Chapter 1018: What Method Does Lin Eleven Use?

A Soul Contract binds souls; as long as one does not dissolve it, even if the opponent's methods are god‑like, it cannot be undone.

It's like the undying Emperor Lord Xiao Huangji, who was previously only a Divine King; he is an Emperor Lord, and likewise cannot resolve such an agreement.

To prevent that guy from reneging and causing backlash, Master Dalu once specifically decreed that even if the opponent can break free from the Heavenly Dao Book, he still cannot escape the pact between souls!

"A Soul Contract truly cannot be split from the Sea of Consciousness, but I have merged a special gas that even the Heavenly Dao can dissolve; undoing such a contract is not hard… as long as one has enough power to bombard the contract's location, it can be done!"

Henren said.

A Soul Contract is built upon the foundation of the Heavenly Dao; the special power can even dissolve the Heavenly Dao of the divine realm, so unraveling a Soul Contract, if handled properly, is no difficulty at all.

"I see…" Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

"Having told you all this, I suppose it's thanks for bringing me to the divine realm!"

After the explanation, Henren said no more; his aura grew ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him expanded further, evidently the act of speaking had again devoured an unknown amount of power, serving as nourishment.

"Zhang Xuan, the more the black hole devours, the stronger his strength becomes…"

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

"Prepare to act!" With all doubts gone, Zhang Xuan inhaled deeply, his long sword suddenly rose: "Since that's the case, let us see the true skill beneath my hand!"

Boom!

The most powerful Sword Intent surged forth again.

Life returns to its origin, death longs eternally!

Life and death matter not; what then can impede us?

This Sword Technique, though not reaching the Emperor Lord's comprehension, contains all the lingering obsessions in his heart, pushing the Heavenly Sentiment Technique within his body to its limit.

Whoosh!

One sword cleaved Henren's attack in two.

At the same moment, Luo Ruoxi also struck; her jade hand twirled, and the sword's blade shimmered like snow.

Her Sword Technique resembled that of the young man of Jian Shen Tian, bearing an unstoppable momentum and the natural elegance of the Dao.

"Your moves are impressive, but compared to me, they're still lacking…"

With a light smile, Henren again lunged downward.

In an instant, the sky was blocked, his palm enveloped heaven and earth, space shattered, and the sun, moon, and stars seemed about to be forcefully struck down.

Puff! Puff!

Zhang Xuan and Luo Ruoxi were simultaneously flung backward, blood spraying wildly in the air.

With their combined strength, they still could not hold it back!

What realm has this guy actually reached?

"Audacious!" The clone strode forward, and with each step a lotus blossomed, accompanied by the sound of flowing water in the void.

From afar, it exuded undeniable presence.

Having refined the Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, his cultivation is by no means weaker than Zhang Xuan's.

A single punch rose, its force soaring to the Nine Heavens.

Clashing with Henren, he was likewise flung backward, unable to block a single move.

Zhang Xuan covered his forehead.

Having attained Emperor Lord status, the clone still hasn't shed its pretentious nature…

Such flamboyant showoff is still inferior to concentrating power, which yields greater might!

"Strike together, otherwise if they die, we will all die…"

Xiao Huangji let out a mighty shout, crimson flames roared, and the sky seemed set ablaze.

The remaining six great Emperor Lords each employed their own methods.

The seven Emperor Lords united, destroying heaven and earth; no realm could withstand them, but the opponent was Henren who had absorbed the special power. As the attack approached, the black hole suddenly expanded, and in the blink of an eye it devoured the power completely, then launched a counterattack.

Bang bang bang bang!

The seven Emperor Lords, like Zhang Xuan and the others, were flung backward.

The ten Emperor Lords, united, still failed to block a single move from the opponent!

How can this guy be so powerful?

"You may die…"

With one strike he shattered the crowd; Henren stepped forward, flicked his wrist, and struck down again.

"You vermin dare!"

Accompanied by a roar, the elder of Jian Shen Tian who had appeared earlier suddenly emerged, blocking the way, his long sword transforming into a silver galaxy.

"Emperor Lord? Does he also possess Emperor Lord strength?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils narrowed.

That elder had originally followed the young man, thought to be merely an attendant, perhaps only a titled Divine King; when he displayed his power, it turned out he too was an Emperor Lord strongman!

If he is an Emperor Lord, then what is the young man?

