Chapter 1074

A soul contract binds souls; as long as one does not dissolve it, even if the other's methods are god‑like, it cannot be broken.

It's like the undying Emperor Lord Xiao Huangji, who was once only a Divine King; now he is an Emperor Lord, yet he still cannot resolve such an agreement.

To prevent that guy from reneging and causing a backlash, the renowned Master Dalu once specifically decreed that even if the other party can detach from the Heavenly Dao Book, they still cannot escape the soul‑to‑soul contract!

"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; breaking such a contract is not difficult… as long as one has enough power to bombard the contract's location, it can be done!"

Hen Ren said.

A soul contract is founded on 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 difficulty is there?

"I see…" Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

"Having told you all this, I also thank you for bringing me to the Divine Realm!"

After the explanation, Hen Ren said no more; his aura grew ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him expanded further, evidently the act of speaking had again devoured an unknown amount of power as nourishment.

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

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

"Prepare to act!" With all doubt cleared, Zhang Xuan inhaled deeply, raised his long sword abruptly, and said, "Since that's the case, let's see the true skill beneath our hands!"

Boom!

The most powerful sword intent was unleashed again.

Life returns to its source, death becomes endless longing!

If life and death are of no concern, what can possibly impede us?

This sword technique, though not yet reaching Emperor Lord comprehension, contains all the practitioner's lingering obsessions, pushing the internal Heavenly Sentiment Technique to its limit.

Whoosh!

One sword 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 technique resembled that of the youth of Jian Shen Tian, bearing a forward‑charging 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 reached down again.

In an instant, sky and sun were eclipsed; his palm enveloped heaven and earth, space shattered, and the sun, moon, and stars seemed about to be forcefully struck down.

Puff! Puff!

Zhang Xuan and Luo Ruoxi were simultaneously flung backward, blood spraying wildly in the air.

Even with their combined strength, they could not resist!

What realm has this guy actually attained?

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

From afar, it exuded undeniable grandeur.

Having refined the Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, his cultivation is by no means weaker than Zhang Xuan's.

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

Clashing with Hen Ren, they were likewise flung backward, unable to block a single move.

Zhang Xuan covered his forehead.

Having become an Emperor Lord, the clone still hasn't shed its pretentious nature…

Such flamboyant showoff, it would be better to concentrate the power; the effect would be greater!

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

Xiao Huangji let out a mighty roar, crimson flames blazing, the sky seeming set alight.

The remaining six Emperor Lords each employed their own methods.

The seven Emperor Lords united, destroying heaven and earth; no realm could withstand them before them, yet the opponent was Hen Ren, who had absorbed a special power. As the attack approached, the black hole suddenly expanded, swallowing the power cleanly in the blink of an eye, then launching a counterattack.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The seven Emperor Lords, like Zhang Xuan and the others, were flung backward.

The ten Emperor Lords, united, still failed to block a single move from the opponent!

How can this guy be so powerful?

"You may die…"

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

"You vermin dare this!"

Accompanied by a thunderous shout, the elder of Jian Shen Tian who had appeared earlier suddenly materialized, blocking the way, his long sword turning into a galaxy.

"Emperor Lord? Does he also possess Emperor Lord 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 Lord of great strength!

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

"He himself is the Emperor Lord of Jian Shen Tian…" Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth as she struggled to stand.

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

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

Zhang Xuan's current strength and his comprehension of the sword path far surpass him; they cannot contend. Even though his cultivation is not weak and his swordsmanship is superb, he still is no match.

"Ha ha, Emperor Lords, just a bunch of earth chickens and mongrels! Today I'll annihilate the Nine Heavens, destroy this Divine Realm, and trample all rules!"

Having defeated the Emperor Lord of Jian Shen Tian, Hen Ren laughed wildly, the surrounding space continuously collapsing, framing him like a demon.

