I Will Grind My Way To Godhood

Xue Jing mentally elevated the significance of Wu Youqing's status by two more levels, then pinched his chin and said, "So, when Bai Ya offers such rewards like 'a hundred-foot pole', it's entirely because they've taken a shine to you, the BOSS."

Wu Youqing chuckled softly and remarked, "You don't need to worry... 'a hundred-foot pole' doesn't mean much to me. I don't need it, so feel free to use it... if you decide to accept the commission."

"Bai Ya probably wants to build a good relationship with you, which is why they're doing this, right? Even though there are many complicated issues I don't understand, if I accept the commission and take the reward, they'll think you've accepted their goodwill gesture. Won't that put you in a difficult position?" Xue Jing inquired.

Wu Youqing's amethyst-like eyes glimmered with a hint of mischief at this.

"I never said I wanted any involvement with them... It's their misunderstanding of our relationship, so the 'hundred-foot pole' is your reward and has nothing to do with me."

Xue Jing exclaimed, "Can it be like this?"

Her explanation seemed capricious, breaking through the implicit rules others assumed.

Though Wu Youqing's words were indeed the truth, in the adult world, taking things without acknowledgment is a big taboo, regardless of the reason.

However... with such a smart tycoon boss, it's obvious she had the right to be capricious, so there was nothing for him to worry about.

Xue Jing pondered, decided to drop this topic, and instead asked, "Void Blade says this new crossing place is classified as C-level and shouldn't be too dangerous. Do you think that's believable, BOSS?"

Wu Youqing rose, holding a book as she walked towards the bookshelf area, casually commenting as she did so, "Since it's the kind of intersection you can withdraw from anytime, estimating it as a C-level is reasonable."

She stood on tiptoe to slide the book onto the shelf.

"However, in the grading system of intersections, the highest weight in classification is on the 'chaotic degree of rules', which is related to danger but not entirely."

"C-level intersections usually aren't very dangerous, but there are cases where they harbor high-danger level creatures even though they're classified as C."

"If you plan to accept this commission, you should still be mentally prepared."

After hearing this, Xue Jing felt more grounded, nodding his head.

He stood, moving beside Wu Youqing, watching her fingers skim over the books on the shelf, and smiled, "Then I'll take on this commission... Besides, I'm really curious about the intersection."

Wu Youqing paused slightly, turned to glance at him.

"In that case... let me give you something."

Xue Jing said, "Hmm?"

The girl finished speaking, went back to the lounge area, and retrieved a familiar frameless pair of glasses from a small bag on the wooden chair.

GOD-1280: A seemingly ordinary pair of glasses.

"Isn't this the one you borrowed from another containment company, BOSS? Haven't returned it yet?" Xue Jing asked in surprise.

"No problem, I've bought it for you." Wu Youqing held the glasses as she walked to Xue Jing's side and handed them over.

Xue Jing raised an eyebrow and said, "How could I possibly accept this?" At the same time, he reached out and took them without hesitation.

These glasses were quite something. They could suppress the wearer's presence... Previously, when Wu Youqing wore them, even with Xue Jing's strong intention to find her in the library, he had initially overlooked her. Wearing them was like adding a 'stealth' buff to oneself, which would undoubtedly enhance one’s safety in the dangerous lands of the intersections.

Though there was a side effect of an explosive presence once they were removed... it could also serve to enhance the efficiency of extracting divinity from the Catcat deity.

"The GOD-1280 has already been contained for quite some time. You never know when it might trigger a 'transfer,' so it's not expensive..." Wu Youqing remarked casually.

"Well, I won't ask what your concept of 'not expensive' entails," Xue Jing carefully placed the glasses into his pocket and said earnestly, "Thank you, BOSS."

There’s no such thing as a free lunch in the world, and Xue Jing understood that Wu Youqing's continuous kindness towards him surely had a purpose. However, the benefits he received from this wealthy woman were tangible; aside from the relics, the information and intelligence he acquired from her were invaluable, unknowingly helping him on numerous occasions.

These were real favors, ones he would have to repay sooner or later.

A smile appeared on Wu Youqing's graceful and beautiful face, and she said, "Speaking of which, since you plan to accept the commission, have you decided where you want to use the 'Baichi Pole'?"

