Chapter 1087: Strange Substance

Soul Contract, binding souls; as long as one does not dissolve it, even if the opponent's methods are godlike, it cannot be undone.

It's like the Undying Imperial Lord Xiao Huangji, who was previously only a Divine King; he is an Imperial Lord, yet he also cannot break such an agreement.

To prevent that guy from reneging and causing backlash, Master Dalu once specifically decreed that even if the opponent can detach from the Heavenly Dao Book, he still cannot escape the soul-bound pact!

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

Hen Ren said.

Soul Contract is founded on the Heavenly Dao; a special power that even the divine realm's Heavenly Dao can dissolve—so dissolving a Soul Contract, if handled properly, is no difficulty at all.

"I see..." Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

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

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

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

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

"Prepare to act!" With all doubt gone, Zhang Xuan inhaled deeply, his long sword suddenly rose: "Since that's the case, let us reveal the true skill beneath our hands!"

Boom—!

The mightiest sword intent surged forth again.

Life returns, death longs forever!

If life and death matter not, what can possibly impede us?

This sword technique, though not reaching Imperial Lord comprehension, contains all the lingering obsessions in his heart, pushing the Heavenly Sentiment Technique within his body to its limit.

Whoosh!

One sword cleaved Hen Ren's attack in two.

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

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

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

With a light smile, Hen Ren lunged downward again.

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

Puff! Puff!

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

With their combined strength, they still could not resist!

What realm has this guy actually reached?

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

From afar, it exuded sheer grandeur.

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

A single punch rose, power surging to the nine heavens.

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

Zhang Xuan covered his forehead.

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

Such flamboyant showoff, better to concentrate the power, making it even greater!

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

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

The remaining six great Imperial Lords each deployed their own methods.

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

Bang bang bang bang!

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

The ten Imperial Lords, united, still couldn't block a single move from the opponent!

How can this guy be so powerful?

"You may die…"

With one strike he shattered the crowd; Hen Ren stepped forward, flipped his wrist, and struck again.

"You vermin dare this!"

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

"Imperial Lord? Does he also possess Imperial Lord strength?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

That elder had originally followed the youth, thought to be merely an attendant, perhaps only a titled Divine King, but when he unleashed his power it turned out he too was an Imperial Lord strongman!

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

"He himself is Jian Shen Tian's Imperial Lord…" Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth, standing shakily.

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

"He is…" Luo Ruoxi began to answer when space twisted, and the Imperial Lord of Jian Shen Tian was seen flung backward, landing nearby and gouging a huge crater.

Zhang Xuan's current strength and his comprehension of sword Dao far surpass him; even though his cultivation is not weak and his swordsmanship is superb, he still cannot match.

"Ha ha, Imperial Lord, just a bunch of lowly chickens and mutts! Today I will annihilate the Nine Heavens, destroy this divine realm, and trample all rules!"

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

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

Just now he and his clone had unleashed their utmost combat power, and even Luo Ruoxi before him had used her strongest technique, yet none could block the opponent's single move...

Could it be that in the divine realm, no one can actually stop this person before us?

Just let him destroy the world?

"The only way…… is to return your defective Heavenly Dao to the Heavenly Dao itself, letting the Heavenly Dao suppress him……" Luo Ruoxi clenched their fists, their 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 it returns, the Heavenly Dao becomes completely whole, perhaps able to repair the breach and expel the Ruthless Person on its own.

Just like the body's immune system.

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

But……

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

Viruses can be killed by the immune system, but…… what about a fierce 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 kill them, yet they are stronger than an emperor…… they are 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…… we can't suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao becomes whole, he can awaken and slay this person—it wouldn't be hard!"

"Him?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

"Want to escape?" The Ruthless Person snorted coldly and pressed 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 the Ruthless Person.

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

Knowing they still sought a way to save the divine realm instead of fleeing, the clone and the Immortal Emperor, with a loud shout, blocked ahead; Luo Qiqi also transformed, reverting to the true form of the Silent Space Pearl.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone fearlessly throw themselves behind to block, unafraid of death, Zhang Xuan's eye sockets reddened; but he also knew now was not the time for words, he grabbed Luo Ruoxi, his body flickered, tore through space, and in the next moment appeared within the Free Heaven's domain.

The Free Heaven now lacks its former ease; the divine realm has collapsed, everywhere in chaos.

