Chapter 1072: An Accident During the Voyage

A soul contract binds souls; as long as one does not dissolve it, even if the other party wields heavenly means, it cannot be undone.

Just like the Undying Emperor Xiao Huangji, who was merely a God King before, he is an Emperor, yet he likewise cannot resolve this kind of agreement.

To prevent this fellow from going back on his word and suffering backlash, the Master Teacher Continent once specially decreed that even if one could escape the Heavenly Dao Codex, they could not break free from the soul‑bound agreement!

"A soul contract indeed cannot be split from the sea of consciousness, but I have merged a special gas that even the Heavenly Dao can dissolve, making this contract easy to undo…… As long as there is enough power, bombarding the location of the contract will do it!"

The Ruthless Dao.

The soul contract is founded on the Heavenly Dao; even special power capable of dissolving the Divine Realm's Heavenly Dao can undo a soul contract—if handled properly, what difficulty is there?

"I see……" Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

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

After explaining, Henren said no more; his aura grew ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him swelling larger—evidently, in the time spent speaking, he had swallowed an unknown amount of power, nourishing himself.

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

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

"Let's get ready to fight!" With his doubts dispelled, Zhang Xuan drew a deep breath, his long sword soaring upward: "If that's the case, then let's see whose technique is superior!"

Boom—

The greatest sword intent was unleashed once more.

In life, I return; in death, I long forever!

Life and death are nothing to me—what could possibly stop me?

This sword move, though not yet reaching an Emperor's insight, embodies all the obsessions in my heart, pushing the Heaven‑If‑Has‑Feeling Technique to its limit.

Whoosh!

A single sword cut Henren's attack in half.

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

Her swordsmanship 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……

Henren gave a light smile and reached down again.

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

Pfft! Pfft!

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

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

Just what realm has this fellow reached?

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

From afar, it looked immensely impressive.

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

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

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

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

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

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

"Let's attack together, or else they'll die and we'll all die……

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

The remaining Six Great Emperors also each employed their means.

The Seven Emperors united, capable of destroying heaven and earth, yet a single side of heaven and earth before them could not withstand it—but the opponent was Henren, who had absorbed special power; as his attack approached, the black hole suddenly expanded, in the blink of an eye devouring all that power and then lashing back.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

The Ten Great Emperors, united, could not even block a single move of the opponent!

Just how could this fellow be so powerful?

"You may die……

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

"How dare you, rats!"

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

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

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

This old man, who once followed the youth behind him, I had thought was merely a retainer, at most entitled God King, but upon displaying his power I discovered he is actually a mighty Emperor!

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

"He himself is the Emperor of Sword God Heaven……" Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth as she struggled to her feet.

"And… what about the youth who taught me swordsmanship?" Zhang Xuan could hold back no longer.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Could it be that in the Divine Realm, truly no one 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 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 becomes completely whole, perhaps able to repair the breach and expel the Ruthless One himself.

Just like the human immune system.

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

Just……

"He's too strong; even if the Heavenly Dao is restored to wholeness, it probably can't suppress him!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

The virus, the immune system can kill it, but…… what about a tiger?

What can even the strongest immune system do?

This person before us is merely an ordinary Divine King; even with a title, the Heavenly Dao could easily kill him, yet he is stronger than an Emperor…… he is no longer something the Heavenly Dao can contend with.

"This……" Luo Ruoxi paused, a look of loss appearing on her pure jade-like face: "Yeah…… there's no way to suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao is whole, he can awaken and slay this person—that's not difficult!"

"Him?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

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

Boom!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the sky.

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

Ding ding ding!

Again blocked by Henren.

"Quickly go, I'll block him……"

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

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone selflessly blocking the rear, fearless of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened, but he also knew now was not the time for words; he grabbed Luo Ruoxi, his body flickered, he tore through space, and in the next moment appeared within the Free and Easy Heaven.

The Free and Easy Heaven no longer had its former ease; the Divine Realm had 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'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 consciousness; could it be that not only she is an Emperor, but her father is as well, and even stronger?

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

Also, does it need a flaw in the Heavenly Dao to make him wake?

"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, while I acted as steward of the natural Heavenly Dao, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To let him recover, we must gather the scattered parts…… that's why I am so resolute, cannot fail! I specially entered the Master Teacher Continent, studied the Spring and Autumn Grand Canon, seeking a way to defeat Master Kong! When battling Master Kong, the favor I asked of him was also this." Luo Ruoxi said.

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

Having only just become acquainted with 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 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 words, 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; there's no need for her to die as well.

Although unwilling to accept such a fate, I also don't want the girl before me to come to harm.

"If I separate the flawed Heavenly Dao 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……"

Luo Ruoxi looked up 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 powerful Ruthless One?

Really hard to say!

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

"Master Kong? He..." Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"Master Kong is already dead, right! He hasn't truly died; 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, he understood; what Master Kong called maintaining consciousness should be the same as him, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain clear-minded even in the womb.

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

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

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

Master Kong's students, like Ziyuan Gu Sheng and others, are all strong; even without the Emperor Sovereign'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; they intend to act while all the Emperor Sovereigns are preoccupied with the Tide Sea!

