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

In the later stages of the spiritual energy revival in my previous life, what was truly terrifying was never the scattered exotic beasts, but rather the gradually forming forbidden zones.

The Qinling White Ape King, the Changbai Mountain Tiger King, the Kunlun Heavenly Gate, and the East Sea Dragon Palace—these places were all nightmares for humans in their past lives.

Especially in the East China Sea, the speed of change far exceeded that on land. By the time humans truly realized what was happening, countless terrifying behemoths had already been born in the ocean.

Chu Zhou knew very well that although he had already reached the fifth level, he was still far from being able to do so in the future.

"We can't just keep guarding Heilong Lake."

Chu Zhou felt heavy-hearted, but he didn't hesitate and released his mental fluctuations, which spread throughout the entire Black Dragon Mountain.

"Mountain Demon, Black Armor, Green Blade, Little Golden Treasure, come to see me immediately."

At the same time, the mental fluctuations instantly entered the minds of all the relatives.

Deep in the valley, the mountain demon, who was carrying a giant rock to cultivate his power, suddenly stopped.

It dropped boulders weighing tens of tons, its massive body running through the forest, each step causing the earth to tremble violently.

Deep in the lake, Xuanjia opened its eyes, and its huge turtle body rose from the bottom of the water, instantly creating a large wave on the lake surface.

In the dense forest, countless vines of Qingfeng contracted and swayed, as if awakening from a deep sleep.

Little Jinbao was the most enthusiastic: "The meeting is starting! Master is starting a meeting! The first Demon King Conference of Black Dragon Mountain has begun!"

It called out as it flapped its wings and flew to the lake.

Before long, the four great families gathered at Black Dragon Lake. The mountain spirit, resembling a small mountain, stood on the shore.

Xuanjia's body was half above the water, with runes flowing on its tortoise shell.

Green vines hang down, covering a large area of ​​the lake shore.

Little Jinbao stood on a blue stone, head held high and chest puffed out.

Chu Zhou looked at them and felt somewhat satisfied.

The fighting force that Heilongshan can truly boast of is now taking shape.

The Mountain Demon possesses a formidable physical body, making it suitable for head-on attacks. The Mysterious Armor boasts unparalleled defense and control over waterways. The Azure Edge excels in control and containment, while Little Golden Treasure is the fastest and can patrol the skies.

But that wasn't enough, far from enough. Chu Zhou spoke directly: "From this day forward, Black Dragon Mountain will no longer guard only Black Dragon Lake."

Upon hearing this, the four members of the family were quite surprised, and Little Goldfish's eyes lit up instantly: "Master, are we going out to fight?"

Chu Zhou said, "It's not just about fighting, it's about expansion. I want all the exotic beasts, spiritual plants, aquatic creatures, and birds within a hundred miles of Black Dragon Mountain to submit."

"Those who are willing to submit may enter Black Dragon Mountain; those who are unwilling to submit and dare to provoke will be killed."

As he finished speaking.

An overwhelming pressure swept across the heavens and earth, causing countless strange beasts on Black Dragon Mountain to simultaneously prostrate themselves on the ground, trembling in fear.

Excitement gleamed in the mountain beast's eyes; it had long wanted to go out and fight. The black armor remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

The green vines swayed, emanating a chilling spiritual energy.

"Yes, ma'am."

Little Jinbao was so excited he almost flew away.

"Hahaha, it's finally my turn to show off my might! Master, don't worry, I'll take care of the skies. Anyone who dares to disobey, I'll twist their head off!"

Chu Zhou glanced at it: "You should break through to the fourth rank before you start bragging."

Little Jinbao choked for a moment, hugged the crystal core tightly, and said excitedly, "Don't worry, Master, I'll be able to break through soon."

Chu Zhou ignored it and continued, "Shan Kui, you're in charge of the southeastern forests. That's where the most exotic beasts are."

"I sensed a peak third-tier black tiger occupying a spiritual spring."

"If you can subdue them, bring them back; if not, kill them directly."

The mountain monster grinned, revealing a mouthful of fangs, and let out a low growl.

"Xuanjia, you are in charge of the downstream water system of Black Dragon Lake."

"There are several mutated water snakes there, devouring aquatic creatures. Subdue them or eliminate them."

The black armor sank into the water, leaving only its enormous eyes visible, and said in a muffled voice, "Yes."

Chu Zhou looked at Qing Feng: "Qing Feng, you are in charge of expanding the plant domain. I want to establish the first line of defense around Black Dragon Mountain. Any human or beast that sets foot there must be detected immediately."

Countless vines hung down from the green blade.

"clear."

Finally, Chu Zhou looked at Xiao Jinbao.

"Little Jinbao, you're in charge of patrolling the skies."

"Focus on exploring other mountainous areas in Lingnan. If you discover any beasts of level four or higher, do not act rashly; return immediately to report."

Little Jinbao was about to pat his chest and guarantee it when he heard Chu Zhou say not to be impulsive, and he immediately became somewhat dissatisfied: "Master, with my current peak third-tier strength, I should have few rivals, right?"

Chu Zhou said coldly, "This is an order."

Little Jinbao didn't dare to speak. His owner had given the order; what could he say?

Shan Kui let out a low growl, mocking Xiao Jinbao. Sensing Qingfeng and Xuanjia's contempt for him, Xiao Jinbao immediately flew into a rage: "What do you mean? I'm the leader of all the birds in Black Dragon Mountain now!"

Chu Zhou ignored it. This little sparrow just loved to brag, and its quirky personality left him feeling helpless.

