# Chapter 1170: The Temptation of a Single Saint Source
Ji Shui's body scattered apart, transforming into twelve streams of blood qi, flying toward the exit of the Hidden Dragon Hall.
"Before we've even begun our discussion, Junior Master Ji wants to leave already?"
Zhang Ruochen extended his palm forward, his five fingers spreading flat. Instantly, the heavenly earth spiritual energy within the Hidden Dragon Hall seemed to condense into one entity. Then, an invisible current of air blew the twelve streams of blood qi backward, forcing them to reform into Ji Shui's figure.
Ji Shui landed on the ground, her steps unsteady, nearly falling.
"Shua!"
A figure flashed.
Zhang Ruochen appeared beside Ji Shui like an afterimage, one hand grasping her right wrist while the other arm wrapped around her slender waist. With a gentle lift, he stabilized her center of gravity.
He had to admit, Ji Shui's skin was exceptionally delicate, her wrist soft as if boneless, and her slender willow waist full of elasticity, fitting perfectly against Zhang Ruochen's palm.
"Ying..."
Ji Shui's entire body went numb, as if struck by lightning.
"Junior Master Ji's figure could be considered top-grade. Why wear such a loose blood robe, covering up your most beautiful side?"
Zhang Ruochen's hand gently stroked Ji Shui's willow waist, moving downward, nearly touching the rounded curve below.
Ji Shui erupted in fury. Icy cold energy surged from within her body, freezing even the nearby waterfall into an ice sculpture. "If you don't let go, I'll self-destruct my qi sea."
"Fine, I'll let go. I'll let go, alright?"
As Zhang Ruochen released his grip, he grabbed the outer blood robe on Ji Shui and pulled upward.
"Rustle!"
The blood robe was stripped from bottom to top, revealing Ji Shui's slender, graceful figure—full chest and hips, slender waist, her turquoise long hair scattering, and a delicate face emerging, indescribably beautiful and moving.
However, Ji Shui had wrapped herself tightly. Beneath the blood robe, she wore a light blue long shirt and long skirt, with strands of blood qi still swirling around her body, not completely exposed.
Even so, she was still greatly startled, quickly retreating to put some distance between herself and Gu Linfeng.
Zhang Ruochen twirled the blood robe in his hand, then looked back at Ji Shui, wearing a slightly disappointed expression. "Junior Master Ji, aren't you wearing a bit too much?"
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
Ji Shui was as cold as ice, already prepared to die together with Gu Linfeng.
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "What if I said I've admired Junior Master Ji for a long time and wanted to keep you in the Hidden Dragon Hall for the night?"
"You'd better not have such thoughts," Ji Shui said.
"Name your price?" Zhang Ruochen said.
Ji Shui was momentarily stunned, then reacted, trembling with rage, her beautiful large eyes revealing a murderous glare.
Zhang Ruochen continued, "Why be so stubborn, Junior Master Ji? With my current status and position as Divine Son, if I ask the Grandmaster, he would surely bestow you upon me. Do you believe that?"
"Then what you'll get will only be a dead person."
Ji Shui's attitude was clear and resolute.
"Your answer is still quite satisfying to me. At least it proves you're not someone who easily yields. In that case, let's discuss some real business."
Zhang Ruochen's expression turned serious. He walked to the stone table, gestured with his hand, and said, "Sit."
Ji Shui was somewhat surprised, not expecting Gu Linfeng's attitude to change so drastically. For a moment, she couldn't fathom his true intentions.
"Could it be that all his previous actions were just testing me?"
This thought arose in Ji Shui's mind.
In the end, Ji Shui still didn't trust Gu Linfeng and didn't sit down, maintaining her distance from him.
Zhang Ruochen didn't mind. He sat down first and got straight to the point. "Junior Master Ji is a talented person. Working under Sea Nether Dharma King only wastes your potential. Continuing like this, achieving sainthood will be as difficult as reaching the heavens. If you come to work for me, I can provide you with ten times more abundant cultivation resources."
Ji Shui's eyes narrowed. She keenly noticed that Gu Linfeng hadn't addressed Sea Nether Dharma King as Grandmaster but had directly used his name.
"Do you know what you're saying?"
"Of course I know what I'm saying."
Zhang Ruochen continued, "I'm currently very short-handed. I need a few experts like Junior Master Ji to help me kill some people who deserve to die and handle some trivial matters within the sect."
Ji Shui was somewhat disdainful, looking down on Gu Linfeng. "Do you think becoming Divine Son means you can contend with the Master? Let me tell you the truth: you have no chance to cultivate to the Saint realm, let alone become Sect Leader. Those ambitious big shots in the sect will definitely eliminate you beforehand. With your meager strength, you're no different from an ant before Dharma King-level figures. If I were you, I'd immediately flee the Blood God Sect and maybe save my life."
Zhang Ruochen smiled slightly. "Junior Master Ji is indeed very clever, seeing the sect's situation clearly. But you've underestimated me. Do you really think I have no power to contend with them?"
"You?"
Ji Shui was somewhat surprised, looking at Gu Linfeng's confident expression, couldn't help but feel curious. Was there some other big shot supporting him behind the scenes?
"Junior Master Ji is currently at the Eighth Step Half-Saint realm. With abundant cultivation resources, you still have a good chance of reaching the Saint realm," Zhang Ruochen said casually.
