Chapter 1024: Troublesome Kid

A soul contract binds 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 likewise cannot resolve this kind of agreement.

To prevent this fellow from going back on his word and causing a backlash, the Master Teacher Continent once specially stipulated that even if one could break free from the Heavenly Dao Record, they could not escape the soul‑bound agreement.

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

The Ruthless Person's Dao.

A soul contract is founded upon the Heavenly Dao; even special power that can dissolve the Heavenly Dao of the Divine Realm can dissolve a soul contract—if handled properly, what difficulty is there?

"I see……" Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

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

After explaining, Henren said no more; his aura grew ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him swelling larger—evidently, in the time spent speaking, he had swallowed an unknown amount of power to nourish himself.

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

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

"Let's get ready to fight!" With doubts dispelled, Zhang Xuan drew a deep breath, his long sword suddenly rising: "In that case, let's see whose technique is superior!"

Boom—

The greatest sword intent was unleashed once again.

In life, I hope to return; in death, I long for you endlessly!

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

This sword move, though not yet reaching the Emperor's level of insight, embodies all the obsessions in my heart, pushing the Heaven‑If‑Has‑Feeling technique within me to its limit.

Whoosh!

A single sword cut Henren's attack in half.

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

Her swordsmanship somewhat resembles that of the youth from Sword God Heaven, carrying an unstoppable vigor and the carefree ease of the natural Dao.

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

Henren gave a light smile and reached down again.

In an instant, his hand blotted out the sky and covered the earth, shattering space as if the sun, moon, and stars were about to be slammed down.

Pfft! Pfft!

Zhang Xuan and Luo Ruoxi were blown backward simultaneously, blood spraying wildly in midair.

With their combined strength, they could not even withstand it!

Just what realm has this fellow reached?

"Impudent!" The clone strode forward, each step causing lotuses to bloom and the void to echo with the sound of flowing water.

From afar, it looked incredibly imposing.

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.

Clashing with Henren, he too was blown backward, unable to block a single move.

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

Having attained Emperor rank, the clone still hasn't changed its show‑off nature……

Such flamboyant showing off would be better replaced by concentrating power for greater effect!

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

Xiao Huangji let out a loud shout; crimson flames blazed, making the sky seem to ignite.

The remaining six emperors also each employed their means.

Seven emperors joined forces, capable of destroying heaven and earth, yet any world before them could not withstand it—but the opponent was Henren, who had absorbed special power; as his attack approached, the black hole suddenly expanded, in the blink of an eye devouring the force entirely and then lashing back.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

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

Even the ten emperors united could not block a single move of the opponent!

Just how can this fellow be so powerful?

"You can die……"

With a single move he crushed the crowd; Henren stepped forward, turned his wrist, and struck down again.

"How dare you, rats!"

With a loud shout, the old man from Sword God Heaven suddenly appeared, blocking the front, his long sword transforming into a galaxy.

"An Emperor? He also has Emperor‑level strength?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

That old man had once followed the youth behind him, initially thought to be merely a follower, at most ennobled as a Divine King, but upon displaying his power he proved to be a mighty Emperor as well!

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

"He himself is the Emperor of Sword God Heaven……" Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth as she struggled to her feet.

"And… 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; instantly she saw the Emperor of Sword God Heaven likewise blown backward, landing not far away and blasting out a huge pit.

Zhang Xuan's present strength and his understanding of the sword far surpass his; even if his cultivation is not weak and his swordsmanship superb, he is still no match.

"Hahaha, Emperor, you're nothing but a bunch of mud‑chickens and rotting 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, Henren laughed maniacally as the surrounding space continually collapsed, making him appear like a demon or a fiend.

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

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

Could it be that in the Divine Realm, there really is 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 his mind is itself part of the Heavenly Dao; once returned, the Heavenly Dao would be completely whole, perhaps able to repair the loophole and expel Hen Ren.

Just like the human immune system.

When the immune system is complete, viruses come and are easily driven off; when 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 might not be able to 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 God King; even with a title, the Heavenly Dao could easily kill him, yet he is stronger than an Emperor…… he is 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 wake up and slay this person—it's not difficult!"

