C3 Fighting

Lin Hao was certain that a brutal confrontation was inevitable today, especially since Lin Qing wielded the Windsong. A single misstep could mean his demise.

"Do you really want us both to suffer?" Lin Hao challenged. "Our clan strictly prohibits private duels among its members. Discovery leads to severe punishment!"

He was well aware that the clan's rules wouldn't deter Lin Qing, but his warning was merely a tactic to buy time. Lin Hao was ready to act; the moment Lin Qing struck, he'd exploit the opening to take her by surprise.

"Hahaha!" Lin Qing's wild laughter rang out. "Family rules be damned! Might makes right in this world. The powerful dictate the rules. Just so you know, my father is on the verge of a breakthrough to foundation building. Once he does, our family will call the shots. That old fool has been the Patriarch for years without a breakthrough. Utterly useless."

"I won't waste more words. Today, not even the Heavenly Emperor could save you."

Lin Qing's hands moved to cast a spell, preparing to launch an attack on Lin Hao.

"Wait!" Lin Hao cried out. "Patriarch, what brings you here?"

"The Patriarch!" Lin Qing gasped, spinning around in alarm.

He realized the gravity of the situation; if he was caught attacking Lin Hao and the Patriarch found out, the consequences would be dire, especially since his father had yet to achieve foundation building.

"Now's my chance," Lin Hao thought to himself.

"Go!" he whispered fiercely, unleashing five low-level charms that sped toward Lin Qing.

"Damn, it's a trick!"

Lin Qing whirled back around, but the Patriarch was nowhere to be seen. He sensed trouble.

But it was too late. Five charms, each a blade of spiritual energy, hurtled toward him. Lin Qing instinctively lifted the Windsong in defense.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sharp sounds reverberated under the old tree. Lin Qing staggered back from the immense force, barely managing to neutralize it.

Bang! Puchi!

He slammed against the old tree, blood spurting from his mouth.

"I want you dead!" Lin Qing was truly enraged now, having not anticipated being wounded by such a nobody.

He had originally intended to merely cripple Lin Hao, but now his mind was set on murder. Only Lin Hao's death would quell the burning resentment within him.

A fleeting look of delight crossed Lin Hao's face.

But it vanished quickly as Lin Qing sprang to his feet, wiping the fresh blood from his mouth, his face twisted into a vicious snarl.

"Killing intent!"

That's right, it was killing intent that Lin Hao sensed emanating from Lin Qing.

"Is Lin Qing really planning to kill me right here?" Lin Hao wondered.

There was no time for further thought; Lin Qing lunged at him with blinding speed.

"Soulblast Rune, go!"

In desperation, Lin Hao released the last low-level charm he carried. Though it wouldn't significantly harm Lin Qing, it might buy him some precious time.

As expected, the sound of the Soulblast Rune startled Lin Qing, who hastily halted to evade the charm's assault.

The Soulblast Rune, reputedly crafted by a late-period Foundation Building mage, had one distinctive feature: it could be detonated at the will of the user.

Low-level mages who acquired such charms would perform the Rite of Binding with their blood, integrating the charm into their being, allowing for intuitive, willful attacks against foes.

The explosive force of the Soulblast Rune was comparable to a full-strength strike from an early-period Foundation Building mage—its power was not to be underestimated, which is why Lin Qing was so keen to avoid it.

As he dodged, Lin Qing thought, "Surely he doesn't have an endless supply of these charms? Hmph! Impossible. Such charms aren't easy to come by. How could this pauper have so many? Once he's out, I'll make him pay!"

"Perfect opportunity."

With Lin Qing preoccupied, Lin Hao saw his chance. He dashed toward the ancient tree, clutching his remaining charms.

Lin Qing, wary of the charms in Lin Hao's grasp, hesitated to make a move, even though he possessed a low-grade Enchanted Item.

To Lin Qing's astonishment, Lin Hao vanished without a trace as he approached the ancient tree, seemingly disappearing into thin air.

Lin Qing shook his head vigorously, his face etched with incredulity.

At that moment, Lin Hao was concealed within the old locust tree, having utilized the Bulwark of Thorns to slip inside while Lin Qing was off guard.

The Bulwark of Thorns was essentially the only spell Lin Hao had mastered. He scarcely knew any others and had little opportunity to learn.

Aware that this wasn't a sustainable strategy, Lin Hao had no alternative. His odds of besting Lin Qing were slim, especially since Lin Qing harbored a deadly resolve against him.

After some time, Lin Qing pieced it together. This fellow must have some knowledge of the family's mystical arts, aware of a Bulwark of Thorns technique that could merge a person with wooden matter.

With this in mind, Lin Qing squinted and paced around the base of the old locust tree.

Lin Hao remained vigilant, constantly on the lookout for Lin Qing's next move.

Suddenly, Lin Qing pivoted and thrust her sword into the locust tree, striking Lin Hao's left arm.

A twinge of pain seared through Lin Hao's heart, but he bit back any sound of distress.

Lin Qing stabbed at the tree several more times, but, luckily, none of the strikes reached Lin Hao.

"Could he have mastered the Burrowing technique? No, that's not possible; our family doesn't possess such a skill," Lin Qing mused, glancing up at the lush foliage of the locust tree. An idea seemed to strike her, and with a powerful leap, she ascended to the branches above.

"This won't do. Lin Qing is out for my blood, and it seems he's on to the Bulwark of Thorns. If he discovers me, today might not end well."

"Come out now. I know you're hiding in this tree. Show yourself, and perhaps I'll spare your life. Otherwise, you'll meet your end!" Lin Qing called out, gripping the Windsong sword as she surveyed the scene from her perch, her features twisted menacingly.

"Has he really found me?" Lin Hao wondered silently.

Lin Hao's eyes flickered as he fought through the pain, using the Bulwark of Thorns technique to emerge from the ancient locust tree.

Upon seeing Lin Hao appear, Lin Qing's face lit up with delight.

He was about to launch an attack with the Windsong sword when he realized that Lin Hao was injured—this was the perfect chance to defeat him.

"Lately, Lin Hao seems to have changed. Has he stumbled upon some stroke of luck?" Lin Qing mused. "Once I deal with him today, I'll search his residence. All the treasures will be mine."

"Hold on!"

Lin Hao spoke urgently before Lin Qing could strike, his voice tinged with a trace of spiritual energy.

"What exactly are you planning? Do you understand the consequences of killing me? You won't be able to avoid the fallout, and your father could be dragged into this mess. As for becoming the Patriarch? I doubt that will happen."

Lin Qing's mind reeled, a sudden realization dawning on him, and a chill of fear sent sweat trickling down his spine.

He had promised his father he wouldn't stir up trouble before his breakthrough to the foundation building stage. Moreover, he had harbored a genuine intent to kill Lin Hao. Reflecting on it now, he was soaked with cold sweat!

If Lin Hao were to die at home, the old patriarch would surely leave no stone unturned in his investigation. Should any evidence point to Lin Qing, his father might very well sacrifice him for the sake of the Patriarch's seat.

"What should I do?" Lin Qing wondered anxiously.