Chapter 1065: Half a Clone

Soul contract, matching souls; as long as one does not dissolve it, even if the other's methods are god‑like, it cannot be undone.

It's like the Undead Emperor Xiao Huangji, who was once a Divine King; he is an Emperor, yet this kind of pact cannot be resolved either.

To prevent this guy from reneging and causing a backlash, the Renowned Master Continent once specifically decreed that even if the other side can break away from the Heavenly Dao Book, they still cannot escape the soul contract!

"A soul contract truly cannot be split from the Sea of Consciousness, but I have merged a special gas that even the Heavenly Dao can dissolve; breaking this contract is not hard… as long as there is enough power to bombard the contract's location, it can be done!"

Hen Ren Dao.

A soul contract is built upon the foundation of the Heavenly Dao; a special power that can even dissolve the Divine Realm's Heavenly Dao can dissolve a soul contract—if handled properly, what's the difficulty?

"I see…" Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

"I've told you so much, and that's also my thanks for bringing me to the Divine Realm!"

After the explanation, Hen Ren said no more; the aura around him grew ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him expanded further, clearly having devoured an unknown amount of power while speaking, serving as nourishment.

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

Luo Ruoxi also sensed something amiss and hurriedly sent a voice.

"Prepare to act!" With all doubts cleared, Zhang Xuan inhaled deeply, raised his long sword and shouted, "Since that's the case, let's see the true skill!"

Boom!

The most powerful sword intent erupted once again.

Life returns when it should, death longs forever!

If life and death matter not, what can stand in the way?

This sword technique, though not yet at the Emperor's comprehension, contains all his lingering obsessions and pushes the Heavenly Sentiment Technique within his body to the limit.

Hoo!

One slash split Hen Ren's attack in two.

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

Her sword style resembled that of the youth of Jian Shen Tian, bearing an unstoppable momentum and the natural elegance of the Great Dao.

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

With a light smile, Hen Ren lunged downward again.

In an instant, the sky was covered, his palm enveloped heaven and earth; space shattered, the sun, moon and stars seemed about to be hammered down.

Puff! Puff!

Zhang Xuan and Luo Ruoxi were flung outward together, blood spraying wildly in the air.

With their combined strength, they still could not hold it back!

What realm has this guy actually reached?

"How dare you!" The clone strode forward, and with each step a lotus blossomed, the void echoing with the sound of flowing water.

From afar, it exuded an unmistakable aura of grandeur.

Refining the Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, his cultivation was by no means weaker than Zhang Xuan's.

A single punch rose, its force soaring to the Nine Heavens.

Clashing with Hen Ren, he too was flung back, unable to withstand a single strike.

Zhang Xuan covered his forehead.

Having attained Emperor status, the clone still clung to his pretentious nature…

Such flamboyant showmanship would be better spent concentrating his power for greater might!

"Let's strike together, otherwise if they die, we'll all die…"

Xiao Huangji let out a thunderous roar, crimson flames blazing, the sky itself seemed ignited.

The remaining six Great Emperors each deployed their own tactics.

The seven Emperors united, destroying heaven and earth; a realm before them could not resist, but the opponent was Hen Ren, who had absorbed the special power—when the attack reached him, the black hole suddenly swelled, devouring the power in the blink of an eye before counter‑attacking.

Bang bang bang bang!

The seven Emperors, like Zhang Xuan and the others, were flung outward.

Ten Great Emperors combined, yet none could block a single move from the opponent!

How could this guy be so powerful?

"You may all die…"

A single strike shattered the crowd; Hen Ren stepped forward, flicked his wrist, and struck down again.

"You rat‑like scum dare this!"

Accompanied by a great shout, the elder of Jian Shen Tian suddenly appeared, blocking the way, his long sword turning into a galaxy.

"Emperor? He also possesses Emperor‑level strength?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

That elder had originally followed the youth, thought to be merely an attendant, perhaps only titled Divine King; when he unleashed his power, it turned out he too was an Emperor‑strength master!

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

"He himself is the Emperor of Jian Shen Tian…" Struggling to stand, Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth.

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

"He is…" Luo Ruoxi began to answer when space warped, and the Emperor of Jian Shen Tian also flung outward, landing nearby and carving a huge crater.

Zhang Xuan's current strength and his comprehension of the sword path far exceed his, making him unable to contend; even though his cultivation is not weak and his swordsmanship is superb, he is still no match.

