Chapter 1075: A Very Troublesome Matter

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

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

To prevent that bastard from reneging and causing a backlash, Master Mingshi Dalu once specifically decreed that even if the other can break free from the Heavenly Dao Book, the soul‑contract cannot be escaped!

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

Hen Ren said.

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

"I see…" Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

"I've told you so much, and I'm also grateful 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, clearly the spoken words had again devoured an unknown amount of power as nourishment.

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

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

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

Boom—

The most powerful sword intent surged out again.

Life returns, death longs for reunion!

Life and death matter not; what can stand in the way?

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

Whoosh!

One sword split Hen Ren's attack in two.

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

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

"Your moves are impressive, but compared to me, they're still lacking…"

With a light smile, Hen Ren lunged downward again.

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

Puff! Puff!

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

With their combined strength, they still could not withstand it!

What realm has this guy actually reached?

"How audacious!" The clone strode forward; each step caused a lotus to bloom, accompanied by the sound of flowing water in the void.

From afar, the aura was undeniably impressive.

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

A single punch rose, power soaring to the Nine Heavens.

Clashing with Hen Ren, he too was flung out, unable to block a single move.

Zhang Xuan covered his forehead.

Having become an Emperor, the clone still didn't change his pretentious nature…

Such flamboyant show‑off is less effective than concentrating power for greater might!

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

Xiao Huangji let out a great roar, crimson flames burned, and the sky seemed ignited.

The remaining six great Emperors each employed their own tactics.

The seven Emperors united, destroying heaven and earth; a single realm could not resist before them, but the opponent was Hen Ren who had absorbed special power—when the attack drew near, the black hole suddenly enlarged, swallowing the power in an instant and launching a counterattack.

Bang bang bang bang!

The seven Emperors, like Zhang Xuan and his companions, were flung out.

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

How can this guy be so powerful?

"You may die…"

With one strike crushing the crowd, Hen Ren stepped forward, flicked his wrist, and struck again.

"You rat‑type dare this!"

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

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

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

That elder had originally followed behind the young man, thought to be merely an attendant, at most a titled Divine King; when his power manifested, it turned out he too was a strong Emperor!

If he is an Emperor, then what is the young man?

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

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

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

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

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

Defeating Jian Shen Tian's Emperor, Hen Ren laughed wildly, the surrounding space continuously collapsing, making him appear like a demon or monster.

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

Just now he and his clone had unleashed their strongest combat power, and even Luo Ruoxi in front of him had used her ultimate 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?

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……" Luoruoxi clenched her fists, her eye sockets reddening.

"Return to the Heavenly Dao itself?" Zhangxuan understood her meaning.

The library in his mind was itself part of the Heavenly Dao; once returned, the Heavenly Dao would be completely whole, perhaps able to repair the rift and expel the Ruthless One.

Just like the human immune system.

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

Just……

"He is too strong; even if the Heavenly Dao recovers completely, it cannot suppress him!" Zhangxuan shook his head.

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

Even with the strongest immune system, what can be done?

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

"This……" Luoruoxi 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—it wouldn't be difficult!"

"Him?" Zhangxuan frowned.

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

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

Boom!

Luoruoxi fell from the sky.

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

Ding ding ding!

Once again blocked by the Ruthless One.

"You hurry and leave; I'll block him……"

Knowing they wanted to find another way to save the Divine Realm rather than flee, the clone and the Undying Emperor stepped forward with a loud shout, while Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to her true form as the Still Void Pearl.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone fearlessly blocking the rear, unafraid of death, Zhangxuan's eye sockets reddened, but he also knew now was not the time for words; he grabbed Luoruoxi, his body flickered, he tore through space, and in the next moment they appeared within the Free and Easy Heaven.

The Free and Easy Heaven no longer had its former ease; the Divine Realm had collapsed, and everywhere was in chaos.

"Where is the person you spoke of?"

Having no time to observe ordinary people's lives, Zhangxuan looked at the girl in his arms.

If the person she spoke of could truly save the Divine Realm, what harm would there be in sacrificing myself!

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

"Father?"

Zhangxuan suddenly understood.

No wonder I always felt the blood in the locket resembled Luoruoxi yet was different—it turned out to be her father's.

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

"Is your father also an Emperor, or does he possess power surpassing that of an Emperor?"

