C8 Standoff

"I can't keep this up. Once I've replenished my spiritual energy, I'll finish off that kid. I need to get back before I raise any suspicions."

Lin Qing mused as he absorbed the spiritual energy.

"Pfft!"

The sound of a gold needle piercing flesh.

Lin Qing stared at Lin Hao in disbelief. He couldn't believe that Lin Hao would launch a sneak attack at this moment. He had expected Lin Hao to be quaking in fear, not daring to strike.

It's like the saying goes: there's only so much one can take!

Lin Qing quickly drew the Windsong and swung it in swift arcs, sending streaks of sword light hurtling towards Lin Hao.

"How can this be?"

Lin Hao was astonished. He quickly pulled out several low-level charms and cried out, "Disperse!"

A protective shield materialized around him, temporarily holding off the fierce sword qi, but it was on the brink of shattering at any moment!

Although Lin Qing couldn't fully master the Windsong, he was still able to wield it to emit sword qi.

Naturally, forcing a low-grade Enchanted Item to activate was incredibly draining on his spiritual energy, and Lin Qing knew he couldn't sustain this for long.

As he fended off the sword qi, Lin Hao pondered in confusion, "Why is this gold needle so ineffective? Has he managed to suppress it?"

Despair settled in Lin Hao's heart. The gold needle was his ace in the hole, yet now it posed no threat to Lin Qing.

Meanwhile, Lin Qing still wielded the Windsong. Lin Hao's sole advantage lay in his spiritual energy, which was significantly more robust than his peers.

He also clung to the hope that Lin Qing was feigning his strength, already gravely injured.

Being the son of a family elder, Lin Qing was bound to have some life-saving magic weapon on him.

As Lin Qing's relentless assault continued, the protective shield in front of Lin Hao wobbled precariously, ready to split open at any second!

And if the shield were to break, Lin Hao's fate would likely be sealed today.

"I can't just keep defending."

Lin Hao resolved.

He began to condense his spiritual energy to its limit, launching a barrage of gold needles in rapid succession, aiming to take Lin Qing by surprise.

Moments later, sweat beaded on Lin Hao's forehead, and his body shook with slight tremors.

"Hahaha..."

Upon seeing Lin Hao's predicament, Lin Qing burst into laughter.

"Crack!"

A sharp snap echoed as the protective shield finally gave way under the relentless assault and shattered.

Lin Qing pictured the gruesome sight of Lin Hao being skewered by the sword qi and a slight smile crept onto his lips.

But in the blink of an eye, Lin Qing's pupils dilated in shock as the Windsong sword positioned itself to protect his vital areas.

"Go! Go! Go!"

Lin Hao bellowed.

Lin Qing saw a barrage of gold needles converging on him from every direction.

Having expended too much spiritual energy activating the low-grade Enchanted Item, he was taken aback by Lin Hao's gold needles, which sent him reeling back several meters!

The gold needles, manifestations of spiritual energy, spread throughout Lin Qing's body, threatening to ravage his internal organs.

"Damn it!" Lin Qing cursed in fury.

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't fear the gold needles, but his spiritual energy was severely depleted, and having already suppressed one, he was struggling to fend off their relentless onslaught.

"You've driven me to this," Lin Qing said through gritted teeth, pain etched on his face as he hastily retrieved a pill from his pocket and swallowed it.

Lin Qing's face turned a ghastly pale, then pitch black, a terrifying sight. As time ticked by, his aura began to rise steadily.

Fifth level of Qi Refining...

Sixth level...

Seventh level...

As his aura climbed, Lin Hao felt an increasing pressure, an almost overwhelming compulsion to kneel.

It wasn't until Lin Qing's aura hit the eighth level of Qi Refining that it finally plateaued.

"Kid, you've pushed me to use the Berserk Pill. I'm going to rip you to shreds!" Lin Qing bellowed with rage.

"Berserk Pill?" In that moment, Lin Hao regained his composure.

