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

It was incredibly fast, rushing into the Black Dragon Mountain area in the blink of an eye. However, this time, Little Jinbao wasn't as boisterous as usual; instead, it looked serious.

It landed directly on the shore of Black Dragon Lake and reported to its master: "Master, something has happened."

Chu Zhou's heart stirred: "Speak."

Little Jinbao folded its wings and said, "I flew more than two hundred kilometers to the west and found a mountain range with a very strong spiritual energy."

"There's a huge snake there, a really, really big one. Its aura is probably at the peak of the third rank, and it's trying to break through to the fourth rank."

"Moreover, it guards a black spirit tree, on which three spirit fruits grow."

Chu Zhou's expression shifted.

Black Spirit Tree?

Spiritual Fruit?

"That's a good resource point," Xiao Jinbao continued. "There are quite a few snake-like beasts around that snake, at least several hundred in number."

"I wanted to get closer to take a look, but the snake was quite perceptive and almost spotted me."

At this point, Little Jinbao protested, "If it weren't for the master saying not to cause trouble, I would have given it a swipe of his claws."

Chu Zhou ignored its boasting. A third-tier peak giant python, a swarm of snakes, and a black spirit tree—this was clearly a small, emerging beast force in western Lingnan.

If left unchecked, once that giant python breaks through to the fourth rank and swallows the spiritual fruit, it will inevitably become an obstacle on Black Dragon Mountain's path of expansion.

However, Chu Zhou did not immediately give the order to take action. More than 200 kilometers was a distance that exceeded the restricted area of ​​Heilong Mountain.

Although his Azure Lotus Domain can now cover a hundred miles, his perception and control will be greatly reduced beyond that.

It would be unrealistic to rashly let Qingfeng take action. Qingfeng is a plant-type demon king, and its greatest strength lies in its ability to take root in restricted areas, set up defenses, and control the plant network.

Once it leaves Black Dragon Mountain, its combat power will actually be weakened, and the expansion of the restricted area is not as simple as just stretching out a hand.

The further out you go, the weaker your control becomes, and the greater the risk.

This is why the lords of those forbidden zones in the past would gradually absorb the surrounding spiritual energy nodes instead of directly sweeping across thousands of miles.

Because each spiritual energy node needs to be stabilized, guarded, and integrated into one's own system.

Chu Zhou asked, "How far is that mountain range from Black Dragon Mountain?"

Little Jinbao thought about it carefully: "About two hundred and thirty kilometers."

"Two hundred and thirty kilometers."

Chu Zhou silently thought to himself, "This distance isn't too close, but it's not too far either. If we can take over that spiritual land, it can become the first stronghold for Black Dragon Mountain's westward expansion in the future."

Chu Zhou looked at Xiao Jinbao: "Does that black-scaled python have any intelligence?"

Little Jinbao shook his head: "It looks like there's a little, but not much. It feels far less powerful than Black Tiger. But that guy is very cunning; he hid in the valley pool, and I almost missed him."

Chu is at the peak of the third rank, about to break through to the fourth rank, and is guarded by hundreds of snake-like beasts. This is indeed no ordinary small force.

However, this can be used as the first expedition to Black Dragon Mountain.

Thinking of this, Chu Zhou's voice echoed through Lingquan Valley: "Black Tiger."

In the Spirit Spring Valley, the Black Tiger King suddenly looked up and said in a deep voice, "Your subordinate is here."

Chu Zhou commanded, "Come to Black Dragon Lake."

Not long after, the Black Tiger King transformed into a black shadow and arrived at the lakeside.

At the same time, Shan Kui was also summoned by Chu Zhou. His huge body stood on the shore like a small mountain, while Xiao Jinbao stood on the treetop, his face full of excitement.

It had already guessed that a fight was about to break out. Chu Zhou looked at his three companions and spoke calmly.

"Two hundred and thirty kilometers west of Lingnan, there is a Blackwood Snake Valley. In the valley, there is a peak third-tier Black Scale Python that is currently attempting to break through to the fourth tier. There is also a Black Soul Fruit Tree and that spiritual energy node. I want it."

