I Will Grind My Way To Godhood

The docks of South City.

“Caw—Caw—”

Seagulls circled in the air, their cries echoing as a massive cruise ship slowly approached the pier. Standing on the docks was Jiao Hongyuan, an elderly but robust man, his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed on a handsome young man waving at him from the ship's deck.

Standing behind Jiao Hongyuan was Su Bijing, the leader of the Razor Gang, who spoke with a smile, “Our junior brother has certainly made quite the impression in Maple City this time. Twelve qualifying rounds, all won in a landslide. The name of our Golden Wind Dojo has spread throughout the entire outer ring.”

Jiao Hongyuan's expression remained unchanged, though a hint of satisfaction flickered in his eyes. He spoke calmly, “Still too early for that, the kid still reeks of immaturity. Wins a few matches and already forgets who he is, goes on blabbering to the media about taking on ten opponents at once with no semblance of composure, just making a fool of himself.”

Su Bijing, having been Jiao Hongyuan's personal disciple for many years, understood his master's temperament well; he could see that Hongyuan was inwardly quite pleased, though habitually critical to instill humility in his students. He chuckled flatteringly, “Youth is bound to be spirited. Our junior brother is a gifted prodigy, fit to be called a talent even within the inner city's circles. A bit of arrogance isn't so bad, and besides, he was simply speaking the truth. Master, there's no need to take it to heart.”

Jiao Hongyuan nodded, humming in agreement.

Then he said faintly, “Is White Crow still on our tail?”

Hearing this, Su Bijing paused momentarily, his expression becoming serious as he replied in a low voice, “Many brothers in the Razor Gang have been captured… It won't be long before it's my turn.”

Jiao Hongyuan turned to look at him, “Have you taken care of everything?”

Su Bijing nodded, “Two days ago, I deliberately stirred up trouble and clashed with the Bloodclaw Gang, silenced all who knew of the matter, and disguised it as a gang fight… White Crow won’t be able to dig up anything.”

Taking two steps forward, Jiao Hongyuan said gravely, “Once this matter is exposed, we won't have a burial place. There won't be any luck saving us, are you clear about that?”

With eyes full of gravity, Su Bijing nodded, “Master, I understand…”

Jiao Hongyuan watched the young man descend the cruise ship's steps, speaking languidly, “Once this is settled, we can officially join Kong De Security Company, becoming part of this colossal entity. Status, power, money… these are not worth mentioning. Kong De promised to provide us with the ‘limit-breaking surgery.’”

Jiao Hongyuan's eyes gleamed with fervor. “I’m old now, inevitable that my energy and blood will decline. My hope for self-limit-breaking is slim, can only rely on such means… But who says technological limit-breaking is inferior to self-limit-breaking?”

“I've long grown tired of seeing self-limit-breaking masters of the Longmen style being trounced by artificially enhanced fighters who've undergone such surgeries!”

He reached out to pat Su Bijing on the shoulder.

"Bijing, I deeply regret Kaiping's death... However, this is just a minor setback on the road to success. In this matter, you are the one among the personal disciples who has contributed the most. Once we succeed, there is definitely a spot for you in the quota for the limit-breaking surgery that Kong De has arranged."

Su Bijing's spirits lifted upon hearing this. He quickly bowed his head, suppressing the surge of joy and the rapid beating of his heart, and said excitedly:

"Thank you, Master!"

Su Bijing thought for a moment and asked, "What about Little Junior Brother?"

Jiao Hongyuan glanced at him, "With Chengxuan's talent, he doesn't even need the surgery to break through limits... Those who can leap over the dragon gate on their own will experience a transformation not only in body but also in spirit. He is on a different path than us."

"Also, don't disclose this matter to Chengxuan. He's still young and may not understand our intentions for now. Do you understand?"

Su Bijing quickly nodded, "Understood."

……

Hidden Dragon Dojo, in the Heart-Nurturing Room.

Xue Jing sat cross-legged on the hardwood floor and asked Li Qi, "Master, does our Hidden Dragon style martial arts include weapon techniques?"

Li Qi, seated in a wheelchair, was performing tea-making steps on a redwood table's tea tray. Upon hearing Xue Jing's question, his movements paused slightly, and he smiled, "What made you think of asking this?"

Xue Jing placed his hands on either side of his knees, swaying his body like a wobbling doll and said, "Isn't there an upcoming U19 no-holds-barred combat tournament? I want to give it a try, but this competition allows weapons, and I feel at a disadvantage if I go empty-handed."

Xue Jing ultimately decided to try participating.