The Berserk Pill could temporarily boost one's level significantly, which sounded advantageous, but the side effects were horrific, often resulting in death or severe injury.

Moreover, the pill's effects lasted a mere ten minutes. For Lin Hao, if he could just hold out for that duration, defeating Lin Qing would be within easy reach.

However, enduring these ten minutes seemed more challenging than ascending to the heavens.

Although Lin Hao's spiritual energy within his elixir field was considerably more potent than his contemporaries, it hadn't reached the eighth level of Qi Refining.

Furthermore, even if he had attained the eighth level, he would still be no match for Lin Qing.

After ingesting the Berserk Pill, Lin Qing, with fists pounding his chest, was consumed by a murderous intent, fixated on slaying Lin Hao.

He effortlessly uprooted a large tree nearby and hurled it at Lin Hao.

Lin Hao deftly sidestepped the projectile.

But Lin Qing charged at Lin Hao, intent on tearing him apart with his bare hands.

Lin Hao weaved left and right, narrowly evading Lin Qing's assaults each time.

Frustrated by his inability to land a hit, Lin Qing bellowed, "Stand still so I can rip you to shreds!"

"Only a fool would stay put," Lin Hao shot back.

"Fine, I'll make you move. Let's see if you can keep it up."

"Go! Windsong Sword Technique, Sword Control!"

With a low shout from Lin Qing, the Windsong Sword vibrated as if alive, thrusting towards Lin Hao.

"Sword Control?" Lin Hao exclaimed in astonishment.

Sword Control was a skill reserved for mages who had reached the sixth level of Qi Refining.

Lin Hao was taken aback.

Lin Qing had only been at the fourth level of Qi Refining previously; how could he now wield Sword Control?

Even though he had advanced to the eighth level, mastering Sword Control wasn't something one could achieve instantly.

"I've been practicing the Windsong Sword Technique for quite some time, but due to my low level, I couldn't fully command the Windsong Sword. Now at the eighth level, I can wield it with ease," Lin Qing thundered.

Suddenly, Lin Hao felt as if a myriad of swords were converging on him from every direction.

He dodged frantically, looking rather pitiful.

"Pfft."

Lin Hao hit the ground, his left shoulder impaled.

"This won't work. It's too hard to hold out until the Berserk Pill wears off. Am I really going to die here today? I refuse to accept this!" Lin Hao raged inwardly.

"No, I can't die here. I haven't seen my parents yet; I don't even know if they're alive or dead," Lin Hao thought to himself, "What should I do?"

His eyes darted around uncertainly.

"That's it! I can hide in the Jade Realm. Lin Qing shouldn't be able to find me there."

Lin Hao's mind raced. "No time for doubts, it's time to take a risk."

"Burrowing, jasper bracelet!"

In an instant, Lin Hao vanished from sight.

"Hahaha..." Lin Qing's laughter echoed wildly.

"Eh..." His voice came to an abrupt halt.

Lin Hao had disappeared right before his eyes, and even Lin Qing's Clear Spell failed to reveal his location. This was a troubling development. Once the effects of the Berserk Pill wore off, Lin Hao could reemerge and easily take him down.

"Come out, you coward," Lin Qing called out in desperation.

"I guess I bet correctly; Lin Qing hasn't found me," Lin Hao rejoiced silently within the sanctuary of the jasper bracelet's space. "Just need to wait for the Berserk Pill's effects to subside, and then taking down Lin Qing will be a piece of cake."

As time ticked away, Lin Qing grew increasingly anxious. The effects of the Berserk Pill were fading. He unleashed the Windsong, slashing wildly to the left and right, flattening everything within hundreds of meters, yet Lin Hao's trace remained elusive.

Despair began to set in for Lin Qing. He felt certain that today would be the day he'd fall to Lin Hao.

"If I'm going to die, I'm taking him with me. If that little wretch dares to show himself, I'll detonate my elixir field and ensure he doesn't get off easy!" Lin Qing seethed with malice.