Xue Jing pondered for a moment and replied, "I haven't decided yet. Do you have any suggestions, dear sister?"

"Since you wish to follow the path of old martial arts, the best choice is typically a talent related to the physical body," Wu Youqing said softly.

"However... I do have a different suggestion for you."

Xue Jing's eyes lit up: "Please elaborate."

Wu Youqing reached for a book titled "The Noble Breed of the Furnace" on the shelf, returned to a wooden chair in the resting area, and sat down with her long legs clad in tight jeans crossed elegantly, like a queen.

"In the martial arts world, there is a twelve-character mantra passed down," she began softly.

"Leap of the Dragon Gate, Bury the Old Self."

"Heaven's Limit, Heart's Evolution."

"You should be quite familiar with the idea of leaping over the dragon gate, which refers to breaking the limits of the human body, reshaping one's very genes, and burying the old form," she explained, lightly tapping her fingers on the wooden table.

"The term 'human limits' refers to the boundary between human spirit and reality," Wu Youqing explained.

She looked at Xue Jing, who was listening with rapt attention.

"Your master must have already told you that the key to leaping over the Dragon Gate and breaking through physical limits lies in the 'spirit', right?"

"Yes," Xue Jing nodded.

Wu Youqing acknowledged with a hum and continued, "Using the power of the spirit and mind to forcibly influence the body and reshape genes—this act itself breaks the boundary between man and heaven, essentially using spirit to interfere with reality."

Xue Jing frowned, "Spirit can interfere with reality? I thought the mental strength needed for the Dragon Gate leap was just another way to describe willpower, which is still within the scope of science... If it means using spirit to interfere with reality, then it’s completely unscientific."

Wu Youqing shook her head, "There’s no such thing as scientific or unscientific. Science is merely a method of summarizing the laws of things… Theoretically speaking, existence is reason, and reason is science. If the spirit can interfere with reality, it is a part of science as well."

"While this power of spirit interfering with reality sounds extraordinary, in reality, its effects are limited and can only be applied to certain aspects related to oneself..."

"Some formidable martial artists can perform incredible feats, like delivering a punch that theoretically should be impossible given their physical condition, piercing through strong alloy armor, or smashing a tank…"

"This is because their spiritual power is exceptionally firm, interfering with their own reality."

Hearing Wu Youqing’s words, something stirred in Xue Jing’s heart.

He recalled his own 'Heavenly Blade: Wind and Thunder'—those sweeping slashes sending blade energy across miles. If explained purely through physics, it wouldn’t make sense.

Could it be because he used the spiritual essence of the Heavenly Blade to interfere with his personal reality?

"In sum, the importance of spiritual power to a martial artist is even greater than you imagined," Wu Youqing softly asserted.

"Breaking the limits of the body is called leaping the Dragon Gate, whereas surpassing the spiritual limit is known as 'transcending human limits.'"

"Only by overcoming the boundary between heaven and man and rewriting one's own reality with powerful spiritual force is the absolute foundation for reaching the pinnacle of martial arts."

"Therefore, I suggest you apply the potential of the Baichi Pole to your spiritual talents."

"I understand."

He couldn't help but sigh, "Dear sister, you really feel like a walking encyclopedia, it seems like you know everything…"

This theory about spirit affecting personal reality—his master Li Qi probably only had a shallow understanding of it. It must be an advanced theory known to only a select few.

She seems to understand everything.

Reflecting from the first time he met her and asked about divine relics, it seemed she never encountered a question she couldn’t answer.

"I don't know everything, just happen to know what you want to know," Wu Youqing replied casually.

Leaving the library, Xue Jing absorbed the insights from his conversation with Wu Youqing.

"Using spirit to reverse human limits and rewrite personal reality…"

"Martial training is becoming increasingly fantastical... yet there's a strangely scientific feeling to it."

Xue Jing shook his head and took out his phone to call Void Blade.

He had just dialed, and before even a single ring could sound, the call was promptly answered from the other end.

"Hello, have you decided?" asked Void Blade directly through the earpiece.

Xue Jing placed the phone against his ear, nodded slightly, and said, "Yes, I've made up my mind. I'll accept this commission."

"...That's good," echoed Void Blade's voice, seeming to breathe a sigh of relief. "I'll arrange for [Hundred-Foot Pole] to be sent over. It should arrive by tomorrow."