"He himself is Jian Shen Tian's Emperor Lord…" Luo Ruoxi said through gritted teeth, struggling to stand.

"Then… what about the young man who taught me the Sword Technique?" Zhang Xuan could no longer hold back.

"He is…" Luo Ruoxi began to answer, when space twisted, and the Emperor Lord of Jian Shen Tian was also flung outward, landing nearby and creating a huge crater.

Zhang Xuan's current strength and his comprehension of the sword path far surpass him; he cannot contend— even though his cultivation is not weak and his swordsmanship is superb, he is still no match.

"Ha ha, Emperor Lord, just a bunch of earth chickens and stray dogs! Today I will annihilate the Nine Heavens, destroy this divine realm, and trample all rules!"

Having defeated Jian Shen Tian's Emperor Lord, Henren laughed wildly, the surrounding space continuously collapsed, framing him like a demon.

"What now?" Zhang Xuan clenched his fists.

Just now he and his clone had unleashed their utmost combat power, and even Luo Ruoxi before him had employed her strongest technique, yet none could block the opponent's single move…

Could it be that no one in the Divine Realm can stop this person before us?

Are we just going to let him destroy the world?

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

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

The library in his mind is itself part of the Heavenly Dao; once it returns, the Heavenly Dao becomes completely whole, perhaps able to repair the breach and expel the Ruthless Person on its own.

Just like the body's immune system.

If the immune system is intact, viruses come and are easily driven off; if it fails, it cannot resist viral invasion, and even the strongest person will die because of it.

Just……

"He's too strong; even if the Heavenly Dao recovers completely, it probably can't suppress him!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

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

Even the strongest immune system, what can it do?

This person before us is merely an ordinary Divine King; even with a title, the Heavenly Dao could easily kill him, yet he's stronger than an Emperor…… he's 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…… we can't suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao is whole, he can wake up and slay this person—it's not difficult!

"He?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

"Trying to escape?" Hengren snorted coldly and pressed down.

Boom!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the sky.

"You……" Zhang Xuan unleashed his sword technique again, sword intent shining forth.

Ding ding ding!

Again blocked by Hengren.

"You guys go quickly, I'll block him……

Knowing they were trying to find another way to save the Divine Realm rather than flee, the clone and the Undying Emperor let out a great shout, blocking the front, while Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to the True Form of the Silent Void Pearl.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone recklessly throwing themselves behind, unafraid of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened, but he also knew now wasn't the time to talk; he grabbed Luo Ruoxi, his body flickered, he tore through space, and in the next moment they appeared within the range of the Free and Easy Heaven.

The Free and Easy Heaven no longer had its former ease; the Divine Realm had collapsed, everywhere in chaos.

"Where is the person you're talking about?"

No time to observe ordinary people's lives; Zhang Xuan looked at the girl in his arms.

If the person she speaks of can truly save the Divine Realm, what harm is there in my sacrifice!

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

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly realized.

No wonder I always felt the blood in the pendant resembled Luo Ruoxi yet was different; it turns out it's her father's.

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

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

He couldn't help but say.

The library's chaos is due to the blood in the pendant, which let me regain consciousness; could it be that not only is she an Emperor, but her father is as well, and even stronger?

If that's the case, why would he be unconscious then?

And it also requires a flaw in the Heavenly Dao to make him conscious?

"He is not an Emperor, but…… the Heavenly Dao!" Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists.

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 spatial turbulence; I acted as the steward of the natural Heavenly Dao, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To revive him, we must gather the scattered parts…… that's why I'm so resolute, cannot fail! I specially went to the Master Teacher Continent to study the Spring and Autumn Classic, seeking a way to defeat Confucius! When fighting Confucius, the favor I asked of him was also this." Luo Ruoxi said.

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

Having just met the Master Teacher Continent not long ago, the girl before me had already told me her story, wanting to save a close relative; I didn't understand then, but now I suddenly realize.

Turns out it's her father, and even the Heavenly Dao of the Divine Realm!

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

"Acting as steward of the natural Heavenly Dao…… 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 am only stewarding it, not a part of the Heavenly Dao……" Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Putting it that way, I just need to separate the flaw in the Heavenly Dao from myself; it doesn't require her to die as well.

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

"If I separate the flaw in the Heavenly Dao from within me, your father can come back to life, and even defeat Hengren, right?" Zhang Xuan asked.

