Chapter 1042: Unexpected Situation

A soul contract binds souls together; as long as one does not dissolve it, even if the other party possesses heaven‑reaching means, it cannot be undone.

Just like the Undying Emperor Xiao Huangji, who was merely a God King before, he is an Emperor and likewise cannot resolve this kind of agreement.

To prevent this person from changing his mind and causing a backlash, the Master Teacher Continent once specially stipulated that even if the other party could break free from the Heavenly Dao Record, they could not escape the soul‑bound agreement!

"A 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!"

The Ruthless Person's Way.

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

"I see……" Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

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

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

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

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

"Let's get ready to fight!" With his doubts dispelled, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, raised his long sword, and declared: "Since that's the case, let's see whose technique is superior!"

Boom—

The greatest sword intent was unleashed once again.

In life, I shall return; in death, I shall yearn forever!

Life and death are of no concern—what could possibly stand in the way?

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

Whoosh!

A single sword slash cut the Ruthless Person's attack in half.

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

Her swordsmanship somewhat resembles that of the youth from Sword God Heaven, carrying 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 blotted out the sky and covered the earth, shattering space as if the sun, moon, and stars were about to be slammed down.

Pfft! Pfft!

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

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

Just what realm has this fellow reached?

"Impudent!" The avatar strode forward, each step causing lotuses to bloom and the void to echo 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.

He raised a fist, and his power surged up to the Nine Heavens.

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

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

Having attained the rank of Emperor, his avatar still hasn't changed its pretentious nature……

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

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

Xiao Huangji let out a loud shout; crimson flames blazed, as if the sky itself were ignited.

The remaining six Emperors each employed their own methods.

Seven Emperors united, capable of destroying heaven and earth, yet a single world before them could not withstand it—but the opponent, the Ruthless Person who had absorbed special power, saw his black hole swell instantly, devouring the force in the blink of an eye and then launching a counterattack.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

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

How could this fellow be so powerful?

"You may die……"

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

"An Emperor? Does he also possess 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 entitled 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 struggled to her feet and gritted her teeth.

"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 of Sword God Heaven also blown backward, landing not far away and blasting out a large crater.

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

"Hahaha, Emperor, you're nothing but a bunch of chickens and dogs! Today I will destroy the Nine Heavens, destroy this Divine Realm, and trample all rules underfoot!"

Having defeated the Emperor of Sword God Heaven, the Ruthless Person 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, and even Luo Ruoxi before him had unleashed her strongest technique—yet none could withstand a single strike from the opponent……

Could it be that truly no one in the Divine Realm can 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 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 rift and expel Henren on its own.

Just like the body's immune system.

When the immune system is whole, 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 fully, it cannot suppress him!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

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

Even with a stronger immune system, what else can be done?

This person before us is merely an ordinary god-king; even with a title, the Heavenly Dao could easily kill him, yet he is stronger than an Emperor…… the Heavenly Dao can no longer contend with him.

"This……" Luo Ruoxi paused, a look of loss appearing on her pure jade-like face: "Yeah…… there's no way to suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao is whole, he can wake up and slay this person—it's not difficult!"

"He?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

"Want to escape?" Henren snorted coldly and pressed down.

Bang!

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 Henren.

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

Knowing they wanted to find another way to save the Divine Realm rather than flee, the clone and the Undying Emperor shouted a great cry and blocked the front, while Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to the Silent Space Pearl's true form.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone risk their lives to block behind, unafraid of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes 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 they appeared within the range of Free and Easy Heaven.

Free and Easy Heaven now lacked its former ease; the Divine Realm had 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 could truly save the Divine Realm, what harm would there be 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 was her father's.

This also explains why the thought left behind by the Undying Emperor, upon seeing the locket, immediately acknowledged itself as master.

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

He couldn't help but say.

The library's chaos is due to the blood in the locket, which has restored my clarity; could it be that not only she is an Emperor, but her father is as well, and even stronger?

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

Also, does it need a defective Heavenly Dao to become lucid?

"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 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 act as steward of the Heavenly Dao's nature, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To let him recover, only by gathering the scattered parts…… that's why I am so resolute, cannot fail! I therefore went specially to the Master Teacher Continent, studying the Spring and Autumn Canon, seeking a way to defeat Master Kong! When fighting Master Kong, entrusting him with this matter was also the same."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly realized.

Not long after meeting the Master Teacher Continent, the girl before me had already told me her story, wanting to save a close relative; I didn't understand back then, but now I have suddenly realized.

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 Heavenly Dao's nature…… 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 the body are two different concepts.

"I merely steward it, and am not 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; it's not necessary for her to die as well.

Although I am unwilling to accept this fate, I also do not want the girl before me to suffer harm.

"I will separate the Defective Heavenly Dao from within me, and your father will be able to come back to life, even slay Henren, right?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"This…… I'm not sure either……"

Luo Ruoxi raised her head, looked at the already-collapsed Divine Realm, and hesitated.

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

Really hard to say!

