Chapter 1080: One Must Know One's Place

A soul contract matches the soul; as long as one does not dissolve it, even if the opponent's means reach heaven, it cannot be undone.

Just like Bu Si Huang Jun Xiao Huang Ji, who was merely a God King before, he is an Emperor, yet likewise cannot resolve this agreement.

To prevent this guy from having a change of heart and causing a backlash, the Master Continent once specially stipulated that even if the other party could escape the Heavenly Dao's Record, they could not break free from the soul's agreement!

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

Ruthless Person's Dao.

Soul contracts are founded upon the Heavenly Dao; special powers that can even dissolve the Divine Realm 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 finishing the explanation, Hen Ren said no more; his aura became ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him grew larger—evidently, while speaking, he had devoured an unknown amount of power, nourishing himself.

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

Luo Ruoxi also sensed something amiss, hurriedly sending a mental transmission.

"Get ready to move!" With all doubts dispelled in his heart, Zhang Xuan drew a deep breath, his long sword suddenly rising: "Since that's the case, let's see the true skill beneath our hands!"

Boom—

The strongest sword intent was unleashed once again.

Life calls for return; death brings longing!

When life and death are of no concern, what could possibly hinder?

This sword move, though not reaching the Emperor's level of comprehension, embodies all the obsessions in the heart, pushing the Heaven If Has Feeling Technique within the body to its limit.

Whoosh!

One sword sliced Hen Ren's attack in half.

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

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

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

With a light smile, Hen Ren reached down again.

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

Pfft! Pfft!

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

With their combined strength, they could not even resist!

Just what realm has this guy reached?

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

From afar, it looked incredibly 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, power surging up to the Nine Heavens.

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

Zhang Xuan covered his forehead.

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

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

"Attack together, otherwise if they die, we will all die……"

Xiao Huang Ji let out a loud shout, crimson flames blazing, the sky seeming to be set ablaze.

The remaining six emperors also each employed their methods.

Seven emperors united, capable of destroying heaven and earth; yet any world before them could not withstand it, but the opponent was Hen Ren, who had absorbed special power—when his attack drew near, the black hole suddenly expanded, in the blink of an eye devouring the power completely and launching a counterattack.

Bang bang bang bang!

The seven emperors, like Zhang Xuan and the others, were blown backward.

Ten emperors united, yet they could not even block a single move of the opponent!

How could this guy be so powerful?

"You can die……"

With a single move he defeated the crowd; Hen Ren stepped forward, flipped his wrist, and struck down again.

"How dare you, vermin!"

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

"An Emperor? Does he also possess Emperor-level strength?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils constricted.

That old man originally followed behind the youth; I thought he was merely a retainer, at most ennobled as a God King, but upon displaying his power I discovered he was 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 stand.

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

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

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

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

Having defeated the Emperor of Sword God Heaven, Hen Ren laughed maniacally, the surrounding space continually collapsing, casting him as demonic or monstrous.

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

Just now he and his clone had exerted their utmost combat power, even Luo Ruoxi before him had used her strongest technique, yet they could not block even a single move of the opponent……

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

Just let him destroy the world?

The only way…… is to return your flawed Heavenly Dao to the Heavenly Dao itself, letting the Heavenly Dao suppress him…… Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists, her eyes 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 allowing the breach to be repaired and the ruthless person expelled.

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.

But……

He is too strong; even if the Heavenly Dao is restored completely, it may not be able to suppress him! Zhang Xuan shook his head.

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

What can even the strongest immune system do?

The person before us is merely an ordinary Divine King; even with a title, the Heavenly Dao could easily kill him, yet he is stronger than an Emperor…… he is 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 cannot suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao is whole, he can awaken and slay this person—it would not be difficult!"

Him? Zhang Xuan frowned.

I will take you to see him, in the Carefree Heaven…… Taking a deep breath, Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth and turned, flying forward.

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

Bang!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the sky.

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

Ding ding ding!

Again blocked by the Ruthless Person.

Quickly go, I will block him……

Knowing they intended to find another way to save the Divine Realm rather than flee, the clone and the Immortal Emperor roared, blocking the front, while Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to the Silent Void Pearl's true form.

The surrounding space solidified.

Go!

