Chapter 18: An Angry Mother, a Flustered Father, and a Shattered Ling Tian

“Ling Zhantian!”
With a single utterance, the three were astonished.
Hearing Ling Tian address him so directly, the three could only smile wryly.
Perhaps, apart from hostile forces willing to call Ling Zhantian by his name, few would dare such familiarity.
Ye Qingwu, however, was not particularly surprised; her son had already taken liberties with his grandfather earlier.
“I taught him your name just now. The moment I said you were his father, he called you by your name.”
Ye Qingwu gently rubbed her forehead, finding a suitable explanation.
Ling Zhantian, for his part, took no offense, his face radiating a warm smile.
He was utterly satisfied with the aura Ling Tian exuded—genius, an absolute genius!
He himself had been exceptionally gifted, but never had he reached such cultivation at such a young age.
The boy’s future achievements would surely surpass his own.
“Tian’er, come, let your father hold you!”
Ling Zhantian’s face brightened with joy, oblivious to anything amiss.
[Your father, Ling Zhantian, has toiled ceaselessly for you since your birth, rarely able to be with you. His love is deep and silent, unlike your mother’s expressive affection. Over a hundred years, he has not given you a single worthy gift.]
[Reverse Fate mission triggered.]
[Receive a gift of at least Saint-grade!]
[Reward: Emperor-level alchemy talent!]
Ling Tian heard this voice in his mind and his heart surged wildly. Emperor-level alchemy talent! Clearly, the system intended to shape him into a well-rounded warrior.
Mastering every skill, excelling in each, he could show off—well, cultivate—with unparalleled confidence...
Who wouldn’t desire such a gift?
The reverse fate system arriving early was simply delightful.
If he’d reached a hundred years old as a useless nobody, how could he shamelessly ask Ling Zhantian for a spirit artifact?
Moreover, given Ling Zhantian’s disappointment in him, it would be even more difficult to make such a request.
But now, there were many ways to achieve his goal.
Ling Tian’s eyes gleamed as he devised a plan.
Instead of approaching Ling Zhantian as instructed, he sat directly on the ground.
“This spirit artifact was given to me by mother for protection, this bell is grandfather’s gift for play, and this, and this...”
Ling Tian calmly took out one spirit artifact after another, each at least of Saint-grade quality.
As he spoke, he glanced at Ling Zhantian.
Ling Zhantian, seeing Ling Tian’s display, could only laugh helplessly; the little fellow was making a point.
He presented all the gifts given by others, conspicuously omitting anything from Ling Zhantian.
Wasn’t that clear enough?
Ye Qingwu shot Ling Zhantian a look, meaning: you deal with this.
Beside them, Luo Qingqiu couldn’t help but cover her mouth, laughing softly. The little one was certainly amusing.
Few could give Ling Zhantian such a headache.

“Here, choose whichever you like.”
Ling Zhantian was not a stingy man. Upon reflection, he realized that since Ling Tian’s birth, he truly had not given him a single gift.
With a thought, numerous spirit artifacts appeared before Ling Tian.
Most were Saint-grade, but there were also a few Emperor-grade.
These Emperor-grade artifacts were not Ling Zhantian’s own, but spoils from slaying emperors in the Abyss and elsewhere.
Even among emperors, strength varied.
Ling Zhantian felt no pain in giving them to his son.
With such an outstanding child, why not indulge him?
If anyone dared object, Ling Zhantian would not hesitate to overturn the table.
Seeing this, Ling Tian scooped up the spirit artifacts on the ground, then gazed at those floating in midair, dazzled by their brilliance.
“I’ll take this one!”
After a moment’s observation, Ling Tian chose a sword named Azure Frost, a Saint-grade artifact.
He already possessed two or three Emperor-grade artifacts; more would only be superfluous.
Unable to wield their full power, keeping them would only waste their potential.
[Mission accomplished.]
[Reward: Emperor-level alchemy talent!]
As he took the Azure Frost sword, a notification sounded in his mind.
“The blade is sharp; you might hurt yourself. Why not choose this defensive Emperor artifact instead?”
Ling Zhantian shook his head, disagreeing with Ling Tian’s choice, fearing he might injure himself.
“In my opinion, this one is quite suitable.”
Luo Qingqiu interjected, handing each of them a memory stone.
“Wait, isn’t this the sword genius everyone in the Dao Domain has been talking about lately? Why would you…”
Ye Qingwu stopped mid-sentence, realization dawning on her as she looked at Luo Qingqiu in surprise.
“Could it be?”
Even Ling Zhantian lost his composure.
“Exactly as you imagine!”
Luo Qingqiu nodded, confirming their suspicions.
“Haha, hahahaha, like father, like son! The Ling family is truly blessed by fate!”
Ling Zhantian’s eyes shone, and he laughed heartily.
With such a talented son, he was naturally overjoyed.
As he finished speaking, he lifted Ling Tian into his arms, pressing his face tightly against Ling Tian’s as if he wanted to merge them.
Ling Tian tried his best to resist, but the difference in strength was overwhelming.
He struggled helplessly, watching the exuberant Ling Zhantian, and for a moment, the usually composed Ling Tian felt a strange illusion:
Who is the father, and who is the son?

The following moments were warm and peaceful.
The family, rarely united, savored their happiness.
Luo Qingqiu slipped into the void, leaving the room to avoid being a third wheel.
That night, Ling Tian was sent to another room to sleep beside Luo Qingqiu.
Ling Zhantian had claimed the spot beside Ye Qingwu.
Ling Tian’s little face was full of resignation—his father was excellent in every way, except in this matter…
“Sister, father and mother…”
Ling Tian lay beside Luo Qingqiu, asking knowingly, curious about her answer.
“They’re probably discussing some profound matters…”
Luo Qingqiu habitually tapped Ling Tian’s forehead, giving this reply.
She couldn’t exactly tell him what they were actually doing, could she?
Given Ling Tian’s persistent questioning, any explanation would be troublesome.
“For example?”
“It’s time for you to sleep now.”
Ling Tian…
He had wanted to say he’d like to discuss such matters with Luo Qingqiu as well, but his backside still hurt, so he abandoned the idea.
One must know their own limits when courting disaster!

The next day, the Ling family was filled with festivity.
Though it was only a first birthday celebration, not many guests attended—mostly family, close relatives, and those from Ye Qingwu’s side.
An adulthood ceremony would mark Ling Tian’s emergence into the world, drawing much greater attention.
A first birthday was more intimate, focused on the family.
Ye Qingwu’s bedchamber.

“What did you do?!”
Ye Qingwu frowned, pushing Ling Zhantian aside with irritation.
“Qingwu, listen, it wasn’t intentional, I was careless…”
Inside the room: an angry mother, a flustered father, and a broken Ling Tian.
For reasons unknown, Ling Zhantian had come early to Ling Tian’s room to help him dress for the celebration.
A first birthday mustn’t be shabby.
His lower garments were fine, but when putting on the upper robe, Ling Zhantian managed to dislocate Ling Tian’s arm.
Thus, this scene unfolded.
Ling Zhantian excelled at killing, but at this… well…
Ling Tian’s face was full of grievance as he complained inwardly:
Father, if you wanted to torment me, you could have just said so…