"This…… I'm not sure either……

Luo Ruoxi looked up at the already collapsed Divine Realm and hesitated.

The Divine Realm is my father's foundation; now that foundation is like this, even if he awakens, can we truly defeat that powerful Hengren?

Really hard to say!

Looks like you also can't be sure; in that case, it's better to rely on oneself than to ask others… We have only ourselves to figure out a way! Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth: "You, me, and my avatar, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, if we also coordinate with Master Kong, we might still be able to win!"

"Master Kong? He…" Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"Master Kong is already dead, right! He didn't truly die; if my guess is correct, he was slain by you, merely a method to break free from the Heavenly Dao… No 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 spiritual awareness should be the same as him, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain undeluded in the womb.

Moreover, with the contingency prepared in advance, resurrection is merely a matter of time.

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

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

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

There must be something more important awaiting, intending to act while all the Emperors are preoccupied with the Tide Sea and have no time to attend to other matters!

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 swipe of his hand, Zhang Xuan returned to where Master Kong resided; indeed he saw an old man sitting cross-legged, floating in midair; upon seeing them arrive, he gave a faint smile: "You've come!"

Not Master Kong, then who is it!

This teacher of myriad ages, indeed did not disappoint!

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 revive, the Undying Emperor had also come back to life, but… she didn't expect the speed to be so fast!

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

Master Kong gave a faint smile.

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.

"Our three strengths are considerable, 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 to boost others' prestige or dampen our own morale; it's simply the fact.

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

Likewise, it cannot change the situation!

"Our individual strength, even when combined, is indeed no 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 undoubted. The Ruthless One has absorbed all that power, and also devoured the Divine Realm's spiritual energy of fifty years. Based solely on strength, we dozen Emperors, each taken individually, are indeed no match…"

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

"How to concentrate?"

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

Easy to say, hard to do.

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

"Quite simple… we will gather our power onto Zhang Xuan; once he can break through the Emperor's shackles, we 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 the Heavenly Dao, and with beloved people, one can never truly transcend! If I'm not mistaken, when we fought earlier, you also once gave up, intending to let me slay you!"

Master Kong said.

Luo Ruoxi was speechless.

During the battle, there indeed was such an intention; thus their exchanges, at the start, each held back, akin to sparring, not a life-and-death fight.

"Being unable to transcend, one naturally cannot exert their greatest strength; even with abundant true qi, they cannot strike that supreme realm! As for me…"

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

"Had we been able to exterminate the Alien Spirit clan entirely back then, the Ruthless One could not have revived, nor would we be in this situation."

"So, I am also unsuitable! Zhang Xuan, however, cultivates a method that follows his heart, without flaw. He emphasizes living true to himself; even if he dies, as long as he lives without guilt, his mind is at ease. Such a person possesses greater inclusiveness and greater room for development; only thus can one reach higher and farther!"

Master Kong continued.

"In life, one ought to return to the origin; in death, one ought to yearn for affection."

"If even death is of no concern, how could one be bound by other matters?"

"This…" Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, when he saw Master Kong's piercing gaze: "No need to decline; first say there's not enough time, go train others; even if there were time, I also feel no one could do better than you! The Spirit Rhinoceros Emperor's body, though lacking fragments of the Heavenly Dao, has long mastered the Heavenly Dao and has his own understanding of it; I govern the orderly Heavenly Dao; if we pour our power into you, your body will possess the complete power of the Heavenly Dao! Combined with your avatar's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can completely stabilize the Nine Heavens, command the universe, battle the Nine Firmaments, annihilate all things!"

"Alright!"

Seeing the other party had already made a decision, further explanation would be useless; Zhang Xuan nodded.

Boom—

Sitting cross-legged, ready, in the blink of an eye, two mighty surges of power poured in from both sides.

Zhang Xuan's body stiffened; his whole person seemed to instantly embody the Heavenly Dao, soaring above the Nine Heavens.

Soul, flesh, and true qi were instantly baptized, growing ever stronger, ever more mighty.

……

You also want to block me? Fine, I'll kill you, then go and slay Zhang Xuan.

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

The power unleashed by the clones and the many emperors combined was indeed strong, but compared to him, it was still somewhat weaker.

