Chapter 1084: Imprinted

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

Just like the Undying Emperor Little Yellow Chicken, who was merely a God King before, he is an Emperor Sovereign, and likewise cannot resolve this kind of agreement.

In order to prevent this person from changing their mind and causing a backlash, the Master Teacher Continent once specifically stipulated that even if the other party could break free from the Heavenly Dao Record, they could not escape the soul's agreement!

"Soul Contract, it indeed cannot be separated from the Sea of Consciousness, but I have merged a special gas that even the Heavenly Dao can dissolve, dissolving this contract is not difficult…… As long as there is sufficient power, bombarding the location of the contract will achieve it!"

Ruthless Person's Dao.

Soul Contract, it is founded upon the Heavenly Dao's foundation; special power that can even dissolve the Divine Realm's Heavenly Dao can dissolve a soul contract—if handled properly, what difficulty is there?

"I see……" Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

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

After finishing the explanation, the Ruthless Person said no more; his aura became ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him grew even 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 was wrong and hurriedly sent a mental message.

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

Boom—

The greatest sword intent was unleashed once again.

In life, I hope to return; in death, I endure longing!

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

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

Whoosh!

A single sword cut the Ruthless Person's attack in half.

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

Her sword technique bears some resemblance to that of the youth from Sword God Heaven, carrying 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, the Ruthless Person 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 both blown backward, 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, his power surging up to the Nine Heavens.

Clashing with the Ruthless Person, he too was blown backward, unable to withstand a single move.

Zhang Xuan covered his forehead.

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

Such flamboyant pretentiousness—better to concentrate power for greater might!

"Let's attack together; otherwise, if they die, we will all die……"

The Little Yellow Chicken let out a loud shout, crimson flames blazing, the sky seeming to be set ablaze.

The remaining six Emperor Sovereigns also each displayed their abilities.

The seven Emperor Sovereigns united, capable of destroying heaven and erasing earth—yet any world before them could not withstand it; but the opponent was the Ruthless Person who had absorbed special power, his attack arriving, the black hole suddenly expanding, in the blink of an eye devouring all that power, then launching a counterattack.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

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

The ten Emperor Sovereigns, united together, could not even block a single move of the opponent!

How could this guy be so powerful?

"You may die……"

With a single move he defeated everyone; the Ruthless Person stepped forward, flipped his wrist, and struck down again.

"How dare you, rats!"

With a loud shout, the old man from Sword God Heaven suddenly appeared, blocking before him, his long sword transforming into the Milky Way.

"An Emperor Sovereign? Does he also have Emperor Sovereign strength?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

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

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

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

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

"He is……" Luo Ruoxi was about to answer when space twisted; immediately she saw that Emperor Sovereign of Sword God Heaven also blown backward, landing not far away, blasting out a large pit.

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

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

Having defeated the Emperor Sovereign of Sword God Heaven, the Ruthless Person laughed maniacally, the surrounding space continually collapsing, making him appear like a demon.

"What do 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 truly no one in the Divine Realm can stop this person before us?

Let him destroy the world?

"The only way…… is to return your flawed Heavenly Dao to the Heavenly Dao itself, letting the Heavenly Dao suppress him……" Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists, her eye sockets reddening.

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

"The library in the mind is itself part of the Heavenly Dao; once returned, the Heavenly Dao becomes completely whole, perhaps able to repair the loophole and expel Henren."

Just like the human immune system.

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

But……

"He is too strong; even if the Heavenly Dao recovers completely, it cannot suppress him!" Zhang Xuan 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…… he is now beyond what the Heavenly Dao can contend with.

"This……" Luo Ruoxi paused, a look of loss appearing on her pure jade-like face: "Yeah…… there is no way to suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao is whole, he can awaken and slay this person—it's not difficult!"

"Him?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

"Want to escape?" Henren snorted coldly, pressing down.

Boom!

Luo Ruoxi fell from the air.

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

Ding ding ding!

Again blocked by Henren.

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

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

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone risk their lives to block the rear, fearless of death, Zhang Xuan's eye sockets reddened; however, he also knew now was not the time to talk, he grabbed Luo Ruoxi, his body flickered, tore through space, and in the next moment appeared within the range of Carefree Heaven.

Carefree Heaven now lacks its former ease; the Divine Realm has collapsed, everywhere in chaos.

"Where is the person you spoke of?"

Having 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 sacrificing myself!

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

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

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

This also explains why the thought left behind by the Undying Emperor, upon seeing the pendant, immediately acknowledged 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 in chaos is due to the blood in the pendant; 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?