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

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

"Let's go!"

No longer explaining, with a single hand gesture Zhang Xuan returned to where Master Kong resided; indeed he saw an old man sitting cross-legged, floating in midair. Seeing them arrive, he smiled slightly: "You've come!"

Not Master Kong, then who is he!

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 Sovereign could revive, and the Undying Emperor Sovereign had come back to life, but... she didn't expect the speed to be this fast!

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

Master Kong smiled slightly.

He is proficient in time ability; 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 decades of time.

"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 united, is indeed no match for the opponent, but... what if we combined everyone's power into one person?"

Master Kong smiled and looked over.

"Fused into one person?"

This time not only Luo Ruoxi frowned, but Zhang Xuan was 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 a dozen or so Emperor Sovereigns individually, they are certainly no match..."

Master Kong said: "But if we unite and concentrate the power in one person... it might not be so!"

"How to concentrate?"

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

Easy to say, hard to do.

The Emperor Sovereign already stands at the peak of the Divine Realm; if absorbing others' power were that easy, she wouldn't have stagnated for so many years.

"Quite simple... we will gather our power onto Zhang Xuan; once he can break through the Emperor Sovereign'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 people one cares for, 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 could not speak.

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

"Unable to transcend, naturally one cannot exert one's strongest strength; even given more true qi, one cannot strike that highest realm! As for me..."

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

"If back then we could have exterminated all the Foreign Spirit Clan, the Ruthless One could not have revived, nor would we be in this situation."

"So I'm also unsuitable! Whereas Zhang Xuan, his cultivation method flows smoothly, without flaw. He advocates living true to oneself; 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 go higher and farther!"

Master Kong continued.

"In life, return to the origin; in death, yearn for 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 Master Kong'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 Heavenly Dao in order. If we pour our power into you, you will possess complete Heavenly Dao power within! Combined with your avatar's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can fully achieve ruling the Nine Heavens, commanding the universe, battling the nine firmaments, annihilating all things!"

"Alright!"

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

Boom—

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

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

Soul, flesh, and true qi, in an instant received baptism, growing stronger and mightier.

……

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

He sent Luo Qiqi and the clone, etc., flying, and Henren gave a cold smile.

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

The Tide Sea swallowed almost all the spiritual energy outside the city of the Divine Realm; now this energy has become his nourishment, every move bringing the power to destroy heaven and earth. These Emperors and Divine Kings, although they represent the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, are still no match.

At this moment, Henren seemed to represent the entire Divine Realm, and no one could stop him.

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

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

"Just you? You're not worthy!"

Henren 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, a White Tiger, and appeared before him in the air.

The Immortal Emperor revealed his true form, the Immortal Fire Phoenix, its flames illuminating the sky.

Xuan Ming Great Emperor's true form is a giant tortoise, 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.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

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

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

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

It was Zhang Xuan!

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

"You've improved a lot……"

Henren 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 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, Henren struck down again.

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

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

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

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

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

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

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

After a moment of silence, Kong Shi spoke.

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

The reason they 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 Emperors?"

Luo Ruoxi's gaze was distant.

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

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

Seeing her doubt, Kong Shi smiled and said.

……

Bang bang bang!

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

As Kong Shi said, even if their two powers fused, forming a complete heavenly dao within, he was still no match.

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

"Anyway, I'm not your match; I'll be killed sooner or later. Since that's the case, I want to die under your strongest attack……" Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan stopped, not attacking, but instead gazing at Henren before him.

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

Hearing that, Henren was stunned for a moment, then let out a cold snort and raised his palm.

Clatter!

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 was struck again with a huge pit.

With his eyes tightly closed, Zhang Xuan did not dodge.

Bang!

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 also stunned.

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

This would surely betray their good intentions.

No, it is the Undying Emperor's undying method.

As they wondered, Kong Shi suddenly spoke.

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

He... using the opponent's power and the blood in the pendant, separated the lack in Heavenly Dao from the soul?

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

After his fire rebirth, Zhang Xuan actually had no Heavenly Dao Library within him, no interference from Heavenly Dao, and had severed ties with Heavenly Dao.

How did he do that?

Kong Shi also couldn't believe it.

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

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

I see... he used Hen Ren's method to break the soul contract... Luo Ruoxi realized.

The soul contract binds master and servant; if the master does not undo it, the servant remains forever bound... the Heavenly Dao Library is the same—it can be said to be an enhanced version of the contract.

Binding the soul, even immortality cannot free it.

But... Hen Ren, using that special power, broke free of the soul contract; Zhang Xuan had previously asked about the specific method in detail—perhaps he had already been scheming then.

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

With this power, he underwent fire rebirth—unexpectedly, it was a great success!

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

Zhang Xuan, walking out of the flames, showed a faint smile, as if understanding something; he suddenly waved his hand, and a clone on one side instantly turned into a lotus and flew 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, and the Nine Heavens was 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, thus amounting to his mastery of this power.

Moreover, with his cultivation fused with the Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, he had already reached the peak realm, and now showed signs of loosening, as if he could break through at any moment.

