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

The terrifying crimson energy spread like a tidal wave.

Chu Zhou's roots, which were reaching towards the strange rock, trembled, but were not directly shaken away as they had been in the past.

A bluish-silver light emerged from the surface of the roots.

The power of the seventh-order domain spread along the roots, actually blocking the oncoming scarlet energy.

The two forces were briefly locked in a stalemate in the underground ancient city.

The surrounding dilapidated palaces continued to tremble.

A large amount of dust fell from above.

The giant, scarlet eye of the strange rock narrowed slightly.

Clearly, no one expected that after Chu Zhou broke through to the seventh rank, he would be able to directly block a portion of His power.

Chu Zhou naturally did not miss the subtle changes in the strange rock.

His tone suddenly became more amused: "Little Shishi, you don't seem as strong as before this time."

"Nonsense!"

The strange rock, as if its tail had been stepped on, roared, "It's clearly you, this lotus demon, who's become thick-skinned and tough!"

Chu Zhou nodded thoughtfully: "Then it's because I've become stronger."

Strange Stone was frustrated again, only then realizing that he had once again voluntarily admitted that Chu Zhou's strength had improved.

The giant, scarlet eyes blinked wildly.

The atmosphere within the underground ancient city grew increasingly dangerous: "Lotus Demon, are you determined to die today?"

Chu Zhou knew when to stop.

The roots receded a short distance to prevent the strange rock from getting so angry that it would act recklessly.

However, he still didn't let it go verbally: "Little Stone, getting angry damages your essence. You don't have much essence to begin with, so you have to conserve it."

"roll!"

The strange rock roared angrily.

This time, the entire underground ancient city was shaking.

Chu Zhou's consciousness did not leave immediately.

He was about to provoke the strange rock a few more times when he noticed that the anger in the crimson giant eye had suddenly subsided a bit.

Strange Stone sneered, "Instead of showing off in front of me, you should take a look at the bunch of trash under your command."

Chu Zhou frowned: "What do you mean?"

The strange stone spoke with a tone full of sarcasm: "You have now stepped into the seventh rank, and that human outside has also broken through to the sixth rank."

"But the strongest of your so-called followers hasn't even reached the fifth rank yet."

"If one day you get entangled with other seventh-tier life forms, are you prepared to personally take action to deal with every single fourth- or fifth-tier weakling?"

Chu Zhou did not refute.

This time, the strange stone really hit the nail on the head.

His breakthrough speed is too fast.

Although the Black Dragon Mountain retinue also received a lot of resources, their strength was gradually falling behind compared to the enemies he was facing now.

Xuanjia, Black Tiger King, Mountain Demon, and other core followers are mostly still at the fourth rank.

If it were merely to guard the former Black Dragon Mountain, that would be sufficient. But now, the Qinglian Forbidden Zone has taken control of the natural waterways of Lingnan.

Next, we will face the East China Sea Mother Nest, the Deep Sea Demon King, and other large restricted areas.

Fourth-tier strength is indeed somewhat lacking.

Chu Zhou deliberately asked, "Are you reminding me?"

The strange stone immediately denied it: "I just don't want you to be killed one day, and your corpse to fall down and pollute the ancient underground city."

"I see."

Chu Zhou's tone was meaningful: "It seems you're still worried about me."

The giant, scarlet eye of the strange rock lit up again: "Get lost!"

This time, Chu Zhou did not linger.

Before his consciousness left the underground city, he didn't forget to leave a message: "I'm going to help my followers break through first. I'll come back to celebrate with you once they've all reached the fifth rank."

Upon hearing this, the strange rock began to tremble.

"You dare!"

Chu Zhou's consciousness has disappeared.

Only that voice, tinged with laughter, still echoes in the ancient underground city.

"When the time comes, remember to prepare your source."

"Lotus Demon!"

The strange rock roared in anger.

Unfortunately, Chu Zhou could no longer hear it.

