However, the worst-case scenario that Ji Yuan had anticipated did not actually materialize.
After capturing the surrounding towns and counties, the rebel army did not continue to expand their territory. Instead, they began to contract the forces they had deployed.
After all, although the Rebirth Tower had been preparing for hundreds of years, and the forces that had allied with it had their own established operations and foundations.
But to control a city or territory, strong cultivators alone were not enough; they also needed sufficient manpower to form armies.
This, precisely, was the area where the rebels were most lacking.
With a large number of cultivators, they could defeat the defending imperial army at the fastest speed. However, to completely control the captured territory, they needed to urgently gather manpower.
Regardless of the means used, they had to assemble a massive army in a short period. Otherwise, relying solely on a group of cultivators would easily lead to them being overwhelmed by the imperial counterattack.
At the same time, Lin Fu County, which was originally located in a remote area, suddenly became 'lively.'
In addition to the tens of thousands of refugees pouring in, there were also imperial armies gathering from all directions. These included both nearby garrisons and scattered troops that had been defeated by the rebels.
An army of approximately thirty thousand soldiers began to set up camp about a hundred miles from Lin Fu County, receiving a continuous supply of provisions from the city.
Despite possessing a large amount of looted wealth, they had to provide for the imperial army while also taking care of the refugees inside and outside the city, which gradually made things tight.
For this reason, County Magistrate Zhang Qingyang wracked his brains. He not only saved as much as possible but also ordered people to patrol the city.
However, most of the gentry and wealthy families in the county town were related to the forces of the Rebirth Tower. They had been arrested and their assets confiscated completely in the past few months.
The remaining ones were not even enough to count on one hand.
Even if these individuals generously contributed their fortunes without reservation, they still couldn't fill the enormous deficit.
The daily consumption of tens of thousands of civilians and a nearly equal number of soldiers was simply too much.
Lin Fu County alone could only last for less than half a month at most!
Fortunately, the surrounding counties also reacted and raised a large amount of supplies, which were then transported to Lin Fu County.
"The supplies were intercepted?"
Three or four days later, Ji Yuan raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on Zhang Qingyang.
Upon receiving the news of the intercepted supplies, the young county magistrate did not hesitate at all and immediately led his men to the Water God Temple on Mount Xiao Yuan.
He was well aware that with the power of the county yamen alone, it was impossible to recover the stolen supplies. The army stationed nearby would also not be able to spare much force to investigate.
Now, the only person Zhang Qingyang could rely on was this powerful Water God.
He had personally witnessed the divine power displayed on that night several months ago, when the Water God had easily killed a cultivator in the middle stage of the third realm!
However, Zhang Qingyang was not a cultivator, and some things he understood the outcome but not the reason behind them. Those who were sent to intercept the supplies would hardly be mediocre individuals.
Ji Yuan pondered, his divine avatar could not easily leave. However, if he sent Li Buwei and the others, their cultivation might not be enough.
After years of cultivation, coupled with the weakened version of the Creation Spirit Spring, everyone's cultivation had only reached the early to middle stage of the second realm. Even the more powerful Li Buwei and Mo Yiyan would not have a great chance of winning against someone in the late stage of the second realm.
Moreover, those sent by the rebels would certainly include cultivators in the late stage of the second realm, and it wouldn't be surprising if one or two in the third realm were present.
Under such circumstances, he naturally would not rashly send his people to face extreme danger for a mere military achievement.
"The City God has not fully recovered, and the Stove God needs to guard Lin Fu County. For now, we can only rely on Lord Water God!"
Zhang Qingyang said in a low voice, showing great humility.
Compared to his first visit to the Water God Temple, there was a world of difference.
This was not only due to the power Ji Yuan had displayed and his background with the Nine Xuan Sect but also because these supplies were extremely important. If they were not recovered.
Not to mention that the imperial army of over thirty thousand would be defeated due to a lack of supplies, Lin Fu County would also collapse completely because it could no longer support the refugees.
Even without accountability from the imperial court, the curses of the common people would be enough to make him commit suicide to atone.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan couldn't help but feel a headache. He couldn't possibly let his main body go out again, could he?
"You go back and stabilize the situation. I'll think about whether there's a solution."
After requesting a document stamped with the official seal, Ji Yuan said this to Zhang Qingyang.
Half an incense stick later, the young county magistrate left with his men, rushing back to Lin Fu County in a hurry.
A moment later, a clone condensed from incense and wish power quietly left Mount Xiao Yuan and headed towards the Fuyuan River at the fastest speed.
Although the true god of the Fuyuan River had shown considerable goodwill that night, Ji Yuan remained vigilant and would not let his avatar enter its territory.
Approximately several hours later, this clone sank to the bottom of the Fuyuan River and soon found the Water Mansion within.
Ordinary river gods were not qualified to build mansions or palaces in the water; they only had temples of varying sizes on the riverbank.
Only the true gods of great rivers had such qualifications, and could also raise their own water soldiers, numbering from a few hundred to tens of thousands.
As soon as it approached the Water Mansion, water soldiers immediately came forward to block it. Even after showing the token of the Fuyuan River God, it was only led to the gate of the Water Mansion.
After the water soldiers reported, Ji Yuan's clone was finally brought inside. It passed through layers of palaces and finally arrived at a secluded courtyard.
The so-called Water Mansion, although built at the bottom of the river, was protected by divine power and formations that isolated it from the surging river currents, making it no different from a mansion on land.
Along the way, Ji Yuan gained some insight. It was indeed worthy of being a place managed by the true gods of rivers throughout history. Its area alone was almost half the size of a county town.
The courtyards, decorations, and furnishings were filled with reasonably large corals and pearls, as well as many colorful, softly glowing giant shells, and many underwater products rarely seen in the outside world.
Many of these items came from the sea, but their presence in the Water Mansion did not feel out of place.
Upon arriving at a secluded courtyard, he immediately saw the true god of the Fuyuan River standing there. He paused for a moment before stepping forward to pay his respects.
"If you are here for a friendly visit, then we can talk about anything. But if it's about matters outside, then say no more."
Before Ji Yuan could state his purpose, the young man spoke first, "I do not want to, nor can I, manage those affairs on the surface."