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

The people in the conference room were shocked. Strategic-level firepower—this was the highest-level operation at this stage.

This clearly demonstrates the headquarters' determination. Zhou Zhenshan said, "Continue to monitor the Qinling Mountains, establish a buffer zone in Shennongjia, and prohibit incursions into the Kunlun area."

"The East China Sea coast has entered a state of high alert."

At this point, his gaze finally settled on the last document, the cover of which read: 〖Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone〗

Everyone in the meeting room looked at Zhou Zhenshan, who then said, "As for Black Dragon Mountain, we'll leave that for further observation."

"No one may enter without my order."

Lei Zhenyue frowned: "Why?"

Zhou Zhenshan looked out at the night sky and after a long while, he finally spoke: "The last time I entered the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone, I used a secret technique to forcibly elevate myself to the fifth rank. I tested Him, and my spiritual power just came into contact with Him."

"It was instantly crushed; I couldn't even determine its exact level of power."

"What?"

The meeting room erupted in uproar, with many people even standing up. No one had expected that Zhou Zhenshan had not actually reached the fifth level.

Wang Jun couldn't help but say, "Director Zhou, what did you just say? Pseudo-fifth rank? When you entered the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone, didn't you actually break through to the fifth rank?"

Sitting on the other side, Elder Ye also frowned. He had always thought that Zhou Zhenshan had taken that first step, becoming the first truly fifth-tier expert in China.

But now it seems that things are not like that. Zhou Zhenshan was silent for a moment, then sighed and said, "No, it is a forbidden technique that uses the cost of burning one's life essence to forcibly enter the fifth level in a short period of time."

The meeting room fell silent instantly upon hearing this.

Everyone's expression changed. Lei Zhenyue said, "Old Zhou, do you know what doing this means?"

Since the resurgence of spiritual energy, human research on higher realms has been limited, but one thing has been confirmed.

That is, realms can only be reached step by step. If the foundation is destroyed, it is almost impossible to break through later.

Forcing cross-border travel is tantamount to pulling up seedlings to help them grow; at best, it damages the source, and at worst, it cuts off the future.

Lei Zhenyue said, "How dare you gamble your future?"

The people in the conference room looked solemn. They finally understood why Zhou Zhenshan had looked much older in the past few days.

The price was indeed so high. Zhou Zhenshan said, "Someone has to try. If even I don't dare to go in, who will?"

Lei Zhenyue and the others were speechless. Many people in the conference room had complicated expressions, because they knew...

At that time, Zhou Zhenshan was the strongest person in the entire Kyushu. If even he didn't go, then no one else would dare to go.

The thought that he had sacrificed so much for the entire Kyushu made everyone feel a heavy weight in their chests.

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

Lei Zhenyue opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately did not utter a word.

His advocacy for war doesn't mean he's brainless. On the contrary, he understands better than anyone what a top-tier expert means to the Nine Provinces today.

If Zhou Zhenshan's future is truly cut off because of that secret technique, it would be an immeasurable loss for the Ninth Bureau and for the entire Kyushu.

Old Master Ye's face was grim, and he said in a deep voice, "How is your health now?"

Zhou Zhenshan waved his hand: "We can still manage."

Wang Jun said with a wry smile, "Director Zhou, tell me, what do you mean by 'still able to hold on'?"

Zhou Zhenshan waved his hand and said with a smile, "At least until the new fifth tier appears, I can still sit here."

Hearing this, many people in the conference room had tears in their eyes.

Zhou Zhenshan didn't want to continue the topic and said directly, "Now is not the time to discuss my personal issues."

"The spiritual energy recovery has entered its second phase. From now on, it won't just be Awakened Ones and Beasts that will be affected."

"Ordinary people will also get involved."

Elder Ye nodded and took out another document: "According to data submitted by hospitals across the country, in the past half month, a large number of spiritual energy indications have appeared nationwide."

Symptoms include high fever, coma, abnormal muscle strengthening, pupil discoloration, auditory hallucinations, and even brief periods of loss of control.

