Chapter 1035

A soul contract binds the souls; as long as one does not dissolve it, even if the other party wields heavenly means, it cannot be undone.

Just like the Undying Emperor Xiao Huangji, who was merely a Divine King before, he is an Emperor, yet he too cannot resolve this kind of agreement.

To prevent this fellow from having a change of heart and suffering a backlash, the Ming Shi Continent once expressly stipulated that even if the other party can break free of the Heavenly Dao's Register, they cannot escape the soul binding between them!

Indeed, a soul contract cannot be split from the sea of consciousness, but I have fused a special gas that even the Heavenly Dao can dissolve, making it easy to undo this contract… As long as there is sufficient power, bombarding the location of the contract will do it!

Ruthless Dao.

A soul contract is based on the Heavenly Dao; even special forces that can dissolve the Divine Realm's Heavenly Dao can dissolve a soul contract—if handled properly, what's the difficulty?

"I see..." Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

Saying all this to you also counts as thanks for bringing me to the Divine Realm!

Having finished his explanation, the Ruthless Person said no more; his aura grew ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him swelling larger, obviously having swallowed an unknown amount of power while speaking, thus nourishing himself.

Zhang Xuan, the more the black hole devours, the stronger he becomes...

Luo Ruoxi also sensed something amiss and hurriedly sent a mental transmission.

"Let's get ready to attack!" With all doubts dispelled, Zhang Xuan drew a deep breath, his long sword suddenly rising: "If that's the case, then let's see the true skill beneath our hands!"

Boom—

The greatest sword intent was unleashed once again.

In life I shall return; in death I shall long for you.

Life and death are of no concern; what could possibly stop us?

This sword move, though not having attained the Emperor's level of comprehension, nevertheless embodies all the obsessions in my heart, pushing the inner Heaven If It Has Feeling technique to its limit.

Whoosh!

With a single sword, he cleaved the Ruthless Person's attack in half.

At the same moment, Luo Ruoxi also struck, her jade hand rolling, her sword light like snow.

Her swordsmanship somewhat resembles that of the youth from Sword God Heaven, bearing an unstoppable momentum and the natural ease of the Great Dao.

"Your moves are impressive, but compared to me, they still fall short……"

With a light smile, the Ruthless Person reached down again to grab.

In an instant, his hand blotted out the sky and covered the earth, enveloping heaven and earth; space shattered, and the sun, moon, and stars seemed as if they would be slammed down by force.

Pfft! Pfft!

Zhang Xuan and Luo Ruoxi were both blown backward, blood spurting wildly in midair.

Despite their combined strength, they could not withstand it!

Just what realm has this fellow reached?

"Impudent!" The clone strode forward, each step causing lotus blossoms to bloom, the void echoing with the sound of flowing water.

From a distance, he exuded tremendous presence.

Having refined the Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, his cultivation is not the slightest bit weaker than Zhang Xuan's.

He raised a fist, and his power surged up to the Nine Heavens.

Upon colliding with the Ruthless Person, he too was blown backward, unable to withstand a single strike.

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

Having become an Emperor, the clone still hasn't changed its pretentious nature……

Such ostentatious pretentiousness would be better replaced by focusing one's power for greater strength!

"Let's attack together; otherwise, if they die, we will all die……"

Xiao Huangji let out a great shout, crimson flames blazing, the sky seeming to be set ablaze.

The remaining six Emperors also each employed their own methods.

Seven Emperors joined forces, capable of destroying heaven and extinguishing earth; yet even a single heaven and earth before them could not be resisted, but the opponent was the Ruthless Person who had absorbed special power; as the attack approached, his black hole suddenly expanded, in the blink of an eye swallowing all the power cleanly, then immediately counterattacking.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The seven Emperors, like Zhang Xuan and the others, were blown backward.

Ten Emperors joined forces, yet they could not even block a single strike from the opponent!

How could this fellow be so powerful?

"You may die……"

With a single move he routed the crowd; the Ruthless Person stepped forward, flipped his wrist, and struck down again.

"How dare you, rats!"

Accompanied by a loud shout, the old man from Sword God Heaven who had appeared earlier suddenly emerged, blocking before him, his long sword turning into a galaxy.

