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

Three days later.

On the shore of Heilong Lake.

As soon as it got light, the entire Black Dragon Mountain was already bustling with activity.

Although Heilong Lake used to be rich in spiritual energy, it was usually very quiet. Apart from the flowing water and the sounds of birds and beasts, it was rare to see a scene like today.

But things are different today.

One after another, strange beasts came from all directions.

There are wolf demons, leopard demons, fox demons, deer demons, rabbit demons, and a group of newly awakened little beasts.

In the sky, the Flying Feathers circled back and forth.

Sparrows, crows, eagles, and some mutated birds all settled obediently on the big trees by the lake.

In the water, fish demons, turtle demons, and shrimp and crab beasts poked their heads out.

The huge stone platform built in Ape Valley has already been erected on the shore of Black Dragon Lake.

The stone platform wasn't very exquisite, but it was very tall, and in the very center, a huge blue lotus pattern was carved.

The little monkeys were panting heavily, but their faces were full of excitement.

"Look, the lotus flower we carved looks pretty much like it."

"Of course, I carved it for half the night."

"Did you carve that? You almost cracked the stone platform."

The little ape immediately retorted, "What do you know? I call this roughness."

Shan Kui, standing to the side, heard this and his forehead veins throbbed. He slapped Shan Kui across the face and said, "Shut up, everyone! The master is about to descend. Anyone who makes a sound will be thrown into the lake to feed the fish."

A carp poked its head out of the water and whispered, "Lord Mountain Demon, we don't eat monkeys."

The mountain monster glared at it, and the carp immediately shrank back into the water.

At another spot by the lake, a baby wild boar was holding a small bamboo basket, looking very nervous.

There were several sweet potatoes in the bamboo basket.

The little fox circled it once, then asked suspiciously, "Are you sure this is all that's left?"

The little wild boar got anxious: "What do you mean, 'Only these are left'? These are the tributes I carefully selected."

The little fox sneered, "I think you were very selective, eating the big ones and leaving the small ones."

The little wild boar immediately felt guilty: "Nonsense, the size of the sweet potato doesn't matter, what matters is the thought."

The little sparrow next to it immediately spoke up: "I can testify, it stole another one last night."

The little wild boar was nearly driven mad: "How come your Flying Feather team can see everything?"

The little sparrow puffed out its chest: "Of course, we are the eyes and ears of the Demon Lord."

The little wild boar muttered, "I think you're a tattletale team."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Little Jinbao descended from the sky and landed on the treetop, and the little wild boar immediately shut up.

Little Jinbao glanced at it: "If you steal spirit grain again, you'll be punished by digging in the spirit field."

The little wild boar quickly lowered its head: "I won't do it again, I won't do it again."

The Black Tiger King stood on high ground, his tiger eyes scanning the surroundings.

Seeing that these little demons, though excited, were still quite well-behaved, it nodded slightly.

Today is the first Demon Beast Tournament, and we absolutely cannot allow any trouble to happen. Not far away, Lord Baishan also rushed back from the abandoned well in Linjiang City.

However, it did not completely leave the stronghold, but left a few birds to continue watching the abandoned well.

After arriving at the lake, it found a huge rock and lay down.

A group of low-level demons immediately distanced themselves upon seeing Lord Baishan. Compared to the majesty of the Black Tiger King, the murderous aura emanating from Lord Baishan was far stronger.

The little fox whispered, "Lord White Mountain is so fierce."

The little sparrow whispered, "I heard that Lord Baishan guards the abandoned well in Linjiang City and eats those disobedient humans."

The little wild boar was startled: "Do humans taste good?"

The little fox said disdainfully, "Why do you always think about food?"

Just as these little demons were chattering away...

Suddenly, the entire Black Dragon Lake fell silent.

In the middle of the lake.

A towering blue lotus slowly unfurled.

Seven lotus leaves droop with a bluish light, and mist rolls across the lake.

A vast and powerful pressure instantly enveloped the entire Black Dragon Lake.

All the strange beasts were startled.

The next second, the Black Tiger King was the first to bow his head and respectfully say, "Greetings, Master!"

Shan Kui, Xuan Jia, Xiao Jinbao, Qing Feng, and Bai Shan Jun all bowed their heads simultaneously and said, "Greetings, Master!"

Then, all the tiny demons densely packed around the lake knelt down.

"Greetings, Demon Lord!"

"Greetings, Demon Lord!"

All the strange beasts shouted respectfully, and many of the newly awakened beasts trembled with excitement.

They had only sensed Chu Zhou's presence from afar before.

But today is their first real participation in the Demon Beast Tournament, which is practically a pilgrimage for them.