The mountain beast's eyes lit up instantly. It loved these kinds of simple tasks: fight its way out and take it back. The Black Tiger King also showed its fighting spirit.

Since submitting to Chu Zhou, it has been trying to prove its worth.

This is the opportunity.

Chu Zhou continued, "Shan Kui, you'll lead the main force. Black Tiger, you'll be in charge of commanding the beast horde and sealing off the valley's perimeter. Little Jinbao, you'll be responsible for guiding the way and aerial reconnaissance."

"Remember, this isn't just about killing. What I want is Blackwood Serpent Valley. If the Blackscale Python is willing to submit, I'll spare its life. If it's unwilling, then kill it."

Black Tiger King bowed his head: "Understood, subordinate."

The mountain monster grinned and growled.

Little Jinbao excitedly flapped its wings: "Don't worry, Master, with this bird king leading the way, you definitely won't get lost."

Chu Zhou glanced at it: "You'd better not bring them into the human-controlled area."

Little Jinbao was immediately embarrassed: "Master, you don't trust Bird Master."

The mountain demon roared, its meaning clear: Who would believe you?

Little Jinbao immediately bristled: "You big dummy, shut up!"

Chu Zhou ignored their bickering, and the blue lotus in the center of the lake swayed.

Three pale blue marks flew out and landed between the eyebrows of Shan Kui, Black Tiger King, and Little Golden Treasure, respectively.

"This is a temporary Azure Lotus Mark. Beyond the hundred-mile radius of Black Dragon Mountain, you will not be able to utilize the full power of the domain."

"But this mark allows me to sense your approximate location. If we encounter an invincible entity, we must retreat immediately."

Shan Kui and Black Tiger King bowed their heads simultaneously: "Yes, sir."

Little Jinbao also became serious: "Understood."

Chu Zhou continued, "Black Tiger, just bring a hundred exotic beasts. Too many will easily expose our whereabouts. This is an expedition, not a beast tide."

The Black Tiger King was shocked. It realized that its master's understanding of war was far deeper than it had imagined.

If it were a regular mythical beast, people would definitely think the more the better.

Chu Zhou knew that an expedition of more than two hundred kilometers would only slow down the pace and increase the risks if there were too many of them.

Black Tiger King said in a low voice, "I will select the elite."

Soon, one hundred exotic beasts were selected from the Spirit Spring Valley.

Thirty black wolves, twenty giant leopards, twenty armored wild boars, twenty red-eyed lynxes, and ten mutated mountain cattle.

These strange beasts are the elites that the Black Tiger King has trained in the past few days. Don't underestimate these beasts because of their low rank; they can already understand simple commands.

Looking at the group, Shan Kui scratched its head; it still preferred to charge forward alone.

However, the master said that this is an expedition, and an expedition should look like an expedition.

Little Jinbao circled once in the air and said smugly, "Keep up close, or I won't wait for anyone who falls behind."

The Black Tiger King gave it a cold look: "Enough nonsense, lead the way."

Little Jinbao muttered, "That black guy has no sense of humor."

The next second, it transformed into a golden light and rushed westward. The mountain monster strode forward, its massive body running through the forest.

Black Tiger King followed closely behind with a hundred strange beasts; this was Black Dragon Mountain's first true expedition.

Target: Blackwood Snake Valley.

Watching them disappear into the distance, Chu Zhou did not look away, even though the Black Scale Python was only at the peak of the third tier.

However, the expedition area has already exceeded the restricted zone, which means that Black Dragon Mountain's advantage will be weakened.

He could not suppress all enemies in an instant, just as he could in Black Dragon Mountain.

However, this is a necessary step, if his family can only rely on themselves forever and can only lord it over the restricted area forever.

Black Dragon Mountain will never become a true power; Chu Zhou doesn't need a bunch of pets.

Instead, they are a group of demon kings who can stand alone.