Chapter 1045: with translation of chapter title

A soul contract binds the souls; as long as one does not dissolve it, even if the other party wields heavenly means, it cannot be undone.

Just like Immortal Emperor Xiao Huangji, who was only a Divine King before, he is an Emperor, yet he too cannot resolve this agreement.

To prevent this guy from having a change of heart and suffering backlash, the Ming Shi Continent once specially decreed that even if the other party can break free from the Heavenly Dao's Record, they cannot escape the soul contract between them!

"A soul contract indeed cannot be split from the sea of consciousness, but I have fused 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 site of the contract will do it!"

The Book of the Heavenly Way

A soul contract is founded upon the Heavenly Dao; even special forces capable of dissolving the Heavenly Dao of the Divine Realm can dissolve it—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 finishing his explanation, the ruthless person said no more; his aura became ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him grew even larger—evidently, while speaking, he had swallowed 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 amiss, and hastily sent a voice transmission.

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

Sovereign Emperor

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 else could obstruct me?

This sword move, though it hasn't reached the Emperor Sovereign's level of comprehension, contains all the obsessions in my heart, pushing the Heaven's Feelings technique within my body to its limit.

Whoosh!

A single sword strike cleaved the Ruthless Person'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, carrying an unstoppable momentum and the natural ease of the Great Dao.

"Your moves are impressive, but compared to me, they're still lacking……"

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

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

Pfft! Pfft!

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

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

Just what realm has this guy reached?

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

From afar, he looked incredibly imposing.

Having refined the Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, his cultivation is not the slightest bit weaker than Zhang Xuan's.

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

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

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

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

Such flamboyant pretentiousness would be better replaced by focusing power for greater might!

"We must attack together, or else they'll die and we'll die as well……"

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

The remaining six Emperor Sovereigns each employed their own methods.

Seven Emperor Sovereigns joined forces, capable of destroying heaven and earth—yet even a world before them could not withstand it. But the opponent was the Ruthless Person who had absorbed a special power; as the attack drew near, a black hole suddenly ballooned, in an instant sucking all the power dry, then immediately launching a counterstrike.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

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

Ten Emperor Sovereigns united, yet they couldn't even block a single move from the opponent!

How could this guy 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!"

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

"An Emperor Sovereign? Does he also have Emperor Sovereign strength?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

This old man had once followed behind the youth; I had thought he was merely a retainer, at most a God King titled, but upon displaying his power I discovered he was actually an Emperor Sovereign powerhouse!

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

"He himself is the Emperor Sovereign of Sword God Heaven……" Luo Ruoxi said, gritting 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; instantly she saw the Emperor Sovereign of Sword God Heaven also blown away, landing not far off, blasting out a huge crater.

Zhang Xuan's current strength and his comprehension of the Sword Dao far surpass his; even so, he cannot withstand it—despite his solid cultivation and superb swordsmanship, he is still no match.

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

Having defeated the Emperor Sovereign of Sword God Heaven, the Ruthless Person laughed maniacally, the surrounding space continually collapsing, casting him as a demonic fiend.

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

Just now he and his avatar had both unleashed 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 no one in the Divine Realm can stop this person before us?

Let him destroy the world?

"The only way…… is to return your flawed Heavenly Dao to the Heavenly Dao itself, letting the Heavenly Dao suppress him……" Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists, her 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 returned, the Heavenly Dao would be completely whole, perhaps able to repair the rift and expel Henren.

Just like the human immune system.

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

But……

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

Viruses, the immune system can slay, 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 already beyond what the Heavenly Dao can contend with.

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

"Him?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

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

Boom!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the sky.

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

Ding ding ding!

Once again blocked by Henren.

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

Knowing they still wanted to find a way to save the Divine Realm rather than flee, the clone and the Undying Emperor Sovereign shouted a great cry and blocked the front; Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to her Quiet Void Pearl form.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone risk their lives to block the rear without fear of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened, but he also knew this was no time for words; 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?"

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 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 understood.

No wonder I always felt the blood in the pendant resembled Luo Ruoxi yet was different—it turned out to be her father's.

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

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

He couldn't help but say.

The library is in chaos; it's the blood in the pendant that has restored my clarity—could it be that not only is she 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 flaw in the Heavenly Dao to awaken him?

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

Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists.