Looking at the densely packed strange beasts by the lake, Chu Zhou felt a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, a complex feeling of mixed emotions, often including regret or unease). Unbeknownst to him, Black Dragon Mountain had become like this.

His voice was calm, reaching the ears of every beast: "From this day forward, Black Dragon Mountain officially establishes the rules for the demon race."

"Those who have not yet awakened their wisdom are strange beasts; first rank, they are lesser demons; second rank, they are demon soldiers; third rank, they are demon generals; fourth rank, they are great demons."

"The fifth rank is the Demon King, and the sixth rank is the Demon Lord."

Upon hearing this, many of the lesser demons below lit up.

They previously only knew about first, second, and third tiers, but had no real titles belonging to the demon race.

Things are different now. From this day forward, they are no longer just strange beasts; they are the demons of Black Dragon Mountain.

Chu Zhou continued, "Black Tiger King."

The Black Tiger King immediately stepped forward, its massive body bowing low to the ground.

"Your subordinate is here."

Chu Zhou said, "I hereby appoint you as the Mountain Patrol Commander, responsible for patrolling the Black Dragon Mountain area and overseeing the wolf, leopard, fox, and deer tribes."

The Black Tiger King's eyes widened with excitement, and he said in a deep voice, "Your subordinate will certainly not fail your master!"

Chu Zhou then said, "Mountain Chief."

The mountain bandit beat his chest and knelt down: "Master!"

Chu Zhou said, "I hereby appoint you as the commander of Ape Valley, responsible for construction, building platforms, opening roads, and guarding the southwestern mountain passes."

The mountain demon growled, "Yes, sir!"

"Little Jinbao".

Little Jinbao flapped its wings and landed, its golden feathers dazzling in the sunlight.

"Owner!"

"I hereby appoint you as Commander of the Flying Feathers, responsible for patrolling the skies, transmitting messages, and monitoring the restricted area within a 300-kilometer radius."

Little Jinbao was so excited he almost cried out, then quickly lowered his head: "Don't worry, Master, I'll be the first to spot anyone who dares to approach Black Dragon Mountain."

"Qingfeng".

Deep underground, dark green vines swayed gently.

"Your subordinate is here."

"I hereby appoint you as the Earth Vein Commander, in charge of the underground root network, spiritual veins, and secret passages."

"Yes, Master."

"Black Armor".

The surface of Black Dragon Lake churned, and the massive body of Xuanjia emerged from the water.

"Your subordinate is here."

"I hereby appoint you as the Water Vein Commander, in charge of Black Dragon Lake, the underground river, and all aquatic creatures."

Xuanjia said in a deep voice, "Your subordinate will certainly guard the waterway."

"Hakusan-kun."

Bai Shanjun stood up and lowered his head.

"Your subordinate is here."

"You are hereby appointed as the garrison commander of Linjiang Town, responsible for the abandoned well strongholds and pollution control around Linjiang City."

Lord Baishan's tiger-like eyes were icy cold: "Anyone who dares to come out of the abandoned well will be torn apart by my men."

Chu Zhou said with satisfaction, "Good."

At this moment, the entire demon clan system of Black Dragon Mountain was initially established, and the lesser demons below were all excited.

The little wild boar's eyes shone with an alarming light as it whispered, "Could I become a boar general someday?"

The little fox whispered discouragingly, "You should break through to the first rank first."

The little wild boar grunted, "It'll happen sooner or later."

Chu Zhou added, "The demons of Black Dragon Mountain are not allowed to slaughter ordinary humans without orders."

"But if any human trespasses into the restricted area, poachs demons, steals spiritual herbs, or harms the lesser demons of Black Dragon Mountain, they shall be killed without mercy."

"Furthermore, any discovery of polluted auras such as Blood Fiend, Buddha Tomb, Sea Gate, or Ghost Gate must be reported immediately. Anyone who conceals such a discovery will be expelled from Black Dragon Mountain."

Upon hearing the words "expelled from the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone," many lesser demons' expressions changed.

For them now, being able to stay in Black Dragon Mountain and serve the Demon Lord is the greatest honor.

Being banished was worse than death, and all the lesser demons cried out in unison, "Yes, sir!"

Chu Zhou looked at these little demons, and his heart stirred slightly.

Since rules have been established, benefits should naturally be provided.

The next moment, seven lotus leaves unfurled.

Spiritual energy gathers above Heilong Lake.

Drops of azure rain fell from mid-air.

All the little demons widened their eyes immediately.

"It's Lingyu!"

"Blessed by the Demon Lord!"

The azure lotus rain fell upon them, and the aura of many low-level demons immediately began to rise.

Some had their fur become shinier, some had their eyes become more lively, and some even broke through on the spot.