Chapter 1038: The Brain Is Also a Weapon

Soul Contract, it matches the soul; as long as one does not dissolve it oneself, even if the other'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, yet likewise cannot resolve this kind of agreement.

In order to prevent this guy from changing his mind and causing a backlash, the Master Continent had specially stipulated that even if the other party could break free from the Heavenly Dao's Book, they could not escape the soul's 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 dissolve this contract…… As long as there is sufficient power, bombarding the location of the contract will achieve it! 」

Ruthless Person's Dao.

Soul Contract is established on the foundation of the Heavenly Dao; special power capable of dissolving the Heavenly Dao of the God Realm 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 thanks for bringing me to the God Realm! 」

After explaining, the Ruthless Person said no more; his aura became ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him grew 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 wrong, hurriedly sending a mental message.

「Get ready to move! 」 With doubts cleared in his heart, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, his long sword suddenly rising: 「If that's the case, then let's see the real skill beneath our hands! 」

Boom—

The strongest sword intent was unleashed once again.

In life, I shall return; in death, I shall long for you!

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

This sword move, though not reaching the Emperor's level of comprehension, contains all the obsessions in my heart, pushing the Heaven If Has Feeling Technique within my body to its limit.

Whoosh!

One sword cut the Ruthless Person's attack in half.

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

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

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

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

In an instant, his hand covered the sky 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 spurting wildly in midair.

With their combined strength, they actually couldn't block it!

Just what realm has this guy reached?

「Impudent! 」 The avatar strode forward, each step causing lotuses to bloom, the void carrying the sound of flowing water.

From afar, it looked extremely 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, power surging up to the Nine Heavens.

Clashing with the Ruthless Person, he too was blown backward, unable to withstand a single move.

Zhang Xuan covered his forehead.

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

Such flamboyant pretentiousness—better to concentrate power for greater might!

「Attack together, otherwise they'll die and we'll all die……

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

The remaining Six Great Emperors also each displayed their abilities.

The Seven Emperors united, capable of destroying heaven and erasing earth; yet any force before them could not be resisted—but the opponent was the Ruthless Person who had absorbed special power; as the attack approached, his black hole suddenly expanded, in the blink of an eye devouring the power completely, then launching a counterattack.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

The Ten Great Emperors, united together, actually couldn't block a single move from the opponent!

How could this guy be so powerful?

「You may die……

With one move he defeated everyone; the Ruthless Person 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 in front, his long sword turning into a galaxy.

「An Emperor? He also has Emperor-level strength?

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

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

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 stand.

「Then… the youth who taught me swordsmanship? 」 Zhang Xuan could no longer hold back.

「He is……」 Luo Ruoxi was about to answer when space twisted; immediately she saw the Emperor of Sword God Heaven also blown backward, landing not far away, blasting out a large crater.

Zhang Xuan's current strength and his understanding of the Sword Dao far surpass him; even if his cultivation is not weak and his swordsmanship exquisite, he is still no match.

「Hahaha, Emperor, you're just a bunch of mud chickens and trash dogs! Today I will destroy the Nine Heavens, destroy this God Realm, and trample all rules flat!

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

「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 block the opponent's single move……

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

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 One.

Just like the human immune system.

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

Just……

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

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

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

This person before us is merely an ordinary Divine King; even with a title, the Heavenly Dao could easily kill him, yet he is stronger than an Emperor…… 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 is no way to suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao is whole, he can awaken and slay this person; that is not difficult!"

"Him?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"I will 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 One snorted coldly, pressing down.

Boom!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the air.

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

Ding ding ding!

Again blocked by the Ruthless One.

"You all hurry and leave; I will block him……"

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

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

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

This also explains why the thought left by the Undying Emperor, upon seeing the pendant, immediately acknowledged me as its master.

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

He could not help but say.

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

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

Also, it requires a defective Heavenly Dao for him to regain consciousness?

