"Likely. Regardless, the use of higher energies is nigh impossible to hide in the vaults below, else I would do this myself. The first of your objectives is to enable me to do so," the elder raised his arm and turned over his hand, revealing a handful of what looked like tony black specks. On closer look, she saw that they were the husks of spiders, jerking with unnatural life. "These constructs are the fruit of the last two months development. Each one is capable of holding a sliver of my perception for a time, without being damaged by ambient energies or revealing myself. You are to descend into the enemies settlements and spread them wherever you may."
"...What're the ones of us who aren't sneaks supposed to do then?" Ji Rong asked warily. "We just back up?"
Elder Jiao smiled thinly. "You are back up, yes. You are also required for the second objective. Once you have placed the spy constructs, you are to find an appropriate target among the enemy and test their response to attack. Disciple Guan will be the one to draw the most attention, but you will all be required to make this seem a legitimate attack."
Ling Qi bit her lip, starting a fight in the middle of enemy territory… that seemed…
"You will, naturally, be supplied with an escape talisman," Elder Jiao cut off her thoughts. "While such things would normally fail due to the twisted space in the deep, I have made this myself. As such you will only need to wait two minutes from activation for it to calibrate. It will be in disciple Guan's possession. Obviously do not make use of it unless you will be overwhelmed. Retreat normally if possible."
"I am honored by your confidence, Elder Jiao," Guan Zhi said quietly. She looked to the rest of them then. "I shall be relying upon you all. I will need keep my own exertions to the minimum, until the first objective is complete."
"Indeed," Elder Jiao said sourly. "We suspect that the effects of the toxin will grow worse as you delve deeper. It is possible that the corrosive effect will increase until every technique used drains your energies at twice or more the usual rate. However, we need to test the matter. This is also your responsibility."
"Elder Jiao sir," Bian Ya asked carefully. "I assume we are only one part of this plan? It would not be much of a false attack with only one squad."
"Yes, you will signal us when you are about to begin. We have several other squads organized to strike at the enemies own forward fortifications," Elder Jiao replied. "We plan to begin harrying them shortly after you take your leave. It will be disciple Su's task to provide you with the intelligence to avoid their upward movements. Disciples Guan and Liao will explain further details. I need to put the finishing touches on your equipment."