And does it also 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; I acted as steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order, maintaining the Divine Realm's balance. To restore him, only by gathering the scattered parts…… that is why I am so resolute, cannot fail! I therefore specially entered the Master Teacher Continent, studied the Spring and Autumn Annals, seeking a way to defeat Kongshi! When fighting Kongshi, entrusting him with this matter was also the case."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly realized.

Not long after becoming acquainted with the Master Teacher Continent, the girl before me had already told me her story, wanting to save a close relative; I didn't understand then, but now I suddenly 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 don't have any fragments of the Heavenly Dao inside you?" Suddenly realizing something off in her speech, Zhang Xuan looked over.

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

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

Zhang Xuan relaxed his breath.

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

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

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

"This…… I'm also not certain……"

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

The Divine Realm is her father's foundation; now that foundation is like this—even if awakened, can we truly defeat that powerful Henren?

Really hard to say!

Looks like you can't be sure either. In that case, it's better to rely on oneself than to ask others… We have to figure it out ourselves! Zhang Xuan clenched his teeth: "You, me, and my clone, 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 dead, right? He didn't truly die; if my guess is correct, he was slain by you, merely a method to break free from the Heavenly Dao… No surprise, he should be like Wei Changfeng, an Innate Fetal Soul Body!

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng, it became clear; 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 plan prepared in advance, resurrection is just a matter of time.

Luo Ruoxi froze, as if she hadn't expected this.

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

Master Kong's disciples, such as Ziyuan Gu Sheng and 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 clearly to let Master Kong recover.

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

Let's go!

Without further explanation, he waved a hand, and Zhang Xuan returned to where Master Kong resided; indeed he saw an old man sitting cross-legged, floating in midair. Seeing them arrive, he smiled faintly: "You've come!"

Not Master Kong, then who is it!

This Ten Thousand Generations Teacher certainly didn't disappoint!

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, and the Undying Emperor had also come back to life, but… she didn't expect it to happen so fast!

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

Master Kong smiled faintly.

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

Tens of years have passed.

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

Seeing Master Kong 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 people united couldn't stop the opponent; even adding Master Kong, what could it change?

It still couldn't change the situation!

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

Master Kong 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 Person absorbed all that power and also devoured the Divine Realm's spiritual energy for fifty years. Based solely on strength, even if we each took out a dozen Emperors individually, they'd certainly not be a 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 pinnacle of the Divine Realm; if absorbing others' power were that easy, she wouldn't have stagnated for so many years.

"It's simple… we gather our power onto 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 Venerable 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!"

Master Kong said.

Luo Ruoxi couldn't speak.

During the battle, indeed there had been such an intention; thus their exchanges, at the start, each kept a backup plan, resembling sparring, not a life‑death fight.

"Unable to transcend, one cannot exert their strongest strength; even with more true qi, they still cannot strike that highest realm! As for me…"

Master Kong nodded and said: "Holding all beings in heart, wishing to save the world, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for me—too much compassion is also a flaw! If one were a bit more ruthless, exterminating the Foreign Spirit Clan, the present situation would not have arisen…"

"If back then we could have wiped out the Foreign Spirit Clan entirely, the Ruthless Person could not have revived, and we wouldn't be in this situation."

"So, I'm not suitable either! Zhang Xuan's cultivation method flows smoothly, without flaws. He pursues living true to himself; even if he dies, as long as he lives without guilt, his heart is at ease. Such people possess greater tolerance, greater room for development; only thus can they go higher and farther!"

Master Kong continued.

In life, one should return; in death, one should endure 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 gaze sharp and bright looking over: "No need to decline; first say there's no time, go cultivate others; even if there were time, I also feel that perhaps no one could do better than you! Although the Lingxi Emperor's body lacks fragments of the Heavenly Dao, he has long commanded the Heavenly Dao and has his own understanding of it; I command the orderly Heavenly Dao. If we pour our power into you, your body will possess the complete power of the Heavenly Dao! Combined with your clone's Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, we can completely achieve fixing the Nine Heavens, grasping the Yin and Yang, battling the Nine Firmaments, destroying all things!"

"Alright!"

Seeing that the other party had already made a decision, further explanation would be useless, so Zhang Xuan nodded.

Boom—

Sitting 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 seemingly instantaneously embodying the Heavenly Dao, soaring above the Nine Heavens.

Soul, flesh, and true qi were instantly baptized, growing stronger and 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 flying, and Hengren gave a cold smile.

