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

After Little Jinbao and the little wild boar left, Black Dragon Lake returned to calm. Chu Zhou looked at Chen Mo and Xuan Ku in front of him and continued, "Before you leave, there is one more thing I need to arrange."

Chen Mo and Xuan Ku looked up at the same time and said respectfully, "Master, please give your orders."

Chu Zhou said, "Regarding the Qinglian Society and the Jinglian Academy, you cannot reveal your relationship with the Qinglian Forbidden Zone from the very beginning."

Chen Mo: "Does the master mean to keep it private?"

Chu Zhou said calmly, "That's right. Although humans and the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone are cooperating now, there is still a wariness between them."

"The Ninth Bureau can accept me because Zhou Zhenshan has witnessed my power, but what about ordinary humans?"

"They may not be able to accept an organization established by a demon race."

Chen Mo seemed to understand what his master meant. If the Qinglian Society had started by claiming to be from the Qinglian Forbidden Zone, it would have been a problem.

Those who join might not be those who endorse the ideology, but rather those who fear seventh-tier life forms.

Chu Zhou continued, "On the surface, the Azure Lotus Society is just an ordinary organization of awakened individuals, recruiting those who are willing to coexist peacefully with alien beasts and are willing to face future disasters."

"Do not force anyone, do not publicize me, and do not let anyone think that this is a puppet force established by the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone in the human world."

Chen Mo asked, "Master, if they didn't know you existed, why were they willing to join?"

Chu Zhou looked at Black Dragon Lake: "Naturally, it's because of our shared beliefs. After the third spiritual energy tide, this world will change. Humans, alien beasts, and even other unknown life forms will ultimately survive, regardless of who has the largest number of people."

"It's not about who can adapt to the new era."

Chen Mo took a deep breath: "Understood."

Chu Zhou then looked at Xuan Ku: "As for the Pure Lotus Courtyard..."

Xuan Ku clasped his hands together and said, "Please speak, Master."

"Your identity can be revealed."

Xuan Ku was taken aback, and asked with some confusion, "Publicly?"

Chu Zhou nodded: "Your power is different. The contamination of the Mother Nest is a common enemy of all life."

"Humanity needs to know that there is a force that can resist it."

Xuanku lowered his head in thought, then said, "Does Master wish for this humble monk to become a line of defense for humanity against pollution?"

Chu Zhou said, "You're right, but there's one thing to remember: Jinglian Temple is not a religion. It's not meant to make people believe in anyone. Its purpose is simply to give more lives a chance to survive when faced with pollution."

Xuanku's expression was solemn: "This humble monk understands that the Buddhist path to salvation is not about making people kneel and worship Buddha, but about allowing life to see hope in despair."

Chu Zhou nodded. This was why he chose Xuan Ku, even though the monk was usually a bit unreliable and even liked to ride the coattails of others' popularity.

But his true nature was not driven by power; he was genuinely compassionate.

Of course, this also applies to the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone and loyalty to Chu Zhou.

As for Chu Zhou's mention of ferrying people, it naturally refers to allowing his power to continue developing when the third tide arrives and the beast tide erupts.

He will bestow blessings and brand the Qinglian mark on some high-ranking members of the Qinglian Society and Jinglian Temple. At that time, won't he be in charge?

Thinking of this, Chu Zhou said, "As for what happens after you leave this time, remember to hide your strength. Fourth-tier strength is already considered top-tier in the current human world."

"But that's not enough. A true strongman shouldn't reveal all his cards at the beginning."

"You need to let the outside world see that the Qinglian Society and Jinglian Academy have grown step by step."

Chen Mo nodded: "Understood."

Xuan Ku suddenly asked, "Master, when will we leave?"

"Let's go, we can go down the mountain now."

Hearing Chu Zhou say this, Chen Mo and Xuan Ku respectfully agreed, just as Chu Zhou was about to send them down the mountain.

On the other side, at Qingshi Reservoir, Zhou Zhenshan and the others also saw the strange phenomenon at the core of the restricted area.

"Has a powerful individual broken through to a higher level?"

Lu Cang's expression was solemn. The breakthrough of a fifth-level expert was quite a commotion. Black Dragon Mountain was not far from the Green Stone Reservoir, so they naturally saw that strange phenomenon.

Zhou Zhenshan expanded his divine sense, stepping into the sixth level, and his sensing range reached three hundred kilometers.

With just a glance, he could tell that the breakthrough was indeed coming from Black Dragon Mountain.

