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

Chu Zhou unfurled his seven lotus leaves: "It's not about directly reaching into the East Sea, but rather that I intend to turn the coastal waters into a new restricted area."

The strange rock remained silent for a moment, and it could naturally tell that Chu Zhou's words were not just casual remarks.

This lotus demon is truly preparing to leave the existing area of ​​Black Dragon Mountain and begin to expand outwards.

The strange rock said, "Your body cannot move, and the East Sea is hundreds of kilometers away from Black Dragon Mountain."

"With your 400-kilometer root network alone, even if you manage to reach the coast, you won't be able to completely cover the Azure Lotus Domain."

Chu Zhou said, "That's why I need a new stronghold. As long as Qingfeng's vines can take root at the estuary, and with Xuanjia leading the nearby aquatic creatures, I can use the vines as an anchor point to gradually extend the root network into the sea."

The strange rock gleamed with blood-red light: "You intend to use the water veins to divide and project the Azure Lotus Domain?"

It is indeed possible to cultivate new blue lotuses from lotus seeds and then imbue them with new blue lotus characteristics.

"good."

Chu Zhou did not hide anything: "Currently, my domain relies on the Black Dragon Mountain's ley lines, but as long as I establish new water vein strongholds, I can connect the root networks of different regions."

"If one outpost isn't enough, then ten; if ten aren't enough, then a hundred."

"One day, all the waterways from Heilong Lake to the East China Sea will become part of this root network."

In the underground ancient city.

The strange rock remained silent for a long time.

He originally thought that Chu Zhou only had his eye on those high-level sea beasts in the East China Sea.

It now seems that what this blue lotus truly desires is to expand its territory step by step by leveraging the mountains and rivers.

In other words, as long as Chu Zhou is given enough time.

Its roots may even spread across the entire continent.

The strange stone said, "Lotus Demon, when I said before that you were becoming more and more like a taboo, I wasn't praising you."

Chu Zhou smiled and said, "I know, but I'm still quite happy to be valued so much by Little Stone."

Strange Stone snorted coldly: "Don't be so smug. There are many high-level life forms in the East Sea besides the Black Tide King. Now that the Black Tide King is dead, those sea beasts that were suppressed by it in the past will soon come out to fight for territory."

Chu Zhou said calmly, "It's better that it came out. When the Black Tide King was alive, it was the only sixth-tier overlord in the East Sea. If I want to find other high-level sea beasts, I have to get past it first."

"Now that it's dead, those creatures hiding in the deep sea are naturally getting restless."

"The fiercer they fight, the easier it is for me to see the various forces in the East China Sea."

Upon hearing this, Guai Shi sneered, "You've certainly got a good plan."

"However, don't forget that the sea is different from the mountains and forests. Most land beasts rely on their territory and spiritual veins to survive, but high-level creatures in the sea can migrate at any time. A sixth-level sea beast can cross thousands of miles of sea in a single day."

"If you only rely on a few fixed outposts, you may not be able to stop them."

Chu Zhou did not refute this after listening.

The strange rock is right.

Once a land-based mythical beast occupies a sacred mountain or vein, it is unlikely to leave easily.

Sea creatures are different; the ocean is vast and boundless.

Many high-level marine mammals do not have fixed nests and can migrate continuously with the ocean currents.

It appeared in the East China Sea today.

Tomorrow they may enter deeper waters.

Without a sufficiently powerful aquatic retinue, it would indeed be difficult to control the entire sea area with just a few lotus plants rooted along the shore.

Chu Zhou thought for a moment and said, "Therefore, from the very beginning, I never intended to control the entire East China Sea by relying on a few outposts."

Strange Stone was somewhat surprised: "So, what are you planning to do?"

Chu Zhou laughed and said, "The strongholds are only part of it. The real force that controls the seas for me is the mobile aquatic army."

"I am responsible for providing the domain, blessings, and root network support, while Xuanjia is responsible for establishing the aquatic tribe's power."

"As for those high-level sea beasts, those who are willing to submit will be bestowed with the Azure Lotus Mark."

