Ji Yuan couldn't help but sigh softly. The main force of the Rebirth Tower had now gone with the rebels to the border between Feiyun and Tianhe prefectures.
But everyone knew that the Rebirth Tower would never commit all its forces, and some people would surely be left behind in secret.
As for the strength of these people and when they would appear, that was not something outsiders could know.
"Among the three counties, Qian'an County has the best geographical location, followed by Hengshan County, and finally Ma Yuan County."
Li Junxian looked at the map on the table and then said in a deep voice, "The best course of action now is for the Daoist Master to lead the cultivators of Xiao Yuan Mountain to Qian'an County, and the disciples of Xuan Tian Peak to attack Ma Yuan County."
If there truly were cultivators at the Third Realm, then Qian'an County would undoubtedly be the most likely place. Coupled with Ji Yuan's main body taking action, there would be no need for an overly strong force to follow.
And if something unexpected happened, with the strength of the disciples of Xuan Tian Peak, they might still be able to fight for a sliver of survival through a desperate battle.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan slowly nodded, and then his heart stirred. He subtly glanced at Li Buwei, whose brow was slightly furrowed. The latter seemed to have a different opinion but had not spoken it out.
After discussing the details, the group dispersed, returning to their respective rooms to prepare. At the same time, two cultivators from Xiao Yuan Mountain quietly left Hengshan County to inform Wu Tieshan and others more than a hundred miles away.
That evening, in the dead of night, Li Buwei quietly came and went, and before he could do anything, the door in front of him opened on its own.
It seemed Ji Yuan had already known that he would come to see him alone, avoiding others.
"I noticed your expression was a little off during the day."
He looked at the person in front of him and sighed softly, "Tell me, what's wrong?"
Li Buwei chuckled, then shed his usual flippant demeanor, and his expression suddenly became very serious.
After contemplating for a moment, he spoke in a deep voice, "Daoist Master, I don't really have anything major. I just feel... we shouldn't be taking this risk."
The way people addressed Ji Yuan's main body and his divine avatar was different, which seemed awkward but was actually quite common among cultivators.
And once he started speaking, he couldn't stop, pouring out all his thoughts.
Li Buwei had wanted to say something during the discussion that day but seeing the fiery enthusiasm in the eyes of the Xuan Tian Peak disciples, he had suppressed those thoughts.
He didn't quite understand why they had to take such a risk if both options were dangerous.
Was it for the common people, or for the world?
Clearly, this approach could easily put himself and those around him into unfathomable danger.
"Actually, even if we dealt with them one by one and let some escape, it shouldn't be a big problem, right?"
Li Buwei smiled helplessly, not understanding why they were so insistent.
As soon as he said this, Ji Yuan sighed softly, naturally understanding what the other meant.
However, there were some things that he didn't know how to explain at the moment, and he became a little silent.
In fact, Li Buwei's meaning was simple: he felt that some things didn't need to be done perfectly, and there was no need to risk one's own life.
Being able to capture the three counties and liberate the people from the rebels' control was already a significant achievement.
Even if some rebels escaped, it wouldn't cause too much trouble. Although it might lead to more bandits and outlaws in the future, causing innocent people to suffer misfortune.
But... to put themselves in danger because of a possibility?
Moreover, the rebels weren't deliberately let go by them!
"I understand what you mean, but some things are not calculated that way."
Ji Yuan shook his head and then said, "Similar thoughts have become some of their principles since they began cultivating."
The Nine Profound Sect trained disciples not only for inheritance and the growth of the sect but also to cultivate like-minded comrades.
More than eight hundred years ago, this newly established sect, less than a hundred years old, resolutely followed Emperor Tianwu in conquering and expanding territories, not just to seize opportunities.
Considering themselves a righteous sect, they naturally had things they would and would not do. While wholeheartedly seeking immortal enlightenment, they should also care about their fellow mortal beings.
Because of this, most disciples of the Nine Profound Sect, after achieving some level of cultivation, would descend the mountain to travel and fight against evil.
In Li Buwei's view, putting oneself in danger for something that might possibly happen was an unwise choice.
But for the disciples of the Nine Profound Sect, this was a perfectly normal thing to do.
"Don't worry, if we didn't have enough confidence, how could we let them take such risks to do these things?"
Ji Yuan smiled, signaling that the other person didn't need to worry.
Putting others aside for the moment, Zhao Yuebai was his disciple, and he would never allow her to be in mortal danger.
Moreover, Li Junxian and Zheng Wanrong had a close relationship with him, and Lu Yuzhe and Zheng Jiaxing and others had long since joined Xuan Tian Peak.
"Since the Daoist Master has considered it, I will say no more."
Li Buwei smiled wryly, feeling that everything had already been foreseen by the person in front of him.
There were no more words that night, and it was soon dawn.
As the morning sun just rose, Ji Yuan walked out of his room and then came outside the courtyard.
He appeared to be wandering around the city, but in reality, wherever he passed were key points guarded by the rebels and their forces.
With his current cultivation level, after employing some techniques, he would naturally not be discovered. Even cultivators at the Second Realm would not be able to see through that seemingly simple illusionary art.
After a period of wandering, Ji Yuan slowly arrived at one of the wealthiest residences in the city.
The original owner of this place had naturally been driven out long ago, and it had been occupied by a cultivation sect.
As for the substantial wealth, and various properties, they were naturally also taken over by this cultivation sect.
However, because they were not the first to occupy this fortune, the actual benefits they received were not much.
But it was thought to be enough to support more than ten cultivators, and it was somewhat abundant.
As soon as he approached, Ji Yuan sensed that several formations had been set up within the residence. Although their grades were not very high, they could be easily broken by him.
With a thought, the Xuan Tian Devouring Spirit Pagoda in his dantian rotated gently, and a ray of clear light separated, flowing along his meridians to his fingertips.
Under the ray of clear light, the formation in front of him quickly and silently dissolved, creating a gap.
He walked in casually, still covered by an illusionary art, making it impossible for outsiders to see his figure.