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

Inside the Changbai Mountain defense line.

Whether it was the stationed soldiers or the members of the Ninth Infantry watching the live feed, everyone held their breath at that moment.

A terrifying energy storm swept across the heavens and the earth.

The drone footage was shaking violently, and the two drones closest to the battlefield lost signal instantly.

A good ten seconds or so passed.

The smoke and fog that had enveloped the snowfields of Changbai Mountain gradually dissipated.

The area where the two objects collided has now become a huge crater with a diameter of over 100 meters.

All the snow around the pit had disappeared.

The ground was covered with countless cracks, as if it had been struck by a meteorite.

Qin Zhenyuan stood at the edge of the deep pit.

The martial arts dharma image behind him, which was tens of feet tall, had become somewhat illusory, but the aura emanating from him was even more condensed than before.

After reaching the sixth level, the blood and qi in his body are undergoing a continuous transformation.

The aging body regains its vitality under the nourishment of the immense life energy.

The gray hair gradually turned black.

The wrinkles on my face have also faded considerably.

It was as if I had instantly become twenty years younger.

In contrast, consider the tiger king of Changbai Mountain.

Its massive body has been blasted to the bottom of the deep pit.

The black pollution power that had been swirling around him was mostly shattered by that punch.

A huge dent appeared in the chest area.

Large amounts of scarlet blood flowed out, staining the surrounding ground red.

The corrupted tiger statue behind it was also completely shattered in the collision.

The tiger king of Changbai Mountain struggled to climb out of the deep pit.

Its scarlet tiger eyes stared intently at Qin Zhenyuan, disbelief appearing in them for the first time: "This is impossible! You've only just entered the sixth rank, how could you possibly possess such power?"

Qin Zhenyuan withdrew his fist and said coldly, "Realm level never represents everything, you beast. You rely on powers that don't belong to you, possessing strength but lacking the corresponding mental state. How do you expect to defeat me?"

Upon hearing this, the Tiger King of Changbai Mountain's eyes instantly blazed with fury: "I have ruled Changbai Mountain for decades, how dare you, a mere human, lecture me!"

It raised its head and let out a roar.

The remaining polluted energy within his body surged wildly, beginning to repair his injuries.

However, this time, the moment those black, polluted forces touched the fist imprint on his chest, they seemed to encounter something extremely terrifying.

Chi Chi!

The black aura continued to dissipate.

The residual fist intent of Qin Zhenyuan within its body, like a blazing sun, firmly suppressed the corrupting power.

No matter how much the Tiger King of Changbai Mountain urged it, he could not erase that fist intent.

Seeing this scene.

The tiger king of Changbai Mountain finally started to panic.

It could clearly feel its life force constantly slipping away, and if this continued, it would be impossible to break through to the sixth rank.

Today it might even die here: "No, I cannot die!"

The tiger king of Changbai Mountain suddenly lowered his head and looked down into the deep pit.

A hint of madness flashed in the scarlet tiger's eyes.

"Didn't you say that as long as I unleash a beast tide and devour enough blood energy, it would help me reach the sixth rank?"

"Now that I have done as you requested, quickly give me your power!"

Its voice, transmitted through spiritual power, reached directly into the depths of the earth, but what awaited it was utter silence.

The Changbai Mountain Tiger King's expression changed: "You dare to lie to me?"

Just then.

From beneath Changbai Mountain, a muffled sound suddenly rang out. The sound was like a heartbeat, but even more deafening than thunder. The sound was heard the instant it was heard.

The entire Changbai Mountain trembled slightly.

On the battlefield, the alien beasts that were frantically charging the defensive line suddenly froze.

The polluted beasts with bloodshot eyes seemed to have lost consciousness and all remained frozen in place.

The artillery fire relentlessly bombarded them, blasting one beast after another into pieces, yet the remaining beasts showed no reaction.

Upon seeing this, Lei Zhenyue not only did not breathe a sigh of relief, but his expression became even more serious: "Something is wrong. Immediately order the frontline troops to halt their advance."

An officer standing nearby paused for a moment, then said, "General, now is the best opportunity to wipe out the beast tide."

Lei Zhenyue said in a deep voice, "These strange beasts are not behaving normally. All of you, retreat!"

"quick!"

The order has been issued.

The frontline troops immediately began to consolidate their formation.

Almost at the same time.

Blood-red patterns suddenly appeared on the bodies of tens of thousands of corrupted beasts.

Then their bodies began to tremble uncontrollably.

Some of the weaker beasts seemed to have their flesh and blood drained away by an invisible force.

