Chapter 1047: Successful Possession

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

Just like the Undying Emperor Little Yellow Chicken, who was merely a God King before, he is an Emperor, yet he likewise cannot resolve this kind of agreement.

To prevent this fellow from going back on his word and causing a backlash, the Master Teacher Continent had specially stipulated that even if one could break free from the Heavenly Dao Record, they could not escape the soul‑bound contract!

"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 sufficient power, bombarding the location of the contract will achieve it!"

Ruthless Person Dao

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

"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 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 strength becomes……"

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

"Let's get ready to fight!" With his doubts dispelled, Zhang Xuan drew a deep breath, his long sword suddenly rising: "If that's the case, then let's see whose technique is superior!"

Boom—

The greatest sword intent was unleashed once again.

While alive, I shall return; while dead, I shall long for you forever!

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

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—

With a single sword strike, I split the Ruthless Person's attack in half.

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

Her swordsmanship bears some resemblance to 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 chuckle, the Ruthless Person reached down once more.

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 by force.

Pfft! Pfft!

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

Despite their combined strength, they could not withstand it!

Just what realm has this fellow reached?

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

From afar, he 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 block a single move.

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

Having attained Emperor status, the avatar still hasn't changed its show‑off nature……

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

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

Little Yellow Chicken let out a loud shout; crimson flames blazed, making the sky seem to ignite.

The remaining Six Great Emperors also each displayed their abilities.

Seven Emperors joined forces, capable of destroying heaven and earth, yet any world before them could not withstand it—but the opponent was the Ruthless Person who had absorbed special power; as his attack approached, the black hole suddenly expanded, in the blink of an eye devouring all that power and then lashing back.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

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

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

Just how could this fellow be so powerful?

"You may die……"

With a single move he crushed the crowd; the Ruthless Person stepped forward, flipped his wrist, and struck down again.

"How dare you, rats!"

Accompanied by a loud shout, the old man from Sword God Heaven suddenly appeared, blocking the front, his long sword transforming into the Milky Way.

"An Emperor? He also possesses Emperor‑level 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 entitled God King, but upon displaying his power I discovered he was actually a powerful Emperor!

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

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

"And… what about 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 huge pit.

Zhang Xuan's current strength and his understanding of the Sword Dao far surpass his; even if his cultivation is not weak and his swordsmanship 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 clone had exerted their utmost combat power, and even Luo Ruoxi before him had unleashed her strongest technique—yet none could block a single strike of 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 eye sockets reddening.

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

The library in one's mind is itself part of the Heavenly Dao; once returned, the Heavenly Dao becomes completely whole, perhaps able to repair the rift and expel the Ruthless 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, one cannot resist viral invasion, and even the strongest person will die as a result.

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 kill, but…… what about a fierce tiger?

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

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

"This……" Luo Ruoxi paused, a look of loss appearing on her pure jade-like face: "Yeah…… there'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 Heaven……" Taking a deep breath, Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth and turned to fly forward.

"Want to escape?" the Ruthless snorted coldly and pressed downward.

Bang!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the air.

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

Ding ding ding!

Again blocked by the Ruthless.

"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 avatar and the Undying Emperor Sovereign, with a loud shout, blocked the front, and Luo Qiqi also transformed, reverting to the Quiet Void Pearl's true form.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone fearlessly throw themselves behind to block, Zhang Xuan's eye sockets reddened, but he also knew now was not the time for words; he grabbed Luo Ruoxi, his body flickered, he tore through space, and in the next moment they appeared within the range of Free Heaven.

Free Heaven now lacks its former freedom; the Divine Realm has collapsed, everywhere in chaos.

"Where is the person you spoke of?"

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

If the person she spoke of can truly save the Divine Realm, what harm is there in my sacrificing myself!

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

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

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

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

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

He couldn't help but say.

The library's chaos is due to the blood in the pendant, which 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 is the case, why would he be comatose?