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

Just now he and his clone both unleashed their utmost combat power; even Luo Ruoxi before him employed her strongest move, yet none could block the opponent's single strike…

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 defective 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 one's mind is itself part of the Heavenly Dao; once returned, the Heavenly Dao becomes completely whole, perhaps able to repair the breach and expel the Ruthless One on its own.

Just like the body's immune system.

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

Just……

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

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

No matter how strong the immune system, what else can be done?

This person before us is merely an ordinary God King; even with a title, the Heavenly Dao could easily kill him, yet he is stronger than an Emperor Lord…… 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: "Yeah…… there's no way to suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao is whole, he can awaken and slay this person, and 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 to fly forward.

"You want to escape?" The Ruthless One snorted coldly and pressed down.

Bang!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the air.

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

Ding ding ding!

Again blocked by the Ruthless One.

"You guys go quickly, I'll block him……"

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

The surrounding space solidified.

Go!

Seeing everyone fearlessly throwing themselves behind to block, unafraid of 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 moment appeared within the range of the Free and Easy Heaven.

The Free and Easy Heaven no longer has its former ease; the Divine Realm has collapsed, everywhere is 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 Undying Emperor Lord was once his beast pet……" Luo Ruoxi adjusted her breath and explained.

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly realized.

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

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

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

He couldn't help but say.

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

If that's the case, why would he fall into a coma?

And does it also require a defective Heavenly Dao to make him lucid?

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

Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists.

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

"Yes! Fifty years ago, my father could not withstand that great hand, fell into a coma, the Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts—the ordered Heavenly Dao and the defective Heavenly Dao entered the spatial turbulence; I acted as steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To restore him, only by gathering 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, entrusting him with this matter was also the case."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

The Master Teacher Continent had only just been acquainted with; the girl before me had already told me her story, wanting to save a close relative; I didn't understand then, but now I suddenly realize.

It turns out to be her father, and moreover the Heavenly Dao of the Divine Realm!

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

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

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

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

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Putting it that way, I only need to separate the defective Heavenly Dao from within myself; there's no need for her to die as well.

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

"If I separate the defective 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 the foundation of my father; now that foundation is like this, even if he awakens, can he truly defeat that powerful Ruthless One?

It's really hard to say!

"It seems you can't be certain either; in that case, seeking others is less effective than relying on ourselves… we have only to find our own way!" Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth: "You, I, and the clone, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, and if we cooperate with Kong Shi, we might yet win!".

"Kong Shi? He…" Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"Kong Shi is already dead, right? He hasn't truly died; if I'm guessing correctly, you slew him only as a way to break free from the Heavenly Dao… unsurprisingly, he should be, like Wei Changfeng, a Pre‑born Fetal Soul Body!".

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng, he understood that Kong Shi's so‑called preservation of spiritual intelligence must be the same—a Pre‑born Fetal Soul Body.

It allows one not to be lost within the womb.

Moreover, with the contingency he left in advance, resurrection is only a matter of time.

Luo Ruoxi was stunned; she hadn't expected it to be like this.

"A look into the past would have shown it; your guess is right—he should have already recovered, otherwise his students wouldn't have even avoided the Tide Sea…" Zhang Xuan said.

Kong Shi's students, such as Ziyuan the Ancient Sage and others, are all powerful; even without an Imperial Lord's aid they would surely be able to enter the Tide Sea, yet none have been seen.

There must be something more important awaiting, intending to act while all the Imperial Lords are occupied in the Tide Sea.

And that important matter is clearly to restore Kong Shi.

"This…" Luo Ruoxi felt a shock in her heart and suddenly understood.

"Let's go!".

Without further explanation, with a single hand sweep, Zhang Xuan returned to Kong Shi's dwelling and indeed saw an elderly man sitting cross‑legged, hovering in the air; upon seeing them, he smiled faintly: "You've arrived!".

Not Kong Shi—who else is this!

This teacher of ten thousand generations truly did not disappoint!

