My whole family time-traveled! I became a god during my exile in a famine.

Chapter 184 The Conflict Escalates
“This water problem will only get worse in the future,” Xin Nian said with a serious expression. “Give each of you three to four bamboo tubes, and don’t lose a single one.”

"Water is the source of life for everyone. We probably won't starve to death after a few days. But as the temperature gradually rises, we will definitely die of thirst without water."

Upon careful consideration, everyone realized that what the Sixth Sister had said was indeed true.

The ground is now ablaze, and the original river water may have already been dried up in large swaths by the heavenly fire.

It is unknown whether the water veins buried deep underground have been affected.

"We have two water-based sorcerers in our group, so we don't need to worry too much about their drinking water. But we must remember not to waste a single drop."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Xin Nian returned to the team with her hands behind her back. Xin Wenyuan told her, "Ancient divination says there will be a turning point in three days. We will inevitably have to spend a few more days in this underground vault."

"We're fine here, but the residential area on the other side of the iron gate has already seen two or three disturbances due to various issues."

"Is there not enough food?" Xin Nian frowned.

If there's not enough food, we can help out a bit, after all, she's really... rolling in money right now.

But of course, food cannot be given away so openly. The principle that a small favor is appreciated but a large one breeds resentment is understood by people in the end times.

Comrade Xie Ninglan has been extremely busy these past few days.

The mother and daughter often hid in the grandmother's small cave dwelling, where they would occasionally go to harvest and plant grain.

The grandmother was quite surprised when she first saw her daughter disappear before her eyes, but she got used to it afterward.

After planting several batches of vegetables and fruits, Comrade Xie Ninglan planted corn for a few days and has now begun to focus on planting rice and wheat.

The Black Soil Space might be the savior sent by heaven to help them.

Things like planting, irrigation, harvesting, and even threshing and milling wheat—all things that require manual labor—are all within the reach of the Sixth Sister.

It saves a lot of trouble.

As long as they are willing to continue planting, it's only a matter of time before their granaries are full.

“There’s enough food.” Xin Wenyuan couldn’t help but praise Lu Xiangying, “Prefect Lu and your uncle are truly the most honest officials we’ve met since we came to ancient times.”

"They had everything arranged perfectly beforehand, and there were no problems."

"However, yesterday, one part of the roof leaked. I don't know if it was due to the fire rain over the past few days or because it was hit by a huge fireball, but anyway, the ground cracked and sparks flowed into the basement through the cracks."

"Well, it's no wonder they're fighting over there. They have more people over there than we do, and the place is definitely more crowded."

"Upon seeing this situation, many people would rush to move away from the collapsed area."

"Your eldest uncle and Prefect Lu went to check. The collapse wasn't too big. Now that the fire and rain have stopped, I estimate that it can hold for another three days without any problems."

"Then why are you making a fuss again?" In Xin Nian's opinion, wouldn't it be fine as long as it's resolved?

It's hard to say what time it is now; all we can say is that it's lucky they have a place to hide.

How many people, unable to dodge the meteor shower on their escape route, might have been killed?

It's already a miracle that we're alive.

"The main problem is the competition for water," Xin Wenyuan said. "They do have a lot of people on their side, and the water collection points are having trouble supplying enough water."

"And I heard that today, two of their water collection points also stopped producing water."

Xin Nian shook her head, her face indifferent. "We can't bring them over. We can only have people from the troupe here."

"We can't tell them about water-based sorcerers either."

Xin Wenyuan nodded, "Of course, the whole group has been notified that anyone who dares to casually reveal the matter of a water-based sorcerer to outsiders will be expelled."

Xin Nian nodded. "Without rules, there can be no order. Some things must be said in advance to remind everyone from time to time, lest some of the less clear-headed people get carried away."

The original intention of forming the group was to lead everyone to work together to overcome difficulties, but anyone who betrays Xin Nian will have to be expelled from the group chat.

We can help them, but we can't let it interfere with their lives.

Xin Nian is willing to do whatever she can.

"As for the water..." Xin Nian took out a cup of crystal-clear stream water, tasted it herself, and handed it to her father.

"how?"

"No, no." Old Xin took a sip of water and shook his head repeatedly. "Is this the stream water from your Black Soil Space? It's too full of energy. Drinking it will make you feel energetic. Even a fool knows there's something wrong with this water."

Xin Nian grinned and took out another cup, "Try this one too."

"Hmm...it's alright. But it's much sweeter than ordinary groundwater. And it also contains a lot of energy. What is this?"

"The spring water is located outside the Camel Peak Temple. But I found that the longer it is stored in the black soil, the clearer and sweeter the water becomes, and the more energy it gradually becomes."

"That won't do either!" Old Xin shook his head repeatedly.

Although my daughter is not afraid of trouble, it's best not to share such special things with most people.

People are selfish, unlike these refugees they know well. They had all fled together and had gotten to know each other in some way.

It's hard to say for outsiders; it's hard to guarantee that none of those people might have malicious intentions.

Helping others doesn't mean being a saint; one must always be wary of others.

"Then we'll have to use tap water," Xin Nian said expressionlessly.

Back in modern times, there was always a shortage of this and that, and the entire team had a hoarding habit wherever they went, wanting to hoard everything they saw.

The base has installed a brand-new filtration system to produce tap water, and provides the public with three hours of water access every day.

Back then, their team would frequently stockpile water in case of emergency.

They use huge water tanks that weigh several tons each, and now they're just sitting there collecting dust in the food section.

“You can’t take it out!” Xin Wenyuan shook his head repeatedly. “That big water tank, it’s huge, it’s obviously not something that could be made here. It’s strange and unusual, if we take it out, people will be watching us.”

"Why don't you ask them to bring over some pots and pans, and you can put them in your grandmother's little cave dwelling?"

"It's troublesome." Xin Nian was a little reluctant.

She couldn't be bothered to put them out for them one by one.

Suddenly remembering something, Xin Nian moved a water balloon from the food section and twirled it between her fingertips.

While the brothers of Longhu Village were working hard, Zhao Xun took a moment to look back and happened to see the little girl spinning a water ball with her fingertips. His eyes almost popped out of his head.

"This?" Xin Wenyuan exclaimed in surprise, "This is the water balloon that Mianmian left behind!"

"This is good, this is good, it's not that big."

"Here's what I'll do. I'll have your uncle go and tell them to bring over a few large water vats. You won't have to fill each basin and jar with water one by one, and it'll be simpler."

Xin Nian put away the water balloon and smiled, "Mm."

Three more days passed in this bickering and arguing. Xin Nian went down to the ground to take a look and came back to inform everyone, "It's raining heavily, and many of the flames have been put out."

"Once the heavy rain stops, we should be able to go out."

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

Being stuck underground felt like an eternity.