Zhao Ming groaned as he opened his eyes, his head pounding like a war drum. The faint st of aged wood, ink, and herbal medie filled his nostrils. A wooden ceiling loomed above him, unfamiliar yet oddly calming.

  “Where… am I?” he muttered.

  He pushed himself up, feeling the soft yet rough fabric of his robes—a blue schor’s attire, stitched with faint patterns of clouds. His hands trembled slightly as he ied them. Slender, youthful, unfamiliar.

  His heart raced. This wasn’t his body.

  Just as panic threateo rise, a sudden sound echoed in his mind.

  Ding![Life Choice System Activated.][Wele, Zhao Ming.]

  A translut golde box appeared in the air before him.

  [Your sciousness has merged with this body. Past memories are erased to ensure a fresh start.][Current Location: An inn outside Zhou ty, 184 AD, Eastern Han Dynasty.]

  Zhao Ming froze. 184 AD? That was the era of Romance of the Three Kingdoms—a time of legendary heroes, ruthless warlords, and ceaseless chaos.

  [Your identity: Zhao Ming, a 16-year-old schor traveling to Zhou ty.]

  Zhao Ming's eye twitched. "Wait. What happeo me before this? Who was I before?"

  [Irrelevant. Your past no longer matters. Only the choices you make from now on will shape your fate.]

  Zhao Ming rubbed his temples. “Great. I’m stu a a with no memories.”

  [Incorrect. Yiven an opportunity. How you use it is up to you. Your past no longer matters—only the choices you make from now on will shape your fate.] [However, you will have bits of information about the current era and its story. This knowledge is limited and inplete but may help you navigate key historical events.]

  Something about that stateme a chill down his spine. An opportunity?

  He took a deep breath. “Fine. Show me my stats.”

  [Dispying Status:]

  Name: Zhao Ming 赵明Age: 16Identity: Schor (No official raation: 0Martial Arts: ivation: NoneSkills: Basic Calligraphy, Poetry (Beginner), Cssical ese Studies

  Zhao Ming stared at the s. “…I’m weak as hell.”

  [Correct. You have no martial prowess, no cultivation, and ation. In this era, you are insignifit.]

  He sighed. “Then how do I get stronger?”

  [Strength in this world is tied to Reputation. The higher your reputation, the more opportunities you unlocluding martial arts, cultivation teiques, and political influence.]

  “Reputation?” Zhao Ming frowned. “You mean, like fame?”

  [Correct. Reputation be earhrough achievements—whether through politics, war, endary deeds. The world watches, and history remembers.][However, reputation is not bound by morality. You be a revered schor, a ing official, a feared warlord, or a ruthless tyrant. The world will judge your choices accly.]

  Zhao Ming's lips curled into a small smile. So, he could choose between righteousness and viliny?

  “Iing… I like options.”

  [Your first step is survival. Your teacher, Master, awaits you in Zhou ty. He has es to the Imperial Court and will guide your path. Head there immediately.]

  “Zhou ty…” Zhao Ming muttered. If he recalled correctly, that was where Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were f their legendary brotherhood.

  A grin spread across his face. Politics, war, cultivation, and a system that rewards both good and evil?

  This world had endless possibilities.

  He adjusted his robes.

  “Alright the’s see what this world has to offer.”

  End of Chapter 1

  Edit: ge from 190 AD to 184 AD.