"Some people successfully awaken, while others suffer physical breakdowns after failing to awaken."

Wang Jun's face darkened: "What's the mortality rate?"

Old Ye paused for a moment: "The number isn't high right now, but it's increasing."

The faces of everyone in the conference room were grave. This was even more troublesome than the restricted area itself, which at least existed in the mountains or at sea, and could be sealed off or garrisoned.

But ordinary people in the city, in every building, every street, every school, may experience a loss of control and awakening.

Lei Zhenyue said in a deep voice, "Therefore, we must establish order as soon as possible."

Zhou Zhenshan nodded: "That's right, send the order to all branches across the country."

"The registration system for awakened individuals has been launched ahead of schedule, and major hospitals have set up Reiki adaptation departments."

"The school has added a Reiki safety course. Large dogs, birds of prey, and reptiles are all under special management."

"All incidents of pet mutations causing injuries will be treated as dangerous beast incidents."

At this point, Zhou Zhenshan said in a deep voice, "In addition, the King Hunting Plan will be launched in three days. The Changbai Mountain Tiger King must be dealt with before it breaks through to the fifth rank."

A cold glint flashed in Lei Zhenyue's eyes: "I'll take charge personally."

Zhou Zhenshan looked at him: "Okay, but remember, don't underestimate your opponent."

Lei Zhenyue sneered: "Just a beast."

Zhou Zhenshan shook his head: "If you still treat it like an ordinary beast, you will die."

Lei Zhenyue's smile vanished instantly, and the meeting room fell silent once more.

Zhou Zhenshan said in a deep voice: "From now on, all beasts of the fourth rank and above will be dealt with according to the intelligent target."

"They can escape, play dead, set ambushes, and even learn our tactics."

"Anyone who dares to be careless will pay the price."

Lei Zhenyue said, "Understood."

After the meeting, orders were sent from Beijing to the rest of the country.

Meanwhile, the lives of ordinary people across Kyushu were also quietly changing.

The emergency room at the Third People's Hospital of Linjiang City was already overflowing with people, and the corridors were filled with anxious family members waiting.

A boy of seventeen or eighteen lay on the hospital bed, his body burning hot, with what appeared to be a red glow flowing beneath his skin.

His mother was so anxious that tears streamed down her face, and she clung to the doctor's sleeve, refusing to let go.

"Doctor, what's wrong with my son?"

"He was fine last night, but this morning he developed a fever of 41 degrees Celsius."

"Fever reducers aren't working either."

The doctor was sweating profusely, but could only comfort him, "Don't worry, the preliminary assessment is that it's a spiritual energy adaptation reaction, and we've already notified the Ninth Bureau's medical team."

As soon as he finished speaking, the boy on the hospital bed suddenly opened his eyes. His eyes were bloodshot, and he slammed his fist on the side of the bed.

boom!

He actually managed to bend the metal railing with his bare hands, causing the surrounding family members to scream and back away in fright, and several nurses to turn pale.

Just as the boy was struggling to sit up, two officers from the Ninth Bureau, dressed in black uniforms, rushed over.

One person held down the boy's shoulder, while the other took out a sedative and injected it.

The boy struggled for a few moments before finally falling into a deep sleep.

The hall was deathly silent; even the most ordinary people felt a chill run down their spines.

That punch just now didn't seem like something a normal person could throw; it was beyond the realm of ordinary people.

And this kind of situation doesn't only happen in hospitals.

Linjiang No. 7 Middle School.

In the afternoon class, the teacher was lecturing when suddenly a gasp came from the last row of the classroom.

A little girl's hair moved on its own even without wind.

A faint blue light emanated from the ends of her hair, startling the surrounding classmates who quickly backed away. The girl herself was also frightened and cried.

"Teacher, am I going to turn into a monster?"

The homeroom teacher's face turned pale, but she tried to remain calm and said, "Don't be afraid, everyone stay away. I'll contact the school's spiritual safety officer right away."

Soon, the campus loudspeaker broadcasted.

