Chapter 1041: Boss Lin Became the Thirteenth Target

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

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

To prevent this fellow from changing his mind and causing a backlash, the Master Teacher Continent had specially stipulated that even if one could escape the Heavenly Dao Record, they could not break free from the soul's agreement!

"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, dissolving this contract is not difficult……as long as there is sufficient power, bombarding the location of the contract will achieve it!"

Henren said.

Soul Contract, it is founded upon the Heavenly Dao's basis; special power that can even dissolve the Divine Realm's Heavenly Dao 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 finishing his explanation, Henren said no more; his aura became ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him grew even larger—evidently, while speaking, he had devoured an unknown amount of power, nourishing himself.

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

Luo Ruoxi also sensed something was wrong, and hastily sent a mental transmission.

"Let's get ready to fight!" With all doubts dispelled in his heart, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, his long sword suddenly rose: "Since that's the case, then let's see the true skill beneath our hands!"

Boom—

The greatest sword intent was unleashed once again.

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

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

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

Whoosh!

With one sword, I split 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 carefree ease of the natural Great Dao.

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

With a light smile, Henren reached down again to grab.

In an instant, covering the sky and blocking the sun, his palm enveloped heaven and earth, space shattered, and the sun, moon, and stars seemed to be forcibly struck down.

Pfft! Pfft!

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

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

Just what realm has this fellow reached?

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

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.

Raising a fist, his power surged up to the Nine Heavens.

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

Zhang Xuan covered his forehead.

Having attained Emperor Sovereign status, the avatar still does not change its pretentious nature……

Such ostentatious pretense—better to concentrate power for greater might!

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

Xiao Huangji let out a loud shout, crimson flames blazed, and the sky seemed to be set ablaze.

The remaining six Emperor Sovereigns also each employed their methods.

Seven Emperor Sovereigns united, capable of destroying heaven and erasing earth—yet any world before them could not withstand it; but the opponent is Henren, who has absorbed special power. As his attack approached, the black hole suddenly expanded, in the blink of an eye devouring the power completely, then immediately counterattacking.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

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

Ten Emperor Sovereigns joined together, yet they could not even block a single move of the opponent!

This fellow—how can he be so powerful?

"You may die……"

With one move he crushed the crowd; 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 in front, his long sword transforming into a galaxy.

"An Emperor Sovereign? Does he also possess Emperor Sovereign 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 Divine King, but upon displaying his power I discovered he is actually a powerful Emperor Sovereign!

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

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

"And… 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 Sovereign of Sword God Heaven also blown backward, landing not far away, blasting out a large pit.

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

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

Having defeated the Emperor Sovereign of Sword God Heaven, Henren laughed maniacally, the surrounding space continually collapsing, making him appear like a demon or a fiend.

"What do 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 employed her strongest technique, yet they could not block a single move of the opponent……

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

Are we just going to let him destroy the world?

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

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

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

Just like the body's immune system.

When the immune system is intact, a virus comes and is easily driven off; when it fails, the body cannot resist the virus's invasion, and even the strongest person will die as a result.

But……

"He is too strong; even if the Heavenly Dao recovers fully, it may not be able to suppress him!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

A virus can be slain by the immune system, but…… what about a tiger?

What can even the strongest immune system do?

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

"This……" Luo Ruoxi paused, a look of loss appearing on her pure jade-like face: "Yeah…… we can't suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao becomes whole, he can awaken and slay this person—it wouldn't be difficult!"

"Him?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

"Trying to escape?" the Ruthless One snorted coldly and pressed down.

Boom!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the air.

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

Ding ding ding!

Again blocked by the Ruthless One.

"You guys hurry and leave; I'll hold him off……"

Knowing they still wanted to find a way to save the Divine Realm rather than flee, the clone and the Immortal Emperor Sovereign let out a great shout, blocking the front, while Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to the Still Void Pearl's true form.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone throw themselves forward without fear of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened, but he also knew now was not the time for words; he grabbed Luo Ruoxi, his body flickered, he tore through space, and in the next moment they appeared within the Carefree Heaven.