"Becoming a Saint is easier said than done?"
Ji Shui said, "Do you think the cultivation resources you control are more than those of the Immortal Nether Sea?"
"Sea Nether Dharma King's Immortal Nether Sea does have many good things, but Sea Nether Dharma King is a selfish person. You should know this better than anyone. He would never take out truly top-tier treasures to reward you. But I'm different. As long as you have the ability, I can provide you with any treasure."
Zhang Ruochen took out a Saint Source and placed it on the table. "Work for me, and you can take this Saint Source right now."
"Saint Source."
A brilliant light shone in Ji Shui's eyes. She first looked at the Saint Source, then stared in shock at Gu Linfeng sitting by the stone table.
She never expected this guy would be willing to offer a Saint Source to win her over.
A Saint Source represented a qualification for sainthood.
If Ji Shui's probability of reaching the Saint realm was only about twenty percent, then after refining the Saint Source, her probability would reach over eighty percent.
Staying by Sea Nether Dharma King's side, she would never obtain a Saint Source.
"Sea Nether Dharma King would sacrifice anything for his own interests. If I continue staying by his side, I'll become his sacrifice sooner or later. I've already repaid his nurturing and teaching debts long ago."
In fact, Ji Shui had already planned to leave the Blood God Sect and stop obeying Sea Nether Dharma King.
Now, Gu Linfeng was offering a Saint Source as a meeting gift. This temptation was too great for Ji Shui to refuse.
Back when she first embarked on the path of cultivation, wasn't it for the sake of becoming a Saint?
Zhang Ruochen continued, "A single Saint Source is just a small gesture of sincerity. If Junior Master Ji trusts me and is willing to work for me, I will provide even more precious cultivation resources in the future."
Ji Shui stared at the Saint Source, walking step by step toward the stone table. "Your strength far surpasses mine. Why must you find me to work for you?"
Zhang Ruochen knew Ji Shui was tempted but still had some reservations, so he continued, "As Divine Son, I may seem to have an extraordinary status and immense power, but within the sect, I'm still too isolated, with few true experts I can trust."
Ji Shui nodded slightly, somewhat agreeing with this point.
After all, Gu Linfeng had only been in the Blood God Sect for less than a year. Apart from Sea Nether Dharma King, he had no real power to rely on.
Moreover, Sea Nether Dharma King wasn't genuinely supporting Gu Linfeng. Under these circumstances, Gu Linfeng was indeed fighting alone.
The so-called Divine Son was no different from an empty shell.
After careful thought, Ji Shui hesitated for a moment but ultimately didn't take the Saint Source. "I admit a Saint Source is very tempting to me. But your current situation is too dangerous. Working for you could very well cost me my life. I'm sorry, but I think life is more important than a Saint Source."
Ji Shui turned and walked toward the exit of the Hidden Dragon Hall.
In the end, Ji Shui still didn't believe in Gu Linfeng's strength, thinking he couldn't match the old-timers in the Blood God Sect.
"Since she's unwilling to submit, this subordinate will eliminate her now."
Zhao Shiqi transmitted a spiritual message into Zhang Ruochen's ear.
"Forget it. Let her leave... Huh..."
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen sensed a faint killing intent descending from above the waterfall, giving him an extremely dangerous feeling.
Who was it?
Ji Shui naturally also knew that Gu Linfeng might kill her to silence her and not let her leave the Hidden Dragon Hall. So with every step forward, she became more vigilant.
A sharp, cold wind spontaneously arose, weaving between the eaves and pillars, making a wailing sound.
"Such strong killing intent. Has Gu Linfeng really made his move?"
Ji Shui's entire body tensed, and the sacred qi within her began to circulate rapidly.
"Hua—"
Suddenly, the surroundings became pitch black. The entire space seemed to be isolated, and no sound could be heard.
In the darkness, a vast, distant voice sounded: "Sea Nether Dharma King has indeed taken in a good disciple. Even a Saint Source can't buy you off. Divine Son, why not give the Saint Source to this Saint, and this Saint will eliminate her for you?"
A mass of dark red light mist hovered above the Hidden Dragon Hall. Faintly, a figure could be seen wrapped within the light mist.
Zhang Ruochen didn't show any panic. He smiled faintly. "And after eliminating her?"
"After killing her, this Saint naturally has to handle tonight's real business."
"What real business?"
"Killing you."
As the words "killing you" were spoken, a vast Saintly Might surged down from above.
Saintly Might was originally formless and invisible, but at this moment, it condensed into the phantom images of over a dozen great mountains, descending upon Ji Shui and Zhang Ruochen's heads.
Unable to withstand the Saintly Might, Ji Shui let out a muffled groan. Blood flowed from the corner of her mouth, and she knelt on one knee, looking up in horror. "Deputy Palace Master of the Netherword Heavenly Palace, Liao Teng."
At this moment, she finally understood. The killing intent from before hadn't come from Gu Linfeng but from Liao Teng.
The person Liao Teng wanted to kill wasn't her but Gu Linfeng.
Of course, given the current situation, after killing Gu Linfeng to silence him, Liao Teng would certainly take her life as well.
Was she going to die in the Hidden Dragon Hall tonight?