"An Emperor? He also possesses Emperor-level strength?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

This old man had originally followed behind the youth; I had thought he was merely a retainer, at most ennobled as a Divine King, but upon displaying his power I discovered he was actually a powerful Emperor as well!

If he is an Emperor, then what is that youth?

"He himself is the Emperor of Sword God Heaven……" Luo Ruoxi said, struggling to her feet, gritting her teeth.

"Then… what about the youth who taught me swordsmanship?" Zhang Xuan could no longer hold back.

"He is……" Luo Ruoxi was about to answer when space twisted, and immediately they saw this Emperor of Sword God Heaven likewise blown backward, falling not far away and blasting out a large crater.

Zhang Xuan's current strength and comprehension of the Sword Dao far surpass his; even so, they cannot withstand him, and even though his cultivation is not weak and his swordsmanship superb, he is still no match.

"Hahaha, Emperors, you're just a bunch of mud chickens and tile dogs! Today I will destroy the Nine Heavens, destroy this Divine Realm, and trample all rules flat!"

Having defeated the Emperor of Sword God Heaven, the Ruthless Person laughed maniacally as the surrounding space continually collapsed, making him appear like a demon or a devil.

"What do we do?" Zhang Xuan clenched his fists.

Just now he and his clone had both exerted their utmost combat power; even Luo Ruoxi before him had used her strongest technique, yet they could not block a single strike of the opponent……

Could it be that the Divine Realm truly has no one who can block this person before us?

Just let him destroy the world?

"The only way…… is to return your flawed Heavenly Dao to the Heavenly Dao itself, letting the Heavenly Dao suppress him……" Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists, her eye sockets reddening.

"Return to the Heavenly Dao itself?" Zhang Xuan understood her meaning.

The library in one's mind is itself part of the Heavenly Dao; once returned, the Heavenly Dao becomes completely whole, perhaps able to repair the breach and expel Henren.

Just like the body's immune system.

When the immune system is complete, viruses come and are easily driven off; when it fails, one cannot resist viral invasion, and even the strongest person will die from it.

Just……

"He is too strong; even if the Heavenly Dao recovers completely, it cannot suppress him!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Viruses, the immune system can kill them…… but what about a fierce tiger?

Even with the strongest immune system, what can be done?

This person before us is merely an ordinary Divine King; even with a title, the Heavenly Dao could easily kill him, yet he is stronger than an Emperor…… already beyond what the Heavenly Dao can contend with.

"This……" Luo Ruoxi paused, a look of loss appearing on her pure jade-like face: "Yeah…… there's no way to suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao is whole, he can awaken and slay this person—it's not difficult!"

"Him?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"I'll take you to see him, in Free Heaven……" Taking a deep breath, Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth, turned, and flew forward.

"Want to escape?" Henren snorted coldly and pressed down.

Boom!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the air.

"You……" Zhang Xuan's sword technique unfolded again, sword intent shining forth.

Ding ding ding!

Once again blocked by Henren.

"You hurry and go, I'll block him……"

Knowing they still wanted to find a way to save the Divine Realm rather than flee, the clone and the Undying Emperor shouted a great cry and blocked the front; Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to the Still Void Pearl's true form.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone recklessly blocking behind without fear of death, Zhang Xuan's eye sockets reddened, but he also knew now was not the time to talk; he grabbed Luo Ruoxi, his body flickered, tore through space, and in the next moment appeared within the range of Free Heaven.

Free Heaven now lacks its former ease; the Divine Realm has collapsed, everywhere in chaos.

"Where is the person you spoke of?"

Having no time to observe ordinary people's lives, Zhang Xuan looked at the girl in his arms.

If the person she spoke of can truly save the Divine Realm, what harm is there in my sacrificing myself!

"He is my father; the blood in your pendant is his; the Undying Emperor was once his beast pet……" Luo Ruoxi adjusted her breath and explained.

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

No wonder I always felt the blood in the pendant resembled Luo Ruoxi yet was different—it turned out to be her father's.

This also explains why the thought left by the Undying Emperor, upon seeing the pendant, immediately recognized itself as master.

"Is your father also an Emperor? Or does he possess strength surpassing an Emperor?"

He couldn't help but say.

