Douluo: Goddess Life Simulator, Qian Renxue Is Addicted

On the other side, Zhu Zhuqing wandered around Star Luo City for a while. After shaking off the people tailing her, she immediately left the city and headed straight north. She didn't dare rest for even a second, dashing like a wildcat.

All her focus was on escaping and evading pursuit.

As for the simulation's progress, she could only set it to auto-manage.

Rustle, rustle…!

[On the 23rd of September, Year 2023 of the Douluo Calendar, you left Star Luo City. After surviving several assassination attempts, you finally reached the borders of the Heaven Dou Empire. You didn't stop to rest and arrived in Heaven Dou City three days later.]

[You quietly inquired whether anyone had heard of Zhou Sheng'an.]

[Zhou Sheng'an is obscure and unknown. His theory on soul power supplementation was never published.]

[You went to Blue Tyrant Academy to ask if there were any new teachers, but found nothing.]

…

"How could this be? Last time, Grand Sage Master clearly…" Zhu Zhuqing leapt through the forest canopy while glancing at the simulation log. Seeing no results, she brought up Zhou Sheng'an's panel.

As the one who initiated the simulation, she could view Zhou Sheng'an's attributes and events.

[On the 23rd of September, Year 2023 of the Douluo Calendar, Zhou Sheng'an was knocked unconscious and taken by a group of masked men to an unknown location. He was released an hour later. On his way back to the inn, he was ambushed again and kidnapped, only to be released half an hour later. He was abducted and released repeatedly…]

[During the fourth abduction, the mastermind revealed himself. Salas told Zhou Sheng'an: "Your soul power supplementation theory is dangerous. It must not be published!"]

[All manuscripts Zhou Sheng'an submitted to other publishers were destroyed.]

[He stayed in Heaven Dou City for a few days, attempting to contact various powers, but failed at every turn. Targeted by the Spirit Hall, he couldn't survive in Heaven Dou City and had no choice but to leave.]

[On the 13th of October, Year 2023, Zhou Sheng'an was abducted by Duchess Milan, a great noblewoman, who tried to make him her consort. Zhou Sheng'an swore never to give in. He left penniless, nearly out of options.]

…

"???" Zhu Zhuqing had just landed on a tree branch when she saw this string of outrageous entries. She nearly fell out of the tree!

It was insane!

Someone as talented as Zhou Sheng'an was actually rejected by all major powers?

Utterly absurd!

Unless…

"Spirit Hall is deliberately targeting him. If they've been suppressing the Grand Sage Master's rise all this time, then with his current situation, it really would be hard to take the next step forward."

"No matter how brilliant the theory is, someone has to validate it."

"But… why would Spirit Hall suddenly target the Grand Sage Master…? Of course, it must be that I'm not the only one with this so-called simulator. At least one other player is from Spirit Hall—and a high-ranking one at that!"

Zhu Zhuqing quickly pieced it together.

She continued leaping through the forest canopy, thinking through the situation.

With the Grand Sage Master's performance in the last simulation, it was clear that the person from Spirit Hall wouldn't want history to repeat itself. They'd keep suppressing him no matter what.

In that case, if she suddenly went to meet the Grand Sage Master, it would be far too conspicuous!

Then, that person would realize she was also a player!

"No, I can't do that! Otherwise, even in reality, I'd have a hard time getting close to the Grand Sage Master. I have to make it look natural, like my joining him was just fate playing out."

Zhu Zhuqing's mind raced, and she immediately made a choice.

[You immediately returned to Star Luo City and requested support from your father, securing some family resources. In a short time, you gained real influence and could act in the family's name.]

[Using the intel from the previous simulation, you helped your clan gain significant benefits and earned your father's approval.]

[On the 25th of December, Year 2023 of the Douluo Calendar, on your way to the Zhu family's fiefdom, you encountered a disheveled Zhou Sheng'an. You didn't show yourself, instead speaking to him through a curtain.]

[After learning about Zhou Sheng'an's recent misfortunes, you offered to recruit him as a retainer of the Zhu clan.]

…

In the Zhu family's fiefdom, inside a room of the royal palace.

Separated by a folding screen, Zhou Sheng'an and Zhu Zhuqing sat facing each other.

From Zhou Sheng'an's side, all he could see was the outline of her figure. That alluring and mature silhouette gave a misleading impression, making him instinctively believe she was a sophisticated noblewoman.

"Madam, thank you for your appreciation. I will repay the Zhu family's kindness in the future."

Zhou Sheng'an spoke sincerely.

At this point, he truly was down and out. It felt like some unseen hand was toying with him—no matter where he went, he hit a wall. He was even frequently kidnapped by noblewomen.

He vaguely sensed it—he was being targeted by Spirit Hall.

And since Spirit Hall's main base of power was in the Heaven Dou Empire, he had come directly to the Star Luo Empire, hoping to find someone who recognized his talents.

Luckily, he encountered the Zhu clan's Second Madam.

Yes, the public identity Zhu Zhuqing now used behind the folding screen.

"Sheng'an, your theory can be proven by yourself. But it isn't universally applicable, so it's hard to grant you the recognition you deserve," Zhu Zhuqing said in a mature, disguised voice.

"…" Zhou Sheng'an fell silent for a moment before nodding.

It was true—his theory hadn't been validated yet. But that wasn't his fault. It was because Spirit Hall never gave him the chance!

He tried joining an academy—just after completing the paperwork and before even stepping into the dorm, he was expelled!

Who could he complain to?

Now, even though his theory had been acknowledged by the Zhu Second Madam, he still couldn't put his talents to use.

His heart was filled with frustration.

Zhu Zhuqing continued, "Stay here for now and get familiar with the kingdom's affairs. There will definitely be a time when your talents are needed."

"Alright." Zhou Sheng'an had no choice but to agree.

Zhu Zhuqing sighed inwardly. Didn't she also want to see the Grand Sage Master shine?

But she had just taken him in, and people from Spirit Hall came pressuring her immediately, forcing her to dismiss him, calling him an enemy of the Pope.

In this situation, no matter how much she admired Zhou Sheng'an's talent, she had to put it on hold.

At least… she had to make Spirit Hall lower its guard.

And even without his soul power theory, Zhou Sheng'an's military talent was unparalleled!

Zhu Zhuqing clearly remembered—in the second simulation, Zhou Sheng'an led troops to crush the Star Luo army, burning their camps for over 700 li! Even Star Luo's greatest general, MacArthur, admitted defeat.

Now stationed in the Zhu family's fiefdom, what fate awaited Zhou Sheng'an?

In truth, the Zhu fiefdom was only nominally a kingdom. Its territory wasn't even as large as the duchies in the Heaven Dou Empire.

Furthermore, it was under the royal family's jurisdiction, meaning the Zhu clan only received tax and tribute from within the fallen kingdom's borders, with no say in military or political affairs. It was stifling, to say the least.

…

[Zhou Sheng'an has settled in the Zhu fiefdom, but life is far from ideal. While the Star Luo Empire does not fear Spirit Hall, it still has to show some courtesy. Despite Zhu Zhuqing's firm endorsement, Zhou Sheng'an remains ignored, placed in a state of 'free-range' neglect.]