"The person you mentioned, where is he?"

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

If the person she spoke of can truly save the divine realm, what harm is there in my own sacrifice!

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

This also explains why the Immortal Emperor's lingering thought, upon seeing the pendant, immediately recognized me as its master.

"Is your father also an emperor? Or does he possess strength surpassing an emperor?"

He couldn't help but say.

The library's chaos is due to the blood in the pendant, which let me regain consciousness; could it be that not only is she an emperor, but her father is too, and even stronger?

If that's the case, why would he be unconscious?

And also requires a defect in the Heavenly Dao to make him awake?

"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, father couldn't withstand that big hand, fell into coma, the Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts, the orderly Heavenly Dao and the defective Heavenly Dao entered the spatial turbulence; I acted as steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order, maintaining the divine realm's balance. To let him recover, only by gathering the scattered parts…… that's why I am so resolute, cannot fail! I specially entered the Master Continent, studied the Spring and Autumn Classic, seeking a way to defeat Confucius Master! When battling Confucius Master, entrusting him with this matter was also this."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan realized.

Not long after meeting the Master 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.

Turns out it's her father, and moreover the Heavenly Dao of the divine realm!

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

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

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

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

Zhang Xuan relaxed his breath.

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

Although unwilling to accept this fate, I also don't want the girl before me to suffer harm.

"If I separate the defective Heavenly Dao within me, your father could come back to life, even slay the Ruthless Person, right?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"This…… I'm not sure either……"

Looking up at the already collapsed divine realm, Luo Ruoxi hesitated.

The divine realm is her father's foundation; now the foundation is like this, even if he awakens, can he truly defeat that powerful Ruthless Person?

Really hard to say!

"It seems you can't be sure either. In that case, it's better to rely on oneself than to ask others... We have only ourselves to figure out!" Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth: "You, me, and my 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 hasn't truly died; if my guess is correct, he was slain by you, merely a method to break free from the Heavenly Dao... Without surprise, he should be like Wei Changfeng, possessing an 【Innate Fetal Soul Body】!"

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng, I understood; what Master Kong called retaining consciousness should be the same as him, an Innate Fetal Soul Body.

One can remain clear-minded even in the womb.

Moreover, with the backup prepared in advance, revival is only a matter of time.

Luo Ruoxi froze, as if she hadn't expected it to be this way.

"Just look into the past and you'll know; my guess is correct—he should have already recovered. Otherwise, his disciples couldn't possibly have not gone to the Tide Sea..." Zhang Xuan said.

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 has been seen.

There must be something more important waiting; they intend to act while all the Emperors are preoccupied with the Tide Sea and have no time to attend to other matters!

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, with a single hand gesture, Zhang Xuan returned to where Master Kong resided, and indeed saw an old man sitting cross-legged, floating in midair; upon seeing them arrive, he smiled faintly: "You've come!"

Not Master Kong, then who could it be!

This Teacher of Ten Thousand Generations has indeed not disappointed 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 Emperors could revive, and the Undying Emperor had also come back to life, but... she didn't expect the speed to be this fast!

"I concealed the Heavenly Dao, prepared a backup in advance—the nameless giant in the Soul Pool is what I left behind; on that day you slew it, 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; although it seems only a day or two have passed in the Divine Realm, in reality, to regain his strength he has undergone an unknown amount of time.

He has even accumulated tens of years of time.

"Our three forces 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 about boosting others' prestige or destroying our own morale; it's simply the fact.

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

It would likewise not 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 looked over, smiling.

"Merge into a single 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 has absorbed all that power and also devoured the Divine Realm's spiritual energy of fifty years. Based solely on strength, even if we each take out our power from the dozen or so Emperors, we are certainly 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.

It's 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 quite simple... we will gather our power onto Zhang Xuan; once he can break through the Emperor's shackles, he 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 beloved people, 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 could not speak.

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

"Unable to transcend, one naturally cannot exert their greatest strength; even with abundant true qi, they cannot strike that highest realm! As for me..."

Master Kong nodded and said: "Holding the common people in heart, wishing to save the world, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for me—being too merciful is also a flaw! If I were a bit more ruthless and exterminated the Foreign Spirit Tribe, we wouldn't be in this situation..."

"If back then we could have exterminated all the Foreign Spirit Tribe, the Ruthless Person couldn't have revived, nor would we be in this situation."