The library is in chaos; it's the blood in the pendant that lets me regain clarity—could it be that not only is she an Emperor, her father is too, and even stronger?

If that's the case, why would he fall into a coma?

Also, it requires a flaw in the Heavenly Dao for him to awaken?

"He is not an Emperor, but…… the Heavenly Dao!"

Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists.

"Heavenly Dao? Your father…… is the Heavenly Dao?" Zhang Xuan shuddered, unable to believe.

"Yes! Fifty years ago, my father couldn't withstand that great hand, fell into a coma, the Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts—the orderly Heavenly Dao and the flawed Heavenly Dao entered the spacetime turbulence, while I acted as steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To revive him, we must gather the scattered parts…… that's why I am so resolute, cannot fail! I therefore went specially to the Famous Teacher Continent, studied the Spring and Autumn Classic, seeking a way to defeat Kongshi! When battling Kongshi, asking him to do this was also the case."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan realized.

Not long after meeting the Famous Teacher Continent, the girl before me had already told me her story—to save a close relative; I didn't understand then, but now I suddenly comprehend.

It turns out to be her father, and moreover the Heavenly Dao of the Divine Realm!

Can the Heavenly Dao truly take human form and bear children?

"Acting as steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order…… you don't have any fragments of the Heavenly Dao inside you?" Suddenly realizing something off in her speech, Zhang Xuan looked over.

Acting as steward and this kind of fusion within the body are two different concepts.

"I merely steward it, I am not part of the Heavenly Dao……" Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan relaxed his breath.

In that case, I only need to separate the flawed Heavenly Dao from myself; there's no need for her to die as well.

Although unwilling to accept this fate, I also don't want the girl before me to suffer harm.

"If I separate the flawed Heavenly Dao within me, your father can come back to life, and even slay Henren, right?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"This…… I'm not sure either……"

Looking up at the already collapsed Divine Realm, Luo Ruoxi hesitated.

The Divine Realm is my father's foundation; now that the foundation is like this, even if awakened, can we truly defeat that powerful Henren?

Really hard to say!

Looks like you can't be sure either. In that case, it's better to rely on oneself than ask others... We have to figure it out ourselves! Zhang Xuan clenched his teeth: "You, me, my avatar, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, if we also coordinate with Master Kong, we might not be unable to win!"

Master Kong? He... Luo Ruoxi frowned.

Master Kong is already dead, right? He hasn't truly died; if my guess is correct, he was killed by you, just a method to escape the Heavenly Dao... Without surprise, he should be like Wei Changfeng, an 【Innate Fetal Soul Body】!

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng, it became clear; what Master Kong called retaining consciousness should be the same as him, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain unconfused in the womb.

Adding the preparations made in advance, resurrection is just a matter of time.

Luo Ruoxi froze, as if she hadn't expected it to be this way.

"Just go and see, you'll know; my guess is correct, he should have already recovered, otherwise his students couldn't possibly not have gone to the Tide Sea..." Zhang Xuan said.

Master Kong's students, Ziyuan Gu Sheng and others, are all strong; even without the Emperor's help, they would certainly have a way to enter the Tide Sea, yet not a single one has been seen.

There must be something more important waiting, wanting to take advantage of the time when all the Emperors are busy with the Tide Sea and have no time to attend to other matters to do it!

And this important matter is obviously to let Master Kong recover.

"This..." Luo Ruoxi's heart jolted, and she suddenly understood.

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, with a single gesture, Zhang Xuan returned to where Master Kong lived, and indeed saw an old man sitting cross-legged, floating in the air; seeing them arrive, he smiled slightly: "You've come!"

Not Master Kong, then who is it!

This Teacher of Myriad Generations has indeed not disappointed!

Just as guessed, taking advantage of everyone focusing their attention on the Tide Sea, he revived again.

"You..." Luo Ruoxi's delicate body trembled.

She knew the Emperor could be revived, and the Undying Emperor had also come back to life, but... she didn't expect the speed to be this fast!

"I concealed the Heavenly Dao, prepared a backup in advance; that nameless giant in the Netherworld Soul Pool is what I left behind, the day you killed it, I took the opportunity to free myself from the Heavenly Dao's bonds, recondensed my physical body, and have only just now recovered!"

