# Chapter 594: Crystal Saint Staff
"Chi!"
The electric shuttle formed by Wind-Thunder Finger struck Luo Shi's left shoulder, blasting the muscle tissue away.
His shoulder, neck, and armpit instantly became a bloody mess, revealing the stark white shoulder bone beneath.
"So... formidable."
Enduring the pain, Luo Shi turned and fled.
There was no choice. His opponent's strength far exceeded his estimation; the spiritual power intensity had likely already reached the forty-fourth rank. Even using only a first-level spell, he had already been injured.
If he were to unleash second-level spells or third-level spells, he probably wouldn't even have a chance to escape.
Today, he had already made a strategic error. There was no possibility of successfully assassinating this opponent. He could only flee back, wait until his injuries healed, and then attempt the assassination again.
How could Zhang Ruochen possibly let Luo Shi escape so easily?
Luo Shi's Qi-concealment technique and stealth methods were both formidable. If Zhang Ruochen didn't release his Space Domain, it would be very difficult to detect him.
If he let him escape alive, when he set up an ambush next time, he would certainly be more cautious. Zhang Ruochen might not have such good luck again.
Therefore, Zhang Ruochen had to take advantage of his injury to eliminate him, preventing trouble before it occurred.
As a top-tier assassin, Luo Shi's movement speed and attack speed were his specialties. If he wanted to flee, going all out with his movement technique, even a Fish-Dragon Ninth Change expert might not be able to catch up.
In other words, Luo Shi had the ability to escape from the hands of a Fish-Dragon Ninth Change cultivator.
Even with Zhang Ruochen using Thunderbolt Technique at full power, he couldn't match his speed.
However, Luo Shi had suffered considerable injuries and seemed unable to use that mysterious stealth method. So Zhang Ruochen, relying on his powerful spiritual power, locked onto him and followed closely behind.
Finally, Zhang Ruochen stopped outside a manor on the outskirts of Qingyun Commandery City. He glanced at the manor's gate but didn't rashly barge in.
Zhang Ruochen discovered bloodstains on the ground, then looked up at the plaque above: "Red Willow Manor."
He had to admit, this manor exuded an eerie atmosphere from every angle. Looking inward from outside, it was pitch black, not a single figure visible, eerily quiet.
A large manor would certainly have formations arranged within. Once trapped inside, it would be quite dangerous.
Enter?
Or not enter?
From Zhang Ruochen's chest came two completely different forces—one cold, one hot—as if he were carrying a lump of ice and a ball of flame inside his clothes.
"The Treasure-Seeking Compass has reacted. Could there be sacred stones inside the manor?"
Zhang Ruochen took out the Treasure-Seeking Compass and held it in his palm. At the center of the compass, two streams of Qi—one white, one black—rose up, forming a Taiji Seal one meter in diameter, slowly rotating above his palm.
The strong reaction of the Treasure-Seeking Compass made Zhang Ruochen even more certain that there were sacred stones inside the manor.
"Since I've already arrived outside the manor, no matter how dangerous it is, I must go in and take a look."
Zhang Ruochen was bold with skill. Even knowing there might well be an ambush inside the manor, he still prepared to enter and explore.
People always have curiosity.
Putting the Treasure-Seeking Compass back into his Space Ring, Zhang Ruochen stepped onto the stone stairs, stood beneath the gate, and reached out to push.
With a creak, the gate slowly opened.
Inside the manor, there was no one, eerily silent.
Between the trees, buildings, rockeries, and pavilions, wisps of white mist floated, giving a hazy, indistinct feeling, as if the place had been abandoned for a long time.
Suddenly, Zhang Ruochen stopped walking, smiled, and said, "This level of illusion technique can't fool my Heavenly Eye. Is there any point?"
"As expected of a spiritual power master. Quite interesting."
A seductive woman's voice echoed in the air.
Everything Zhang Ruochen had seen earlier was actually an artificially created illusion.
The other party dispelled the illusion technique, and the white mist in the air gradually dissipated, like a layer of white gauze being lifted, revealing the manor's true appearance.
Inside the manor, lights were blazing brightly.
On all sides were evil path martial artists, wearing sinister smiles, holding True Martial Treasures, surrounding Zhang Ruochen tightly.
In the distance, two hundred black-clad figures, clad in battle armor and holding crossbows, all aimed their arrows at Zhang Ruochen. With just a slight movement of their fingers, arrows would rain down in a torrent.
Among them, there were dozens of Fish-Dragon Realm cultivators.
For a single manor to gather so many experts was practically comparable to the full strength of a fourth-rate sect.
Yet Zhang Ruochen remained calm despite the crisis. His gaze swept around and fixed on Luo Shi, who had fled earlier.
At this moment, Luo Shi stood in an elevated position, his eyes filled with sharp, cold light. One hand gripped his sword hilt, supporting his body.
Clearly, from the earlier battle, he had indeed been severely injured. Afterwards, being chased all the way by Zhang Ruochen had delayed the optimal time for healing, compounding his injuries.
Beside Luo Shi stood another expert.
This man was named Ji Gui. He appeared quite young, around thirty years old, and was a Half-Saint's disciple from the Black Market.
Ji Gui sized up Zhang Ruochen, revealing a cold, mocking smile, and said, "Luo Shi, this man was able to defeat you and send you fleeing in defeat?"
Luo Shi said coldly, "Ji Gui, you'd better not underestimate him. This man's spiritual power intensity has likely already reached the forty-fourth rank."