As predicted, he revived while everyone's attention was focused on the Tide Sea.

"You…" Luo Ruoxi's delicate body trembled.

She knew an Imperial Lord could be resurrected, and the Undying Imperial Lord had also returned, but… she hadn't expected it to be so swift!

"I concealed the Heavenly Dao and prepared a contingency in advance; the nameless giant in the Ghostly Soul Pool was my leftover. When you slew it that day, I seized the chance to break free from the Heavenly Dao's shackles, re‑condense my flesh, and have just now recovered!".

Kong Shi smiled faintly.

He is adept at temporal abilities; it appears only one or two days have passed in the Divine Realm, but in reality an unknown length of time was spent restoring his power.

Tens of years have passed.

"The three of us are strong, but surpassing Hen Ren is not that easy…".

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

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

Just now, so many united forces couldn't stop the opponent; even adding a Kong Shi, what difference would it make?

It still wouldn't change the situation!

"Our individual strength, even combined, is indeed no match for them, but… what if we fuse everyone's power into a single person?".

Kong Shi smiled and looked over.

"Fuse into one person's body?".

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

"That palm can tear the Divine Realm apart, shatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is indisputable. Hen Ren absorbed that entire power and also devoured fifty years of the Divine Realm's spiritual energy. Relying solely on strength, the dozen‑plus Imperial Lords each contributing alone are indeed no match…".

Kong Shi said, "But when combined and concentrated in one person… perhaps it's not impossible!".

"How to concentrate?".

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

It's easy to say, hard to do.

The Imperial Lords already stand at the pinnacle of the Divine Realm; if absorbing others' power were so easy, she wouldn't have been stagnant for so many years.

"It's simple… we concentrate all our power onto Zhang Xuan; once he breaks the Imperial Lords' shackles, he can save the Divine Realm!".

Kong Shi said.

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

"Lingxi Emperor cultivates freedom and natural transcendence! Yet with a father and the Heavenly Dao's constraints, and with loved ones, true transcendence is impossible! If I'm not mistaken, when you fought me before, you also gave up, intending to be slain by me, right!".

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi was speechless.

During the battle, that intention did exist, so at the start of their duel each kept a contingency, like a sparring match rather than a life‑or‑death fight.

"Unable to transcend, one naturally cannot unleash the utmost power; even with endless true Qi, the supreme realm remains unreachable! As for me…".

Kong Shi nodded and said, "With compassion for all living beings and a desire to save the world, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for me—excessive kindness is also a flaw! If one were more ruthless and eradicated the Yiling race, the current situation wouldn't have arisen…".

Had the Yiling people been completely exterminated back then, Hen Ren could not have revived, and the present circumstances wouldn't exist.

"Therefore, I'm also unsuitable! As for Zhang Xuan, his cultivation method aligns perfectly and has no flaws. He values living true to himself; even if he dies, as long as he lives without regret, his heart is unburdened. Such a person possesses greater tolerance and broader development potential; only then can he ascend higher and farther!".

Kong Shi continued.

"When alive, return to the source; when dead, long for longing!".

"If one doesn't even care about death, how could anything else bind them?".

"This…" Zhang Xuan frowned, about to speak, when Kong Shi's eyes flashed at him: "No need to decline. Time is already short; even if we trained others, I doubt anyone could do it better than you! Though Lingxi Emperor lacks fragments of the Heavenly Dao in his body, he has long controlled the Dao and has his own understanding of it; I orderly command the Heavenly Dao. If we infuse you with that power, your body will possess the complete Heavenly Dao! Combined with the clone's Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, we can set the Nine Heavens, command Heaven and Earth, battle the Nine Heavens, and annihilate all things!".

"Alright!".

Seeing the other had already decided, further explanation was useless, so Zhang Xuan nodded.

Boom—.

Sitting cross‑legged, in the blink of an eye, two massive currents of power surged in from both sides.