The Tide Sea drained the spiritual energy outside the city of the Divine Realm, almost completely devouring it; now this power has become his nourishment, his every move carrying the ability to destroy heaven and earth. These emperors and divine kings, though they represent the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, are still no match.

At this moment, Hengren seemed to embody the entire Divine Realm, unstoppable by anyone.

If the Divine Realm falls, our lives have no meaning; I, Yunchi, will perish with you.

The Yunchi Great Emperor transformed into his true form, a gigantic five-clawed golden dragon, and lunged at him from the air.

Just you? You're not worthy!

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

Old friend, wait for me!

The Fuman Emperor also let out a great roar, transforming into his true form, a white tiger, and appeared before him in the air.

The Immortal Emperor revealed his true form, the Immortal Fire Phoenix, flames blazing across the sky.

The Xuanming Great Emperor's true form was a giant tortoise, as if holding up the heavens.

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

Heaven and earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Bang bang bang bang!

After four consecutive palms, Hengren 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 everyone out, he felt his raised arm tighten, stopping in midair.

You want to kill them, but have you asked me?

Immediately, amidst everyone's shocked gazes, a figure slowly stepped out 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 he himself were a world.

You've improved quite a bit...

Hengren halted, his gaze solemn.

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

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

With a cold snort, Hengren struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his sword and went to meet him.

The two clashed, space tearing apart in streaks, air currents running wild everywhere.

Can Zhang Xuan win?

At the Free Heaven Kongshi garrison, Luo Ruoxi looked over, full of worry.

She and Master Kong transferred their power to Zhang Xuan; their own cultivation had dropped to only the level of a divine king, not as glorious as before.

However, as long as the power is sufficient, one day they can fully recover, regardless of their current rank.

With your current strength, wanting to surpass him is very difficult! Unless... he can comprehend power beyond that of an emperor!

After a moment of silence, Master Kong said.

Even a dozen emperors united could not defeat Hengren, and even if they transferred all their power to him, overcoming him would still 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 beyond an emperor?

Luo Ruoxi's gaze drifted far away.

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

He definitely can... he has an unyielding heart! And an arrogance toward this world.

Seeing her doubt, Master Kong smiled and said.

……

Bang bang bang!

After several consecutive blows, Zhang Xuan's tiger mouth split open, his chest showing a huge, ferocious wound.

As Master Kong said, even if their combined power formed a complete heavenly dao within him, he was still no match.

"Hah, I thought you were formidable, but this is all!" Hengren gave a cold smile.

"Anyway, you're not my match; sooner or later I'll be killed. If so, I want to die under your strongest attack." Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan stopped advancing, instead of attacking, he looked at Hengren before him.

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

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

Whoosh!

A cyan light appeared in his palm and came crashing down.

Sure enough, it was the strongest attack; the entire Divine Realm rumbled, as if it could barely endure, and was struck again with a huge crater.

His eyes tightly closed, Zhang Xuan did not dodge.

Boom!

His skull burst open, his soul scattering in all directions.

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

Luo Qiqi seemed to have gone mad.

The Yunchi Great Emperor and others also widened their eyes, trembling nonstop.

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi, who saw the scene, were also stunned.

The intention was to let him break the shackles and surge beyond the Emperor Realm, so why didn't he resist and willingly go to his death?

Wouldn't that betray their goodwill?

"No, it's the Immortal Emperor's method of immortality…"

Puzzled, Kong Shi suddenly spoke.

Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan, whose head had exploded and even his soul shattered, his chest pendant suddenly detonating; a droplet of blood floated up, ignited into a searing flame, and within the flame a perfectly intact figure stepped out slowly.

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

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

After being reborn in fire, Zhang Xuan found the Heavenly Dao Library gone from his body, no longer interfered by the Heavenly Dao, having broken free from it!

"How did he do it?"

Kong Shi was also full of disbelief.

Since the Heavenly Dao and the soul had merged indistinguishably, to escape he had to let his soul scatter, then used the Ghost Pool to reconsolidate his spirit.

The one before us, after only a single slash, completely broke free—what method did he use?

"I understand… he used Hen Ren's method to break the soul contract…" Luo Ruoxi realized.

A soul contract binds Master and servant; if the Master does not release, the servant remains forever bound… the Heavenly Dao Library works the same way, essentially an enhanced contract.

Binding the soul, immortality will not detach.

But… Hen Ren used that special power to break the soul contract; Zhang Xuan had previously inquired about the exact method, perhaps already forming a plan then.

