An hour later, Ding Fan suddenly opened his eyes, his True Yuan released as his body suddenly surged forward. Astonishingly, at the start of his charge, he was the only body visible, but magically, the next instant his body began to multiply. Soon there were two, then four, six, and finally, with his true self included, there were a total of twelve Ding Fans.

It seemed that by now, Ding Fan had already learned the Clone Technique. The twelve Ding Fans looked identical, each appearing as lifelike as the original.

Ding Fan kept running forward, and as he ran, the Ding Fans behind him vanished one by one. It turned out they were just his shadows, but these shadows were so realistic that even Mu Gaosou couldn’t tell them apart.

"This Martial Skill is truly defying the heavens!"

Even knowing that all he saw were shadows, with only one being Ding Fan, Mu Gaosou still marveled at its defiance of the natural order. Such a brilliant movement technique, even among the highest-level Martial Skills, would surely be considered top-tier.

"Whoosh!"

Ding Fan quickly sped back and began circling around Mu Gaosou. This utterly bewildered Mu Gaosou as he was now surrounded by Ding Fan’s shadows, unable to distinguish the real one. He could only see multiple Ding Fans around him, making him feel dizzy.

Once a Martial Artist reaches a certain level of ability, they can transform into numerous phantoms, but these are merely illusions, not actual beings.

Yet Ding Fan’s shadows seemed like real entities. With no way to determine which was the true body, it was simply impossible to strike him.

"Whoosh!"

Ding Fan finally stopped, standing in front of Mu Gaosou, and as he halted, the shadows behind him came to a stop and slowly vanished.

Ding Fan’s shadow was so convincingly realistic that in battles with experts below the Fourth Level of the Divine Realm, it was extremely advantageous to him. As he stopped, he excitedly said to Mu Gaosou, "This Martial Skill is too powerful, haha! I’ve just begun learning it, and I can already create so many shadows. If I master it, I might be able to create over a hundred shadows."

"Goodness!"

Mu Gaosou couldn’t help but exclaim in surprise, rolling his eyes. If he really could conjure over a hundred shadows, the sky would be filled with figures. Considering Ding Fan had another skill where a simple roar could stun and kill Third Level beings of the Divine Realm, Mu Gaosou was left speechless. Having a master like him, he didn’t know what to say.

"It’s truly a pity that I’m not allowed to learn it. If I could also master this Martial Skill, combating middle-level Fourth Level experts of the Divine Realm wouldn’t be a problem."

Mu Gaosou sighed deeply in his heart, but there was no help for it. At this point, Ding Fan noted the late time and decided not to say more, waving his hand and saying, "Let’s go! We’re heading to the Great Python Mountain!"

Mu Gaosou nodded in agreement, leading Ding Fan to set off stealthily once more. By now, it was night, and the surroundings were extremely quiet. In such conditions, Zhong Family’s scout cavalry would more easily spot them. If any Fourth Level experts were nearby, they could be intercepted easily.

Great Python Mountain was not far from here, less than a hundred miles away. If Mu Gaosou ran at full speed, it would take less than an hour to reach it. Though they moved cautiously and more slowly, they finally reached the foot of the Great Python Mountain after an hour and a half.

Ding Fan was very familiar with this place, as he had been here many times before. His decision to have Mu Gaosou bring him here was due to his familiarity with the area.

They were about ten miles from the Wu Family Fortress now, in a place without scout cavalry. However, moving further ahead, they would encounter scout patrols.

"Sirius!"

At the foot of the Great Python Mountain, Ding Fan summoned Sirius, commanding it, "There are surely many Stone Rats in these mountains. Control all of them and await my signal to act!"

"Woo~"

Sirius let out a low cry and disappeared in a flash. Mu Gaosou furrowed his brows at Ding Fan, seeming to look at him like a fool. Sending Sirius, such a small pet, to control the wild beasts of the mountain—what was the master thinking? Was he too stressed these past few days and gone mad?

"Let’s go, we’re going up the mountain too!"

Ding Fan waved his hand to advance, undeterred by Mu Gaosou’s gaze. Here, he was more familiar than Mu Gaosou, so there was no need for Mu Gaosou to guide him further.

Mu Gaosou dared not be negligent, casting a suspicious glance at Ding Fan before extending his Divine Sense, surveying the surroundings, wary of Zhong Family scout cavalry.

Once inside the Great Python Mountain, Ding Fan seemed entirely at home, so familiar with the terrain that he moved forward effortlessly without having to find his way.

"Squeak~"

As they walked forward, a low sound suddenly reached them. Mu Gaosou was startled, looking towards the sound’s direction, only to be taken aback. His eyes widened like saucers, seemingly witnessing the most unbelievable sight.

Ahead, Sirius returned, not alone but with a group of Stone Rats. These Stone Rats were as large as a human head, mostly gray and resembling stones unless observed closely. But their teeth and eyes gleamed with a striking red color.

"Master! What’s going on here?"

Mu Gaosou looked at Sirius, surprised, and asked Ding Fan. But Ding Fan neither looked at him nor offered an explanation. He simply said lightly, "Don’t inquire about things that aren’t your concern. Even if you ask, I won’t tell."

Ding Fan walked towards Sirius, completely unaware of the admiring gaze from Mu Gaosou. His master was too mysterious; even Sirius had such a terrifying ability. Although the Stone Rat was a low-level beast, even a Level 3 or 4 spiritual beast could not be controlled and commanded so easily.

At this moment, Ding Fan spoke to Sirius: "Command these Stone Rats to lie in ambush throughout Great Python Mountain. If they see any outsiders coming in, attack immediately!"

Upon hearing Ding Fan’s orders, Sirius howled towards the Stone Rat group. The Stone Rats seemed to understand Sirius’ command and immediately dispersed to execute it.

