C14 Picking up the Bride

Lin Hao opened the door to find Lin Fu, Lin Wen's brother, standing outside with an urgent look on his face. Upon seeing Lin Hao, Lin Fu quickly pulled him outside.

"Slow down. What exactly happened? How did it come to a kidnapping?" Lin Hao inquired as he walked alongside Lin Fu.

"Just the day before yesterday, my sister went to the market to buy some pills to enhance her cultivation and ran into Wang Ping from the Wang family," Lin Fu explained. "Wang Ping, taken by her beauty, made unwanted advances. My sister slapped him publicly and fled back home."

"How come I wasn't informed about this? Lin Wen didn't mention anything to me," Lin Hao remarked.

"You know that Wang Le has reached the pinnacle of the foundation building stage, which has made Wang Ping extremely arrogant. Today, he showed up at our home demanding my sister become his dual cultivation partner," Lin Fu replied.

"And our Third Uncle and the Patriarch, they're just letting this happen?" Lin Hao asked, puzzled. It seemed inconceivable that such a significant incident could occur within the Lin family without their knowledge or intervention.

Lin Fu responded with frustration, "We're out of options. Wang Ping arrived with a letter from his father stating that the younger generation should handle their own affairs without interference from their elders, or else he would get involved."

Kicking a stone in anger, Lin Fu continued, "My father was prepared to intervene, but Lin Xiong persuaded him otherwise, arguing that we must consider the greater good. My father was left with no choice!"

"That's outrageous! The Patriarch's actions could dishearten the entire family. Let's hurry; we can't let Wang Ping succeed!" Lin Hao exclaimed, picking up the pace.

Lin Hao was familiar with Wang Ping's capabilities, roughly at the fourth level of Qi Refining. He felt confident about his chances in a confrontation, although he wasn't sure if Wang Ping had improved his skills since then.

Shortly after, Lin Hao and Lin Fu reached Lin Wen's residence.

"I suggest you come with me willingly, or else you'll bring trouble to the Lin family," they heard upon arrival.

"My father has achieved the peak of the foundation building stage. No one in Thunderfall City can stand against him. Marrying me wouldn't be beneath you," Wang Ping boasted with a smirk. "Besides, I've reached the sixth level of Qi Refining and am on the verge of the seventh. I doubt anyone in the Lin family's younger generation can match my strength."

Lin Wen was seething with anger. She snapped, "Keep dreaming. I'd rather die than go with you. Just give up already."

Wang Ping burst into laughter. "Look around; who's coming to your aid? Once the competition is over, the Wang family will reign supreme over Thunderfall City. Then, you'll be begging to marry me."

"Who's helping her? I wonder if I might be able to," Lin Hao interjected.

"And who are you to take her side? Do you think you're worthy?" Wang Ping retorted.

Turning around, Wang Ping was met with the sight of a refined young man standing at Lin Wen's door, which only fueled his irritation.

"Whether I'm worthy or not is something we'll find out if we try," Lin Hao replied calmly.

Wang Ping laughed again. "I like your spirit. Tell you what, if you can defeat me, I'll leave this instant without another word."

Lin Hao quietly assessed the gap between his and Wang Ping's abilities. He was at the fifth level of Qi Refining, while Wang Ping had advanced to the sixth level. Despite Wang Ping possibly holding some aces up his sleeve, Lin Hao had his own hidden strengths.

With the family elders showing no concern, Lin Hao resolved to stand by Lin Wen.

"Alright then, let's get started," Lin Hao declared.

Wang Ping gave Lin Hao a disdainful look. "I'll let you make the first move, then it's my turn."

"Hmph, Fireball!" Lin Hao grunted, his hands swiftly forming seals. Suddenly, several fireballs materialized and hurtled towards Wang Ping.

Lin Hao had decided not to unleash his full power, considering there was another family competition in three days that would determine who would represent them in the grand tournament of the four families.

"Child's play," Wang Ping muttered, sidestepping with ease and avoiding Lin Hao's Fireball.

"What! He dodged it so effortlessly?" Lin Hao was taken aback by Wang Ping's agility.

"Now it's my turn," Wang Ping announced. "Time for you to experience the chill of my ice piton technique."

Ice pitons erupted from the ground beneath Lin Hao, who couldn't evade in time and was struck in the feet.

