"Young master, it's time for breakfast."
The interruption of the servant brought Ling Aoyan back to reality. He stared at his painting and sighed. It's only in the field of arts where he shines.
He nodded and placed the brush on the table, displaying his slim fingers in the process.
The maid was already used to the appearance of the young master but he can't help but be amazed. His unrealistic and alluring face is unbelievable. He simply doesn't have any opponent in terms of appearance.
Ling Aoyan is 180 cm tall despite being only sixteen years old. He got that perfect body proportion, slim waist, and lean body. His skin is snow-white in color, it suits his white hair and cyan eyes.
His eyelashes are long, eyebrows are thin and lips are pinkish. His chiseled face looks devilish and flawless. Although it's inappropriate to call him seductive, that's the most perfect word to describe him.
His tantalizing appearance fits his elegant demeanor and noble aura. This made him seem like a beautiful star that's unreachable by mere mortals.
Although he was born with such an appearance, his position is still unstable in the clan. This is because of his special condition.
Ling Aoyan was born with the so-called Forbidden Yin Body, the strongest physique that belongs to Ice Category. However, he's a boy with innate yang energy. That's why his physique and yang energy is conflicting in nature. If he was born as a girl, he could've been a prodigy.
His special condition is the reason behind his cyan eyes and white hair. It also made him weak and sickly, he can't stand hot places at all. Moreover, his body is constantly releasing a huge amount of yin qi that is harmful to people. Which is why he lives in a secluded place to prevent harming his clan members.
Ling Aoyan had blamed his condition for everything. He hates himself for having that kind of physique. It made him weak, unsuitable for practicing martial arts. In this world where strength matters the most, a porcelain vase like he is nothing but a decoration.
"Ling Shu, what did you cook for breakfast?" even his voice sounded a bit cold and distant. Strangely, it sounded pleasant to the ears.
Ling Shu is his servant assigned by his father. They gave him a male servant because even girls couldn't stand the yin qi around him. Ling Shu, on the other hand, is a male cultivator with innate yang energy. He also practices the Sun Tempering Technique which makes him able to resist the yin qi.
Nonetheless, Ling Shu's yang energy isn't strong enough to balance the yin qi released by the young man. Their place is still cold and sometimes, fog forms too.
Ling Shu replied, "I made fried rice and stir-fried veggies just like what you asked Young Master."
Ling Aoyan didn't respond and went downstairs to eat. Today, he'll be going to Ling Clan's Manor to visit his family. That's why he woke up earlier than usual.
While he was eating, Ling Shu prepared his clothes and fixed his painting materials.
The young man went to shower after eating and changed into a comfortable set of clothes. Comfortable means a pair of fitted jeans and a plain shirt. He then wore his necklace, watch, and black boots.
It sounds simple but Ling Aoyan looks stunning. His outfit highlighted his long and slim legs.
Today is the martial spirit awakening that's why he's going to his family. After that, they'll go to the city stadium together as if they have the perfect family bond. When in fact, their relationships aren't that close.
A martial spirit is a mysterious creature that allows a person to form a spiritual sense and then gain the ability to cultivate. They also give martial skills depending on the martial spirit's power. They come in different types namely Plant, Soul, Beast, Food, Weapon, and Tool Type Martial Spirit.
These martial spirits are awakened yearly through a ceremony held by the Martial Association. Only those sixteen and seventeen years old teenagers could participate since only they could withstand the power of the awakening stone.
The reason why the Ling Clan became a prestigious and powerful clan is their martial spirit. The main members of the Ling Clan all have the Crimson Flower Martial Spirit. It belongs to the Bloodline Category. This means that it could be passed through a bloodline.
However, it is not always certain that you inherit the martial spirit.
The strength of the Crimson Flower depends on the number of its petals. The current head of the Ling Clan which is his grandfather has 7 petals in his martial spirit meanwhile Ling Aoyan's father has 10 petals.
This is also the reason why his father is hailed as the prodigy of the Ling Clan. He had always wanted to inherit the martial spirit and be as powerful as his father. But when he discovered his body condition, all of his hopes died.
The Crimson Flower belongs to Fire Category. It is simply the exact opposite of Ling Aoyan's physique. It would be a disaster if he inherits the same martial spirit. That's why he's now hoping to awaken a different martial spirit. So that he could at least have something to protect himself.
Ling Aoyan wore a Yin Suppressing Bead and went inside the car while playing with his fingers. He's very nervous actually.