Xue Jing nodded, "Alright… by the way, I have another request."

"Go on," replied Void Blade.

Xue Jing pondered for a moment, "I need to sign a contract with you."

"If I die within the Boundary Land, you must find my body within seven days and deliver it back to Qing City."

Void Blade sounded puzzled, "Why?"

"Haven't you heard about the first seven days after death?" Xue Jing replied irritably.

"Uh, alright. I don't quite get it, but I'll inform the higher-ups," Void Blade replied.

After hanging up, Xue Jing rubbed his chin and opened the panel to glance at the passive effects of his Twin Souls.

[Possesses two lives; upon death, can freely choose the time of resurrection within seven days; cooldown: seventy days]

This was his last safeguard. If he truly died in the Boundary Land, as long as White Crow retrieved his body within seven days, he could naturally resurrect outside, free from being camped.

As for how to handle his resurrection being exposed... if it came to that, so be it. After all, in this strange world, there are countless explanations... like divine relics or being a blessed one; there's always a way to brush it off.

"To prevent White Crow from breaching the contract, I must leverage the influence of the BOSS…" As thoughts swirled, Xue Jing took out his GOD-1280 from his pocket and wore it, instantly becoming as inconspicuous as an ordinary passerby, then walked out of the school gate to hail a taxi.

He went home first to retrieve the Futou Sword, then took a car to the Zhushan Ying Family's manor.

Entering the manor's main house, a maid in a classic maid's dress who was cleaning the floor saw the bespectacled Xue Jing. She was momentarily startled before hesitantly saying, "Young Master Xue?"

Xue Jing nodded to her, adjusted his glasses with his fingers, and smiled, "Is Senior Sister Zhu here?"

The maid bowed slightly to Xue Jing, respectfully replying, "The young lady went out this morning... She instructed that if you were to come by, she would like you to make yourself at home."

"I see," Xue Jing nodded.

He didn't ask further questions and left the main residence, heading towards the stables on the left side of the estate.

"Neigh—"

It seemed that upon seeing Xue Jing's figure, Feng Shi, the black horse in one of the stalls, became a bit restless, its front hooves tapping the ground.

Uncle Bao, the stable master, was not present, so Xue Jing entered the stall, stroked Feng Shi's mane, and smiled, "Good boy."

[A being has developed a fondness for you. Charm Skill Experience +39]

[Charm Skill upgraded to Lv8]

"Hmm?" Xue Jing glanced at the interface.

The Charm Skill, although he had never deliberately leveled it up, had now caught up with [Fitness] and became one of his highest-ranking skills.

With years of martial arts training, Xue Jing's ability to control his body was incredibly strong, and he clearly felt some subtle changes occurring within himself.

He frowned, bringing his arm to his nose for a sniff.

"What is this? A scent?"

He twitched his mouth slightly, feeling a bit annoyed.

"Really? I'm a guy, and you give me this?"

"If I level up two more times, am I going to become a succubus?"

Xue Jing shuddered at the thought.

"Neigh—" Feng Shi nudged its head closer, rubbing against him a few times.

With a sigh, Xue Jing fetched a bridle and saddle from nearby and began to gear up Feng Shi.

He then mounted the horse, held the reins, and with a single thought, Feng Shi started trotting towards the back gate of the estate, setting off for the northern outskirts.

Riding the horse, Xue Jing arrived at the lakeside where he had practiced his blade techniques the previous day.

Dismounting, he gave Feng Shi a pat on the rump, letting it wander off to graze in the distance.

Approaching the lake, Xue Jing took a deep breath; his pupils shifted from black to silver, adopting a detached expression akin to a deity scorning all creation.

He unsheathed the rabbit edge sword, its silver blade gleaming sharply in the sunlight.

"Let's test the limits now…" he murmured, tossing the sword aside.

From the shadow at his back, tendrils of dark energy began to emerge, wrapping around the rabbit edge, gradually staining the sword from silver to pitch black, as if enveloped by a dark film, transforming it into a black blade.

Dual Power, Dual Defense—

Xue Jing firmly grasped the black Vutu Blade with both hands, spiral imprints emanating from his shoulders, extending both forward and back, enveloping his fists and spreading across his chest.

"Black Sky Blade: Storm and Thunder!"