Chapter 1053: A War of Form Without Smoke?

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 Xiao Huangji, 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 once specially decreed that even if one could escape the Heavenly Dao Record, they could not break free from 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, allowing me to undo this contract—it's not difficult… as long as one has sufficient power, bombarding the location of the contract will achieve it."

The Ruthless Person's Dao.

A soul contract is founded upon the Heavenly Dao; a special power capable of dissolving 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, 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 he becomes."

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

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

Boom—

The greatest sword intent was unleashed once more.

In life, I hope to return; in death, I endure longing.

Unconcerned with life or death, what could possibly stand in my way?

This sword move, though not yet reaching the Emperor's level of insight, embodies all the obsessions in my heart, pushing the Heaven If Has Feeling technique to its utmost.

Whoosh!

A single sword slash split Henren's attack in half.

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

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

"Your techniques are formidable, but compared to me, they still fall short……"

Henren gave a light smile and 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.

Pfft! Pfft!

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

Even with their combined strength, they could not withstand it!

Just what realm has this fellow attained?

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

From afar, he looked utterly pretentious.

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 toward the Nine Heavens.

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

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

Having attained Emperor status, the avatar still hasn't changed its pretentious nature……

Such ostentatious pretense would be better replaced by concentrating power for greater effect!

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

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

The remaining Six Great Emperors also each employed their means.

The Seven Emperors united, capable of destroying heaven and earth, yet a single world 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 force entirely and then lashing back.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

The Ten Great Emperors joined forces, yet they could not withstand even a single move of the opponent!

Just how could this fellow be so powerful?

"You may die……"

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

"How dare you, rats!"

With a great shout, the old man from Sword God Heaven suddenly appeared, blocking the front, his long sword transforming into a galaxy.

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

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

This old man had once followed the youth, initially thought to be merely a follower, at most ennobled as a God King, but upon displaying his power he proved to be a mighty Emperor as well!

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 away, landing not far off and blasting a crater.

Zhang Xuan's present strength and his understanding of the Sword Dao far surpass his; even if the opponent's cultivation is not weak and his swordsmanship superb, he remains no match.

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

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

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

Just now he and his avatar had exerted their utmost combat power, even Luo Ruoxi before him had unleashed her strongest technique—yet none could withstand a single blow from the opponent……

Could it be that the Divine Realm truly has no one capable of blocking 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 the mind is itself part of the Heavenly Dao; once returned, the Heavenly Dao becomes completely whole, perhaps able to repair the loophole and expel the Henren on its own.

Just like the body's immune system.

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

Just……

"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 them, but…… what about a fierce tiger?

Even the strongest 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 Lord…… he is no longer something 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's not difficult!"

"Him?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

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

Bang!

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 the Henren.

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

Knowing they intended to find another way to save the Divine Realm rather than flee, the clone and the Undying Emperor Sovereign, with a loud shout, blocked the front, and Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to the Still Void Pearl's true form.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone fearlessly blocking the rear without regard for death, Zhang Xuan's eye sockets reddened, but he also knew now was not the time to talk; he grabbed Luo Ruoxi, his body flickered, he tore through space, and in the next moment appeared within the range of the Free and Easy Heaven.

The Free and Easy Heaven no longer has its former ease; the Divine Realm has 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 can truly save the Divine Realm, what harm is there in my sacrifice!

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

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly realized.

No wonder I always felt the blood in the 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 Lord, upon seeing the pendant, immediately recognized me as its master.

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

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 Lord, but her father is as well, and even stronger?

If that is the case, why would he be unconscious?

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

"He is not an Emperor Lord, 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 ordered 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 let him recover, only by gathering the scattered parts…… that is why I am so resolute, cannot fail! I therefore entered the Master Continent specifically, studied the Spring and Autumn Grand Canon, seeking a way to defeat Master Kong! When fighting Master Kong, the favor I asked of him was also this."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

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

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

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

"Acting as steward of the Heavenly Dao's 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, I am not part of the Heavenly Dao……" Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

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

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

"This…… I am also not certain……"

He raised his head and looked at the already collapsed Divine Realm; Luo Ruoxi hesitated.

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

Really hard to say!

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

"Master Kong? He…" Luo Ruoxi frowned.

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

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng, I understood; what Master Kong called preserving consciousness 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 she hadn't expected it to be this way.

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

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

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

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

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

"Let's go!"

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

Not Master Kong, then who is it!

This teacher of myriad ages, indeed did not disappoint!

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

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

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

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

Master Kong smiled faintly.

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

He has even had tens of years.

"Our three's strength is strong, but wanting to surpass the Ruthless One is not that easy…"

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

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

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

It likewise cannot change the situation!

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

Master Kong smiled and looked over.

"Fused into one person?"

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

"That palm capable of tearing apart the Divine Realm and scattering 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; relying solely on strength, we dozen-odd Emperors, each taken individually, are indeed no match…"

Master Kong said: "But if we unite and concentrate the power into one person… perhaps it won't 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.