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

"Where is the person you spoke of?"

He had 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 own sacrifice!

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

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

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

This also explains why the Immortal Emperor Sovereign's lingering will, upon seeing the pendant, immediately acknowledged him as its master.

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

He couldn't help but ask.

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

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

And does it also require a flaw in the Heavenly Dao for him to regain consciousness?

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

Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists.

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

"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 flawed Heavenly Dao entered the spatial turbulence, while 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 is why I am so resolute, cannot fail! That is why I specially entered the Renowned Master Continent, studied the Spring and Autumn Grand Canon, seeking a way to defeat Confucius! When battling Confucius, the favor I asked of him was also this."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly realized.

Having just met the Renowned Master 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 comprehend.

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

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

"Acting as steward of the natural Heavenly Dao…… you don't have any Heavenly Dao fragments inside you?" Suddenly sensing something off in her words, 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 breathed a sigh of relief.

Put 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 am unwilling to accept such a fate, I also do not wish for the girl before me to come to harm.

"If I separate the flaw in the Heavenly Dao from within me, your father could come back to life and even slay the Ruthless One, right?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"This…… I am not certain either……"

She lifted her gaze to the already-collapsed Divine Realm, Luo Ruoxi hesitated.

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

It's really hard to say!

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

"Master Kong? He……" Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"Master Kong is already dead, right! He didn't truly die; if my guess is correct, he was slain by you, merely a method to escape the Heavenly Dao… Without surprise, he should be like Wei Changfeng, an 【Innate Fetal Soul Body】!"

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng, it became clear that Master Kong's so-called preservation of spiritual awareness should be the same as his, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain unlost in the womb.

Adding the backup plan prepared in advance, resurrection is merely a matter of time.

Luo Ruoxi froze; it seemed she hadn't expected it to be like this.

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

Master Kong's disciples, such as the Ancient Sage Ziyuan and others, are all formidable; even without the Emperor's help, they would certainly have a way to enter the Tide Sea, yet not a single one was seen.

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

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

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

"Let's go!"

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

Not Master Kong, then who is it!

This teacher of myriad ages certainly did not disappoint!

Just as guessed, taking advantage of everyone focusing their attention on the Tide Sea, he was resurrected anew.

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

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

"I concealed the Heavenly Dao, prepared a backup in advance; that nameless giant in the Netherworld Pool is what I left behind—when you slew him that day, I seized the chance to break free of the Heavenly Dao's bonds, recondense my flesh, and have only just now recovered!"

Master Kong gave a faint smile.

He is versed in time abilities; while it seemed only a day or two had passed in the Divine Realm, in fact, to regain his strength he had undergone an unknown length of time.

He had even accumulated several decades of time.

"Our three strengths are considerable, but wanting to surpass the Ruthless One is not so easy……"

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

It's not to boost others' prestige or dampen our own morale; it's simply the fact.

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

It likewise cannot change the situation!

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

Master Kong smiled and looked over.

"Merge into one person?"

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

"That palm can tear apart the Divine Realm and scatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is undeniable. The Ruthless One has absorbed all that power and also devoured the Divine Realm's spiritual aura for fifty years. Based solely on strength, we dozen Emperors, each taken individually, are certainly no match……"

Master Kong said: "But if we unite and concentrate the power into one person…… perhaps it wouldn't be so!"

"How to concentrate?"

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

Easy to say, hard to do.

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

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

Master Kong said.

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

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

Master Kong said.

Luo Ruoxi could not speak.

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

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

Master Kong nodded and said: "Holding the world in heart, wishing to save all beings, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for me—excessive compassion is also a flaw! If I were a bit more ruthless, exterminating the Alien Spirit clan, we wouldn't have the present situation……"

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

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

Master Kong continued.

