Chapter 1055: When Should the Surgery Be Done?

Soul Contract, it matches the soul; as long as one does not dissolve it, even if the other party's methods reach the heavens, 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.

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

"Soul Contract, it indeed cannot be split from the sea of consciousness, but I have merged a special gas that even the Heavenly Dao can dissolve, dissolving this contract is not difficult……as long as there is sufficient power, bombarding the location of the contract will achieve it!"

Henren's Dao.

Soul Contract, it is founded on the basis of the Heavenly Dao; special power capable of dissolving even the Heavenly Dao of the Divine Realm can dissolve a soul contract—if handled properly, what difficulty is there?

"I see..." Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

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

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

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

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

"Get ready to fight!" With all doubts dispelled in his heart, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, raised his long sword, and declared: "Since that's the case, let's see the true skill beneath our hands!"

Boom—

The greatest sword intent was unleashed once again.

If alive, return home; if dead, endure longing!

Unconcerned with life or death, what could possibly stop us?

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

Hoo!

A single sword cut Henren's attack in half.

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

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

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

Henren gave a light smile and reached down again.

In an instant, his hand covered the sky and earth, shattering space, as if the sun, moon, and stars were about to be slammed down.

Pfft! Pfft!

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

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

Just what realm has this guy reached?

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

From afar, it looked incredibly imposing.

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

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

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

Zhang Xuan covered his forehead.

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

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

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

Xiao Huangji let out a loud shout; crimson flames blazed, the sky seeming to be set ablaze.

The remaining six great emperors also each employed their methods.

The seven emperors united, capable of destroying heaven and earth; yet a single realm before them could not withstand it, but the opponent was Henren, who had absorbed special power—when his attack arrived, 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.

The ten great emperors, united together, could not even block a single move from the opponent!

How could this guy be so powerful?

"You can die……"

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

"How dare you, rats!"

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

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

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

That old man initially followed the youth behind him; I 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.

"Then… 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, falling not far away and blasting out a large pit.

Zhang Xuan's current strength and his understanding of the Sword Dao far surpass him, making him unable to resist; even though his cultivation is not weak and his swordsmanship is superb, he is still no match.

"Hahaha, Emperor, you're just a bunch of chickens and dogs! Today I will destroy the Nine Heavens, destroy this Divine Realm, and trample all rules flat!"

Having defeated the Emperor of Sword God Heaven, Henren laughed maniacally; the surrounding space kept collapsing, making him appear like a demon.

"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 used her strongest technique, yet none could block a single strike from the opponent……

Could it be that in the Divine Realm, there truly is no one who can block this person before us?

Are we just going to let him destroy the world?

"The only way…… is to return your defective Heavenly Dao to the Heavenly Dao itself, letting the Heavenly Dao suppress him……" Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists, her eyes reddening.

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

The library in his mind is itself part of the Heavenly Dao; once it returns, the Heavenly Dao becomes completely whole, perhaps able to repair the breach and expel the Ruthless One himself.

Just like the body's immune system.

When the immune system is whole, a virus comes and is easily driven off; when it's damaged, it cannot resist viral invasion, and even the strongest person will die because of it.

But……

"He's too strong; even if the Heavenly Dao recovers completely, it might not be able to suppress him!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

A virus can be slain by the immune system, but…… what about a 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 becomes whole, he can awaken and slay this person—that wouldn't be difficult!"

"Him?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

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

Boom!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the sky.

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

Ding ding ding!

Once again blocked by Henren.

"You hurry and leave; I'll hold him off……"

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, while Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to the Still Void Pearl's true form.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone fearlessly throw themselves in harm's way without fear of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes 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 instant they appeared within the Carefree Heaven.

The Carefree Heaven now lacked its former ease; the Divine Realm had collapsed, and everywhere was chaos.

"Where is the person you spoke of?"

He had no time to observe ordinary people's lives; Zhang Xuan looked at the girl in his arms.

If the person she spoke of could truly save the Divine Realm, what harm would there be in my sacrificing myself!

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

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly realized.

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

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

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

He couldn't help but ask.

The library's chaos is due to the blood in the pendant awakening me; could it be that not only is she an Emperor, but her father is as well, and even stronger?

