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

In the center of the lake, a blue lotus floats.

As Han Jianguo turned into a blood mist, the entire Black Dragon Mountain seemed to fall silent for a moment.

Abundant, almost tangible, life energy surged forth from all directions. The surface of Black Dragon Lake began to churn violently, and the spiritual energy at the bottom of the lake seemed to be drawn by something, forming a massive whirlpool.

The system's voice finally resounded deep within Chu Zhou's consciousness.

[Evolutionary conditions satisfied]

[Should we begin fifth-tier evolution?]

Chu Zhou did not hesitate at all.

"start."

boom!

In an instant, the entire Black Dragon Mountain lost its color. Countless spiritual veins at the bottom of the lake trembled simultaneously, and a massive amount of spiritual energy surged towards Chu Zhou's body like a flood bursting its banks.

The blue lotus began to bloom.

One leaf, two leaves, three leaves—the originally emerald green lotus leaves gradually revealed mysterious patterns, like naturally formed ancient runes. Deep within the lotus heart, a faint golden light flowed.

The sky suddenly darkened, and the spiritual energy within a radius of dozens of miles was forcibly drained, forming a huge vortex of clouds.

All the strange beasts lay prostrate on the ground.

The wolf king lowered his head, and the queen bee folded her wings. Little Jinbao struggled to his feet despite his injuries, his feathers bristling with excitement.

"Master is about to break through!"

Its eyes were filled with fanaticism; at the third rank, its master was able to suppress the entire Black Dragon Mountain.

If one reaches the fifth level, the entire forbidden zone will be completely transformed into a death trap.

However, just as Chu Zhou began to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth...

Deep within Black Dragon Lake, beneath that dark cave, a terrifying aura that had been dormant for a long time suddenly awakened.

A rumbling sound filled the air as the lakebed began to tremble, as if some enormous creature were writhing in the abyss.

A chilling, decaying, and ancient pressure instantly spread out. The next second, a mental wave filled with rage exploded in Chu Zhou's mind.

"Insolence! You foolish ant! I ordered you to offer sacrifices, why do you not offer sacrifices to me?"

This guy couldn't sit still any longer. For some reason, he couldn't break through the seal, so he could only lure Chu Zhou to find sacrificial offerings for him.

Now that he has discovered that Chu Zhou lied to him, he can no longer sit still?

He was about to break through to the fifth rank, and the other party finally couldn't sit still any longer. Deep within the cave, the voice grew increasingly furious: "I bestowed upon you spiritual energy, I granted you opportunities, and I entrusted you with guarding the outer perimeter for me. Why have you been so slow in providing me with food and drink these past few days?!"

"And there are sacrifices, why don't you offer sacrifices to me?"

boom!

A terrifying mental pressure rolled in, as if trying to forcibly suppress Chu Zhou's consciousness. If it were an ordinary beast, it would probably kneel down and submit instantly.

But Chu Zhou suddenly laughed. Sacrifice, blood offerings?

This old thing treated me like a slave, waiting for me to grow up, waiting for me to harvest life for Him and provide for His resurrection.

Unfortunately, He chose the wrong target.

Chu Zhou said calmly, "Old man, are you still half asleep?"

The cave fell silent instantly, and the being seemed stunned.

After so many years, someone actually dared to speak to it like that, and then, it erupted in fury like a volcano.

"You're asking for it!"

The rock strata at the bottom of the lake cracked open, and a phantom image of a giant claw covered in jet-black scales slowly emerged from the depths of the cave.

Just a corner caused the lake water to flow backward, but Chu Zhou remained completely calm. Because he had figured it out.

The other party can't get out; not only can they not get out, but their condition is also extremely poor. Otherwise, how could they have endured until now?

Sure enough, just as the phantom was about to break through the barrier...

Suddenly, the patterns on the Bixi stone, which was suppressing the ancient well, lit up with a crimson-gold light. Amidst the swirling golden runes, the golden chain connecting to the bottom of the ancient well turned crimson red.

hum!

A mysterious and immense pressure emanated from it, and even a wisp of it easily shattered the illusory figure.

Seeing this scene.

Chu Zhou breathed a sigh of relief. Sure enough, this guy still couldn't get out; the seal was indeed powerful.

Chu Zhou's voice carried a hint of mockery: "Let me guess, you've been trapped down there for many years, either your body is failing you, or you're about to die?"

The air fell silent instantly, and the surge of furious energy paused for a moment.

Clearly, Chu Zhou guessed correctly.

"Shut up, you ant! You have no idea how great I am! Once I'm free, you'll be the first one I devour!"

Chu Zhou didn't care at all. He was too lazy to even pretend anymore and laid his cards on the table: "Stop pretending. You're so weak you can't even leave the lake, let alone be the one to be sacrificed to."

"These damned people of mine, the strange beasts they raise, the territory they expand—it's all for my own benefit."

"As for you..."

Chu Zhou paused, and for the first time, a murderous intent flashed in his mental fluctuations.

"Once I reach level five, it will be my turn to go down and eat you."

boom!

The entire cave erupted in chaos, nearly enraging the unknown entity. How many years had it been? It had schemed for countless years, finally nurturing a promising candidate to become the ruler of the forbidden zone. It had wanted to rescue it from its predicament, only to have its traitorous offspring turn around and devour it?

"You wicked creature, how dare you!"

Chu Zhou was too lazy to waste any more words. On the lake surface, the blue lotus suddenly burst forth with dazzling divine light, and he left behind one last sentence.

"What's the rush? Once I've broken through, I'll come and raid your lair."

The next second, boundless spiritual energy surged into his body.

[Fifth-order evolution begins, life level transformation underway...]

The entire Black Dragon Lake was completely transformed into the center of a spiritual energy storm.