When they arrived at the Ling Clan, he saw a lot of teenagers gathering. They are those who will also go to the city stadium and undergo the awakening ceremony. When they saw him, they greeted him and bowed their heads.
He didn't bother sparing them a glance. They seem to respect him but inwardly, they think that he's nothing but a decoration in the clan with no battle prowess at all.
The young man with his servant easily found the living room of the manor. There, he saw his two younger siblings and his older sister.
"Good morning Third Big Brother!," the two greeted him while his older sister just nodded at him.
Their relationship isn't that good. It's not because there's enmity between them, it's just that they haven't spent a lot of time together because Ling Aoyan lives in seclusion.
His parents have a total of six children. The oldest is Ling Mo, he's currently away due to his studies. The second child is Ling Yao'er, his older sister. Then Ling Suyan, his older twin brother. After himself is Ling Meiyi then the youngest, Ling Yi.
They sat quietly in the living room without talking to each other. Occasionally, he would catch his younger siblings looking at him with curious eyes. How could they be not curious, they rarely see him.
The sounds of footsteps took their attention. A beautiful woman with an elegant demeanor came inside. She is Xuan Ning, their mother who is the only daughter of the Xuan Family.
She saw his son and smiled. "You're here Yan'er! Let's wait for your father and brother first."
Although she greeted him, she sounds so distant. Ling Aoyan wonders, is she truly his mother? She did not even ask if he had eaten already. Nor did he ask how was his trip. These small things hurt the young man but he remained silent.
The person who came next is the one who had always overshadowed him, Ling Suyan. They are opposite poles. Ling Suyan has an approachable appearance and a warm smile.
He had been trained in martial arts since he was young that's why his body is bulky and muscular. He looks handsome and refined.
His younger siblings and mother greeted him warmly and even asked if he slept well. Ling Aoyan felt so jealous.
Since his older twin doesn't have the same misfortune as him, he was trained and nurtured by the clan. This is why he's famous for his achievements in the field of martial arts. He was said to have created his saber technique.
Although they often praise the Ling Clan for having two geniuses, it's only Ling Suyan who they think will serve some use to the clan. One is a genius in the field of martial arts while the other is adept in arts.
"It's nice to see you again Ling Aoyan! You should stay here from now on. We miss you so much," he said with his usual warm smile.
Ling Aoyan nodded. He knew that Ling Suyan said those just for courtesy. He doesn't miss his younger twin. Why would he miss him? They never played together when they were young even up to this day.
"Are you excited?"
Seeing his older twin try to start a conversation, Ling Aoyan replied, "No. It will not make any much difference."
Ling Suyan agreed inwardly. There's a high chance that his younger twin will awaken Crimson Flower. If he does, he's doomed for his entire life. Ling Suyan won't even bother to see him as a threat.
Ling Suyan didn't say anything but silently hope that he'll awaken the Crimson Flower with ten petals, the same as their father.
"Mom, where's Dad?," Ling Suyan asked.
This took even Ling Aoyan's attention. If there's someone he wants to impress, that would be his father. As far as he could remember, their father had treated both of them equally, unlike their mother.
However, their father has a strange personality. Even to his family, he's like a closed book. People could only see its title, not its entire content.
Even Ling Suyan can't monopolize their father's attention. He gives them equal chances, allowance, and attention. But who knows what will happen after the awakening ceremony?
"Wait for a while, he went outside," Xuan Ning replied. However, a series of steps sounded not too long after. Xuan Ning exclaimed, " Ah-tian you're here!"
Ling Tian, their father, didn't even glance at his wife. He coldly scanned the twin and handed each of them a metallic box.
"You are to open that only after the awakening ceremony," he instructed before walking away with his hands in his pockets.
Their father looks young despite being 42 years old already. Well, in the world of martial arts, that age is still considered young. He has that domineering appearance and handsome face.
It's something that would put actors to shame. He's so breathtaking and tall. Among his child, only Ling Aoyan looks like him. Aside from Ling Aoyan, his kids inherited Xuan Ning's appearance.
"Ah-tian wait for me!"
Their mother rushed forward to hold the man's hand however he coldly evaded her hand. Ling Tian glared at her and threw the twin a glance. "Come quickly, you'll share a ride with me."
With that, he left without looking back. Xuan Ning sighed and motioned her children to start moving.
In the end, Ling Tian only allowed the twin to board his card. Ling Aoyan could only sigh inwardly.
"This family is messed up."