In the half-month of full preparations in Linfu and Shilong counties.
Ji Yuan had already led his men, quietly departing the two counties and infiltrating the territory of the target three counties.
This time, except for Zhu Tao and three cultivators from Xiaoyuan Mountain who stayed behind, everyone else moved out, including all the disciples of Xuantian Peak.
Among them, the weakest had reached the early stage of the second realm, so the distance of several hundred li was not too far for them.
If they had taken the main roads, it would undoubtedly have taken more time. However, with their cultivation, they could simply cross mountains and rivers.
Therefore, in just a day or two, after expending a large amount of spiritual energy, a group of people arrived at Gan'an County, one of the three.
Now, with more than half a month having passed, they had roughly toured all three counties and understood the situation there.
Compared to Shilong County, the situation in the three counties, including Hengshan, was infinitely better.
The rebel army occupying this area, although they also engaged in raiding homes and extorting vast wealth, targeted only the rich and powerful, and did not harm ordinary citizens.
Even under the control of the rebel army, there were no instances of arbitrary killing of civilians in the three county towns. Some restless martial arts factions were even suppressed.
But precisely because of this, there was almost no force to resist the rebel army in the three counties. It was becoming unrealistic to attempt a pincer attack again.
Fortunately, none of them had ever placed their hopes on such matters.
"Let's all state your opinions."
In a courtyard in Hengshan County, Ji Yuan surveyed the group before him, his gaze sweeping over each person.
Only Li Buwei, Mo Yiyan, Liu Qi, as well as Zhao Yuebai and Lu Yuzhe from Xuantian Peak, were able to enter this room.
After speaking, he said no more, leaning back in his chair and quietly observing the people before him.
Seeing this, Li Junxian and Zheng Wanrong remained silent. Even Li Buwei and the others stood by quietly.
With their discerning eyes, they could naturally see that Ji Yuan was deliberately cultivating these individuals, not only in their cultivation but also in their ability to handle matters.
Therefore, they all chose to remain silent for the time being, waiting for Zhao Yuebai and the others to express their thoughts first.
"Master, I think we can divide into three teams and simultaneously launch attacks on Hengshan and the other counties!"
Zhao Yuebai was the first to speak, his eyes flashing with intelligence. "The people from Xiaoyuan Mountain can form one team, the disciples of Xuantian Peak another, and Master, you can take charge of one of them."
"Then, all we need to do is to break open the city gates from within, let in the army from Linfu County, and then we can slaughter our way into the county yamen."
The strength of Hengshan and the other three county towns was no match for these formidable cultivators, and they would have no power to resist. Capturing them would naturally be a simple matter.
If a large army were to attack, a county town guarded by several hundred rebels would require at least three to four times the manpower, and a direct frontal assault without regard for casualties would be necessary.
However, their advantage lay in their cultivators. The strongest forces in the three counties were at most one or two early-stage Dianling realm cultivators.
Therefore, there was no need for any intricate strategies or cunning plans; they could simply overwhelm them with absolute power.
"That's not feasible. We can only see the surface of the forces in the three counties."
Zheng Jiaxing shook his head. "Currently, no one can be sure if they have any hidden trump cards."
If they acted rashly, who knew if a late-stage or even peak second-realm cultivator might suddenly appear?
It was not entirely impossible for a third-realm existence to suddenly appear.
Although third-realm cultivators were rare, it was relative to the number of second-realm cultivators. A prefecture would have hundreds of them.
Some were loyal to the imperial court, some held high positions in certain sects, and many were sect leaders of small sects.
The largest number, however, were mountain and swamp hermits and rogue cultivators. Given the vast base population, even if cultivation was difficult, their numbers would not be small.
Therefore, no one could guarantee that there were no third-realm mountain hermits or rogue cultivators who had defected to the rebel army and the Samsara Tower, and were left behind as disposable pawns due to their weaker strength.
But even if their strength was weak, it was relative to their own realm. For the people here, anyone other than Ji Yuan would be powerless to resist if they encountered such a person.
Even the possibility of safely escaping was slim.
While Zhao Yuebai and the others possessed exceptional talent and had the potential to become inner disciples of the Nine Xuan Sect, they would need sufficient time to grow.
The least amount of time they had cultivated was three to four years, and the most was six to seven years. It was already considered very good for them to have reached their current cultivation level.
However, compared to a third-realm existence, it was still far from sufficient.
"Let's take them down one by one!"
Lu Yuzhe spoke, then fell silent, and after a moment, shook his head and dismissed his own idea.
The main objective of their military orders was to reclaim lost territories, but the complete annihilation of the rebel army was also an indispensable part of the mission.
If they attacked them one by one, the rebel forces, upon receiving the news, would certainly scatter. Whether they would turn from overt resistance to covert sabotage and harm civilians, or become bandits and wreak havoc, was uncertain.
However, either possibility was not a good outcome for them. Even if no one was held accountable in the end, they would not be able to reconcile with themselves.
"Attacking them one by one is naturally not an option. If any rebels escape, it will ultimately be a scourge."
Seeing that the time was right, Li Junxian finally spoke up to offer guidance. "However, dividing the troops is not entirely impossible."
He pointed to the locations of Mayuan County and Gan'an County on the map, and finally stopped at Hengshan County.
The group was silent for a moment, then quickly reacted, their faces showing contemplation.
"We can first capture Hengshan County, and then divide our forces to attack the other two counties."
Seeing the thoughtful expressions on their faces, he said with a smile.
This was not a profound strategy, but rather the most practical method at the moment.
In this way, the rebel forces in the other two counties would likely be attacked before they even received the news and could make any moves.
The only point that needed to be considered was whether there were any third-realm cultivators hidden among the enemy.
No matter which side a third-realm cultivator appeared, Ji Yuan could not reach them in time. And if he accompanied one side, and a situation arose on the other, the outcome would be the same.
"Dao Master, can't the divine avatar be used?"
Zheng Wanrong's gaze turned, with a hint of inquiry.
If Ji Yuan's divine avatar could be used, these problems would naturally not exist. In Lu Yuzhe's words, they could just attack directly.
However, the current divine avatar needed to guard Shilong County, which had just been captured, to prevent attacks from the forces secretly left behind by the Samsara Tower.