"Those who refuse to submit..."

Chu Zhou paused, his tone filled with killing intent, and said as the seven lotus leaves swayed in the wind, "Then kill them all."

The strange rock remained silent for a moment, then it had to admit it.

Although Chu Zhou's method was simple and crude, it suited him very well, as the Azure Lotus Mark could connect with his followers.

The Azure Lotus Blessing can enhance the strength of one's companions, while the Azure Lotus Domain can suppress enemies.

As long as Chu Zhou can establish enough strongholds along the East China Sea coast.

The aquatic army led by Xuanjia was able to expand outwards continuously by using these strongholds.

Even when encountering high-level sea monsters that are impossible to defeat.

Chu Zhou can also project power remotely through the Azure Lotus Mark.

Strange Stone said coldly, "Your idea is simple, but the aquatic creatures under your command are too weak right now."

"Although Xuanjia possesses a trace of Xuan Turtle bloodline, it is currently only at the fourth level. If it encounters a fifth-level sea beast, it will be questionable whether it can escape back."

Chu Zhou naturally thought of this as well.

There are many aquatic creatures in Black Dragon Lake, but not many aquatic demons have truly evolved and possess combat power.

Compared to the Mountain Patrol Army and the Flying Feather Team, the aquatic creatures have never received much training.

Xuanjia himself is calm and composed, and has not taken the initiative to build up his own power. Now that he wants to expand into the East Sea, the lack of aquatic combat power is indeed his biggest weakness.

Chu Zhou pondered for a moment, then suddenly looked at a reward that had appeared in the system after he had just devoured the Black Tide King.

[Sixth-Tier Water Element Origin: Can be used to strengthen the bloodline of aquatic creatures, cultivate aquatic spirits, or nurture special lotus seeds.]

See here.

Chu Zhou immediately made a decision.

The water elemental source contained in half of the Black Tide King's demon core is extremely vast.

Most of them have already been converted into evolution points.

However, the system still retains a portion of the purest water source.

If this power were directly absorbed by Chu Zhou, it could increase his evolution points by one or two million at most.

If used to raise aquatic relatives, its value is even greater.

After all, if he wants to control the East China Sea, he can't rely on himself to take action remotely every time he encounters a sea monster.

A truly mature restricted area not only needs a powerful ruler, but also capable subordinates.

Thinking of this, Chu Zhou had a sudden thought.

A deep blue light emerged from the depths of the Azure Lotus.

The ball of light was only the size of a fist.

Inside, however, it seemed to contain a miniature ocean, with rolling waves and water-based spiritual energy condensing into tiny fish that swam continuously within the ball of light.

Even across the Azure Lotus Domain.

The aquatic creatures in Black Dragon Lake still simultaneously feel a yearning from the depths of their blood.

At the bottom of the lake, Xuanjia was cultivating with his eyes closed.

The moment the Deep Blue Origin appeared.

It suddenly opened its eyes, and its enormous turtle body rose from the bottom of the lake.

For the first time, an undisguised shock surfaced in his dark golden eyes: "What is this aura?"

Chu Zhou's voice entered its mind: "Xuanjia, come to see me."

"Yes."

After Xuanjia finished speaking in a deep, muffled voice, he exerted force with his limbs, causing the surface of Black Dragon Lake to churn rapidly.

A black turtle shell, resembling a small mountain, emerged from the water.

The lake water slid down the tortoise shell, and Xuanjia arrived at the center of Black Dragon Lake. It bowed its head respectfully and said, "Master."

Chu Zhou's seven lotus leaves swayed gently as he walked, and the deep blue primordial energy floated in front of Xuanjia.

As soon as it approached the Xuanjia, the Xuan Turtle bloodline within the Xuanjia began to surge wildly. It could clearly sense that this power was completely different from ordinary spiritual energy.

It contains the purest ocean essence; if one can refine it, one's bloodline will surely undergo another transformation.

Xuanjia did not absorb it immediately, but instead lowered its head and waited for Chu Zhou's command.

