C11 The Competition

That evening, Lin Hao hurried back home. He didn't leave his place at all the next day, and it seemed as though nothing out of the ordinary had transpired within the family. Later that evening, Lin Hao decided to step out for a bite to eat and to spend some time studying techniques in the library.

"Knock! Knock!"

The sound of knocking echoed from outside. Lin Hao approached the door and swung it open, only to be greeted by a young woman. Her hair danced like clouds, her eyebrows arched gracefully like crescent moons, and her eyes sparkled like stars. Her delicate nose was complemented by slightly flushed cheeks and lips as fragrant as orchids. Her oval face glowed like polished jade, and her skin was as smooth as snow. Her figure was slender, exuding a subtle charm.

Lin Hao was taken aback—it was Lin Wen.

Lin Wen, his cousin and the daughter of his third uncle, was so strikingly beautiful that he found himself unable to look at her directly.

"Lin Hao, what's the matter?" Lin Wen asked, waving her hands gently in front of him.

"Oh, it's you. I thought it was someone else," Lin Hao stammered, his words tumbling out awkwardly.

"Humph! Can't I come over? Are you not going to invite me in, or should I just leave?" she teased.

Snapping back to reality, Lin Hao realized his blunder and stepped aside.

"Please, come in," he offered.

With a smile, Lin Wen strode confidently into the room and made herself comfortable on Lin Hao's bed, swinging her legs playfully.

Lin Hao's cheeks turned a deeper shade of red at the sight, and he became too shy to look at her again.

"What's the matter? Is there a problem?" Lin Wen asked with a light chuckle.

Regaining his composure, Lin Hao scratched his head and replied, "No, no problem at all. Did you need something from me?"

Pretending to be upset, Lin Wen responded, "Can't I visit without a reason? Fine, I'll just leave then."

She made a show of getting up to go, but Lin Hao quickly interjected, "No, no, of course you can stay!"

At his anxious response, Lin Wen burst into laughter once more.

"Okay, okay, I'll stop teasing you. I actually came to tell you two important things," Lin Wen said, her tone turning serious.

This time, the head of the family has brought out several Energy Pills. Each direct descendant will receive one. Now, let's head to the Conference Hall."

"Energy Pills?" Lin Hao was taken aback. He was aware that the family was planning to distribute pills, but he had no idea which kind. He never expected them to hand out Energy Pills.

The difference between an Energy Pill and a Spirit Gathering Pill, despite the similarity in names, is quite significant.

The Spirit Gathering Pill merely enhances one's sensitivity to spiritual energy, but the Energy Pill is a game-changer. For those in the Qi Refining stage, it offers a chance to break through their current level. Naturally, as one's cultivation level rises, the likelihood of advancing decreases.

For instance, someone below the fifth level of Qi Refining might break through to the sixth level. However, with each increase in cultivation, the chance of advancing drops by one level!

"Also, I've heard that a very important announcement is going to be made. It seems to involve Lin Qing," Lin Wen added.

"Lin Qing might be in the know, but I'm completely in the dark," Lin Hao mused.

Gathering his thoughts, Lin Hao replied, "Alright, should I head over now?"

"Yes, I need to notify the others. You go ahead on your own," Lin Wen instructed. "I'm off."

With that, Lin Wen left the room before Lin Hao could respond.

"I've heard that the family is distributing pills this time, possibly even advanced ones."

"Pfft, don't get your hopes up. It's only for the direct descendants. By the way, there's talk that Lin Qing has disappeared. Lin Xiong is said to be quite shaken by it."

"Well, it's none of our concern. Let's get moving."

En route to the Conference Hall, Lin Hao overheard snippets of conversation.

"The family's handing out pills. Could this mean something major is about to happen? No matter, I'll find out soon enough," Lin Hao pondered.

The Conference Hall is primarily where the family convenes for significant meetings, and only direct descendants are permitted entry. As such, whenever a meeting is called, it's sure to be for a momentous announcement.

In the Conference Hall, many people had already gathered. The family Patriarch, Lin Xiao, was seated at the center of the hall.

Upon Lin Hao's arrival, Lin Xiao offered him a smile. Lin Wen's father, Lin Hao's third uncle, cast a caring glance his way, while the rest of the crowd wore indifferent expressions.

Lin Qing's father, Lin Xiong, sat to the side, his face the color of thunder, looking as though he was on the verge of an eruption.