Master Kong smiled slightly.

He is proficient in time abilities; it seems only a day or two have passed in the Divine Realm, but in fact, to regain his strength, he has undergone an unknown amount of time.

He has even had tens of years of time.

"Our three strengths are strong, but wanting to surpass the Ruthless One is not that easy..."

Seeing Master Kong truly recovered, Luo Ruoxi still shook her head.

It's not about boosting others' prestige or destroying one's own morale; it's simply the fact.

Just now, so many people united couldn't stop the opponent; even adding Master Kong, what could it change?

Likewise, it cannot change the situation!

"Our individual strength, even when combined, is indeed not a match for the opponent, but... what if we merge everyone's power into a single person?"

Master Kong smiled and looked over.

"Merge into one person?"

This time, not only Luo Ruoxi frowned, but Zhang Xuan was also full of doubt.

"That palm can tear apart the Divine Realm, scatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is undeniable. The Ruthless One has absorbed all that power and also devoured the spiritual energy of the Divine Realm for fifty years. Based solely on strength, even if we each take out our power from the dozen or so Emperors, we are indeed not a match..."

Master Kong said: "But if we unite and concentrate the power into one person... it might not be the case!"

"How to concentrate?"

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

Easy to say, hard to do.

The Emperor already stands at the peak of the Divine Realm; if absorbing others' power were that easy, she wouldn't have stagnated for so many years.

"Very simple... we will gather our power onto Zhang Xuan; once he can break through the Emperor's shackles, he can save the Divine Realm!"

Master Kong said.

"Me?" Zhang Xuan startled: "Why me?"

"The Spirit Rhinoceros Emperor cultivates freedom and ease, transcending nature! But with the constraints of father and Heavenly Dao, and with beloved people, one can never truly transcend! If I'm not mistaken, when we fought before, you also once gave up, intending to let me kill you!"

Master Kong said.

Luo Ruoxi couldn't speak.

During the fight, there was indeed such an intention; thus their exchange, at the start, each held back, like sparring, not a life-or-death battle.

"Unable to transcend, naturally one cannot exert the strongest strength; even given more true qi, it's equally impossible to strike that highest realm! As for me..."

Master Kong nodded and said: "Holding the world in heart, wanting to save all beings, yet unwilling for others to sacrifice for me, too much kindness is also a flaw! If one were a bit more ruthless, exterminating the Alien Spirit Clan, the present situation would not have arisen..."

"If back then we could have exterminated all the Alien Spirit Clan, the Ruthless One could not have revived, nor would the present situation exist."

"So I'm also unsuitable! As for Zhang Xuan, his cultivation method is smooth, without flaws. He focuses on living true to himself; even if he dies, as long as he lives without guilt, his heart is at ease. Such a person possesses greater inclusiveness, greater room for development; only thus can he reach higher and farther!"

Master Kong continued.

In life, return to the origin; in death, cherish longing!

If even death doesn't matter, how could one be bound by other things?

"This..." Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, but seeing Master Kong's piercing gaze: "No need to decline; first say there's no time, go train others; even if there were time, I also think no one could do better than you! Though the Spirit Rhinoceros Emperor's body lacks Heavenly Dao fragments, he has long controlled the Heavenly Dao, having his own understanding of it; I govern the orderly Heavenly Dao; if we pour our power into you, your body will possess complete Heavenly Dao power! Combined with your avatar's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can fully stabilize the Nine Heavens, control Qiankun, fight the Nine Firmaments, destroy myriad things!"

"Alright!"

Seeing the other party already decided, further explanation useless, Zhang Xuan nodded.

Boom—

Sitting cross-legged ready, in the blink of an eye, two mighty forces surged in from both sides.

Zhang Xuan's whole body stiffened, his entire person seemingly in an instant becoming an embodiment of the Heavenly Dao, soaring above the Nine Heavens.

Soul, flesh, and true qi, in an instant received a baptism, growing stronger and stronger, ever more mighty.

……

"You also want to stop me? Fine, I'll kill you, then go and slay Zhang Xuan…"

He sent Luo Qiqi and the clones flying, and the Ruthless Person gave a cold smile.

