Reborn as a lotus, she initially refuses to hand it over to the state.

Just as everyone was getting excited, on the other side, deep in the Crimson Cloud Ridge, blood from the Blood Nest continued to crash against the surrounding rock walls.

The blood energy that should have been flowing continuously into the Blood Nest was now cut off by Zhou Zhenshan and the Green Lotus Vine Net.

The blood-red eye inside the blood nest finally opened completely.

The Crimson Scale Python coiled beside the Blood Nest, its scales trembling.

It could sense the Blood Nest's anger, and it could also sense the Blood Nest's urging it forward.

"Go, kill that fifth-tier human, and Qinglian too."

The deep voice echoed in the mind of the Crimson Scale Python. A struggle appeared in the Crimson Scale Python's vertical pupils. It did not want to leave the Blood Nest now. It was just a little bit more. If it were given a little more time, it could truly step into the fifth rank with the help of the Blood Nest.

But the next second, the blood-red mark on the back of its head suddenly burned.

"roar!"

The Crimson Scaled Python let out a painful hiss, the pain not originating from its physical body, but directly affecting the depths of its soul.

It finally understood that it had never truly controlled the Blood Nest. From the day it accepted the power of the Blood Nest, it had been branded by the Blood Nest.

The Crimson Scale Python's eyes were filled with rage.

"I am not your servant!"

Deep within the blood nest, that eye coldly watched it, devoid of any emotion, offering only icy commands.

"go."

The Crimson Scale Python's massive body trembled violently.

A moment later, it finally raised its head, and a terrifying demonic aura erupted from its body.

Above Crimson Cloud Ridge, a blood-red mist rose into the sky, and countless snakes lay prostrate among the mountains, emitting uneasy hissing.

The Crimson Scale Python left its Blood Nest and swam towards Nanjiang City for the first time, its massive body crushing over the mountains.

Rocks crumbled, ancient trees collapsed, and wherever it passed, blood mist billowed and snakes retreated.

"What happened?"

The commotion caused by the Crimson Scale Python leaving Crimson Cloud Ridge was enormous, and Lu Cang and the others noticed it as well. Looking up, they saw blood mist rising into the sky from the distant mountains.

Lu Cang's expression changed: "They're out."

Zhou Zhenshan looked up.

From the depths of the blood mist, an enormous crimson serpentine shadow emerged, its body as thick as an ancient tree, its scales gleaming with a dark red luster within the blood mist.

Each movement produced a rumbling sound from the mountain.

The ancient trees and boulders that blocked its way were all crushed by the enormous snake's body.

Li Ergou's live stream also captured this scene.

He held up his phone, his throat dry: "Guys, this time it looks like something really big is coming."

The live stream chat paused for a moment, then exploded.

"Holy crap! Is that a snake? Or is that a mountain range?!"

"I felt safe just now, but now I'm panicking again."

"Can Director Zhou beat it? This snake looks much stronger than that Black Scale Snake King from before."

"This must be the Serpent King of Crimson Cloud Ridge, right? The real boss has arrived!"

The excitement that had just risen among the frontline soldiers was also suppressed at this moment, not because they didn't trust Zhou Zhenshan.

Rather, it was the overwhelming sense of oppression emanating from that crimson-scaled serpent, especially the cloud of blood mist behind it.

Amidst the swirling blood mist, one could almost hear the cries of countless people.

Zhang Xuanling's face darkened: "Something's not right."

Zhou Zhenshan asked, "What?"

Zhang Xuanling stared at the blood mist and said in a deep voice, "Although the aura on that snake king is very strong, it is not yet a true fifth-order rank."

"What really makes me uncomfortable is the blood mist behind it; that doesn't seem like demonic energy."

Before he could finish speaking, the Crimson Scale Python suddenly opened its mouth and spewed out a large cloud of bloody mist towards Nanjiang City.

A cloud of blood rolled in, like a crimson tide, directly covering the ruined streets ahead.

Wherever these crimson mists passed, many strange beasts that were preparing to flee were infected by the crimson mists, their whole bodies instantly turning blood red, and their eyes also turning a strange scarlet red.

They roared and, following behind the red-scaled serpents, attacked the human city like madmen.

Upon seeing this, Zhou Zhenshan immediately reacted. He took a step forward and shouted, "Everyone, retreat!"

The sound echoed across the battlefield, and Lu Cang immediately roared, "Retreat! Retreat now!"

The members and soldiers of the Ninth Bureau quickly retreated, and the next moment, Zhou Zhenshan pushed forward with both hands.

boom!

Golden-red blood energy erupted from his body, forming a massive wall that forcefully blocked the blood mist.