"Lord of the Azure Lotus, you truly have a grand gesture. There are eight breakthroughs in Black Dragon Mountain this time, including six at the fifth rank and two at the fourth rank."

Zhou Zhenshan took a deep breath.

When Xuanjia and his companions broke through, Chu Zhou did not suppress their auras, but sent them to investigate, which was also a way of giving the human side a deterrent.

Sure enough, upon hearing Zhou Zhenshan's words, Fakong and the others were all shocked.

Six people broke through to the fifth rank in one go. Looking at the entire Dragon Kingdom, there are currently only three people who have reached the fifth rank.

Qin Zhenyuan, chief consultant of the Ninth Bureau, Chen Wuji, the old master of Bajiquan of the Martial Alliance, and Song Yunhe, the contemporary sword immortal of Wudang Mountain.

As for Zhang Xuanling, the Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, along with Fakong and Lu Cang, they were only at the late stage of the fourth rank.

However, they are still in the late stage of the fourth rank and have not yet broken through. It is conceivable that entering the fifth rank is not so easy.

However, the Lord of the Azure Lotus allowed six of the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone's followers to advance to the fifth rank in one go.

Such strength truly inspires despair.

"Director Zhou, if things continue like this, is there any hope left for our human race?"

Lu Cang said with some bitterness.

Su Wan said, "Captain Lu, don't be so discouraged. Although the Qinglian Forbidden Zone is getting stronger, aren't we improving on our side as well?"

Cang gave a bitter laugh: "Progress? They have six fifth-tier demon kings in one go, while we, the entire Dragon Kingdom combined, only have three fifth-tier demon kings."

He glanced at Zhou Zhenshan as he said this: "As for the sixth rank, there is currently only Director Zhou. The gap between the two sides is actually widening."

Su Wan opened her mouth, but for a moment she didn't know how to refute it.

Because what Lu Cang said was true.

Since the resurgence of spiritual energy, humanity has paid a heavy price, with countless awakened beings dying in the beast tides.

The Ninth Bureau allocated a large amount of resources to geniuses in various regions, and the military was also constantly improving the cultivation system, but breakthroughs for high-level beings remained extremely difficult.

Three fifth-tier powerhouses would have been enough to excite everyone a month ago, but now, in the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone, six fifth-tier demon kings have been born in a single day.

And everyone knows that.

These six fifth-tier demon kings are the core group of followers of the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone.

The remaining patrol troops, garrison troops, and flying feather squads also include a large number of second- and third-tier exotic beasts.

As long as Chu Zhou is willing to continue investing resources, more fourth-order and even fifth-order demon kings will inevitably emerge in the future.

That's the difference.

Seeing Lu Cang's reaction, Zhou Zhenshan asked, "Lu Cang, what do you think is our human advantage?"

Lu Cang asked, "Number of people and technology?"

Zhou Zhenshan shook his head and said, "That's not the case. You know, a single spark can start a prairie fire. Looking at our five thousand years of Chinese history, why is the history of those foreign countries not as good as ours? It's mainly because we have traditions and organization."

"Remember, never lose hope. As long as the flame of Chinese civilization remains burning, there is always a chance. Besides, those ancient books also prove that our heritage is certainly more than just these."

Upon hearing this, Lu Cang, Fa Kong, and the others were all startled.

"Director Zhou, what do you mean?"

Zhou Zhenshan said, "I will personally guide you and help you reach the fifth rank as soon as possible. Humanity needs you, and the people of our Dragon Kingdom need you even more."

Upon hearing this, Lu Cang and the other man were overjoyed.

"Thank you, Director Zhou."

Zhou Zhenshan waved his hand: "Don't give me that nonsense, let's get out of here first."

The negotiations between Qingshi Reservoir and Qinglian Forbidden Zone have concluded, and there is no need to linger here any longer.

Just as the group was about to leave Qingshi Reservoir, Zhou Zhenshan's communicator suddenly vibrated.

Zhou Zhenshan glanced down; it was an urgent video request from headquarters.

He didn't avoid the crowd and answered the call directly.

A blue light curtain unfolded in mid-air.

The first person to appear in the picture was Elder Ye, with Wang Jun sitting to the side.

On the other side of the screen is the defense line of Changbai Mountain in Northeast China.

Amidst the swirling snow, Qin Zhenyuan, dressed in a long black robe, sat upright in the command room.

Lei Zhenyue, dressed in military uniform, stood in front of the map. Upon seeing Zhou Zhenshan appear, Elder Ye immediately asked, "Director Zhou, how are your injuries?"