The power unleashed by the clones 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 of the Divine Realm, almost completely devouring it. Now this power has become his nourishment; every move he makes carries 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, Hengren seemed to embody the entire Divine Realm; no one could withstand him.

"The Divine Realm is doomed; 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!"

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!"

Emperor Fu Meng also 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, and the collapsing Divine Realm slowed down.

Heaven and earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Boom boom boom boom!

With 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, 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 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 he himself were a world.

"You've improved quite a bit..."

Hengren halted, his gaze solemn.

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

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

With a cold snort, Hengren struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his sword and went to meet him.

The two clashed, space tearing apart in streaks, air currents surging everywhere.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

At the Free Heaven Master's Station, Luo Ruoxi watched on, 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.

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

"With your current strength, wanting to overcome... is very difficult! Unless... he can comprehend power surpassing the Emperors!"

After a moment of silence, Master Kong said.

Even a dozen Emperors united could not defeat Hengren, even if they transferred all their power to him; wanting to overcome him was still no easy feat.

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

"Power surpassing the Emperors?"

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

Seeing her doubt, Master Kong laughed and said.

……

Boom boom boom!

After several blows, Zhang Xuan's tiger's mouth split open, his chest bearing a huge, hideous wound.

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

"'Hah, I thought you were formidable, but this is all!' Hengren gave a cold smile."

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

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

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

Clatter!

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

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

His eyes tightly shut, Zhang Xuan did not dodge.

Boom!

His skull exploded, his soul scattering in all directions.

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

Luo Qiqi seemed to have gone mad.

Yunchi the Great Emperor and the others also widened their eyes, trembling nonstop.

Seeing this, Master Kong and Luo Ruoxi were both stunned.

The intention was for him to break through his shackles and assault the realm beyond the Emperor Realm; why didn't he resist and instead willingly go to his death?

Wouldn't that be wasting their good intentions?

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

While they were puzzled, Master Kong suddenly spoke.

Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan's head explode, even his soul shatter; the pendant on his chest suddenly burst open, a drop of blood floated up, ignited, forming a ball of scorching flame; within the flame, an 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 fire, Zhang Xuan actually had no Heavenly Dao Library inside him, no interference from the Heavenly Dao, and had severed ties with the Heavenly Dao!

"How did he do that?"

Master Kong also couldn't believe it.

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 him, after being slashed just once, completely broke free—what method did he use?

"I get it... he used Hen Ren's method to break the soul contract..." Luo Ruoxi realized.

The soul contract binds Master and servant; if the Master doesn't 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, even immortality won't free it.

But... Hen Ren used that special power to break free of the soul contract; Zhang Xuan had previously asked for details in depth, so he likely had the idea back then.

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

With this power, he underwent rebirth by fire—unexpectedly, it was a great success!

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

Walking out of the flames, Zhang Xuan showed a faint smile, as if he understood something; he suddenly waved a hand, and his avatar 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 seemed to have become the Nine Heavens; the Nine Heavens were him.

He lightly tapped the ground with his foot.

The chaotic Nine Heavens immediately stabilized.

Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, which appears when the Nine Heavens are born, can stabilize the Nine Heavens. At this moment, his avatar and self perfectly merge, indistinguishable, thus he controls this power.

Moreover, having merged with the Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, his cultivation, already at the peak, shows 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 faint smile, Zhang Xuan muttered to himself.

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

Is it that man sees the world and thus the world exists, or did the world come first and then man?

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving!

This question has troubled countless people since time immemorial.

Of course, now…… these no longer matter!

Without life, without emotion, what meaning would the world have even if it existed?

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

All things in the world possess 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 soft cry, the sealed realm within Zhang Xuan's body instantly shattered.

The Emperor's shackles, broken!

In an instant, it felt as if he had touched a brand-new world and Da Men, his soul receiving swift nourishment.

Countless chaotic qi surged in, and his fleshly body rapidly rose.

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

"You..." The ruthless man never expected that his full-force attack would not only fail to slay him but instead fulfill him; he screamed "wah-wah!" in rage, let out an angry shout, and attacked again.

"You resent the lofty Emperor for not saving you in the spatial turbulence—that is emotion; you feel that you were once my servant, containing humility and anger—that is emotion; you wish to destroy the divine realm to vent anger—that is emotion; you desire 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 once invincible ruthless man was bound together 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..."

The ruthless man'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……" he gave a slight smile and shook his head.

Having mastered the emotions of the world, servant and such hold no meaning for him anymore.

Having slain 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's pupils contracted; before his words ended, he immediately felt a sharp pain all over his body.

Bang!