"Alright, I’ll hide here in the meantime, and you check around the Wu Family Fortress and gather some intelligence. Report back to me immediately if anything happens."

After seeing Sirius carry out his orders, Ding Fan turned to Mu Gaosou and said.

Mu Gaosou nodded in agreement. With the Stone Rats on watch for Ding Fan, if experts from the Zhong Family arrive, Ding Fan can hide quickly. Mu Gaosou no longer worried about him and could reconnoiter the surrounding area thoroughly.

Mu Gaosou left, and Ding Fan found a cave to hide in, waiting for Mu Gaosou’s news.

By this time, Ding Fan hoped that the mysterious expert from the Herr Family would help him once more. If he were willing to help, Ding Fan wouldn’t need to kill people from the Wuling City Park Family; he only needed to lure away all the Zhong Family experts from the area.

...

The Zhong Family Fortress was bustling at this time. Reportedly Herr Ningshuang and Herr Rufeng were flying towards their direction. Everyone was very tense about this news. Many experts weren’t afraid of the two sisters, but were worried about Herr Family experts secretly protecting them.

Currently, the Divine Realm Fifth Level experts from the Zhong Family have mostly returned, and the royal Zhao Family from Shenwu Country also sent two Divine Realm Fifth Level experts. Yet, everyone felt uneasy. The incoming enemies were the two most favored ladies of the Overlord of Tianmu Sea family; no one knew whether He Daozhen might be secretly following them for protection.

Within the Zhong Family fortress, as soon as Zhong Wuchang returned, he was immediately called by Zhong Ziqi. Alongside Zhong Ziqi were the family head Zhong Zhiyong and several expert elders. Zhong Wuchang recounted everything with a red face and then bowed and said, "This time, it was my incompetence. Please punish me, family head. I received orders and dared not return, but I have already mustered and deployed dozens of Divine Realm Fourth Level experts from nearby cities. They are pursuing with our scout cavalry. Mu Gaosou should have just broken through to Divine Realm Fourth Level not long ago and definitely can’t match our people. Once we catch them, they will not survive."

"Bullshit, you’re not incompetent; you’re absolutely idiotic, so foolish it makes my blood boil. Isn’t this obviously a trick to divert your attention? Such a simple matter, yet you didn’t realize it. The people you’re chasing are definitely fake. Right now, Ding Fan and Mu Gaosou must already be near the Wu Family Fortress."

Zhong Ziqi was almost furious to death, jumping up and continuing to scold Zhong Wuchang: "Chasing the wrong people is one thing, but you also transferred a large number of Divine Realm Fourth Level experts away from around the Wu Family Fortress. I laid out my plan for so long, and it’s completely ruined by you, you colossal fool!"

"What?"

Thinking he had handled the situation quite well, Zhong Wuchang realized he’d played a terrible move upon hearing Zhong Ziqi’s scolding. He was so thoroughly chastised that he didn’t even dare to lift his head, while the family head Zhong Zhiyong coldly observed in silence.

After scolding, Zhong Ziqi paced the hall twice, angrily asked Zhong Wuchang: "How many Divine Realm Fourth Level experts did you transfer away from around the Wu Family Fortress?"

"I... I didn’t transfer too many. There were ten Divine Realm Fourth Level experts there originally. I transferred five. Mu Gaosou only just entered Divine Realm Fourth Level, and the expert stationed within the Wu Family Fortress is at the Fourth Level Peak Realm. I thought it wouldn’t matter."

"Seems like you haven’t completely lost your mind. There are still five Divine Realm Fourth Level experts, including the Fourth Level Peak’s Zhong Wuqing. They should be enough to kill Ding Fan."

Zhong Ziqi exhaled deeply, showing a hint of relief.

After all this planning and mobilizing so many resources and manpower, if Ding Fan escaped again, Zhong Ziqi might have to surrender his own head in apology.

If Zhong Wuchang had transferred all of the Divine Realm Fourth Level experts, Zhong Ziqi might have directly executed him.

...

"Enough. Leave Ding Fan’s matter for now. Let’s think of a way to handle the people from Tianmu Sea first!"

The family head Zhong Zhiyong finally spoke up; even if they sent people to the Wu Family Fortress now, it would be too late. They’d never paid much attention to the Wu Family Fortress, so there was no Teleportation Array there, and using other means of transportation, they couldn’t make it in time.

Herr Ningshuang and Herr Rufeng were about to reach the Zhong Family Fortress, and people like Herr Wanzhan must be hiding in the dark. This was the most critical issue for Zhong Zhiyong.

However, Zhong Ziqi seemed completely unconcerned, speaking to Zhong Zhiyong: "Don’t worry, family head. I can swear on my life; Bai Wanzhan absolutely wouldn’t dare to act rashly. Miss Zhao Xiner is coming herself. If he causes trouble, that would be declaring war with Shenwu Country. I doubt he has the guts for that."

"Oh!"

Zhong Zhiyong relaxed slightly. With Zhao Xiner and Zhao Tianba both here, unless Bai Wanzhan intended to break the ceasefire agreement with the three great royal families, he definitely wouldn’t dare to make a move.

Inside the Zhong Family Fortress, the large group of people waited, awaited news from the Wu Family Fortress, and also the arrival of Herr Ningshuang and Herr Rufeng.

Yet, Herr Ningshuang, the three of them were fine; they decided not to leave in broad daylight and blatantly walked into a fortress near the Zhong Family Fortress. They found the best inn, appearing as if they intended to spend the night.

Upon hearing this news, Zhong Zhiyong grew even more anxious. He brought a group of experts and did not dare to rest, remaining on high alert. Zhong Zhiyong even personally ordered Zhong Wuchang to scatter the elite scout cavalry to prevent the Herr Family from using the sisters as a distraction for a surprise attack.