"Forty-fourth rank spiritual power intensity? How is that possible?"
Ji Gui's expression turned serious, and he no longer dared to underestimate Zhang Ruochen.
A spiritual power master of the forty-fourth rank, if they had cultivated fourth-level spells, would be second only to Fish-Dragon Ninth Change Sacred Bodies among those below the Half-Saint realm. Who would dare to underestimate them?
Ji Gui didn't quite believe Luo Shi's words. If the masked man before him truly was a spiritual power master with forty-fourth rank intensity, how could Luo Shi have escaped alive to Red Willow Manor?
Ji Gui slightly bowed and paid respects to the Red Desire Star Envoy seated above: "Star Envoy, allow me to test his strength."
Red Desire Star Envoy sat in the highest position, holding a two-meter-long Crystal Saint Staff. At the top of the staff was set a fist-sized red sacred stone.
The red sacred stone emitted wisps of sacred Qi, wrapping around the Crystal Saint Staff, making it appear extraordinarily divine.
Red Desire Star Envoy was a naturally seductive beauty. Just sitting there casually, she had all the evil path cultivators present bewitched to death, willing to shed blood and die for her.
Who wouldn't want to show off in front of such a beauty?
Especially since this beauty was the lofty Red Desire Star Envoy.
Only Zhang Ruochen's gaze was fixed on the red sacred stone atop the Crystal Saint Staff. He thought to himself, "If that red sacred stone at the top of the staff were divided, it could be split into at least three sacred stones. The aura sensed by the Treasure-Seeking Compass must be this."
Zhang Ruochen could tell that the Crystal Saint Staff in Red Desire Star Envoy's hand was an extraordinary spiritual power implement.
Only spiritual power masters could activate spiritual power implements.
A spiritual power master who had mastered an implement was a completely different concept from one who hadn't.
Using an implement, a spiritual power master could increase the speed of gathering spiritual power, amplify the power of spells, and greatly enhance their overall strength.
In terms of martial arts talent, Red Desire Star Envoy was only average among the Seven Star Envoys. But in terms of spiritual power talent, the other six Star Envoys combined couldn't match her.
Previously, she had cultivated martial arts because, before spiritual power intensity reached the fortieth rank, spiritual power cultivators had no offensive capabilities, being only slightly stronger than ordinary people.
After her spiritual power exceeded the fortieth rank, she began to focus primarily on spiritual power and illusion techniques, only occasionally cultivating martial arts.
Now, her spiritual power had reached the forty-second rank, just one step away from the forty-third rank.
And now, Illusion Saint had bestowed upon her a Half-Saint-level saint staff. With her current strength, even if she were to fight Di Yi, she would have a chance.
Red Desire Star Envoy gently lifted her slender, elegant jade leg, both seductive and graceful. She glanced at Ji Gui and said coquettishly, "You must be careful. This man was able to see through my illusion technique. Even if his spiritual power hasn't reached the forty-fourth rank, it must certainly be at the peak of the forty-third rank."
"Rest assured, Star Envoy. Red Willow Manor is our territory. Even if he has great abilities, what waves can he stir up?" Ji Gui said with a smile.
At this moment, Zhang Ruochen's gaze was still fixed on the Crystal Saint Staff in Red Desire Star Envoy's hand, a look of admiration on his face. He very much wanted to possess such a spiritual power implement himself.
"If Red Desire Star Envoy's Crystal Saint Staff were put up for auction, it would fetch at least a hundred million spirit crystals. If I also had a Crystal Saint Staff, it would definitely elevate my strength by a large margin," Zhang Ruochen thought to himself.
However, Zhang Ruochen didn't intend to snatch Red Desire Star Envoy's Crystal Saint Staff.
After all, the Crystal Saint Staff was far too precious. If Zhang Ruochen took it, he would certainly provoke Red Desire Star Envoy's guardian.
Red Desire Star Envoy already had the ability to compete with Di Yi for the position of Young Master of Black Market First Class Hall. The guardian behind her was very likely at the Half-Saint level.
If it were just minor skirmishes, even if a bunch of evil path martial artists died, a Half-Saint probably wouldn't intervene.
But if Zhang Ruochen took the Crystal Saint Staff, a Half-Saint would definitely appear.
Although Zhang Ruochen wasn't afraid of Half-Saints, he didn't want to actively provoke one over a Crystal Saint Staff.
Ji Gui saw the infatuation and admiration in Zhang Ruochen's eyes and assumed Zhang Ruochen was captivated by Red Desire Star Envoy's beauty. He couldn't help but think even less of Zhang Ruochen.
A toad lusting after swan meat. Red Desire Star Envoy was not someone he could covet.
Ji Gui walked down the steps, stood opposite Zhang Ruochen, and said in a deep voice, "You have quite the nerve, sir, daring to pursue one of our Black Market people."
"He wanted to kill me, so why shouldn't I kill him?" Zhang Ruochen said.
"Killing is natural in the Black Market. But if you want to kill someone from the Black Market, you first need to weigh your own worth. Hmph! Take off that mask and let me see just who you really are."
Zhang Ruochen smiled and said, "Do you even deserve to know my identity?"
"Hmph! Arrogant fool!"
Ji Gui was extremely angry, his fingers involuntarily clenching. After all, he was a Half-Saint's disciple, his cultivation having reached Fish-Dragon Seventh Change. Even in Black Market First Class Hall, no one dared to treat him so lightly.