Chapter 1034: Another Mission

Soul Contract, it binds souls; as long as one does not dissolve it oneself, even if the opponent's methods reach the heavens, it cannot be undone.

Just like the Undying Emperor Little Yellow Chicken, who was merely a God King before, he is an Emperor, and likewise cannot resolve this agreement.

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

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

Henren Dao.

Soul Contract is founded upon the Heavenly Dao; even special power capable of dissolving the Divine Realm Heavenly Dao can dissolve a Soul Contract—if handled properly, what difficulty is there?

"I see……" Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

"Saying all this to you also counts as gratitude 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, while speaking, he had swallowed an unknown amount of power, nourishing himself.

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

Luo Ruoxi also sensed something amiss, hurriedly sending a mental message.

"Let's get ready to fight!" With all 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 return; in death, I long forever!

Life and death are irrelevant—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 to its limit.

Whoosh!

A single sword cut Henren's attack in half.

At the same moment, Luo Ruoxi also struck, her jade hands 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……"

Henren gave a light smile and reached down again.

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

Pfft! Pfft!

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

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

Just what realm has this fellow reached?

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

From afar, it looked immensely 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, his power surging to the Nine Heavens.

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

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

Having become an Emperor, the avatar still hasn't changed its habit of showing off……

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

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

The Little Yellow Chicken let out a loud cry, crimson flames blazing, the sky seeming to be set ablaze.

The remaining six Emperors also each employed their methods.

Seven Emperors united, capable of destroying heaven and earth, yet a single side of heaven and earth could not withstand it—but the opponent, Henren who had absorbed special power, saw his black hole suddenly expand as the attack approached, instantly swallowing the power and then counter‑attacking.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

Even the Ten Emperors united could not withstand a single move of the opponent!

How could this fellow be so powerful?

"You may die……"

With one move he defeated everyone; Henren stepped forward, turned his wrist, and struck down again.

"How dare you, rats!"

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

"An Emperor? Does he also have Emperor‑level strength?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

This old man originally followed behind the youth, thought to be merely a retainer at most a God 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; she then saw the Emperor of Sword God Heaven likewise blown backward, landing not far away and blasting out a huge pit.

Zhang Xuan's current strength and understanding of the Sword Dao 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 trash dogs! Today I will destroy the Nine Heavens, destroy this Divine Realm, and trample all rules flat!"

After defeating 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 avatar had exerted their utmost combat power, even Luo Ruoxi before him had used her strongest technique, yet none could withstand the opponent's single move……

Could it be that in the Divine Realm, there's really no one who can stop this person before us?

Just let him destroy the world?

"The only way…… is to return your defective 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 breach and expel the Ruthless Person on its own.

Just like the human immune system.

When the immune system is intact, 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.

But……

"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 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 is stronger than an Emperor…… he is now 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—that's not difficult!"

"Him?" 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, turned, and flew forward.

"Want to escape?" the Ruthless Person snorted coldly, pressing down.

Boom!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the air.

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

Ding ding ding!

Once again blocked by the Ruthless Person.

"You guys hurry and leave, I'll block him……"

Knowing they wanted to find a way to save the Divine Realm rather than flee, the clone and the Undying Emperor Venerable, with a loud shout, blocked the front, and Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to the Still Void Pearl's true form.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone risk their lives to block behind, unafraid 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 they appeared within the range of the Free and Easy Heaven.

The Free and Easy 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 locket 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 locket 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 locket, immediately acknowledged me 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 locket, which restored my clarity; could it be that not only she is an Emperor, her father is too, and even stronger?

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

And also requires a defective Heavenly Dao to make him awake?

"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 big hand, fell into a coma, the Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts—the Orderly Heavenly Dao and the Defective Heavenly Dao entered the spatial turbulence; I acted as steward of the Natural Heavenly Dao, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To restore him, we must gather the scattered parts…… that's why I am so resolute, cannot fail! I therefore entered the Master Teacher Continent specially, studied the Spring and Autumn Classic, seeking a way to defeat Master Kong! When fighting Master Kong, the favor I asked of him was also this."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan understood.

Having just met the Master Teacher Continent not long ago, the girl before me had already told me her story of 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 Natural Heavenly Dao…… you don't have any Heavenly Dao fragments inside you?" Suddenly realizing something off in her speech, Zhang Xuan looked over.