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

Master Kong said.

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

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

Master Kong said.

Luo Ruoxi was speechless.

During the battle, indeed there had been such an intention; thus their exchanges, at the start, each held back, akin to sparring, not a life-and-death fight.

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

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

"If back then we could have exterminated all the Yi Ling Tribe, the Ruthless One could not have revived, nor would we have the current situation."

"So I'm also unsuitable! Zhang Xuan, his cultivation method is smooth and flawless. He emphasizes living true to himself; even if he dies, as long as he lives without guilt, his mind is at ease. Such a person possesses greater inclusiveness and greater room for development; only thus can he go higher and farther!"

Master Kong continued.

"In life, expect to return; in death, yearn longingly!"

"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 mastered the Heavenly Dao, possessing his own understanding of it; I govern the orderly Heavenly Dao; if we pour our power into you, your body will then hold complete Heavenly Dao power! Combined with your clone's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can fully achieve fixing the Nine Heavens, grasping the universe, battling the Nine Firmaments, destroying myriad things!"

"Alright!"

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

Boom—

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

Soul, flesh, and true qi were instantly baptized, growing stronger and mightier.

……

"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 united was indeed strong, but compared to him, it was still somewhat weaker.

The Tide Sea drained the Divine Realm's spiritual energy outside the city, almost completely devouring it; now these powers have become his sustenance, every move bringing the power 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 represent the entire Divine Realm, and no one could stop him.

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

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

"Just you? You're not worthy!"

Henren clenched his palm, and the Golden Dragon hung in his palm, unable to escape no matter how it struggled.

"Old friend, wait for me!"

Fu Meng Emperor let out a loud roar, transformed into the White Tiger's true form, and came before him from above.

The Immortal Emperor, the Immortal Fire Phoenix's true form manifested, flames illuminating the sky.

Xuan Ming Great Emperor, whose 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, and the collapsing Divine Realm slowed down.

The universe 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.

"You want to kill them, but have you asked me?"

Immediately, amidst everyone's shocked gazes, a figure slowly walked down from the sky.

It was Zhang Xuan!

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

"He's improved a lot..."

Henren halted, his gaze solemn.

He obviously also didn't understand why, in just a few 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 sides clashed, space tearing apart in streaks, air currents running wild everywhere.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

At the Free Heaven Master's Garrison, Luo Ruoxi looked over worriedly.

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

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

After a moment of silence, Master Kong said.

More than ten Emperors united could not defeat Henren, even if they transferred all their power to him; wanting to overcome him was still not easy.

The reason for doing this is because... only by concentrating power in one person can one possibly reach the pinnacle, truly surpass limits, and break through oneself!

"Power beyond the Emperor?"

Luo Ruoxi's gaze was distant.

"When her father was still lucid, he had told her the same thing, but... she couldn't do it; could 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 showing a huge, ferocious wound.

As Master Kong said, even if their combined power formed a complete Heavenly Dao within, he was still no match.

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

"Anyway, you're not my opponent; sooner or later I'll be killed. If so, I want to die under your strongest attack." Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan stopped advancing and instead looked 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 skull 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.

Master Kong and Luo Ruoxi, who saw this scene, were also all stunned.

The original intention was to let him break through his shackles and impact the realm beyond Emperor Sovereign—why didn't he resist and instead willingly face death?

This would surely waste their good intentions.

"Wrong, it is the immortal method of the immortal Emperor Sovereign..."

While they were puzzled, Master Kong suddenly spoke.

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

"He……relied on the opponent's power and the blood in the pendant to separate the flaw in Heaven's Path from the soul?"

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

After being reborn from fire, Zhang Xuan actually had no Heaven's Path Library within him, no interference from Heaven's Path, and had severed ties with Heaven's Path!

"How did he do that?"

Master Kong was also full of disbelief.

Heaven's Path and the soul were fused together, indistinguishable; to break free, he had to have his soul scattered and, relying on the Soul Pool, recondense his soul.

This person before them, after being slashed just once, had completely broken 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 Heaven's Path Library is the same, it can be said to be an enhanced version of the contract.

Bound to the soul, immortality will not sever it.

"But……the Ruthless Person relied on that special power to break the soul contract; the specific method, Zhang Xuan had inquired about in detail before, likely he had already conceived the idea then."

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

Relying on this power, he was reborn from fire; unexpectedly, it indeed brought great success!

"Now I understand, this is the method to break through the Emperor Sovereign……"

Zhang Xuan, walking out of the flames, showed a faint smile, as if understanding something; he suddenly waved his hand, and a clone 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 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 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, thus equating to his mastery of this power.

Moreover, with his 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 indeed all things in the world; this is what it means to be human!"

Smiling, Zhang Xuan muttered to himself.

The instant the Heaven's Path Library detached from his soul, he understood.

Is it that man sees the world and thus the world exists, or that the world existed first and then man came into being?

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 intertwining the world.

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

Love, is emotion.

Hatred, is emotion.