Its once enormous body shrank at a visible rate.

A large amount of blood and qi surged out of their bodies.

Like streams of blood, they converged at the foot of Changbai Mountain.

"roar!"

The mournful roar of the beast echoed across the snowy plains.

The strange beasts finally regained a sliver of consciousness.

They struggled frantically, trying to break free from this force.

No matter how much they resisted, they couldn't stop the life force from being drained from their bodies.

In just a short time, more than 10,000 corrupted beasts turned into dried corpses.

Even the fourth-tier snow wolves and ice-armored giant bears could not completely resist the crimson power.

Upon seeing this, the Tiger King of Changbai Mountain's pupils suddenly contracted: "What are you doing? They are my subordinates!"

From deep underground, a hoarse and indistinct voice finally echoed: "Ants, food..."

This voice seemed to transcend countless ages, resounding directly in the consciousness of all high-level beings.

Qin Zhenyuan's expression darkened.

The tiger king of Changbai Mountain was completely stunned.

Then, as if it had figured something out, a deep anger appeared in its eyes.

"Have you been using me all along?"

The voice of the forbidden being from underground remained indistinct, vaguely saying, "Blood offerings, sacrifices..."

As its voice faded.

An even larger, crimson force surged from the ground, its target not the ordinary beasts, but the Tiger King of Changbai Mountain.

The Changbai Mountain Tiger King's expression changed drastically. It turned to flee, but the ground beneath its feet cracked open instantly, and dozens of blood-red tentacles emerged from the cracks, wrapping around its massive body.

These tentacles are covered with distorted faces.

Every face seemed to be emitting a silent wail.

The tiger king of Changbai Mountain struggled desperately.

The sharp tiger claws continued to tear at the blood-red tentacles.

With each one severed, more tentacles would emerge from the ground, and in a short time, its limbs and body would be completely bound.

A massive amount of blood-red, polluted power surged wildly into its body along the tentacles.

"Get out of my way! I am not your sacrifice!"

The Tiger King of Changbai Mountain roared madly, its demonic power erupting completely in an attempt to break free from control.

As the polluting forces continued to pour in, its body began to deform.

The originally black and white hair was gradually covered with blood.

Along the spine, sharp bone spurs pierce through the flesh and grow rapidly.

Its forehead was split open, and a bloodshot vertical eye opened from the flesh.

Upon seeing this, everyone in the video conference paled. Su Wan immediately said, "We've detected a surge in energy within the Changbai Mountain Tiger King. It's at the peak of the fifth rank, nearing the early stage of the sixth rank, and the energy is still rising!"

Wang Jun asked in a deep voice, "What is that thing?"

Zhou Zhenshan stared intently at the blood-red tentacles in the image: "They look very similar to the Blood Nest beneath Crimson Cloud Ridge. Sure enough, a forbidden being is sealed beneath Changbai Mountain."

Lu Cang's expression was grave: "Qin Gu has just entered the sixth rank, can he withstand it?"

This time, Zhou Zhenshan's face no longer showed the same ease as before.

If it were just the Tiger King of Changbai Mountain, Qin Zhenyuan would naturally not lose. But the one who is making a move now is a forbidden being that has been sealed for who knows how many years.

Even if it cannot truly escape, the power it can unleash is absolutely incomparable to that of an ordinary sixth-tier being.

Changbai Mountain snowfield.

Qin Zhenyuan watched the Tiger King's continuous mutation but did not immediately make a move.

He could tell.

The tiger king of Changbai Mountain is desperately resisting that force.

Although it unleashed a beast tide, killing many humans.

But as the king of Changbai Mountain, it also has its own pride.

Making it a puppet controlled by others is far more unacceptable than killing it.

"Humans!"

The tiger king of Changbai Mountain let out a painful roar, its voice hoarse and distorted: "Kill me, now!"

Qin Zhenyuan looked at it: "Didn't you just want to use me to break through?"

The Tiger King of Changbai Mountain gritted his teeth and growled, "It's different! I can die at the hands of the strong, but I will never be a puppet controlled by others! Attack!"

This familiar scene left the onlookers somewhat silent.

The Battle of Chixia Ridge a while ago.

In its final moments before awakening, the Crimson-Scaled Python also requested Zhou Zhenshan to kill it.

Unexpectedly, the once arrogant and domineering Tiger King of Changbai Mountain is now acting the same way.

Upon hearing this...

Qin Zhenyuan raised his right hand, and the martial arts dharma image behind him, which had become illusory, condensed once again.

"Alright, considering you still retain some dignity as a Beast King, I'll send you on your way."