And does it also require a defective 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 could not withstand that great 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 acted as steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To restore him, we must gather the scattered parts…… that is why I am so resolute, cannot fail! I therefore entered the Famous Teacher Continent specifically, studying the Spring and Autumn Grand Canon, seeking a way to defeat Master Kong! When battling Master Kong, the favor I asked of him was also this."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

Having just met the Famous Teacher Continent not long ago, the girl before me had already told me her story of wanting to save a close relative; I didn't understand then, but now I suddenly comprehend.

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

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

"Acting as steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order…… you don't have any Heavenly Dao fragments inside you?" 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 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; there's no need for her to die as well.

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

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

"This…… I am also not certain……"

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

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

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 to figure it out ourselves! Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth and said: "You, me, and my avatar, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, and if we also coordinate with Kong Shi, we might actually be able to win!"

「Kong Shi? He…」Luo Ruoxi frowned.

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

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng, it became clear; Kong Shi's so-called preservation of sentience 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 froze; it seemed she hadn't expected this.

「Just go and see, 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 Tide Sea…」Zhang Xuan said.

Kong Shi's disciples, Ziyuan Ancient Sage and the like, are all immensely strong; 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 them, 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, with a single hand gesture, Zhang Xuan returned to where Kong Shi resided; indeed he saw an old man sitting cross-legged, floating in midair. Upon seeing them arrive, he gave a slight smile: 「Here! 」

Not Kong Shi, then who could it be!

This teacher of myriad generations certainly did not disappoint!

As expected, taking advantage of everyone focusing their attention on the Tide Sea, he revived again.

「You…」Luo Ruoxi's delicate frame trembled.

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

「I concealed myself from the Heavenly Dao, prepared a contingency in advance—the nameless giant in the Nether Soul Pool was my doing; when you slew him that day, I seized the chance to break free from the Heavenly Dao's bonds, recondense my physical form, and have only just now recovered! 」

Kong Shi gave a faint smile.

He is versed 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 span of time.

Decades of time have elapsed.

「Our three strengths are considerable, but overcoming the Ruthless One 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 of us joined forces and still couldn't block the opponent; even adding Kong Shi, what difference would it make?

It would likewise fail to change the situation!

「Individually, even our combined strength is certainly 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 rend the Divine Realm and scatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is undeniable. The Ruthless One has absorbed that power entirely and also devoured fifty years of spiritual energy from the Divine Realm. Based solely on strength, even if we each take out our power from the dozen or so Emperors, we are certainly no match……」

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

「How to concentrate? 」

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

Easy to say, hard to do.

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

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

Kong Shi said.

「Me? 」 Zhang Xuan startled: 「Why me? 」

「The Spirit Rhinoceros Emperor Venerable 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 considered giving up, intending to let me slay you! 」

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi was speechless.

During the battle, such an intention indeed existed; thus their exchanges at the start were each holding back, akin to sparring, not a life‑or‑death fight.

「Unable to transcend, one cannot unleash their utmost strength; even with abundant true qi, they cannot strike that supreme realm! As for me……」

Kong Shi nodded and said: 「He harbors compassion for all beings, wishing to save the world, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for him; excessive kindness is also a flaw! If he were a bit more ruthless and exterminated the alien spirit clan, the present situation would not have arisen……」

Had he been able to wipe out the alien spirit clan entirely back then, the Ruthless One could not have revived, and we would not be in this predicament.

「So I am also unsuitable! Zhang Xuan, however, follows a cultivation method that conforms to his heart, without flaw; he stresses living true to himself, and even if he dies, as long as he lives without guilt, his mind is at ease. Such a person possesses greater inclusiveness and broader room for growth—only thus can he reach higher and farther! 」

Kong Shi continued.

In life, hope to return; in death, cherish longing!

If even death is of no concern, how could anything else bind him?

「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 train others; even if there were, I doubt anyone could do better than you! The Spirit Rhinoceros Emperor Venerable may lack Heavenly Dao fragments within, yet he has long commanded the Heavenly Dao and has his own understanding of it; I command 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 indeed stabilize the Nine Heavens, grasp the Yin and Yang, battle the Nine Firmaments, and annihilate all things! 」

「Alright! 」

Seeing the other party had made a decision, further explanation would be useless, so Zhang Xuan nodded.

