Chapter 1083

Soul Contract, it binds souls; as long as one does not dissolve it, even if the opponent's methods reach the heavens, it cannot be undone.

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

To prevent this guy from going back on his word and causing a backlash, the Master Teacher Continent once specially decreed that even if one could escape the Heavenly Dao Record, they could not break free from the soul's agreement!

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

Ruthless Dao.

Soul Contracts are founded upon the Heavenly Dao's basis; special power that can even dissolve the God Realm's Heavenly Dao can dissolve a Soul Contract—if handled properly, what difficulty is there?

"I see……" Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

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

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

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

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

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

Boom—

The greatest sword intent was unleashed once again.

When alive, I shall return; when dead, I shall yearn forever!

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

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

Whoosh!

A single slash cut Henren's attack in half.

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

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

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

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

In an instant, it blotted out the sky and covered the earth, its palm enveloping heaven and earth, space shattering, the sun, moon, and stars seeming to be slammed down by force.

Pfft! Pfft!

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

Even with their combined strength, they could not withstand it!

Just what realm has this guy reached?

"Impudent!" The Avatar 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, his power surging to the Nine Heavens.

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

Zhang Xuan covered his forehead.

Having become an Emperor Lord, his avatar still hadn't changed its nature of showing off……

Such flamboyant showing off; it would be better to gather power, making the force greater!

"Attack together, otherwise they'll die and we'll all die……"

The little yellow chicken let out a loud shout, crimson flames blazed, and the sky seemed to be ignited.

The remaining six Emperor Lords each displayed their own means.

The seven Emperor Lords joined forces, destroying heaven and earth; a portion of heaven and earth before them could not withstand it, but the opponent was a Ruthless One who had absorbed special power—when the attack drew near, the black hole suddenly expanded, in the blink of an eye it swallowed the power cleanly, then immediately launched a counterattack.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

The ten Emperor Lords united, yet they couldn't even block the opponent's single move!

This guy, how can he be so strong?

"You can die……"

One move defeated the crowd; the Ruthless One stepped forward, flipped his wrist, and struck down again.

"You dare, you rats!"

Accompanied by a loud shout, that old man from Sword God Heaven appeared abruptly, blocking in front, his long sword turning into a galaxy.

"An Emperor Lord? He also has Emperor Lord strength?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils constricted.

That old man originally followed behind the youth; I thought he was merely a follower, at most holding the title of God King, but when he displayed his power I discovered he was actually an Emperor Lord powerhouse.

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

"He himself is the Emperor Lord of Sword God Heaven……" Luo Ruoxi struggled to her feet, gritting her teeth.

"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; immediately she saw this Emperor Lord of Sword God Heaven also blown backward, landing not far away, blasting a big pit.

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

"Haha, Emperor Lord, just a bunch of chickens and dogs! Today I will destroy the Nine Heavens, destroy this divine realm, and trample all rules flat!"

Having defeated the Emperor Lord of Sword God Heaven, the Ruthless One laughed madly as the surrounding space kept collapsing, setting him off like a demon or monster.

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

Just now he and his avatar both exerted their utmost combat power; even Luo Ruoxi before him used her strongest technique, yet they couldn't block the opponent's single move……

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 deficient Heavenly Dao to the Heavenly Dao itself, letting the Heavenly Dao suppress him…… Luo Ruoxi clenched their fists, eyes reddening.

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

The library in the mind is itself part of the Heavenly Dao; once it returns, the Heavenly Dao becomes completely whole, perhaps able to repair the breach and expel the Ruthless One by itself.

Just like the body's immune system.

When the immune system is whole, a virus comes and is easily driven off; when it fails, it cannot resist viral invasion, and even the strongest person will die because of it.

Just……

"He is too strong; even if the Heavenly Dao recovers completely, it cannot suppress him, right?" Zhang Xuan shook their head.

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

Even the strongest immune system, what can it do?

This person before us is merely an ordinary God King; even with a title, the Heavenly Dao could easily slay them, yet they are stronger than an Emperor…… they are now beyond what the Heavenly Dao can withstand.

"This……" Luo Ruoxi paused, a look of loss appearing on her pure jade-like face: "Yeah…… we cannot suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao becomes whole, he can awaken and slay this person—it wouldn't be difficult!"

"Him?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

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

Bang!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the sky.

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

Ding ding ding!

Again blocked by the Ruthless One.

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

Knowing they still sought a way to save the Divine Realm rather than flee, the clone and the Immortal Emperor Venerable, with a loud shout, blocked the front, and Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to the True Form of the Tranquil Void Pearl.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone fearlessly throw themselves behind them, unafraid of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened; however, they also knew now was not the time for many words, pulling Luo Ruoxi, their body flickered, they tore through space, and in the next moment appeared within the range of the Free and Easy Heaven.

