Chapter 1046: The Opportunity to Take Over

A soul contract matches souls; as long as one does not dissolve it oneself, even if the other party wields heavenly 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 fellow from changing his mind and causing backlash, the Master Continent once expressly stipulated that even if the other party could break free from the Heavenly Dao's Record, they could not escape the soul‑bound agreement!

"A 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, making it easy to undo this contract…… As long as there is sufficient power, bombarding the location of the contract will achieve it!"

Ruthless Dao.

A soul contract is founded on the Heavenly Dao; a special power that can dissolve even 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.

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

After explaining, Henren said no more; his aura grew ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him swelling larger—evidently, while speaking, he had swallowed an unknown amount of power, nourishing himself.

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

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

"Get ready to move!" With all doubts dispelled, Zhang Xuan drew a deep breath, his long sword suddenly rising: "Since that's the case, let's see whose technique is superior!"

Boom—

The mightiest sword intent was unleashed once again.

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

Life and death matter not—what could possibly stop us?

This sword move, though not yet attaining an Emperor's insight, embodies all the obsessions in my heart, pushing the Heaven If Has Feeling Technique within my body to its limit.

Whoosh!

A single sword cut Henren's attack in half.

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

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

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

Henren gave a light smile and reached down again.

In an instant, his palm blotted out sky and sun, enveloping heaven and earth; space shattered, and the sun, moon, and stars seemed 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 block 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 Henren, he too was blown backward, unable to withstand a single move.

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

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

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

"If we don't attack together, they'll die and we'll all die……"

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

The remaining six Emperors also each employed their methods.

Seven Emperors united, capable of destroying heaven and erasing earth—yet any force arrayed before them could not withstand it; but the opponent was Henren, who had absorbed a special power. As his attack approached, the black hole suddenly expanded, in the blink of an eye devouring the power completely, then lashing out with a counterstrike.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

Ten Emperors joined forces, yet they could not even block a single move from the opponent!

How could this fellow be so powerful?

"You may die……"

With one move he crushed the crowd; Henren stepped forward, flipped his wrist, and struck down again.

"How dare you, vermin!"

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

"An Emperor? Does he also possess Emperor-level strength?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

This old man had followed the youth behind him; I had thought he was merely a retainer, at most ennobled as a God King, but when he displayed his power I discovered he was actually a formidable Emperor!

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

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

"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 likewise blown backward, landing not far away and blasting out a large crater.

Zhang Xuan's present strength and his insight into the Sword Dao far surpass his; even if his cultivation is not weak and his swordsmanship superb, he is still no match.

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

Having defeated the Emperor of Sword God Heaven, Henren laughed maniacally as the surrounding space continually collapsed, casting him as a demonic monster.

"What do 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 block a single strike from the opponent……

Could it be that in the Divine Realm, truly no one can stop the one before us?

Let him destroy the world?

"The only way… is to return your flawed Heaven Dao to the Heaven Dao itself, letting the Heaven Dao suppress him…" Luo Ruoxi clenched her elegant fist, her eyes reddening.

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

The library in his mind is itself a part of the Heaven Dao; once returned, the Heaven Dao becomes wholly complete, perhaps able to mend the flaw and expel the Ruthless One.

It's like the human immune system.

When the immune system is intact, a virus is easily repelled; when broken, it cannot resist infection, and even the strongest person will die because of it.

Only…

"He's too powerful; even if the Heaven Dao is restored, it can't suppress him!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

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

No matter how strong the immune system is, what can it do?

The one before us is merely an ordinary Divine King; even with a title, the Heaven Dao could easily kill him, far stronger than an Emperor… He is beyond the Heaven Dao's capacity to contend with.

"This…" Luo Ruoxi paused, her pure jade face showing loss: "Yes… we can't suppress him, but with the Heaven Dao complete, he can awaken, and slaying him won't be hard!"

"He?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"I'll take you to meet him, he's in Zizai Tian…" She inhaled deeply, Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth, turned, and flew forward.

"Trying to escape?" the Ruthless One sneered coldly, pressing down.

Boom!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the sky.

"You…" Zhang Xuan's sword technique surged again, sword intent flashing brilliantly.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Again blocked by the Ruthless One.

"You all hurry away; I'll hold him…"

Knowing they still intend to save the Divine Realm rather than flee, a clone and the Undying Imperial Sovereign let out a roar, blocking the way, Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to the core of the Silent Void Pearl.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing the others throw themselves fearlessly behind, unafraid of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened, yet he knew now was not the time for words; he tugged Luo Ruoxi, their bodies flickered, tearing through, and the next moment they were already within Zizai Tian's bounds.