The U19 schedule was lengthy. He reviewed the rules and calculated that starting from Feng City and making it through the elimination rounds, it would take at least one to two months before facing Otogi Suzuka.

For others, this timeframe was short, hardly enough to accomplish much, but for him, it was different.

From when he first started learning martial arts until now, it had only been a little over a month.

Giving him an additional one to two months, defeating Otogi Suzuka... was not an impossible task.

For GOD-519... it was worth a try.

Li Qi raised the teapot high, pouring out tea like silk threads into the teacup, his hand steady, the tea swirling around the cup's base without a drop spilling.

He said, "U19... It's a pretty good competition, one of the more prestigious among the old martial arts tournaments. Many masters of the Dragon Gate, even those who have earned "titles," participated in this competition when they were young."

"You can participate if you like. Although your time training has been short, and you're unlikely to achieve a high ranking at this stage, it's worth the experience."

Li Qi took a sip from the teacup and continued, "As for weapon techniques in the Hidden Dragon style... we do have them."

"First-rate martial arts techniques are generally interchangeable. Techniques that can be executed with fists and feet can surely be performed with weapons, and vice versa."

“The Dragon Concealment Style's five killing techniques center on harnessing internal power. Whether it's channeled into fists and feet or weapons like swords and knives makes no difference."

Hearing this, Xue Jing recalled wielding the blade of the Void Blade captain to execute the spiraling strike, 'Whirlwind Thunder,' piercing cleanly through the Cockroach Monster.

It felt perfectly natural at that moment, without any sense of discord.

Li Qi steered his wheelchair in front of Xue Jing, smiling as he spoke, "Our Dragon Concealment Style has three masterful arts, one of which is called 'Eye of the Dragon.' This art seeks the ultimate penetrating force, typically not performed barehanded in combat. Instead, it demands a sharp weapon to focus that force into a single point, piercing through anything."

"However, it's not a technique solely reliant on weapons. In fact, the highest level of 'Eye of the Dragon' involves no weapon, accomplished purely with the body, described as 'The Jiao Dragon needs leverage, but the True Dragon possesses draconic aura.'"

"When mastery of the Dragon Concealment Style is achieved, one's body exudes a sharp, draconic aura akin to a true dragon and no longer requires the aid of weapons."

Xue Jing listened, entranced.

The Jiao Dragon needs leverage, but the True Dragon possesses draconic aura.

What a commanding statement.

"Overall, our Dragon Concealment martial arts are adaptable, be it with fists, feet, or weapons alike," Li Qi said thoughtfully, deep in contemplation.

"Nonetheless... since you mentioned weapons, I do have some other skills I could teach you."

Curious, Xue Jing responded, "Please, Master, enlighten me."

Li Qi gently touched his shiny bald head, eyes filled with memories.

"In my younger days, due to certain indiscretions involving my sister-in-law, I left the Dragon Sect and ended up mingling in the Inner Ring City, managing to make a name for myself there."

With interest blazing in his eyes, Xue Jing interrupted, For the last time Li Qi mentioned his sister-in-law, the story ended with 'sister-in-law's gentle curves,' and Xue Jing had been eagerly anticipating the continuation ever since.

Just as Li Qi intended to boast about his past exploits, he was stumped by the interruption, giving his apprentice an exasperated glare.

"Youngsters shouldn't pry into old stories."

Sincerely, Xue Jing pleaded, "Come on, Master, share it with me. I've always been curious about you and Fengwan's grandmother! Start from the 'curves' part, and tell it all in detail."

Li Qi rolled his eyes, "No way, there are only so many stories about me, and if you're all privy to them, how can I maintain the grand image of being a respectable mentor?"

Xue Jing stroked his chin, "Master, from the day I saw you drifting on your wheelchair, lifting a high school girl's skirt, your image of being a respectable mentor was out the window."

Surprised, Li Qi asked, "You saw that?"

Then casually dismissed it, "That's just a minor personal indulgence, don't make a fuss."

"Alright then, stories of my sister-in-law can wait. Let's talk about my days in the Inner Ring City."

Xue Jing saw that he was still being tight-lipped and could only shrug his shoulders helplessly.

"Back when I was mingling in the old martial arts circles of the Inner City for a period," Li Qi recalled, "I made a name for myself, known as 'Dragon King Li.'"

"However, the Inner City was full of talent. Although I was formidable, I was not unrivaled."

"At that time, there were two others who could match me in fame."

He extended two fingers and glanced at Xue Jing.

The latter nodded understandingly, asking, "And who were the two who could match you, Master?"

Li Qi, pleased by the response, swayed his head as he continued:

"One was 'Vajra's Hand' Zhou Liexiong, known as 'Vajra Zhou.'"

