Zhuge Qing slowly stood out, looked at Ding Fan, and slowly began to speak. After hearing Zhuge Qing’s words, a thoughtful expression flashed across Ding Fan’s eyes. He pondered for a moment and slowly nodded his head.

Nearby, Xue Wu heard this and a look of discontent flashed in his eyes. He slowly began to speak to Ding Fan:

"Brother Ding, since Brother Zhuge is going with you, I want to be by your side too!"

Upon hearing Xue Wu’s words, a thoughtful expression flashed across Ding Fan’s eyes. Ding Fan said very calmly:

"No, the entire troop still needs you to command. If you’re not here, I’m not sure who else I can leave in charge and feel at ease!"

After hearing Ding Fan’s words, Xue Wu’s eyes flickered slightly. After pondering for a moment, he slowly nodded to Ding Fan.

Seeing Xue Wu’s demeanor, Ding Fan said very calmly:

"Xue Wu, I appreciate your effort. There’s really no one else here I can trust apart from you!"

Upon hearing Ding Fan’s words, Xue Wu’s eyes flickered slightly. He nodded to Ding Fan after contemplating for a moment.

Seeing Xue Wu’s demeanor, Ding Fan gently turned his head and slowly said to Zhuge Qing beside him:

"Brother Zhuge, let’s set out now!"

Once Zhuge Qing heard Ding Fan’s words, a serious expression immediately appeared in his eyes. He nodded to Ding Fan.

Upon seeing Zhuge Qing’s actions, Ding Fan’s eyes flickered slightly. After contemplating for a moment, a voice suddenly emerged from Ding Fan’s mouth:

"Let’s go! Let’s see exactly how powerful the Second Elder is!"

After hearing Ding Fan’s words, Zhuge Qing gently nodded twice. As they spoke, Ding Fan and Zhuge Qing started heading up the mountain.

Nearby, Xue Wu saw this and his eyes filled with seriousness. He led the disciples to camp at the foot of the mountain.

Before long, Ding Fan and Zhuge Qing entered the mountain. Observing the lush trees around him, Ding Fan’s mood involuntarily relaxed, while Zhuge Qing’s eyes were filled with vigilance as he began to survey the environment.

Seeing Zhuge Qing’s demeanor, Ding Fan’s mouth couldn’t help but slowly curl into a smile, and teasing words emerged from Ding Fan’s mouth:

"Brother Zhuge, are you too tense? We’ve come here without any followers. Even if someone discovers us, we have nothing to fear!"

Upon hearing Ding Fan’s words, Zhuge Qing’s face showed a hint of embarrassment. He said apologetically to Ding Fan:

"Brother Ding, pardon me for making a fool of myself. After all, we’ve arrived at Second Elder’s territory, I have to be cautious..."

Upon hearing Zhuge Qing’s words, Ding Fan said very calmly:

"Brother Zhuge, you don’t have to be so cautious. Regardless, you are the second in command of the Skeleton Sect. Why should you fear the Second Elder?"

After hearing Ding Fan’s words, Zhuge Qing’s eyes flickered slightly. His mouth trembled slightly, and he nodded to Ding Fan.

Seeing Zhuge Qing’s response, Ding Fan nodded lightly. Zhuge Qing really is very smart and gets the point immediately.

Just as Ding Fan and Zhuge Qing were chatting, faint footsteps suddenly emerged from the dense forest.

Upon hearing these sounds, Ding Fan’s eyes flashed with sharp light, and he continued walking forward.

Nearby, after hearing the sound, Zhuge Qing’s body involuntarily tensed up, his eyes fixed intently on Ding Fan’s body.

As the footsteps drew closer, Ding Fan’s expression grew serious.

In the blink of an eye, several disciples emerged from the dense forest, all wearing white robes. On each robe, enormous skull heads were engraved.

Seeing this, Ding Fan’s eyes flashed with sharp brilliance, and Zhuge Qing’s pupils shrank suddenly.

As the white-robed disciples saw Ding Fan and Zhuge Qing, a serious expression appeared in their eyes, their bodies slightly startled. A fierce aura emanated from them:

"Speak! Who are you exactly? Why have you come to this mountain?"

Upon hearing the words of these white-robed disciples, Ding Fan calmly said:

"How bold! You dare not salute upon seeing the second-in-command?"

After hearing Ding Fan’s words, the white-robed disciples looked shocked, their eyes fixed intently on Ding Fan’s body.

"What did you say? Second-in-command, is it our Skeleton Sect’s second-in-command?"

"We’ve never seen the second-in-command before. What makes you claim you’re our Skeleton Sect’s second-in-command?"

The white-robed disciples cautiously asked after hearing Ding Fan’s words.

Nearby, after hearing the white-robed disciples’ words, Zhuge Qing couldn’t help but snort coldly. A frightening aura erupted from him as he spoke to the white-robed disciples:

"I’m Zhuge Qing, the second-in-command of the Skeleton Sect. What? Do you have a problem with that?"

After hearing Zhuge Qing’s words, the white-robed disciples were all astonished. Each one exchanged glances, and words suddenly came out from their mouths:

"Our Skeleton Sect’s second-in-command is indeed called Zhuge Qing, but we’ve never seen you before. We can’t determine if you’re truly our Skeleton Sect’s second-in-command!"

Upon hearing the words of the white-robed disciples, Zhuge Qing coldly said:

"I have business with the Second Elder. Report it and you’ll naturally know if I’m truly Zhuge Qing..."

Upon hearing Zhuge Qing’s words, the white-robed disciples’ eyes flickered slightly. After contemplating for a moment, they nodded respectfully towards Zhuge Qing:

"Then allow us to report to him!"

Upon hearing the white-robed disciples’ words, Zhuge Qing’s eyes flashed with impatience, and he waved his hand dismissively to everyone.

As Zhuge Qing waved, two white-robed disciples retreated, their figures flickering as they disappeared. A few white-robed disciples remained beside Ding Fan and Zhuge Qing.

Seeing this, Ding Fan calmly said to Zhuge Qing: "Brother Zhuge, we’ll just wait here next..."

Upon hearing Ding Fan’s words, Zhuge Qing slowly nodded.

As Ding Fan and Zhuge Qing both rested, the two white-robed disciples who had disappeared sprinted rapidly. Their speed was terrifying, and soon they arrived at the mountain. Seeing the mountains’ layered peaks, a reverent expression flickered in their eyes.

With a slight tremble, the two white-robed disciples walked towards the grand hall atop the mountain. Soon, they entered the grand hall, and their footsteps naturally slowed when viewing its opulent decor.

Soon, in the grand hall, the two met an elderly man with long white hair and a white robe. The sunlight glistened subtly on his long beard, while bright, formidable brilliance shone faintly in his eyes.

As the two white-robed disciples entered, the Elder’s eyes fixed intently on their bodies, a slight glance, and a soft voice emerged from the Elder’s mouth:

"What brings you here in such haste?"

After hearing the Elder’s words, the two white-robed disciples were astonished. They quickly addressed the Second Elder:

"Reporting to the Second Elder, we encountered someone claiming to be Second-in-command Zhuge Qing at the foot of the mountain, seeking an audience!"

Upon hearing the two white-robed disciples’ words, astonishment flickered in the Elder’s eyes. A soft voice emerged from the Elder’s mouth:

"Zhuge Qing? What brings you to seek me?"

Upon hearing the Elder’s words, the two white-robed disciples looked terrified, momentarily finding themselves unable to respond.