He could not help but say.

The library is in chaos, due to the blood in the locket, 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 is the case, why would he then fall into a coma?

Moreover, it requires a defect in the Heavenly Dao for him to regain consciousness?

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

Luoruoxi clenched her fists.

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

"Yes! Fifty years ago, my father could not withstand that great hand, fell into a coma, and the Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts—the ordered Heavenly Dao and the defective 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 restore him, we must gather the scattered parts…… That is why I am so resolute, cannot fail! I therefore entered the Renowned Master Continent specifically, studying the Spring and Autumn Grand Canon, seeking a way to defeat Master Kong! When fighting Master Kong, the favor I asked of him was also this."

Luoruoxi said.

Zhangxuan suddenly understood.

Having only just become acquainted with the Renowned Master Continent, the girl before me had already recounted her story of wanting to save a close relative; I did not understand then, but now I suddenly 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, Zhangxuan looked over.

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

"I merely steward it; I am not part of the Heavenly Dao……" Luoruoxi said.

Zhangxuan relaxed his breath.

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

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

"If I separate the defective Heavenly Dao from within me, your father will be able to come back to life, and even slay the Ruthless One, right?" Zhangxuan asked.

"This…… I'm not sure either……"

Looking up at the already collapsed Divine Realm, Luoruoxi hesitated.

The Divine Realm is my father's foundation; now that it is like this, even if he awakens, can we truly defeat that powerful Ruthless One?

Really hard to say!

"It seems you can't be sure either. In that case, relying on 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, 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 dead, right? He didn't truly die; if my guess is correct, he was slain by you, merely a method to escape the Heavenly Dao… No surprise, he should be like Wei Changfeng, an 【Innate Fetal Soul Body】!"

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng, it became clear that Kong Shi's so-called preserving sentience should be the same as him, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain unconfused in the womb.

Adding the preparations made 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 Tide Sea…" Zhang Xuan said.

Kong Shi's disciples, Ziyuan Gu Sheng and others, are all formidable; even without the Emperor Lords' help, they would certainly have a way into the Tide Sea, yet not a single one was seen.

There must be something more important awaiting, intending to act while all the Emperor Lords are preoccupied with the Tide Sea and have no time to attend to it!

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

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

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, a single hand gesture, Zhang Xuan returned to where Kong Shi resided; indeed he saw an old man sitting cross-legged, floating in midair. Seeing them arrive, he gave a slight smile: "You've come!"

Not Kong Shi, then who is it!

This teacher of myriad ages has indeed not disappointed me!

As guessed, taking advantage of everyone focusing their attention on the Tide Sea, he was resurrected anew.

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

She knew the Emperor Lords could be revived, the Undying Emperor Lord had also come back to life, but… she didn't expect the speed to be this fast!

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

Kong Shi gave a slight smile.

He is versed in temporal ability; though it seems only a day or two have passed in the Divine Realm, in truth, to regain his strength he has undergone an unknown span of time.

He has had tens of years.

"Our three strengths are considerable, but wanting to surpass 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.

Just now, so many of us united couldn't block the opponent; even adding one Kong Shi, what could it change?

Likewise, it cannot change the situation!

"Our individual strength, even combined, is indeed no match for the opponent, but… what if we merge 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 can tear apart the Divine Realm and scatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is undeniable. The Ruthless One has absorbed that power entirely and also devoured fifty years of spiritual aura from the Divine Realm. Based on strength alone, our dozen-odd Emperor Lords, each taken individually, are certainly no match…"

Kong Shi 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 Lords 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 Lords' shackles, we can save the Divine Realm!"

Kong Shi said.

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

"The Lingxi Emperor Sovereign cultivates freedom and ease, transcending nature! But with the constraints of father and Heavenly Dao, and with beloved ones, one can never truly transcend! If I'm not mistaken, when we fought before, you also once gave up, intending to let me slay you!"

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi could not speak.

During the battle, such an intention indeed existed; thus their exchanges at the start were each holding back, like sparring, not a life-and-death fight.

"Unable to transcend, one cannot unleash their greatest strength; even with abundant true qi, they cannot strike that supreme realm! As for me…"

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

Had we been able to exterminate the alien spirits entirely back then, the Ruthless One could not have revived, nor would we be in this situation.

