Others hadn't noticed Du Dong's subtle movements, but Han Li, just to be safe, had been using his spiritual sense to monitor this person's every action since entering the place.
Now, although Du Dong sat cross-legged on the ground with his head lowered, his lips moved and trembled slightly—he was clearly conducting a secret voice transmission with someone.
There was actually another of Du Dong's accomplices in this room.
Fearing to alert the other party, Han Li didn't forcibly eavesdrop on their transmission, so naturally he didn't know who the second person was. But the only cultivators in this room who could evade a sweep of his spiritual sense without being exposed were the four Core Formation cultivators present.
Han Li's mind raced ceaselessly, his gaze drifting over each of them in turn. For the moment, he couldn't determine which one was more suspicious.
Just then, Silver Moon's voice transmission echoed in his mind.
"Brother Han, the root of the Spirit Eye Tree is also protected within the light barrier. Although I have a way to force my way in, I can't guarantee that I won't alert the Core Formation cultivators inside. Would you like me to break through the barrier?" Silver Moon said softly.
"Don't act rashly! Brute force should be reserved for the very end, when there are no other opportunities. I estimate there will soon be some chaos here, and then it won't be too late to act. Silver Moon, come back first." Han Li immediately rejected her suggestion without a second thought, and recalled her.
Silver Moon didn't resist at all upon hearing Han Li's words. The miniature silver wolf slipped silently back into Han Li's body.
After that, Han Li closed his eyes. Apart from secretly watching Du Dong's movements, he made no other moves.
After an unknown amount of time, Du Dong closed his mouth and stopped transmitting, then simultaneously raised his head to look around, a faint, strange light flickering in his eyes.
Han Li's heart tightened. He was just considering whether the man was about to make his move when Du Dong lowered his head once more. Nothing happened.
Han Li was momentarily taken aback and found it rather strange.
Just then, a thunderous, earth-shattering sound suddenly erupted, and the entire cavern violently shook and trembled. Every meditating cultivator's eyes snapped open in alarm, and they exchanged glances of horror.
The grey-robed elder and the other two cultivators also showed a trace of surprise. The yellow-robed cultivator furrowed his brow and hurriedly rose to walk toward the stone door, but before he could reach it, the cavern entrance opened on its own. The long-faced elder walked in with a grim expression.
"Senior Brother Hu, what's happened!" the yellow-robed cultivator asked urgently.
"This place has been exposed! A group of cowardly cultivators has suddenly appeared outside, attacking the valley's outer barrier. There are Core Formation cultivators among them, and it seems there are even Nascent Soul monsters mixed in. It looks like either the Righteous Alliance or the Six Devil Dao Sects. No other force could muster such a display. Senior Lan has already gone out to oversee the grand formation, but the enemy outnumbers us. You few should come with me to provide support. Only Senior Brother Wei needs to stay here. As for the eye-washing of these disciples, that will be postponed. Fellow Daoist Yue, take these disciples to the quiet room. During this time, if anyone dares to enter the Sacred Tree cavern—Senior Brother Wei, kill without hesitation." The long-faced elder spoke all of this in a single breath, his words laced with killing intent.
"I understand, Senior Brother Hu. Take the others and face the enemy. I will hold this place," the disheveled elder said calmly from within the light barrier.
The long-faced elder's expression relaxed slightly upon hearing this, and he nodded. He immediately departed with the grey-robed elder and the middle-aged man from the Hundred Arts Academy in a hurry.
The yellow-robed cultivator turned to Han Li and the other disciples, issuing his orders without any courtesy: "You all heard. The eye-washing is postponed. Follow me to the quiet room to take shelter for now." With that, he strode away without looking back.
The young cultivators dared not delay and quickly followed after him.
Han Li watched Du Dong obediently follow the group of disciples out of the stone forest and then out of the cavern, showing no unusual behavior. He couldn't help but give a cold, silent laugh, and he too followed along with the others, maintaining his composure.
Since even Du Dong, who harbored ill intentions, remained this calm, why should he be anxious?
But could the events outside really be related to Du Dong?
The timing was just too convenient. Could Du Dong be connected to the people outside while being here?
A faint thread of suspicion still lingered in Han Li's mind.
A short while later, the ten disciples, after the yellow-robed cultivator led them through a circuitous route, were ushered into a relatively large stone chamber. After giving them a few brief instructions, the cultivator hurried away.
He evidently intended to join the battle.
By now, the sounds of explosions in the distance had grown louder, and the ground trembled more violently, as if an intense battle were raging outside.
Although these young disciples were somewhat uneasy, once the yellow-robed cultivator left, they naturally split into groups by sect and began whispering among themselves.
Han Li, Du Dong, the woman surnamed Mu, and Sun Huo—the four of them naturally stood together.
"I never expected that Senior Uncle Bai of the Ancient Sword Gate was actually a spy for the Righteous Alliance! Here I used to think he was just a Core Formation cultivator from a wandering background. I even admired him!" These words seemed to have been bottled up inside Sun Huo for a long time, and he was the first to sigh and speak.