The power jointly exerted by the clones and the many Emperors was indeed very strong, but compared to him, it was still somewhat weaker.

The Tide Sea had swallowed nearly all the spiritual energy outside the city in the God Realm; now this power has become his nourishment. Every gesture carries the power to destroy heaven and earth. Although these Emperors and God Kings represent the pinnacle of the God Realm, they are still unable to withstand a single blow.

At this moment, the Ruthless Person seemed to represent the entire God Realm; no one could stop him.

"If the God Realm falls, our lives have no meaning. I, Yun Chi, will perish with you…"

Yun Chi Great Emperor transformed into his true form, a gigantic five-clawed golden dragon, and lunged at him from above.

"Just you? You're not worthy!"

The Ruthless Person clenched his palm, and the golden dragon hung in his grasp, unable to escape no matter how it struggled.

"Old friend, wait for me!"

Fu Meng Emperor let out a great roar, transforming into his true form, the White Tiger, and appeared before him.

The Undying Emperor revealed his true form, the Undying Fire Phoenix, and flames blazed across the sky.

Xuan Ming Emperor's true form is a giant turtle, as if holding up the heavens.

The Four Divine Beasts, guardians of the four extremes of the God Realm, simultaneously transformed into their true forms, causing the collapsing God Realm to slow down.

Heaven and earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Bang bang bang bang!

With four consecutive palms, the Ruthless Person subdued the four beasts, a fierce killing intent flashing in his eyes: 'Since you seek death, I will grant it…'

In the midst of the roar, as he was about to strike down and wipe out everyone, he felt his raised arm tighten and stop in midair.

"You want to kill them, but have you asked me…"

Immediately, amidst everyone's shocked gazes, a figure slowly walked down from the air.

It was Zhang Xuan!

At this moment, the youth's power surged throughout his body, more than ten times stronger than before, descending from the heavens as if his very being were a world.

"You've made considerable progress…"

The Ruthless Person halted, his gaze solemn.

He obviously also didn't understand how, in just a few short minutes, the opponent's strength had undergone such a tremendous change.

"But what does it matter if you've increased? Even at its peak, the God Realm couldn't withstand me; I don't believe you can withstand me…"

With a cold snort, the Ruthless Person struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his sword and went to meet him.

The two clashed, space tearing apart in streaks, and the air currents ran wild in all directions.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

At the station of the Free Heaven Kong Shi, Luo Ruoxi looked over, full of worry.

She and Kong Shi transferred their power to Zhang Xuan, but their own cultivation had dropped to only the God King level, not as glorious as before.

However, as long as the power is sufficient, one day it can be fully restored, regardless of the level.

"With your current strength, wanting to surpass him is very difficult! Unless… he can comprehend power surpassing the Emperors!"

After a moment of silence, Kong Shi said.

Even a dozen Emperors combined could not defeat the Ruthless Person, and even if they transferred all their power to him, victory would not be easy.

The reason we do this is because… only by concentrating power in a single person can one possibly touch the pinnacle, truly surpass limits, and break through oneself!

"Power surpassing the Emperors?"

Luo Ruoxi's gaze was distant.

When her father was still lucid, he had once told her the same thing, but… she could not do it; can her beloved man do it?

"He definitely can… he has an unyielding heart! And a defiance toward this world!"

Seeing her doubt, Kong Shi laughed and said.

……

Bang bang bang!

After several consecutive blows, Zhang Xuan's tiger's mouth split open, and a huge wound appeared on his chest, gruesome and terrifying.

As Kong Shi said, even if their combined power formed a complete Heavenly Dao within, he was still no match.

"Hah, I thought you were formidable, but that's all!", the Ruthless Person gave a cold smile.

"Anyway, you're not my match; I'll be killed sooner or later. Since that's the case, I want to die under your strongest attack…" Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan stopped his advance and instead gazed at the Ruthless Person before him.

"Fine, I'll grant you that, and give you my strongest attack…"

Hearing that, the Ruthless Person froze for a moment, then let out a cold snort and raised his palm.

Clatter!

An azure light appeared in his palm and came down fiercely.

Sure enough, it was the strongest attack; the entire God Realm rumbled, as if it could barely endure, and a huge pit was blasted out once again.