"All students should remain in their classrooms and not move around unnecessarily."

"Awakening reactions are a normal phenomenon, please do not panic."

The more the broadcast said this, the more nervous the students became, some with envy in their eyes, and others with fear on their faces, because everyone knew.

Successful awakening means a complete change of destiny, but failure to awaken may lead to madness or even death.

The vegetable market was equally chaotic.

The chickens and ducks that were originally kept in cages suddenly became unusually agitated.

A rooster with red eyes pecked through the wire mesh and rushed out, chasing the stall owner.

The elderly woman buying groceries nearby was so frightened that she dropped her shopping basket.

"My goodness, this chicken is possessed!"

The stall owner grabbed a rolling pin and smashed it.

As a result, the rooster flapped its wings and leaped more than two meters high, almost pecking his eye.

Finally, auxiliary police officers from the Ninth Division, who were patrolling nearby, arrived and shot the mutated rooster dead on the spot.

The onlookers turned pale as they stared at the chicken still convulsing on the ground.

Previously, people had only heard of strange beasts in the deep mountains, but now they finally realized that the changes were not limited to the mountains.

They could also appear in farmers' markets, schools, hospitals, or even in one's own home.

That evening, major cities across the country simultaneously issued announcements.

Citizens are advised not to touch any unusual animals without authorization.

Large domestic dogs, birds of prey, snakes, lizards, and other pets must be registered within seven days.

If you experience symptoms such as high fever, coma, abnormal strength, or auditory hallucinations, please go to the designated hospital immediately.

Unauthorized entry into the area surrounding the restricted zone is prohibited.

The announcement caused an uproar online, with some people excited and others fearful.

Some people see this as an opportunity for ordinary people to turn their lives around, while others believe that the end of the world has arrived.

"My neighbor's dog suddenly grew to over a meter tall last night, it scared me to death."

"My son seems stronger after having a fever. Is he experiencing a mental awakening?"

"When does the Awakener Academy start enrolling students? I'd like to apply."

"Don't get your hopes up. My friend failed to awaken and is still in the hospital."

Is it true that someone from that village in Changbai Mountain has gone missing?

"I heard it was the tiger king that ate people."

"Why is there no movement from that blue lotus on Black Dragon Mountain? Is that actually the safest place?"

"You don't know anything. The quieter it is, the scarier it is."

Various messages were flying around, panic began to spread, and order was gradually changing.

Chu Zhou was unaware of the changes happening in the outside world.

Above Heilong Lake, the silvery moonlight was dreamlike, and the entire lake was enveloped in silvery-white light. In the center of the lake, a blue lotus, tens of meters tall, quietly took root.

A large amount of spiritual energy from heaven and earth converged from all directions, and Chu Zhou circulated the power within his body.

Countless roots penetrate the rock layers at the bottom of the lake and extend deep underground.

Meanwhile, in the underground ancient city, the blood-red patterns on the surface of the strange rocks kept flashing.

Every so often, a wisp of black-gold primordial power would be quietly drawn away by Chu Zhou.

"You bastard, Lotus Demon, stop right now!" the strange stone roared angrily.

However, it had no effect whatsoever, and Chu Zhou had even become too lazy to pay attention to it, as the system notification sound kept ringing out.

"Ding, Evolution Points +3000."

"Ding, Evolution Points +3000."

……

Evolution points are increasing at a steady rate. At the same time, Black Dragon Mountain is also undergoing subtle changes, with Qingfeng being the first to show signs of change.

As a plant-type demon king, his vines are now spreading wildly around the entire perimeter of Black Dragon Mountain.

Green vines can be seen everywhere, in the valleys, in the forests, and even in the crevices of rocks.

These vines connect with each other, forming a large net that covers the entire Heilong Mountain.

Any strange beast that enters will be detected immediately, and Qingfeng's consciousness continues to spread along the vines.

Although it doesn't like to talk, it is extremely efficient.

In just a few days, the defenses around Heilong Mountain were upgraded to a whole new level.