Chapter 1056

Soul Contract, it binds souls; as long as one does not dissolve it, even if the other's means reach the heavens, it cannot be undone.

Just like the Undying Emperor Xiao Huang Ji, who was merely a God King before, he is an Emperor, yet he likewise cannot resolve this contract.

To prevent this guy from changing his mind and causing a backlash, the Master Continent once specially stipulated that even if one could escape the Heavenly Dao's Book, they could not break free from the soul's contract!

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

The ruthless person said.

Soul contracts are based on the Heavenly Dao; a special power that can dissolve even the Heavenly Dao of the Divine Realm can dissolve a soul contract—if handled properly, what difficulty is there?

"So that's how it is..." Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

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

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

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

Luo Ruoxi also noticed something was wrong, hurriedly sending a mental transmission.

"Get ready to attack!" With all doubts dispelled, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, his long sword suddenly rising: "If that's the case, let's see the real skill!"

Boom!

The greatest sword intent was unleashed once again.

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

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

This sword move, though not reaching the level of an Emperor's insight, contains all the obsessions in my heart, pushing the Heavenly If Has Feeling technique to its limit.

Whoosh!

One sword sliced the ruthless person's attack in half.

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

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

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

With a light smile, the ruthless person reached down again.

In an instant, his hand covered the sky and earth, space shattered, the sun, moon, and stars seemed 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 actually couldn't block it!

Just what realm has this guy reached?

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

From afar, it looked extremely 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, power surging up to the nine heavens.

Clashing with the ruthless person, he too was blown backward, unable to withstand a single move.

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

Having become an Emperor, the clone still hasn't changed its pretentious nature...

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

"We must attack together, otherwise they'll die and we'll die too..."

The little yellow chicken let out a loud shout, crimson flames blazing, the sky seeming to be ignited.

The remaining six Emperors also each displayed their abilities.

The seven Emperors united, capable of destroying heaven and earth; a single world before them could not be resisted, but the opponent was the ruthless person who had absorbed special power; as the attack approached, his black hole suddenly expanded, in the blink of an eye swallowing all the power, then launching a counterattack.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

The ten Emperors, united together, actually couldn't block even a single move of the opponent!

How could this guy be so powerful?

"You may die..."

With one 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 who had appeared earlier suddenly showed up, blocking in front, his long sword turning into a galaxy.

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

Zhang Xuan's pupils constricted.

That old man, who initially followed behind the youth, I had thought was merely an attendant, at most titled God King, but upon displaying his power I discovered he is actually a powerful Emperor as well!

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

"He himself is the Emperor of Sword God Heaven..." Luo Ruoxi struggled to her feet, gritting her teeth.

"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; then she saw that Emperor of Sword God Heaven likewise blown backward, landing not far away, blasting out a huge crater.

Zhang Xuan's current strength and his comprehension of the sword far surpass his; they cannot be resisted; even if his cultivation is not weak and his swordsmanship superb, he is still no match.

"Hahaha, Emperors, you're just a bunch of mud chickens and trash 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, the ruthless person laughed maniacally, the surrounding space continually collapsing, casting him as demonic or monstrous.

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

Just now he and his clone had exerted their utmost combat power; even Luo Ruoxi before him had used her strongest technique, yet none could block the opponent's single move...

Could it be that the Divine Realm truly has no one who can block this person before us?

Just let him destroy the world?

"The only way…… is to return your deficient 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 his mind is itself part of the Heavenly Dao; once returned, the Heavenly Dao would be completely whole, perhaps able to repair the loophole and expel the Ruthless One.

Just like the human immune system.

When the immune system is complete, viruses come and are easily driven off; when it fails, one cannot resist viral invasion, and even the strongest person will die from 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 with the strongest immune system, what can be done?

This person before us is merely an ordinary God King; even with a title, the Heavenly Dao could easily kill him, yet he is stronger than an Emperor Lord…… and 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…… we can't 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 the Heaven of Ease……" Taking a deep breath, Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth, turned, and flew forward.

"Want to escape?" The Ruthless One gave a cold snort and pressed down.

Boom!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the sky.

"You……" Zhang Xuan's sword technique unfolded again, sword intent shining forth.

Ding ding ding!

Again blocked by the Ruthless One.

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

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

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone recklessly blocking the rear without fear of 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 they appeared within the range of the Heaven of Ease.

The Heaven of Ease now lacks 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 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 was 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 Lord, or does he possess power surpassing that of an Emperor Lord?"

He could not help but say.

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

If that is the case, why would he then fall into a coma?

Moreover, it requires a deficient Heavenly Dao to make him awake?