Boom—

Seated cross-legged, in the blink of an eye two mighty torrents of power surged in from both sides.

Zhang Xuan's body stiffened; his whole being seemed to instantaneously embody the Heavenly Dao, soaring above the Nine Heavens.

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

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 the ruthless person 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 drew out the spiritual energy from outside the city of the Divine Realm, almost completely devouring it; now these powers have become his nourishment, his 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 for a single blow.

At this moment, the ruthless person seemed to represent the entire Divine Realm, and none could withstand him.

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

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

"Just you? You're not worthy!"

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

"Old friend, wait for me!"

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

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

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

Heaven and earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

Amidst the roars, as he was about to strike down and annihilate everyone, he felt his raised arm tighten and stop in midair.

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

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

It was Zhang Xuan!

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

"You've made considerable progress..."

The ruthless person halted, his gaze solemn.

He obviously also didn't understand why, in just a few short minutes, the opponent's strength had undergone such a 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 withstand me..."

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

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

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

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

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

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

After a moment of silence, Master Kong said.

Even a dozen emperors united could not defeat the ruthless person, 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 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; could her beloved man do it?

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

Seeing her doubt, Master Kong laughed and said.

Bang bang bang!

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

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

"Hah, I thought you were formidable, but that's all!" the ruthless person gave a cold smile.

"Anyway, I'm no match for you; I'll be killed sooner or later. Since that's the case, I want to die under your strongest attack..." Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan stopped advancing, instead gazing at the ruthless person before him.

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

Hearing him say that, the ruthless person 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 another huge pit was blasted out.

With his eyes tightly closed, Zhang Xuan did not dodge.

Boom!

His head exploded, his soul scattering in all directions.

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

Luo Qiqi seemed to have gone mad.

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

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

The original intention was to let him break through his shackles and charge into surpassing the Emperor Realm; why didn't he resist and willingly go to his 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, 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... used the opponent's power and the blood in the pendant to separate 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 then, with the help of the Nether 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 the master does not lift it, the servant remains forever bound... the Heavenly Dao Library is the same; it can be said to be an enhanced version of the contract.

Once the soul is bound, even immortality won't free it.

But... the Ruthless Person used that special power to break the soul contract; the specific method, Zhang Xuan had previously inquired about in detail, so he likely had the idea back then.

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

With this power, he was reborn from the fire; unexpectedly, it turned out to be a great success!

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

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

In an instant, it perfectly merged with himself.

In the blink of an eye, everyone felt that the Zhang Xuan before them seemed to have 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, his avatar and himself perfectly merged, indistinguishable, meaning he now controlled this power.

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

"Master-servant affection, brotherly affection, teacher-student affection, parent-child affection, love... when combined, they are actually all things in the world; this is what it means to be human!"

Smiling, Zhang Xuan muttered to himself.

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

Is it that people see the world and then the world exists, or that the world exists first and then people appear?

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving!

This problem has troubled countless people since ancient times.

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

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

Therefore, after breaking through love, it is the affection of all beings! It is the emotions interwoven throughout the world.

All things in the world have emotion; with emotion comes the world; with emotion, life can continue.

Love, is emotion.

Hatred, is emotion.

Joy, is emotion.

Pain, is emotion.

Separation, is emotion.

Reunion, is emotion too!

"Myriad emotions, for my use..."

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 touching a brand-new world and the Great Door; the soul received rapid nourishment.

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

Before, only absorbing spiritual power allowed 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 didn't expect that his full-force attack would not only fail to slay him, but actually fulfill him; enraged, he shouted "wah-wah!" and, with an angry roar, attacked again.

"You resent the lofty Emperor, not saving yourself 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 even stronger—also emotion... Emotion controls you; how could you possibly overcome me, not be controlled by me?"

Smiling faintly, Zhang Xuan's voice grew faster and louder; he lightly grasped with his palm.

The originally invincible Ruthless Person was bound together by countless emotion-threads, 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 smiled slightly and shook his head.

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

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

"No..."

Feeling his decisiveness, Henren's pupils contracted; before his words ended, he immediately felt a sharp pain all over his body.

