Chapter 1073: Suddenly Appearing Parent-Child Identification

Soul Contract, it matches the souls; as long as one does not dissolve it, even if the other party has 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 agreement.

To prevent this guy from going back on his word and causing a backlash, the Master Teacher Continent once specifically stipulated that even if the other party could break free from the Heavenly Dao Record, they could not escape the soul‑bound agreement!

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

Path of the Ruthless.

Soul Contracts are founded on the Heavenly Dao; even special powers 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 explaining, Henren said no more; his aura grew ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him became vastly 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 amiss and hurriedly sent a sound transmission.

"Let's get ready to fight!" With his doubts dispelled, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, his long sword suddenly rising: "If so, then let's see the true skill beneath our hands!"

Boom—

The greatest sword intent was unleashed once again.

In life, I shall return; in death, I shall yearn forever!

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

This sword move, though not yet reaching the Emperor's level of comprehension, contains all the obsessions of my heart, pushing the Heaven If Has Feeling technique within me to its limit.

Whoosh!

A single sword cut Henren's attack in half.

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

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

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

With a light smile, Henren reached down to grab again.

In an instant, his hand covered the sky and blotted out the sun, enveloping heaven and earth; space shattered, and the sun, moon, and stars seemed about to be slammed down forcibly.

Pfft! Pfft!

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

With their combined strength, they could not even resist!

Just what realm has this guy 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 imposing.

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

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

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

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

Having attained Emperor status, 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; otherwise, if they die, we will all die……"

Xiao Huangji let out a loud shout; crimson flames blazed, and the sky seemed set ablaze.

The remaining six Emperors each employed their own methods.

Seven Emperors united, capable of destroying heaven and erasing earth; yet any 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 that power and then lashing out with a counterstrike.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

The Ten Emperors, united together, actually could not block a single move of the opponent!

How could this guy be so powerful?

"You can die……"

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

"How dare you, rats!"

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

"An Emperor? He also has Emperor‑level strength?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

This old man originally followed behind the youth; I thought he was merely a retainer, at most entitled God King, but upon displaying his power I discovered he is actually a powerful Emperor!

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

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

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

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

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

"Hahaha, Emperor, you're just a bunch of mud chickens and tile 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 appear like a demon or a fiend.

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

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

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

Are we just going to 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 would be completely whole, perhaps able to repair the breach and expel the Ruthless One on its own.

Just like the body's immune system.

When the immune system is whole, a virus comes and is easily driven off; when 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 recovers completely, it might not be able to suppress him!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

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

No matter how strong the immune system, what can it do?

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 now beyond what the Heavenly Dao can contend with.

This…… Luo Ruoxi paused, a look of loss appearing on her pure jade-like face: "Yes…… we can't suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao is whole, he can wake up and slay this person, and it wouldn't be 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, turned, and flew forward.

Trying to escape?" the Ruthless One snorted coldly and pressed down.

Boom!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the air.

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

Ding ding ding!

Blocked again by the Ruthless One.

You guys hurry and go, I'll block him……

Knowing they were thinking of another way to save the Divine Realm rather than flee, the clone and the Immortal Emperor Venerable, with a loud shout, blocked in front, while Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to the Tranquil Void Pearl's true form.

The surrounding space solidified.

Go!

Seeing everyone fearlessly throwing themselves behind to block, unafraid of death, Zhang Xuan's eye sockets reddened, but he also knew now was not the time for words; he grabbed Luo Ruoxi, his body flickered, tore through space, and in the next moment they appeared within the range of the Free and Easy Heaven.

The Free and Easy Heaven now lacks its former ease; the Divine Realm has collapsed, everywhere in chaos.

Where is the person you spoke of?

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

If the person she spoke of can truly save the Divine Realm, what harm is there in my own sacrifice!

He is my father; the blood in your pendant is his; the Immortal 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 pendant was similar to Luo Ruoxi's yet different; it turns out it's her father's.

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

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

He couldn't help but ask.

The library's chaos is due to the blood in the pendant, which has restored my 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 does it also need a flawed Heavenly Dao to awaken him?

He is not an Emperor, but…… the Heavenly Dao!

Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists.

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

Yes! Fifty years ago, my father could not withstand that great hand, fell into a coma, the Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts—the Ordered Heavenly Dao and the Flawed Heavenly Dao entered the spatial turbulence, while I acted as the steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To revive him, we must gather the scattered parts…… that is why I am so resolute, cannot fail! I therefore entered the Master Teacher Continent specifically, studying 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.

Zhang Xuan realized.

Having 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 didn't 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 the steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order…… you don't have any fragments of the Heavenly Dao inside you?" Suddenly realizing something off in her speech, Zhang Xuan looked over.

Acting as steward and my own fusion within the body are two different concepts.

I am merely managing it, not a part of the Heavenly Dao…… Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan relaxed his breath.

In that case, I only need to separate the Flawed Heavenly Dao from within myself; there's no need for her to die as well.

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

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

This…… I'm not sure either……

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

The Divine Realm is my father's foundation; now that 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, 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, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, if we also coordinate with Kong Shi, we might not be unable to win!"