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

"Where is the person you spoke of?"

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

If the person she spoke of can truly save the Divine Realm, what harm is there in sacrificing oneself!

"He is my father; the blood in your pendant is his; the Immortal Emperor was once his beast pet……" Luo Ruoxi adjusted their breath and explained.

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

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

This also explains why the thought left behind by the Immortal Emperor, upon seeing the pendant, immediately acknowledged itself as master.

"Is your father also an Emperor? Or does he possess power surpassing an Emperor?"

They could not help but say.

The library is in chaos; it is the blood in the pendant that has restored 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 they fall into a coma?

Also requires a deficient Heavenly Dao to awaken it?

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

Luo Ruoxi clenched their fists.

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

"Yes! Fifty years ago, Father could not withstand that great hand, fell into a coma, the Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts—the Orderly Heavenly Dao and the Deficient Heavenly Dao entered the spatial turbulence; I acted as steward of the Natural Heavenly Dao, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To let him recover, only by gathering the scattered parts…… thus I am so resolute, cannot fail! That is why I specially entered the Master's Continent, studied the Spring and Autumn Canon, seeking a way to defeat Master Kong! When fighting Master Kong, entrusting him with this matter was also the same."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly realized.

The Master's Continent had only just been acquainted; the girl before me had already told me her story, wanting to save a close relative—I myself did not understand then, only now have I suddenly realized.

As it turns out, it is her father, and moreover the Heavenly Dao of the Divine Realm!

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

"Acting as steward of the Natural Heavenly Dao…… you have no fragments of Heavenly Dao 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 stewarding, not part of the Heavenly Dao……" Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

Speaking this way, one only needs to separate the Deficient Heavenly Dao from oneself; there is no need for her to die as well.

Although unwilling to accept this fate, one also does not wish for the girl before them to suffer harm.

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

"This…… I am not sure either."

Raising their head to look at the already collapsed Divine Realm, Luo Ruoxi hesitated.

The Divine Realm is Father's foundation; now the foundation is like this—even if awakened, can one truly defeat that powerful Ruthless One?

Really hard to say!

Looks like you can't be sure either. In that case, it's better to rely on oneself than on others… we have only ourselves to figure it out! Zhang Xuan clenched his teeth: "You, me, and my clone, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, if we also coordinate with Kong Shi, we might still 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… barring accident, he should be like Wei Changfeng, an Innate Fetal Soul Body!"

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng made it clear: Kong Shi's so-called maintaining spiritual awareness should be the same as his, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain unconfused even in the womb.

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

Luo Ruoxi froze, seemingly not expecting this to be the case.

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

Kong Shi's disciples, like Ziyuan the Ancient Sage and others, are all formidable; even without the Emperors' 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 them, intending to act while all the Emperors are preoccupied with the Tide Sea and have no time to attend to it!

And that 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, he swept a hand, and Zhang Xuan returned to where Kong Shi dwelled; indeed he saw an old man sitting cross-legged, floating in midair. Upon seeing them arrive, he smiled faintly: "You've come!"

Not Kong Shi, then who is it!

This teacher of myriad ages certainly did not disappoint!

Just as guessed, taking advantage of everyone's focus on the Tide Sea, he revived again.

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

She knew Emperors could be resurrected, even the Undying Emperor had come back to life, but… she didn't expect it to happen so fast!

"I concealed myself from the Heavenly Dao, prepared a contingency in advance—the nameless giant in the Nether Spirit Pool was my doing; when you slew him that day, I seized the chance to break free of the Heavenly Dao's bonds, recondense my flesh, and have only just now fully recovered!"

Kong Shi smiled faintly.

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

He has even amassed several decades of time.

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

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

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

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

It would likewise fail to change the situation!

"Our individual strength, even when combined, is indeed no match for the opponent, but… what if we pooled 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 rend the Divine Realm, 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; relying solely on strength, even a dozen Emperors taken individually are certainly no match…"

Kong Shi said: "But if we unite and concentrate the power in one person… perhaps it wouldn't be so hopeless!"

"How to concentrate?"

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

Easy to say, hard to do.

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

"It's quite simple… we will gather our power onto Zhang Xuan; once he breaks through the Emperor's shackles, he can save the Divine Realm!"

Kong Shi said.

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

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

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi could not find words.

During the battle, such an intention indeed arose; thus their early exchanges saw each holding back, more like sparring than a life‑and‑death fight.

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

Kong Shi nodded: "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 be in this predicament…"

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

"So I'm not suited either! Zhang Xuan, however, cultivates a harmonious method, free of flaws. He seeks to live true to himself; even if he dies, as long as he lives without guilt, his heart is at ease. Such a person possesses greater inclusivity and broader room for growth—only thus can one reach higher and farther!"