Zizai Tian had lost its former freedom; the Divine Realm had collapsed, chaos spreading everywhere.

"Where is the 'him' you mentioned?"

Having no time to observe ordinary lives, Zhang Xuan looked at the girl in his arms.

If the man she spoke of truly can save the Divine Realm, why not sacrifice himself!

"He is my father; the blood in your pendant is his. The Undying Emperor was once his beast companion…" Luo Ruoxi steadied her breath and explained.

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

No wonder the blood in the pendant always seemed similar yet different from Luo Ruoxi's—it was her father's.

That explains why the thought left by the Undying Emperor, upon seeing the pendant, immediately recognized itself as the master.

"Your father is also an Emperor? Or possesses power beyond an Emperor?"

He couldn't help but say.

The library's chaos was caused by the blood in the pendant, which restored his clarity; could it be that not only she is an Emperor, but her father too, perhaps even stronger?

If so, why did he fall into a coma?

Does it require a flawed Heaven Dao to awaken him?

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

Luo Ruoxi clenched her elegant fist.

"Heaven Dao? Your father… is the Heaven Dao?" Zhang Xuan shivered, unable to believe.

"Yes! Fifty years ago, my father couldn't resist that massive hand, fell into a coma, and the Heaven Dao shattered into three parts: the ordered Heaven Dao and the flawed Heaven Dao, entering spatial turbulence. I took over the control of the Heaven Dao's natural order to maintain the Divine Realm's balance. To restore him, we must gather the scattered pieces… That's why I was so resolute, could not fail! I specifically entered the Ming Shi Continent to study the Spring and Autumn Grand Ceremony, seeking a way…" Luo Ruoxi said.

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan was enlightened.

He had only recently become acquainted with the Ming Shi Continent, and the girl before him had told him her story—to save a close relative. He hadn't understood then; now it clicked.

It turned out to be her father, and he is the Divine Realm's Heaven Dao!

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

"You took over the control of the Heaven Dao's natural order… you have no Heaven Dao fragments in your body?" Suddenly noticing something off in her words, Zhang Xuan looked at her.

Taking over control and the kind of fusion within my own body are two different concepts.

"I only control it; I'm not a part of the Heaven Dao…" Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

In that case, we only need to extract the flawed Heaven Dao, no need for her to die.

Even though he refuses to accept such a fate, he also refuses to see the girl before him harmed.

"If I strip the flawed Heaven Dao from my body, your father can revive, and perhaps even slay the Ruthless One, right?" Zhang Xuan seemed.

"This… I'm not sure either…"

She looked up at the collapsed Divine Realm, Luo Ruoxi hesitated.

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

It's hard to say!

Looks like you can't be sure either. In that 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, joining forces with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, if we also coordinate with Kong Shi, we might not be unable to win!

"Kong Shi? He……" Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"Kong Shi is already dead, right! He didn't truly die; if my guess is correct, he was slain by you, merely a method to escape the Heavenly Dao… No surprise, he should be like Wei Changfeng, an 【Innate Fetal Soul Body】!

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng, it became clear that Kong Shi's so-called retaining sentience should be the same as him, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain lucid in the womb.

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

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

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

Kong Shi's disciples, Ziyuan Ancient Sage and others, each possessed formidable strength; even without the Emperor's aid, 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 Kong Shi recover.

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

"Let's go!"

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

Not Kong Shi, then who else could it be!

This teacher of myriad generations truly 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 hadn't expected the speed to be this fast!

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

Kong Shi gave a faint smile.

He is proficient in temporal abilities; while it seemed only a day or two had passed in the Divine Realm, in truth, 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 Person is not that easy……"

Seeing Kong Shi 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 joined forces yet couldn't block the opponent; even adding one Kong Shi, what difference would it make?

It would likewise fail to change the situation!

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

Kong Shi smiled and looked over.

"Merge into one person?"

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

"That palm can tear apart the Divine Realm, scatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is undeniable. The Ruthless Person has absorbed that power entirely and also devoured the Divine Realm's spiritual energy of fifty years. Relying solely on strength, our dozen or so Emperors, taken individually, are certainly no match……"

Kong Shi said: "But if we join together, concentrating the power in one person…… it might not be so!"

"How to concentrate?"

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

Easy to say, hard to do.

The Emperor already stands 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!"

Kong Shi said.

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

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

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi could not find words.

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

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

Kong Shi nodded and said: "Holding the world in heart, wishing to save all beings, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for me, excessive kindness 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 Person could not have revived, nor would we be in this predicament."

"So I too am 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 he go higher and farther!"