Bang!

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

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

"This..."

"Just like that, he's killed?"

Yun Chi Great Emperor, Immortal Emperor Bu Si, Linglong Fairy ah, and the others all widened their eyes in disbelief.

Just now they exchanged blows with Henren, knowing how terrifying he was; such a powerful person was actually wiped out with ease—how far has this Zhang Xuan... reached?

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

"He succeeded..."

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi loosened their clenched fists.

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

Seeing the "Heavenly Dao's flaw" that had been separated from his own body earlier still hovering in the air, Zhang Xuan gave a light smile and flicked his finger.

"Hum!"

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

The bell-like ringing continued; the constantly collapsing Divine Realm visibly recovered slowly, and the chaotic airflow also gathered again.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally ceased; the withered spiritual Qi also slowly revived with the death of Henren.

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

The breach 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 froze for a moment and stepped forward.

This step carried him an unknown distance, and he immediately saw a young man 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 felt this person was unfathomable; now I realized he was only a hair's breadth above me, having already reached the peak of the Immortal Emperor, far stronger than Luo Ruoxi before.

"Just call me by my name; I am... Nie Tong!" The young man exuded an unstoppable Sword Intent, speaking lightly.

"Nie Tong?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

This was the first time he had heard that name.

"Come with me; I'll take you to see my brother!" The young man called Nie Tong chuckled and stepped forward.

Zhang Xuan closely followed behind, not knowing how far he had flown, and stopped before a mountain peak.

He then saw another young man.

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

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

The young man before him was actually stronger, having likewise broken through the Immortal Emperor's shackles, and his cultivation was even deeper and more substantial!

"I am Nie Yun!" The young man gave a light smile and looked over: "That is... Nie Lingxi, the father of Luo Ruoxi you mentioned!"

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

Zhang Xuan was shocked: "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 Qi into Three Pure Ones; part of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, this world is my creation—calling me the Heavenly Dao is perfectly fine!" Nie Yun smiled lightly.

Zhang Xuan couldn't believe it.

The Divine Realm was actually created by this person right before our eyes?

Just how strong must his power be?

"Wrong, 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 own breakthrough, the Divine Realm would very likely collapse completely; why does this person before me remain indifferent?

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

Not answering his question, Nie Yun glanced over lightly: "Do you think... there might be an even more powerful life above the Divine Realm?"

"This..." Zhang Xuan paused for a moment: "There should be, right?"

Although I've never seen it, since he can cultivate to this level, perhaps others can too, and maybe even stronger.

Just like this person before us.

"I once suspected that there might be a more powerful life above the Divine Realm, so I exerted all my power to observe, ultimately drawing a backlash from a higher world... a palm broke through the void and descended!"

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

"In this situation, I wish to recover, but it's merely a thought; however, 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... it's hard for me alone to achieve. So I want to see if there is any life capable of breaking through the Emperor's shackles and reaching a level equal to mine."

"So I sent the scattered thoughts of the Heavenly Dao down to the lowest world... granting them respectively to the souls originally belonging to this world and to a soul not belonging to this world. And you, in the end, did not disappoint me!"

Nie Yun smiled and said.

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

No wonder, being able to transmigrate over—I never expected it was all due to this person before us.

"Hehe!" Nie Yun gave a light smile and said: "Being a native of this world, one naturally has reverence for it; wanting to break the world's shackles is far more difficult. Even I, with just a thought, never imagined you could actually succeed..."

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

Without Master Kong's selfless dedication, achieving the current 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 the time, he had watched their battle, and Master Kong indeed lacked decisiveness.

It's also possible he is 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 gave a faint smile: "Your strength is not much different from mine now; do you think, with their strength at a life‑or‑death juncture, wanting to save someone, you could actually do it?"

"……" 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 child of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed name bears the Luo surname…… 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: "My father has also been rather ruthless…… 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 would cause an uproar……"

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

There was no choice but to agree; who let him abduct someone's daughter……

"The Heaven's 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 demonstrates your ability and potential, and your future is limitless. For my daughter to be with you, as a father, I would also feel relieved."

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