"Him?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

"Trying to escape?" Hen Ren snorted coldly and pressed down.

Boom!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the sky.

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

Ding ding ding!

Once again blocked by Hen Ren.

"You guys 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 Sovereign shouted loudly, blocking the front, while Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to the Still Void Pearl's true form.

The surrounding space solidified.

Go!

Seeing everyone recklessly throwing themselves behind them, fearless of death, Zhang Xuan's eye sockets reddened, but he also knew it 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 Free and Easy Heaven.

Free and Easy Heaven now lacks its former ease; the Divine Realm has 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's the harm in 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 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 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 let me regain consciousness—could it be that not only is she an Emperor, but her father is too, and even stronger?

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

Also, it needs a flaw in the Heavenly Dao for him to wake up?

He isn't 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, Father couldn't withstand that big hand, fell into a coma, the Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts—the ordered Heavenly Dao and the flawed Heavenly Dao entered the spatial turbulence, while I acted as steward of the Heavenly Dao's nature, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To revive him, we only need to gather the scattered parts…… that's why I'm so resolute, cannot fail! I specially entered the Master Teacher Continent, studied the Spring and Autumn Grand Canon, seeking a way to defeat Master Kong! When fighting Master Kong, entrusting him with this matter was also the case.

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

Not long after meeting the Master Teacher Continent, 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 moreover the Heavenly Dao of the Divine Realm!

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

Acting as steward of the Heavenly Dao's nature…… 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 breathed a sigh of relief.

Putting it that way, I only need to separate the flaw in the Heavenly Dao from myself; there's no need for her to die as well.

Although I'm unwilling to accept this 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 could come back to life, and even slay Hen Ren, right?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"This…… I'm not sure either……

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

The Divine Realm is his foundation; now the foundation is like this—even if he awakens, can he truly defeat that powerful Hen Ren?

Really hard to say!

"It seems you can't be certain either. In that case, seeking others is less effective than relying on ourselves… we have to figure it out on our own!" Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth: "You, I, and the clone, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, and if we cooperate with Kong Shi, we might actually win!"

"Kong Shi? He…" Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"Kong Shi is already dead, right! He hasn't truly died; if I'm guessing correctly, you slew him, but it was a way to break free from the Heavenly Dao… unsurprisingly, he should be, like Wei Changfeng, a Primordial Fetal Soul Body!"

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng, he understood; the so‑called preservation of spiritual intellect by Kong Shi must be the same as him—a Primordial Fetal Soul Body.

It enables one not to be lost within the fetal state.

Adding the pre‑placed contingency, resurrection is only a matter of time.

Luo Ruoxi was stunned; she hadn't expected it to be like this.

"If we look into the past, we'd know. Your guess is right; he should have already recovered, otherwise his students wouldn't have even missed the Tidal Sea…" Zhang Xuan said.

Kong Shi's students—Zi Yuan, Gu Sheng and others—are all powerful; even without an Imperial Lord's aid, they would surely find a way into the Tidal Sea, yet none have been seen.

There must be something more important awaiting, intending to act while all Imperial Lords are occupied with the Tidal Sea!

And that important matter is clearly to restore Kong Shi.

"This…" Luo Ruoxi felt a shock in her heart and suddenly understood.

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, with a single hand sweep, Zhang Xuan returned to Kong Shi's dwelling; there he indeed saw an elderly man sitting cross‑legged, levitating in the air. Seeing them arrive, he smiled faintly: "You've come!"

Not Kong Shi—then who is this!

This teacher of ten thousand generations truly did not disappoint!

As guessed, he revived while everyone's attention was focused on the Tidal Sea.

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

She knew an Imperial Lord could be resurrected, and the Undying Imperial Lord had also returned, but… she hadn't expected it to be so swift!

"I concealed the Heavenly Dao and prepared a contingency in advance; the nameless giant in the Ghostly Soul Pool is the one I left behind. The day you slew it, I seized the chance to break free from the Heavenly Dao's shackles, re‑condense my flesh, and now it has just recovered!"

Kong Shi smiled faintly.