Zhang Xuan's whole body stiffened; in an instant he seemed to become the Heavenly Dao itself, 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, I'll kill you, then go slay Zhang Xuan..."

He flung Luo Qiqi, his clone, and the others into the air, and the ruthless one gave a cold smile.

The power unleashed by the clone together with numerous emperor lords was indeed formidable, yet compared with him it was still somewhat weaker.

The Tidal Sea has devoured almost all the spiritual energy outside the Divine Realm's cities; now those forces have become his fostered power, and with every move he wields the ability to destroy heaven and earth. Even these emperor lords and Divine Kings, though they represent the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, remain helpless.

At this moment the ruthless one seemed to embody the entire Divine Realm; no one could stand in his way.

"With the Divine Realm perished, our lives are meaningless. I, Yun Chi, shall perish together with you..."

Great Emperor Yun Chi transformed his true form, a massive five‑clawed golden dragon, and swooped through the air toward him.

"You? Unworthy!"

The ruthless one pinched his palm, and the golden dragon hung in his hand, unable to escape no matter how it struggled.

"Old friend, wait for me!"

Emperor Lord Fu Meng let out a roar, transformed into his true white tiger form, and flew to his side.

The Immortal Emperor and the Immortal Fire Phoenix revealed their true forms, their flames lighting up the sky.

Great Emperor Xuan Ming's true form was a gigantic turtle, as if supporting the heavens.

The Four Divine Beasts, guardians of the four poles of the Divine Realm, also shifted into their true forms, and the collapsing Divine Realm began to slow.

The universe seemed to freeze in an instant.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

With four consecutive palm strikes, the ruthless one suppressed the four beasts, a fierce killing intent flashing in his eyes: "Since you seek death, I will grant it..."

Amid the roar, just as he was about to deliver the killing blow that would erase everyone, his raised arm tightened and halted in midair.

"Want to kill them? You didn't ask me..."

Immediately, within the shocked gazes of the crowd, a figure slowly stepped down from the sky.

It was Zhang Xuan!

At this moment, the youth's entire body surged with power, more than ten times stronger than before, descending from the heavens as if his whole being were a world.

"You've improved a lot..."

The ruthless one halted, his gaze heavy.

He clearly did not understand why, in just a few minutes, the opponent's strength had changed so dramatically.

"But even with the increase, what of it? Even the Divine Realm at its peak could not resist; I doubt you can withstand me..."

With a cold snort, the ruthless one struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his long sword and met him.

Both sides fought together, space tearing in strips, and currents of air surged chaotically.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

From the residence of Master Kong of the Free Heaven, Luo Ruoxi watched with deep worry.

She and Master Kong transmitted their power to Zhang Xuan; their own cultivation had already dropped to merely Divine King level, not as splendid as before.

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

"With the current strength, surpassing... is difficult! Unless... he can comprehend power beyond that of an emperor lord!"

After a moment of silence, Master Kong said.

Even a coalition of a dozen emperor lords could not defeat the ruthless one; even if they transferred all their power to the opponent, victory would not be easy.

The reason for this is... only when power is concentrated in a single person can it reach the pinnacle, truly surpass limits, and break through oneself!

"Power beyond that of an emperor lord?"

Luo Ruoxi's gaze was distant.

When her father was still lucid, he had said the same to her, but... she could not achieve it; could the man she loves achieve it?

"He certainly can... he has an unyielding heart! And a proud stance toward this world."

Seeing the doubt in her heart, Master Kong smiled.

……

Boom! Boom! Boom!

After several consecutive moves, Zhang Xuan's tiger mouth split open, and a massive scar appeared on his chest, terrifying and fierce.

Just as Master Kong said, even after merging their two powers and forming a complete Heavenly Dao within his body, he still was not a match.

"Ha ha, you thought it was impressive, yet it's just like this!" the ruthless one sneered coldly.

