Douluo Dalu (Soul Land): Villain Life Simulator

"You did well today, young lady. You acted wisely. In the future, you should continue to reflect deeply on things, just as you did today. Learn to distinguish right from wrong and always follow what is good."

"Some people may be older and more powerful in cultivation, but their words are no better than nonsense, filled with twisted logic and not worth listening to."

Just as Zhu Zhuqing was about to leave the hotel, a voice suddenly echoed in her mind.

She instinctively glanced at Ye Zhiqiu but immediately dismissed the idea.

It wasn't him.

The tone and the voice were completely different.

Though Ye Zhiqiu had previously carried himself with a calm and composed demeanor, displaying the confidence of a powerful figure, it felt somewhat forced in hindsight.

Zhu Zhuqing suddenly recalled that when the teacher from Blue Sunshine Academy had initially revealed his Xuanwu (Black Tortoise) Spirit, he had only been at the Spirit King level.

In the beginning, he even seemed somewhat cautious of the Shrek Academy's talented Spirit Masters, appearing uncertain and lacking confidence. But later, his demeanor abruptly changed.

It wasn't just his cultivation level that shifted, but also his attitude when speaking.

The change had come so quickly that Zhu Zhuqing hadn't had time to think much of it.

Now that she was reconsidering it, there were indeed many suspicious points.

At this moment, the voice in her mind seemed to sense her thoughts and calmly admitted, "You're right. It was because of my secret assistance that Ye Zhiqiu was able to suppress your academy's Spirit Saint teacher today. As for his actual strength, he is merely an ordinary Spirit King."

"The strength he displayed in battle at the Spirit Douluo level, as well as the optimal Spirit Ring configuration he showed, were all temporarily bestowed upon him by me."

"There are many strong people in this world, so never underestimate others or act recklessly. You will never know whether tomorrow or misfortune will come first."

"You all indeed have some luck on your side. But when the gap in power becomes too large, these things won't make up for the absolute difference in strength."

The voice carried a faint sense of amusement, but it left Zhu Zhuqing deeply shocked.

She wasn't sure what the speaker meant by "luck," but the meaning of the earlier part was very clear.

The reason Ye Zhiqiu had eight top-tier Spirit Rings and exhibited the power of a Spirit Douluo was entirely due to this person's help.

Zhu Zhuqing, born of nobility and raised with care by her family, considered herself someone with exceptional insight. Yet, she had never heard of such an ability.

This wasn't just someone disguising themselves in battle but directly enhancing another person's strength to such an extent that they could even grant Spirit Rings!

Spirit Rings came from Spirit Beasts, a principle that had stood unchallenged on the continent for countless years. No one had ever been able to break this rule!

Even if the rings were only temporarily granted, it was still a feat far beyond her comprehension, something truly unbelievable...

Yet Zhu Zhuqing had no choice but to believe it.

The power Ye Zhiqiu had displayed was indeed at the Spirit Douluo level.

Even though her own cultivation level was still low, and her observations might not have been entirely accurate, Zhao Wuji was a bona fide Spirit Saint, a powerful figure by the continent's standards. There was no way he could mistake who had actually been fighting.

Just as she was lost in thought, the voice spoke again, "I'll ask you one last time: are you truly unwilling to train with me?"

Zhu Zhuqing hesitated this time.

It turned out that it wasn't Ye Zhiqiu from Blue Sunshine Academy who had taken an interest in her, but this mysterious figure.

If this person could elevate a mere Spirit King to the Spirit Douluo level, calling them a Titled Douluo might even be underestimating their strength.

But were there levels beyond Titled Douluo? She didn't know.

What was strange was that the voice in her mind sounded clear and young, as if the person behind it wasn't very old.

Zhu Zhuqing was certain she had never heard a voice like it before, but it gave her a strange sense of familiarity, even stirring a sudden urge to agree...

But in the end, her rational mind subdued this inexplicable impulse.

She silently shook her head.

The unknown represented uncertainty, and she didn't dare take the gamble, nor did she feel the need to.

A mysterious figure appearing out of nowhere might not have any ill intentions toward her, but who could say for sure?

Such strange and unfathomable methods sent chills down her spine.

The sense of familiarity in the voice might just have been a trick her mind was playing on her.