Kong Shi 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 Kong Shi'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! The Lingxi Emperor's body may lack Heavenly Dao fragments, but he has long commanded the Heavenly Dao, possessing his own understanding of it; I govern the orderly Heavenly Dao. If we pour our power into you, you will possess complete Heavenly Dao power within! Combined with your avatar's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can fully achieve stabilizing the Nine Heavens, governing 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 mightier by the moment.

……

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

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

The power unleashed by the clones and the many Emperors combined 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 this power has become his nourishment, every move carrying the ability to destroy heaven and earth. These Emperors and God Kings, though they represent the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, are still no match.

At this moment, Henren seemed to embody the entire Divine Realm, unstoppable by anyone.

The Divine Realm is doomed; living is meaningless. I, Yun Chi, will perish with you……

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

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!

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

Immortal Emperor revealed his true form, a Fire Phoenix, its flames illuminating the sky.

Xuanming 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 revealed their true forms, causing the collapsing Divine Realm to slow down.

Heaven and Earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Boom boom boom boom!

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

In the midst of the roar, as he was about to strike down and wipe everyone out, he felt his raised arm tighten, stopping in midair.

Did you ask me if you wanted to kill them……

Immediately, amid the shocked gazes of the crowd, a figure slowly walked down from the air.

It was Zhang Xuan!

At this moment, the young man's power surged, more than ten times stronger than before, descending from the heavens as if his very being were 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 tremendous change.

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

With a cold snort, Henren struck down again.

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

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

Can Zhang Xuan win?

At the residence of the Sky Hole Master, Luo Ruoxi looked over, full of worry.

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

However, as long as the power is sufficient, one day they can fully recover, regardless of their current rank.

With your current strength, wanting to surpass…… is very difficult! Unless…… he can comprehend power beyond the Emperors!

After a moment of silence, Master Kong said.

Even a dozen Emperors united could not defeat Henren, and even if they transferred all their power to him, wanting to overcome him would still not be easy.

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

Power beyond the Emperors?

Luo Ruoxi's gaze was distant.

When her father was still lucid, he had 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 an arrogance toward this world.

Seeing her doubt, Master Kong laughed and said.

……

Boom boom boom!

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

As Master Kong said, even after fusing their two powers and forming a complete Heavenly Dao within, he was still no match.

'Hah, I thought you were formidable, but this is 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.

Very well, I'll grant you that; I'll 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 violently.

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 shut, Zhang Xuan did not dodge.

Boom!

His head exploded, his soul scattering in all directions.

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

Luo Qiqi went mad.

Yun Chi Great Emperor and the others also stared wide-eyed, trembling nonstop.

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

The original intention was for him to break through his shackles and strike at the realm beyond the Emperor Realm, so why not resist and willingly face death?

Wouldn't that be wasting their good intentions?

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

While they were puzzled, Master Kong suddenly spoke.

Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan's head explode, even his soul shatter, as the pendant on his chest suddenly burst open, a drop of blood levitated, ignited, forming a scorching flame; within the flame, an unharmed figure slowly stepped out.

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

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

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

"How did he do that?"

Master Kong was also full of disbelief.

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

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

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

The soul contract binds Master and servant; if Master does not undo it, the servant remains forever bound…… Heaven's Way Library is also like this; it can be said to be an enhanced version contract.

Bound by the soul, not even death can free it.

But…… the ruthless one used that special power to break free from the soul contract; the specific method, Zhang Xuan had inquired about in detail before, likely he had already been thinking about it then.

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

With this power, he was reborn from 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's face showed a faint smile, as if he understood something; he suddenly waved a hand, and an avatar on one side instantly turned back into a lotus, flying over.

In an instant, it perfectly merged with himself.

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

He lightly tapped the ground with his foot.

The chaotic Nine Heavens immediately steadied.

The Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, which appears when the Nine Heavens are born, can stabilize the Nine Heavens; at this moment, avatar and self perfectly merge, with no distinction, thus it is equivalent to him mastering this power.

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

"Master-servant feeling, brotherly feeling, teacher-student feeling, parental feeling, love…… fused together, that is actually all things in the world, that is humanity!"

With a smile, Zhang Xuan murmured to himself.

At the moment the Heaven's Way Library broke free from the soul, he realized.

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

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving!

This question has troubled countless people since ancient times.

Of course, now…… these no longer matter!

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

So, after breaking through love, it is the feeling of all beings! It is the emotions intertwining the world.

All things in the world possess feeling; with feeling comes the world; with feeling, life can continue.

Love, is feeling.

Hatred, is feeling.

Joy, is feeling.

Pain, is feeling.

Separation, is feeling.