Acting as steward and this kind of fusion within oneself 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 Defective 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 Defective Heavenly Dao from within me, your father can come back to life, and even kill the Ruthless Person, right?" Zhang Xuan looked at her.

"This…… I'm not sure either……"

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

The Divine Realm is her father's foundation; now the foundation is like this—even if he awakens, can he truly defeat that powerful Ruthless Person?

Really hard to say!

"It seems you can't be certain either; in that case, seeking others is less effective than seeking ourselves… we have only ourselves to devise a plan!" Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth: "You, I, and the clone, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, if we cooperate with Kong Shi, we might actually win!"

"Master Kong? He…" Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"Kong Shi is already dead, right? He hasn't truly died; if my guess is correct, you slew him, but it was a method to break free from the Heavenly Dao… unsurprisingly, he should be, like Wei Changfeng, a congenital 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 his, a congenital fetal soul body.

It allows one not to be lost within the womb.

Add 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 to the past we'd know; your guess is right—he should have already recovered, otherwise his students wouldn't have avoided even the Tidal Sea…" Zhang Xuan said.

Kong Shi's students—Zi Yuan, Gu Sheng and others—are all powerful; even without an Emperor's aid they'd 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 Emperors are occupied in the Tidal Sea.

And that important matter is clearly to restore Kong Shi.

"This…" Luo Ruoxi felt a shock in her heart, suddenly understanding.

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, with a single hand sweep, Zhang Xuan returned to Kong Shi's dwelling and indeed saw an elderly man seated cross‑legged, hovering in the air; upon seeing them, he smiled faintly: "You've arrived!"

"If it's not Kong Shi, then who is it!"

"This teacher of ten thousand generations truly did not disappoint!"

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

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

She knew an Emperor could be resurrected, the Immortal Emperor 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 was my leftover. When you slew him that day, I seized the chance to break free from the Dao's shackles, re‑condense my flesh, and now I've just recovered!"

Kong Shi smiled faintly.

He is adept at temporal abilities; it appears only one or two days have passed in the Divine Realm, but in reality an unknown span elapsed for him to restore his power.

Decades of time have passed.

"Our combined strength—three of us—is great, but defeating 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 fact."

Even with so many united just now, they couldn't stop the opponent; even adding 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 body?"

Kong Shi smiled and looked over.

"Fusing into one person?"

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

"That palm can tear the Divine Realm, shatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is undeniable. The Ruthless One absorbed all that power and devoured fifty years of the Realm's spirit. Relying solely on strength, even a dozen Emperors each alone are certainly no match…"

Kong Shi said, "But uniting them, concentrating the power in one person… that might be different!"

"How to concentrate it?"

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

"It's easy to say, hard to do."

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

"Very simple… we concentrate all our power onto Zhang Xuan; once he breaks the Emperor's shackles, the Divine Realm can be saved!"

Kong Shi said.

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

"The Lingxi Emperor cultivates freedom and transcendence of nature! Yet bound by his father and the Heavenly Dao, and by those he cares for, he can never truly transcend! If I'm not mistaken, when you first fought me, you also gave up, intending to be slain by me, right?"

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi was speechless.

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 cannot unleash the utmost power; even with endless true Qi, the supreme realm remains unreachable! As for me…"

Kong Shi nodded, "One who cares for all beings and wishes to save the world yet refuses others to sacrifice for him is overly compassionate—a flaw! If one were harsher, eradicating the Yiling race, the current situation wouldn't exist…"

If the Yiling tribe had been completely exterminated back then, the Ruthless One could not have revived, and this predicament wouldn't have arisen.

"So I'm also unsuitable! As for Zhang Xuan, his cultivation aligns perfectly, without flaw. He values living true to himself; even if he dies, as long as he lives without regret, his heart is clear. Such a person has greater tolerance and room for growth; only then can he ascend higher and farther!"

Kong Shi continued.

"Life returns to its source, death becomes endless longing!"

Even death does not bind him; how could he be shackled by other matters?

"This…" Zhang Xuan frowned, about to speak, when Kong Shi's eyes flashed intensely: "No need to refuse. First, time is insufficient; even if we train others, it may still be too late, and I doubt anyone could do it better than you! Though the Lingxi Emperor lacks fragments of the Heavenly Dao within, he has long mastered the Dao and holds his own understanding; I orderly control the Dao. If we infuse you with this power, your body will possess the complete 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!"