"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 could not withstand that great hand, fell into a coma, and the Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts: the orderly Heavenly Dao and the defective Heavenly Dao entered the space-time turbulence, while I acted as the steward of the natural Heavenly Dao, maintaining the balance of the Divine Realm. To restore him, we must gather the scattered parts…… that is why I am so resolute, cannot fail! I therefore entered the Master Teacher Continent specially, studying the Spring and Autumn Classic, seeking a way to defeat Master Kong! During the battle with Master Kong, 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 recounted her story of wanting to save a close relative; I did not understand then, but now I suddenly realize.

It is actually her father, and moreover the Heavenly Dao of the Divine Realm!

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

"Acting as the steward of the natural Heavenly Dao…… you have no fragments of the Heavenly Dao inside you?" Suddenly realizing something off in her speech, Zhang Xuan looked over.

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

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

Zhang Xuan relaxed his breath.

Putting it that way, I only need to separate the defective Heavenly Dao from within myself; there is no need for her to die as well.

Although unwilling to accept this fate, I also do not wish for 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 slay the Ruthless One, right?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"This…… I am also not certain……"

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

The Divine Realm is the foundation of my father; now that the foundation is like this, even if he awakens, can he truly defeat that powerful Ruthless One?

Really hard to say!

Looks like you can't be sure either; if so, it's better to rely on oneself than ask others… We have only ourselves to figure it out! Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth: "You, me, and my clone, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, if we also coordinate with Kong Shi, we might not be unable to win!"

"Kong Shi? He…" Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"Kong Shi 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 that Kong Shi's so-called preserving consciousness should be the same as him, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain undeluded in the womb.

Plus the backup prepared in advance, resurrection is just a matter of time.

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

"Just go check 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.

Kong Shi's disciples, Ziyuan Ancient Saints 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 waiting, wanting to take advantage of when all the Emperors are preoccupied with the Tide Sea to act!

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

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

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, a single hand gesture, Zhang Xuan returned to where Kong Shi resided, and indeed saw an old man sitting cross-legged, floating in midair; seeing them arrive, he gave a slight smile: "You've come!"

Not Kong Shi, then who is it!

This teacher of myriad ages, indeed did not disappoint!

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

"I concealed the Heavenly Dao, prepared a backup in advance; that nameless giant in the Phantom Soul Pool is what I left behind, slain by you that day, I seized the chance to break free from the Heavenly Dao's bonds, recondensed my flesh, and have only just now recovered!"

Kong Shi gave a slight smile.

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

He has even had tens of years.

"Our three's strength is strong, but wanting to surpass the Ruthless One is not that easy…"

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

Not to boost others' prestige or dampen our own morale, but it's a fact.

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

Likewise, it cannot change the situation!

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

Kong Shi smiled and looked over.

"Merge into one person?"

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

"That palm can tear apart the Divine Realm, scatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is undeniable. The Ruthless One absorbed all that power, also devoured fifty years of spiritual energy from the Divine Realm; relying solely on strength, we over a dozen Emperors, each individually, are indeed no match…"

Kong Shi said: "But if we unite and concentrate the power into one person… perhaps it might work!"

"How to concentrate?"

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

Easy to say, hard to do.

The Emperors already stand at the peak 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!"

Kong Shi said.

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

"The Lingxi Emperor cultivates freedom and ease, transcending nature! But with the constraints of father and Heavenly Dao, and with beloved ones, 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!"

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi couldn't speak.

During the battle, indeed there had been such an intention; thus their exchanges, at the start, each kept backups, akin to sparring, not a life-and-death fight.

"Unable to transcend, naturally one cannot unleash their strongest strength; even with abundant true qi, one cannot strike that supreme realm! As for me…"

Kong Shi nodded and said: "Holding the world in heart, wanting to save all under heaven, yet unwilling for others to sacrifice for me; excessive kindness is also a flaw! If I were a bit more ruthless, exterminating the Alien Spirit clan, there wouldn't be the present situation…"

"If back then we could have exterminated all Alien Spirit folk, the Ruthless One couldn't have revived, nor would we be in this situation."

"So I'm also unsuitable! Zhang Xuan, his technique flows naturally, without flaw. He focuses on 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, greater room to grow; only thus can one reach higher and farther."

Kong Shi continued.

"In life, return to the beginning; in death, long for longing!"