The blood mist and vital energy collided, producing a sizzling sound.

Countless crimson wisps of mist evaporated, but soon Zhou Zhenshan frowned, because this crimson mist was not simply poisonous mist.

It was as if it were alive, constantly eroding his vital energy, trying to infect Zhou Zhenshan.

Zhang Xuanling loudly warned, "Director Zhou, this is not ordinary demonic mist; it's a sacrificial blood curse, similar to the eerie energy beneath Black Dragon Mountain. Be careful."

Zhou Zhenshan said coldly, "There's no time to say so much now. We'll see how long we can hold out. If they want to use Nanjiang City as a sacrificial altar, they'll have to ask me first if I agree."

As soon as he finished speaking, his blood and qi surged again, and he became like a burning humanoid furnace, forcefully suppressing the blood mist outside the city.

Everyone in the live stream was stunned.

"Did Director Zhou single-handedly block out a cloud of blood mist?"

"That's amazing! This is only human level five!"

"But Master Zhang said this thing will drain Zhou Ju's resources; we can't keep draining him like this, can we?"

Just then, the ground in Nanjiang City suddenly shook.

Dark green vines sprouted from the cracks.

The vines did not attack humans, nor did they rush towards Zhou Zhenshan; instead, they spread rapidly along the edge of the blood mist.

The next second, faint blue lotus patterns appeared on the ground.

The blood mist touched the blue lotus pattern and was instantly partially swallowed up.

Zhou Zhenshan immediately felt relieved.

He glanced down at the blue lotus pattern on the ground. "Lord of the Blue Lotus, you've made your move again?"

Whether it's a blessing or a curse, the stronger the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone becomes, the heavier the burden on Zhou Zhenshan's shoulders will be.

But this time he was very calm. Now that the other party had made a move, he could go all out to kill the Crimson Scale Python.

Deep underground, the green vine network continues to spread.

The blood mist was suppressed by Zhou Zhenshan head-on and continuously swallowed and cut off by Qingfeng from underground.

The Blood Curse, which was originally about to rush into Nanjiang City, was blocked outside the city by two forces, one above and one below.

In Li Ergou's live stream, golden-red qi and blood pressed down on the sky, while blue lotus patterns continuously bloomed on the ground.

This scene was so shocking that the live stream chat went wild.

"Is this the power of the Azure Lotus Lord? It's too strong!"

"My mother asked me why I was kneeling to eat, and I said I was completely convinced. Lord of the Azure Lotus, please accept me and let me be your pet."

"Damn it, get out of the live stream, you traitor! I also want to be Master Qinglian's pet, while she gets cleaned up."

"You slut upstairs, don't you dare try to steal Lord Qinglian from me."

Originally, everyone harbored resentment towards the Lord of the Azure Lotus, but now they all began to fawn over him, wanting to become Chu Zhou's concubines.

Meanwhile, in the center of Black Dragon Lake, Chu Zhou watched the images Qing Feng transmitted back, as the lotus leaves unfurled.

Feeling incredibly comfortable, he chuckled and said, "I must say, the taste of this blood nest is indeed quite good."

A system notification tone then sounded.

"Ding, devouring the remaining energy of the Blood Curse."

"Evolution Point +8000".

"Ding, devouring the bloodthirsty energy."

"Evolution Point +12000".

"Bloodlust resistance is increasing..."

Chu Zhou was in a good mood, while Zhou Zhenshan was ahead, braving the blood mist.

He intercepted the power of the Blood Nest from below.

This situation couldn't be better for him.

In the underground ancient city, the strange stone sneered, "Lotus Demon, you really know how to pick up bargains."

Chu Zhou said lazily, "This is called cooperation."

The strange rock retorted, "Does anyone even know they're cooperating with you?"

Chu Zhou said, "As long as the results are consistent, that's fine."

The strange rock was speechless for a moment. It realized that this lotus demon was becoming more and more shameless, but it always managed to gain an advantage.

……

Towards Chixia Ridge.

When the Crimson Scaled Python saw that the blood mist it spewed out was blocked, its vertical pupils immediately flashed with rage.

"Blue Lotus!"

It didn't truly hate Zhou Zhenshan, but rather Chu Zhou.

If the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone hadn't cut off the blood energy, the Blood Nest wouldn't have rioted. If the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone hadn't devoured the corpses, it wouldn't have been forced to leave the nest prematurely. But just as it was getting angry, the voice from deep within the Blood Nest rang out again.

"Kill them! Kill them for me!"

The Crimson-Scaled Python was wracked with excruciating pain; its massive body trembled violently. It gritted its teeth and growled, "I am not your dog!"