Kong Shi? He… Luo Ruoxi frowned.

Kong Shi is already dead, right? He didn't truly die; if my guess is correct, he was slain by you, merely a method to break free from the Heavenly Dao… No surprise, he should be like Wei Changfeng, an Innate Fetal Soul Body!

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng, it became clear: Kong Shi's so-called preservation of consciousness should be the same as his, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain undeluded in the womb.

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

Luo Ruoxi froze, seemingly not expecting this.

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

Kong Shi's disciples, such as Ziyuan Ancient Sage and others, are all formidable; even without the Emperor's aid, they would certainly have a way into the Tidewater Sea, yet not a single one was seen.

There must be something more important awaiting, intending to act while all the Emperors are preoccupied with the Tidewater 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!

No further explanation, with a single hand gesture Zhang Xuan returned to where Kong Shi resided, and indeed 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 myriad generations truly did not disappoint!

Just as guessed, taking advantage of everyone focusing their attention on the Tidewater Sea, he revived again.

You… Luo Ruoxi's delicate body trembled.

She knew Emperors could be revived, 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 contingency in advance—the nameless giant in the Netherworld Pool was my doing; the day you slew him, I seized the chance to break free of the Heavenly Dao's bonds, recondense my flesh, and have only just now recovered!

Kong Shi smiled faintly.

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

He had even accumulated several decades of time.

Our three strengths are considerable, but overcoming the Ruthless One is not so easy…

Seeing Kong Shi truly recovered, Luo Ruoxi still shook her head.

It's not to boost others' prestige or dampen our own morale; it's simply the fact.

Even with so many of us united just now, we couldn't block the opponent; even adding Kong Shi, what difference would it make?

It would not change the situation at all!

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

Kong Shi smiled and looked over.

Merge into one person?

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

That palm capable of tearing apart the Divine Realm and scattering the Heavenly Dao—its strength is beyond doubt. The Ruthless One has absorbed all that power and also devoured the Divine Realm's spiritual energy for fifty years; relying solely on strength, even a dozen or so Emperors taken individually are certainly no match…

Kong Shi said: "But if we unite and concentrate the power into one person… perhaps it would not be so!"

How to concentrate?

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

Easy to say, hard to do.

The Emperors already stand at the pinnacle of the Divine Realm; if absorbing others' strength were that easy, she wouldn't have stagnated for so many years.

Quite simple… we will gather our strength onto Zhang Xuan; once he can break through the Emperor's shackles, he can save the Divine Realm!

Kong Shi said.

Me? Zhang Xuan startled: "Why me?"

The Lingxi Emperor cultivates freedom and transcendence of nature! Yet 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 earlier, you also once gave up, intending to let me slay you!

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi was speechless.

During the battle, there was indeed such an intention; thus their exchange, at the start, each held back, akin to sparring, not a life‑or‑death fight.

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

Kong Shi nodded: "Holding the world in heart, wishing to save all beings, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for me—excessive compassion is also a flaw! If I were a bit more ruthless, exterminating the Alien Spirit clan, we wouldn't be in this situation…

If back then we could have exterminated the Alien Spirit folk entirely, the Ruthless One could not have revived, nor would we be in this predicament.

So I am also unsuitable! Zhang Xuan, however, cultivates a harmonious method, flawless. 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 one reach higher and farther!

Kong Shi continued.

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

If even death is of no concern, how could anything else bind one?

This… Zhang Xuan frowned, about to speak, when Kong Shi's piercing gaze fell on him: "No need to decline—first say there's no time, go train others; even if there were, I doubt anyone could do better than you! Though the Lingxi Emperor's body lacks Heavenly Dao fragments, he has long commanded the Heavenly Dao and has his own understanding of it; I govern the orderly Heavenly Dao. If we pour our power into you, you will possess complete Heavenly Dao strength! Combined with your avatar's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can fully stabilize the Nine Heavens, grasp 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, Zhang Xuan nodded.

Boom—

Having sat cross-legged, in the blink of an eye two mighty forces 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 mightier.

……

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

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

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

The Tide Sea drew out the spiritual energy from outside the city in the Divine Realm, almost completely devouring it; now this power has become his nourishment, every move bringing the power to destroy heaven and earth; these Emperors and God 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, unstoppable.

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

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

"Just you? Not worthy!"

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

"Old friend, wait for me!"

Fumeng Emperor also let out a loud roar, transforming into his true form, a white tiger, and appeared before him.

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

Xuanming 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, causing the collapsing Divine Realm to slow down.

Heaven and Earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

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

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

It was Zhang Xuan!

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

"You've made great progress……"

Henren stopped, his gaze solemn.

He obviously didn't understand why, in just a few minutes, the opponent's strength had changed so dramatically.

"However, even if you've increased, the Divine Realm at its peak couldn't withstand it; I don't believe you can block me……"

A cold snort, and Henren struck down again.

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

The two clashed, space tearing apart, currents scattering everywhere.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

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

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

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

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

After a moment of silence, the Master said.