"Ha ha, Emperor, you're just a bunch of country chickens and mongrels! Today I will annihilate the Nine Heavens, destroy this Divine Realm, and trample all rules!"

Having defeated the Emperor of Jian Shen Tian, Hen Ren laughed wildly, the surrounding space collapsing incessantly, casting him as a demon‑like figure.

"What now?" Zhang Xuan clenched his fists.

Just now he and the clone had unleashed their utmost combat power, and even Luo Ruoxi in front of him had used her strongest technique, yet none could stop a single move from the opponent…

Could it be that truly no one in the God Realm can stop 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 returned, the Heavenly Dao would be completely whole, perhaps able to repair the rift and expel the ruthless one.

Just like the human immune system.

When the immune system is intact, 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 slay, but…… what about a fierce tiger?

Even with a stronger 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…… he is already beyond what the Heavenly Dao can contend with.

"This……" Luo Ruoxi paused, a look of loss appearing on her pure jade face: "Yeah…… we can't suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao is whole, he can awaken and slay this person—it's not difficult!"

"Him?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

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

Bang!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the sky.

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

Ding ding ding!

Again blocked by Henren.

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

Knowing they still wanted to find a way to save the God Realm rather than flee, the clone and the Undying Emperor Sovereign stepped forward with a loud shout, Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to her Tranquil Void Pearl true form.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

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

The Carefree Heaven no longer possessed its former ease; the divine realm had collapsed, and everywhere was in 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 that person she spoke of could truly save the divine realm, what harm would there be in sacrificing myself?

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

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

No wonder I always felt the blood in the pendant resembled Luo Ruoxi yet differed; it turned out to be her father's.

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

"Is your father also an emperor? Or does he possess power surpassing that of an emperor?"

He couldn't help but say.

The library's chaos was due to the blood in the pendant restoring my clarity; could it be that not only is she an emperor, but her father is as well, and even stronger?

If that were the case, why would he have fallen into a coma?

Moreover, does it require a defective Heavenly Dao to awaken him?

"He is not an emperor, but... the Heavenly Dao!"

Luo Ruoxi clenched her delicate fist.

"Heavenly Dao? Your father... is the Heavenly Dao?" Zhang Xuan shuddered, unable to believe it.

"Yes! Fifty years ago, my father could not 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 act as its steward to maintain the divine realm's balance. To restore him, we must gather the scattered fragments... That is why I am so resolute, cannot fail! I therefore entered the Master Teacher Continent specifically to study the Spring and Autumn Chronicle, seeking a way to defeat Confucius! When I fought Confucius, the favor I asked of him was also this."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly realized.

Though I had only just become acquainted with the Master Teacher Continent, the girl before me had already recounted her story of wanting to save a close relative; I did not understand then, but now I finally comprehend.

It turns out to be her father, and moreover the Heavenly Dao of the divine realm!

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

"Acting as steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order... you don't have any fragments of the Heavenly Dao inside you?" Suddenly sensing something off in her words, Zhang Xuan looked over.

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

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

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

In that case, I only need to separate the defective Heavenly Dao from within myself; her death is not required.

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

"If I extract the defective Heavenly Dao from within me, your father can be revived and even slay the Ruthless One, right?" Zhang Xuan looked at her.

"This... I am not certain 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 we truly defeat that powerful Ruthless One?

It's hard to say!

Looks like you also can't be sure. In that case, it's better to rely on oneself than to ask others... We have to figure it out ourselves! Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth: "You, me, and my avatar, joining forces 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 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... Without surprise, he should be like Wei Changfeng, an 【Innate Fetal Soul Body】!

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng, it became clear; what Master Kong called retaining consciousness should be the same as him, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain undeluded in the womb.

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

Luo Ruoxi froze, as if she hadn't expected this to be the case.

"Just go and see, 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 has been seen.

There must be something more important waiting, wanting to take advantage of the time when all the Emperors are preoccupied with the Tide Sea to act!

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

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

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, he flicked his hand, and Zhang Xuan returned to where Master Kong lived; indeed he 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 Teacher of Ten Thousand Generations has indeed not disappointed me!

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 also 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 Spirit Pool is what I left behind. The day you slew me, I took the opportunity to break free from the Heavenly Dao's constraints, recondensed my physical body, and have only just now recovered!"

Master Kong smiled slightly.

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

He has even had tens of years.

"Our three 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 that change?

Likewise, it cannot change the situation!

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

Master Kong looked over, smiling.

"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 spiritual energy of the Divine Realm 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..."