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

"Yes! Fifty years ago, my father couldn't withstand that great hand, fell into a coma, and the Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts—the ordered Heavenly Dao and the flawed Heavenly Dao entered the spatial turbulence; I acted as steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To revive him, we must gather the scattered parts…… that's why I am so resolute, cannot fail! I therefore went specially to the Master Teacher Continent, studied the Spring and Autumn Classic, seeking a way to defeat Kong Shi! When battling Kong Shi, entrusting him with this matter was also the case."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

Not long after meeting the Master Teacher Continent, the girl before me had already recounted her story—she wanted to save a close relative; I didn't understand then, but now I suddenly comprehend.

As it turns out, it's 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 natural order…… you don't have any Heavenly Dao fragments in your body?" Suddenly realizing something off in her speech, Zhang Xuan looked over.

Acting as steward and this kind of fusion within oneself are two different concepts.

"I merely oversee it; I am not part of the Heavenly Dao……" Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan relaxed his breath.

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

Although unwilling to accept this fate, I also don't want the girl before me to come to harm.

"If I sever the flawed Heavenly Dao within me, your father could come back to life, and even slay Henren, right?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"This…… I'm not sure either……"

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

The Divine Realm is his foundation; now that 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; since that's the case, 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 avatar, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, if we also coordinate with Master Kong, we might still be able 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… No surprise, he should be like Wei Changfeng, an 【Innate Fetal Soul Body】!"

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng, he understood: Master Kong's so-called preserving spiritual awareness should be the same as him, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain clear-minded even in the womb.

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

Luo Ruoxi froze, seemingly not expecting 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 have not even gone to the Tidal Sea…" Zhang Xuan said.

Master Kong's disciples, such as Ziyuan Gu Sheng and the others, are all formidable; even without the Emperor's aid, they would certainly have a way into the Tidal Sea, yet not a single one was seen.

There must be something more important awaiting them, intending to act while all the Emperors are preoccupied with the Tidal 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, he flicked his sleeve, and Zhang Xuan returned to where Master Kong resided; indeed he saw an old man sitting cross-legged, floating in midair. Upon seeing them arrive, he smiled faintly: "You've come!"

Who else could it be if not Master Kong!

This teacher of myriad ages certainly did not disappoint!

Just as guessed, taking advantage of everyone focusing their attention on the Tidal Sea, he revived again.

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

She knew Emperors could be resurrected, and even the Undying Emperor had come back to life, but… she didn't expect it to happen so quickly!

"I concealed myself from the Heavenly Dao, prepared a contingency in advance—the nameless giant in the Nether Soul Pool is what I left behind; the day you slew it, I seized the chance to break free from the Heavenly Dao's bonds, recondense my physical form, and have only just now recovered!"

Master Kong smiled faintly.

He is proficient in temporal 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.

Decades of time have passed.

"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, even with so many people united, we couldn't block the opponent; even adding one Master Kong, what difference would it make?

It would likewise not 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 Luo Ruoxi frowned, 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 energy for fifty years. Based solely on strength, even if we each take out our power from the dozen or so Emperors, we 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.

"It's 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 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 before, you also once gave up, intending to let me slay you!"

Master Kong said.

Luo Ruoxi was speechless.

During the battle, there indeed had been such an intention, so their initial exchanges were each holding back, akin to sparring rather than 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 one's heart, wishing to save all beings, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for oneself—excessive benevolence 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 back then, the Ruthless One could not have revived, nor would we be in this predicament."

"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 growth—only thus can one reach 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 cultivate others—even if there were time, I doubt anyone could do better than you! Though the Lingxi Emperor's body lacks Heavenly Dao fragments, he has long commanded the Heavenly Dao and has his own understanding of it; I govern the orderly Heavenly Dao. If we infuse our power into you, you will possess complete Heavenly Dao power within! Combined with your avatar's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can indeed stabilize the Nine Heavens, grasp the universe, battle the Nine Firmaments, and annihilate myriad things!"

"Alright!"

Seeing the other party had already decided, further explanation would be useless, so 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 mightier by the moment.

……

You also want to stop me? Fine, I'll kill you, then go and behead Zhang Xuan.

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

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

The Tide Sea drained the spiritual energy outside the city of the Divine Realm, almost completely devouring it; now these powers have become his nourishment, every move bringing the ability to destroy heaven and earth. These Emperor Lords 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.

The Divine Realm has fallen; our lives are meaningless. 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 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 Lord let out a great roar, transformed into the true form of the White Tiger, and arrived before him.

