No one else had noticed Du Dong's subtle movements, but Han Li, for precaution, remained vigilant. Though Du Dong now sat low on the ground with his head bowed, his lips trembled slightly as he spoke in quiet whispers—clearly communicating with someone. It seemed there were allies among the others in this room. To avoid disturbing the person he was speaking to, Han Li did not forcefully intercept their transmission, and thus remained unaware of the identity of the listener. Yet, among the four Jin Dan cultivators present, only those who had managed to evade detection during Han Li's mental sweep could have remained unnoticed. Han Li's mind raced as his gaze swiftly passed over each of them. For now, he could not determine which one stood out as the most suspicious. At that moment, a soft voice from Yin Yue resonated in his mind. "Brother Han, the roots of the Spirit-Eye Tree are also enclosed within the light shield. While I have a method to force my way inside, I cannot guarantee not to disturb the Jin Dan cultivators within. Should you wish, shall I proceed to break through the shield?" Yin Yue spoke gently. "Do not act hastily!" Hard-pressed measures should be reserved for when there's no other choice left—only then will they be truly effective. I suspect a disturbance will soon arise here. We can act then, when the time is right. Yinyin, return to me now." Han Li immediately rejected the suggestion without hesitation and summoned Yinyin back. Upon hearing Han Li's words, Yinyin sat silently, showing no resistance, and the miniature silver wolf slipped quietly back into Han Li's body. Then Han Li closed his eyes, remaining still, paying attention only to Du Dong's movements. It wasn't long before Du Dong stopped speaking and raised his head, gazing around with a subtle, strange expression flickering in his eyes. Han Li felt a sudden alertness, pondering whether Du Dong might be about to act. Yet, to his surprise, Du Dong lowered his head once again, and nothing further happened. Han Li was momentarily taken aback, growing increasingly puzzled. At that very moment, a sound like the heavens splitting and the earth shattering suddenly erupted, followed by a violent tremor that shook the entire cavern. All the meditating cultivators instantly opened their eyes, startled, and exchanged glances filled with astonishment. The three elders, including the gray-robed elder, also showed a subtle expression of surprise. The yellow-robed cultivator furrowed his brow and quickly rose to head toward the stone gate. However, before he had even reached it, the cavern's main gate opened on its own, and the broad-faced elder entered, his expression grave. "Master Hu, what has happened?" the yellow-robed cultivator asked urgently. "The situation has indeed been exposed! A group of cultivators, hiding their identities and making their presence known, have suddenly launched an assault on the outer array. They include not only Jin Dan stage cultivators, but also some Yuan Yin stage elders. It seems they are neither from the Zhengdao Alliance nor from the Six Mage Sects. No other faction would have mobilized such a significant force." Master Lan has already gone to oversee the great array. However, with their numbers and strength, you all should come with me to provide support. Here, only Brother Wei needs to remain. As for the matter of washing the eyes of these disciples, we can postpone it for now. Daoist Yue, take these disciples to the quiet chambers. During this time, as long as anyone dares to enter the sacred tree's cavern, Brother Wei, you shall eliminate them without mercy." The tall, stern elder spoke in a single, resolute stream, radiating intensity. "Understood, Hu brother! You just go ahead and meet the others. I'll take care of this place." The bearded elder replied calmly from within the light dome. Upon hearing this, the tall elder relaxed slightly, nodded, and immediately took the gray-robed elder and the middle-aged official from Baiqiao Hall, hurrying out. The yellow-robed cultivator then turned to the disciples, including Han Li, and issued his instructions without hesitation: "You've all heard. The eye-washing ceremony is postponed for now. Follow me to the quiet chambers for safety." Then, without turning back, he strode off briskly. The young monks couldn't afford to delay, and hurried to catch up. Seeing Du Dong steadily following the group of disciples out of the stone grove and then through the cave, showing no signs of disturbance, Han Li couldn't help but silently chuckle. He remained calm, moving in step with the others. If even Du Dong—someone who had been harboring doubts—had remained so composed, then what was there to be anxious about? Yet the events unfolding outside seemed genuinely connected to Du Dong. The timing was truly impeccable. Did Du Dong still maintain contact with people outside? Han Li still harbored a faint sense of curiosity. A short while later, the ten disciples were led in a winding route by the yellow-robed monk, eventually arriving at a larger stone chamber, where they were given a few instructions before the monk hurried off. Clearly, they were heading to assist in the battle. At that moment, the distant explosions grew louder, and the ground trembled more intensely, as though the outside forces were engaged in a fierce struggle. Though a bit nervous, the young disciples soon grouped themselves by their sect upon seeing the yellow-robed cultivator depart, whispering and discussing among themselves. Han Li, Du