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

While inhaling, Chu Zhou calmly said, "Don't be nervous, it's just a little bit, you won't suffer any major loss anyway."

"Ding, Evolution Points +10000."

"Ding, Evolution Points +12000."

The strange rock roared, "You bastard, you think you can't afford to lose big? You're talking to me just to wait for my true power to be revealed?"

Chu Zhou replied earnestly, "Otherwise what?"

The strange stone was furious, its entire body trembling with rage. Yet, it dared not continue cursing, for the more it cursed, the more unstable its emotions became, and most importantly, the happier the lotus demon became.

This was a vicious cycle. Chu Zhou was in a good mood, and after draining a wave of source energy, he turned his attention back to the direction of Crimson Cloud Ridge.

Qingfeng's voice came through, saying, "Master, in the direction of Nanjiang City, that peak third-tier snake demon has died, and the snake swarm in Chixia Ridge is showing obvious signs of agitation."

"In addition, the snakes near the Azure Lotus Forbidden Zone are moving faster."

Chu Zhou said, "It seems that the dead snake was of high status."

Qingfeng continued, "Master, there's one more thing. I've discovered that the snake swarm is dragging the corpses from the battlefield in Nanjiang City toward Chixia Ridge."

Chu Zhou's mind stirred: "A corpse?"

Qingfeng said, "There were human corpses and also the corpses of strange beasts. They didn't eat them on the spot, but dragged them to Chixia Ridge."

Little Jinbao's voice came from high above: "Master, Bird Master also saw it. Those snakes dragged the corpses into the vicinity of that red pool of water."

"That pool of water was constantly bubbling, it looked really disgusting."

Chu Zhou instantly understood most of it.

The Crimson Scale Python's beast tide was probably not simply aimed at conquering Nanjiang City; it was collecting flesh and blood to nourish the crimson spirit pool with the corpses of humans and strange beasts.

In other words, Namjang City is not the ultimate goal, but rather the source of the sacrificial offerings.

Chu Zhou said, "The purpose of the Crimson Cloud Ridge Serpent King is not to attack the city; it is to offer a sacrifice."

Chen Mo was thrown far away to the outskirts of Lingquan Valley, where he could no longer hear Chu Zhou's voice.

Otherwise, he would have been terrified by those words.

Upon hearing this, the strange stone suddenly laughed again: "Lotus Demon, it seems you've finally figured it out."

Chu Zhou's consciousness drifted towards the underground ancient city: "What did you discover?"

The strange stone said in a cold voice, "That pool isn't some kind of spirit pool; it's called a blood nest."

Chu Zhou frowned; it seemed that the strange stone had finally found a topic that allowed him to gain the upper hand.

It chuckled sinisterly, "The Blood Nest is nourished by flesh and blood, and fueled by resentment. That little snake wants to use the Blood Nest to reach a higher level."

"If it really succeeds, the entire Lingnan region will become a snake pit. At that time, even your Qinglian Forbidden Zone will be targeted by it sooner or later."

Chu Zhou remained silent for a moment. Seeing that he didn't speak, the strange stone finally became smug and mocked, "What? Are you scared?"

Chu Zhou said, "No."

The strange stone sneered, "Then why are you silent?"

Chu Zhou said seriously, "I'm thinking, you know quite a lot, so you should be able to reveal a little more."

The giant, scarlet eye of the strange rock froze.

The next second, Chu Zhou's roots had already reached out.

"Ding, Evolution Points +10000."

The strange stone completely broke down, and cursed angrily, "You fucking let me finish what I have to say!"

After the strange rock roared, the entire underground ancient city fell silent for a moment.

Chu Zhou's roots did not retract immediately. The black-gold essence was gradually devoured along the roots, turning into evolution points that entered the system panel.

"Ding, Evolution Points +12000."

"Ding, Evolution Points +10000."

The strange rock was so angry that its giant, scarlet eyes trembled.

"Lotus Demon, I was just about to get down to business when you attacked. Don't you have any sense of propriety?"

Chu Zhou said, "Speak."

The strange stone sneered, "You call this following the rules?"

Chu Zhou said seriously, "You say yours, I'll do mine, we won't interfere with each other."