Zhu Zhuqing was no stranger to taking risks.

If she had to gamble her future, she could take that chance.

But right now, it wasn't necessary.

Her connection with Ning Rongrong was already firmly established, and her powerful Spirit served as her safety net.

Zhao Wuji, with his limited insight, speculated that her Hell White Tiger might be a super-level Spirit. But as the legitimate daughter of the Zhu family from Star Luo, Zhu Zhuqing knew the true nature of the Hell White Tiger's Spirit Fusion Technique.

The Hell White Tiger was much stronger than ordinary super-level Spirits.

Far stronger.

It was the source of power that had allowed the Dai family to rule the Star Luo Empire for countless years.

Even ordinary Spirits experienced a massive power boost when using a Spirit Fusion Technique.

The White Tiger, a top-tier Spirit, and the nearly top-tier Netherworld Spirit Cat (Hell Civet), when fused with near-perfect compatibility, could not possibly be limited to the level of a regular super-tier Spirit.

Seeing her shake her head, the mysterious figure sighed but did not press her further.

"You'd best not tell anyone about my existence, nor let anyone find out by any means. At least, not until you meet someone capable of breaking the techniques I've used. Don't expose me prematurely.

"You're a smart girl. I trust you understand what should and shouldn't be done."

Hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing relaxed a little, finally convinced that the person likely harbored no ill intentions.

She quickly nodded to show her understanding.

After she had done so, the mysterious voice fell silent.

For some reason, Zhu Zhuqing felt a slight sense of loss. She sighed softly and prepared to leave with Zhao Wuji and the others.

Just as she stepped out of the hotel, the mysterious voice suddenly sounded again.

"…Alright then. If you ever change your mind, you can come find me three years from now, before the Spirit Master Tournament begins. Come to Spirit City—I should be there by then. Just say you're a friend of Su Yue."

"Su Yue?"

Hearing this offer of a three-year pact, Zhu Zhuqing felt an inexplicable joy in her heart.

Before she could respond, the voice continued, "There are several individuals in your team who come from unique backgrounds. They naturally carry special affiliations. Remember what I told you: think carefully and learn to make your own decisions. Just like today, don't be swayed by others' positions and wills. Take care…"

Reflecting on her conversation with the mysterious figure, Zhu Zhuqing nudged Ning Rongrong beside her and quietly asked, "Rongrong, have you ever heard of someone being able to forcibly increase another's level and Spirit Rings, making them jump several levels and gain extra Spirit Rings in a short time?"

Ning Rongrong gave her a strange look. "Zhuqing, what are you talking about? That's impossible! Boosting someone's strength is one thing. Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Spirit can enhance a teammate's strength considerably, but increasing levels? That's just too exaggerated, not to mention several levels at once! And adding Spirit Rings? That's definitely impossible. Without hunting Spirit Beasts, how could you possibly add rings through sheer force?"

At this, a trace of worry appeared on her face. "Why are you asking such a question?"

"It's nothing, I was just curious."

"Zhuqing, don't think about shortcuts. I know you're strong-willed, and today's events may have left you feeling a bit frustrated. But we're still young, and with your talent, becoming a Spirit Douluo—maybe even a Titled Douluo—isn't out of reach."

"You're overthinking it. I was just asking out of curiosity," Zhu Zhuqing smiled, absentmindedly brushing off the topic.

"Spirit City, huh…" she thought to herself. "That mysterious senior—could they be part of Spirit Hall?"

It wouldn't be surprising.

After all, Spirit Hall was universally acknowledged as the most powerful organization in the Spirit Master world, and a figure of that caliber could only come from there.

But what did the person mean by, "There are several individuals in your team who come from unique backgrounds"?

It couldn't be referring to Ning Rongrong or Dai Mubai—she was fully aware of their backgrounds, and the mysterious person seemed to know them too.

Could they be talking about Tang San?

His strange and intricate hidden weapons techniques, his extraordinary innate spirit power, and his surname—Tang... But his Spirit was just Blue Silver Grass…

Then there was Oscar, who seemed somewhat mysterious as well. Before meeting him, she had never heard of an innate full spirit power food-type Spirit Master.

As for Xiao Wu, aside from her full spirit power, she didn't seem to have anything particularly special about her.