He is proficient in temporal abilities; it appears that only one or two days have passed in the Divine Realm, but in reality, to restore his power, he has endured an unknown length of time.

Tens of years have passed.

"The three of us are quite strong, but surpassing the Ruthless One is not that easy…"

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

It's not about boosting others' prestige or inflating one's own morale; it's the reality.

Just now, so many united, yet they couldn't stop the opponent; even adding another Kong Shi, what difference would it make?

It still wouldn't change the situation!

"Our individual strength, even when combined, is indeed no match for the opponent, but… what if we fuse everyone's power into a single person?"

Kong Shi smiled and looked over.

"Fusing onto one person?"

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

"That palm can tear the Divine Realm apart, shatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is indisputable. The Ruthless One absorbed all that power and also devoured fifty years of the Divine Realm's spiritual energy. Relying solely on strength, even the dozens of Imperial Lords among us, each alone, are indeed no match…"

Kong Shi said, "But when united, concentrating the power onto one person… that might be different!"

"How to concentrate?"

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

It's easy to say, hard to do.

The Imperial Lords have already stood at the pinnacle of the Divine Realm; if it were that easy to absorb others' power, she wouldn't have been stagnant for so many years.

"It's simple… we channel the power we possess onto Zhang Xuan; once he can break through the Imperial Lords' shackles, he can save the Divine Realm!"

Kong Shi said.

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

"Lingxi Imperial Venerable cultivates freedom and natural transcendence! But with the constraints of a father and the Heavenly Dao, and with people one cares about, one can never truly transcend! If I'm not mistaken, when you fought me back then, you also gave up, intending to be slain by me, right?"

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi could not speak.

During the battle, that intention did exist, so at the start of their duel, each kept a contingency, like a sparring match rather than a life‑or‑death fight.

"Unable to transcend, one naturally cannot unleash the utmost power; even if given endless true Qi, it still cannot breach that supreme realm! As for me…"

Kong Shi nodded and said, "With compassion for all beings and a desire to save the world, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for me—excessive kindness is also a flaw! If one were harsher and exterminated the Yiling race, the current situation wouldn't have arisen…"

Had the Yiling people been completely exterminated back then, the Ruthless One could not have revived, and the present circumstances wouldn't exist.

"Therefore, I'm also unsuitable! As for Zhang Xuan, his cultivation method aligns perfectly, without flaw. He values living true to himself; even if he dies, as long as he lives without regret, his heart remains unburdened. Such a person possesses greater tolerance and broader potential for development; only this way can he ascend higher and farther!"

Kong Shi continued.

"When alive, return to the source; when dead, long for longing!"

Not even caring about death, how could one be bound by other matters?

"This…" Zhang Xuan frowned, about to speak, when Kong Shi's eyes flashed at him: "No need to decline. First, time is short; even if we trained others, I doubt anyone could do it better than you! Though Lingxi Imperial Venerable's body lacks Heavenly Dao fragments, he has long mastered the Heavenly Dao and holds his own understanding of it; I orderly control the Heavenly Dao. If we infuse you with power, your body will possess the complete Heavenly Dao! Combined with the clone's Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, we can truly fix the Nine Heavens, command Heaven and Earth, battle the Nine Heavens, and annihilate all things!"

"Alright!"

Seeing the other had already decided, further explanation was useless; Zhang Xuan nodded.

Boom!

Sitting cross‑legged, in the blink of an eye, two massive currents of power surged in from both sides.

Zhang Xuan's whole body stiffened; in an instant he seemed to become the Heavenly Dao itself, soaring above the Nine Heavens.

Soul, flesh, and true Qi were instantly baptized, growing stronger and more robust.

……

"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 Henren 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.

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

At this moment, Henren seemed to represent the entire Divine Realm, unstoppable by anyone.

"The Divine Realm is doomed; even if we live, it's meaningless. I, Yun Chi, will perish with you."

Yun Chi the 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!"

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

"Old friend, wait for me!"

Fumeng Emperor let out a loud 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.

Xuanming the Great Emperor's true form was a giant turtle, 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.

