The Old Madman’s power left the crowd utterly speechless. Even a half-step Great Ability who could dominate an entire region had been crushed to death in his bare hand — who in this world could possibly match him?
“The ancients have already been prefaced with the words ‘of ancient times,’ meaning none can be seen in the present age — yet how does he seem like a holy man?!”
“Is he truly a holy man living in the present age? This is simply too terrifying to believe!”
“Even in the remote ancient era, holy men rarely appeared — and yet one has emerged here, alive and in the flesh?”
Everyone was left stunned. Unable to gauge the Old Madman’s cultivation realm, they measured him against the holy men of the remote ancient era — and that single enormous hand had been too overwhelming. It had stretched out for dozens of miles in every direction, blanketing heaven and earth entirely. Who in the present age could accomplish such a feat? It was as though a holy man from the remote ancient era had walked into the modern world.
At this moment, no one was more overjoyed and excited than the Great Black Dog. Its massive mouth split open all the way to its ears in a soundless, sly grin. Its four large paws dug hard into the ground as its squarish head swayed back and forth.
Li Heishui was filled with shock and amazement, then broke into a gleeful chuckle as well. The divine being standing beside him possessed overwhelming power — not a single person could withstand one of his slaps.
With someone like this standing at his side, even facing the Imperial Sovereign of the Central Province’s immortal divine dynasty, he would have absolute confidence and fear no one.
“Uncle…” Xiao Nannan’s large eyes, like black jewels, blinked as well. Even the little one had sensed the Old Madman’s might. Seated upon his shoulder, she called out softly to him.
At this moment, the Old Madman spoke not a single word. Standing two or three heads taller than an ordinary person, he appeared impossibly towering and imposing — like an undying divine demon.
His thick black hair fell loose across his chest and back, obscuring his bronze-toned face. Not the slightest trace of intimidating aura radiated from him, and his cultivation realm was completely imperceptible.
The more this was so, the more mysterious he seemed — for everyone had already witnessed the matchless combat power he had displayed moments ago, inspiring awe in all who beheld it.
On the other side, the Holy Son of Yin and Yang was filled with gut-wrenching regret. The strange figure standing not far away was like a divine sovereign, making his flesh crawl with dread. Had he known this would happen, he would never have come to intercept and kill these people. Though the Old Madman might not necessarily strike against him, his presence alone sent cold chills down his spine.
By now, he and Ye Fan had been locked in combat for a full five hundred exchanges. Unable to gain the upper hand despite prolonged assault, his heart had gradually grown restless.
It had to be said — the Holy Son of Yin and Yang was genuinely formidable. Among the younger generation, he was one of the rare few who had stepped into the peak of the Dragon Transformation First Variation.
Yet he could not overpower Ye Fan. After fighting for so long, he simply could not kill his opponent. The other party’s golden blood aura surged to the heavens and seemed inexhaustible, leaving him deeply wary.
“Clang!”
The holy sword in the Holy Son of Yin and Yang’s hand blazed with black and white radiance that seemed capable of severing space and time — uncanny and terrifying in equal measure.
With every slash that came down, not only was the void cleaved open, but time itself seemed to congeal. Each strike brought tremendous pressure to bear on Ye Fan.
Though this Yin-Yang Sword was only a Sage-Sovereign-grade weapon, its origins were extraordinary — it was the exclusive battle weapon passed down through generations of Holy Sons, possessing immeasurable and mighty power.
“Hiss!”
A black sword radiance compressed into the likeness of a mountain ridge and crashed downward. The power of the void surged in great waves, nearly imprisoning Ye Fan within the firmament — this was the strange spatial force the sword displayed.
“Zheng!”
Then white sword radiance erupted, rippling outward like rings on water. A vast expanse of white bloomed in every direction, making time itself seem to stagnate — it was extraordinarily terrifying.