Joy, is emotion.

Pain, is emotion.

Parting, is emotion.

Reunion, is also emotion!

"Myriad affections, for my use……"

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

The Emperor Sovereign's shackles, broken through!

In an instant, it seemed as if he touched a brand-new world and the Great Door, his soul receiving swift nourishment.

Countless chaos qi surged over, his physical body also rapidly increased.

Previously, only by absorbing spiritual energy could one progress; but now, spatial turbulence and chaos qi, even the opponent's azure light, can all be made mine, without distinction.

"You……" the Ruthless Person never expected his full-force attack would not only fail to slay him but instead fulfill him; angry, he cried "wah-wah!", let out an angry shout, and attacked again.

"You resent the lofty Emperor Sovereign for not saving you in the spatial turbulence—that is emotion; feeling that you were once my servant, containing humility and anger, is emotion; wanting to destroy the Divine Realm to vent anger, is emotion; wanting to become stronger, likewise is emotion……emotion controls you, how could you possibly overcome me and not be controlled by me?"

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

The originally invincible Ruthless Person was then bound by countless threads of emotion, 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, do not kill me……I am willing to offer my soul as a sacrifice……"

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

Controlling the emotions of the world, servants and such already held no meaning for him.

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

"No……"

Feeling his decisiveness, Hengren's pupils contracted; before his words even ended, he immediately felt a sharp pain throughout his body.

Bang!

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

Previously, all the power that the Tide Sea had devoured now returned, and the already exhausted wilderness regained its vitality.

"This…"

"You just killed him like that?"

The Cloud Chilong Great Emperor, the Undying Emperor, the Linglong Fairy, and the others all widened their eyes in disbelief.

Just moments ago they had crossed blows with Hengren, knowing 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 realm above the Emperor level?

"He succeeded…"

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi loosened their tightly clenched fists.

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

Seeing the "flawed Heavenly Dao" that had just been separated from his own body 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 thunderously embedded itself in the sky of the Divine Realm.

The deep, bell‑like resonance caused the continually collapsing Divine Realm to slowly recover visibly, and the chaotic currents also gathered together again.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally halted, and the withered spiritual energy, along with Hengren's death, slowly revived.

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

The rift in the Tide Sea, along with 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 over here…"

Having just finished those things, a voice sounded in his mind; Zhang Xuan staggered slightly, then stepped forward.

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

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

"Senior, you…"

Seeing that it was him, Zhang Xuan was taken aback.

Before, I had sensed that he was unfathomable; now I realize he is only a hair's breadth above me, having already reached the very peak of the Emperor level, far surpassing even Luo Ruoxi as before.

"Just call me by my name; I am… Nie Tong!" the youth said lightly, an indomitable 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 impression.

"This strength…" Zhang Xuan trembled.

The youth before him proved even stronger than he, likewise having 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 shuddered: "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 breath into the Three Pure Ones; a fragment of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, this world is my creation—calling me the Heavenly Dao is entirely justified!" Nie Yun said with a light smile.

Zhang Xuan could not believe it.

Could the Divine Realm actually have been created by this person before him?

Then just how powerful must his strength be?

"That's not right—if the Divine Realm is your creation and you are the Heavenly Dao, why would you let Hengren 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 about that?

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

"Well…" Zhang Xuan paused: "I suppose there should be…"

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

Just like the one before me.

"I once suspected that greater beings existed above the Divine Realm, so I strained my senses to the limit, ultimately provoking a backlash from a higher world… a palm shattered the void and came crashing down!"

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."

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

"Therefore, 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 of this world. And you, in the end, did not disappoint me!"

Nie Yun smiled.

"A soul not of this world, then—does that mean my transmigration is also because of you?" Zhang Xuan's heart jolted.

No wonder I could transmigrate here—I never imagined it was all due to this person before me.

"Hehe!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly: "Being native to this world, one naturally feels reverence for it; breaking its shackles is far harder. I merely had a thought, and I never expected you to truly succeed…"

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

Without Master Kong's selfless sacrifice, reaching the present realm would be utterly impossible.

"Opportunity I gave him, 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 to escape unscathed, but in fact he lost the spirit of brave advancement. When facing someone surpassing us, if he lacks even this spirit, how can he contend with them?"

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

At that time, he witnessed their battle; Kong Shi indeed lacked decisiveness.

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

Unfortunately, in that moment of hesitation, 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 care about his daughter's life or death?

"With me here, she won't die……" Nie Yun gave a faint smile: "Your current strength is not much different from mine; do you think, with our combined strength, at a life-or-death moment, wanting to save someone, can you do it?"

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

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

"Lingxi is the child of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed name bears the surname Luo…… 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…… Well then, you should explain this 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 father before him, Zhang Xuan's cheek twitched, and he could only agree: "Alright……"

There's no choice but to agree; who let me elope with someone's daughter……

"The Heaven's Path 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 demonstrates your ability and potential, your future is limitless; my daughter being with you, as a father, I can also feel relieved."

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