Master Kong said: "But if we unite and concentrate the power into one person... perhaps not!"

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

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, there was indeed such an intention; thus their exchange, at the start, each held back, like sparring, not a life-or-death fight.

"Unable to transcend, naturally one cannot exert the greatest strength; even with more true qi, one cannot impact 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 Alien Spirit Tribe, the present situation would not have arisen..."

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

"So I'm also unsuitable! As for Zhang Xuan, his cultivation technique is smooth and flawless. He focuses on living 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 he reach higher and farther!"

Master Kong continued.

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

Not even caring about death, 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 also think no one could do better than you! Though the Lingxi Emperor's body lacks fragments of the Heavenly Dao, he has long mastered the Heavenly Dao and has his own understanding of it; I govern the order of the 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, hold the universe, battle the nine firmaments, and destroy all things!"

"Alright!"

Seeing that the other party had already made a decision, further explanation would be 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 body stiffened; his whole person seemed to instantly embody the Heavenly Dao, soaring above the Nine Heavens.

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

……

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

He sent Luo Qiqi and the clones flying, Hen Ren gave a cold smile.

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

The Tide Sea swallowed the spiritual energy outside the city of the Divine Realm, almost completely devouring it; now these powers have become his nourishment, every move bringing the ability to destroy heaven and earth. These emperor lords and god kings, although they represent the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, are still no match.

At this moment, Hen Ren seemed to represent the entire Divine Realm, 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 gigantic five-clawed golden dragon, lunging at him from the air.

"Just you? Not worthy!"

Hen Ren clenched his palm, and the golden dragon hung in his grasp, no matter how it struggled, it could not escape.

"Old friend, wait for me!"

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

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

Xuan Ming Great Emperor, his true form is a giant tortoise, as if holding up the heavens.

The four divine beasts, guardians of the four poles of the Divine Realm, simultaneously transformed into their true forms; the collapsing Divine Realm slowed down.

Heaven and earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Bang bang bang bang!

With four consecutive palms, Hen Ren 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, just 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, in the shocked gazes of everyone, 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……"

Hen Ren stopped, his gaze solemn.

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

"But so what if it increased? Even at its peak, the Divine Realm couldn't withstand it; I don't believe you can block me……"

With a cold snort, Hen Ren struck down again.

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

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

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

At the residence of the Free-and-Easy Heaven Master, Luo Ruoxi looked over, full of worry.

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

However, 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 surpassing the emperor lords!"

After a moment of silence, Master Kong said.

Even a dozen emperor lords united could not defeat Hen Ren; even if they transferred all their power to him, wanting to surpass 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, break through oneself!

"Power surpassing the emperor lords?"

Luo Ruoxi's gaze was distant.

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

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

Seeing her doubt, Master Kong laughed and said.

……

Bang bang bang!

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

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

"'Haha, I thought you were formidable, but that's all!' Hen Ren 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, ceasing his offense and instead gazing at Hen Ren before him."

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

Hearing him say that, Hen Ren was stunned for a moment, then let out a cold snort, raising his palm.

Whoosh!

A cyan light appeared in his palm, then came 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.

Eyes tightly closed, Zhang Xuan did not dodge.

Boom!

His head exploded, his soul scattering everywhere.

"'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.

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

The original plan was for him to break his shackles and charge beyond the Emperor realm—so why didn't he resist, but willingly go to his death?

Wouldn't that be wasting their good intentions?

"Wrong, it's the immortality method of the Undying Emperor..."

While they were puzzled, Kong Shi suddenly spoke.

Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan's head exploding, even his soul shattering; the pendant on his chest suddenly burst open, a drop of blood floated up, igniting into a ball of scorching flame, within which 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 his soul?"

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

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

"How did he do that?"

Kong Shi was also full of disbelief.

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

"This person before us was only slashed once and yet completely broke free—what method did he use?"

"I get it... he used the Ruthless Person's method to break the soul contract..." Luo Ruoxi realized.

The soul contract binds master and servant; if the master doesn't dissolve it, the servant remains forever enslaved... the Heavenly Dao Library is the same—it can be called an enhanced version of the contract.

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

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

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

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

"So that's it—this is the way to break through the Emperor..."

Zhang Xuan walking out of the flames wore a faint smile, as if he had understood something; he suddenly gestured, and a clone on the 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, can stabilize the Nine Heavens; at this moment his clone and self perfectly merged, indistinguishable, which means he now controls this power.

Moreover, with his cultivation fused with the Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, he had already reached the peak realm, and 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 fused together, they are actually all things in the world—that is what it means to be human!"

