Chapter 59: Gathering Strength

[July 14, Year 2026 of the Douluo Calendar. The Star Luo army led by Zhou Sheng'an has been locked in a standoff with the Haagen-Dazs Kingdom's top general, Long Qi, for over a month. Their offensive is beginning to lose momentum.]

[Heaven Dou Empire's renowned general Victor launched a flanking maneuver, trapping Zhou Sheng'an's forces from both sides.]

[…]

The entry suddenly updated, and both Qian Renxues read it.

The dark Qian Renxue said, "With Spirit Hall's soul masters supporting them, there's no way Sheng'an can defeat the Heaven Dou Empire. Since you're so confident, then let's test your theory!"

Qian Renxue shook her head. "It's not the time yet."

"Not the time? If this drags on, Sheng'an will definitely lose! When the army collapses, how will you ensure his safety…?" Dark Qian Renxue sneered.

Her idea was straightforward and ruthless:

Step one — ask her grandfather for help and kill Bibi Dong directly.

If Qian Daoliu acted personally, Bibi Dong wouldn't be able to resist no matter what!

Step two — force Zhou Sheng'an to submit. Who would dare oppose her then?

Even if there was controversy for a few years, as long as Zhou Sheng'an shone brilliantly, all those voices would soon vanish!

And besides, this had already been proven in the simulations.

But her main body, Qian Renxue, kept hesitating, worried about this and that, and made no progress!

Qian Renxue shook her head. "You don't understand. In the simulations, even when we fail, Sheng'an's outcome in the last three runs was all bad. He had the chance to become a god, but…"

"So you're just going to keep stalling? If you keep this up, you'll push Sheng'an to his death! In this simulation, he's about to die! And it's all your fault!" Dark Qian Renxue snapped.

Qian Renxue looked helpless, then suddenly said, "You seem to have overlooked something."

"Overlooked what?" Dark Qian Renxue frowned.

In the simulation, Zhou Sheng'an was surrounded front and back, and it was highly likely he'd lose and commit suicide in defeat.

Was there really still a chance for a turnaround?

Qian Renxue said, "Even if Sheng'an is defeated, his life won't be in danger. You've all focused on his military talent, but ignored his soul power cultivation."

"!!"

Dark Qian Renxue shuddered.

She quickly recalled that the last time she noticed Zhou Sheng'an's soul power, he had already reached level 69!

That was just over two years after he first appeared in Heaven Dou City!

From a Soul Elder straight to level 69… such a terrifying leap, if not for the simulation entries, no one would believe it!

Dark Qian Renxue muttered, "How is that possible…"

Qian Renxue smiled. "Back then, Spirit Hall suppressed Sheng'an. But that was only his fame—they couldn't suppress his talent. In just two years, his soul power surged to this level. You think he didn't prepare anything?"

"No… no, wait. Back when Sheng'an was at the Grand Sage Master phase, his cultivation speed wasn't this fast, was it? Don't tell me this time he…"

Dark Qian Renxue looked worried.

Interesting. The "heart demon" of Qian Renxue was now concerned that Zhou Sheng'an's cultivation might suffer from inner demons.

Qian Renxue shook her head. "For his soul power to rise this quickly, there must be some external aid. But this is Zhou Sheng'an we're talking about—of course he would prepare for it. So, we don't need to worry."

"As long as we withdraw Spirit Hall's soul masters when Sheng'an launches his counterattack, it will be enough!"

Excitement lit up Qian Renxue's eyes.

She believed in Zhou Sheng'an completely—he would definitely win.

In the previous simulation, his disappearance alone caused a massive power shift across the continent. Now that he was personally steering events, how could he possibly fail?

…

Pope's Palace, bedchamber.

Bibi Dong ended her cultivation session, her face joyful. She had just confirmed the path discovered in the simulation, and it could fully suppress the negative effects, allowing her peace of mind.

"The simulator's purpose is to aid cultivation!"

"Qian Renxue is completely misguided, wasting so much time over a man."

Bibi Dong sneered with contempt, completely forgetting how in the last simulation, she targeted Zhou Sheng'an and was then forced to self-destruct by his tentacles.

"Let's see now… why hasn't Zhou Sheng'an died yet… Hm?"

Bibi Dong's expression changed. Not only was Zhou Sheng'an alive—he had actually pulled off a miracle?

With the small power of Zhu Nation, he'd swallowed an elephant and annexed Star Luo?

And instead of taking the throne himself, he elevated Empress Zhu of the Star Luo Empire?

Was… was this man's moral compass really that high?

Bibi Dong recalled Zhou Sheng'an's stats from the previous simulation. His morality stat was indeed absurdly high.

With that in mind, a new idea sparked in her—if she could bring Zhou Sheng'an to her side, her path to godhood might become even smoother.

Just that soul power sutra from Hangu Pass alone… she still coveted it!

A talent like Zhou Sheng'an… setting aside her previous ridiculous mindset, she should've roped him in from the start!

But after the trauma of that tentacle incident, there was no way Bibi Dong could treat Zhou Sheng'an normally anymore.

"That bastard… Fine. Let's see how you die. That'll be my little gift of amusement."

She focused her consciousness and dove into the simulation. It was time to collect Zhou Sheng'an's corpse.

…

Moon Pavilion

"Just as I expected. Zhou Sheng'an was still too reckless. He can't take the next step and destroy the Heaven Dou Empire and Spirit Hall. I'll need to prepare for big brother and the others to return to the sect. We can't follow Zhou Sheng'an to his death."

Tang Yuehua frowned and sighed. In this simulation, the Clear Sky School still couldn't muddy the waters and make a comeback.

She could only place her hopes on the next run.

…

Inside Zhou Sheng'an's army camp.

He stood quietly, studying a sand table displaying the terrain of the Heaven Dou Empire—from the Haagen-Dazs Kingdom to Heaven Dou City.

Surrounding him were Tang Xiao and other powerful members of the Clear Sky School.

"Sect Master Tang, I assume you're here to say goodbye?" Zhou Sheng'an looked up with a smile after a long pause.

Tang Xiao nodded slightly and smiled. "That's what my sister told me. She said Marshal Zhou has no hope of winning and told us to return to the sect immediately to avoid retaliation from Spirit Hall."

"Then allow me to bid you farewell. In these past days, it's thanks to your sect that I avoided assassination. So, I…"

Zhou Sheng'an was just about to offer a token of gratitude.

Tang Xiao suddenly raised his hand. "Wait. No need for formalities. Though my sister gave her advice, and we believe she's right—we don't plan to leave just yet."

"Even if we're defeated in the end, we want to give it our all. At the very least, we must bring Marshal Zhou out alive."

"As long as you live, the future of the Star Luo Empire is yours. We're willing to follow you and rise again!"

Tang Xiao laughed heartily at the end.

The other Clear Sky elders all smiled as well.

Zhou Sheng'an paused for a moment, then shook his head and laughed. "Then let me be honest with you—there won't be a next time. This time… we win."