"The other was 'Shura Blade' Chen Buyan, known as 'Shura Chen.'"

"I got along well with these two, often exchanging martial arts insights with them, which was greatly beneficial."

Li Qi reached out his skinny arm, suddenly clenching his fist with force.

On his wrinkled skin, golden scale-like imprints appeared, with spiral indentations starting from his shoulder and stretching towards his palm.

"My lethal moves in the Dragon Concealment Style, 'Turning Golden Scales' and 'Rolling Thunder,' were largely perfected by referencing the 'Vajra's Hand.'"

"His martial philosophy was 'the ultimate hardness must be soft, the ultimate hardness is the ultimate softness.' His method of applying force was unique in the world, allowing seamless transitions between hardness and softness, leaving others in awe."

"But today, what I'm going to teach you has nothing to do with the Vajra's Hand, but with the 'Shura Blade.'"

Xue Jing asked curiously, "How so?"

Li Qi thought for a moment, pondering, "Hmm... explaining it with words is rather complicated. It might be better to have you experience it directly."

Xue Jing was somewhat puzzled about how he would experience it and was about to inquire further.

Just then, Li Qi suddenly raised his eyes, locking gaze with him.

Xue Jing saw... a blade drenched in endless blood, flying out of Li Qi's eyes, piercing towards his own.

In the next instant, Xue Jing felt his body stiffen, an extreme chill rising from the soles of his feet. His entire body bristled with goosebumps, while his skin felt as though it was being pricked by countless needles, causing sharp pain.

He saw his own death.

A blade drenched in endless blood ceaselessly slayed him.

Decapitated, split in half vertically, bisected at the waist, pierced through the chest, shredded into pieces...

Countless scenes of his death suddenly flooded his mind, with the mountains of Xue Jing's corpses turning into a sea of blood, filling every corner of his mind, leaving no room to think of anything else.

Yet, Xue Jing did not panic.

Having reached Level 5 in [Visualization], he possessed a level of mental control far surpassing ordinary people. Though his consciousness was engulfed by the sea of blood and corpses, he forcibly maintained a portion of his ability to think, observing his current state from a God-like perspective.

“Is this... pure and formidable killing intent?”

Xue Jing recalled his first experience practicing the Visualization Method of Dormant Dragon Art.

The feeling was strikingly similar to that moment.

“Master really lives up to being someone who once leapt over the Dragon Gate. To affect others purely through mental consciousness—it's entirely unscientific.”

Xue Jing marveled inwardly.

After an indeterminate amount of time, the ghastly sight of blood and corpses faded like a receding tide, and Xue Jing regained his clarity of mind.

He gasped for air as though deprived of oxygen for ages, cold sweat drenching his black training suit, leaving him sodden like he'd just been pulled from water.

“How do you feel?”

Li Qi asked, observing Xue Jing who, although panting, retained calm eyes. His face broke into a relieved smile.

“Frightening,”

said Xue Jing with a steady tone.

Li Qi laughed heartily, “You don't show a hint of fear—truly worthy of being my disciple.”

After a pause, he continued, “This is the Shura Blade Intent, akin to our Dragon Nurturing in the Heart. It's the mental prowess aspect of the Shura Blade.”

“Among the martial arts I've encountered, this blade method possesses the heaviest, purest killing intent, employing ‘Qi of Movement’ to its utmost.”

“Back then, my friendship with Chen Buyan was quite close. Though I couldn't master the Shura Blade's moves, I did manage to secretly learn its blade intent!”

“Since you wish to delve into weapon arts, I'll pass this Shura Blade Intent on to you. Even without the corresponding Shura Blade physicality and kill techniques, wielding a blade with just this intent is exceptional.”

Xue Jing nodded, “Please teach me, Master!”

Two days later, at the Dragon Hiding Dojo training hall.

Xue Jing and his senior brother Chen Fuguang each wielded a long blade, clashing on the platform with a flurry of strikes.

The clang of metal was incessant. Before long, Xue Jing’s slower transition exposed a flaw. Chen Fuguang's blade parried Xue Jing's, leaving him open, and the next moment, the blade was positioned across his neck.

Xue Jing eyed the blunted long blade resting against his neck, exhaled, and smiled, “I've lost again.”

Chen Fuguang withdrew his blade, its tip resting on the ground, both hands grasping the hilt, and remarked, “Junior Brother, it's only been two days, but your blade skills are already quite impressive.”

Xue Jing smiled and opened the panel for a glance.

On it, a brand new skill appeared.

【Weapon Mastery Lv1】