"If even death is not a concern, how could one be bound by other matters?"

"This…" Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, when he saw Kong Shi's piercing gaze: "No need to decline; first say time is insufficient, go cultivate others; even if there were time, I doubt anyone could do better than you! The Lingxi Emperor's body may lack Heavenly Dao fragments, but he has long mastered the Heavenly Dao, possessing his own understanding; I govern the Heavenly Dao orderly; if we pour our power into you, you will possess complete Heavenly Dao power! Combined with your clone's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can fully achieve fixing the Nine Heavens, grasping the universe, battling the Nine Firmaments, annihilating all things!"

"Alright!"

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

Boom—

Sitting cross-legged ready, in the blink of an eye, two mighty 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 stronger and mightier.

……

"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 Henren gave a cold smile.

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

The Tide Sea devoured almost all the spiritual energy outside the city of the Divine Realm; now this power has become his nourishment, every move bringing the power 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, and no one could stop him.

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

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

Fu Meng Emperor also let out a great roar, transforming into his true form, a white tiger, and came before him in the air.

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

Xuan Ming 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 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!

With 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 a killing blow to wipe out everyone, 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 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 a lot……"

Henren stopped, his gaze solemn.

He obviously also didn't understand why, 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, Henren struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his long sword and went to meet him.

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

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

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

She and the Master 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, regardless of their current level.

"With your current strength, wanting to surpass…… is very difficult! Unless…… he can comprehend power beyond 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 would not be easy.

The reason they do 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 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, the Master laughed and said.

……

Bang bang bang!

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

As the Master said, even after fusing their two powers and forming a complete heavenly way within, he was still no match.

"Haha, thought you were formidable, but that's 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 his advance and instead 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 and came down violently.

Surely the strongest attack, the entire Divine Realm rumbled, as if it could barely endure, once again blasted into a huge pit.

His eyes tightly closed, Zhang Xuan did not dodge.

Boom!

His head 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 Great Emperor and the others also widened their eyes, trembling nonstop.

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

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

This would surely waste 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 scorching flame; within the flame, an unharmed figure slowly stepped out.

He... using the opponent's power and the blood in the pendant, separated 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 severed ties with 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, then with the help of the Netherworld Pool, recondense his soul.

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

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

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

Once the soul is bound, even immortality won't 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 likely had already been thinking about it then.

That's why he deliberately risked 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 method to break through the Emperor...

Zhang Xuan, walking out of the flames, showed a faint smile, as if he had 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 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, having cultivated with the fusion of the Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, he had already reached the peak realm, and now showed signs of loosening, 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, Zhang Xuan muttered to himself.

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

Is it that people see the world and then the world exists, or is it that the world existed first and then people came?

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving!

This question has troubled countless people since ancient times.

Of course, now... these are no longer important!

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 emotion 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 emotions, for my use...

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

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 swift nourishment.

Countless chaotic qi surged in, and the physical body also swiftly rose.

Previously, only by absorbing spiritual power could one progress; but now, spatial turbulence and chaotic qi—even the opponent's azure light—can become mine, with no distinction.

You..." the Ruthless Person didn't expect that his full-force attack would not only fail to slay him, but actually fulfill him; he shouted "wah-wah!" in anger, gave a furious roar, and 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, likewise emotion... emotion controls you, how can you possibly overcome me and not be controlled by me?

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

The originally invincible Ruthless Person was bound 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..."

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

Controlling the emotions of the world, things like servants are already meaningless to him.

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

No...

Feeling his decisiveness, Hengren's pupils contracted; before his words ended, he immediately felt a sharp pain throughout 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 Tidal Sea now flowed back, reviving the once‑barren wilderness.

"This..."

"You killed him just like that?"

Yun Chi Da Di, Bu Si Di Jun, Linglong Xianzi, and the others all widened their eyes in disbelief.

Just now they had exchanged blows with Hengren, knowing how fearsome he was; such a powerful person was actually obliterated with a casual gesture—how far has this Zhang Xuan... actually reached?

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

"He succeeded..."

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi loosened their clenched fists.

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

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

Hum!