Kong Shi continued.

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

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

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

"Alright!"

Seeing the other party had already decided, further explanation would be useless, so Zhang Xuan nodded.

Boom—

Seated cross-legged, in the blink of an eye two mighty torrents of power surged in from either side.

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 ever stronger, ever more mighty.

……

「You also want to stop me? Fine, I'll kill you, then go and slay Zhang Xuan... 」

He sent Luo Qiqi and the clones, etc., flying, and Hengren gave a cold smile.

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

The Tide Sea devoured the spiritual energy outside the city of the Divine Realm, almost completely consuming it; now these powers have become his nourishment, every move bringing the ability to destroy heaven and earth; these Emperor Lords and Divine Kings, although they represent the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, are still no match.

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

「The Divine Realm has perished; our lives are meaningless. I, Yun Chi, will perish with you... 」

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

「Just you? Not worthy! 」

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

「Old friend, wait for me! 」

Fu Meng Emperor Lord also let out a great roar, transforming into his true form as a White Tiger, and appeared before him in the air.

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

Xuan Ming Great Emperor's true form is a giant tortoise, as if holding up the heavens.

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

Heaven and Earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Bang bang bang bang!

After four consecutive palms, Hengren 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 a killing blow to wipe everyone out, he felt his raised arm tighten and stop in midair.

「Want to kill them, have you asked me?... 」

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

It was Zhang Xuan!

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

「He's improved quite a bit... 」

Hengren halted, his gaze solemn.

He clearly didn't understand why, 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 withstand me... 」

With a cold snort, Hengren struck down again.

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

The two sides clashed, space tore apart in streaks, and currents ran wild everywhere.

「Can Zhang Xuan win? 」

At the place where the Free and Easy Heaven's Kong Shi was stationed, Luo Ruoxi looked over, full of worry.

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

However, the level is set there; as long as the power is sufficient, one day it can be restored.

"With the current strength, wanting to surpass…… is very difficult! Unless…… he can comprehend power surpassing the Emperor Lords!"

After a moment of silence, Kong Shi said.

More than ten Emperor Lords united, yet they could not defeat Hen Ren; even if they transferred all their power to him, wanting to win would not be that easy.

The reason for doing this is…… only by concentrating power in a single person can one possibly touch the pinnacle, possibly truly surpass the limit, and break through oneself!

"Power surpassing the Emperor Lords?"

Luo Ruoxi's gaze was distant.

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

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

Seeing her doubt, Kong Shi laughed and said.

……

Bang bang bang!

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

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

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

"Anyway, I'm not your opponent; I'll be killed sooner or later. Since that's the case, I want to die under your strongest attack……" Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan stopped, no longer attacking, but instead looking at Hen Ren before him.

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

Hearing him say that, Hen Ren froze for a moment, then let out a cold snort, raising his palm.

Whoosh!

A cyan light appeared in his palm, then fiercely slapped down.

Sure enough, it was the strongest attack; the entire Divine Realm rumbled, as if it could barely withstand it, and another huge pit was blasted out.

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

Bang!

His head exploded, his soul scattering in all directions.

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

Luo Qiqi seemed to go mad.

The Yun Chi Great Emperor and others also widened their eyes, trembling nonstop.

Seeing this scene, Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi also all froze.

The original intention was to let him break through his shackles and impact to surpass the Emperor realm; why didn't he resist, but willingly go to his death?

Wouldn't this be wasting their good intentions?

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

While they were puzzled, Kong Shi suddenly spoke.

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

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

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

After being reborn from fire, Zhang Xuan actually had no Heavenly Dao Library inside him, no interference from the Heavenly Dao, and had broken free from the Heavenly Dao!

"How did he do that?"

Kong Shi was also full of disbelief.

Heavenly Dao and soul fused together, indistinguishable; to break free, he had to have his soul scatter and, with the help 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 Ruthless One's method to break the soul contract..." Luo Ruoxi realized.

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

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

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

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

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

"So that's it, this is the method to break through the Emperor..."

Zhang Xuan walking out of the flames showed a faint smile, as if understanding something; he suddenly gestured, and a clone on one 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; 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, thus equating to his mastery of this power.

Moreover, with the cultivation fused with the Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, he had already reached the peak realm; now it 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 separated from the soul, he realized.

Is it that man sees the world and thus the world exists, or does the world exist first and then man appears?

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving!

This problem has troubled countless people since ancient times.

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

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

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

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

"Love, is emotion."

"Hatred, is emotion."

"Joy, is emotion."

"Pain, is emotion."

"Separation, is emotion."

"Reunion, is also emotion!"