In an instant, the explosion burst forth, turning into countless spiritual qi that surged toward every corner of the Divine Realm.

Earlier, all the power swallowed by the Tide Sea now flowed back, reviving the once‑exhausted wilderness.

"This..."

"You killed him just like that?"

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

Just now they had clashed with the Ruthless, knowing how terrifying he was; such a powerful person was actually wiped out with a casual swipe—this Zhang Xuan… just what level has he reached?

Could it be that above the Emperor there truly exists another realm?

"He succeeded..."

Master Kong and Luo Ruoxi loosened their clenched fists.

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

Seeing the "Heavenly Dao's Defect" that had been split from his own body still hovering in the air, Zhang Xuan smiled lightly and flicked his finger.

Hum!

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

The tolling of a great bell rang out; the continually collapsing Divine Realm, visibly slow to recover, and the chaotic airflow also began to gather again.

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

"It seems the Divine Realm is about to welcome an era of renewed spiritual qi..." Zhang Xuan smiled.

The breach in the Tide Sea, accompanied by the completion of the Heavenly Dao, has already healed; the Divine Realm's return to its former prosperity is merely a matter of time.

"Zhang Xuan, come here..."

Just after finishing these, a voice sounded in his mind; Zhang Xuan froze for a moment and stepped forward.

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

He was precisely the one who had previously imparted his sword technique to him.

"Senior, you..."

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

He had always felt this person was unfathomable; now he realized that, compared to himself, the difference was only a hair's breadth—he had already reached the peak of the Emperor, far surpassing Luo Ruoxi's former strength by an unknown degree.

"Just call me by my name; I am Nie Tong!" The youth radiated an unstoppable sword intent and spoke lightly.

"Nie Tong?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

This was the first time he had heard that name.

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

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

Immediately he saw another youth.

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

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

The youth's strength before him was actually greater than his own, having likewise broken through the Emperor's shackles, and his cultivation was even deeper and more substantial!

"I am Nie Yun!" The youth smiled faintly and continued: "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; part of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, this world is my creation—calling me the Heavenly Dao is perfectly justified!" Nie Yun smiled lightly.

Zhang Xuan could not believe it.

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

Then just how strong must his power be?

"No, if the Divine Realm is your creation and you are the Heavenly Dao, why do you let the Ruthless run rampant without intervening?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

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

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

Without answering his question, Nie Yun glanced over lightly: "Do you think… there exists an even more powerful life above the Divine Realm?"

"This..." Zhang Xuan paused: "There should be, right…"

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

Just like the youth before him.

"I once suspected that a more powerful life existed above the Divine Realm, so I exerted all my power to observe, ultimately provoking a backlash from a higher world… a palm broke through the void and descended!"

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

"In this situation, I merely wish to restore it 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… relying on me alone is very difficult. Therefore, I want to see whether any life can break through the Emperor's shackles and reach a level equal to mine!"

"So I sent the scattered thoughts of the Heavenly Dao down to the lowest world… bestowing them upon the souls originally belonging to this world and upon a soul not belonging to this world. And you, in the end, did not disappoint me!"

Nie Yun smiled and said.

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

No wonder—being able to transmigrate here, I never imagined it was all due to this person before me.

"Hehe!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly and said: "Being native to this world, one naturally holds reverence for it; wanting to break the world's shackles is far harder. I, too, merely had a passing thought, never expecting you to truly succeed…"

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

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

"Opportunity I gave him; he just didn't grasp it. The match against Lingxi was actually his best chance to breakthrough; unfortunately, he chose to retreat, thinking he had reserved a move and could withdraw completely, but in fact he lost the vigor to press forward. Facing someone surpassing us, if he doesn't even have this spirit, how could he possibly contend with them?" Nie Yun said.

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

He watched their battle; Kong Shi indeed lacked decisiveness.

Perhaps he is unwilling to kill Luo Ruoxi.

Unfortunately, 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 furrowed.

Could it be that he doesn't 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, wanting to save someone, could you do it?"

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

Breaking through to Emperor Sovereign and being an Emperor Sovereign are two concepts; if he truly wishes to intervene, he can indeed save the person at the critical moment, and guarantee that not a single injury will be sustained.

"Lingxi is the child of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed surname is Luo... In order to make her believe, to not act on emotion, she has continued to think that I am still in a coma..."

Nie Yun gave a wry laugh: "This father of mine has also been quite ruthless... Well then, you should explain this to her; after all, her thoughts have now turned to 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'll cause an uproar."

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

There's no choice if he doesn't agree; who let him abduct someone's daughter...

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

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