Lin Hao found a spot to stand, as the younger members of the family were expected to remain on their feet, with no seats provided for them.

Once everyone had arrived, Lin Xiao began, "The reason I've called you here is to announce two matters. First, in three months, there will be a family competition hosted by the four Cultivation Families of Thunderfall City. Each family may send three representatives to compete. The victor will receive a top-grade Enchanted Item as a prize, contributed by all four families."

The room erupted into murmurs as Lin Xiao finished speaking.

"A top-grade Enchanted Item! Really?"

"I'm going to enter!"

"You? With your level of cultivation?" someone jeered.

"Quiet!" Lin Xiao commanded.

He continued, "Additionally, the family will distribute an Energy Pill to each of you to enhance your cultivation. In one month, you will spar in the family's training field, and the top three will qualify for the competition."

Lin Hao pondered, "A top-grade Enchanted Item? They're unaware of my true cultivation level. I'll decide whether to join the competition when the time comes."

Lin Xiao surveyed the room before speaking again, "The second matter is the unfortunate incident involving Lin Qing. Last night, we discovered his Lifestone was shattered. Despite a day of investigation, we have no leads. I urge you to avoid conflicts with other families for the time being."

"We must get to the bottom of this. Whoever is responsible for Lin Qing's demise will pay dearly," Lin Xiong declared furiously.

Observing Lin Xiong's rage, Lin Hao silently scoffed, "Pay dearly? Let's see if you can back up those words once you find out who's responsible."

"Alright, that will be all for now. You may go and collect your pills," Lin Xiao instructed. "Lin Hao, you stay behind."

Everyone dispersed to retrieve their Energy Pills.

"Why? Have they discovered something about me? Impossible. Could they have noticed my level of cultivation?" Lin Hao wondered to himself.

Once the family disciples had left, only Lin Hao and the elders remained in the Conference Hall. Lin Xiong gazed at Lin Hao as if trying to peer into his soul.

"Lin Hao, have you experienced a breakthrough in your cultivation recently?" Lin Xiao asked with a smile.

Lin Hao was taken aback. "Could he have noticed something? Regardless, without evidence, I'll deny everything..."

Despite his internal shock, Lin Hao responded with composure, "To answer the Patriarch, yes, I have indeed made a recent breakthrough."

"A breakthrough? So you're at the fourth level of Qi Refining now, aren't you?" Lin Xiong inquired. "You must be among the top four in our family now. Tell me, does Lin Qing's death have anything to do with you?"

"Lin Xiong, stop making baseless accusations. How could Lin Hao possibly be a match for Lin Qing?" Lin Hao's third uncle, Lin Meng, retorted angrily.

Lin Hao, indignant, demanded, "What proof do you have? Is it because Lin Qing enjoyed bullying me within the family?"

Removing his outer garment to reveal his scars, Lin Hao challenged, "Take a good look. Lin Qing bullied me, and none of you intervened. Now that he's dead, you're pinning the blame on me. Have you considered how unlikely it is for me to be Lin Qing's match? He possessed an Enchanted Item and had greater talent than me. How could I possibly be his rival?"

"Enough, enough. We didn't keep you here because we suspect you of anything. We just wanted to caution you not to become arrogant due to your rapid advancement in cultivation. You may leave now," Lin Xiao stated.

"Then I will take my leave," Lin Hao said, exiting the Conference Hall.

After Lin Hao had gone, Lin Xiao addressed the other elders, "What are your thoughts? Do you believe Lin Qing's death is connected to him in any way?"

"I see no connection," Lin Meng, Lin Hao's third uncle, asserted.

"I believe there is a connection. How else could Lin Hao have advanced to the fourth level of Qi Refining so swiftly? Perhaps he conspired with other families to murder Lin Qing," another elder, close to Lin Xiong, countered.

"I believe we should apprehend Lin Hao first, then proceed with a thorough investigation," Lin Xiong stated. "Furthermore, understanding how Lin Hao has managed to advance his cultivation so rapidly could prove to be a boon for the rest of our family's disciples."

The elders erupted into a cacophony of debate.

"Let's set aside the issue of Lin Hao for the moment. I want you to look into who harmed Lin Qing. I have a suspicion it might be the work of one of the other three families," Lin Xiao instructed.

"Hmph! If I discover he's responsible, he'll find that even death is too good for him," Lin Xiong declared.