Time had not truly stopped. Rather, the field emanated by the Yin-Yang Sword was warping the space around it, with certain principles of the Great Dao evolving within, creating a powerful illusion in the minds of all who perceived it.
Had Ye Fan not cultivated his divine eyes, he truly might have been trapped in a dreadful predicament. Even so, he was forced to engage with the utmost caution.
“Clang!”
Ye Fan’s golden fist broke through the void and struck heavily upon the Yin-Yang Sword, sending a numbing shock through the Holy Son of Yin and Yang’s arm and driving the blade rapidly back into the void.
He dared not clash flesh against the Sacred Physique body — not a single member of the younger generation in the present age would risk such a thing. It was common knowledge throughout the world; one could only suppress Ye Fan with overwhelming divine power.
“Swish!”
The Holy Son of Yin and Yang moved with extraordinary speed, transforming himself into a Yin-Yang diagram and streaking through the void like a flash of flowing light.
He was not unwilling to flee and distance himself from the Old Madman — but Ye Fan had locked onto him, and he simply could not break free. He had no choice but to fight on the defensive.
“If you had brought the Yin-Yang Mirror, I would have had no hope whatsoever. But you only brought the Yin-Yang Sword — there is no way you can suppress me.” Ye Fan laughed coldly.
The Yin-Yang Mirror was a divine object forged by an ancient holy man through ritual — a supreme secret treasure. Unless an extreme-path holy soldier was brought out, no force could overcome it, and possessing it was enough to sweep across the world.
“You are nothing more than a half-crippled Sacred Physique. Today, I will cut you down!” The Holy Son of Yin and Yang steadied his mind, setting aside all thought of the Old Madman. If he did not kill Ye Fan now, he would never be able to escape.
“Clang!”
The Yin-Yang Sword flashed brilliantly, soaring upward to hang directly above the Holy Son of Yin and Yang’s head. The dual energies of yin and yang descended from it like cascading streams, encircling him completely.
The primordial vital energies of black and white evolved into a Yin-Yang diagram, like a divine wheel fixed in the void, while the Yin-Yang Sword became the dividing line between yin and yang.
A mysterious and terrifying aura pervaded the air. The Holy Son of Yin and Yang was untouched by all phenomena — whenever Ye Fan’s golden fists came crashing in, the Yin-Yang diagram above his head scattered divine radiance that deflected every blow.
This was a secret treasure passed down through the generations of the Yin-Yang Sect, profoundly mysterious and unfathomable. The principles of the Great Dao had been inscribed within it. At this moment, it was like a divine sovereign’s wheel — able to command and determine all things.
“I am impervious to all techniques, and the power of the Dao cannot harm me. Let me see how you intend to face me!” the Holy Son of Yin and Yang roared, fortifying his own belief and working to shake his opponent’s resolve.
Ye Fan felt neither joy nor anxiety. He fixed his gaze upon the Yin-Yang diagram, his mind utterly serene and clear, as he compared and verified what he saw against his own Taiji Divine Diagram — carefully observing and contemplating.
From the evolutions his opponent displayed, he drew great inspiration and illumination. In that single moment, it was as though countless flashes of light streaked across his mind.
“Swish!”
Ye Fan moved both hands in sweeping motions, evolving a divine diagram from within himself — imprinted upon his very being — appearing mysterious and unfathomable, pulsing together with the Great Dao.
“Hmph!”
The Holy Son of Yin and Yang let out a cold snort. His left hand transformed into a yin diagram, his right into a yang diagram. He bellowed: “Yin and Yang become one — nothing under heaven can withstand me!”
“Boom!”
He surged forward with tremendous force. This was the world-shaking divine technique of the Yin-Yang Sect. Once yin and yang merged as one, combat power increased four to five times over, and all who stood in his path were swept away.
In former times, a holy man of the Yin-Yang Sect had swept through the Central Province using this very holy technique. Had he not encountered the All-Character Secret among the Nine Secrets when he ventured into the Eastern Desolation, it could be said that nothing in the world could have matched him.