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

The reason for doing this is…… 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 told her the same thing, but…… she couldn't do it; could her beloved man do it?

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

Seeing her doubt, the Master laughed and said.

……

Bang bang bang!

After several consecutive strikes, Zhang Xuan's tiger's mouth split, his chest showing a huge, ferocious wound.

Just as the Master said, even if their powers fused, forming a complete heavenly way within, they were still no match.

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

"Anyway, you're not my opponent; you'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 looking at Henren before him.

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

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

Whoosh!

A cyan light appeared in his palm and came down fiercely.

Sure enough, it was the strongest attack; the entire Divine Realm rumbled, as if it could barely withstand it, and was struck again with a huge pit.

Eyes tightly shut, 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 go mad.

Yunchi 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 the realm beyond the Emperor; why didn't he resist and instead willingly face death?

Wouldn't that be wasting their good intentions?

"No, it's the Undying Emperor's immortal method..."

While they were puzzled, Kong Shi suddenly spoke.

Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan, whose head had exploded and even his soul shattered, the pendant on his chest suddenly burst open, a drop of blood floated up, ignited, forming a ball of scorching flame; within the flame, an intact 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 the Heavenly Dao!

"How did he do that?"

Kong Shi was also full of disbelief.

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

This person before them, after being slashed just once, completely escaped; what method did he use?

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

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

Once the soul is bound, even immortality cannot free it.

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

That's why he deliberately fought to the death, letting the opponent unleash their 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 he understood something; he suddenly waved his hand, and an avatar on his 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 avatar and himself perfectly merged, indistinguishable, which meant he had mastered this power.

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

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

Smiling, Zhang Xuan muttered to himself.

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

Is it that people see the world and then the world exists, or does the world come first and then people appear?

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 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 intertwining the world.

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

Love, is emotion.

Hatred, is emotion.

Joy, is emotion.

Pain, is emotion.

Separation, is emotion.

Reunion, is also emotion!

"Myriad feelings, for my use..."

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

The Emperor's shackles, broken through!

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

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

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

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

"You resent the lofty Emperor, not saving yourself 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, 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 Ruthless One was 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 One's eyes were full of panic: "Master Zhang, I am your servant, don't kill me... I am willing to offer my soul as a sacrifice..."

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

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

Having killed so many God-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 flowed back, reviving the already exhausted wilderness.

"This..."

"You killed him just like that?"

Cloud Chilong Great Emperor, Undying Emperor, Exquisite Fairy, ah, and the others all widened their eyes, unable to believe it.

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

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, so I will now return it to the Heavenly Dao..."

Seeing the "flawed Heavenly Dao" 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 constantly collapsing Divine Realm slowly recovering visible to the naked eye, and the chaotic airflow also gathering together again.

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

"It seems the Divine Realm is about to welcome an era of renewed spiritual energy..." 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 here..."

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

He didn't know how far that step carried him, when 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 was taken aback.

He had always felt this person was unfathomable; now he realized that compared to himself, the difference was only a hair's breadth—he had already reached the pinnacle of Emperor, far surpassing Luo Ruoxi as well.

"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 brother!" The youth called Nie Tong chuckled and stepped forward.

Zhang Xuan closely followed 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's strength before him was actually greater 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; he never imagined it would be such a young person.

"I transformed one breath into the Three Purities; a part of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, this world is my creation—calling me the Heavenly Dao is perfectly reasonable!" Nie Yun said with a light smile.

Zhang Xuan couldn't believe it.

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 likely have collapsed completely; why does this person before him remain indifferent?"

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

Without answering his question, Nie Yun glanced over lightly: "Do you think... there might be even stronger life above the Divine Realm?"

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

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

Just like this person before him.

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

Nie Yun looked over: "At that time, if I had dodged, the entire Divine Realm would likely have been flattened, leaving no life at all... so I blocked that strike, but consequently, the embodied 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 hand came from and what lies beyond the Divine Realm... relying on me alone is very difficult. 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, 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, then my transmigration is also because of you?" Zhang Xuan's heart shook.

No wonder he could transmigrate over; he never expected it to be entirely due to this person before him.

"Hehe!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly, saying: "Being native to this world, one naturally holds reverence for it; wanting to break the world's shackles is far harder. I, too, merely had a thought, never expecting you to 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, 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 break through; unfortunately, he chose to retreat, thinking he had a backup plan to escape unharmed, 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.

He had seen their battle at that time; Master Kong indeed lacked decisiveness.

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

Unfortunately, in that moment of hesitation, 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, given their strength at a life-or-death moment, you could manage to save them?"

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

Breaking through to Emperor and being an Emperor are two different concepts; if he truly wished to intervene, he could indeed save the person at the critical moment, and guarantee that they wouldn't suffer even a scratch.

"Lingxi is the child of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her false surname is Luo…… In order to make her believe, to keep her unemotional, she has continued to think that I am still in a coma……"

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

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

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

"The Heavenly Dao Library is a manifestation of my will; it is both foundation and shackle. If you can rely on your own 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."

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