If that's the case, why would he be comatose?

And why does it require a defective Heavenly Dao for him to awaken?

"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 it.

"Yes! Fifty years ago, my father couldn't withstand that great hand, fell into a coma, and the Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts—the Orderly Heavenly Dao and the Defective Heavenly Dao entered the spatial turbulence, while I acted as steward of the Natural Heavenly Dao, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To restore him, we must gather the scattered parts…… That's why I am so resolute, cannot fail! That's why I specially entered the Master Teacher Continent, studied the Spring and Autumn Grand Canon, seeking a way to defeat Master Kong! Even when I begged him for help during my battle with Master Kong, it was for this."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

Having only just met the Master Teacher Continent, the girl before me had already told me her story of wanting to save a close relative; I hadn't understood then, but now I finally realize.

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 Natural Heavenly Dao…… you don't have any Heavenly Dao fragments inside you?" Suddenly sensing something off in her words, Zhang Xuan looked over.

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

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

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

In that case, I only need to separate the Defective Heavenly Dao from myself; her death isn't required.

Although I am unwilling to accept this 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 Henren, right?" Zhang Xuan looked at her.

"This…… I'm not sure either……"

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

The Divine Realm is my father's foundation; now that foundation is like this—even if he awakens, can he truly defeat that mighty Henren?

Really hard to say!

Looks like you can't be sure either. In that case, it's better to rely on oneself than to ask others… We have only ourselves to figure it out! Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth: "You, me, and my avatar, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, if we also coordinate with Master Kong, we might not be unable to win!"

Master Kong? He… Luo Ruoxi frowned.

Master Kong is already dead, right? He didn't truly die; if my guess is correct, he was slain by you, merely a method to 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 maintaining consciousness should be the same as him, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain clear-minded even in the womb.

Plus the preparations made in advance, resurrection is just a matter of time.

Luo Ruoxi froze; it seemed she hadn't expected this.

"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.

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 waiting; they want 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; she suddenly understood.

Let's go!

Without further explanation, he flicked his sleeve; Zhang Xuan returned to where Master Kong lived, and indeed saw an old man sitting cross-legged, floating in midair. Seeing them arrive, he smiled slightly: "You've come!"

Not Master Kong, then who is it!

This Master of Ten Thousand Generations certainly didn't disappoint!

Just 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, and the Undying Emperor had come back to life, but… she didn't expect the speed to be this fast!

"I concealed the Heavenly Dao, prepared a backup in advance; that nameless giant in the Netherworld Pool is what I left behind. The day you slew me, I seized the chance 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 temporal 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 strengths are 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 Master Kong, what could it change?

It likewise cannot change the situation!

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

Master Kong smiled and looked over.

"Merge into one person?"

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

"That palm can tear apart the Divine Realm, scatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is undeniable. The Ruthless One has absorbed this power entirely and also devoured the Divine Realm's spiritual energy of fifty years. Going by strength alone, even if we each take out our power from the dozen-odd Emperors, we are certainly no match…"

Master Kong said: "But if we unite and concentrate the power into one person… perhaps it wouldn't be so!"

"How to concentrate?"

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

Easy to say, hard to do.

The 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, 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 ones, one can never truly transcend! If I'm not mistaken, when we fought before, you also once gave up, intending to let me slay you!"

Master Kong said.

Luo Ruoxi couldn't speak.

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

"Unable to transcend, naturally one cannot exert one's strongest power; even given more true qi, one still cannot strike that supreme realm! As for me…"

Master Kong nodded and said: "Holding all beings in heart, wanting to save the world, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for me—too much benevolence is also a flaw! If one were a bit more ruthless, exterminating the Foreign Spirit Clan, the present situation would not have arisen…"

Had we initially been able to exterminate the Foreign Spirit Clan entirely, the Ruthless One could not have revived, nor would the present situation exist.

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

Master Kong continued.

In life, return to the origin; in death, cherish longing!

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 gaze sharp as he looked over: "No need to decline; first say there's no time, go train 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 hold complete Heavenly Dao power! Combined with your avatar's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can fully achieve fixing the Nine Heavens, holding the cosmos, battling the Nine Firmaments, destroying all things!"

