C2 It Was too Much!

The entire next day, Lin Hao didn't step foot in the kitchen; instead, he dedicated himself to cultivating, aiming to break through to the third level of Qi Refining as soon as possible.

"I still haven't made any progress!"

Sunlight streamed through the window, filling the room with a warm glow. Lin Hao got up, quickly freshened up, and was eager to head out to the library to study some techniques.

"Thud! Thud! Thud!"

A series of knocks sounded, causing Lin Hao's expression to darken. The knocks seemed hostile, and he could sense a faint murderous intent within them.

"Whoever it is, if they're looking for trouble, they're going to pay," he muttered to himself.

Lin Hao strode forward and flung the door open, only to be met with a forceful presence that made him stumble backward.

"What's the matter? Why the hesitation? Have you been up to something disgraceful again?"

Regaining his balance, Lin Hao looked up to see a young man standing at the doorway, a folding fan in hand, exuding the air of a scholar.

"Lin Qing!" Lin Hao thought, taken aback by the unexpected visitor.

Collecting his thoughts, Lin Hao responded coolly, "I'm not sure what brings you here, but if there's nothing important, I'd ask that you leave."

Lin Qing was taken aback, not expecting Lin Hao to speak to him with such nonchalance after the beating he had given him previously.

"It looks like I didn't teach him enough of a lesson last time! If I cripple him, then..." Lin Qing plotted with a malicious glint in his eye.

Lin Qing had learned that the family patriarch, Lin Xiao, had distributed several Energy Pills among the direct descendants of the family. If he could cripple Lin Hao and force him to surrender his Energy Pill, Lin Qing believed he could significantly increase his chances of advancing to the sixth or even the seventh level of Qi Refining.

The Energy Pill and the Spirit Gathering Pill might differ by only one word, but their effects were worlds apart. While the Spirit Gathering Pill merely enhanced one's sensitivity to spiritual energy, the Energy Pill offered Qi Refining cultivators a chance to break through their current level. Naturally, as one's cultivation level rose, the likelihood of advancing to the next level decreased.

For instance, if one is below the fifth level of Qi Refining, there's a chance they could break through to the sixth level. However, the likelihood of advancing to the next level decreases with each subsequent increase in cultivation level.

Lin Hao was unaware of the Energy Pill situation. He had spent the last few days intently refining pills and cultivating, not paying any mind to family affairs, much less the Energy Pill.

"Why, am I not welcome here?"

"If there's nothing important, please leave," Lin Hao repeated, disregarding Lin Qing's comment.

"If I were to cripple him here, it might raise suspicions," Lin Qing mused. "I need to find a way to lure him away before striking."

Lin Qing's shifty eyes were a clear giveaway of his malicious intentions.

"Heh, why would I come here for no reason? It's so dull. Lin Wen sent for you; she's in the backyard and asked me to fetch you," Lin Qing said with a smirk.

"Lin Wen?"

Lin Hao was taken aback, sensing something was off. Why would Lin Wen send Lin Qing to deliver the message?

Noticing Lin Hao's skepticism, Lin Qing hastily added, "Lin Wen wants you to hurry. I'm not sure what it's about, but she seemed to be in some kind of trouble!"

"If you don't want to go, that's your choice. But Lin Wen appeared to be quite anxious. Whether you go or not is up to you." With that, Lin Qing strutted off.

"Trouble?"

Lin Hao remained uncertain, well aware of Lin Qing's devious nature.

Still, he was genuinely concerned for Lin Wen. In this family, he was on good terms with only Lin Wen and Lin Fu; the others were merely casual acquaintances. Hearing that Lin Wen urgently needed him, even if it might be a trap, he decisively chose to check on her.

"Heh, as if you could resist coming. Once you're here, I'll show you just how formidable I am." After leaving Lin Hao's room, Lin Qing hurried to the backyard to lie in wait, his treacherous nature evident.

Lin Hao had a few low-level charms on his person, along with several low-grade soulstones for later use.

In the backyard stood an ancient locust tree, its history spanning several centuries. Legend had it that the Lin family settled here because of this very tree, though Lin Hao wasn't well-versed in the details.

The venerable locust tree dominated the backyard, its branches full and leaves abundant, with birdsong filling the air.

Lin Hao arrived in haste, not pausing for a second.

"Is nobody here?" Lin Hao wondered, perplexed.

He scanned the area to double-check the absence of others before his gaze casually fell upon the old locust tree.

"He couldn't have spotted me, could he?" Lin Qing inwardly panicked, quickly reassuring himself, "No way, how could he have noticed me? Hmph! Your end will come when you least expect it!"

It was understandable why Lin Qing felt a jolt of alarm; Lin Hao's fleeting glance had given him the unsettling impression of being exposed.

"Should I leave now? Hmm, maybe I'll wait a bit longer, just in case something happens. But I need to stay alert for any tricks Lin Qing might have up his sleeve."

Lin Hao surveyed his surroundings, then settled with his back against the locust tree, sitting beneath its canopy. He clutched the low-level charms tightly in his hand, readying himself for optimal condition.

Time passed, and with no one appearing, Lin Hao stowed the charms and prepared to depart.

"Now's my chance, the moment I've been waiting for..."

"Whoosh!"

Lin Hao heard something hurtling toward him. Without time to identify it, he swiftly sidestepped in an attempt to evade.

"Hiss!"

Despite his efforts, misfortune struck. The mysterious object grazed his arm, leaving a deep gash on his left forearm.

The sight was horrifying, blood gushing forth.

Lin Hao spun around to see a figure leaping down from the locust tree.

"Lin Qing!"

Fury etched Lin Hao's features as he realized Lin Qing's intent was to cripple him, or worse, kill him!

He quickly tore a strip from his garment and wrapped it around the wound on his arm, channeling spiritual energy to stem the bleeding.

"This is a setup."

Reflecting on it now, Lin Hao realized that Lin Qing had deliberately orchestrated this trap for him, and it was glaringly apparent. Why else would Lin Wen have Lin Qing summon him? He had let his guard down and failed to evade the situation.

Despite knowing it was a setup, he felt compelled to show up. If anything were to happen to Lin Wen, he would be wracked with guilt for life. In the Lin family, only Lin Wen and Lin Fu treated him with kindness and without ulterior motives.

"Lin Qing, what do you want from me? Why harm me?" Lin Hao bellowed, his presence bursting forth menacingly.

In a direct confrontation, he stood no chance against Lin Qing, who wielded a low grade Enchanted Item, while Lin Hao had little confidence in his own abilities to counter it.

"Hahaha!" Lin Qing's laughter echoed maniacally.

"See if you can escape this time! There's no particular reason—I simply want to hurt you. What are you going to do about it?"

"This is outrageous!" Lin Hao exclaimed in fury.