As a strong person, Qin Zhenyuan respected the choice of the Tiger King of Changbai Mountain.

Choose to act directly.

Just as Qin Zhenyuan was about to throw a punch, the voice from the depths of the earth rang out again: "Insect, who gave you permission to kill my vessel?"

As the sound faded, the bottom of the pit suddenly exploded, and a gigantic hand composed of countless flesh and bones emerged from the ground.

The hand was hundreds of meters in size, and its surface was inlaid with countless human and beast skulls.

As soon as it appeared, an extremely terrifying polluting aura enveloped the entire Changbai Mountain.

Inside the defensive line.

Many low-level awakened individuals had their eyes turn blood red instantly.

They clutched their heads, screaming in agony, and some even began to see tiny, blood-red worms emerging from under their skin.

Lei Zhenyue's expression changed drastically: "All Awakened Ones, immediately retreat to the purification zone! Ordinary soldiers, put on your mental protective devices!"

However, the giant blood-red hand was too fast; it bypassed the Changbai Mountain Tiger King and reached for Qin Zhenyuan.

Qin Zhenyuan snorted coldly and shouted angrily, "Playing tricks!"

The Dharma Image behind him unleashed a punch, the fist imprint colliding with the blood-red giant hand.

Boom!

The snowfield, which had just calmed down, was struck by another violent explosion.

Qin Zhenyuan's figure retreated hundreds of meters backward, leaving a huge footprint on the ground with each step.

The giant crimson hand also had half of its palm shattered, and a large amount of putrid flesh and blood fell from the sky.

But after the flesh and blood fell to the ground, they began to wriggle rapidly, transforming into skinless, blood-red monsters.

As soon as these monsters appeared, they pounced on the nearby beasts, dragging them into their bodies and devouring them.

The more flesh and blood they devour, the larger they become.

In a short period of time, dozens of blood-red monsters grew to the third tier.

Qin Zhenyuan's expression was solemn. Although he had already entered the sixth level, he had consumed a lot of power in order to defeat the Tiger King of Changbai Mountain. If he continued like this...

Even if he manages to escape unscathed, the Changbai Mountain defense line may not be able to hold.

Just then, Zhou Zhenshan's voice suddenly came through his communicator: "Old Qin, news has come from the Qinglian Forbidden Zone."

Qin Zhenyuan smashed the charging crimson monster with a single punch: "Is it the Lord of the Azure Lotus?"

Zhou Zhenshan said, "He said he could help solve the problem of what's underground in Changbai Mountain."

Qin Zhenyuan did not show any joy. Based on his understanding of the Lord of the Azure Lotus, he knew that the Azure Lotus would not act without a reason.

"What are the conditions?"

"He is responsible for the pollution source beneath Changbai Mountain."

Qin Zhenyuan paused, looking at the spreading blood-red contamination, and asked Zhou Zhenshan, "Brother Zhou, what do you think?"

Zhou Zhenshan said, "Cooperation is possible."

Hearing Zhou Zhenshan say this, Qin Zhenyuan smiled: "In that case, tell the Lord of Qinglian that as long as he can clean it up, all underground pollution sources will be returned to the Qinglian Forbidden Zone."

A beast tide broke out in Changbai Mountain.

Even though Qin Zhenyuan and Zhou Zhenshan have already broken through to the sixth level, it is still a challenge for them.

The forbidden existence underground is still too strong.

If the Lord of the Azure Lotus truly has the ability to fight across regions, it might not be without its drawbacks for them.

After all, they still know how to cooperate and make choices between a restricted area that is out of control and one that is not.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhenshan immediately relayed the message back to Heilonghu.

The Qinglian Forbidden Zone is located at Heilong Lake.

Upon receiving Qin Zhenyuan's reply, Chu Zhou's seven lotus leaves swayed gently as he smiled and said, "Indeed, you are a clever person."

The strange stone sneered, "What can he do if he doesn't agree? Does he really expect that thing to break the seal?"

Chu Zhou ignored the strange rock.

The two sides have now reached a cooperation agreement.

The next thing to consider is how to deliver the Azure Lotus Mark to Changbai Mountain.

Changbai Mountain is more than a thousand miles away from Heilong Lake.

Although he could move within a certain range through the Water Palace, there was no Water Palace node belonging to him in Changbai Mountain.

Moreover, once his physical body leaves the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone...

The strange rocks in the underground ancient city, the blood gate of Crimson Cloud Ridge, and the seal beneath Black Dragon Lake may all have problems.

"If only there were a kind of mythical beast that could fly long distances and withstand the aura of the Azure Lotus."