"So I am also unsuitable! Zhang Xuan, however, cultivates a method that follows his heart, without flaw. He emphasizes 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 go 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 one be bound by other matters?

"This…" Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, when he saw Kong Shi's piercing gaze: "No need to decline; first say there's no time, go train others—even if there were, I doubt anyone could do better than you! The Lingxi Emperor Sovereign's body lacks Heavenly Dao fragments, yet he has long commanded the Heavenly Dao, possessing his own understanding of it; I govern the orderly Heavenly Dao. If we pour our power into you, your body will hold complete Heavenly Dao strength! Combined with your avatar's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can fully stabilize the Nine Heavens, command the universe, battle the Nine Firmaments, annihilate myriad things!"

"Alright!"

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

Boom—

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

Zhang Xuan's body stiffened; his whole being seemed to instantaneously 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 stop me? Fine, I'll kill you, then go and slay Zhang Xuan."

He sent Luo Qiqi, the avatars, and others flying, and the Ruthless Person gave a cold smile.

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

The Tide Sea drained the spiritual energy outside the city in the Divine Realm, almost completely devouring it; now this power has become his nourishment, his every move carrying the ability to destroy heaven and earth. These emperors and god kings, though they represent the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, are still no match.

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

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

Yunchi the 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!"

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

"Old friend, wait for me!"

Fumeng the Emperor let out a great 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, and flames blazed across the sky.

Xuanming the Great Emperor's true form was a giant turtle, as if holding up the heavens.

The Four Divine Beasts, guardians of the four extremes of the Divine Realm, simultaneously revealed their true forms, causing the collapsing Divine Realm to slow down.

Heaven and Earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Boom boom boom boom!

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

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

"You want to kill them—have you asked me...?"

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

It was Zhang Xuan!

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

"He's improved a lot..."

The Ruthless Person halted, his gaze solemn.

He evidently also didn't understand how, in just a few short minutes, the opponent's strength had undergone such a tremendous change.

"But what does it matter if you've increased? Even at its peak, the Divine Realm couldn't withstand me—I don't believe you can stop me..."

With a cold snort, the Ruthless Person struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his sword and went to meet him.

The two clashed, space tearing apart in streaks and currents running wild.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

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

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

However, as long as the power is sufficient, one day they can fully recover, regardless of their current rank.

"With your current strength, wanting to surpass him is very difficult! Unless... he can comprehend power beyond the Emperor!"

After a moment of silence, Master Kong said.

Even a dozen emperors united could not defeat the Ruthless Person, and even if they transferred all their power to him, wanting to overcome him would still not be easy.

The reason for doing this is because... only by concentrating power in one person can one possibly reach the pinnacle, truly surpass limits, and break through oneself!

"Power beyond the Emperor?"

Luo Ruoxi's gaze was distant.

"When her father was still lucid, he had told her the same thing, but... she could not do it; can her beloved man do it?"

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

Seeing her doubt, Master Kong laughed and said.

……

Boom boom boom boom!

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

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

"Hah, I thought you were formidable, but that's all!" the Ruthless Person gave a cold smile.

"Anyway, you're not my opponent; sooner or later I'll be killed. If so, I want to die under your strongest attack..." Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan halted his advance and instead gazed at the Ruthless Person before him.

"Fine, I'll grant you that—my strongest attack..."

Upon hearing that, the Ruthless Person stared for a moment, then let out a cold snort and raised his palm.

Rattle!

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 crater.

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

Boom!

His skull exploded, and his soul scattered in all directions.

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

Luo Qiqi went mad.

Yunchi the Great Emperor and the others also stared wide-eyed, trembling continuously.

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

The original intention was for him to break through his shackles and assault, surpassing the Emperor realm—so why didn't he resist, but instead willingly go to his death?

Wouldn't that be wasting their good intentions?

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

Just then, Master Kong suddenly spoke.

Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan, whose head had exploded and even his soul shattered, as the pendant on his chest suddenly burst open, a drop of blood levitated, ignited, and formed a ball of 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 flames, 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?"

Master Kong 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 help of the Nether Soul 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 Ruthless Person's method of breaking 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—it can be said to be an enhanced version of the contract.

Once the soul is bound, not even immortality can free it.

But... the Ruthless Person used that special power to break the soul contract; the specific method, Zhang Xuan had previously inquired about in detail—perhaps 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 the flames; unexpectedly, it turned out to be a great success!

