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

"My aura will continue to spread."

"Mountains, rivers, villages, cities—everywhere will be gradually eroded by my aura."

"At that time, humans will become monsters, and alien beasts will become mad beasts."

"The entire Lingnan region will become a breeding ground for pollution."

"If you don't do anything about it, sooner or later those polluting creatures will turn around and surround your Black Dragon Mountain."

The strange rock's voice was full of malice; it seemed to be deliberately trying to provoke Chu Zhou.

If it were an ordinary person, hearing these words might make them waver.

Chu Zhou merely glanced coldly towards the underground ancient city, utterly speechless: "What do I care about the lives of humans?"

The strange stone was dumbfounded; its threat was completely useless.

Chu Zhou continued, "I'm not a savior, and I have no interest in cleaning up humanity's messes."

"If they die, it's because they weren't strong enough."

"But if anyone tries to invade my territory, I will crush it with my own hands."

As soon as he finished speaking, the blue lotus in the center of the lake swayed, and a chilling killing intent traveled through its roots into the ancient underground city.

The strange stone remained silent for a moment, then let out a sinister laugh: "Good, what a cold-blooded lotus demon."

"I'd like to see how long you can hold out."

Chu Zhou was too lazy to waste any more words with it, and thousands of green roots once again plunged deep into the ground.

The strange stone's laughter abruptly stopped, followed by an angry roar echoing from the underground ancient city: "You bastard, you're here again!"

Chu Zhou sneered: "Since you still have the energy to spout nonsense, it seems you can continue to inhale."

A surge of powerful energy flowed into Chu Zhou's body through the roots, and system notifications sounded one after another.

"Ding, Evolution Points +3000."

"Ding, Evolution Points +3000."

"Ding, a faint trace of corrupting intent has been detected. Purification is underway."

……

While absorbing the primordial energy emanating from the strange rock, Chu Zhou also spread his consciousness throughout the entire Black Dragon Mountain.

Qingfeng had just broken through to the fourth rank, and although his aura had stabilized, the pollution and erosion he had just experienced made Chu Zhou realize a problem.

Heilongshan must establish a real pollution defense line.

Not just above ground, but also underground and outlying strongholds.

"Qingfeng".

Chu Zhou's voice echoed throughout the mountains and forests, causing countless vines to sway.

"Owner."

Qingfeng's voice was much weaker than before; after breaking through to the fourth rank, its consciousness was noticeably clearer.

Chu Zhou said, "From today onwards, gather all plant networks."

"Erect a green vine isolation wall within a hundred-mile radius of Heilong Mountain."

"All contaminated plants must be removed, and any organisms carrying pollutants that approach the boundary must be strangled."

Qingfeng responded in a low voice, "Yes, sir."

The next moment, on the outskirts of Black Dragon Mountain, countless vines began to grow again, this time, they no longer spread out in a chaotic manner.

Instead, according to Chu Zhou's will, a huge green vine defense line was formed around the edge of the restricted area.

The vine wall is tens of meters high, and its surface is covered with light blue spiritual patterns.

Each vine seemed to be alive, moving slowly, while Qingfeng pulled out the plants that had just been stained with black patterns one by one.

Some heavily polluted vines had barely struggled before they were directly crushed by the Ten Thousand Vine Forest Prison.

Large swaths of black energy spilled out from the shattered vines, but before it could spread, it was purified by the azure light. Little Jinbao stood on the treetop, watching in astonishment: "After Qingmutou's breakthrough, he's really got something."

The mountain demon let out a low growl.

Little Jinbao immediately became annoyed: "You big dummy, what do you mean? Can't I admit that others are better?"

The mountain monster ignored it.

At the same time, in the underground river, Xuanjia opened its eyes.

Chu Zhou's voice also entered its mind: "Mysterious Armor".

"Owner."

"From today onwards, the underground river is designated as the first warning zone, and any aquatic beasts that pollute the water are prohibited from entering Black Dragon Lake."

"Report it immediately if the crack is found to be widening."

Xuanjia replied in a low voice, "Understood, subordinate."

Its massive body sank into the entrance of the dark river, and on its tortoise shell, water ripples and spiritual light shone.

With the activation of the fourth-tier talent, the Water Suppression Domain, the water flow at the entrance of the underground river instantly became heavy.

The monstrous, polluted fish lurking in the darkness were crushed into a bloody mist by the immense water pressure the moment they got close.

