories like an old grandmother, in a moment of desperation, lifting a car that trapped her grandson, haven’t you?”

“Killing intent, fighting spirit, confidence, anger, greed, willpower... these are unseen, intangible, abstract mental forces. When arranged and combined to a certain extent, they can merge into an ‘emotion’ capable of directly affecting the physical body.”

“By mimicking the dragon form with the 'Hidden Dragon Technique' and visualizing a dragon, over time, you cultivate a 'Dragon Aura' that makes oneself feel like a dragon. When striking, this Dragon Aura naturally accompanies your blows, unleashing great force akin to a true dragon.”

Xue Jing suddenly understood.

Li Qi continued to explain, “In martial arts, the emotions we arouse are known as 'Qi of Movement', and the ability to control these emotions is called 'Qi of Stillness.'”

“Without Qi of Movement, during a fight or sparring match, how can your punches have impact if your heart lacks the spirit? Without Qi of Stillness, letting emotions control you, you’ll just be manipulated by others.”

“Every competent martial artist must learn to cultivate Qi of Stillness and store Qi of Movement—controlling movement with stillness, blending both harmoniously to become unstoppable.”

Xue Jing nodded earnestly, “I have learned, Master.”

Pleased, Li Qi remarked, “Generally, disciples who have just cultivated Dragon Aura may act somewhat reckless, thinking themselves dragons. This indicates insufficient Qi of Stillness.”

“But you’re as calm as ever, unaffected by the Dragon Aura, showing quite a bit of natural talent in cultivating Qi of Stillness.”

Hearing this, Xue Jing glanced at his skill panel.

Another divine skill...

Enhanced imagination and mental control, crucial for invoking Qi of Movement.

Improved emotional control, implying a simultaneous increase in Qi of Stillness...

After acquiring numerous skills related to physical talent, he finally obtained one linked to mental acuity.

“Let’s conclude today's training with the Hidden Dragon Technique here. Your progress has surpassed my expectations; it’s time to introduce you to 'Combat Techniques.'”

Li Qi spoke while taking out his phone, fiddling with it for a moment before setting it down.

“Combat Techniques? How do we practice them?” Xue Jing asked, invigorated.

Li Qi chuckled, "In martial arts, the path is simply about 'nourishing, practicing, fighting, and killing.'"

"Dragon Hibernation Technique cultivates Dragon Aura, while Armor Shaking Technique trains Dragon Power. Killing moves are still premature for you, and as for fighting methods... that you must deduce on your own."

Xue Jing queried in confusion, "Deducing on my own?"

"By fighting methods, I mean the way of combat. It encompasses your habits, strategies, and instincts during battles. It's an entire combat system that you must gradually build yourself."

"The only way to refine combat methods is, naturally, to fight!"

"Fight relentlessly, fight continually, and your fighting style will naturally take shape over time," said Li Qi with a cheerful demeanor.

In perfect timing with his words, the door of the training room was pushed open just as he finished speaking.

A woman entered, holding a flaky Chinese pancake and munching on it continuously. As she strode forward, her considerable proportions stretched her training outfit taut, as though threatening to burst at any moment, making for a nail-biting sight.

Xue Jing was momentarily stunned, "Senior Sister Meng..."

It was Meng Qingjiao, the fourth disciple of the Hidden Dragon Dojo.

The daughter of Senior Brother Meng Boshang, And, in Xue Jing's two lifetimes, the most perfectly figured woman he had ever encountered, unrivaled.

Meng Qingjiao said nothing; her expression remained cool as she nodded, then approached Xue Jing. She extended her free hand—the one not holding the pancake—and patted him on the head.

Was she showing affection or a sense of closeness?

Xue Jing was a bit unsure but didn’t resist it.

“Qingjiao’s control over her energy is the best among all the disciples, even better than her father, Bo Shang.”

Li Qi commented leisurely.

“She will be your sparring partner for perfecting your combat techniques.”

Xue Jing hesitantly glanced at Meng Qingjiao’s ‘World Cup.’

This was leagues above Wu Youqing of the ‘European Cup’ and Zhu Shanying of the ‘Asian Cup,’ was it really not going to be awkward?

However, he quickly dismissed these distracting thoughts, took a deep breath, and respectfully cupped his hands towards Meng Qingjiao, saying, “Sister, please guide me!”

Since the young lady had said nothing more, it wasn't appropriate for him to be fussy either.

“……”

Meng Qingjiao didn’t speak, her expression remained cool and collected as she nodded. She swiftly gobbled down the pancake in her hand in three bites, her cheeks bulging like a hamster’s as she chewed quickly and swallowed.

Then, with one hand behind her back, she made a gesture with the other hand as if to say ‘please,’ a few crumbs of the pancake still clinging to the corners of her mouth.

Her tall stature stood upright like a pine, exuding an aura of profound composure and gravitas, yet her shapely figure seemed inherently evocative...

Fortunately, after activating [Visualization], Xue Jing’s ability to control his thoughts had improved significantly, allowing him to shake off all irrelevant distractions and focus seriously.

“Be careful, sister.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Xue Jing pushed off the floor, launching towards Meng Qingjiao like an arrow released from a bow!

“Bang!”

Xue Jing felt a blur before his eyes as a gentle force struck his chest, sending him flying backward uncontrollably until he crashed onto the hardwood floor.

"Your intention was too obvious," Li Qi remarked from the side.

"Don’t be held back by Qingjiao’s gender. In real combat, such considerations are secondary. You must win at any cost, be it cunning or ruthless. In martial arts, the one left standing is the winner, and the one lying down is the loser, regardless of the method."

"Use your head. Exhaust every means, just focus on winning, and have no other worries!"

Xue Jing nodded, bounced to his feet with a nimble kick, and readied himself for another charge at Meng Qingjiao.

This time, he didn’t avoid sensitive areas; wherever he sensed a flaw, he aimed to attack. Yet, after merely a couple of moves with Meng Qingjiao, he was sent flying once more.

Without saying much, he got back on his feet and continued to press on.

Thus, he repeatedly launched his assaults, only to be defeated again and again.

Every time he was sent sprawling, Li Qi would point out his shortcomings, which Xue Jing absorbed like a sponge, gradually improving his combat skills.

From being knocked down with the first contact to enduring two moves, then to ten moves, Xue Jing spent an hour in this progression.

To last twenty moves took him three hours.

As dusk fell and the crescent moon hung high, Xue Jing could no longer sustain himself. After just two steps, his legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.

……