……

In the center of Heilong Lake.

Chu Zhou's consciousness returned to its original form.

Zhou Zhenshan and others are discussing the specific division of the Lingnan water veins at the Qing Shi Water Mansion.

Little Jinbao and Little Wild Boar, along with a group of low-level exotic beasts, began discussing whether to eat sheep or cow for dinner.

Chu Zhou ignored them.

A thought subtly stirred within me.

A panel of his kin, visible only to him, then unfolded.

[Family Member: Xuanjia]

[Rank: Peak Fourth Rank]

[Abilities: Heavy Armor Defense, Water Control, Water Suppression]

……

[Family Member: Black Tiger King]

[Rank: Late Stage 4]

[Abilities: Shadow Domain, Beastly Intimidation, Netherworld Tiger Claw]

……

[Family Member: Yamaguchi]

[Rank: Late Stage 4]

[Abilities: Mountain-moving power, Mountain-suppressing ability, Berserk]

……

[Family Member: Qingfeng]

[Rank: Late Stage 4]

[Abilities: Vine Sea, Life Absorption, Forest Perception]

……

[Family Member: Little Golden Treasure]

[Rank: Mid-Tier 4]

[Abilities: Golden Feathers, Extreme Speed, Spiritual Fire, Feather Control]

......

[Family Member: White Tiger King]

[Rank: Mid-Tier 4]

......

Seeing this, Chu Zhou realized that the strange stone was not simply mocking him, and that Black Dragon Mountain now seemed powerful.

In reality, all the pressure is still concentrated on him alone.

Once he is restrained by a powerful opponent of the same level, Black Dragon Mountain will find it difficult to spare enough strength to deal with the simultaneous attack of several fifth-level demon kings.

This is not what a truly powerful force should look like.

Thinking about this...

Chu Zhou's immense spiritual power enveloped the entire Black Dragon Mountain: "Xuanjia, Shan Kui, Black Tiger King, Qingfeng, Little Jinbao, White Tiger King, come to Black Dragon Lake to see me."

The Black Tiger King, who had just sent Zhou Zhenshan and the others into the Water Mansion, stopped when it heard Chu Zhou's message. It gave Zhou Zhenshan some instructions and then leaped into the forest.

The mountain spirit rose from the mountaintop.

The countless vines of Qingfeng began to contract, while Little Jinbao had just snatched a piece of roasted meat from the wild boar's mouth.

Upon hearing Chu Zhou's summons, it immediately stuffed the meat into its mouth and mumbled, "My master is calling me."

The little wild boar looked at it longingly: "Grandpa Bird, that's my meat."

Little Jinbao spread its wings: "You misheard, that was given to me by my master."

After saying that, it transformed into a golden streak of light and swiftly flew towards Black Dragon Lake.

The little wild boar stared blankly at its empty trotters for several seconds before crying out in grievance, "Lord Bird, you stole my meat!"

After receiving a message, the White Tiger King, who was guarding the abandoned well, ordered the three-headed, third-tier wolf demons to guard the abandoned well.

It turned around and headed straight for Heilong Mountain.

A moment later.

All six core family members gathered at the shore of Heilong Lake.

The massive body of the Xuanjia armored creature floated on the lake surface.

Black Tiger King and White Tiger King lay prostrate on the shore, Mountain King knelt on one knee, and Green Blade was perched among several ancient trees.

Little Jinbao landed on a lotus leaf closest to the shore on Chu Zhou.

"Greetings, Master."

Chu Zhou's mental energy swept over them.

Compared to when they first entered Heilong Mountain, each of them has undergone tremendous changes, but it's still not enough.

"I have now reached the seventh level. From this day forward, the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone will take control of the natural water veins of Lingnan."

"As my earliest followers, your strength remains at the fourth rank."

Upon hearing this...

Both the Black Tiger King and the White Tiger King lowered their heads.

Shan Kui's expression also became somewhat ashamed.