"I see, this is the way to break through the Emperor..."

Zhang Xuan, walking out of the flames, 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 Chaos Golden Lotus, which appears when the Nine Heavens are born, can stabilize the Nine Heavens; at this moment, the clone and his self perfectly merged, indistinguishable, which means he now controls this power.

Moreover, with his cultivation fused with the Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, he had already reached the peak realm, and now 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!"

With a smile, Zhang Xuan muttered to himself.

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

Is it that man sees the world and thus the world exists, or that the world existed first and then man came into being?

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 intertwining of the world's emotions.

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, too, is 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!

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

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

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

"You... the Ruthless Person hadn't expected that his all-out attack not only failed to slay him but instead fulfilled him; angry, he cried 'wawa!' and, with a furious shout, attacked again."

"You resent the lofty Emperor above, 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, likewise emotion... emotion controls you, how could you possibly overcome 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 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 sacrifice..."

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

Having mastered the world's emotions, things like servants are now 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.

Boom!

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 flowed back, restoring vitality to the once‑exhausted wilderness.

"This..."

"You killed him just like that?"

Cloud Dragon Great Emperor, Immortal Emperor, Exquisite Fairy, and the others all widened their eyes in disbelief.

Just now they had crossed blows with the ruthless person, knowing how terrifying he was; such a powerful figure was wiped out with a casual gesture—how far has this Zhang Xuan actually progressed?

Could there truly be a higher realm above the Emperor?

"He succeeded..."

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi loosened their clenched fists.

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

Seeing the "flaw in the Heavenly Dao" that had been separated from his own body still hovering in the air, Zhang Xuan smiled faintly and flicked his finger.

Hum!

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

With the deep toll of a great bell, the continually collapsing Divine Realm slowly recovered visible to the eye, and the chaotic currents also gathered anew.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally halted, and the withered spiritual energy, too, gradually revived along with the ruthless person's death.

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

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

"Zhang Xuan, over here..."

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

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

This was the very 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, aside from a hair's breadth, he had already reached the pinnacle of Emperor, far surpassing Luo Ruoxi's former strength.

"Just call me by my name; I am Nie Tong!" the youth said calmly, an unstoppable sword intent emanating from him.

"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 smiled lightly and stepped forward.

Zhang Xuan followed closely behind, traveling an unknown distance before stopping before a mountain peak.

He then 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 proved even stronger than he, having likewise broken through the Emperor's shackles, with a cultivation far deeper and more substantial!

"I am Nie Yun!" the youth said with a light smile, adding, "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 qi into the Three Purities, and a portion of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, this world is my creation—calling me the Heavenly Dao is hardly unreasonable!" 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 powerful must his strength 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 asked.

"If it weren't for my own breakthrough, the Divine Realm would likely have collapsed utterly; 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 at him lightly: "Do you think… there might be an even more powerful existence above the Divine Realm?"

"Well…" Zhang Xuan paused: "There probably is…"

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 a mightier being lay above the Divine Realm, so I strained my senses to the utmost, ultimately drawing a backlash from a higher world… a palm shattered the void and descended!"

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

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

"Therefore, 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 smiled.

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

"No wonder I could come over—I never imagined it was all due to this person before me."

"Hehe!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly: "Being native to this world, one naturally feels reverence for it; wanting to break its shackles is far harder, and I merely had a passing thought—I never expected you to 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, reaching my present cultivation 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 unharmed. In reality, he lost his brave and diligent spirit. When facing someone superior to us, if he lacks even this spirit, how can he possibly stand against them?

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

At that time, he watched their battle, and Master Kong indeed lacked decisiveness.

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

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

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

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

"With me here, she won't die..." Nie Yun smiled faintly: "Your strength is not much different from mine now. Do you think, with their strength at a life-or-death juncture, you could 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 someone at the critical moment, and guarantee that they would not suffer a single injury.

"Lingxi is the child of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her false surname is Luo... In order to make her believe, not letting emotions interfere, she has always thought I was still unconscious..."

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

Seeing this unreliable old man before him, Zhang Xuan's cheek twitched, and he could only reply, 'Alright...'

He had no choice but to agree, after all, he had eloped with someone's daughter.

"The Heavenly 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 also brings me comfort as a father."

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