The next moment, a blue light bloomed in the center of the lake. Four pale blue spiritual patterns flew out from Chu Zhou's body and landed between the brows of his four attendants.

In an instant, Shan Kui, Xuan Jia, Qing Feng, and Xiao Jin Bao all trembled simultaneously. They felt their connection with Chu Zhou become even stronger.

Even as long as one is within the Black Dragon Mountain domain, one can borrow a portion of the power of the Azure Lotus domain.

Chu Zhou's voice was calm: "This is the Azure Lotus Mark. With this mark, your recovery speed and spiritual energy absorption speed will be increased within my domain."

"But remember, don't let me down."

"Yes, ma'am."

The four retinues bowed their heads simultaneously, and upon receiving instructions, all left Black Dragon Lake.

Watching this scene, Chu Zhou felt a sense of anticipation. Starting tonight, Black Dragon Mountain would no longer be just a restricted area.

It was a real force, a force belonging to Chu Zhou.

In the southeastern mountains, night fell, and Shan Kui fled wildly after leaving Black Dragon Lake.

Its massive body was like an out-of-control steel chariot, snapping trees in its wake.

The strange beasts along the way sensed its aura and trembled with fear.

They dared not approach at all; the Mountain Demon had now reached the peak of the third rank. He was just one step away from the fourth rank, and he also possessed the Azure Lotus Mark bestowed upon him by Chu Zhou.

With strength far exceeding that of ordinary third-tier beasts, the Mountain Demon stopped half an hour later, and a huge valley appeared before it.

A rich spiritual energy wafts towards you.

In the center of the valley, a spiritual spring with a diameter of more than ten meters is constantly gushing out, and a large amount of spiritual energy from heaven and earth permeates the surroundings.

Around the spirit spring, a large number of strange beasts gathered.

There were hundreds of black wolves, tusked wild boars, and giant leopards, and in the very center, a black tiger nearly five meters long was lying on a boulder.

His body was shrouded in black demonic energy, and his pair of golden tiger eyes were full of majesty.

At the peak of the third tier, the Black Tiger King also sensed the arrival of the Mountain Demon. It slowly opened its eyes, a dangerous glint flashing in them.

"roar!"

It let out a tiger's roar, which shook the mountains and forests, echoing throughout the entire valley. All the strange beasts immediately stood up, their eyes filled with murderous intent as they looked towards the entrance.

However, the next second, a roar even more ferocious than a tiger's roar resounded throughout the heavens and earth.

With a single step, the mountain beast appeared before all the strange beasts, its several-meter-tall body radiating a terrifying pressure that caused many of them to retreat on the spot.

The Black Tiger King's eyes suddenly shrank; it could sense that the huge creature before it was very dangerous, extremely dangerous.

The mountain monster grinned, revealing its gleaming white fangs, and, remembering its master's instructions, tried its best to appear more civilized.

"Submit at the master's command, or die."

The entire valley fell silent, and countless strange beasts stared in disbelief. They clearly hadn't expected that this terrifying giant ape could actually speak.

Upon hearing this, the Black Tiger King immediately stood up, its massive body radiating a strong demonic aura.

"Master? A powerful figure like you would actually submit to someone else?"

Shan Kui scratched his head, revealing a simple and honest smile, and said, "Because my master is much stronger than me."

The Black Tiger King sneered, "Then let him come himself. He thinks he can make me submit? On what grounds?"

The mountain monster's eyes turned cold; it had lost its patience.

The master said that if you can't subdue it, just fight it.

Thinking this, Shan Kui grinned widely and said, "So you're not convinced?"

The Black Tiger King lowered his body, his demonic aura soaring to the sky: "You are welcome to try."

boom!

As soon as he finished speaking, the Black Tiger King vanished instantly, his enormous figure transforming into a black lightning bolt as he pounced on the Mountain Demon at incredible speed.

The sharp tiger claws tore through the air, but the mountain monster didn't dodge at all and threw a punch directly.

Boom!

As fists and claws collided, a terrifying shockwave swept outwards, instantly shattering dozens of ancient trees. The Black Tiger King's expression changed drastically as it discovered...

He was actually blasted back by a single punch, while Shan Kui only took half a step back.

"this one?"

Shan Kui paused for a moment, then grinned: "I thought you were really good, but it turns out you're not so great after all."

The Black Tiger King was instantly enraged, its roar shaking the heavens as it pounced once more, and the great battle erupted completely.

Boom! Boom! Boom! The valley trembled violently as the bear and tiger clashed violently. Rocks shattered, trees collapsed, and countless strange beasts fled in terror.

Ten minutes later, the Black Tiger King was covered in blood and his breath began to weaken, while the Mountain Demon became more and more excited as the fight went on.

Just then, a fluctuation suddenly emanated from its body.

boom!

An even more powerful aura surged into the sky, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth gathered wildly. The mountain beast's body swelled up again, its original seven-meter-tall form now standing tall.

He broke through to nine meters, his muscles as if cast in steel.

Fourth tier!

At this moment, Shan Kui actually broke through in the midst of the battle, and Black Tiger King was in utter despair.

Shan Kui laughed heartily, "I've broken through, Master! I've broken through!"

It was as excited as a child.

Looking at the Black Tiger King again, a huge fist was thrown out, and the Black Tiger King was smashed into the mountain.

The entire mountain shook violently, countless rocks tumbled down, and the dust settled. The Black Tiger King lay in the deep pit.

With all its bones broken and utterly powerless to resist, the mountain demon walked up to it, its voice low and menacing: "I'll ask you one last time, submit or die?"

The Black Tiger King remained silent for a long time before finally lowering his head: "I am willing to submit."