"Anyway you're not my opponent; you'll be killed sooner or later. So, I wish to die under your strongest attack..." He took a deep breath, Zhang Xuan halted, ceased attacking, and instead looked at the ruthless one before him.

"Fine, I will grant you that, give you my strongest attack..."

Hearing this, the ruthless one was momentarily stunned, then let out a cold snort and raised his palm.

Whoosh!

A streak of blue light appeared in his palm and slammed down fiercely.

Sure enough, it was the strongest attack; the entire Divine Realm roared, as if it could no longer bear it, and a massive crater was gouged again.

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

Boom!

His head exploded, his soul scattering in all directions.

"Zhang Xuan..." Upon seeing this, everyone's faces turned pale.

Luo Qiqi seemed to go mad.

Great Emperor Yun Chi and the others widened their eyes, trembling continuously.

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

The original intention was for him to break through his shackles and strike at the realm beyond the Emperor; why didn't he resist and willingly accept death?

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

"No, it's the immortality method of the Undying Emperor..."

While they were puzzled, Kong Shi suddenly spoke.

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

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

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

After being reborn from the 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, with the aid of the Netherworld Pool, recondense his soul.

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

"I understand... he used the method of the Ruthless Person 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 bound... the Heavenly Dao Library is the same, essentially an enhanced version of the contract.

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

But... the Ruthless Person used that special power to break the soul contract; the exact 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 it unleash its strongest power against him.

With this power, he was reborn from the fire; unexpectedly, it turned out to be a great success!

"So that's it, this is the way 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 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 Zhang Xuan before them had become the Nine Heavens, and the Nine Heavens were him.

He lightly tapped the ground with his foot.

The chaotic Nine Heavens immediately stabilized.

The Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, which appeared when the Nine Heavens were born, can stabilize the Nine Heavens; at this moment, the clone and his self perfectly merged, indistinguishable, thus amounting to his mastery of this power.

Moreover, with his cultivation fused with the Nine Heavens Chaotic 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, parental affection, love... when combined, they are actually all things in the world; this is what it means to be human!"

Smiling, Zhang Xuan muttered to himself.

At the moment the Heavenly Dao Library separated from his soul, he came to understand.

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

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving!

This question has troubled countless people since time immemorial.

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 intertwining the world.

All things in the world possess emotion; with emotion comes the world, and with emotion can life continue.

Love, is emotion.

Hatred, is emotion.

Joy, is emotion.

Pain, is emotion.

Parting, is emotion.

Reunion, is also emotion!

"Myriad emotions, for my use..."

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

The Emperor's bottleneck, broken through!

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

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

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

"You..." the Ruthless Person hadn't expected that his full-force attack would not only fail to slay him, but instead fulfill him; he shouted "wah-wah!" in anger, let out a furious roar, and 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—also 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 Person 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 Person's eyes filled with panic: "Master Zhang, I am your servant, don't kill me... I am willing to offer my soul as a sacrifice..."

"Saying this now is already too late..." Zhang Xuan gave a slight smile and shook his head.

Having mastered the emotions of the world, things like servants 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, Henren's pupils contracted; before his words finished, he immediately felt a sharp pain all over his body.

Boom!

In an instant, the eruption turned into countless streams of Qi that surged toward every corner of the God Realm.

All the power that the Tide Sea had previously devoured now returned in full, and the once‑exhausted wilderness sprang back to life.

"This…"

"You killed him just like that?"

Yunchi Dadi, Bu Si Di Jun, Linglong Xianzi and the others all widened their eyes, unable to believe.

Just now they had crossed blows with Henren, knowing how fearsome he was; yet such a mighty figure was wiped out with a casual gesture—how far has this Zhang Xuan… actually reached?

Could there truly be a higher realm above the Emperor Lord?

"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 "Imperfect Heavenly Dao" that had been split from his own body still hovering in the air, Zhang Xuan gave a light smile and flicked his finger.