Alright!

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

Boom—

Sitting cross-legged, in the blink of an eye, two mighty surges of power poured in from both sides.

Zhang Xuan's whole body stiffened; his entire 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 block me? Fine, kill you all, then go slay Zhang Xuan……"

He sent Luo Qiqi and his clone and others flying, Hengren gave a cold smile.

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

The Tide Sea devoured the spiritual energy outside the city of the Divine Realm, almost completely consuming it; now these powers have become his sustenance, every gesture wielding the power to destroy heaven and earth; these Emperors and Gods, though they represent the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, are still no match.

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

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

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

"Just you? Not worthy!"

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

"Old friend, wait for me!"

Fumeng Emperor let out a loud roar, manifesting his true form as the White Tiger, appearing before him in the air.

The Undying Emperor, the Undying Fire Phoenix True Form manifested, flames illuminating the sky.

Profound Dark Emperor, his true form is a great turtle, as if holding up the heavens.

The Four Divine Beasts, guardians of the four extremes of the Divine Realm, simultaneously transformed into their true forms, causing the collapsing Divine Realm to slow down.

Heaven and earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

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

"You've improved quite a bit……"

Hengren 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 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 withstand me……"

With a cold snort, Hengren struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his longsword and went to meet him.

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

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

At the Free Heaven Kong Shi's station, Luo Ruoxi looked over, full of worry.

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

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

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

After a moment of silence, Kong Shi said.

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

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

"Power surpassing 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 arrogance toward this world!"

Seeing her doubt, Kong Shi laughed and said.

……

Bang bang bang!

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

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

"Haha, thought you were formidable, but that's all!" Hengren gave a cold smile.

"Anyway, I'm not your match; I'll be killed sooner or later, so I want to die under your strongest attack……" Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan halted, not attacking, but instead looking at Hengren before him.

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

Hearing him say that, Hengren froze for a moment, then let out a cold snort, raising his palm.

Whoosh!

A cyan light appeared in his palm, then slammed down fiercely.

Indeed it was the strongest attack; the entire Divine Realm rumbled, as if it could barely endure, once again being struck into a huge pit.

His eyes tightly closed, Zhang Xuan did not dodge.

Boom!

His head burst open, his soul scattering everywhere.

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

Luo Qiqi seemed to go mad.

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

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

The original intention was to let him break through his shackles and charge toward surpassing the Emperor Realm; why didn't he resist and instead willingly go to his death?

Wouldn't this be letting down their good intentions?

"No, it is the Undying Emperor's Undying Method..."

While they were puzzled, Kong Shi suddenly spoke.

Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan, 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 severed ties with the Heavenly Dao!

"How did he do that?"

Kong Shi 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 Netherworld Soul Pool, recondense his soul.

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

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

The soul contract binds master and servant; if the master does not 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 cannot free it.

But... the Ruthless Person used that special power to break free of the soul contract; the specific method, Zhang Xuan had inquired about in detail before—perhaps he had already been thinking about it then.

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

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

"So that's it—this is the method 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 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 the Zhang Xuan before them had become the Nine Heavens; the Nine Heavens were him.

He lightly tapped the ground with his foot.

The chaotic Nine Heavens immediately stabilized.

The Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, which appeared when the Nine Heavens were born and can stabilize them; at this moment, his clone 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; signs of loosening appeared, as if he could break through at any moment.

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

Smiling, Zhang Xuan muttered to himself.

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

Is it that people see the world and then the world exists, or that the world existed first and then people came into being?

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving!

This question has troubled countless people since ancient times.

Of course, now... these things 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 there is a world, with emotion life can continue.

Love, is emotion.

Hatred, is emotion.

Joy, is emotion.

Pain, is emotion.

Separation, is emotion.

Reunion, is also emotion!

"Myriad feelings, for my use..."

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

The Emperor's shackles, broken through!

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

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

Before, only by absorbing spiritual power could one progress; but now, space turbulence and chaotic qi—even the opponent's azure light—can be made mine, without distinction.

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

"You resent the lofty Emperor, not being saved by me in the space 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, his palm lightly grasping.

The originally invincible Ruthless Person was bound by countless threads of emotion, his hands and feet tied, unable to move.