Little Jinbao quickly explained, "Master, I've been working hard on my cultivation lately, but there's been a lot of work with the Flying Feather Team, so I've been a little delayed."

Chu Zhou said indifferently, "Taking the little wild boar around to steal food every day, does that count as cultivation?"

Little Jinbao stiffened, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Master, I was just inspecting Black Dragon Mountain and had a little something to eat."

Chu Zhou didn't expose him, and said, "The enemies Black Dragon Mountain faces now are no longer ordinary beasts, but also the East Sea Mother Nest, a sixth-order demon king, and other large forbidden zones."

"Even seventh-tier life forms, with your current strength, are no longer capable of standing alone."

All six members of the family fell silent.

Little Jinbao also stopped being playful.

Chu Zhou's voice continued: "Therefore, I have decided to help all of you reach the fifth rank."

These words were spoken.

All six family members looked up at the same time.

Little Jinbao's eyes lit up instantly: "Master, really?"

The mountain stag's breathing also became heavy.

A clear excitement appeared in Xuanjia's eyes.

Fifth order.

That is the level of a demon king who can truly rule over a body of water or a mountain range.

In the past, they never dared to imagine that they could reach this level so quickly.

Chu Zhou's thoughts stirred slightly.

Five orbs of light of different colors rose from the depths of Black Dragon Lake.

The first cluster is dark blue.

It contained a black crystal core the size of a fist.

It is the water-type demon core essence extracted from the remains of the Black Tide King.

Chu Zhou then absorbed a wisp of purified lotus essence.

Two forces intertwined.

It eventually formed a deep blue crystal covered with water ripples.

"Black Armor".

Xuanjia immediately looked up.

"Your subordinate is here."

"You will be in charge of the Zhenhai Navy. From now on, you will be responsible for guarding the rivers of Lingnan and the entrance to the East China Sea. This Zhenhai Xuanjing crystal combines part of the Black Tide King's water system essence with my Azure Lotus power."

Whether you can use this to advance to the fifth rank depends on your own destiny.

The Xuanjia opened its massive maw and swallowed the Zhenhai Xuanjing whole: "Your subordinate will never let you down, Master!"

boom!

The moment the Zhenhai Xuanjing entered the body.

On the surface of the massive Xuanjia tortoise shell, countless dark blue patterns immediately appeared.

The water in Heilong Lake began to boil.

A heavy pressure rose from Xuanjia's body.

Chu Zhou did not pay attention to it immediately.

He directly controlled the two dark beams of light to fly towards the Black Tiger King and the White Tiger King.

These two beams of light were dark attribute crystal cores purified from the bodies of the Lingnan polluted beasts. Chu Zhou also extracted a wisp of mountain and river evil energy from the Black Dragon Mountain veins and integrated it into the crystal cores.

"Black Tiger King, you will command the mountain patrol army. From today onwards, not only Black Dragon Mountain, but all the mountain forests and waterways in Lingnan will need you to patrol for me."

"I bestow upon you the Nether Tiger Crystal, hoping that once you reach the fifth rank, you will truly possess the qualifications to command all beasts."

The Black Tiger King lowered his head: "Your subordinate is willing to guard the mountains and rivers for your master."

Chu Zhou then said, "White Tiger King."

The White Tiger King said in a deep, muffled voice, "Your subordinate is here."

"You have rendered meritorious service in guarding the abandoned well. From this day forward, you will also be qualified to command all beasts. I hereby appoint you as the deputy commander of the mountain patrol army, second only to the Black Tiger King in rank."

His status is second only to the Black Tiger King?

The White Tiger King's cultivation level is similar to that of the Black Tiger King, which is somewhat unfair.

After all, Little Jinbao has the Flying Feather Team, and Shan Kui and Xuanjia both have their own forces, but White Tiger King does not.

That's a bit unfair, really.

Chu Zhou's gaze fell on the White Tiger King. "Do you have any objections?"