"So I'm also unsuitable! As for Zhang Xuan, his technique flows naturally, 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 a person possesses greater inclusiveness and greater room for growth; only thus can he reach higher and farther!"

Master Kong continued.

In life, return again; in death, long for endlessly!

If even death is of no concern, how could one be bound by other things?

"This..." Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, when he saw Master Kong's piercing gaze: "No need to decline—first say there's no time, go train others; even if there were time, I also doubt anyone could do better than you! Although the Lingxi Emperor's body lacks Heavenly Dao fragments, he has long controlled the Heavenly Dao and has his own understanding of it; I control the order of the Heavenly Dao. If we pour our power into you, your body will possess complete Heavenly Dao power! Combined with your clone's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, we can completely achieve stabilizing the Nine Heavens, holding Yin and Yang, fighting the Nine Heavens, destroying all things!"

"Alright!"

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

Boom—

Sitting cross-legged, in the blink of an eye, two mighty forces surged in from both sides.

Zhang Xuan's whole body stiffened, as if in an instant he became an embodiment of the Heavenly Dao, soaring above the Nine Heavens.

His 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 Hen Ren 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 drew out the spiritual energy of the Divine Realm outside the city, almost completely devouring it. Now these powers have become his nourishment; with every gesture, they carry the ability to destroy heaven and earth. These emperors and god kings, although they represent the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, are still no match.

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

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

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

"Just you? You're not worthy!"

Hen Ren 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 the Emperor also let out a loud roar, transformed into his true form, the White Tiger, and appeared before him in the air.

The Immortal Emperor, the Immortal Fire Phoenix's true form manifested, flames illuminating the sky.

Xuan Ming the Great Emperor's true form is a giant turtle, 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, and the collapsing Divine Realm slowed down.

Heaven and earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Boom boom boom boom!

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

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

"You want to kill them, but have you asked me?"

Immediately, amid everyone's shocked gazes, a figure slowly walked 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, coming down from heaven, as if his very being was a world.

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

Hen Ren halted, his gaze solemn.

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

"But what does it matter even 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, Hen Ren struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his sword and went to meet him.

The two clashed, space rending in streaks, air currents churning everywhere.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

At the Zaitian Kongshi 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 the God King level, not as glorious as before.

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

"With your current strength, wanting to surpass... 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 Hen Ren, and even if they transferred all their power to him, wanting to overcome him would still not be easy.

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 couldn't do it; could her beloved man do it?"

"He definitely 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 consecutive blows, Zhang Xuan's tiger mouth split open, his chest showing a huge, ferocious wound.

Just as Master Kong said, even if their combined power formed a complete Heavenly Dao within, they were still no match.

"Hah, thought you were something, but that's all!" Hen Ren gave a cold smile.

"Anyway, you're not my opponent; sooner or later I'll be killed. If so, I want to die under your strongest attack." Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan stopped advancing, instead of attacking, he looked at Hen Ren before him.

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

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

Whoosh!

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

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

His eyes tightly closed, Zhang Xuan did not dodge.

Boom!

His head exploded, his soul scattering everywhere.

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

Luo Qiqi went mad.

Yun Chi the Great Emperor and the others also stared wide-eyed, trembling nonstop.

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

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

Wouldn't that be wasting their good intentions?

"No, it is the Immortal Emperor's immortal method..."

While they were puzzled, Kong Shi suddenly spoke.

Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan, whose head had exploded and even his soul shattered, the pendant on his chest suddenly burst open, a drop of blood floated up, igniting into a ball of scorching flame; within the flame, an unharmed figure slowly stepped out.

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

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

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

"How did he do that?"

Kong Shi was also full of disbelief.

The Heavenly Dao and 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 them, after only being slashed once, completely broke free—what method did he use?

"I understand... he used the method of the Ruthless Person to break the soul contract..." Luo Ruoxi realized.

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

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

"But... the Ruthless Person used that special power to break the soul contract; the exact method, Zhang Xuan had inquired about in detail earlier—perhaps he had already been scheming then."

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

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

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

Walking out of the flames, Zhang Xuan showed a faint smile, as if he understood something; he suddenly gestured, and an 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 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 appears when the Nine Heavens are born, can stabilize the Nine Heavens; at this moment, his avatar and self perfectly merged, indistinguishable, which means he now controls this power.

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

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

Smiling, Zhang Xuan muttered to himself.

