Qin Yu blinked as an aged lady's voice echoed in his mind, the warmth of her words lingering in his thoughts.
With his newfound memories he knows that this is Aunt Meng who is a kind old lady that helped take care of him as a child in the simulation.
Aunt Meng brought a bottle of milk to his lips and Qin Yu opened his mouth and sucked.
Feeling refreshed his thoughts drifted to the memories from the simulation.
His village was located in a place called,The Barren Lands.
The Barren Lands were a place dominated by vast forests, open plains, and towering mountain ranges.
It was a land where numerous small tribes and villages existed, scattered across the wilderness like isolated islands in an ocean of nature. And beyond the villages?
He had no idea. He wasn't able to gain such information in his first simulation.
His village was small, nestled deep within the Barren Lands, and its people lived simple, rustic lives.
Almost every young one practiced martial arts, from the youngest children to the adults.
Martial cultivation was not just a skill here—it was a way of survival.
The ranks were strictly divided, with the weakest being at the Ninth Rank and the strongest sitting at the revered First Rank.
His uncle, Qin Wu, was the only Ninth Rank expert in the village, and he trained the young men, imparting his knowledge and skills to them.
Qin Yu's uncle, despite being the strongest in the village, was not a mighty force in the grand scheme of the world.
To break through to the next ranks and become truly powerful required years of dedicated training and a physique that could handle the intense spiritual energy of cultivation.
But for Qin Yu, the reality was that his body was weak—frail and deficient from birth.
His premature birth left him with a body that could barely keep up with his peers.
In the simulation even at the age of sixteen, he was no stronger than a child half his age.
His uncle had done his best to train him, but Qin Yu always felt out of place in a world where strength was the key to survival.
In his first simulation, he had directed his simulated self purely out of curiosity, wanting to learn more about the world around him.
But the result was far from what he had hoped. His simulated self had focused too much on understanding the world and had neglected the martial arts training that was vital for survival.
When the merchant came, bringing with him the rare martial arts manual, Qin Yu had nothing to offer in exchange.
The merchant had left without a deal, and that chance to grow stronger had slipped through his fingers.
Qin Yu quietly looked the nine chances for simulation he had left and held back the urge to use it for now.
-----
12 years had passed since the day Qin Yu was born.
Over those years, he had come to a realization: the events shown in his first simulation were not mere fabrications but indeed glimpses of a future that could unfold.
He was in doubt before whether the simulated future is exactly the same but now he was sure.
With this knowledge, Qin Yu lived each day with purpose, carefully observing the world around him and planning his steps.
As expected, his body was frail and weak for his age, but that didn't hinder his will to get stronger.
This age was when the children would officially begin their martial arts training.
Today, the house was filled with the bustling sounds of Aunt Meng preparing a simple yet heartfelt birthday celebration for Qin Yu.
The smell of freshly steamed buns and roasted meat wafted through the small courtyard.
Qin Wu, the ever-stoic village head, sat at the wooden table, carving a small wooden figurine as a gift for his nephew.
He was quite skilled in it too.
"Happy Birthday, Xiao Yu!" Aunt Meng called as she carried a tray of food to the table.
Beside her was a timid girl with soft features and bright eyes.
She was Aunt Meng's foster grandchild, Lian Hua, a quiet but kind-hearted girl who had been found abandoned in the village years ago.
At seven, she was a few months older than Qin Yu but always looked up to him with admiration.
"Thank you, Aunt Meng, Uncle Wu," Qin Yu said, his face lighting up with a smile.
His gaze shifted to Lian Hua. "And you, Hua'er. Thank you for the little pouch you made for me."
Lian Hua blushed, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's nothing, really…"
The evening was filled with laughter and warmth, a rare reprieve in the harsh life of the Barren Lands.
Yet, even amidst the joy, Qin Yu's mind was restless.
He knew that in just a few months, the merchant from his simulation would arrive.
This was his chance to alter the future and prepare for the challenges that lay ahead.
This was because from his memories, the Technique his uncle practiced was a fragmented low level technique that is almost impossible to breakthrough to Eight Rank.
---
After the celebration, Qin Yu excused himself and wandered around.
The village was quiet, with only the occasional bark of a dog or rustle of leaves breaking the silence.
His thoughts churned as he considered how to catch the merchant's attention.
The memory of the merchant's martial arts manual lingered in his mind.
'If I can offer something valuable in trade, I could secure that manual.'
But what could a small village boy like him possibly provide?
As he walked, he spotted a group of children playing near a small clearing.
These were the village kids, some his age and others slightly older.
They noticed him and began to gather around, calling out excitedly.