Ye Fan sidestepped — he had no desire to counter with the All-Character Secret. Instead, he earnestly employed the Battle Sacred Technique to evolve the Taiji Divine Diagram. His left hand manifested the extreme of yin, transforming into a force of supreme yielding softness.
He made a gentle sweeping motion — as though cradling the moon and pushing a sphere — drawing upon the vital energy mechanism of the Great Dao to deflect part of the fierce and domineering divine power his opponent had hurled at him. He then went flying backward.
Ye Fan was taking risks in this life-or-death duel, seizing the opportunity to comprehend his own “Dao.” He channeled the force of supreme yielding softness to resist the Holy Son of Yin and Yang. Though it dealt little killing power, it was unending and inexhaustible.
“You don’t know what’s good for you!” The Holy Son of Yin and Yang saw through his intent. His expression turned cold as he crossed both hands together — yin and yang merging as one — and his divine power doubled in intensity.
“Boom!”
Black and white energy surges cascaded down like a river of stars, filling the sky in a vast expanse. The sound was deafening, shattering the void firmament.
Ye Fan’s expression changed. He quickly retreated. His opponent’s combat power had surged a full four to five times — the destructive force behind this attack was utterly terrifying, and he dared not confront it head-on.
He employed the footwork of the Old Madman and, like a wisp of light smoke, vanished instantly into the void and reappeared in the distant sky.
“It won’t be that easy to leave!” The Holy Son of Yin and Yang laughed coldly, the Yin-Yang diagram above his head blazing. His body transformed into a streak of light as he gave chase with killing intent.
This was an absolute overwhelming pressure. Yin and yang merged as one, forming a supremely terrifying aura of intimidation. A Holy Son who had reached the Dragon Transformation First Variation with combat power boosted four to five times — this was astonishing to an extreme.
Every observer was filled with admiration and awe. The supreme divine technique of the Yin-Yang Sect seized the creative power of heaven and earth. If one could obtain it, one would be nearly invincible against opponents of the same rank — standing upon undefeatable ground.
“Do you truly think I fear you?!” Ye Fan laughed coldly. He evolved the Taiji Divine Diagram, and his own body rapidly grew translucent and faint — he had transformed himself into a scroll of a Dao diagram.
His human form vanished. Only a single diagram unrolled across the sky, with the vital energy of the Great Dao pervading all around it, leaving everyone momentarily stunned.
Ye Fan used the divine diagram to confound all onlookers. In secret, he activated the All-Character Secret — and after more than a hundred attempts, successfully triggered it. Borrowing the cover of the mysterious Dao diagram, he unleashed a devastating strike.
“Boom!”
This was a world-shattering clash of supreme magnitude. The All-Secret elevated combat power tenfold, colliding against the opponent’s fivefold power boost. The firmament above collapsed in total ruin, as though the end of the world had arrived.
Nothing could be seen — everything had been smashed to fragments. An endless chaos of energy surged in all directions, setting all ten directions trembling. Enormous rifts dozens of miles long cracked open across the wilderness, splitting the earth asunder.
The Holy Son of Yin and Yang was sent flying backward, spewing torrents of blood from his mouth. Even the divine diagram formed by the Yin-Yang Sword could not protect him — his body had nearly been pulverized.
“What holy technique do you possess?!” He was utterly shaken, crying out in a loud voice.
“Does that surprise you? I have even broken the Celestial Demon Holy Saint Technique — what does your Yin-Yang Holy Technique amount to?” Ye Fan replied in a casual, unhurried tone.
“You—” The Holy Son of Yin and Yang was struck with shock and uncertainty. For a moment, his thoughts turned to the All-Character Secret among the Nine Secrets, for his predecessors had passed down the warning that it was the great nemesis of their sect.
Yet he also knew the terrifying might of the Celestial Demon Holy Saint Technique. The fact that Ye Fan had once shattered that celestial demon technique was known throughout the world — and it had been accomplished through the power of this very divine diagram.