"Alright!"

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

Boom!

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

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

His soul, flesh, and true Qi were instantly purified, growing stronger and more mighty.

"You also want to stop me? Fine, kill you all, then go slay Zhang Xuan..."

He swatted Luo Qiqi and his clone, etc., flying away, and Henren gave a cold smile.

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

The Tide Sea swallowed the spiritual energy outside the city of the Divine Realm, almost completely devouring it; now these energies have become his nourishment, every move bringing the power to destroy heaven and earth; these Emperors and God Kings, although they represent the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, are still unable to withstand a single blow.

At this moment, Henren seemed to represent the entire Divine Realm, and no one could withstand him.

"If the Divine Realm perishes, 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 the air.

"Just you? You're not worthy!"

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

"Old friend, wait for me!"

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

The Undying Emperor revealed his true form, the Undying Fire Phoenix, its flames illuminating the sky.

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

The Four Divine Beasts, guardians of the four extremes of the Divine Realm, simultaneously transformed into their true forms, and the collapsing Divine Realm slowed down.

Heaven and earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

After four consecutive palms, Henren 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, stopping in midair.

"You want to kill them? Have you asked me?..."

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

It was Zhang Xuan!

At this moment, the youth's power surged throughout his body, stronger than before by more than tenfold, coming from the heavens, as if his very being was a world.

"You've improved a lot..."

Henren halted, his gaze solemn.

He obviously also didn't understand why, in just a few short 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 longsword and went to meet him.

The two clashed, space tearing in streaks, air currents churning everywhere.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

At the dwelling of the Free-and-Easy Heaven Master, Luo Ruoxi looked over, full of worry.

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

However, the level is just a rank; as long as the power is sufficient, one day it can be restored.

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

After a moment of silence, the Master said.

More than ten Emperors united still could not defeat Henren, even if they transferred all their power to him, wanting to overcome him was still not easy.

The reason they do this is because... only by concentrating power in one person can one possibly touch the pinnacle, possibly truly surpass limits, 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 words, but... she could not do it; could her beloved man do it?

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

Seeing her doubt, the Master laughed and said.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

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

Just as the Master said, even if their combined power formed a complete heavenly way within him, he was still no match.

"Hah, thought you were something, but that's all!" Henren gave a cold smile.

"Anyway, you're not my opponent; sooner or later I'll be killed. Since that's the case, I want to die under your strongest attack..." Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan stopped advancing, instead of attacking, he looked at Henren before him.

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

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

Whoosh!

A cyan light appeared in his palm, then came down violently.

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

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

Bang!

His head exploded, his soul scattering in all directions.

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

Luo Qiqi seemed to go mad.

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

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

The original intention was to let him break through his shackles and attack to surpass the Emperor realm; why didn't he resist and instead willingly go to his death?

This way, wouldn't it be wasting their good intentions?

"No, it's the immortality method of the Undying Emperor..."

While they were puzzled, Kong Shi suddenly spoke.

Everyone then 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 the flame, an intact 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 fire, 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 the soul were fused together, indistinguishable; to break free, he had to have his soul scatter and, with the help of the Netherworld 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 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 restrained... 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's why he deliberately fought to the death, letting the opponent unleash their strongest power against him.

With this power, he was reborn from the fire; unexpectedly, it turned out to be a great success!

"So that's it; 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 and flew 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 himself perfectly merged, indistinguishable, which means he now controls 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!"

Smiling, Zhang Xuan murmured to himself.

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

Is it that people see the world and then the world exists, or that the world exists first and then people appear?

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 emotion, 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 emotion; with emotion comes the 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 Great Door; the soul received rapid nourishment.

Countless chaotic qi surged in, and the flesh 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 all-out attack would not only fail to slay him, but instead fulfill him; angry, he shouted "wah-wah!" and, with a furious roar, attacked again.

"You resent the lofty Emperor, who didn't save you in the spatial turbulence—that's emotion; feeling that you were once my servant, containing humility and anger—that's emotion; wanting to destroy the Divine Realm to vent anger—that's emotion; wanting to become stronger—also emotion... emotion controls you, so how could you overcome me and not be controlled by me?"