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

The Carefree Heaven now lacks its former carefreeness; 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 sacrifice!

He is my father; the blood in your locket 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 locket resembled Luo Ruoxi yet was different; it turns out it is her father's.

This also explains why the thought left by the Immortal Emperor, upon seeing the locket, 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 say.

The library's chaos is 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 be comatose?

And does it require a flaw in the Heavenly Dao for him to awaken?

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

Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists.

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

Yes! Fifty years ago, my father 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 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 Master's Continent specially, studying the Spring and Autumn Annals, 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 suddenly understood.

Having just met the Master's Continent, the girl before me had already told me 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 steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order…… you have no fragments of the Heavenly Dao within you? Suddenly realizing something off in her words, Zhang Xuan looked over.

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

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

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

In that case, I only need to separate the flawed Heavenly Dao from within myself; there is 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 suffer harm.

I will separate the flawed Heavenly Dao from within me, so your father can revive and even slay the Ruthless Person, right? Zhang Xuan looked over.

This…… I am not certain either……

Raising her head to gaze at the already collapsed Divine Realm, Luo Ruoxi hesitated.

The Divine Realm is her father's foundation; now that foundation is thus, even if he awakens, can he truly defeat that powerful Ruthless Person?

It's really hard to say!

It seems you can't be sure either. If so, relying on others is worse than relying on ourselves… We have to figure it out on our own! Zhang Xuan clenched his teeth: "You, me, and the avatar, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, if we also coordinate with Master Kong, we might still be able to win!"

"Master Kong? He…" Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"Master Kong is already dead, right! He 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, I understood: what Master Kong called preserving consciousness should be the same as him, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain clear-minded even in the womb.

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

Luo Ruoxi stared, apparently she hadn't expected it to be like this.

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

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

There must be something more important waiting, wanting to act while all the Emperors are preoccupied with the Tide Sea and have no time to attend to it!

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

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

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, he flicked his sleeve with one hand, Zhang Xuan returned to where Master Kong lived, and indeed saw an old man sitting cross-legged, floating in the air; seeing them arrive, he smiled faintly: "You've come!"

Not Master Kong, then who is it!

This teacher of all ages certainly didn't disappoint me!

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

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

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

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

Master Kong smiled faintly.

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

He has even had tens of years.

"Our three strengths are strong, but wanting to surpass the Ruthless is not that easy…"

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

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

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

Likewise, it cannot change the situation!

"Our individual strength, even when combined, is indeed not a match for the opponent, but… what if we merge everyone's power into a single person?"

Master Kong looked over with a smile.

"Merge into one person?"

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

"That palm can tear apart the Divine Realm, scatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is undeniable. The Ruthless absorbed all that power, also devoured fifty years of spiritual energy from the Divine Realm; based solely on strength, our dozen or so Emperors, taken individually, are indeed no match…"

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

"How to concentrate?"

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

Easy to say, hard to do.

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

"Very simple… we will gather the power on our bodies and concentrate it on Zhang Xuan; once he can break through the Emperor's shackles, we can save the Divine Realm!"

Master Kong said.

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

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

Master Kong said.

Luo Ruoxi couldn't speak.

During the battle, there was indeed such an intention; thus their exchange, at the start, each kept a backup, resembling sparring, not a life-and-death fight.

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

Master Kong nodded and said: "Holding the world in heart, wanting to save all beings, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for me—too much mercy is also a flaw! If I were a bit more ruthless, exterminating the Alien Spirit Clan, we wouldn't have the present situation…"

"If back then we could have exterminated all Alien Spirit Clan members, the Ruthless could not have revived, nor would we have the current situation."

"So I'm also unsuitable! Zhang Xuan, however, his technique flows naturally, without flaw. He pursues 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 tolerance and greater room for growth; only thus can he go higher and farther!"

Master Kong continued.

"In life, return to the beginning; 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 Master Kong's piercing gaze: "No need to decline; first say there's not enough time, go train others—even if there were, I doubt anyone could do better than you! The Lingxi Emperor's body may lack Heavenly Dao fragments, but he has long mastered 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 power! Combined with your avatar's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can fully achieve stabilizing the Nine Heavens, holding the universe, battling the Nine Firmaments, destroying all 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 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 stop me? Fine, I'll kill you, then go slay Zhang Xuan……"

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

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

The Tide Sea swallowed nearly all the spiritual aura outside the city of the Divine Realm; these powers have become his nourishment, every move carrying the power to destroy heaven and earth. These Emperors and God Kings, though they represent the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, are still no match in a single strike.