"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 deficient Heavenly Dao entered the spatial turbulence, while I acted as the steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To revive him, we must gather the scattered parts…… that is why I am so resolute, cannot fail! I therefore went specially to the Master Teacher Continent, studying the Spring and Autumn Chronicle, seeking a way to defeat Master Kong! When fighting Master Kong, entrusting him with this matter was also the case."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

Not long after arriving at the Master Teacher 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 suddenly 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 the steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order…… you don't have any fragments of the Heavenly Dao inside you?" Suddenly realizing something off in her speech, Zhang Xuan looked over.

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

"I merely steward it, and am not part of the Heavenly Dao……" Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan relaxed his breath.

In that case, I only need to separate the deficient Heavenly Dao from within myself; it doesn't require her to die as well.

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

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

"This…… I'm not sure either……"

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

The Divine Realm is my father's foundation; now that it is like this, even if he awakens, can we truly defeat that powerful Ruthless One?

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 to ask others… We have only ourselves to figure out a way! Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth: "You, me, and my clone, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, if we also coordinate with Kong Shi, we might not be unable to win!"

"Kong Shi? He…" Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"Kong Shi is already dead, right! He didn't truly die; if my guess is correct, he was slain by you, merely a method to escape the Heavenly Dao… Unexpectedly, he should be like Wei Changfeng, an Innate Fetal Soul Body!"

Zhang Xuan said.

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

One can remain undeluded in the womb.

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

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

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

Kong Shi's disciples, Ziyuan Ancient Sage and others, each possessed formidable strength; even without the Emperor's aid, they would certainly have a way to enter the Tide Sea, yet not a single one was seen.

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

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

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

"Let's go!"

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

Who else could it be if not Kong Shi!

This teacher of all ages certainly 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 Emperors could be resurrected, 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 backup in advance; that nameless giant in the Nether Soul Pool is what I left behind. The day you slew me, I seized the opportunity to break free from the Heavenly Dao's bonds, recondensed my flesh, and have only just now recovered!"

Kong Shi gave a faint smile.

He is proficient in temporal abilities; while it seemed only a day or two had passed in the Divine Realm, in truth, to regain his strength he had undergone an unknown length of time.

Decades of time have passed.

"Our three strengths are considerable, but wanting to surpass the Ruthless 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 people united couldn't block the opponent; even adding another Kong Shi, 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?"

Kong Shi smiled and looked over.

"Merge into one person?"

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

"That palm can tear apart the Divine Realm, scatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is undeniable. The Ruthless One has absorbed all that power and also devoured the Divine Realm's spiritual energy for fifty years. Based solely on strength, even if we each take out our power from the dozen or so Emperors, we are certainly no match…"

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' 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!"

Kong Shi said.

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

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

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi was speechless.

During the battle, such an intention indeed existed; thus their exchanges at the start each held back, resembling a sparring match rather than a life-and-death fight.

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

Kong Shi nodded and said: "Holding the world in one's heart, wishing to save all beings, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for oneself—excessive benevolence is also a flaw! If one were a bit more ruthless, exterminating the alien spirit clan, the present situation would not have arisen…"

"Had we been able to exterminate the alien spirit clan entirely back then, the Ruthless One could not have revived, nor would we be in this predicament."

"So I am also unsuitable! Zhang Xuan, however, cultivates a method that follows his heart, without flaw. He emphasizes living true to himself; even if he dies, as long as he lives without guilt, his mind is at ease. Such a person possesses greater inclusiveness and greater room for development; only thus can one reach higher and farther!"

Kong Shi continued.

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

"If even death is of no concern, how could one be bound by other matters?"

"This…" Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, when he saw Kong Shi's piercing gaze: "No need to decline; first say there's no time, go 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 and has his own understanding of it; I govern the orderly Heavenly Dao. If we pour our power into you, you will possess complete Heavenly Dao power within! Combined with your clone's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can indeed stabilize the Nine Heavens, grasp the universe, battle the Nine Firmaments, annihilate all things!"

"Alright!"

Seeing the other party had already made a decision, further explanation would be useless; 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 person seemed to instantaneously embody the Heavenly Dao, soaring above the Nine Heavens.

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

……

You also want to block me? Fine, I'll kill you, then go slay Zhang Xuan.

He sent Luo Qiqi and the clones flying, Hengren 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 weak.

The Tide Sea devoured almost all the spiritual energy outside the city in the Divine Realm; these powers now became his nourishment. With every move, they carried the power to destroy heaven and earth. Although these Emperors and God Kings represent the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, they are still no match.

At this moment, Hengren 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 the air.