“The Yin-Yang Holy Technique amounts to no more than this.” A faint, cold smile curved at the corner of Ye Fan’s mouth.
“Let me show you my true Yin-Yang Holy Technique!” the Holy Son of Yin and Yang roared. His body erupted with ten-thousand-zhang radiance — and then he actually split into two.
“Swish!”
In an instant, he became two separate beings — one clothed in white that surpassed snow, the other in black as deep as ink. Two forms had manifested, utterly uncanny in appearance.
“He has actually mastered this world-shaking divine technique — his true body has evolved into the Yang Self and the Yin Self. This is the truly invincible Yin-Yang Holy Technique!” The crowd in the distance cried out in shock.
The Yin Self and Yang Self joined hands, like two divine beings radiating terrifying aura, as though possessing the power to pierce heaven and earth.
Ye Fan’s brow furrowed. With the Yin Self and Yang Self both present, the power of the Dao regenerated endlessly — as though inextinguishable — giving one an extremely dangerous premonition.
And indeed, as the battle resumed, the Yin Self and Yang Self fought with astonishing might. After a thousand more exchanges with Ye Fan, they grew more fierce with every round.
“Well done — your understanding of the supreme mysteries of Yin and Yang has deepened another step!”
“Excellent — a considerable stride forward again. The Great Dao of Yin and Yang should continue to evolve in just this way.”
From the distant sky, seven or eight powerful figures came flying in. Among them, two elders stroked their beards and nodded repeatedly, visibly pleased with the Holy Son of Yin and Yang’s performance.
The great reinforcements of the Yin-Yang Sect had arrived. Several Supreme Elders, whose life essence was nearing exhaustion, had come in person — and among them were figures of Great Ability level!
The Holy Son of Yin and Yang was alarmed. He had personally witnessed the Old Madman’s terrifying nature and wished to issue a warning, only to discover that he could not speak — a smothering, all-encompassing aura of pressure had already enveloped him.
Ye Fan had launched his most terrifying offensive. The great decisive battle of life and death was about to reach its conclusion. He had observed the Yin-Yang diagram at length and the two had now fought fifteen hundred exchanges. He had no desire to drag things out any further.
Ye Fan’s body transformed into a dragon-shaped curve, tracing the mark of the Great Dao. Like a beam of light, he surged forward — this was the world-shaking divine technique used to break the Celestial Demon Holy Saint Technique.
The Battle Sacred Technique evolved the Taiji Divine Diagram, and he himself became that yin-yang curved line. All things were crushed before him. His speed reached its absolute limit — this was his most powerful attack at present.
“Boom!”
The Holy Son of Yin and Yang fought back with everything he had. The Yang Self and Yin Self struck in unison, their hands and feet moving in perfect concert. They madly boosted their combat power severalfold, attempting to dissolve the incoming calamity.
“Puff!”
Ye Fan’s speed was too fast. His curving dragon-shaped body was sturdier than any weapon, possessing indestructible power. He landed a devastating strike on the Yin Self and severed one of its arms completely.
“Ahhh—” the Yin Self screamed.
“How dare you, whelp!” The several Supreme Elders of the Yin-Yang Sect, who had been singing praises just moments before, had never anticipated that Ye Fan’s fierce methods would be so swift and so terrifying. They surged forward to strike.
However, Ye Fan had successfully triggered the All-Character Secret as well. His body transformed into a dragon-shaped curve and charged straight through — nothing could stop him.
It could be said that this was an absolute killing blow. The divine diagram evolved by the Battle Sacred Technique triggered the All-Secret — no great enemy could resist it!
Though the Yin Self and Yang Self had successfully manifested fivefold combat power, before this killing blow they were utterly eclipsed. There was simply no way to block it.
“Puff!”
Blood burst forth in a spray of crimson. The Yin Self and Yang Self were simultaneously bisected at the waist by the dragon-shaped Dao trace that Ye Fan had become — then he charged back in one continuous motion.