Boom boom boom boom

After four consecutive palms, Henren subdued the four beasts, a fierce killing intent flashing in his eyes: "Since you seek death, I will grant you death."

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

"You want to kill them—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, more than ten times stronger than before, descending from the heavens as if his very being were a world.

"He's improved quite a bit."

Henren 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 withstand me."

With a cold snort, Henren struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his sword and went to meet him.

The two clashed, space rending in streaks, air currents churning wildly.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

At the Zaitian Kong Shi's residence, Luo Ruoxi looked over, full of worry.

She and Kong Shi transferred their power to Zhang Xuan; 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 they can fully recover.

"With your current strength, wanting to overcome him is very difficult! Unless... he can comprehend power beyond the emperors!"

After a moment of silence, Kong Shi said.

Even a dozen emperors united could not defeat Henren, and even if they transferred all their power to him, overcoming him would still not be easy.

The reason they did this is because... only by concentrating power in one person can one possibly touch the pinnacle, truly surpass limits, and break through oneself!

"Power beyond the emperors?"

Luo Ruoxi's gaze was distant.

"When her father was still lucid, he had told her the same thing, but... she couldn't 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 smiled and said.

……

Boom boom boom

After several consecutive strikes, Zhang Xuan's tiger mouth split open, his chest bearing a huge, gruesome wound.

Just as Kong Shi said, even after fusing their two powers and forming a complete heavenly dao within, he was still no match.

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

"Anyway, you're not my opponent; 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 and instead gazed at Henren before him.

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

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

Clatter!

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 another huge pit was blasted out.

His eyes tightly shut, Zhang Xuan did not dodge.

Boom

His brain exploded, his soul scattering in all directions.

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

Luo Qiqi seemed to have gone mad.

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

Seeing this scene, Master Kong and Luo Ruoxi also all froze in shock.

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?

In that case, wouldn't that be letting down their good intentions?

"No, it's the Undying Emperor's undying method..."

While they were wondering, Master Kong suddenly spoke.

Everyone immediately saw that Zhang Xuan, whose head had exploded and even his soul shattered, had the pendant on his chest suddenly burst open; a drop of blood floated up, igniting into a scorching flame; within the flame, 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 the 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?"

Master Kong was also full of disbelief.

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

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

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

The soul contract binds Master and servant; if the Master does not dissolve 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, not even immortality can free it.

But... Henren, using that special power, broke free of the soul contract; the exact method, Zhang Xuan had inquired about in detail before—perhaps he had already been scheming back then.

That's why he deliberately risked death, letting the opponent unleash their strongest power to attack 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 method 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 one 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 Zhang Xuan before them had become the Nine Heavens; 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, the clone and his self perfectly merged, indistinguishable, which meant he had mastered this power.

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

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

With a smile on his face, Zhang Xuan muttered to himself.

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

Is it that people see the world and thus the world exists, or did the world exist first and then people came into being?

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving!

This problem has troubled countless people since ancient times.

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

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

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

All things in the world have emotion; only with emotion does the world exist; 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 feelings, for my use..."

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

The Emperor's shackles, broken!

In an instant, it felt as if touching a brand-new world and Da Men, the soul receiving swift 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, chaotic qi, even the opponent's azure light, can all be made mine, without distinction.

"You..." Henren hadn't expected that his full-force attack would not only fail to slay him, but instead accomplish him; he shouted 'wa wa!' in anger, let out a furious roar, and attacked again.

"You resent the high and mighty Emperor for not saving 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 to vent anger, that's emotion; you want to become stronger, that's also emotion... emotion controls you, so 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 Henren 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..."

Henren's eyes were full of panic: "Master Zhang, I am your servant, don't kill me... I am willing to offer my soul as a sacrifice..."

"It's too late to say these things now..." Zhang Xuan gave a slight smile and shook his head.

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

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

"No..."

Sensing his decisiveness, the ruthless person's pupils shrank; before his words even finished, he immediately felt a sharp pain all over his body.

Bang!

In an instant, the explosion burst forth, turning into countless 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...

Just like that, he's killed?

Yun Chi, the Great Emperor; the Undying Emperor; Immortal Maiden Linglong and the others all widened their eyes in disbelief.