"Just you? You're 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!"

Fu Meng Emperor also let out a loud roar, transforming into his true form, the White Tiger, and appeared before him.

The Immortal Emperor revealed his true form, the Immortal Fire Phoenix, and flames illuminated the sky.

Xuan Ming Great Emperor's true form was a giant 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.

Heaven and earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Boom boom boom boom!

After 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 everyone out, he felt his raised arm tighten and stop in midair.

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

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

It was Zhang Xuan!

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

"You've made great progress..."

Hengren halted, his gaze solemn.

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

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

With a cold snort, Hengren struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his sword and went to meet him.

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

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

At the Free Heaven Master's abode, Luo Ruoxi looked over, full of worry.

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

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

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

After a moment of silence, Master Kong said.

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

The reason we do 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 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.

……

Boom boom boom!

After several consecutive blows, Zhang Xuan's tiger mouth split, his chest bore a huge, hideous wound.

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

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

"Anyway, you're not my match; sooner or later I'll be killed. If so, I want to die under your strongest attack." Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan halted his advance and instead gazed at Hengren before him.

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

Hearing that, Hengren 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 endure, and another huge pit was blasted out.

His eyes tightly shut, 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 incessantly.

Master Kong and Luo Ruoxi, upon seeing this scene, were both stunned.

The original intention was to let him break the shackles and surge beyond the Imperial Realm, so why does he not resist and willingly go to his death?

In this way, wouldn't that betray their goodwill?

"No, it's the Immortal Imperial Lord's immortality method…"

Puzzled, Master Kong suddenly spoke.

Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan, whose head had exploded and even whose soul was shattered, have the pendant at his chest suddenly burst open; a drop of blood floated up, ignited, forming a scorching flame, and within the flame a perfectly intact figure stepped out slowly.

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

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

After being reborn in fire, Zhang Xuan no longer had the Heaven's Dao Library inside him, no longer suffered Heaven's Dao's interference, and had broken free from Heaven's Dao!

"How did he do it?"

Master Kong was also full of disbelief.

Heaven's Dao and the soul had merged, indistinguishable; to escape, he had to let his soul scatter and, using the Ghost Pool, reconsolidate his spirit.

The one before us, after being cut just once, completely broke free—what method did he use?

"I understand… he used the Ruthless One's method to break the soul contract…" Luo Ruoxi realized.

A soul contract binds Master and servant; if the Master does not release it, the servant remains forever bound… The Heaven's Dao Library works the same way, essentially an enhanced contract.

Once the soul is bound, immortality will not detach.

But… the Ruthless One used that special power to break the soul contract; Zhang Xuan had previously inquired in detail about the method, perhaps having already formed a plan then.

That is why he deliberately risked death, forcing the other to unleash his strongest power against him.

By harnessing this power, reborn in fire, he unexpectedly succeeded greatly!

"So that's it, this is the way to break through the Imperial Lord…"

Zhang Xuan, emerging from the flames, wore a faint smile as if he understood something; suddenly he gestured, and one of his clones instantly transformed back into a lotus and flew toward him.

In an instant, it merged perfectly with his own body.

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

His foot lightly pressed the ground.

The chaotic Nine Heavens instantly steadied.

The Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, which appears at the birth of the Nine Heavens and can stabilize them, now with his clone perfectly fused with himself, indistinguishable, means he now controls this power.

Moreover, with his cultivation merged with the Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, his already peak realm showed a loosening, as if he could break through at any moment.

"Master‑servant bond, brotherly bond, teacher‑student bond, parental bond, love… merged together—that is the myriad things of the world, that is humanity!"

Smiling, Zhang Xuan murmured to himself.

At the instant the Heaven's Dao Library detached from his soul, he understood.

Is it that humans view the world, thereby creating the world, or does the world exist first, then humans?

Is it the wind that moves, or the heart?

This question has eternally plagued countless people.

Of course, now… these are all unimportant!

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

Thus, after breaking through love, comes the sentiment of all beings! The emotions that interweave the world.

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

Love is emotion.

Hatred is emotion.

Joy is emotion.

Pain is emotion.

Separation is emotion.

Reunion is also emotion!

"Myriad feelings, at my command…"

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

The Imperial Lord's shackles have been broken!

In an instant, it seemed he touched a brand‑new world and Da Men, and his soul received rapid nourishment.

Countless chaotic qi surged forward, and his flesh rapidly advanced.

Before, only by absorbing spiritual energy could one progress, but now spatial turbulence and chaotic qi, even the opponent's azure light, can be all mine, indistinguishable.