With his eyes tightly shut, Zhang Xuan did not dodge.

Bang!

His brain exploded, and his soul scattered in all directions.

"Zhang Xuan…" Seeing this, everyone's faces turned pale.

Luo Qiqi seemed to have gone mad.

Yun Chi Great Emperor and the others also widened their eyes, trembling incessantly.

Seeing this scene, Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi were also all stunned.

The original intention was for him to break through his shackles and surge past the Emperor realm; why didn't he resist, but instead willingly face death?

Wouldn't this be letting down their good intentions?

"No, it is the immortality method of the Undying Emperor..."

While they were puzzled, Kong Shi suddenly spoke.

Everyone immediately saw Zhang Xuan, whose head had exploded and even his soul shattered, the pendant on his chest suddenly burst open; a drop of blood floated up, igniting into a ball of scorching flame, within which an unharmed figure slowly stepped out.

"He... used the opponent's power and the blood in the pendant to separate the flaw in the Heavenly Dao from his soul?"

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

After being reborn from the flames, Zhang Xuan actually had no Heavenly Dao Library inside him, no interference from the Heavenly Dao, and had broken free from the Heavenly Dao!

"How did he do that?"

Kong Shi was also full of disbelief.

The Heavenly Dao and his soul had fused together, indistinguishable; to break free, he had no choice but to have his soul scatter, relying on the Nether Soul Pool to recondense his soul.

This person before us, after being slashed just once, completely broke free; what method did he use?

"I understand... he used the method of the Ruthless Person to break the soul contract..." Luo Ruoxi realized.

The soul contract binds Master and servant; if the Master does not lift it, the servant remains forever bound... the Heavenly Dao Library is the same, it can be said to be an enhanced version of the contract.

Once the soul is bound, even immortality cannot free it.

But... the Ruthless Person used that special power to break the soul contract; the specific method, Zhang Xuan had inquired about in detail before, and perhaps he had already been thinking about it then.

That is why he deliberately fought to the death, letting the opponent unleash their strongest power against him.

Relying on this power, he was reborn from the flames; unexpectedly, it turned out to be a great success!

"Now I see, this is the way to break through the Emperor..."

Zhang Xuan walking out of the flames showed a faint smile, as if he understood something; he suddenly waved his hand, and a clone on the side instantly turned back into a lotus flower, flying over.

In an instant, it perfectly merged with himself.

In the blink of an eye, everyone felt that the Zhang Xuan before them had become the Nine Heavens, and the Nine Heavens were him.

He lightly tapped the ground with his foot.

The chaotic Nine Heavens immediately stabilized.

The Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, which appeared when the Nine Heavens were born, can stabilize the Nine Heavens; at this moment, his clone and self perfectly merged, indistinguishable, which means he has mastered this power.

Moreover, with his cultivation fused with the Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, he had already reached the peak realm; now it showed signs of loosening, as if he could break through at any moment.

"Master-servant affection, brotherly affection, teacher-student affection, parental affection, love... when combined, they are actually all things in the world; this is what it means to be human!"

With a smile, Zhang Xuan muttered to himself.

At the moment the Heavenly Dao Library separated from his soul, he understood.

Is it that man sees the world and thus the world exists, or does the world exist first and then man appears?

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving!

This question has troubled countless people since ancient times.

Of course, now... none of this matters anymore!

Without life, without emotions, even if the world exists, what meaning does it have?

Therefore, after breaking through love, it is the affection of all beings! It is the emotions intertwining the world.

All things in the world have emotions; with emotion there is a world, and with emotion life can continue.

Love, is emotion.

Hatred, is emotion.

Joy, is emotion.

Pain, is emotion.

Separation, is emotion.

Reunion, is also emotion!

"Myriad feelings, for my use..."

With a low cry, the sealed realm within Zhang Xuan's body instantly broke open.

The Emperor's shackles, broken through!

In an instant, it felt as if touching a brand-new world and the Da Men; the soul received rapid nourishment.

Countless chaotic qi surged in, and the physical body also rapidly increased.

Before, only by absorbing spiritual power could one progress; but now, spatial turbulence and chaotic qi, even the opponent's azure light, can be made mine, without distinction.