Strange Rock: "..."

For a fleeting moment, it truly wanted to smash the seal open and perish together with the blue lotus, but alas, the chains rattled loudly.

The runes on the bixie stone statue lit up, and as soon as it moved, the seal forcefully suppressed it back down.

Seeing this, Chu Zhou felt a little regretful: "Don't just move, show some skin."

The strange rock roared angrily, "Shut up!"

Chu Zhou retracted some of his roots and said calmly, "Alright, continue."

The strange rock fell silent. It suddenly realized that it was in a dilemma whether to speak or not. If it spoke, the lotus demon would listen and inhale.

If it didn't speak up, the matter of the Blood Nest would eventually implicate it. After a long silence, the strange stone finally let out a cold snort.

"Blood nests shouldn't exist in a newly revived small world."

Chu Zhou's consciousness stirred slightly.

The strange stone continued, "The so-called Blood Nest is an evolutionary nest that uses flesh, resentment, and remnant souls as nourishment. Ordinary spiritual lands absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, nurturing spiritual herbs and springs."

"But the Blood Nest is different. It devours the essence of life. The more people die, the heavier the resentment, and the faster the Blood Nest grows."

"If that little snake keeps dragging the corpse back to Crimson Cloud Ridge, the blood nest will continue to condense blood marrow."

"Once the blood marrow matures, it will swallow it and have a chance to advance to the fifth rank."

After listening, Chu Zhou immediately understood that the Crimson Scale Python's beast tide was not aimed at conquering Nanjiang City at all.

The siege was merely a pretext; the true purpose was to inflict death.

When humans and alien beasts die, they can become nourishment for the blood nest.

Those low-level beasts charging at the forefront were merely sacrifices in the eyes of the Crimson Scale Python.

Therefore, it is not afraid of heavy casualties from the beast tide at all; in fact, the more beast tide dies, the more blood energy the blood nest obtains.

Chu Zhou said, "I see. This beast has been using all the strange beasts in Nanjiang City and the surrounding mountains as nourishment."

The strange rock chuckled sinisterly, "You're not stupid after all."

Chu Zhou said, "So you finally admit I'm smart?"

The strange stone choked for a moment, then asked in bewilderment, "When did I admit that?"

Chu Zhou said calmly, "Just now."

The strange rock roared, "That was sarcasm!"

Chu Zhou: "I deserve praise."

Strange Stone realized he was about to get angry again, so he quickly suppressed his emotions.

The defense must not be breached; it must absolutely not be breached.

Chu Zhou waited for a while and found that the strange stone had actually held back, which made him feel a little regretful.

That old man is getting more and more cautious these days, but it's not a big problem; there's still a long road ahead.

Chu Zhou looked back towards Chixia Ridge.

Now that we know the true purpose of the Crimson Scale Python, the way to deal with it is clear.

He wouldn't go to save Nanjiang City; it's a city owned by humans, and he certainly wouldn't risk his life against the Crimson Scale Python for the sake of humanity.

However, if the Crimson Scale Python wants to use the flesh and blood of Lingnan to advance to the fifth rank, that won't work. Once the opponent breaks through to the fifth rank, the entire Lingnan mountain range will become its hunting ground for expansion.

Sooner or later, Heilongshan will be targeted, so Chu Zhou must prevent this potential danger from occurring.

"Qingfeng".

Qingfeng's voice came through: "Master."

Chu Zhou said, "From now on, keep an eye on the corpse-dragging snake swarm on Crimson Cloud Ridge. Anyone that enters the area covered by the Azure Lotus Vine Net must be intercepted and killed without mercy!"

Qingfeng respectfully replied, "Yes, sir."

Chu Zhou continued, "Little Jinbao."

High in the sky, Little Golden Treasure immediately responded, "Master, Bird Lord is here."

"Keep an eye on the blood nest, don't get close. I need to know when that blood nest will begin to condense its blood essence."

Upon hearing the name Blood Nest, Little Jinbao immediately expressed his disgust: "Master, that place stinks. Those snakes drag the corpses there, and the blood is bubbling and gurgling. It's disgusting to look at."