Chapter 1057: The Murderer

Soul Contract, it binds the 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 Huang Ji, who was merely a Divine King before, he is an Emperor, yet he likewise cannot resolve this kind of agreement.

In order to prevent this person from going back on their word and causing a backlash, the Famous Master Continent once specially stipulated that even if the other party could break free from the Heavenly Dao's Record, they could not escape the soul's agreement!

"Soul Contract, indeed it cannot be separated from the sea of consciousness, but I have fused a special gas that even the Heavenly Dao can dissolve, making it easy to dissolve this contract…… As long as there is sufficient power, bombarding the location of the contract will achieve it!"

Henren Dao.

Soul Contract, it is founded upon the Heavenly Dao; even special power that can dissolve 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 finishing the explanation, Henren said no more; his aura became ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him grew even larger—evidently, while speaking, he had swallowed an unknown amount of power, nourishing himself.

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

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

"Get ready to move!" With doubts cleared in his heart, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, his long sword suddenly rising: "Since that's the case, let's see the true skill beneath our hands!"

Boom—

The strongest 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 Emperor's level of comprehension, contains all the obsessions in my heart, pushing the Heaven If It Had Feelings technique within my body to its limit.

Whoosh!

One 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 sword technique 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……"

With a light smile, Henren reached down again.

In an instant, his hand obscured the sky and covered the earth, space shattered, and the sun, moon, and stars seemed to be forcibly struck 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 withstand it!

Just what realm has this guy reached?

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

From afar, it looked extremely 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, his power surging 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 showing-off nature……

Such flamboyant showing-off is inferior to concentrating power for greater effect!

"Let's join forces; otherwise, if they die, we will all die……"

Xiao Huang Ji let out a loud shout, crimson flames blazed, and the sky seemed to be ignited.

The remaining six Emperors also each displayed their abilities.

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 special power—when his attack arrived, the black hole suddenly expanded, in the blink of an eye devouring all the power, then immediately counterattacking.

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 one of his moves!

How could this guy be so strong?

"You can die……"

With one move he defeated everyone; Henren took a step forward, flipped his wrist, and struck again.

"How dare you, rats!"

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

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

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

That old man originally followed behind the youth; I thought he was merely a follower, at most a Divine 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 stand.

"Then… the youth who taught me sword technique?" Zhang Xuan could no longer hold back.

"He is……" Luo Ruoxi was about to answer when space twisted, and then she saw the Emperor of Sword God Heaven likewise blown away, landing not far off, blasting a big pit.

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

"Haha, 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 underfoot!"

After defeating the Emperor of Sword God Heaven, Henren laughed maniacally, the surrounding space continually collapsing, making him appear like a demon or a fiend.

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

Just now he and his avatar both exerted their utmost combat power, and even Luo Ruoxi before us used her strongest move, yet they couldn't block even one of his strikes……

Could it be that no one in the Divine Realm can stop this person before us?

Just let him destroy the world?

"The only way…… is to return your flawed 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 my mind is itself part of the Heavenly Dao; once returned, the Heavenly Dao becomes completely whole, perhaps able to repair the breach and expel the Ruthless One on its own.

Just like the body's immune system.

If the immune system is intact, viruses come and are easily driven off; if it fails, unable to resist viral invasion, even the strongest person will die because of it.

But……

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

Viruses, the immune system can kill, but…… what about a fierce tiger?

What can even the strongest immune system do?

This person before us is merely an ordinary God King; even with a title, the Heavenly Dao could easily kill him, yet he's stronger than an Emperor…… he's beyond what 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 Freedom……" Taking a deep breath, Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth, turned, and flew forward.

"You want to escape?" the Ruthless One snorted coldly, pressing down.

Bang!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the air.

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

Ding ding ding!

Again blocked by the Ruthless One.

"Quickly go, 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, and Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to her Tranquil Void Pearl true form.

The surrounding space solidified.

Go!

Seeing everyone recklessly throwing themselves behind, unafraid of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened, but he also knew now wasn't the time for words; he grabbed Luo Ruoxi, his body flickered, he tore through space, and in the next moment they appeared within the range of the Heaven of Freedom.