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

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

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving!

This question has troubled countless people since ancient times.

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

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

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

All things in the world 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 feelings, 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 he had touched a brand-new world and the Great Door; his soul received rapid nourishment.

Countless chaotic qi surged in, and his fleshly body also swiftly increased.

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

"You..." The Ruthless Person hadn't expected that his all-out attack would not only fail to slay him but instead fulfill him; furious, he shouted "Wah-wah!" and, with an angry roar, attacked again.

"You resent the lofty Emperor, who didn't save you in the spatial turbulence—that's emotion; you feel that having once been my servant, containing humility and anger, is emotion; you want to destroy the Divine Realm to vent anger, that's emotion; you want to become stronger, likewise emotion... Emotion controls you—how could you possibly overcome me without being controlled by me?"

Smiling faintly, Zhang Xuan's voice grew faster and louder, his palm lightly grasping.

The originally invincible Ruthless Person was bound by countless threads of emotion, 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 Person's eyes were full of 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 emotions of the world, things like servants are meaningless to him.

Having slain so many Divine-level beings, wounded his own girlfriend Luo Qiqi and so many friends—how could he possibly forgive today!

"No..."

Feeling his decisiveness, the ruthless one's pupils contracted; before his words even ended, he immediately felt a sharp pain throughout his body.

Bang!

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

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

"This..."

"You killed him just like that?"

Yun Chi Great Emperor, the Immortal Emperor, Linglong Fairy and the others all widened their eyes, unable to believe it.

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

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

"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 "flaw in the 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 and embedded itself in the sky of the Divine Realm.

With a resonant toll like a great bell, the continually collapsing Divine Realm slowly healed to the naked eye, and the chaotic currents also gathered together again.

The collapsing Divine Realm finally came to a halt, and the withered spiritual energy, along with the death of the ruthless one, slowly revived.

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

The rift in the Tide 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, come over here..."

Having just finished these, a voice sounded in his mind; Zhang Xuan startled slightly and 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.

Earlier I had sensed that this person was unfathomable; now I realize he is only a hair's breadth above me, having already reached the very peak of the Emperor level, far surpassing even Luo Ruoxi from before.

"Just call me by my name; I am... Nie Tong!" the youth said lightly, a fearless 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 the youth named Nie Tong, smiling faintly 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 slightly raised, giving an impression of profound inscrutability.

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

The youth before him actually possessed greater strength 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 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; who would have thought 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 perfectly justified!" 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 strong must his power be?

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

"If it weren't for my own breakthrough, the Divine Realm would 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..."

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

"Just like the one before us."

"I once suspected that there might be even more powerful beings above the Divine Realm, so I exerted all my power to peer into it, ultimately drawing a backlash from a higher world... a palm that shattered the void and descended!"

Nie Yun looked over: "At that 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 wish to restore this situation—it is 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 the Divine Realm, is difficult for me alone. 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... granting them respectively to the souls originally belonging to this world and to a soul not of this world. And you, you have not disappointed me!"

Nie Yun laughed.

"A soul not belonging to 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, saying: "Being native to this world, one naturally feels reverence for it; breaking its shackles is far harder. I, too, merely had a thought stir, never imagining you could 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, achieving my current 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 unfortunately he chose to retreat, thinking he had a backup plan and could escape unharmed. In reality, he lost his brave and diligent spirit. When facing someone superior to us, if he lacks even this spirit, how could he possibly stand against them?

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

At the time of their battle, he saw it all; Master Kong indeed lacked decisiveness.

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

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

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

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

"With me here, she won't die..." Nie Yun gave a faint smile: "Your current strength is not much different from mine; do you think, with their strength at a life-or-death moment, wanting to save someone, can you do it?"

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

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

"Lingxi is the daughter of my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, so her assumed name bears the surname Luo... In order to make her believe, to keep her unemotional, she has always thought I was still in a coma..."

Nie Yun let out a bitter laugh: "My father sure is ruthless... Well then, you should explain this to her; after all, her thoughts have now turned to you, and 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 old father before him, Zhang Xuan's cheek twitched, and he could only agree: "Alright..."

He had no choice but to agree, after all, who let him elope with someone's daughter...

"The Heavenly Path Library is formed from a single thought of mine; 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, and your future is limitless. That my daughter can be with you also brings me, as a father, some comfort."

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