Just now they had exchanged blows with the ruthless person, knowing how terrifying he was; such a powerful person was actually wiped out with a casual gesture—this Zhang Xuan... just what level has he reached?

Could it be that above the Emperor Sovereign there truly exists another realm?

He succeeded...

Master Kong 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 'Heavenly Dao's flaw' that had been separated from his own body still floating 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 tolling of a great bell, the constantly collapsing Divine Realm, the visibly slow recovery, and the chaotic airflow also began to gather again.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally came to a halt; the withered spiritual energy also slowly recovered along with the death of the ruthless person.

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

The breach in the Tide Sea, accompanied by 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, over here..."

Just after finishing these, a voice sounded in his mind; Zhang Xuan froze for a moment and stepped forward.

With that step, who knows how far he flew, he immediately saw a youth standing before him.

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

"Senior, you..."

Seeing that it was him, Zhang Xuan was stunned.

He had always felt this person was unfathomable; only now did he realize that, compared to himself, the difference was merely a hair's breadth—he had already reached the pinnacle of Emperor Sovereign, far surpassing Luo Ruoxi in strength.

"Just call me by my name; I am... Nie Tong!" The youth radiated an unstoppable sword intent as he spoke lightly.

"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 brother!" The youth called Nie Tong chuckled and stepped forward.

Zhang Xuan followed closely behind, not knowing how far they had flown, before stopping in front of a mountain peak.

He then saw another youth.

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

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

This youth's strength was actually greater than his, having likewise broken through the Emperor Sovereign's shackles, and his cultivation was even deeper and more substantial!

"I am Nie Yun!" The youth smiled faintly and looked over: "That is... Nie Lingxi, the father of Luo Ruoxi you spoke of!"

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

Zhang Xuan was shocked: "You... are the Heavenly Dao of the Divine Realm?"

Luo Ruoxi had said before that her father was the Heavenly Dao; who would have thought it would be such a young person.

"I transformed one qi into the Three Purities; a portion 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 couldn't believe it.

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

Then just how strong must his power be?

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

If it weren't for his own breakthrough, the Divine Realm would very 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 faintly: "Do you think... there exists an even more powerful life above the Divine Realm?"

"This..." Zhang Xuan paused: "There should be, right?"

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

Just like this person before him.

"I once suspected that there might be a more powerful life above the Divine Realm, so I exerted all my power to peer into it, ultimately drawing a backlash from a higher world... a hand broke through space and descended!"

Nie Yun looked over: "At the time, if I had dodged, the entire Divine Realm would very likely have been obliterated, leaving not a single life... so I blocked this move, but as a result, the 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 hand came from and what lies beyond the Divine Realm... it's hard for me alone to achieve. So I want to see if there is any life capable of breaking through the Emperor Sovereign's shackles and reaching my level."

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

Nie Yun said with a smile.

"A soul not belonging to this world, then my transmigration is also because of you?" Zhang Xuan's heart shook.

No wonder he could transmigrate over; he never expected it was all due to this person before him.

"Hehe!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly and said: "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 the present level would be utterly impossible.

I gave him the opportunity; he just didn't 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. In reality, he lost his brave and vigorous spirit. When facing someone surpassing us, if he lacks even this spirit, how could he possibly stand against them?

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

He had watched their battle back then, and 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 furrowed.

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 strength is now not much different from mine. Do you think, with their strength at a life-or-death juncture, you could save them?"

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

Breaking through to Emperor and being an Emperor are two different concepts; if he truly wished to intervene, he could indeed save the person at the critical moment, and guarantee that they wouldn't suffer a single injury.

"Lingxi is the child of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed name bears the surname Luo... In order to make her believe, to keep her unemotional, she has always thought I was still unconscious..."

Nie Yun gave a wry laugh: "This father of mine has been pretty ruthless... Let's do this: you explain things 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'd cause an uproar."

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

He had no choice but to agree, after all, he was the one who had 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 shows your ability and potential, and your future is limitless. For my daughter to be with you, as a father, I would also feel relieved."

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