"Myriad feelings, for my use..."

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

"The Emperor's shackles, broken!"

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

Countless chaotic qi surged in, and the flesh 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, without distinction.

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

"You resent the lofty Emperor, who didn't save you in the spatial turbulence—that's emotion; feeling that you were once my servant, containing humility and anger—that's emotion; wanting to destroy the divine realm to vent anger—that's emotion; wanting to become stronger—also emotion... emotion controls you; how could you defeat me and not be controlled by me?"

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

The originally invincible Ruthless One was bound by countless threads of emotion, hands and feet tied, unable to move.

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

"You..."

The Ruthless One's eyes filled with panic: "Master Zhang, I am your servant, don't kill me... I am willing to offer my soul as a sacrifice..."

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

Having mastered the world's emotions, servants and such 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, Hen Ren's pupils contracted; before his words finished, he felt a sudden intense pain.

Boom!

In an instant, the eruption turned into countless streams of spiritual energy that surged throughout the Divine Realm.

All the power the Tidal Sea had devoured now flowed back, reviving the once barren wilderness.

"This..."

"You killed him just like that?"

Yunchi Great Emperor, the Undying Emperor, Linglong Fairy, and the others all widened their eyes in disbelief.

Just moments ago they had crossed blows with Hen Ren, knowing his terror; yet such a mighty figure was wiped out with a casual gesture—how far has Zhang Xuan truly progressed?

Could there truly be a realm above the Emperor?

"He succeeded..."

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi loosened their clenched fists.

"This is part of the Heavenly Dao; now I shall 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 smiled faintly and flicked his finger.

Hum!

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

The deep bell-like resonance echoed as the continually collapsing Divine Realm slowly healed, visible to the naked eye, and the chaotic currents reconverged.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally halted, and the withered spiritual energy gradually revived alongside Hen Ren's death.

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

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

"Zhang Xuan, come here..."

Having just finished these, a voice sounded in his mind; Zhang Xuan startled, then stepped 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 froze.

He had always sensed this person's unfathomable depth; now he realized the youth was only a hair's breadth behind him, having already reached the pinnacle of Emperor, far surpassing Luo Ruoxi's former strength.

"Just call me by my name—I am Nie Dong!" the youth said, his body emanating an unstoppable sword intent.

"Nie Dong?" 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 Dong, smiling faintly as he stepped forward.

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

He then saw another youth.

His appearance was not much older, his brows raised, giving an inscrutable, profound air.

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

The youth's strength before him actually surpassed his own, having likewise broken the Emperor's shackles, with a cultivation 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 mentioned!"

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

Zhang Xuan startled: "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 man.

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

Zhang Xuan dared 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 let Hen Ran rampage unchecked without intervening?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"Had I not broken through, the Divine Realm would likely have collapsed utterly; why does this person before me remain indifferent?"

"Does he not even care about his daughter's life or death?"

Without answering his question, Nie Yun glanced at him lightly: "Do you think... there exists a greater being above the Divine Realm?"

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

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

"Just like the one before me."

"I once suspected a greater existence above the Divine Realm, so I exerted all my power to peer into it—ultimately drawing a backlash from a higher world... a palm shattered the void and descended!"

Nie Yun looked over: "Had I dodged then, the entire Divine Realm would likely have been erased, leaving no life at all... so I blocked the strike, but consequently, my incarnate Heavenly Dao was split apart."

"I wish to restore this situation with merely a thought, but I understand that to truly transcend the Divine Realm's shackles, to explore where that palm came from and what lies beyond it, is difficult for me alone. Thus I want to see if any life can break the Emperor's shackles and reach my level."

"Thus 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 laughed.

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

"No wonder I could transmigrate here; I never expected it was all due to this person before me."

"Hehe!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly: "Being native to this world, one naturally holds reverence for it; breaking its shackles is far harder. I merely had a thought, never imagining you could truly succeed..."

"I..." Zhang Xuan's face flushed: "Without Master Kong, I could never have reached this point..."

"Without Master Kong's selfless dedication, attaining my current realm would be utterly impossible."

I gave him the opportunity; he just didn't seize it. The duel with Lingxi was actually his best chance to break through, 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 spirit, how can he possibly stand against them?

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

He had watched their battle closely; Master Kong indeed lacked decisiveness.

It's also possible he simply didn't want 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 even care about his daughter's life or death?

"With me here, she won't die……" Nie Yun gave a faint smile: "Your strength is not much different from mine now. Do you think, with their strength at a life‑or‑death moment, you could actually save someone?"

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

Breaking through to Emperor and being an Emperor are two different concepts. If he truly wished to act, 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, to keep emotions out of it, she has continued to think I am still in a coma……"

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

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

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

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