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

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

"This……" Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, when he saw Master Kong's piercing gaze: "No need to decline; first say there's no time, go train others—even if there were, I doubt anyone could do better than you! Though the Spirit Rhinoceros Emperor Sovereign's body lacks Heavenly Dao fragments, he has long mastered the Heavenly Dao and has his own understanding of it; I govern the Heavenly Dao in order. If we pour our power into you, you will possess complete Heavenly Dao strength within! Combined with your avatar's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can indeed stabilize the Nine Heavens, control Qian and Kun, battle the Nine Heavens, and annihilate all things!"

"Alright!"

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

Boom—

Sitting cross-legged, 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 instantaneously embody the Heavenly Dao, soaring above the Nine Heavens.

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

……

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

He sent Luo Qiqi and his clones flying, and the ruthless one gave a cold smile.

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

The Tide Sea draws out the spiritual energy from outside the city of the Divine Realm, almost completely devouring it; now these powers have become his nourishment, every move he makes carries the ability to destroy heaven and earth. These emperors and sovereigns, although they represent the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, are still unable to withstand a single blow.

At this moment, the ruthless one seemed to represent the entire Divine Realm; no one could stop 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 huge five-clawed golden dragon, and lunged at him from above.

"Just you? You're not worthy!"

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

"Old friend, wait for me!"

Fumo Emperor let out a great roar, transforming into his true form, a white tiger, and appeared before him.

The Immortal Emperor displayed his true form, the Immortal Fire Phoenix, and flames blazed across the sky.

Xuanming Great Emperor's true form is a huge 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, the ruthless one 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, just as he was about to strike down and annihilate everyone, he felt his raised arm tighten and stop in midair.

"Do 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......"

The ruthless one 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 even if you've increased? Even at its peak, the Divine Realm couldn't withstand it; I don't believe you can withstand me......"

With a cold snort, the ruthless one struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his longsword and went to meet him.

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

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

At the Free Heaven Master's station, Luo Ruoxi looked over, full of worry.

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

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

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

After a moment of silence, Master Kong said.

More than ten emperors united still could not defeat the ruthless one; even if they transferred all their power to him, wanting to overcome him would not be that 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 surpassing the emperors?"

Luo Ruoxi's gaze was distant.

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

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

Seeing her doubt, Master Kong 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, hideous and terrifying.

Just as Master Kong said, even if their powers fused and formed a complete heavenly way within him, he was still no match.

"Haha, thought you were so formidable, but that's all!" the ruthless one gave a cold smile.

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

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

Hearing him say that, the ruthless one was stunned for a moment, then let out a cold snort and raised his palm.

Whoosh!

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

Sure enough, 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.

Boom!

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

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

Luo Qiqi seemed to have gone mad.

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

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi, upon seeing this scene, were both stunned.

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

In doing so, wouldn't that betray their goodwill?

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

Just as they were puzzled, Kong Shi suddenly spoke.

Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan, whose head had exploded and even his soul shattered, have the pendant at his chest suddenly burst; a drop of blood floated up, ignited, forming a scorching flame, and within the flame a perfectly intact figure stepped out slowly.

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

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

After being reborn through fire, Zhang Xuan no longer had the Heavenly Dao Library inside him, no longer suffered the Heavenly Dao's interference, and had broken free from the Heavenly Dao!

"How did he do it?"

Kong Shi was also full of disbelief.

The Heavenly Dao and the soul had merged, indistinguishable; to break free, he had to let his soul scatter and, using the Ghost Pool, reconsolidate his spirit.

The one before them, after being slashed just once, completely escaped—what method did he use?

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

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

Once the soul is bound, the immortal cannot break free.

But… the ruthless person used that special power to break the soul contract; Zhang Xuan had previously inquired about the exact method, perhaps having already contemplated it then.

Only then did he deliberately risk death, forcing the other to unleash his strongest power against him.

By harnessing this power, reborn through fire, unexpectedly, it indeed succeeded spectacularly!

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

Zhang Xuan, emerging from the flames, wore a faint smile as if he understood something; suddenly he gestured, and a side clone instantly transformed back into a lotus and flew toward him.

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

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

His foot lightly pressed the ground.

The chaotic Nine Heavens instantly steadied.

The Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, which appears at the birth of the Nine Heavens and can stabilize them, now with his clone perfectly merged with himself, indistinguishable, means he has mastered this power.

Moreover, with his cultivation infused with the Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, his already peak realm showed a looseness, as if he could break through at any moment.

"Master‑servant affection, brotherly affection, teacher‑student affection, parental affection, love… merged together, that is the myriad things of the world, that is what it means to be human!"

Smiling, Zhang Xuan murmured to himself.

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

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

Is it the wind that moves, or the heart that moves!

This question has eternally plagued countless people.

Of course, now… these are all unimportant!

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

Thus, after transcending love, there is the affection of all beings! The intertwined emotions of the world.

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

Love is emotion.

Hatred is emotion.

Joy is emotion.

Pain is emotion.

Separation is emotion.

Reunion is also emotion!

"Myriad feelings, at my command…"

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

The Emperor Lord's shackles have been broken!

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

Countless chaotic qi surged in, and his flesh rose swiftly.

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

"You…" The ruthless person hadn't expected that his full‑force attack not only failed to slay him but instead empowered him, his breath exclaiming "Wah‑wah!" in a chaotic shout, then a roar, and he attacked again.

"You resent the lofty Emperor Lord for not rescuing yourself in the spatial turbulence—that is emotion; you feel that you were once my servant, harboring humility and anger—that is emotion; you wish to destroy the divine realm, venting rage—that is emotion; you desire greater strength, likewise emotion… Emotion governs you; how can you defeat me without being controlled by me?"

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

The once invincible ruthless person was bound by countless threads of emotion, restrained and unable to move.

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

"You…"

The ruthless person's eyes were full of terror: "Master Zhang, I am your servant, do not kill me… I am willing to offer my soul as a sacrifice…"

"It's too late to say that now…" he smiled faintly, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Having mastered the emotions of the world, servants and the like held no meaning for him any longer.

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

"No…"

Feeling his decisiveness, Hen Ren's pupils contracted; before his words finished, he immediately felt a sharp pain surge through his body.

Boom!

In an instant, it exploded, turning into countless spiritual energy that surged into every corner of the Divine Realm.

All the power that the Tidal Sea had previously devoured now returned, reviving the once‑barren wasteland with new life.

"This…"

"Is that… killing him?"

The Cloud Dragon Emperor, the Undying Emperor, the Delicate Fairy and others all widened their eyes in disbelief.

Having just sparred with Hen Ren and knowing his terror, they couldn't believe that such a mighty figure could effortlessly annihilate him; what level has Zhang Xuan truly reached?

Could there truly be a realm beyond the Emperor?

"He succeeded…"

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi relaxed their clenched fists.

"This is part of the Heavenly Dao, so I will now return the Heavenly Dao…"

Seeing the "flawed Heavenly Dao" that had just been separated from his own body still hovering in the air, Zhang Xuan smiled lightly and snapped his fingers.

Buzz!

The library that has accompanied him since rebirth thundered into place, embedding itself above the sky of the Divine Realm.

The bell‑like toll rang as the constantly collapsing Divine Realm visibly began to recover slowly, and the chaotic currents reconvened.

The crumbling Divine Realm finally halted, and the dried‑up spiritual energy, along with Hen Ren's death, slowly revived.

"It seems the Divine Realm is about to usher in a new era of spiritual resurgence…" Zhang Xuan said with a smile.

The Tidal Sea's void, now restored with the completion of the Heavenly Dao, means the Divine Realm will regain its former splendor—just a matter of time.

"Zhang Xuan, this way…"

Just after finishing that, a voice rang in his mind; Zhang Xuan froze for a moment, then took a step forward.

He didn't know how far he had flown with that step, but soon saw a young man standing before him.

It was the very person who had previously taught him his sword technique.

"Senior, you…"

Seeing it was him, Zhang Xuan was startled.

He had always sensed this person to be unfathomable, and now realized that he was only a hair's breadth away from himself, already having reached the Emperor's ultimate peak, far surpassing Luo Ruoxi of the past by an incalculable margin.