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

"Saying these now is already too late..." Zhang Xuan smiled slightly and shook his head.

Controlling the emotions of the world, servants and such already hold no meaning for him.

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

"No..."

Feeling his decisiveness, the Ruthless Man's pupils contracted; before his words finished, he immediately felt a sharp pain all over 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 flowed back, reviving the once‑barren wilderness.

"This..."

"Just like that, he's dead?"

The Cloud Chi Great Emperor, the Immortal Emperor, the Exquisite Fairy and others all widened their eyes, unable to believe it.

Just moments ago they had clashed with the Ruthless Man and knew how terrifying he was; yet such a powerful figure was wiped out with a casual gesture—just how far has this Zhang Xuan gone?

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

"He succeeded..."

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi loosened their clenched fists.

"This is part of the Heavenly Dao; then I will now return it to the Heavenly Dao..."

Seeing the "flawed Heavenly Dao" that had just been separated from his own body still hovering in the air, Zhang Xuan gave a light smile and flicked his finger.

Hum!

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

The resonant toll of a great bell, the constantly collapsing Divine Realm slowly healed before the eyes, and the chaotic currents also gathered together again.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally ceased, and the withered spiritual energy, together with the Ruthless Man's death, slowly revived.

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

The rift in the Tide Sea, along with the completion of the Heavenly Dao, has already been restored; the Divine Realm will return to its former prosperity—it's only a matter of time.

"Zhang Xuan, come here..."

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

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

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

"Senior, you..."

Seeing that it was him, Zhang Xuan was stunned.

Earlier I had sensed this person was unfathomable; now I realize he is only a hair's breadth above me, having already reached the very peak of the Emperor realm, far surpassing even Luo Ruoxi from before.

"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 lightly 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 youth.

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

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

The youth before him possessed strength even greater than his own, 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, looking over: "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?"

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

"I transformed one breath into the Three Pure Ones; a part of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, this world is my creation, so calling me the Heavenly Dao is perfectly justified!" 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 powerful must his strength be?

"That's not right; if the Divine Realm is your creation and you are the Heavenly Dao, why did you let the Ruthless Man run rampant without intervening?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

If it weren't for my own breakthrough, the Divine Realm would likely have collapsed completely; why does this person before me 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 I have never seen such a being, since he could cultivate to this level, perhaps others could as well—and perhaps even stronger.

Just like the one before me.

"I once suspected that a mightier life existed above the Divine Realm, so I strained my utmost to peer into it, ultimately drawing a backlash from a higher world... a palm shattered the void and descended!"

Nie Yun looked over: "At that time, if I had dodged, the entire Divine Realm would likely have been erased, leaving not a single life... so I blocked the strike, but consequently, my incarnate Heavenly Dao was split apart."

"I wish to restore this situation; it is merely a 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, is difficult for me alone. Therefore, I want to see whether any life can break through the Emperor's shackles and reach a level equal to mine!"

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

Nie Yun said with a smile.

"A soul not belonging to this world—so my transmigration is also because of you?" Zhang Xuan's heart shuddered.

No wonder I could transmigrate here; I never expected it was all due to this person before me.

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

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

Without Master Kong's selfless dedication, attaining the present realm would be utterly impossible.

"I gave him the opportunity; he just failed to seize it. His duel with Lingxi was actually his best chance to break through, but he chose to retreat, thinking he had a fallback and could withdraw unharmed—in reality he lost his brave, 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.

At the time, he witnessed their battle, and Kong Shi indeed lacked decisiveness.

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

Unfortunately, in that instant, he missed the chance to advance.

"If Kong Shi 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 strength is now not much different from mine; do you think, at a life-and-death moment, wanting to save someone, can you actually do it?"

"This…" Zhang Xuan gave a bitter smile.

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

"Lingxi is the daughter of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed name bears the Luo surname… In order to make her believe, to keep her unemotional, she has continued to think I am still in a coma…"

Nie Yun gave a wry laugh: "My father-in-law has been ruthless enough… Well, let you 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 father-in-law before him, Zhang Xuan's cheek twitched, and he could only agree: "All right…"

There's no choice but to agree; who let him elope with someone's daughter…

"The Heaven's Way 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. For my daughter to be with you, as a father, I would also feel relieved."

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