"Boss Qin is here!"
"Boss, look what I found today!"
Qin Yu smirked inwardly. Over the years, he had cultivated a reputation among the children as their leader.
With his sharp wit and knowledge from his simulations, he had charmed them into seeing him as a figure of authority.
His uncle's status as the village head only reinforced this image.
"Alright, what do you have for me today?" Qin Yu asked, sitting on a large rock as the children crowded around him.
One of the older boys stepped forward, holding a strange, shiny stone. "Boss, look at this! I found it near the river. Is it a treasure?"
Another child produced a small, oddly-shaped wooden figure, claiming it was carved by an old hermit who lived in the forest.
One by one, the children presented their finds, each more unusual than the last.
Qin Yu carefully examined each item, his mind racing.
'Some of these might actually be worth something. If not, I can at least show the merchant we have unique goods to trade.'
But then he sighed, knowing that success is unlikely as he understood the value of such a Technique.
As the children handed over their treasures, a sudden notification appeared before Qin Yu's eyes.
> [System Notification]
[Achievement Unlocked: Little Leader
You have successfully established yourself as a leader among your peers.]
[New Trait Unlocked: Silver Tongue
- A passive skill that makes others more likely to believe your words and be swayed by your speech. Trait can evolve as you grow.]
Qin Yu's eyes widened.
'Silver Tongue? This could be incredibly useful.'
'But more importantly I have found another function of the system.'
'Can I unlock only achievements related to leadership or anything else?' he wondered.
---
Months passed in anticipation, and the day finally came.
The village buzzed with excitement as the merchant's arrival was imminent.
For years, the remote village had seen no traveling merchants.
This visit was a rare chance for trade, and everyone hoped to barter their goods for something valuable.
Qin Yu stood next to his uncle, Qin Wu, near the main road that led to the village.
A crowd of villagers had gathered, some carrying bundles of herbs, animal hides, or other items they hoped would catch the merchant's interest.
"Remember, Xiao Yu," Qin Wu said, his voice calm but firm, "merchants are shrewd. They won't hesitate to take advantage if you're not careful."
"I understand, Uncle," Qin Yu replied, keeping his expression calm even as his heart raced.
He wasn't here to trade just anything—he was here for something far more significant.
The sound of creaking wheels and the low growls of strange beasts filled the air.
The villagers murmured among themselves as a large, ornate carriage pulled by two lizard-like creatures came into view.
The carriage stopped near the gathered crowd, and a man stepped out.
He was dressed in fine robes, his appearance sharp and his movements confident.
His eyes scanned the villagers with a practiced smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"Greetings, esteemed villagers," the merchant began, his voice smooth and commanding.
"I am Chu Jin of the Chu Merchant Guild. I bring rare and valuable goods for trade. Let us see if we can make a deal."
The villagers bowed respectfully, their excitement bubbling over.
Qin Wu stepped forward first, representing the village.
"Welcome, Merchant Chu Jin. It has been many years since we last had the honor of hosting a traveling merchant. We hope this trade will benefit both sides."
"Ah, such courtesy," Chu Jin said, bowing slightly in return.
"Let us see what treasures this fine village holds."
One by one, the villagers stepped forward, presenting their offerings.
Old Man Zhou brought bundles of medicinal herbs, neatly tied and fragrant.
"These herbs are rare in this region, Merchant Chu. They're known for curing fevers and strengthening the body."
Chu Jin examined them carefully. "Indeed, these are of good quality. I'll offer you three spirit fruits in exchange."
The old man beamed, thanking the merchant as he accepted the trade.
Next came Aunt Mei, carrying a beautifully woven basket filled with colorful bird feathers.
"These feathers are from the Scarlet-winged Lark, a bird that rarely nests in this area. They're prized for ornamentation."
Chu Jin raised an eyebrow in interest. "Impressive craftsmanship, Aunt Mei. I'll trade you a set of steel needles for embroidery."
The crowd murmured in approval as Aunt Mei graciously accepted the offer.
A young hunter named Liang stepped forward, holding the pelt of a large black wolf.
"This is from the Alpha Wolf of the western woods. Its fur is thick and valuable."
Chu Jin nodded appreciatively. "A fine specimen. For this, I'll give you a small pouch of beast-repelling powder. It will serve you well in your future hunts."
As more trades occurred, Qin Yu observed silently, noting the merchant's sharp eye and clever exchanges.
Chu Jin wasn't just a trader; he was an expert in assessing value and leveraging it to his advantage.
Finally, Chu Jin addressed the crowd. "I have something rare and valuable with me today—a martial arts manual."