"You..." the Ruthless Person hadn't expected that his full-force attack would not only fail to slay him, but instead fulfill him; enraged, he yelled "wah-wah!" and, with a furious shout, attacked again.

"You resent the lofty Emperor, who didn't save you in the spatial turbulence—that's emotion; you feel that having once been my servant, containing humility and anger, that's emotion; you want to destroy the divine realm, venting anger, that's emotion; you want to become stronger, likewise emotion... emotion controls you, how could you possibly overcome me and not be controlled by me?"

With a faint smile, Zhang Xuan's voice grew faster and louder, his palm lightly grasping.

The originally invincible Ruthless Person was bound together by countless threads of emotion, his hands and feet tied, unable to move.

As long as there is emotion, it will be used by him, controlled by him!

"You..."

The Ruthless Person's eyes filled with panic: "Master Zhang, I am your servant, don't kill me... I am willing to offer my soul as a sacrifice..."

"Saying this now is already too late..." Zhang Xuan gave a slight smile and shook his head.

Having mastered the emotions of the world, things like servants are now meaningless to him.

Having killed so many god-level beings, hurt his girlfriend Luo Qiqi and so many friends, today how could he possibly forgive!

"No..."

Feeling his decisiveness, Henren's pupils contracted; before his words finished, he immediately felt a sharp pain throughout his body.

Bang!

In an instant, the explosion burst forth, turning into countless streams of spiritual energy that surged toward every corner of the Divine Realm.

Previously, all the power swallowed by the Tide Sea now returned, revitalizing the once‑barren wilderness.

"This..."

"You killed him just like that?"

Yunchi Great Emperor, the Undying Emperor, Linglong Fairy and the others all widened their eyes in disbelief.

Having just fought Henren, they knew how terrifying he was; yet such a powerful figure was wiped out with a casual gesture—how far has this Zhang Xuan gone?

Could there truly be a realm above the Emperor?

"He succeeded..."

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi loosened their clenched fists.

"This is part of the Heavenly Dao, so I will now return it to the Heavenly Dao..."

Seeing the flawed Heavenly Dao that had been split from his own body still hovering in the air, Zhang Xuan smiled lightly and flicked his finger.

Hum!

The library that had accompanied him since his rebirth now thunderously embedded itself in the sky of the Divine Realm.

The deep bell‑like resonance sounded, and the continually collapsing Divine Realm slowly healed, visible to the naked eye, while the chaotic currents regrouped.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally halted, and the withered spiritual energy gradually revived alongside Henren's death.

"It seems the Divine Realm is about to welcome an era of renewed spiritual energy," Zhang Xuan smiled.

The rift in the Tide Sea, now healed with the completion of the Heavenly Dao, has restored the Divine Realm to its former glory—only a matter of time.

"Zhang Xuan, come here..."

Having just finished these, a voice sounded in his mind; Zhang Xuan startled, then stepped forward.

That step carried him an unknown distance, and immediately he saw a youth standing before him.

This was the very person who had previously taught him swordsmanship.

"Senior, you..."

Seeing it was him, Zhang Xuan startled.

He had always sensed this person was unfathomable; now he realized the youth was only a hair's breadth behind him, having already reached the peak of Emperor rank, far surpassing even Luo Ruoxi before.

"Just call me by name; I am Nie Dong!" the youth said, his body emanating an unstoppable sword intent.

"Nie Dong?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

It was the first time he had heard that name.

"Come with me; I'll take you to see my brother!" said Nie Dong, smiling faintly as he stepped forward.

Zhang Xuan followed closely behind, not knowing how far they had flown, until they stopped before a mountain peak.

Immediately he saw another youth.

His appearance was not much older, with raised brows that gave an inscrutable, profound air.

"Such power..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

The youth before him was actually stronger, having likewise broken through the Emperor's shackles, and his cultivation was far deeper and more substantial!

"I am Nie Yun!" the youth said with a light smile, adding, "That is… Nie Lingxi, the father of Luo Ruoxi you mentioned!"

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

Zhang Xuan startled: "You… are the Heavenly Dao of the Divine Realm?"

Luo Ruoxi had said her father was the Heavenly Dao; he never imagined it would be such a young person.