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

With a smile, Zhang Xuan muttered to himself.

At the instant the Heavenly Dao Library separated from the soul, he understood.

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

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving?

This problem has troubled countless people throughout the ages.

Of course, now... none of this matters anymore!

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

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

All things in the world have emotion; with emotion 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 shattered.

The Emperor's shackles, broken through!

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

Countless chaotic Qi surged in, and the fleshly body also rapidly increased.

Previously, only by absorbing spiritual power could one progress; but now, spatial turbulence, chaotic Qi—even the opponent's azure light—can be made mine, with no distinction.

You... Hen Ren never expected that his all-out attack would not only fail to slay him but actually fulfill him; he shouted 'wah-wah!' in anger, let out a furious roar, and attacked again.

You resent the lofty Emperor, who didn't save 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... emotion controls you, so how could you defeat me and not be controlled by me?

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

The originally invincible Hen Ren 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...

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

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

Controlling the emotions of the world, things like servants are already meaningless to him.

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

No...

Feeling 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 erupted, 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 in full, and the already barren wilderness regained its vitality.

"This..."

"You just killed him like that?"

Yun Chi Dadi, Bu Si Di Jun, Ling Long Xianzi, and the others all widened their eyes, unable to believe it.

Just moments ago they had crossed blows with the ruthless person, knowing how terrifying he was; yet such a powerful figure was wiped out with a casual gesture—this Zhang Xuan... just what level has he reached?

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

"He succeeded..."

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi loosened their tightly clenched fists.

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

Seeing the "Heavenly Dao's Defect" that had been separated from his own body still floating in the air, Zhang Xuan gave a light smile and flicked his finger.

Hum!

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

With the resonant toll of a great bell, the continually collapsing Divine Realm visibly began to recover slowly, and the chaotic currents also reconverged.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally came to a halt, and the withered spiritual energy, along with the death of the ruthless person, gradually revived.

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

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

"Zhang Xuan, come over here..."

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

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

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

"Senior, you..."

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

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

"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 furrowed his brows.

It was the first time he had heard that name.

"Come with me, I'll take you to see my brother!" The youth called Nie Tong chuckled lightly 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 impression of profound inscrutability.

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

The youth before him actually possessed greater strength than 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 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 said with a light smile.

Zhang Xuan could not believe it.

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

Just how strong must his power be?

"That's not right—if the Divine Realm is your creation and you are the Heavenly Dao, why would 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 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 have never seen it, since he can cultivate to this level, perhaps others can as well—and perhaps even stronger.

Just like the one before me.

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

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

"I wish to restore this situation; it is merely a 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, is difficult for me alone. Therefore, I want to see if there exists any life capable of breaking through the Emperor's shackles and reaching 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 originally belonging to this world and to a soul not belonging to this world. And you, in the end, did not disappoint me!"

Nie Yun laughed.

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

No wonder I could transmigrate here; I never expected it to be entirely due to this person before me.

"Hehe!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly: "Being native to this world, one naturally holds reverence for it; wanting to break through its shackles is far more difficult. Even I, with a mere thought, never imagined you could truly succeed..."

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

Without Kong Shi's selfless dedication, achieving my current state 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, but unfortunately he chose to retreat, thinking he had a backup plan and could withdraw safely, but in reality he lost his brave and diligent spirit. Facing someone who surpasses us, if he doesn't even have this spirit, how can he possibly contend with them?

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

Nie Yun said.

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

He had witnessed their battle, and indeed Kong Shi was somewhat lacking in decisiveness.

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

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

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

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

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

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

"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?

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

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

"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?"

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

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

Breaking through to Emperor and being an Emperor 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.

Breaking through to Emperor and being an Emperor are two different concepts; if he truly dared to act, he could indeed rescue someone at the critical moment and guarantee they wouldn't suffer a single injury.

"Lingxi is actually the daughter of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed surname is Luo... In order to make her believe, to keep her unemotional, she has always thought I was still in a coma..."

"Lingxi is the daughter of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed name bears the Luo surname... To make her believe me, I've kept up the act of being unconscious, devoid of emotion."

Nie Yun gave a wry laugh: "I guess I've been harsh enough as a father... Well, you should explain this to her; after all, her thoughts have already turned toward you, and this old man of mine probably can't even remember... Haha, I'll stay out of sight for a while; otherwise, I'm really afraid she'll cause an uproar."

Nie Yun let out a bitter laugh: "My father's been pretty ruthless… Anyway, you should explain this to her; after all, her thoughts have turned to you now. This old man of mine probably can't even remember… Haha, I'll stay out of sight for a while; otherwise I'd truly fear she'd cause an uproar."

Seeing this unreliable father before him, Zhang Xuan's face twitched, and he could only agree: "Alright..."

Seeing this unreliable old man before him, Zhang Xuan's cheek twitched and he had to agree: "Alright…"

He had no choice but to agree, after all, he was the one who had eloped with someone else's daughter...

He had no choice but to agree; who let him abduct someone's daughter…

"The Heaven's Path 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 shows your ability and potential, and your future is limitless. That my daughter can be with you brings me, as a father, some comfort."

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

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