Immortal Emperor Lord, the true form of the Immortal Fire Phoenix appeared, flames illuminating the sky.

Xuan Ming Great Emperor's true form is a great turtle, 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, causing the collapsing Divine Realm to slow down.

Heaven and earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Boom boom boom boom!

Henren unleashed four consecutive palms, suppressing 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 everyone out, he felt his raised arm tighten and stop in midair.

'You want to kill them? Have you asked me?'

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

It was Zhang Xuan!

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

'He's improved quite a bit…'

Henren halted, his gaze solemn.

He clearly didn't understand how, in just a few short minutes, the opponent's strength had undergone such a huge change.

'But what does it matter if you've increased? Even at its peak, the Divine Realm couldn't withstand me; I don't believe you can block me…'

With a cold snort, Henren struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his sword and went to meet him.

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

'Can Zhang Xuan win?'

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

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

But rank is rank; as long as the power is sufficient, one day it can be fully restored.

'With your current strength, wanting to surpass… is very difficult! Unless… he can comprehend the power that exceeds Emperor Lords!'

After a moment of silence, Master Kong said.

Even a dozen Emperor Lords united could not defeat Henren, even if they transferred all their power to him; wanting to overcome him is still not easy.

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

'The power that exceeds Emperor Lords?'

Luo Ruoxi's gaze was distant.

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

'He definitely can… he has an unyielding heart! And his arrogance toward this world!'

Seeing her doubt, Master Kong laughed and said.

……

Boom boom boom!

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

Just as Master Kong said, even if their combined power formed a complete Heavenly Way within, they were still no match.

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

'Anyway, you're not my opponent; you'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 gazing 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.

Clatter!

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

Sure enough, it was the strongest attack; the entire Divine Realm rumbled, as if it could barely endure, and another huge pit was blasted out.

His eyes tightly closed, Zhang Xuan did not dodge.

Boom!

His brain burst open, 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, Master Kong and Luo Ruoxi were also stunned.

The original intention was to have him break through his shackles and assault a realm beyond the Emperor level—why didn't he resist, instead willingly going to his death?

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

"Wrong, it is the immortality method of the Undying Emperor..."

While they were puzzled, Master Kong suddenly spoke.

Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan, whose head had exploded and even his soul shattered, the pendant on his chest suddenly burst open, a drop of blood floated up, igniting into a ball of scorching flame; within the flame, an 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 broken free from the Heavenly Dao!

"How did he do that?"

Master Kong was also full of disbelief.

The Heavenly Dao and the soul were fused together, indistinguishable; to break free, he had to have his soul scatter and, with the aid of the Nether Soul 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 undo 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 exact method, Zhang Xuan had inquired about in detail before—perhaps he had already been thinking about it then.

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

By relying on this power, he was reborn from the fire—unexpectedly, it indeed succeeded greatly!

"So that's it—this is the way to break through the Emperor..."

Walking out of the flames, Zhang Xuan showed a faint smile, as if he had understood something; he suddenly waved his hand, and a clone on the side instantly turned back into a lotus flower, flying over.

In that instant, it perfectly merged with himself.

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

He lightly tapped the ground with his foot.

The chaotic Nine Heavens immediately stabilized.

The Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, which appeared when the Nine Heavens were born, can stabilize the Nine Heavens; at this moment, the clone and his self perfectly merged, indistinguishable, which means he now controls this power.

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

"Master-servant affection, brotherly affection, teacher-student affection, 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 murmured to himself.

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

Is it that people see the world and thus the world exists, or does the world come first and then people?

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving!

This question has troubled countless people since time immemorial.

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

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

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

All things in the world have emotion; 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 emotions, to be used by me..."

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

The Emperor's shackles, broken through!

In an instant, it felt as if he had touched a brand-new world and Da Men; his soul received rapid nourishment.

Countless chaotic qi surged over, and his fleshly body also rapidly increased.

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

"You..." The Ruthless Person hadn't expected that his all-out attack would not only fail to slay him but actually fulfill him; enraged, he shouted "Wa wa!" and, with a furious roar, attacked again.

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

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

The originally invincible Ruthless Person was then 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 slain so many god-level beings, hurt his girlfriend Luo Qiqi and so many friends—today, how could he possibly forgive!

"No..."

Feeling his decisiveness, the Ruthless Person's pupils contracted; before his words finished, he immediately felt a sharp pain all over his body.

Bang!