"Looks like you can't be sure either. In that case, it's better to rely on oneself than to ask others… We have only ourselves to figure it out!" Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth: "You, me, and my avatar, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, if we also coordinate with Master Kong, we might 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 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 Master Kong's so-called preserving spiritual awareness should be the same as him, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain undeluded in the womb.

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

Luo Ruoxi stared, apparently 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 Ziyuan Gusheng and others, are all strong; even without the aid of an emperor, they would certainly have a way to enter the Tide Sea, yet not a single one was seen.

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

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

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

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, with a single 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!

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 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 contingency in advance; that nameless giant in the Nether Spirit Pool is what I left behind, slain by you that day, I seized the opportunity to break free from the Heavenly Dao's bonds, recondensed my flesh, and have only just now recovered!"

Master Kong gave a slight smile.

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

He has even had tens of years.

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

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

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

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

Likewise, it cannot change the situation!

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

Master Kong smiled and looked over.

"Merge into one person?"

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

"That palm can tear apart the Divine Realm, scatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is undeniable. The Ruthless One has absorbed all that power and also devoured the Divine Realm's spiritual energy for fifty years. Based solely on strength, even if we take out each of the more than ten emperors individually, they are certainly not a match…"

Master Kong said: "But if we unite and concentrate the power into one person… perhaps it might not 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, we can save the Divine Realm!"

Master Kong said.

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

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

Master Kong said.

Luo Ruoxi was speechless.

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

"Being unable to transcend, one naturally cannot exert one's greatest strength; even given more true qi, one cannot strike that supreme realm! As for me…"

Master Kong nodded and said: "Holding the world in one's heart, wishing to save all beings, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for oneself—excessive compassion is also a flaw! If one were a bit more ruthless, exterminating the alien spirit clan, the present situation would not have arisen…"

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

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

Master Kong continued.

"In life, one should return to the origin; in death, one should long for mutual affection!"

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

"This…" Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, when he saw Master Kong's piercing gaze: "No need to decline; first say there's not enough time, go cultivate others—even if there were time, I doubt anyone could do better than you! The Spirit Rhinoceros Emperor's body may lack Heavenly Dao fragments, but he has long mastered the Heavenly Dao, possessing his own understanding of it; I govern the orderly Heavenly Dao. If we pour our power into you, you will wield complete Heavenly Dao strength within! Combined with your avatar's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can fully achieve ruling the Nine Heavens, grasping the universe, battling the Nine Firmaments, annihilating all things!"

"Alright!"

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

Boom—

Seated 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 stronger and more mighty.

……

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

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

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

The Tide Sea swallowed almost all the spiritual energy outside the city of the Divine Realm; now this energy 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, cannot withstand a single strike.

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

"If the Divine Realm perishes, our lives have no meaning; I, Cloud-Chi, will perish with you..."

The Cloud-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!"

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

"Old friend, wait for me!"

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

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

The Mysterious Dark 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!

With four consecutive palms, Hengren subdued the four beasts, a fierce killing intent flashing in his eyes: 'Since you seek death, I will grant it...'

In the midst of the roar, as he was about to strike down and wipe 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, stronger than before by more than tenfold, descending from the heavens, as if his very being was a world.

"You've improved a lot..."

Hengren stopped, 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 it; I don't believe you can block me..."

With a cold snort, Hengren struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his longsword and went to meet him.

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

Even a dozen Emperors united could not defeat Hengren, 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, 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 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 arrogance toward this world!"

Seeing her doubt, Master Kong laughed and said.

……

Bang bang bang!

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

As Master Kong said, even if their powers fused and formed a complete heavenly way within, they were still no match.

"Hah, thought you were something, but that's it!" Hengren 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, ceasing his offense and instead gazing at Hengren before him.

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

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

Whoosh!

A cyan light appeared in his palm and came 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.

Bang!

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

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

Luo Qiqi seemed to have gone mad.

The Cloud-Chi Great Emperor and 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 assault a realm beyond the Emperor Realm—why didn't he resist, but willingly go to his death?

Wouldn't this be letting down their good intentions?

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

While they were puzzled, Kong Shi suddenly spoke.

Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan's head exploding, even his soul shattering; the pendant on his chest suddenly burst open, a drop of blood floated up, igniting into a ball of scorching flame, within which an unharmed figure slowly stepped out.

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

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

After being reborn from the flames, Zhang Xuan actually had no Heavenly Dao Library inside him, no interference from the Heavenly Dao, and had severed ties with the Heavenly Dao!

"How did he do that?"

Kong Shi was also full of disbelief.

The Heavenly Dao and his soul were fused together, indistinguishable; to break free, he had to have his soul scatter and, with the aid of the Netherworld Pool, recondense his soul.

This person before us, 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 bound... the Heavenly Dao Library is the same—it can be called 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—perhaps he had already been scheming then.

That is why he deliberately fought to the death, letting the opponent unleash their strongest power against him.

Relying on this power, he was reborn from the flames—unexpectedly, it indeed succeeded greatly!

"Ah, I see—this is the way to break through the Emperor..."

Walking out of the flames, Zhang Xuan wore a faint smile, as if he understood something; he suddenly waved his hand, and an avatar on the 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 avatar and self 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, and now 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 muttered to himself.

