Years passed, and the Li Clan estate, nestled in the heart of the mountains, became the stage for the unfolding destinies of the twins. Li Feng, the golden child, grew into a boy of remarkable talent and grace. He was everything the elders had hoped for—a prodigy in martial arts, skilled in the ancient ways of cultivation, and blessed with a charisma that endeared him to all who met him. His every achievement was celebrated with grand feasts, and his name was spoken with reverence throughout the clan.
Li Yan, on the other hand, grew up in the shadow of his brother. Where Li Feng excelled, Li Yan struggled. He was often sickly, his body frail and his qi weak. The elders, who had once feared the prophecy, now viewed him with a mix of pity and disdain. He was the forgotten child, left to his own devices, while his brother basked in the glory of their parents' affection.
The contrast between the brothers was stark, and it did not go unnoticed by the other children in the clan. Li Feng's friends were many, drawn to his natural charm and the promise of a bright future. Li Yan, however, was often left alone, his presence either ignored or ridiculed.
"Why do you even bother training?" one of the older boys sneered at Li Yan during a sparring session. "You'll never be like your brother. You're just a waste of space."
Li Yan clenched his fists, his eyes burning with a mix of anger and humiliation. But there was little he could do. His body refused to cooperate, and every attempt to match his brother's prowess ended in failure. The elders, who oversaw the training sessions, barely spared him a glance, their attention focused solely on Li Feng.
Despite the neglect, Li Yan refused to give up. He trained in secret, pushing his frail body to its limits. He knew he could never be like his brother, but a fire had been ignited within him—a fire fueled by the desire to prove himself, to escape the shadow that had been cast over his life since birth.
One day, as the children gathered in the courtyard for their daily lessons, Elder Zhang announced a special challenge—a test of agility and reflexes. A series of targets had been set up around the courtyard, and the children were to use their qi to strike them from a distance.
Li Feng stepped forward, his posture confident. With a wave of his hand, golden qi surged from his fingertips, striking each target with precision. The elders nodded in approval, their faces glowing with pride. Li Feng's performance was flawless, as expected.
Next was Li Yan's turn. The courtyard fell silent as he stepped forward, the weight of a thousand eyes pressing down on him. He raised his hand, concentrating on the faint flicker of qi within him. But as he released it, the energy sputtered and died, barely reaching the first target.
Laughter erupted from the crowd, and Li Yan's face flushed with shame. Elder Zhang shook his head, his expression one of disappointment.
"Enough," the elder said, his voice cold. "You are not ready."
Li Yan lowered his head, the sting of failure cutting deep. He could feel the eyes of the clan on him, judging him, condemning him. But as he turned to leave the courtyard, a voice stopped him.
"Wait."
It was Li Feng. The golden child stepped forward, his face calm and composed. He reached out and placed a hand on his brother's shoulder, a gesture that seemed kind on the surface, but there was a glint in his eyes that Li Yan couldn't quite place.
"Don't be discouraged, brother," Li Feng said, his voice smooth. "Not everyone is destined for greatness. But you have your own path to walk, don't you?"
The words, though seemingly encouraging, felt like a dagger to Li Yan's heart. He could sense the condescension, the subtle reminder that he would always be the lesser twin. The crowd murmured in agreement, and Li Yan knew that his brother's words had only solidified his place as the outcast.
That night, Li Yan sat alone in the garden, his heart heavy with despair. The moon cast a pale light over the landscape, and the wind whispered through the trees. He had always known that he was different, but the reality of his situation was becoming too much to bear.
"Why?" he whispered to the night sky. "Why was I born this way? Why must I suffer while my brother thrives?"
The stars above offered no answers, and the silence of the night only deepened his sense of isolation. But as he sat there, lost in his thoughts, a shadow fell across the garden. Li Yan looked up to see a figure standing at the edge of the path, shrouded in darkness.