“Crack!”
The dragon-shaped Great Dao curve also shattered both heads entirely, reducing them to twin clouds of bloody mist. Body and soul were annihilated together.
After fifteen hundred exchanges of battle, the Holy Son of Yin and Yang had been cut down by Ye Fan. The Yin-Yang Holy Sword was seized as well, and all those present erupted in a great commotion.
This had been a Holy Son — the future master of a supreme great sect from the Central Province — slain right here in the Eastern Desolation. And it had been done by the Sacred Physique!
At present, among the younger generation, only Ye Fan alone had cut down both a Holy Son and a Holy Daughter. With their blood, he had paved his path forward and forged his fearsome name.
“This… a supreme great sect that rivals any sacred ground, and both its Holy Son and Holy Daughter have been slain by a single person!”
“The Barren Ancient Sacred Physique is truly formidable. Even having severed his own cultivation, once he fights with everything he has and elevates his power to the Four Extremes Secret Realm, he can still annihilate a Holy Son!”
“He has ten total opportunities to strike. Does this mean he truly intends to slay ten Holy Sons in the future?”
Everyone was engaged in fervent discussion. Cries of shock rose across the wilderness.
Ye Fan slaying a Holy Son was absolutely an earth-shattering event. Few dared to do such a thing — for Holy Sons and Holy Daughters were the future masters of immortal lineages.
Killing them was a naked provocation against the dignity of a supreme great sect. It would bring the entire sect’s strength down upon him in an all-out hunt!
“The Sacred Physique is truly too overbearing — having already severed his own cultivation, he still dares to kill Holy Son-level figures…”
“What a pity. If his body were unimpaired, it would truly be difficult to find more than a handful of opponents among the younger generation. He would have an air of invincibility!”
This stunning achievement of Ye Fan’s silenced everyone present. Many let out sighs of admiration, and no small number lamented for the sake of his “half-crippled body.”
“You insolent creature — you have the audacity to first slay our sect’s Holy Daughter, and now our Holy Son as well! Even if the Heavenly King himself came, he could not save you today!”
The extraordinary powerhouses of the Yin-Yang Sect were incensed beyond measure. They had watched helplessly as Ye Fan cut down the Holy Son of Yin and Yang — and been unable to stop it in time. This made them feel utterly humiliated.
For such a supreme great sect of the Central Province, had there ever been a future inheritor slain in such a manner? For the Yin-Yang Sect, this was a shameful disgrace without equal.
This was destined to become a laughingstock — a supreme great sect having both its Holy Son and Holy Daughter eliminated by a single individual. It would leave the Yin-Yang Sect diminished in prestige for a very long time to come.
“You claim you can kill me whenever you please?” Ye Fan laughed coldly. He transformed into the dragon-shaped Dao trace and flickered away, reappearing at the Old Madman’s side.
“No one can save you — every last one of you will die!” One elder spoke with a chilling menace, his eyes blazing like torches as he fixed his gaze upon Ye Fan, Li Heishui, the Old Madman, and their companions.
“Oh, how frightening — so a Great Ability has truly arrived…” the Great Black Dog muttered. Then its eyes lit up with excitement as it bellowed: “You few old fossils who refuse to die — enough with your grandiose boasting! Do you truly think you are unrivaled under heaven?!”
“To those of us here, we are the sky above you — impossibly high and beyond your reach. Crushing you few to death requires no more effort than stomping on a few stinking insects — as simple as that.” One elder’s face was dark as still water, every trace of killing intent laid bare.
“Every last one of you will die — not a single person will be left alive!” Another spoke with cold indifference.
“The Yin-Yang Sect’s name shakes the world. Wherever our commands reach, none dare disobey. You few wretches truly do not know the meaning of death!” The people of the Yin-Yang Sect pressed forward, pointing fingers directly at Ye Fan and the Old Madman and their companions.