That is why he deliberately risked death, prompting him to unleash his strongest attack.

Using this power, reborn in fire, unexpectedly, it indeed succeeded spectacularly!

"So that's it, this is the way to break through the Emperor…"

Zhang Xuan, emerging from the flames, wore a faint smile as if he understood something; he suddenly waved his hand, and one of his clones instantly transformed into a lotus flower and flew toward him.

In an instant, it merged perfectly with his own body.

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.

His foot lightly pressed the ground.

The chaotic Nine Heavens instantly steadied.

The Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, which appears at the birth of the Nine Heavens and can stabilize them, now fully merged with his clone, indistinguishable, meaning he now controls that power.

Moreover, with his cultivation fused with the Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, his already peak state became loosened, as if ready to break through at any moment.

"Master‑servant bond, brotherhood, teacher‑student bond, parental love, romance… merged together, that's the essence of all things in the world, that's what it means to be human!"

Smiling, Zhang Xuan murmured to himself.

The instant the Heavenly Dao Library detached from his soul, he understood.

Is it that humans observe the world, thereby creating it, or does the world exist first, then humans?

Is it the wind that moves, or the heart?

This question has eternally plagued countless people.

Of course, now… none of that matters!

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

Thus, after transcending love, comes the sentiment of all beings! The emotions that interweave the world.

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

Love is emotion.

Hatred is emotion.

Joy is emotion.

Pain is emotion.

Separation is emotion.

Reunion is also emotion!

"Myriad emotions, at my command…"

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

The Emperor's shackles have been broken!

In an instant, it seemed he touched a brand‑new world and Da Men, and his soul received rapid nourishment.

Countless chaotic qi surged in, and his flesh body accelerated upward.

Before, only by absorbing spiritual energy could he advance, but now spatial turbulence and chaotic qi, even the opponent's azure light, can be his, indistinguishably.

"You…" Hen Ren hadn't expected that his full‑force attack not only failed to slay him but instead empowered him, letting out a frantic "Wah‑wah!" and a roar, then attacked again.

"You resent the lofty Emperor for not rescuing you in the spatial turbulence—that's emotion; you feel that once you were my servant, harboring humility and anger—that's emotion; you wish to destroy the divine realm, venting rage—that's emotion; you desire greater strength, likewise emotion… Emotion controls you; how can you overcome me, not be controlled?"

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

The once invincible Hen Ren was now bound by countless threads of emotion, restrained and unable to move.

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

"You…"

Hen Ren's eyes were filled with terror: "Master Zhang, I am your servant, do not kill me… I am willing to offer my soul as a sacrifice…"

"It's too late to say that now…" he said with a slight smile, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Controlling the emotions of the world, servants and the like held no meaning for him anymore.

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

"No…"

Sensing his decisiveness, the Ruthless's pupils contracted; before his words finished, he immediately felt a sharp pain all over his body.

Boom!

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

All the power previously devoured by the Tide Sea now returned in full, reviving the already barren wilderness.

This……

He was killed just like that?

Yunchi Dadi, the Undying Emperor, Linglong Xianzi, and the others all widened their eyes in disbelief.

Just moments ago they had crossed blows with the Ruthless, knowing how terrifying he was; such a powerful person was obliterated with a casual swipe—how far has this Zhang Xuan... actually reached?

Could there truly be another realm above the Emperor?

He succeeded……

Kongshi and Luo Ruoxi loosened their clenched fists.

This is part of the Heavenly Dao; therefore I now return it to the Heavenly Dao……

Seeing the «Heavenly Dao's Deficiency» that had been separated 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 was suddenly embedded in the sky of the Divine Realm.

The bell-like resonance continued; the constantly collapsing Divine Realm, the visibly slow recovery, and the chaotic airflow also gathered together again.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally ceased; the withered spiritual energy, too, gradually revived along with the Ruthless's death.

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

The hole in the Tide Sea, along with the completion of the Heavenly Dao, has already been restored; the Divine Realm's return to its former prosperity is merely a matter of time.

"Zhang Xuan, come here……"

Having just finished these, a voice sounded in his mind; Zhang Xuan staggered slightly and stepped forward.

That step carried him an unknown distance, whereupon he saw a young man standing before him.

He was precisely the one who had previously taught him swordsmanship.