"I transformed one part of my soul into the Heavenly Dao through the One Qi becoming Three Purities; besides, this world is my creation, so calling me the Heavenly Dao is perfectly fine!" Nie Yun said with a light smile.

Zhang Xuan could not believe it.

The Divine Realm was actually created by this person before him?

Just how strong must his power be?

"That's not right—if the Divine Realm is your creation and you are the Heavenly Dao, why let Henren run rampant without intervening?" Zhang Xuan looked at him.

Had I not broken through, the Divine Realm would likely have collapsed utterly; why does this person before him remain indifferent?

Even his daughter's life and death—does he care?

Without answering his question, Nie Yun glanced at him lightly: "Do you think… there might be even greater beings above the Divine Realm?"

"Well…" Zhang Xuan paused: "I suppose there should be."

Although he had never seen such beings, since he could cultivate to this level, perhaps others could as well—and perhaps even stronger.

Just like the one before him.

"I once suspected that greater beings existed above the Divine Realm, so I strained my senses to the limit, ultimately drawing a backlash from a higher world… a palm that shattered the void and descended!"

Nie Yun looked over: "If I had dodged then, the entire Divine Realm would likely have been erased, leaving no life at all… so I blocked the strike, but consequently, my incarnate Heavenly Dao was split apart."

"I merely wish to restore this with a single thought, but I understand that to truly transcend the Divine Realm's shackles and investigate where that palm came from, what lies beyond… I cannot do it alone. So I want to see if any life can break through the Emperor's shackles and reach my level!"

"Thus I sent the scattered thoughts of the Heavenly Dao down to the lowest world, granting them respectively to the souls native to this world and to a soul foreign to it. And you, you have not disappointed me!"

Nie Yun said with a smile.

"The soul not of this world—so my transmigration was also because of you?" Zhang Xuan's heart jolted.

No wonder he could transmigrate here; he never expected it to be the doing of this person before him.

"Hehe!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly: "Being native to this world, one naturally holds reverence for it; breaking its shackles is far harder. I merely had a thought, never imagining you could truly succeed..."

"I…" Zhang Xuan blushed: "Without Master Kong, I could never have reached this point..."

Without Master Kong's selfless devotion, attaining my present state would be utterly impossible.

I gave him the opportunity; he just didn't seize it. His duel with Lingxi was actually his best chance to break through; unfortunately, he chose to retreat, thinking he had a backup plan and could escape unscathed—in reality, he lost his brave and diligent spirit; when facing someone superior to us, if he lacks even this spirit, how could he possibly stand against them?

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

At that time he witnessed their battle, and Master Kong indeed lacked decisiveness.

Perhaps he simply does not wish to kill Luo Ruoxi.

Unfortunately, in that moment he missed the opportunity to advance.

"If Master Kong wins, Ruoxi will die……" After a moment, Zhang Xuan looked over, his brows furrowing.

Could it be that he doesn't even care about his daughter's life or death?

"With me here, she won't die……" Nie Yun gave a faint smile: "Your current strength is not much different from mine; do you think, at a life-or-death moment, wanting to save someone, can you do it?"

"This......" Zhang Xuan gave a wry smile.

Breaking through to Emperor, and being an Emperor, are two different concepts; if he truly wishes to act, he can indeed save someone at the critical moment, and guarantee that not a single injury will be sustained.

"Lingxi is the daughter of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng; therefore her assumed name bears the surname Luo…… In order to make her believe, not letting emotions interfere, she has always thought I was still in a coma……"

Nie Yun gave a bitter laugh: "This father of mine has been quite ruthless…… Well then, you should explain this to her; after all, her thoughts have now turned to you, and this old father of mine probably can't even remember…… Haha, I'll stay out of sight for a while; otherwise, I truly fear she'll cause an uproar……"

Seeing this unreliable old father before him, Zhang Xuan's cheek twitched, and he could only reply: "Alright……"

There's no choice but to agree; after all, I've eloped with someone's daughter……

"The Heavenly Dao Library is a manifestation of my will; it is both foundation and shackle. If you can rely on your own ability to break through the shackle, it demonstrates your ability and potential, and your future is limitless. That my daughter can be with you brings me, as a father, some comfort."

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