Chapter 628

No one noticed Du Dong's subtle movements, but Han Li, to be on the safe side, had been monitoring him with his spiritual sense since entering this place.

Though Du Dong now sat low with his head bowed, his lips moved slightly, clearly whispering to someone via telepathy.

There was another accomplice of Du Dong in this room.

Afraid of alerting the other party, Han Li did not forcibly eavesdrop on their telepathic exchange, so he did not know who the other person was. But the only cultivators who could evade his spiritual sense sweep without revealing themselves were the four Core Formation cultivators in this room.

Han Li's mind raced swiftly as his gaze swept over each of them in turn, yet he could not yet determine who was more suspicious.

At that moment, a telepathic voice echoed in Han Li's mind.

"Brother Han, the roots of this Spirit Eye Tree are also protected by a light barrier. I have a way to forcibly penetrate it, but I cannot guarantee I won't alert the Core Formation cultivators inside. Do you want me to break through the barrier?" Yin Yue said softly.

"Don't act rashly! Forceful tactics must be reserved for the last resort when no other opportunity remains. I suspect chaos will break out here soon—then we can act without delay. Yin Yue, return now." Han Li rejected the suggestion without hesitation and recalled her.

Yin Yue obeyed Han Li's words without resistance; the miniature silver wolf slipped soundlessly back into his body.

Han Li then closed his eyes, paying only silent attention to Du Dong's actions, making no further moves.

After some time, Du Dong fell silent, raised his head, and glanced around, a strange glint flickering in his eyes.

Han Li's heart tightened, wondering if Du Dong was about to act—yet Du Dong lowered his head again, and nothing happened.

Han Li paused, puzzled.

Suddenly, a deafening sound like heaven collapsing and earth splitting roared forth, and the entire cave trembled violently. All the meditating cultivators snapped open their eyes in shock, staring at each other in horror.

The gray-robed elder and two others also showed faint surprise; the yellow-robed cultivator frowned and immediately rose to head toward the stone door.

But before he reached it, the cave entrance opened on its own, and the long-faced elder entered with a dark expression.

"Brother Hu, what's happened?" the yellow-robed cultivator asked urgently.

"This place has been exposed! A group of secretive cultivators has suddenly attacked the outer array. There are Core Formation cultivators among them—and even a Nascent Soul elder. They're not from the Righteous Alliance, nor are they from the Six Demon Sects. No other faction would dare such a bold move. Elder Lan has gone out to manage the array, but the enemy is too numerous. You four should come with me to assist. Only Brother Wei needs to stay behind. As for the eye-washing ritual for these disciples, postpone it. Brother Yue, take these disciples to the quiet chamber. During this time, if anyone dares enter the Holy Tree Cave, Brother Wei, kill them on sight." The long-faced elder spoke rapidly, his voice brimming with lethal intent.

"Understood, Brother Hu. Go lead the others against the enemy—I'll guard this place." A calm voice came from within the barrier, from the long-haired elder.

Hearing this, the long-faced elder's expression eased slightly as he nodded, then hurried out with the gray-robed elder and the middle-aged man from the Baiqiao Academy.

Seeing this, the yellow-robed cultivator turned to Han Li and the other disciples and ordered bluntly:

"You all heard. The eye-washing ritual is postponed. Follow me to the quiet chamber for now." He then strode off without looking back.

The young cultivators dared not delay and hurried after him.

Han Li watched as Du Dong obediently followed the group out of the stone forest and then out of the cave, showing no unusual behavior. He silently sneered—he followed the crowd without revealing his thoughts.

If even Du Dong, a man with ill intent, remained so composed, why should he rush?

Yet could the events outside truly be connected to Du Dong?

The timing was too perfect. Could Du Dong still be in contact with someone outside?

Han Li still felt a faint thread of suspicion.

Moments later, after winding through a maze of corridors, the ten disciples were led into a larger stone chamber, given a few instructions, and then the yellow-robed cultivator hurried away.

Clearly, he intended to join the battle.

At this moment, the distant explosions grew louder, and the ground shook more violently, as if a fierce battle raged outside.

