198: Chapter 198 Battle Against the Old Madman

That finger pressed against Ye Fan's fist.

Ye Fan felt as if his fist had struck an unshakeable mountain. The counter-force rippled through his arm and spread across his entire body, causing his blood and Qi to surge violently as he was sent flying backward.

He somersaulted several times in the air before barely managing to steady himself, landing at the edge of the Martial Arts Arena.

His fist was trembling, his arm was numb, and his eyes were filled with shock.

A single finger.

The Old Maniac had used only one finger to neutralize the Human Path punch he had thrown with all his might.

"Again," the Old Maniac's voice said calmly.

Ye Fan gritted his teeth and charged forward once more.

Walk-Word Secret—Fully Activated.

All-Word Secret—Triggered.

This time, the All-Word Secret succeeded. Ten times the power surged into his body, causing his speed, strength, and reactions to skyrocket in an instant.

Six Paths of Reincarnation Fist—Human Path!

A single punch blasted out.

The fist radiance was more brilliant and blazing than before. That "human" power was magnified tenfold, as if it were about to swallow the entire Martial Arts Arena.

The Old Maniac still stood where he was, still raised his right hand, and still pointed out with a single finger.

"Bang—!"

The same result.

Ye Fan was sent flying backward again, crashing heavily onto the ground.

He scrambled up and charged forward once more.

One punch, two punches, ten punches, twenty punches.

Every single time, the Old Maniac used only one finger to knock him back.

Ye Fan's fists were dripping blood, his arms were shaking, and his physical strength was rapidly depleting. However, his eyes were full of unwillingness.

He had already learned the Six Paths of Reincarnation Fist and had grown stronger, so why was he still unable to overcome even a single finger of the Old Maniac?

"Enough."

The Old Maniac's voice rang out.

Ye Fan stopped in his tracks, gasping for breath as he looked at the white-haired elder standing with his hands behind his back.

The Old Maniac looked at him; there was no mockery or disdain in his eyes, only calmness.

"Do you know what Realm I am in?" he asked.

Ye Fan shook his head.

"A Saint," the Old Maniac said. "The Saint King Realm, but essentially a Saint."

Ye Fan's pupils contracted slightly.

A Saint.

Those were legendary figures, existences standing at the Peak of the cultivation world. He had heard legends of Saints—people of that level could establish a School, and even within Ancient Desolate Families, Saints did not appear easily; these people were generally Sealed in Forbidden Grounds as part of the family's hidden Foundations.

"A Saint is already a different kind of being from those in other Realms." The Old Maniac's voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable certainty. "Compared to previous Realms, it is like a vast chasm."

Ye Fan listened intently.

"Any Saint is one of the strongest of an era. A Saint can traverse Star Domains and roam the Universe. Cultivators below the Saint level are like ants before them."

The Old Maniac looked at Ye Fan and continued, "I am suppressing you with the Saint Realm, so naturally, it is very easy. Even if you have learned the Six Paths of Reincarnation Fist, even if you have opened the Eight Forbidden, and even if you trigger the All-Word Secret—before a Saint, you are still not enough."

Ye Fan fell silent.

He knew the Old Maniac was telling the truth. That kind of gap could not be bridged by Secret Techniques or Cultivation Techniques. It was a gap in the level of life itself, a fundamental difference.

"Ye Fan, if you encounter a Saint in the future..." The Old Maniac's tone became serious. "No, forget a Saint; even if it's a powerful Dao-Cutting King, you must run immediately."

Ye Fan raised his head and looked at him.

"A Dao-Cutting King is an existence at the Third Heaven of the Immortal Pavilion. They have undergone the tribulation of cutting the Dao, their Dao Hearts are firm, and their combat power far exceeds that of Great Powers at the Second Heaven of the Immortal Pavilion. At most, you can now exchange blows with Great Powers who have just entered the Second Heaven of the Immortal Pavilion, and even then, only those with unstable Foundations. If you encounter those Peak Great Powers, you must run; do not attempt to fight."

The Old Maniac's words, spoken one by one, were like a heavy hammer striking Ye Fan's heart.

"You should know how difficult it is to bridge a major Realm. You have already experienced it between the Dragon Transformation Realm and the Half-step Great Power level. The gap between a Half-step Great Power and the Second Heaven of the Immortal Pavilion is even larger. And the gap between the Second Heaven of the Immortal Pavilion and a Dao-Cutting King is like the difference between heaven and earth."

Ye Fan nodded.

He was no fool; he naturally understood.

At the Peak of the Dragon Transformation Realm, he had exerted all his strength and relied on the empowerment of the Eight Forbidden and essence blood to barely kill Wang Teng, who was at the eighth level of the Half-step Great Power Realm. That was already his limit. If Wang Teng had truly stepped into the Second Heaven of the Immortal Pavilion back then, it would definitely have been Ye Fan who died.

Now that he had achieved a Breakthrough to the Half-step Great Power level, his combat power had surged, but at most, he could only fight with Great Powers who had just entered the Second Heaven of the Immortal Pavilion. If he encountered those Peak Great Powers, he would still have to run.

As for Dao-Cutting Kings—they were existences he currently could not hope to reach.

"I understand," Ye Fan said. "Rest assured, Senior, I will not overestimate my own strength."

The Old Maniac looked at him, a hint of gratification flashing in his eyes.

This youth not only possessed outstanding talent but also had a sufficiently stable Heart-Nature. He knew what he could and could not do. He would not become arrogant and complacent just because he killed Wang Teng, nor would he become supercilious because he had learned the Six Paths of Reincarnation Fist.

This kind of Heart-Nature was the key to Becoming an Emperor.

"Very well." The Old Maniac withdrew his gaze. "You have already learned the first form of the Six Paths of Reincarnation Fist, and your cultivation of the All-Word Secret and Walk-Word Secret is more or less complete. I'll give you a few days to relax."

Ye Fan was slightly stunned. "Relax?"

The Old Maniac nodded. "In three days, I will take you to another Star Domain."

Ye Fan's eyes widened slightly. "Another Star Domain?"

"Yes," the Old Maniac said. "While the Big Dipper Astral Region is vast, the true testing grounds are deep within the starry sky. There are stronger opponents, harsher environments, and rarer opportunities there. You need to go there to temper yourself so you can become stronger."

Ye Fan was silent for a moment, then he nodded.

He had long known this day would come. Although the Big Dipper Astral Region was vast, true powerhouses would not remain confined to one corner. The Ancient Starry Sky Road was the true battlefield for Prodigies.

"In three days, meet me at the Martial Arts Arena," the Old Maniac said. Then he turned, took a step, and vanished into the night sky.

Ye Fan stood on the Martial Arts Arena, staring in the direction where the Old Maniac had disappeared, remaining silent for a long time.

In three days, he would be leaving the Big Dipper Astral Region.

Leaving the Ji Family, leaving the Eastern Wasteland, leaving this land where he had lived for several years.

Heading into the depths of the starry sky, toward a brand new and unknown world.

In his heart, there was a sense of reluctance to part.

Over the past year or so, he had spent many unforgettable times in the Ji Family. Sparring with Ji Haoyue, discussing the Dao with Ji Zi, and being trained within an inch of his life by the Old Maniac. And... Ji Ziyue.

Ye Fan sighed.

That young girl, who always wore a purple dress, always stole glances at him, and was always the first to rush over whenever he was injured, had already occupied an increasingly important place in his heart.

He turned and walked toward Ji Ziyue's courtyard.