Chapter 1: The Trash's Awakening
Late morning sun draped Wu Tan City in a warm glow. Inside the Xiao Clan's training yard, a lone youth struck out repeatedly, fists punching against air with mechanical precision. His breaths came fast. Sweat soaked his thin robes.
He was no longer the proud genius people once celebrated.
He was now Xiao Yan — the laughingstock of the clan.
Once, at just ten, he shocked everyone by reaching 9 Duan Qi. But now, at fifteen, he remained stuck. For three whole years, he hadn't made a single breakthrough.
"Trash."
That word followed him everywhere.
But today, Xiao Yan wasn't angry.
Because… he wasn't really Xiao Yan anymore.
Three days ago, a different soul had taken over this body. A soul from Earth. A soul that remembered everything — the Xiao Clan, the Dou Qi Continent, the rise of Xiao Yan, the Heavenly Flames, even Yao Lao.
And with that memory came a system.
That night, it had echoed in his mind:
> [Ding! Simulation System binding complete.]
[Welcome, Host: Xiao Yan.]
[Randomizing Talent…]
[You have drawn White-grade Talent: "Calm Will."]
[Simulation attempts: 1]
[Begin Simulation?]
"Begin."
He chose it without hesitation.
---
Simulation Begins
Xiao Yan's eyes opened inside the simulation.
Same clan, same people—but this time, he held knowledge and calmness. He knew the future. Knew what to avoid. Knew how to grow.
He began by isolating himself.
No reacting to Xiao Ning's provocations. No showing off. No wasted fights. Just silent, brutal training in the most ignored corner of the estate.
Punch. Breathe. Circulate. Again.
"Focus," he whispered. "No distractions."
The Calm Will talent helped. His mind stayed clear even as his arms burned. Pain faded to background noise. He repeated basic stances thousands of times until muscle memory formed anew.
Days turned to weeks.
He turned to herbs. Though he lacked proper tools, his Earth knowledge gave him a lead. He crushed spirit grass with stones, burned low-quality flameweed, and mixed the powder into a warm liquid.
Primitive, but effective.
His body grew sturdier.
4 Duan Qi.
Then 5.
Then 6.
He didn't celebrate. Not yet.
---
A year passed.
One day, while watching Xun'er train, he copied her elegant forms from the shadows. She noticed.
"You've improved," she said quietly, passing by.
He only nodded.
Xiao Zhan, his father, who had once looked at him with disappointment, now gave him a faint smile at dinner.
7 Duan Qi.
He was climbing again.
---
Then it happened.
Nalan Yanran returned.
She came with Ge Ye, an elder from Misty Cloud Sect, standing tall in the clan hall with cold eyes and words of formality.
"I'm here to break the engagement," she declared.
Silence.
Xiao Yan didn't shout. Didn't beg. His calm gaze met hers.
"Three years," he said. "Return in three years. If I defeat you, you'll honor the promise. If not, I'll cancel it myself."
Even Ge Ye was stunned.
A slight smirk touched Nalan Yanran's lips. "Fine."
They left. But something shifted.
That night, Xiao Yan didn't sleep.
He climbed to the edge of Green Rock Hill and trained until dawn. He smashed his fists against stone until his skin tore. Practiced footwork until his knees gave out.
The humiliation sparked a fire.
A year later, he reached 9 Duan Qi.
---
Then came the most important moment.
During one deep meditation, the ring on his hand grew hot. A presence stirred.
A voice, dry and ancient, echoed in his mind:
"You've changed, brat. Interesting."
Xiao Yan's heart didn't skip a beat.
He already knew.
Yao Lao — the hidden spirit of the alchemy master.
And so, they spoke.
The old man was cautious at first, puzzled by Xiao Yan's maturity. But with each question, each test, his interest grew.
Under Yao Lao's guidance, Xiao Yan began true alchemy. Using old herbs, he concocted his first real Qi-gathering pill.
It worked.
He sold the pill anonymously, earned money, and bought better ingredients. In secret, his skills grew.
Not long after…
Dou Zhe.
His first real step on the path.
---
But peace doesn't last.
A rogue Dou Shi attacked the Xiao Clan.
Rumor said he sought a rare treasure. When Xiao Zhan refused to hand anything over, he brought destruction.
Flames consumed the storehouses. The enemy cut down guards with ease.
Xiao Yan stood beside his father, unleashing everything — fire-type Dou Techniques, pill explosions, improvised poisons. He fought with desperation.
Xun'er was nearly struck.
Without hesitation, Xiao Yan threw himself forward.
"XUN'ER, GET BACK!"
He took the hit.
His final pill detonated in a flash of red flame, engulfing the rogue Dou Shi in a fiery blast.
---
Simulation Ended.
> [Life Span: 5 Years]
[Total Simulation Points Earned: 2]
[Rewards Available: Alchemy Knowledge, 6 Duan Qi Cultivation Base]
[Selected: 6 Duan Qi + Basic Alchemy Knowledge]
[Applying Rewards…]
---
Back in Reality
Xiao Yan gasped.
Qi surged inside him. His core throbbed with energy. His limbs felt alive.
He checked his pulse. Strong.
He stood, a grin creeping onto his face.
"I'm not trash anymore."
He looked out the window at the rising sun.
"This time… I'll write my own story."