Though the young disciples were uneasy, once the yellow-robed cultivator left, they naturally grouped themselves by sect and began whispering among themselves.

Han Li, Du Dong, the Mu woman, and Sun Huo naturally stood together.

"I never expected Bai Shu's to be a spy for the Righteous Alliance! I once thought he was a lone cultivator who reached Core Formation—I held him in high regard!" Sun Huo sighed, as if this thought had been buried deep inside him for a long time.

"Brother Sun, do you really think lone cultivators can easily reach Core Formation? Without a powerful family backing them, how many even get the chance? You, Brother Sun, are a true lone cultivator. I've heard several families are already interested in taking you as a son-in-law. Why not pick one and join? Your cultivation will gain far more support." The Mu woman glanced coldly at the youth, her tone devoid of emotion.

"Heh! I don't believe a cultivator must have a family to reach Core Formation. I'm not worthy, but I'd never stoop to becoming a son-in-law to any family." The young man with the determined face sneered, his voice brimming with boldness.

He then unconsciously glanced several times at the beautiful face of the cold woman, his eyes revealing a flicker of desire—but the Mu woman showed no reaction and said nothing further.

"Still, this Master Bai is, in truth, a pitiful man," Du Dong suddenly spoke up.

"Pitiful? Brother Du, what do you mean?" Sun Huo blinked, surprised.

The Mu woman's bright eyes shimmered with blue light as she stared at the large man with equal astonishment.

Du Dong smiled, abandoning his usual simple demeanor, ignoring the two, and suddenly turned his gaze sharply toward Han Li.

"Brother Han, do you think what I said makes sense?"

"I don't know. I know little of this Master Bai—how could I judge?" Han Li, though the question was aimed directly at him, showed no alarm. His expression remained calm as he replied slowly.

"Is that so? But I feel…"

"Brother Du, you're too bold! Didn't you hear me ask you a question?"

As Du Dong was about to speak further, Sun Huo, angered that the junior had ignored his question, scolded sharply.

"Why shout so loud? Do you think I'm deaf? I heard your question. But I have no interest in answering such nonsense." Du Dong glanced sideways at the youth, a flash of cold light in his eyes, then suddenly twisted his face into a cruel sneer.

"What? You…"

"Who are you really?" The Mu woman finally sensed something wrong. Her face darkened as her slender hand subtly rested on her storage bag, her voice icy.

The disciples from the other two sects now noticed the tension among them and turned, astonished, to stare.

"Heh! A direct disciple of the Demon Sect Qianhuan. Is that answer satisfactory, you two juniors?" A male voice suddenly rang coldly from outside the chamber.

Then—CRASH! The door of the quiet chamber shattered into fragments, stones flying in all directions.

The disciples inside were stunned, instantly pulling out their magic treasures, all on guard.

A familiar male figure appeared at the shattered doorway.

"Master Bai!" One of the Gudian Sect disciples cried out in shock, his face turning pale with disbelief.

The other disciples, seeing the robed scholar suddenly appear, were equally stunned and helpless.

They had all seen him captured and imprisoned. How could he be here now?

And his demeanor—vibrant, alert—showed no sign of suppressed spiritual power.

"Took you long enough! If you hadn't shown up, we'd have moved already." Du Dong showed no surprise at the white-haired cultivator's arrival; instead, he coldly questioned him.

"Hmph! How could you know how deadly that old monster's sword threads are? I had prepared, but I was truly immobilized. Only because you repeatedly assured me he'd never dare kill me—do you think I'd cooperate with you?" The white-haired cultivator replied curtly.

"Heh! We didn't expect the old monster himself would come. But everything went as planned. Master Fen and your sect's Qin Elder should have bought us enough time."

Hearing their exchange, the young disciples, though unaware of the full situation, realized something terrible was unfolding.

One Gudian Sect disciple, quick-witted, instantly transformed into a streak of red light, flying toward the stone door to escape.

But as he passed the white-haired scholar's side, the scholar's face darkened with murderous intent—a blinding flash of white light vanished instantly.

A scream rang out—the disciple and his magic treasure were sliced cleanly in two, his corpse thudding to the ground.

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