In an instant, the eruption turned into countless spiritual energy that surged throughout the Divine Realm.

Previously, all the power swallowed by the Tidal Sea now returned, revitalizing the once‑exhausted wilderness.

"This……"

"You killed him just like that?"

Yun Chi Dadi, the Undying Emperor, Ling Long Xianzi, and the others all widened their eyes, unable to believe it.

Just now they had clashed with the Ruthless Person and knew how terrifying he was; yet such a powerful figure was wiped out with a casual gesture—how far has this Zhang Xuan actually progressed?

Could there truly be a higher realm above the Emperor?

"He succeeded……"

Kong Shi 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 "defective Heavenly Dao" that had been separated 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 suddenly embedded itself in the sky of the Divine Realm.

With a bell‑like resonance, the continually collapsing Divine Realm slowly recovered visibly, and the chaotic currents also reconverged.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally halted, and the withered spiritual energy, accompanying the Ruthless Person's death, slowly revived.

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

The breach in the Tidal Sea, along with the completion of the Heavenly Dao, has already healed; 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.

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

This was the very person who had previously taught him swordsmanship.

"Senior, you……"

Seeing it was him, Zhang Xuan blinked in surprise.

He had always sensed this person was unfathomable; now he realized that, compared to himself, the difference was only a hair's breadth—he had already reached the peak of the Emperor realm, far surpassing Luo Ruoxi as well.

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

"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, until they stopped before a mountain peak.

Immediately he saw another youth.

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

"This strength……" Zhang Xuan trembled.

The youth before him proved even stronger than himself, having likewise broken through the Emperor's shackles, and his cultivation was far deeper and more substantial!

"I am Nie Yun!" the youth said with a light smile, looking over: "That is…… Nie Lingxi, the father of Luo Ruoxi you mentioned!"

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

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

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—calling me the Heavenly Dao is perfectly justified!" 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?

"No, 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 I hadn't broken through, the Divine Realm would likely have collapsed completely; why does this person before me remain indifferent?"

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

Without answering his question, Nie Yun glanced over lightly: "Do you think…… there exists an even greater life above the Divine Realm?"

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

"Although I've never seen it, since he can cultivate to this level, perhaps others can as well—and perhaps even stronger."

"Just like the youth before him."

"I once suspected that a mightier life existed above the Divine Realm, so I strained my senses to the utmost, 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 likely have been erased, leaving no life at all…… so I blocked the strike, but consequently, my incarnate Heavenly Dao was split apart."

"In this situation, I merely wish to restore it with a single thought, but…… I understand that to truly transcend the Divine Realm's shackles and explore where that palm came from, what lies beyond the Divine Realm…… I cannot do it alone. So I want to see whether any life can break through the Emperor's shackles and reach a level equal to mine!"

"Therefore, I sent the scattered Heavenly Dao thoughts down to the lowest world…… bestowing them respectively upon a soul native to this world and a soul foreign to it. And you, you have not disappointed me!"

Nie Yun smiled.

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

"No wonder I could transmigrate here—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 harder, and I merely had a passing thought—I never imagined you would actually succeed……"

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

Without Master Kong's selfless dedication, achieving the present realm 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; unfortunately, he chose to retreat, thinking he had a backup plan and could withdraw safely, but in fact he lost his brave and diligent spirit. When facing someone superior to us, if he doesn't even have this bit of spirit, how could he possibly stand against them?

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

He had watched their battle back then, and Kong Shi indeed lacked decisiveness.

Perhaps he simply didn't want to kill Luo Ruoxi.

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

"If Kong Shi 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 smiled faintly: "Your strength is not much different from mine now; do you think, with their strength at a life-or-death juncture, you could actually save someone?"

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

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

"Lingxi is the daughter of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her false surname is Luo... In order to make her believe, to keep her unemotional, she has always thought I was still in a coma..."

Nie Yun gave a wry laugh: "This father of mine has been pretty ruthless... Anyway, you should explain this to her; after all, her thoughts have already turned to you, this old father of mine probably can't even remember... Haha, I'll stay out of sight for a while; otherwise I truly fear she'll cause an uproar."

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

He had no choice but to agree, after all, he was the one who eloped with someone's daughter...

"The Heavenly Path Library is a manifestation of my will; it is both foundation and shackle. If you can rely on your own ability to break through the shackle, it shows your ability and potential, your future is limitless. That my daughter can be with you brings me, as a father, some comfort."

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