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

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

Yun Chi Great Emperor manifested his true form, a colossal five-clawed golden dragon, soaring through the air to lunge at him.

"Just you? Not worthy!"

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

"Old friend, wait for me!"

Fu Meng Emperor let out a great roar, manifesting his true form as a White Tiger, soaring to his front.

The Immortal Emperor, the Immortal Flame Phoenix true form manifested, flames illuminating the sky.

Profound Dark Great Emperor, his true form is a great tortoise, as if holding up the heavens.

The Four Divine Beasts, guardians of the four extremes of the Divine Realm, simultaneously manifested their true forms; the collapsing Divine Realm became slow.

Heaven and Earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Bang bang bang bang!

Four consecutive palms, Henren suppressed the four beasts; a fierce killing intent flashed in his eyes: "Since you seek death, I will grant it……"

Amidst the roar, just as he was about to strike a killing blow to wipe out everyone, he felt his raised arm tighten, stopping in midair.

"Do you want to kill them? Have you asked me……"

Immediately, amid the shocked gazes of everyone, a figure slowly stepped out from the air.

It was Zhang Xuan!

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

"You've improved quite a bit……"

Henren halted, his gaze solemn.

He clearly didn't understand how, in just a few short minutes, the opponent's strength had undergone such a massive 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 block me……"

With a cold snort, Henren struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his sword and went to meet him.

They clashed, space tearing apart in streaks, currents scattering everywhere.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

At the Free Heaven Temple's garrison, Luo Ruoxi looked over, full of worry.

She and Master Kong 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 label; as long as the power is sufficient, one day it can be fully restored.

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

After a moment of silence, Master Kong spoke.

Even a dozen Emperors united could not defeat Henren; even if they transferred all their power to him, wanting to prevail would still not be easy.

The reason we do this is because…… only by concentrating power in a single person can one possibly touch the pinnacle, truly surpass limits, and break through oneself!

"Power beyond the Emperors?"

Luo Ruoxi's gaze drifted far away.

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

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

Seeing her doubt, Master Kong laughed and said.

……

Bang bang bang!

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

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

"Hah, thought you were formidable, but that's all!" Henren coldly laughed.

"Anyway, you're not my opponent; sooner or later I'll be killed. Since that's the case, I wish to die beneath your strongest attack……" Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan halted, ceasing his offense and instead gazing at Henren before him.

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

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

Whoosh!

A cyan light appeared in his palm, then he slammed it down fiercely.

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

His eyes tightly shut, Zhang Xuan did not dodge.

Bang!

His head exploded, his soul scattering in all directions.

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

Luo Qiqi seemed to have gone mad.

Emperor Yun Chi and the others also widened their eyes, trembling incessantly.

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

The intention was for him to break through his shackles and surge past the Emperor realm—why didn't he resist, but instead gladly go to his death?

This would surely betray their good intentions.

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

As they wondered, Master Kong suddenly spoke.

Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan's head blow apart, even his soul shattering; the pendant on his chest suddenly exploded, a drop of blood floated up, ignited, forming a scorching ball of flame, from which an unharmed figure slowly emerged.

"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 his rebirth in fire, Zhang Xuan actually had no Heavenly Dao Library within him, no interference from the Heavenly Dao, and had broken free from it!

"How did he do that?"

Master Kong was also filled with disbelief.

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

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

"I see... he used Hen Ren's method of breaking the soul contract..." Luo Ruoxi realized.

The soul contract binds master and servant; if the master does not dissolve 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.

Bound to the soul, not even immortality can break free.

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

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

By relying on this power, he was reborn in fire—unexpectedly, it turned out to be a great success!

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

Zhang Xuan, walking out of the flames, 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 the 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 appeared when the Nine Heavens were born, can stabilize the Nine Heavens; at this moment, the clone and self perfectly merged, indistinguishable, which meant he had mastered this power.

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

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

With a smile, Zhang Xuan murmured to himself.

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

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

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving?