With a smile, Zhang Xuan murmured to himself.

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

"Did man see the world and thus create it, or did 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... none of that matters!

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

So, after breaking through love, it becomes the affection of all beings! It is the intertwining of emotions throughout 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, to be used by me..."

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 he had touched a brand-new world and the Da Men, his soul receiving swift nourishment.

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

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

"You..." the Ruthless Person hadn't expected his full-force attack not only failed to slay him but actually fulfilled him; enraged, he shouted "Wa—wa!" and roared angrily, attacking again.

"You resent the lofty Emperor for not saving you in the spatial turbulence—that's emotion; feeling that you were once my servant, containing humility and anger—that's emotion; wanting to destroy the divine realm to vent anger—that's emotion; wanting to become stronger—also emotion... emotions control you, how could you possibly overcome me and not be controlled by me?"

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

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

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

"You..."

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

"It's too late to say these things now..." Zhang Xuan gave a slight smile and shook his head.

Having mastered the emotions of the world, things like servants are meaningless to him.

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

"No..."

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

Bang!

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

Previously, all the power swallowed by the Tide Sea now flowed back, and the already exhausted wilderness regained vitality.

"This..."

"You killed him just like that?"

Yunchi Great Emperor, Undead Emperor, and Linglong Fairy all widened their eyes, unable to believe.

Just now they had fought the Ruthless Person, knowing how terrifying he was; such a powerful person was actually wiped out with a casual gesture—this Zhang Xuan... just what level has he reached?

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

"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 "Heavenly Dao's defect" that had been separated from his own body still floating 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 resonant toll of a great bell, the continually collapsing Divine Realm slowly recovered visibly, and the chaotic airflow also regrouped.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally came to a halt, and the withered spiritual energy, along with the death of the Ruthless Person, slowly revived.

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

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

"Zhang Xuan, come here..."

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

This step carried him an unknown distance, and he immediately 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.

Earlier I had sensed that this person was unfathomable; now I realized he was only a hair's breadth above me, having already reached the peak of the Emperor level, far stronger than Luo Ruoxi before.

"Just call me by my name; I am Nie Tong!" The youth emanated an unstoppable sword intent, speaking lightly.

"Nie Tong?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

This was the first time he had heard that name.

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

Zhang Xuan followed closely behind, not knowing how far he had flown, and 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 was actually greater than his own; he too had broken through the Emperor's shackles, and his cultivation was even more profound and weighty!

"I am Nie Yun!" The youth smiled lightly, looking over: "That is... Nie Lingxi, the father of Luo Ruoxi you mentioned!"

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

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

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

"I transformed one breath into the Three Purities, part of my soul becoming the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, this world is my creation; calling me the Heavenly Dao is perfectly acceptable!" Nie Yun smiled lightly.

Zhang Xuan dared not believe.

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

Just how strong must his power be?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Just like this person before me.

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

Nie Yun looked over: "At the time, if I had dodged, the entire Divine Realm would very likely have been obliterated, leaving not a single life... so I blocked this move, but consequently, the incarnation of the 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's hard for me alone to achieve. So I want to see if there is any life capable of breaking through the Emperor's shackles and reaching my level."

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

Nie Yun said with a smile.

"A soul not belonging to this world, putting it that way, my transmigration is also because of you?" Zhang Xuan's heart shuddered.

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 has reverence for it; wanting to break through the world's shackles is far more difficult. I, too, merely had a passing thought, never expecting you would actually succeed..."

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

Without Master Kong's selfless dedication, reaching the present 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 breakthrough; unfortunately, he chose to retreat, thinking he had a backup plan and could withdraw unscathed, but in fact he lost his courageous diligence. 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 saw their battle; Master Kong indeed lacked some decisiveness.

Perhaps he is unwilling to slay 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 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 moment, wanting to save someone, can you do it?"

"This..." Zhang Xuan gave a wry smile.

Breaking through to Emperor Lord and being an Emperor Lord are two different concepts; if he truly wishes to act, he can indeed save the person at the critical moment, and guarantee that not a single injury will 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, without letting emotions interfere, I have led her to think I am still unconscious all this time."

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

Seeing this unreliable father before him, Zhang Xuan's cheek twitched as he reluctantly agreed: "All right..."

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, and your future is limitless. That my daughter can be with you brings me, as a father, some comfort."

Still being typed; please wait a moment. After the content is updated, please refresh the page to get the latest update!