"What are you talking about? All this time, I’ve devoted myself wholeheartedly to the Skeleton Sect, and yet you accuse me of harboring ambitions against the entire sect? This is simply outrageous!"

A terrifying wave of pressure erupted from the body of the middle-aged man in the red robe, pressing menacingly in Ding Fan’s direction.

Ding Fan felt the immense pressure released from the Third Elder’s body. His eyes remained unfazed, a slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth as he stood straight on the ground, seemingly unaffected.

Beside him, Zhuge Qing and Xue Wu’s eyes flashed with anger, and cold voices immediately emerged from their mouths:

"Third Elder, what do you think you’re doing?"

Upon seeing Ding Fan’s demeanor, the middle-aged man in the red robe couldn’t help but have a subtle flicker in his eyes, a slight quiver at the corner of his mouth as he spoke:

"It’s nothing, I just got a bit carried away..."

Upon hearing the red-robed man’s words, Ding Fan’s mouth slowly curved into a smile, his voice calmly said:

"Third Elder, don’t be so impulsive. Do you really think I accused you wrongly? You’ve probably been planning this for many years, but the true reason you haven’t acted is likely those outside forces, isn’t it?"

The moment he heard Ding Fan’s words, the red-robed man’s eyes lit up with astonishment, and his voice immediately came through:

"How do you know these things?"

Upon hearing these words from the red-robed man, Ding Fan replied nonchalantly:

"Because I’ve never believed that an honest person could become a Third Elder of such a vast organization..."

The red-robed man’s eyes flickered with a sharp glint, and he said:

"You’re very clever..."

After hearing the dialogue between Ding Fan and the red-robed man, Zhuge Qing and Xue Wu both had shock in their eyes, and their astonished voices immediately emerged:

"Brother Ding, you hit the nail on the head about this Third Elder, we never expected he harbored rebellious intentions all along..."

"Brother Ding is truly impressive, we never imagined that you could even foresee something like this!"

The red-robed man’s eyes subtly flickered, a slight tremor at the corners of his mouth as his voice emerged:

"Who exactly are you?"

Hearing the red-robed man’s question, Ding Fan’s lips curved into a smile, and he confidently responded:

"I’ve already said, I’m the one who can lead the entire Skeleton Sect through the siege of those external forces!"

The red-robed man’s eyes flashed sharply at Ding Fan’s words, and he questioned:

"Why should I believe you, not to mention, why aren’t you afraid I’ll make moves behind your back?"

Ding Fan’s eyes also revealed a glimmer as he answered:

"Why? Simply because I can see through your thoughts at a glance, because I possess absolute strength! Because I’ve inherited Sirius’s legacy!"

Upon hearing this, the red-robed man was utterly stunned, his eyes widened in disbelief, and he exclaimed:

"What did you say?! You’ve inherited Sirius’s legacy? How is that possible!?"

Zhuge Qing and Xue Wu, too, were visibly shaken. Zhuge Qing remarked coldly:

"Third Elder, Brother Ding is right, he has indeed inherited Sirius’s legacy. The Sect Leader is dead, and now only Brother Ding can save the entire Skeleton Sect..."

The red-robed man’s eyes subtly flickered, a slight tremor at the corners of his mouth as he replied:

"Are you suggesting you have a way to counter those external forces? If I recall, even Sirius couldn’t withstand their siege back then..."

Ding Fan’s eyes flashed with resolve as he responded:

"The Third Elder is right, but Sirius is Sirius, and I, Ding Fan, have my own path. Besides, Sirius back then was beyond comparison to this little Skeleton Sect..."

The red-robed man’s eyes subtly flickered again, before he implored:

"Are you saying you can truly lead us through this encirclement by mighty forces?"

Ding Fan’s lips curved slowly as he answered:

"Of course, first of all, we’re all from the Skeleton Sect, and that’s our greatest advantage..."

The red-robed man’s expression was filled with shock, unable to believe his ears:

"What did you say? We’re from the Skeleton Sect, so how could we have such an advantage in this situation?"

Ding Fan remained calm as he replied:

"Because this way, inheriting the entire Skeleton Sect becomes rightful. Even though many forces are eyeing us greedily, they will be cautious!"

Upon hearing Ding Fan’s words, the red-robed man’s eyes filled with disbelief and amazement:

"Are you saying it’s not as easy as expected for those other forces to act against the Skeleton Sect?"

Ding Fan, maintaining his composed demeanor, replied:

"Indeed, because if they want to act against us, they must find a rightful reason. Only then can they claim legitimacy!"

The red-robed man’s eyes subtly flickered as he asked:

"Given that, why should I join you, and why would I support you to be the Sect Leader?"

Ding Fan answered calmly:

"Because my strength is formidable!"

The red-robed man’s gaze sharpened, and waves of energy surged from his body as he voiced coldly.

Throughout the great hall, black-robed disciples of the Skeleton Sect were layered. Zhuge Qing and Xue Wu, upon seeing this, were visibly tense and alert.

In such a scenario, Ding Fan remained calm and asked:

"What? Is the Third Elder planning to move against us?"

The red-robed man couldn’t help but burst into laughter, energy billowing from him as he coldly declared:

"It’s laughable, I never expected you to reveal such secrets to me. Since that’s the case, I suggest you stay here!"

Ding Fan smiled slightly as he replied:

"Third Elder, do you think you can really keep me here?"