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

"You..."

The Ruthless Person's eyes were full of panic: "Master Zhang, I am your servant, don't kill me... I am willing to offer my soul as a sacrifice..."

"Saying these now is already too late..." Zhang Xuan smiled slightly and shook his head.

Controlling the emotions of the world, servants and such are already meaningless to him.

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

"No..."

Feeling his decisiveness, the Ruthless'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 swallowed by the Tide Sea now flowed back, reviving the once‑barren wilderness.

"This..."

"You killed him just like that?"

The Cloud Childe Great Emperor, the Undying Emperor, the Exquisite Immortal Maiden, and the others all widened their eyes in disbelief.

Just moments ago they had crossed blows with the Ruthless and knew how terrifying he was; yet such a powerful figure was wiped out with a casual gesture—just how far has this Zhang Xuan... reached?

Could there truly be a realm above the Emperor level?

"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 "flawed Heavenly Dao" that had just been separated from his own body still hovering in the air, Zhang Xuan smiled faintly and flicked his finger.

Hum!

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

With a deep, bell‑like resonance, the constantly collapsing Divine Realm slowly healed before the eyes, and the chaotic currents reconverged.

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

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

The rift in the Tide Sea, now mended by the completion of the Heavenly Dao, has already healed; the Divine Realm will return to its former glory—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 startled, then took a step forward.

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

It was none other than the one who had previously taught him swordsmanship.

"Senior, you..."

Seeing that it was him, Zhang Xuan blinked in surprise.

Earlier I had sensed his unfathomable depth, but now I realize he is only a hair's breadth above me, having already reached the pinnacle of Emperor level—far surpassing even Luo Ruoxi as before.

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

"Nie Tong?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

It was the first time he had heard that name.

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

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

Immediately he saw another youth.

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

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

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

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

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

Zhang Xuan 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 man.

"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 hardly unreasonable!" Nie Yun said with a light smile.

Zhang Xuan dared not believe it.

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

Just how powerful must his strength be?

"No, if the Divine Realm is your creation and you are the Heavenly Dao, why would you let the Ruthless run rampant without intervening?" Zhang Xuan looked at him.

"If I hadn't broken through, the Divine Realm would likely have collapsed entirely; why does this person before me remain indifferent?"

"Does he not even care about his daughter's life or death?"

Without answering his question, Nie Yun glanced at him 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 being, since he could cultivate to this level, perhaps others could as well—and perhaps even stronger."

"Just like the one before us."

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

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

"Such a situation, I thought, could be remedied by a mere thought; but I understand that to truly transcend the Divine Realm's shackles, to explore where that palm came from and what lies beyond… it is difficult for me alone. So I wanted to see whether any life could break through the Emperor's shackles and reach a level equal to mine!"

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

Nie Yun smiled.

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

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

"Hehe!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly: "Being native to this world, one naturally feels reverence for it; breaking its shackles is far harder, and I merely had a passing thought—I 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 point…"

"Without Master Kong's selfless devotion, attaining my current state would be utterly impossible."

I gave him the opportunity; he just failed to seize it. The duel with Lingxi was actually his best chance to break through, but he chose to retreat, thinking he had a backup plan and could escape unharmed—in reality he lost the drive to press on. When facing someone stronger than us, if he doesn't even have this much spirit, how could he possibly stand against them?

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

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

It's also possible he simply didn't want to kill Luo Ruoxi.

What a pity; in that instant he missed the chance to advance.

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

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

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

"This…" Zhang Xuan gave a wry smile.

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

"Lingxi is the daughter of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed name bears the Luo surname… In order to make her believe me, to keep her from acting on emotion, she has continued to think I am still in a coma…"

Nie Yun gave a wry laugh: "My father sure is ruthless… Well, you should explain this to her; after all, her thoughts have now turned to you, and this old man of mine probably can't even remember… Haha, I'll stay out of sight for a while, otherwise I truly fear she'd cause an uproar."

Seeing this unreliable old man before him, Zhang Xuan's cheek twitched and he had no choice but to agree: "Alright…"

There's no way out of it if he doesn't agree—after all, he's the one who ran off with someone else's daughter…

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

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