"This is a bit difficult!"
On Xuantian Peak, Ji Yuan's main body stood in the courtyard, a worried frown on his face.
Despite the thousand miles separating them, the main body received everything experienced by his divine incarnation simultaneously.
Therefore, upon learning about the general situation of all the rebels near Linfu County and the intelligence from the Rebirth Tower, even Ji Yuan, in his current state, couldn't help but feel a headache, pondering for a long time without finding a solution.
With the power of Xiaoyuanshan, the divine incarnation, on his own territory, could contend with those in the middle or even late stages of the Third Realm. If he were to lose the advantages brought by various enhancements, even a normal mid-Third Realm cultivator would be helpless against him.
But that was all!
Although Li Buwei's cultivation technique was decent, and he possessed a Natal Magic Weapon, having gone through the complete version of the Fortune Spiritual Spring, he was currently only at the mid-Spirit Touching Realm.
If he unleashed his full power, he could only contend with those in the late Spirit Touching Realm, and that was in a one-on-one fight. Anything more would be stretched thin.
Mo Yiyan's cultivation was acceptable; among the wild cultivators of mountains and rivers, he was considered relatively strong. Even when compared to disciples from well-established sects, he was not inferior.
However, if it were merely cultivators of the same realm, it would be fine. Even if the opponent was just one minor realm higher, he wouldn't dare to claim much certainty of victory.
As for the other cultivators of Xiaoyuanshan, after several years of dedicated cultivation, coupled with the benefits of the weakened Fortune Spiritual Spring, they could at best be considered at the level of sect disciples.
After all, everyone had merely been wild cultivators of mountains and rivers before. Even with ample cultivation techniques, resources, and everything else, they couldn't become stronger overnight.
As for the River God Temple of the Linfu River, the Jiaolong that inherited the divine position possessed the strength of the early Third Realm. Furthermore, it had obtained a divine cultivation technique, divine abilities, and divine arts from the Nine Xuan Sect's library that were extremely suitable for itself.
However, it had only become a god for a few months. Even within the territory of the Linfu River, the combat power it could exert was very limited, let alone the few subordinate divine officials.
The same situation was reflected in Li Qingshan. His cultivation foundation was transformed and forcibly sealed as the Mountain God of Xiaoyuanshan. He possessed the divine power of the early Third Realm but could hardly exert much combat effectiveness.
All these circumstances meant that if anything were to happen, Ji Yuan's divine incarnation would easily find himself with no one to rely on.
"Young Master, if it's truly impossible, perhaps we should bring the disciples from Xuantian Peak out."
Xia Dong said softly from the side.
The Nine Xuan Sect had already mobilized. Elders from each peak personally led teams, guiding disciples to various locations in Feiyun Commandery to engage in battle with the Rebirth Tower and its affiliated forces.
More than half of the inner disciples had been deployed, and two-thirds of the outer disciples had been dispatched. Even more than half of the elders, both inner and outer, were involved.
The sect had also made a significant investment. As long as one killed cultivators from the Rebirth Tower and its subordinates, they would receive generous merit points and rewards. The rewards for completing various missions were also several percent higher than those of the original equivalent level.
The over ten disciples of Xuantian Peak were already eager to show their skills outside the mountain gate, waiting for the sect master's command.
"They... haven't grown up yet!"
Ji Yuan sighed softly, his troubled expression deepening.
The disciples on Xuantian Peak were only around the early Second Realm. As for Lu Yuzhe and a few others, they had recently broken through to the mid-Second Realm.
But this level of strength would hardly play a significant role in the current situation, even though they were all disciples of the Nine Xuan Sect.
"Without weathering storms, how can one grow?"
Xia Dong pondered and said, "I've heard that many disciples from various peaks have broken through their original realms after experiencing life and death."
The path of cultivation was not just about solitary closed-door training. Engaging in combat with others and experiencing life and death repeatedly was also greatly beneficial for enlightenment and could help one rapidly accumulate foundations.
"Gather all disciples, prepare to descend the mountain."
After a long silence, Ji Yuan finally issued the order.
Upon hearing this, Xia Dong bowed slightly and turned to notify the disciples on Xuantian Peak.
Three days later, Ji Yuan's main body led a team of twenty people, leaving the Nine Xuan Sect's mountain gate. Among them were Lu Yuzhe, Zheng Jiaxing, Zhuang Changming, and a group of disciples.
Even Guo Tao and Zhao Yuebai were brought along.
The only ones remaining on Xuantian Peak were Xia Dong and Liao Qiming, and others. It was a complete mobilization.
In just a few days, the group arrived at Xiaoyuanshan and, under Zhu Tao's arrangements, resided in the mountain-top divine temple.
Concurrently, Ji Yuan's main body brought several sets of large formations, which he and his divine incarnation set up overnight in and around Xiaoyuanshan.
This made the place even more secure. Even with several Third Realm cultivators gathered, it might not be easy to break through.
After only three to four days, Ji Yuan's main body, along with a few others, quietly left Xiaoyuanshan and, concealing their presence, entered the territory controlled by the rebels.
Upon entering, they finally understood why there were so many refugees.
The few towns and villages they passed through had basically been reduced to ruins by the war. Apart from orphaned mothers, elderly women, and the aged, there were no adult men. Even twelve or thirteen-year-old boys were nowhere to be seen.
Amidst widespread suffering, they heard that rebels were patrolling repeatedly, capturing all men, even those not yet grown.
The captured men were, without exception, forcibly conscripted into the army and made to pick up weapons to become rebels.
This situation only improved after they arrived at a third-class county town. Although the city was still lifeless and chaotic, at least there were no longer rebels randomly capturing men for conscription.
Evading the rebels, who were everywhere, Ji Yuan and his group hid in an uninhabited courtyard, anger etched on everyone's faces.
As they traveled, they all realized that these rebels had no intention of managing the territories they had captured properly.
Robberies were happening everywhere. The shops in the city had long been emptied. The large mansions had either been ransacked or engulfed in raging flames.
Almost every distance they traveled, they saw slaughtered civilians, their decaying bodies uncollected.
"Our mission this time is to seize the rebels' supplies!"
Ji Yuan's gaze swept over the few people in front of him, his expression slightly solemn.
In addition to his main body, he had brought Zhao Yuebai, Lu Yuzhe, Zheng Jiaxing, as well as Li Junxian and Zheng Wanrong.
Their objective was the supplies that had been looted some time ago and those the rebels had gathered.
If an opportunity arose, it would be best to kill the rebel generals in this area and create more chaos, thereby alleviating the pressure on the Linfu County side.