The Heaven of Freedom now lacks its former freedom, the Divine Realm has collapsed, everywhere is 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's the harm in my sacrificing myself!

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

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

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

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

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

He couldn't help but say.

The library's chaos is due to the blood in the locket, which let me regain clarity; 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 unconscious?

And also requires the flawed 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.

"Yes! Fifty years ago, my father couldn't withstand that great hand, fell into a coma, the Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts—the orderly Heavenly Dao and the flawed Heavenly Dao entered the spatial turbulence; I acted as steward of the natural Heavenly Dao, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To revive him, only by gathering the scattered parts…… that's why I'm so resolute, cannot fail! I specially went to the Great Master Continent to study the Spring and Autumn Grand Canon, seeking a way to defeat Confucius! When battling Confucius, the favor I asked of him was also this."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

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

Turns out it's 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 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 am merely a steward, 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 flawed Heavenly Dao from myself; she doesn't need to die as well.

Although unwilling to accept this fate, I also don't want the girl before me to suffer harm.

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

"This…… I'm not sure either……"

Luo Ruoxi lifted her head, gazing at the already collapsed Divine Realm, and 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 Ruthless One?

It's really hard to say!

Looks like you can't be sure either. In that case, relying on others is worse than relying on ourselves… We have to figure it out ourselves! Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth: "You, me, and my avatar, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, if we also coordinate with Kong Shi, we might still be able to win!"

"Kong Shi? He…" Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"Kong Shi is already dead, right! He didn't truly die; if my guess is correct, he was slain by you, merely a method to break free from the Heavenly Dao… Without surprise, he should be like Wei Changfeng, an 【Innate Fetal Soul Body】!"

Zhang Xuan said.

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

One can remain clear-minded even in the womb.

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

Luo Ruoxi froze, seemingly not expecting this.

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

Kong Shi's disciples, Ziyuan Gu Sheng and the others, are all formidable; 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 them, intending to act while all the Emperors are preoccupied with the Tide Sea and have no time to attend to it!

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

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

"Let's go!"

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

Who else could it be if not Kong Shi!

This teacher of all ages certainly did not 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 resurrected, and the Undying Emperor had also come back to life, but… she didn't expect the speed to be this fast!

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

Kong Shi smiled faintly.

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

He has even accumulated several decades of time.

"Our three strengths are considerable, but wanting to surpass the Ruthless One is not that easy…"

Seeing that Kong Shi had indeed recovered, Luo Ruoxi still shook her head.

It's not about boosting others' prestige or destroying one's own morale; it's simply the fact.

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

Likewise, it cannot change the situation!

"Even our individual strength, or even when combined, is truly no match for the opponent… but… what if we merge everyone's power into a single person?"

Kong Shi smiled as he 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 and scatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is undeniable. The Ruthless One has absorbed all that power and also devoured fifty years of spiritual energy from the Divine Realm. Based solely on strength, even if each of us more than a dozen Emperors took out our power individually, we would certainly not be a 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 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!"

Kong Shi said.

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

"The Spirit Rhinoceros 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 unable to speak.

During the battle, there was indeed such an intention; 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 exert their greatest strength; even with abundant true qi, one cannot strike that supreme realm! As for me…"

Kong Shi nodded and said: "Holding compassion for all beings, wanting to save the world, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for me—too much mercy is also a flaw! If I were a bit more ruthless, exterminating the alien spirits, we wouldn't have the present situation…"

"If back then we could have exterminated all the alien spirits, the Ruthless One could not have revived, and we wouldn't be in this situation."

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

Kong Shi continued.

"In life, return to the beginning; in death, yearn eternally!"

"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 not enough time to train others, and even if there were, I doubt anyone could do better than you! Although the Spirit Rhinoceros Emperor's body lacks fragments of the Heavenly Dao, he has long controlled the Heavenly Dao and has his own understanding of it; I govern the orderly Heavenly Dao. If we pour our power into you, your body will possess the complete power of the Heavenly Dao! Combined with your avatar's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can indeed stabilize the Nine Heavens, grasp the Yin and Yang, battle the Nine Firmaments, and annihilate all things!"

"Alright!"

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

Boom—

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

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

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

……

"You also want to stop me? Fine, kill you all, then go and slay Zhang Xuan.."