Hum!

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

The deep, bell‑like resonance echoed as the continually collapsing God Realm slowly healed before the eyes, and the chaotic currents also gathered anew.

The collapsing God Realm finally came to a halt, and the withered Qi slowly revived together with Henren's death.

"It seems the God Realm is about to usher in an era of Qi renewal…" Zhang Xuan smiled.

The breach in the Tide Sea, along with the completion of the Heavenly Dao, has already been restored; the God 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 startled, then stepped forward.

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

It was the very person who had previously taught him swordsmanship.

"Senior…"

Seeing that it was him, Zhang Xuan blinked in surprise.

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

"Just call me by my name… I am Nie Tong!" the youth said, his body emanating an unstoppable sword intent, speaking lightly.

"Nie Tong?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

It was the first time he had heard that name.

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

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

Immediately he saw another youth.

His appearance was not much older, his eyebrows slightly raised, giving an impression of profound inscrutability.

"This strength…" Zhang Xuan trembled.

The youth before him was actually stronger than he, having likewise broken through the Emperor Lord'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 God Realm?"

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

"I transformed one breath into the Three Pure Ones; a fragment of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, this world is my creation—calling me the Heavenly Dao is entirely justified!" Nie Yun said with a light smile.

Zhang Xuan could not believe it.

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

Just how strong must his power be?

"No, if the God Realm is your creation and you are the Heavenly Dao, why do you let Henren run rampant without intervening?" Zhang Xuan asked.

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

Even the life and death of his daughter seem not to concern him?

Without answering his question, Nie Yun glanced over lightly: "Do you think… there might be even greater beings above the God Realm?"

"This…" Zhang Xuan paused: "I suppose there must be."

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

Just like the one before him.

"I once suspected that greater beings existed above the God Realm, so I exerted all my power to peer into them, ultimately drawing a backlash from a higher world… a palm that shattered the void and descended!"

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

"In such a situation, I merely wish to restore it with a single thought, but… I understand that to truly transcend the God Realm's shackles, to explore where that palm came from and what lies beyond… it is difficult for me alone. So I want to see whether any life can break through the Emperor Lord's shackles and reach my level."

"So I sent the scattered thoughts of the Heavenly Dao down to the lowest world… granting them respectively to the souls native to this world and to a soul foreign to it. And you, you have not disappointed me!"

Nie Yun said with a smile.

"A soul not belonging to this world, then… my transmigration is also because of you?" Zhang Xuan's heart shook.

No wonder he could transmigrate here; 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 feels reverence for it; breaking free of its shackles is far harder. I, too, merely had a passing thought, never imagining you could actually succeed…"

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

Without Master Kong's selfless dedication, achieving the present realm would be utterly impossible.

I gave him the opportunity, but he just didn't seize it. The duel with Lingxi was actually his best chance to break through; unfortunately, he chose to retreat, thinking he had a backup plan and could withdraw unscathed, but in fact he lost the vigor to press forward. 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, and Kong Shi indeed lacked some decisiveness.

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

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

"If Kong Shi 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 now is not much different from mine; do you think, at a life-or-death moment, wanting to save someone, can you actually do it?"

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

Breaking through to Emperor Sovereign and being an Emperor Sovereign 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 born of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed name bears the surname Luo…… In order to make her believe, to keep her unemotional, she has always thought I was still in a coma……"

Nie Yun gave a wry laugh: "My dad's pretty ruthless…… Like this, let you explain this to her; after all, her thoughts have already turned to you, this old dad of mine probably can't even remember…… Haha, I'll stay out of sight for a while; otherwise I really fear she'll cause an uproar……"

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

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

"The Heavenly Dao Library is a manifestation of my will; it is both foundation and shackle. If you can rely on your own ability to break through the shackle, it demonstrates your ability and potential, your future is limitless. My daughter being with you, as a father, I would also feel relieved."

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