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

The bell‑like roar, the continually collapsing Divine Realm, the visibly slow recovery, and the chaotic currents also gathered together again.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally ceased, and the withered spiritual energy also slowly revived with Hengren's death.

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

The rift in the Tidal Sea, accompanied by 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.

He did not know how far that step carried him when he suddenly saw a youth standing before him.

It was none other than the one who had previously taught him his sword technique.

"Senior, you..."

Seeing it was him, Zhang Xuan blinked in surprise.

He had always felt this person was unfathomable; now he realized that, compared to himself, the difference was only a hair's breadth—this person had already reached the very peak of the Emperor, 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 and stepped forward.

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

He then saw another youth.

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

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

The youth's strength before him was actually greater than his own, having likewise broken through the Emperor's shackles, and his cultivation was even 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?"

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 part of my soul into the Heavenly Dao through the One Qi becoming Three Purities! Moreover, this world is my creation—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?

Then 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 Hengren run rampant without intervening?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

If it weren't for my own breakthrough, the Divine Realm would very 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 might be 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 palm broke through the void and descended!"

Nie Yun looked over: "At that time, if I had dodged, the entire Divine Realm would very likely have been wiped out, leaving no life at all... so I blocked the strike, but consequently, the incarnate Heavenly Dao was split apart."

"I merely wish to restore this with a single thought, but I understand that to truly transcend the Divine Realm's shackles, to explore where that palm came from and what lies beyond it... I cannot do it alone. So I want to see if there is any life capable of breaking through the Emperor's shackles and reaching my level."

So, just send the scattered heavenly dao thoughts to the lowest world…… separately bestow upon the souls originally belonging to this world, and a soul not belonging to this world. And you, in the end, did not let me down!

Nie Yun laughed.

A soul not belonging to this world, put that way, my transmigration is also because of you? Zhang Xuan's heart jolted.

No wonder, to be able to transmigrate over, I never expected it was all because of this person before me.

Hehe! Nie Yun lightly laughed, saying: "Being inherently of this world, one possesses awe for the world; wanting to break through the world's fetters makes the difficulty far greater. I also had a fleeting thought, never imagining you could truly succeed..."

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

Without Master Kong's selfless dedication, wanting to reach the present realm is utterly impossible.

"I gave him the chance; he just didn't seize it. The duel with Lingxi was actually his best opportunity to breakthrough, but he chose to retreat, thinking he kept a fallback and could walk away unscathed, when in fact he lost his boldness and diligence. Facing someone who surpasses us, if he lacks even that spirit, how can he contend with them?"

Nie Yun.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

He had watched their battle; Master Kong indeed was a bit indecisive in his resolve.

Perhaps he was unwilling to slay Luo Ruoxi.

Regrettably, in that very thought he missed the chance to advance.

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

Could it be that the man before him doesn't even care about his daughter's life?

"As long as I'm here, she won't die…" Nie Yun smiled lightly: "Your current strength is not far from mine; considering the two of you at the brink of life and death, do you think you could save someone?"

"This…" Zhang Xuan forced a bitter smile.

Breaking through the Emperor, and the Emperor himself, are two different concepts; if he truly is willing to act, he could indeed rescue the person at the final moment and ensure not a single wound is incurred.

"Lingxi is the child of my other wife Luo Qingcheng, so the name she disguised under bears the surname Luo… To make her believe I'm not acting emotionally, she has thought I'm still in a coma…"

Nie Yun gave a wry smile: "I, as a father, have indeed been ruthless… How about this, you should explain this matter to her yourself; after all, her thoughts have already shifted to you. This old father probably can't even recall… Haha, I'll stay out of sight for now, keep hiding for a while; otherwise I'm truly afraid she'll cause chaos that turns heaven upside down…"

Seeing this utterly unreliable old father, Mian Pi twitched, and Zhang Xuan could only agree: "Fine…"

There's no way to refuse, since I took someone's daughter…

"The Heavenly Dao Library is a manifestation of my thought; it is both foundation and shackles. If you can break the shackles with your own ability, it shows your power and potential are boundless, and my daughter being able to be with you comforts a father."

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