"You…" The Ruthless One did not expect that his full‑force attack, instead of killing him, actually empowered him; he roared "Wah‑wah!" chaotically, let out an angry shout, and attacked again.

"You resent the lofty Imperial Lord, and not being saved in the spatial turbulence, that is emotion; you feel that you were once my servant, containing humility and anger, that is emotion; you wish to destroy the divine realm, venting anger, that is emotion; you desire to become stronger, also emotion… Emotion controls you, so how can you defeat me without being controlled by me?"

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

The once invincible Ruthless One was now bound by countless threads of emotion, restrained and unable to move.

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

"You…"

The Ruthless One's eyes were full of dread: "Master Zhang, I am your servant, do not kill me… I am willing to sacrifice my soul…"

"It's too late to say that now…" With a slight smile, Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Controlling the emotions of the world, servants hold no meaning for him now.

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

"No…"

Sensing his decisiveness, the Ruthless One's pupils contracted; before his words ended, he immediately felt a sharp pain throughout his body.

Bang!

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

Earlier, all the power swallowed by the Tide Sea now returned, revitalizing the once‑exhausted wilderness.

"This..."

"Just like that, you killed him?"

The Cloud Chilong Great Emperor, the Undying Emperor, the Exquisite Immortal Maiden and others all widened their eyes, unable to believe it.

Just moments ago they had crossed blows with the Ruthless One, knowing how terrifying he was; yet such a powerful person was wiped out with a casual gesture—how far has this Zhang Xuan... actually reached?

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

"He succeeded..."

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi loosened their clenched fists.

"This is part of the Heavenly Dao; therefore I will now return it to the Heavenly Dao..."

Seeing the "Heavenly Dao's Flaw" that had been split from his own body still hovering in the air, Zhang Xuan smiled lightly and flicked his finger.

Hum!

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

With the tolling of a great bell, the continually collapsing Divine Realm slowly recovered, visible to the naked eye, and the chaotic currents also gathered anew.

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

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

The breach in the Tide Sea, having been mended along with the completion of the Heavenly Dao, has already recovered; the Divine Realm will return to its former prosperity—it's only a matter of time.

"Zhang Xuan, come here..."

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

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

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

"Senior, you..."

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

He had always felt this person was unfathomable; now he realized that, aside from a hair's breadth, he had reached the very peak of the Emperor realm, far surpassing Luo Ruoxi's previous strength.

"Just call me by my name; I am Nie Tong." The youth radiated an unstoppable sword intent as he spoke lightly.

"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 older brother!" The youth called Nie Tong smiled faintly 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, his eyebrows raised, giving an impression of profound inscrutability.

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

The youth's strength before him actually surpassed his own, having likewise broken through the Emperor's shackles, and his cultivation was even deeper and more substantial!

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

"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 qi into the Three Purities; a portion of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, this world is my creation—calling me the Heavenly Dao is entirely justified!" Nie Yun smiled faintly.

Zhang Xuan could 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 do you let the Ruthless One run rampant without intervening?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

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

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

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

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

Although he had never seen such a level, since he could cultivate to this stage, perhaps others could as well—and perhaps even stronger.

Just like the one before him.

"I once suspected that a more powerful being existed above the Divine Realm, so I exerted all my power to peer into it—ultimately drawing a backlash from a higher world… a palm broke through the void and descended!"

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

"In this situation, I merely wish to restore it with a single thought, but… I understand that to truly transcend the Divine Realm's shackles, to explore where that palm came from and what lies beyond the Divine Realm… it is difficult for me alone. Therefore, I want to see whether any life can break through the Emperor's shackles and reach 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 native to this world and to souls foreign to it. And you, you have not disappointed me!"

Nie Yun laughed.

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

No wonder he could transmigrate here; he never imagined it was all due to this person before him.

"Hehe!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly, saying: "Being native to this world, one naturally feels reverence for it; wanting to break its shackles is far harder. I, too, merely had a thought, never expecting you to 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 dedication, attaining 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 and could withdraw unscathed, but in fact he lost his brave and diligent spirit. When facing someone surpassing us, if he lacks even this spirit, how could he possibly stand against them?"

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

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

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

Unfortunately, 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 furrowed.

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

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

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

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

"Lingxi is the daughter of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed name bears the Luo surname…… To make her believe, to keep her from acting on emotion, I have let her think I am still in a coma……"

Nie Yun gave a wry smile: "This father of mine has been ruthless enough…… Let it be, you 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 might cause an uproar……"

Seeing this unreliable father before him, Zhang Xuan's cheek twitched and he had to agree: "All right……"

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

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

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