Dong, the lady named Mu, and Sun Hu naturally gathered together. "Truly unexpected—Master Bai of the Ancient Sword Sect is actually a spy for the Coalition of the Good Paths! I always thought he was a self-cultivating cultivator from a humble background, someone I deeply admired." Sun Hu's words had been lingering in his heart for a while, and he finally exhaled in relief. "Brother Sun, you really believe self-cultivating cultivators can easily reach the Condensation stage without strong family backing? There aren't many who even have the chance to reach that level. Indeed, you are a genuine self-cultivating cultivator. I've heard several families have already expressed interest in marrying you. Why not pick one and join them? That way, you'll naturally receive abundant support in your cultivation journey," the lady coldly glanced at the young man, speaking without any warmth. "Hehe! Brother Sun truly doesn't believe that cultivators must have a family behind them to reach the Condensation stage." As for myself, I am not particularly qualified, nor do I feel inclined to enter into a marital alliance with any family." The young man with a resolute expression sneered, then with a sudden burst of enthusiasm. Yet, subconsciously, he glanced at the beautiful yet cold woman, his eyes warming with genuine interest. But the Mu-family woman seemed entirely unimpressed and said nothing further. "Still, Master Bai, as he mentioned, appears to be quite unfortunate," Du Dong suddenly interjected from the side. "Unfortunate? Du junior, what do you mean by that?" Sun Hu was momentarily startled, his face showing a touch of doubt. The Mu-family woman's eyes shimmered with a steady green light, equally surprised at the presence of this sturdy man. Upon hearing this, Du Dong smiled, breaking from his usual straightforward demeanor and ignoring both of them. Instead, he turned his gaze to Han Li, asking with a quiet, probing tone: "Han junior, do you think my statement holds merit?" "I'm not sure. I know very little about Master Bai, so I'm not quite certain how to evaluate him," Han Li replied, completely unfazed by the direct shift of the conversation to himself. Yoo remained calm and replied, "Indeed? Yet I feel..." "Du, you've been most impertinent. Didn't hear me ask you a question?" As Du Dong still intended to speak, Sun Huo, standing by, noticed that the young disciple had completely ignored his inquiries and grew increasingly annoyed, scolding him sharply. "What's the point in speaking so loudly? I haven't even lost my hearing. I've certainly heard your questions. But frankly, I have no interest in answering such trivialities." Du Dong glanced coldly at the young man, a flash of frost in his eyes, then suddenly his face darkened and he said with growing intensity. "What? You—?" "Who exactly are you?" The lady with the courtesy name Mu finally sensed something was amiss. Her delicate face grew stern, and her slender hand gently rested on her storage bag as she asked in a cold tone. The other disciples from the two sects also noticed the unusual tension between them and all turned to gaze in surprise. "Heh! A direct disciple of the Magic Path Thousand-Phantom Sect. Is this satisfactory to the two young disciples?" Suddenly, a man's voice came from outside, cold and clear. Then, a tremendous crash—like a thunderbolt—shattered the stillness of the chamber as the main door cracked into several pieces, stones flying outward in all directions. The disciples inside were startled, quickly drawing out their magical implements, all on high alert. A familiar figure emerged through the splintered doorway. "White Senior!" exclaimed a disciple from the Ancient Sword Sect, his voice rising in surprise. But then his face paled, filled with disbelief. The other disciples, upon seeing the elegant scholar in green robes, were equally stunned and at a loss for words. They had personally witnessed this man being subdued and imprisoned earlier. How could he now appear here? And more astonishingly, he seemed fully composed, as if untouched by any loss of magical power. "How could you have waited so long! If you don't show up now, we'll move first," Du Dong said, showing no surprise at the arrival of the white-clad cultivator, but instead speaking coldly and directly. "Hmph!" How do you know the prowess of that old monster, Jian Si? Though we had been well-prepared, we were genuinely subdued at the moment. It was only thanks to your repeated assurances that the other party felt restrained and didn't harm my life. Did you really think I would cooperate with you?" The Bai-family cultivator replied without ceremony. "Heh! We never expected it to be this old monster himself stepping in. Still, everything has unfolded as we anticipated. Brother Fen and the esteemed Qin elder from your hall should be able to secure us sufficient time." Upon hearing the exchange between the two, although the younger disciples didn't fully grasp what had transpired, they sensed that things were now serious. One disciple from the Ancient Sword Sect proved particularly alert and instantly transformed into a streak of red light, riding his artifact toward the stone gate, aiming to break through and escape. However, as soon as he passed by the Bai-family cultivator, a sudden surge of fierce anger appeared on the scholar's face, and a brilliant white light flashed and vanished instantly. A cry of agony rang out—the disciple and his artifact were severed in two, and the body fell "plunging" to the ground.