Luo Qiqi and the incarnations and others were slapped away, the Ruthless Person gave a cold smile.

The power unleashed by the incarnations and many emperors combined was indeed strong, but compared to him, it was still somewhat weaker.

The Tide Sea drew out the spiritual energy beyond the city of the Divine Realm, nearly devouring it all; now this energy has become his sustenance, his every gesture wielding the power to destroy heaven and earth; these emperors and god kings, though they represent the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, are still utterly unable to withstand a single blow.

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

"If the Divine Realm falls, 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? Not worthy!"

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

"Old friend, wait for me!"

Fu Meng Emperor also let out a loud roar, transformed into his true form, the White Tiger, and arrived before him in the air.

Undying Emperor, the true form of the Undying Fire Phoenix appeared, flames illuminating the sky.

Xuan Ming Great Emperor, his true form is 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.

Qiankun seemed to freeze in an instant.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

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

"You want to kill them, have you asked me……"

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

It was Zhang Xuan!

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

"You've improved quite a bit……"

The Ruthless Person halted, his gaze solemn.

He obviously also didn't understand why, in just a few short minutes, the opponent's strength had undergone such a 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, the Ruthless Person struck down again.

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

The two sides clashed, space tore in streaks, and air currents ran wild everywhere.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

At the Zaitian Kongshi outpost, Luo Ruoxi looked over, full of worry.

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

However, as long as the power is sufficient, one day it can be restored, regardless of where the level stands.

"With your 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 still could not defeat the Ruthless Person; even if they transferred all their power to him, wanting to win would still not be easy.

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

"Power beyond the Emperor？"

Luo Ruoxi's gaze was distant.

When her father was still lucid, he had once told her the same words, but… she could not do it; could her beloved man do it?

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

Seeing her doubt, Master Kong laughed and said.

……

Bang bang bang!

After several consecutive strikes, Zhang Xuan's tiger's mouth split open, his chest bore 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, thought you were something, but that's all!" the Ruthless Person gave a cold smile.

"Anyway, you're not my opponent; sooner or later I'll be killed. Since that's the case, I want to die under your strongest attack……" Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan stopped advancing, instead of attacking, he looked at the Ruthless Person before him.

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

Hearing him say that, the Ruthless Person froze for a moment, then let out a cold snort and raised his palm.

Whoosh!

A azure 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 was struck again with a huge pit.

His eyes tightly closed, Zhang Xuan did not dodge.

Bang!

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.

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

The original intention was to let him break through his shackles and attack to surpass the Emperor realm; why didn't he resist, instead willingly facing death?

This way, wouldn't it be wasting their good intentions?

No, it's the immortality method of the Undying Emperor……

While they were puzzled, Kong Shi suddenly spoke.

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

He……used the opponent's power and the blood in the pendant to separate the flaw in the Heavenly Dao from the soul?

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

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

How did he do that?

Kong Shi was also full of disbelief.

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

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

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

The soul contract binds Master and servant; if the Master does not dissolve it, the servant remains forever bound……the Heavenly Dao Library is the same, essentially an enhanced version of the contract.

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

But……Henren, using that special power, broke the soul contract; the exact method, Zhang Xuan had inquired about in detail before, likely already forming an idea then.

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

With this power, he was reborn from fire; unexpectedly, it 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 understanding something; he suddenly gestured, 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 had 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, his clone and self perfectly merged, indistinguishable, meaning he now controlled this power.

Moreover, with the 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, 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 severed from his soul, he understood.

Does man see the world and thus create it, or does the world come first and then man?

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving!

This question has troubled countless people since ancient times.

Of course, now……these no longer matter!

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

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

All things in the world have emotion; with emotion comes the 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 affections, for my use……

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

The Emperor's shackles, broken!

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

Countless chaotic qi surged in, and his fleshly body also rapidly increased.

Before, only absorbing spiritual power allowed progress, but now spatial turbulence and chaotic qi, even the opponent's azure light, can be made mine, without distinction.

"You……" Henren didn't expect that his full-force attack not only failed to slay him, but actually completed him; angry, he shouted "Wa wa!" in disorder, then gave a furious roar and attacked again.