"Just call me by my name; I am… Nie Tong!" The young man's aura radiated an unstoppable sword intent as he said calmly.

"Nie Tong?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

It was the first time he had heard the name.

"Come with me; I'll introduce you to my brother!" The youth named Nie Tong smiled faintly and stepped forward.

Zhang Xuan followed closely behind, unaware how far they had flown, and they stopped before a mountain peak.

Then they saw another young man.

His appearance was only slightly older, eyebrows slightly arched, giving an impression of unfathomable depth.

"This power…" Zhang Xuan trembled.

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

"I am Nie Yun!" the youth said with a faint smile, looking over: "In other words… Nie Lingxi, the father of Luo Ruoxi you mentioned!"

"Father of Ruoxi?"

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

Luo Ruoxi had once said her father was the Heavenly Dao, and he never imagined it would be such a young man.

"I merged my breath with the Three Purities, a portion of my soul becoming the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, I created this world, so calling me the Heavenly Dao is no problem," Nie Yun said with a faint smile.

Zhang Xuan could not believe it.

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

Then how powerful must his strength be?

"That's not right. If you created the Divine Realm and you are the Heavenly Dao, why let Hen Ren run rampant without intervening…" Zhang Xuan asked.

If he hadn't broken through himself, the Divine Realm might have collapsed entirely; why does this person ignore it?

Even the life and death of his daughter, he cares about?

Without answering his question, Nie Yun looked on calmly: "Do you think there exists a life above the Divine Realm that is even stronger?"

"This…" Zhang Xuan paused, "There should be, I guess…"

Although he hadn't seen any, since he could cultivate to this level, perhaps others could too, maybe even stronger.

Just like the one before him.

"I once doubted that there might be stronger life above the Divine Realm, so I strained to peer, which ultimately provoked a backlash from a higher world… a palm tearing through the void!"

"If I had dodged then, the entire Divine Realm would likely have been erased, leaving no life… So I blocked the attack, and as a result, the incarnation of the Heavenly Dao split apart," Nie Yun said.

"In this situation, I could restore it with a single thought, but… I understand that to truly transcend the Divine Realm's shackles and explore where the palm came from, beyond the Divine Realm, would be difficult alone. So I want to see if any life can break the Emperor's shackles and reach parity with me!"

"Therefore, I sent the scattered Heavenly Dao intent to the lowest world… granting the souls originally belonging to this world and a soul that does not belong to this world. And you, in the end, did not disappoint me!"

Nie Yun smiled.

"A soul that doesn't belong to this world… so, my crossing over was because of you?" Zhang Xuan thought, startled.

No wonder; to be able to cross over, he hadn't expected it was all because of this person.

"Hehe!" Nie Yun lightly laughed, saying, "Being native to this world gives one reverence for it; to break its shackles is far harder. I merely thought of it, never expecting you could actually succeed…"

"I…" Zhang Xuan's face flushed, "If it weren't for Kong Shi, I could never have reached this level…"

Without Kong Shi's selfless dedication, attaining his current realm would have been impossible.

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

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

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

Perhaps he is unwilling to slay 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 even care about his daughter's life or death?

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

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

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

Lingxi is the child born from my other wife Luo Qingcheng, so her false surname is Luo... In order to make her believe, not letting emotions get involved, up to now she still thinks I am still in a coma...

Nie Yun gave a bitter laugh: "This dad of mine also did enough harm... Anyway, this matter you should explain to her, after all, her thoughts have now shifted to you, this old dad of mine probably can't even remember... Haha, I'll temporarily not appear, avoid for a period of time before speaking, otherwise, truly fear she will cause heaven and earth to overturn..."

Seeing this unreliable old dad in front of him, Zhang Xuan could only agree: "Alright..."

Not agreeing also wouldn't work, who let me kidnap someone's daughter...

"The Heaven's Way Library is a manifestation of my thought; it is the foundation and also the shackles. You can rely on your own ability to break the shackles, demonstrating ability and potential; future prospects are limitless, my daughter being able to be with you, as a father, I also feel relieved."

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