This question has troubled countless people throughout the ages.

Of course, now... these no longer matter!

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 comes the world, and with emotion, life can continue.

Love, is emotion.

Hatred, is emotion.

Joy, is emotion.

Pain, is emotion.

Separation, is emotion.

Reunion, is also emotion!

"Myriad emotions, 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 Da Men; the soul received swift nourishment.

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

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

"You..." Hen Ren never expected that his all-out attack would not only fail to slay him, but actually fulfill him; enraged, he cried "wah-wah!" and shouted angrily, attacking 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—also emotion... Emotion controls you, so how could you 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 Hen Ren was bound by countless threads of emotion, his hands and feet tied, unable to move.

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

"You..."

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

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

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

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

"No..."

Feeling his decisiveness, the Ruthless Person's pupils contracted; before his words finished, he immediately felt a sharp pain surge through his body.

Bang!

In an instant, the explosion erupted, turning into countless streams of spiritual energy that surged toward every corner of the Divine Realm.

Previously, all the power swallowed by the Tidal Sea now returned in full, and the once‑barren wilderness sprang back to life.

"This..."

"You just killed him like that?"

The Cloud‑Chi Great Emperor, the Undying Emperor Sovereign, the Exquisite Fairy, and the others all widened their eyes in disbelief.

Just moments ago they had crossed blows with the Ruthless Person and knew how terrifying he was; yet such a mighty figure was wiped out with a casual gesture—just how far has this Zhang Xuan... reached?

Could there truly be a realm above the Emperor Sovereign?

"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 "flawed 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 boomed into place, embedded in the sky of the Divine Realm.

With the resonant toll of a great bell, the continually collapsing Divine Realm slowly healed before the eyes, and the chaotic currents gathered once more.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally came to a halt, and the withered spiritual energy, together with the Ruthless Person's death, gradually revived.

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

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

"Zhang Xuan, over here..."

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

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

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

"Senior, you..."

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

He had always sensed this person was unfathomable; now he realized that, compared to himself, the gap was only a hair's breadth—he had already reached the very peak of the Emperor Sovereign, far surpassing even Luo Ruoxi as she once was.

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

"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!" said Nie Tong with a faint smile as he stepped forward.

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

Immediately he saw another youth.

His appearance was not much older, with eyebrows that rose slightly, giving an impression of profound inscrutability.

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

The youth before him proved even stronger than himself, having likewise broken through the Emperor Sovereign's shackles, and his cultivation was 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 Pure Ones; a fragment of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, this world is my creation—calling me the Heavenly Dao is hardly wrong!" 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?

"That's not right—if the Divine Realm is your creation and you are the Heavenly Dao, why would you let the Ruthless Person run rampant without intervening?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

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

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

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

"This..." Zhang Xuan paused: "There probably is..."

"Although I've never seen such a being, since he could cultivate to this level, perhaps others can as well—and perhaps even stronger."

"Just like the one before me."

"I once suspected that greater beings existed above the Divine Realm, so I strained every effort to peer upward—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 erased, leaving not a single life... so I blocked the strike, but consequently, my incarnate Heavenly Dao was split apart."

"I merely wish to restore this situation 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... I cannot do it alone. So I want to see whether any life can break through the Emperor Sovereign'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, in the end, have not disappointed me!"

Nie Yun said with a smile.

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

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

"Hehe!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly, saying: "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 truly succeed..."

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

"Without Kong Shi's selfless sacrifice, reaching my present state would be utterly impossible."

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

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

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

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

What a pity—just in that moment, he missed the chance to advance.

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

Could it be that he doesn't care at all 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, with their strength at a life‑or‑death juncture, you could actually save someone?"

"This…" Zhang Xuan gave a wry smile.

"Breaking through to Emperor" and "Emperor" are two different concepts; if he truly wished to intervene, he could indeed save the person at the critical moment, and guarantee that not a single injury would be sustained.

"Lingxi is the daughter of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed name bears the Luo surname… In order to make her believe me, I've kept her from getting emotionally involved, and to this day she's still under the impression that I'm trapped in a coma…"

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

Seeing this unreliable old man 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 run off 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 that shackle, it shows your ability and potential; your future is limitless. To see my daughter with you brings me, as a father, some comfort."

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