Chu Zhou nodded in satisfaction, very pleased with Xuanjia's sensible and steady demeanor.

He spoke, "Xuanjia, do you know why I gave it to you?"

Xuanjia was silent for a moment before speaking, "Because I am about to travel to the East Sea?"

Chu Zhou shook the lotus leaf: "This is only one reason. What I really need is not a powerful Xuan Turtle."

"But he is a great general who can command thousands of aquatic creatures."

Xuanjia was slightly taken aback.

Chu Zhou continued, "Black Dragon Mountain has patrol armies, and the sky has flying feather squads, but the aquatic tribes are just a disorganized mess."

"I want you to establish the first navy belonging to the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone. From now on, all rivers, lakes and seas will be under your command."

Xuanjia was shocked. It hadn't expected that Chu Zhou had given it not just a mission, but the future sea layout of the entire Qinglian Forbidden Zone.

It lowered its head and said respectfully, "Xuanjia will never fail its master's trust."

Chu Zhou said with satisfaction, "Very good, now, refine it."

As soon as he finished speaking, the deep blue essence fell onto Xuanjia's forehead.

boom!

The moment the two came into contact, the entire Black Dragon Lake seemed to tremble, and countless aquatic spiritual energies converged wildly.

A huge vortex, tens of meters in diameter, rapidly formed around the Xuanjia.

The deep blue essence gradually seeps into its body.

The originally extremely thin Xuan Turtle bloodline within Xuanjia's body began to grow rapidly, and ancient blue patterns emerged from the surface of its shell.

Those lines continued to spread, eventually forming a vast sea chart.

at the same time.

The tortoise shell on the back of the Xuanjia has also changed, its originally thick, black shell now transformed.

Dark blue patterns gradually emerged from the edges, resembling ocean waves or tides.

The next moment, a system notification sounded.

"Ding, Xuanjia has successfully fused with the sixth-order water elemental source."

"Bloodline purity increased."

"Awaken your bloodline supernatural powers and control the tides."

"Awakening Bloodline Divine Power, Mystic Water Armor."

Current level: Peak of the fourth tier.

"Just one step away from the fifth rank."

Chu Zhou looked at the system panel without any surprise; he hadn't originally planned for Xuanjia to break through directly.

Having stepped into the fifth rank, his foundation became unstable, but now his bloodline has undergone a complete transformation.

All that's left is to hone your skills through combat, right after the Xuanjia fusion is complete.

At the bottom of Black Dragon Lake, countless aquatic creatures suddenly became restless.

One after another, spirit fish, spirit crabs, and a large number of water demons that had already gained intelligence all swam towards Xuanjia on their own initiative.

Their eyes were filled with awe, even submission.

Xuanjia simply stood there, and the water naturally swirled around it.

It raised its right paw.

boom!

The entire body of Heilong Lake rose up simultaneously.

Within a range of several hundred meters.

A giant water dragon made of lake water coils in the sky.

Black Tiger King, Little Golden Treasure, Mountain Demon, and their retinue all looked up at the same time.

Little Jinbao couldn't help but exclaim, "Old Turtle has gotten stronger!"

The Black Tiger King's pupils contracted; it could sense the current state of the Xuanjia armor.

If it were in water, it would already have the power to fight even against ordinary early-stage fifth-tier beasts.

Xuanjia withdrew his supernatural powers and returned to Chu Zhou, his eyes filled with gratitude: "Thank you for bestowing your powers upon me, Master."

Chu Zhou calmly said, "This is what you deserve. What I want is not just the strongest Xuan Turtle."

"What I want is the Sea King of the East Sea."

Xuanjia's body trembled suddenly; it was the Sea Lord of the East Sea.

This was the first time it had heard Chu Zhou address it in this way.

A very powerful name.

It was flattered and overwhelmed, as its owner never treated it as an ordinary pet.

Rather, it is to cultivate a future king who will rule over the hundreds of millions of aquatic creatures in the East China Sea.

It knelt on the ground, its voice unwavering, and said, "Your subordinate, Xuanjia, is willing to serve your master and guard the four seas."