You resent the lofty Emperor, not saving yourself in the spatial turbulence, that's emotion; feeling 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 stronger, likewise emotion……emotion controls you, how could you possibly overcome me and not be controlled by me?

Smiling faintly, Zhang Xuan's voice grew faster and louder, his palm lightly grasping.

The originally invincible Henren 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……

Henren's eyes filled with panic: 'Master Zhang, I am your servant, don't kill me……I am willing to offer my soul as 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 held no meaning for him anymore.

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

'No……'

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

Bang!

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

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

"This..."

"You killed him just like that?"

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

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

Could there truly be a higher realm above the Emperor?

"He succeeded..."

Master Kong and Luo Ruoxi loosened their clenched fists.

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

Seeing the "Heavenly Dao's Defect" that had been separated 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 suddenly embedded itself in the sky of the Divine Realm.

The resonant toll of a great bell, the continually collapsing Divine Realm, visibly slow recovery, and the chaotic airflow also gathered together again.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally halted, and the withered spiritual energy, accompanying the ruthless person's death, slowly revived.

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

The breach in the Tide Sea, accompanied by the completion of the Heavenly Dao, has already healed; the Divine Realm's return to its former prosperity is merely a matter of time.

"Zhang Xuan, come over here..."

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

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

This was precisely the person who had previously taught him swordsmanship.

"Senior, you..."

Seeing it was him, Zhang Xuan blinked in surprise.

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

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

"Nie Tong?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

This was the first time he had heard that name.

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

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

Immediately he saw another youth.

His appearance was not much older, with raised eyebrows that gave an inscrutable, profound impression.

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

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

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

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

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

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

"I transformed one breath into the Three Pure Ones; a portion of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, this world is my creation—calling me the Heavenly Dao is perfectly justified!" Nie Yun smiled faintly.

Zhang Xuan could not believe it.

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

Then just how strong must his power be?

"No, if the Divine Realm is your creation and you are the Heavenly Dao, why let the ruthless person run rampant without intervening?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

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

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

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

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

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

Just like the youth before him.

"I once suspected there might be a greater power above the Divine Realm, so I exerted all my effort to peer into it, ultimately drawing a backlash from a higher world... a palm shattered the void and descended!"

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

"In this situation, I wish to restore it—just 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's hard for me alone. So I want to see if there is any life capable of breaking the Emperor's shackles and reaching a level equal to mine."

"Therefore, I sent the scattered Heavenly Dao thoughts down to the lowest world... granting them respectively to the souls originally belonging to this world and to a soul not of this world. And you, you have not disappointed me!"

Nie Yun smiled.

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

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

"Hehe!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly, saying: "Being native to this world, one naturally holds reverence for it; wanting to break its shackles is far more difficult—I too merely had a passing thought, never imagining you could truly succeed..."

"I..." Zhang Xuan's face flushed: "If not for Master Kong, I could never have reached this point..."

Without Master Kong's selfless dedication, achieving my current realm would be utterly impossible.

I gave him the opportunity, he just didn't seize it. The duel with Lingxi was actually his best chance to break through; unfortunately, he chose to retreat, thinking he had a backup plan and could withdraw unscathed, but in fact he lost his brave and diligent spirit. When facing someone surpassing us, if he lacks even this spirit, how could he possibly stand against them?

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

At the time of their battle, he saw it all; Master Kong indeed lacked decisiveness.

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

Unfortunately, in that moment, he missed the chance to advance.

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

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

"With me here, she won't die……" Nie Yun gave a faint smile: "Your strength is not much different from mine now. Do you think, with their strength at a life-or-death juncture, you could actually save someone?"

"……" 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 someone 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 surname Luo…… In order to make her believe, to keep her unemotional, she has always thought I was still in a coma……

Nie Yun gave a wry laugh: 'My father sure is harsh…… Let's do this: 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'd cause an uproar……'

Seeing this unreliable old father before him, Zhang Xuan's cheek twitched, and he could only reply: 'Alright……'

He had no choice but to agree, after all, he was the one who eloped with someone'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 ability to break through the shackle, it demonstrates your ability and potential, your future is limitless. That my daughter can be with you, as a father, I would also find it comforting.

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