Xuanjia's eyes were cold; from this day forward, this place would be its defensive line.

Nothing dirty can get past it, even though it's over 200 kilometers away.

In Blackwood Snake Valley, the Black Tiger King lay prone around the broken monument, his tiger eyes cold.

In Snake Valley, the snake beasts that had just submitted had been divided into three layers.

The outermost area is patrolled, the middle level is guarded, and the core area is completely sealed off, with no snakes or beasts allowed to approach within ten feet of the broken monument.

Just then, Chu Zhou's voice came.

"Black Tiger".

Black Tiger King immediately lowered his head.

"Owner."

Chu Zhou said, "Blackwood Serpent Valley is the first outer stronghold and also the first sealing node."

"Anyone who displays red eyes, mental confusion, or attacks their own kind."

"kill."

"Any human who approaches the ruined monument will be warned once; if they approach again, they will be killed."

A cold glint flashed in the Black Tiger King's eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "Understood, subordinate."

Chu Zhou continued, "Don't consume that Black Soul Fruit for now. Wait until you've completely stabilized Snake Valley before attempting to break through to the fourth tier."

Black Tiger King bowed respectfully: "Yes."

It knew very well that its master was giving it a chance; as long as it protected Blackwood Serpent Valley, it could become the true core demon king of Black Dragon Mountain.

Thinking of this, the Black Tiger King looked up at the snake beasts in the valley and ordered, "From today onwards, the Snake Valley Guard will patrol the three levels."

"Anyone who approaches the ruins of the monument shall die."

The snakes all lowered their heads, daring not to resist in the slightest. At this moment, the three lines of defense of Black Dragon Mountain were initially formed.

Chu Zhou still did not leave Black Dragon Lake.

He won't protect humans, but he will keep out everything that might threaten Black Dragon Mountain.

at the same time.

Outside Linjiang City, there is an abandoned village.

This place isn't too far from the outer perimeter of Heilong Mountain.

After the spiritual energy was restored, the villagers had already been relocated, leaving only large areas of abandoned houses.

Under the cover of night, the village was deathly silent.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from underground.

A gray-black rat crawled out of the abandoned well; it was about the size of a small dog.

Its eyes were bloodshot, and a row of black bone spurs grew on its back.

Soon, swarms of contaminated rats crawled out of the abandoned well.

They exuded a chilling aura that was remarkably similar to that of the black-striped vines.

Deep within the abandoned well, a pair of even larger, scarlet eyes lit up.

squeak!

A sharp cry pierced the night, and countless contaminated rats began to spread outwards from the abandoned village.

The next morning.

The Ninth Bureau's Linjiang City branch received another request for assistance.

"A large swarm of rats has appeared in an abandoned village in the west of the city, at least a thousand in number. Two members of the patrol team have gone missing!"

Upon hearing the report, Su Wan's face instantly turned ugly.

Her first thought was of the black-striped vine sample that had been sealed away yesterday.

"Could it be caused by polluted air?"

The staff member nodded, his voice tense: "Yes, Captain Su, the pictures sent back from the scene show that those rats all have black stripes on their bodies."

Su Wan did not hesitate: "Notify the academy's practical training class and have them cooperate with our personnel in the clearing operation."

Soon, the assembly alarm sounded again at the Lingnan Awakened Academy.

The students, who had just experienced the practical exercise yesterday, looked noticeably more serious than before.

Jiahao stood in the crowd, his face looking rather grim.

Su Wan's words yesterday felt like a slap in the face, making him feel uncomfortable.

This time, he didn't make any more noise about showing off his skills.

Lin Qingxue stood in the group with a solemn expression. Su Wan walked up to the group and said, "A swarm of polluted rats has appeared in the abandoned village in the west of the city. Your mission this time is more dangerous than yesterday's."

"Everyone must obey orders and not leave the team without permission or act recklessly."

"Anyone who disobeys this order will be immediately expelled from the academy's practical training program."

Everyone responded in unison.

"clear!"

Half an hour later, on the outskirts of the abandoned village.

The convoy stopped, and as soon as everyone got out of the cars, they smelled a pungent, putrid odor.

Black claw marks were everywhere on the cement road at the entrance of the village.

From the dilapidated houses in the distance, rustling sounds could be heard from time to time.

A ninth inning player whispered, "Watch out, they're inside the house."