"Senior, you……"

Seeing that it was him, Zhang Xuan froze.

He had always seemed unfathomable; now he realized that, compared to himself, the difference was only a hair's breadth—he had already reached the peak of the Emperor, far surpassing Luo Ruoxi's previous strength by an unknown degree.

"Just call me by my name; I am…… Nie Tong!" the youth said lightly, a fearless sword intent emanating from him.

"Nie Tong?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

This was the first time he had heard that name.

"Come with me; I'll take you to see my older brother!" the youth called Nie Tong chuckled and 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 young man.

His appearance was not much older, his eyebrows raised, giving an impression of profound inscrutability.

"This strength……" Zhang Xuan trembled.

This young man's strength before him was actually greater than his own; he, too, had broken through the Emperor's shackles, and his cultivation was even deeper and more substantial!

"I am Nie Yun!" the youth smiled faintly, looking over: "In other words…… Nie Lingxi, the father of Luo Ruoxi you spoke of."

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

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

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

"I transformed one qi into the Three Pure; a part of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, this world is my creation—calling me the Heavenly Dao is perfectly justified!" Nie Yun smiled faintly.

Zhang Xuan could not believe it.

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

Just how strong must his power be?

"No, if the Divine Realm is your creation and you are the Heavenly Dao, why do you let the Ruthless run rampant without intervening?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

If it weren't for his own breakthrough, the Divine Realm would likely have collapsed completely; why does this person before him remain indifferent?

Even the life and death of his daughter—does he care?

Without answering his question, Nie Yun glanced over lightly: "Do you think…… there exists an even more powerful life above the Divine Realm?"

"This……" Zhang Xuan paused: "There should be……"

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

Just like this person before him.

"I once suspected that a more powerful life existed above the Divine Realm, so I exerted all my power to observe, ultimately drawing a backlash from a higher world…… a palm broke through the void and descended!"

Nie Yun looked over: "At the time, if I had dodged, the entire Divine Realm would likely have been flattened, leaving no life…… so I blocked the strike, but consequently, my embodied Heavenly Dao was split apart."

"In this situation, I merely wish to restore it with a single thought, but…… I understand that to truly transcend the Divine Realm's shackles, to explore where that palm came from and what lies beyond the Divine Realm…… it is difficult for me alone. Therefore, I want to see if there is any life capable of breaking through the Emperor's shackles and reaching a level equal to mine."

"Therefore, I sent the scattered thoughts of the Heavenly Dao to the lowest world…… bestowing them upon the souls originally belonging to this world and upon a soul not of this world. And you, you have not disappointed me!"

Nie Yun laughed.

"A soul not of this world, then—does that mean my transmigration is also because of you?" Zhang Xuan's heart shook.

No wonder he could transmigrate here; he never expected it to be entirely due to this person before him.

"Hehe!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly, saying: "Being native to this world, one naturally feels reverence for it; wanting to break through the world's shackles is far more difficult—I, too, merely had a thought, never imagining you could actually succeed……"

"I……" Zhang Xuan's face flushed: "If not for Master Kong, I could never have reached this level……"

Without Master Kong's selfless dedication, reaching his present state would be utterly impossible.

I gave him the opportunity; he just failed to seize it. The duel with Lingxi was actually his best chance to break through, but unfortunately he chose to retreat, thinking he had a backup plan and could withdraw unscathed, when in fact he lost his vigor and progress. Facing someone surpassing us, if he doesn't even have this spirit, how could he possibly contend with them?

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

He had watched their battle back then; Master Kong indeed lacked decisiveness.

It's also possible he didn't want to kill Luo Ruoxi.

Unfortunately, in that moment he missed the chance 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 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, with their strength at a life-or-death juncture, wanting to save someone, can you actually do it?"

"This……" Zhang Xuan gave a bitter smile.

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

"Lingxi is the daughter of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed surname is Luo…… In order to make her believe, not letting emotions interfere, she has continued to think I am still in a coma……"

Nie Yun gave a bitter laugh: "This father of mine has been pretty ruthless…… Well, let you explain this to her; after all, her thoughts have now turned to you, 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 agree: "Alright……"

Not agreeing is no option; who let him abduct someone's daughter……

"The Heavenly Dao Library is a manifestation of my thought; 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, your future prospects are limitless; my daughter being able to be with you, as a father, I would also feel relieved."

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