Reunion, is also feeling!

"Myriad feelings, for my use……"

A soft cry, Zhang Xuan's sealed realm inside his body instantly broke open.

The Emperor's shackles, broken through!

In an instant, it felt as if touching a brand‑new world and the Da Men, the soul received swift nourishment.

Countless chaotic qi surged over, and the physical body also rapidly increased.

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

"You……" The ruthless one never expected his all‑out attack would not slay him but instead fulfill him; he shouted "wah‑wah!" in anger, then roared and attacked again.

"You resent the lofty Emperor, who didn't save you in the spatial turbulence; that's feeling; feeling that you were once my servant, containing humility and anger, that's feeling; wanting to destroy the divine realm to vent anger, that's feeling; wanting to become stronger, likewise feeling… feeling controls you, how can you defeat me without being controlled by me?"

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

Originally invincible and unrestrained, the ruthless one was bound by countless feeling threads, hands and feet tied, unable to move.

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

"You……"

The ruthless one's eyes filled with panic: "Master Zhang, I am your servant, don't kill me…… I am willing to offer my soul as sacrifice……"

"Now saying these is already too late……" Zhang Xuan gave a slight smile and shook his head.

Controlling all feelings under heaven, servants and such are 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 throughout his body.

Bang!

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

Previously, all the power swallowed by the Tide Sea now returned, revitalizing the already barren wilderness.

"This..."

"You killed him just like that?"

Yun Chi Great Emperor, Undying Emperor, Linglong Fairy, and the others all widened their eyes, unable to believe it.

Just moments ago they had clashed with the ruthless person, knowing how terrifying he was; such a powerful figure was wiped out with a casual gesture—how far has this Zhang Xuan actually progressed?

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

"He succeeded..."

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi loosened their clenched fists.

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

Seeing the "Heavenly Dao's Defect" that had just been separated from his 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.

The bell-like resonance continued as the collapsing Divine Realm slowly recovered visibly, and the chaotic currents also gathered again.

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 spiritual energy revival..." Zhang Xuan smiled.

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

"Zhang Xuan, come here..."

Having just finished these, a voice sounded in his mind; Zhang Xuan staggered slightly and stepped forward.

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

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

"Senior, you..."

Seeing it was him, Zhang Xuan was taken aback.

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

"Just call me by my name; I am Nie Tong!" the youth said calmly, radiating an unstoppable sword intent.

"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 eyebrows that gave an inscrutable, profound impression.

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

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

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

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

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

Luo Ruoxi had said before that her father was the Heavenly Dao; who would have thought it would be such a young person.

"I transformed one part of my soul into the Heavenly Dao through the One Qi becoming Three Purities! Moreover, this world is my creation; calling me the Heavenly Dao is perfectly justified!" Nie Yun said with a light smile.

Zhang Xuan could not believe it.

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

Then just how strong must his power be?

"Wrong, if the Divine Realm is your creation and you are the Heavenly Dao, why would you let the ruthless person run rampant without intervening?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

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

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

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

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

Although I'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 there might be a stronger life above the Divine Realm, so I exerted all my power to peer into it, ultimately drawing a backlash from a higher world... a palm broke through the void and descended!"

Nie Yun looked over: "At that time, if I had dodged, the entire Divine Realm would likely have been erased, leaving not a single life... so I blocked the strike, but consequently, the 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... it is difficult for me alone. Therefore, I want to see if there is any life capable of breaking through the Emperor's shackles and reaching my level."

"So 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 smiled.

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

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; wanting to break its shackles is far more difficult—I too merely had a thought, never expecting you would actually succeed..."

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

Without Kong Shi's selfless dedication, reaching 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 unscathed, but in fact he lost his brave and diligent spirit. When facing someone surpassing us, if he lacks even this spirit, how could he possibly stand against them?"

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

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

It's also possible he was unwilling to kill 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 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; you think, at the critical moment of life and death, wanting to save someone, can you do it?"

"……" Zhang Xuan gave a bitter smile.

Breaking through to Emperor and being an Emperor are two concepts; if he truly wishes 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 daughter of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed name bears the surname Luo…… In order to make her believe, not letting emotions interfere, she has always thought I was still in a coma up to now……"

Nie Yun gave a wry laugh: "My father sure is ruthless…… Like this, let you explain this matter to her; after all, her thoughts have now 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 old father before him, Zhang Xuan's cheek twitched; he could only agree: "Alright……"

Not agreeing is no option; who let him abduct someone's daughter……

"The Heavenly Dao Library is a manifestation of my thought; 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. My daughter being with you, as a father, I would also feel relieved."

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