At the moment the Heavenly Dao Library departed from his soul, he came to understand.

Is it that man sees the world and thus the world exists, or does the world exist first and then man appears?

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

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 there is a 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 shattered.

The Emperor's shackles, broken through!

In an instant, it felt as if he had touched a brand-new world and the Da Men, his soul receiving swift nourishment.

Countless chaotic qi surged in, and his fleshly body also rapidly rose.

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, with no distinction.

"You..." The Ruthless Person hadn't expected that his all-out attack would not only fail to slay him, but instead fulfill him; enraged, he cried "wah-wah!" and shouted angrily, launching another attack.

"You resent the lofty Emperor, not saving yourself in the spatial turbulence—that is emotion; feeling that you were once my servant, containing humility and anger—that is emotion; wanting to destroy the divine realm to vent anger—that is emotion; wanting to become stronger—also emotion... emotion controls you, how could you possibly 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 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 filled with panic: "Master Zhang, I am your servant, don't kill me... I am willing to offer my soul as a sacrifice..."

"Saying this now is already too late..." Zhang Xuan gave a slight smile and shook his head.

Having mastered the emotions of the world, things like servants are now 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, Henren's pupils contracted; before his words even finished, he immediately felt a sharp pain throughout his body.

Boom!

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

Previously, all the power swallowed by the Tide Sea now flowed back, restoring vitality to the once‑exhausted wilderness.

"This..."

"You killed him just like that?"

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

Just now they had crossed hands with Henren, knowing how terrifying he was; such a powerful person was actually wiped out with a casual gesture—this Zhang Xuan… just what level has he reached?

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

"He succeeded..."

Master Kong and Luo Ruoxi loosened their clenched fists.

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

Seeing the "Heavenly Dao's Defect" that had just been separated from his own body still floating in midair, Zhang Xuan gave a light smile and flicked his finger.

Hum!

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

The resonant toll of a great bell, the constantly collapsing Divine Realm, the visibly slow recovery, and the chaotic airflow also gathered together again.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally halted, and the withered spiritual energy, along with the death of the Ruthless Person, slowly revived.

"It seems the Divine Realm is about to usher in an era of spiritual energy revival..." Zhang Xuan smiled.

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

"Zhang Xuan, come over here..."

Having just finished these, a voice sounded in his mind; Zhang Xuan froze for a moment, then stepped forward.

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

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

"Senior, you..."

Seeing it was him, Zhang Xuan startled.

He had always felt this person was unfathomable; now he realized that compared to himself, the difference was only a hair's breadth—he had already reached the pinnacle of Emperor Sovereign, far stronger than Luo Ruoxi before.

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

"Nie Tong?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

It 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, until they stopped before a mountain peak.

Immediately, he saw another youth.

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

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

The youth's strength before him was actually greater than his own, having likewise broken through the Emperor Sovereign'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 spoke of!"

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

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

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

"I transformed one 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 not unreasonable!" Nie Yun said with a light smile.

Zhang Xuan dared not believe it.

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

Just how strong must his power be?

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

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

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

Without answering his question, Nie Yun glanced over lightly: "Do you think... there might be even more powerful beings above the Divine Realm?"

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

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

Just like the one before him.

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

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

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

"Thus, I sent the scattered Heavenly Dao thoughts 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, you have not disappointed me!"

Nie Yun said with a smile.

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

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

"Hehe!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly, saying: "Being native to this world, one naturally holds reverence for it; breaking its shackles is far more difficult. I merely had a thought, and I never imagined you could truly succeed..."

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

Without Master Kong's selfless dedication, achieving my current cultivation would be utterly impossible.

I gave him the opportunity; he just didn't seize it. The duel with Lingxi was actually his best chance to break through, but unfortunately he chose to retreat, thinking he had a backup plan and could withdraw unscathed. In reality, he lost his brave and diligent spirit. When facing someone superior to us, if he lacks even this spirit, how could he possibly stand against them?

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

At that time, he had watched their battle closely; Master Kong indeed lacked decisiveness.

It's also possible that he was unwilling to kill Luo Ruoxi.

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

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

Could it be that he doesn't care at all about his daughter's life or death?

"With me here, she won't die…" Nie Yun gave a faint smile: "Your strength is now not much different from mine; do you think, with their strength, at a life‑or‑death moment, you could actually save someone?"

"…" Zhang Xuan gave a wry smile.

Breaking through to Emperor and being an Emperor are two different concepts; if he truly wished to intervene, he could indeed save the person at the critical moment, and guarantee that not a single injury would be sustained.

"Lingxi is the daughter born of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed name bears the Luo surname… In order to make her believe, to keep emotions out of it, I have led her to think all this time that I am still unconscious…"

Nie Yun let out a wry laugh: "My father has certainly been ruthless enough… Well then, you should 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'd cause an uproar."

Seeing this unreliable father before him, Zhang Xuan's cheek twitched, and he could only agree: "All right…"

He had no choice but to agree, for who let him elope with someone else'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. That my daughter can be with you also brings me, as a father, some comfort."

Still being typed; please wait a moment. After the content is updated, please refresh the page to get the latest update!