Blood gushed from the wounds.

"Patriarch, Lin Hao and Wang Ping are clashing! You need to come see this!"

Upon witnessing Lin Hao and Wang Ping's struggle, Lin Fu rushed to the family head, Lin Xiao, seeking assistance.

"What can we do? You've heard it yourself. If we get involved, so will Wang Le. Who can stand against him now? Lin Hao is putting our Lin family in a vulnerable position!" Lin Xiong exclaimed urgently.

Before Lin Xiao could respond, Lin Hao's uncle, Lin Meng, banged his fist on the table and declared furiously, "Damn it, if we're worried about dragging the family into this, let's just leave the Lin family and start anew elsewhere! That way, we won't pose any danger to our kin."

"Sit down! What kind of behavior is this? You're being rash!" Lin Xiao rebuked him sharply.

"Give me a moment to think," Lin Xiao said, calming down.

After some time, Lin Xiao resolved firmly, "This family bears the name Lin, not Wang! We won't tolerate anyone causing trouble under our roof, not as long as I draw breath!"

"Right, to hell with it! The Lin family doesn't breed cowards who fear death!" Lin Meng roared with fury.

Lin Xiong was about to interject, but the resolute look in Lin Xiao's eyes made him hold his tongue.

Meanwhile, Lin Hao was locked in fierce combat with Wang Ping. Holding back his full power, Lin Hao found himself at a disadvantage.

Yet, for Wang Ping to easily best Lin Hao was no simple feat.

As the fight wore on, Wang Ping grew increasingly infuriated. He was at the sixth level of Qi Refining and still couldn't secure a victory over Lin Hao, resulting in a stalemate. The thought of this becoming public was unbearable—how would he maintain his standing in Thunderfall?

"You've brought this upon yourself!" Wang Ping hissed.

He produced a charm and addressed Lin Hao, "Consider yourself lucky to fall to this runic weapon."

"What! A runic weapon!" Lin Hao gasped, taken aback.

The runic weapon, like the Soulblast Rune, represented a full-force strike from an early period Foundation Building expert. However, unlike the Soulblast Rune, which was single-use, the runic weapon could be employed multiple times.

"What's my next move?" Lin Hao pondered urgently. He couldn't withstand the runic weapon's assault unless he took refuge in the jasper bracelet. But revealing the bracelet was out of the question for Lin Hao.

"Stop right there. I've made my choice to go with you!"

Upon seeing Wang Ping brandish a runic weapon, Lin Wen, fearing for Lin Hao's safety, quickly stepped forward and pleaded.

"Now you decide to come with me? Too late," Wang Ping retorted. "Runic weapon, attack!"

Lin Hao's mind raced, "Should I reveal the jasper bracelet?"

Just then, the runic weapon hurled by Wang Ping reached Lin Hao and was about to detonate!

"Shatter!"

In the nick of time, Lin Xiao intervened, shielding Lin Hao from the runic weapon's blast and minimizing the shockwave.

Lin Hao had braced himself to endure the runic weapon's onslaught, as he couldn't risk exposing the jasper bracelet, the linchpin of his growing power.

Lin Xiao's timely arrival had averted the peril.

"Do you really want to get involved?" Wang Ping, noticing Lin Xiao, challenged with a stern voice, "Aren't you scared of my father? He's at the pinnacle of Foundation Building!"

"I don't care about his level of cultivation. This is the Lin family's territory, and we won't tolerate outsiders causing trouble!" Lin Xiao declared defiantly.

"Fine, just wait. I'm summoning my father right now! You think you're so bold? We'll see how you handle him!" Wang Ping yelled.

Wang Ping produced a charm and a Message Rune, whispered into it, and then tore it to pieces.

Turning to Lin Xiao, he taunted, "My father will be here shortly. Let's see if you remain so defiant!"

"Family disciples, disperse. Lin Hao, you stay," Lin Xiao instructed the gathered family members.

The crowd gradually dispersed from Lin Wen's courtyard.

A quarter of an hour later, Lin Hao heard a boisterous laugh.

"Hahaha... Lin Xiao, it's been a while. Why meddle in the affairs of the young? How about I spar with you for old times' sake?"

"Truly at the peak of Foundation Building..." Lin Xiao murmured to himself.