Chapter 1093: That is a grave

Soul Contract, it matches the soul; as long as one does not dissolve it, even if the other party's methods reach the heavens, it cannot be resolved.

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

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

"Soul Contract, 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 enough power, bombarding the location of the contract will achieve it!"

Ruthless Person's Dao.

Soul Contract, it is established on the foundation of the Heavenly Dao; special power that can even dissolve the Heavenly Dao of the God Realm 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, Hen Ren said no more; his aura became ever more ancient and distant, the black hole behind him grew larger—evidently, while speaking, he had swallowed an unknown amount of power, nourishing himself.

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

Luo Ruoxi also sensed something was wrong, hurriedly sending a mental message.

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

Boom—

The strongest sword intent was unleashed again.

If alive, return; if dead, yearn forever!

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

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

Whoosh!

One sword cut Hen Ren's attack in half.

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

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

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

With a light smile, Hen Ren reached down again.

In an instant, his hand covered the sky and blotted out the sun, enveloping heaven and earth; space shattered, and the sun, moon, and stars seemed to be struck down forcibly.

Pfft! Pfft!

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

With their combined strength, they actually couldn't block it!

Just what realm has this guy reached?

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

From afar, it looked extremely 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 Hen Ren, he too was blown backward, unable to withstand a single move.

Zhang Xuan covered his forehead.

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

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

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

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

The remaining six Emperors also each displayed their methods.

Seven Emperors united, capable of destroying heaven and eradicating earth; yet any heaven and earth before them could not withstand it, but the opponent is Hen Ren who has absorbed special power—when his attack arrived, the black hole suddenly expanded, in the blink of an eye swallowing all the power, then immediately launching a counterattack.

Bang bang bang bang!

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

The ten Emperors, united together, actually couldn't block a single move of the opponent!

How could this guy be so powerful?

"You can die……"

With one move he defeated everyone; Hen Ren stepped forward, flipped his wrist, and struck down again.

"You dare, you rats!"

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

"An Emperor? He also has Emperor-level strength?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

This old man originally followed behind the youth; I thought he was merely a retainer, at most holding the title of God King, but when he displayed his power I discovered he is actually a powerful Emperor!

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

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

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

"He is……" Luo Ruoxi was about to answer when space twisted, and then she saw the Emperor of Sword God Heaven likewise 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 him, making it impossible to contend; even if his cultivation is not weak and his swordsmanship superb, he is still no match.

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

Having defeated the Emperor of Sword God Heaven, Hen Ren laughed maniacally, the surrounding space continually collapsing, making him appear like a demon or a fiend.

"What should we 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 could not block a single move of the opponent……

Could it be that the Divine Realm truly has no one capable of blocking this person before us?

Just let him destroy the world?

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

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

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

Just like the human immune system.

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

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 Divine King; even with a title, the Heavenly Dao could easily kill him, yet he is stronger than an Emperor…… he is no longer something 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; that is not difficult!"

"He?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

"Want to escape?" Henren 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 Henren.

"You guys hurry and leave; I will block him……"

Knowing they wished to find a way to save the Divine Realm rather than flee, the clone and the Undying Emperor Sovereign, with a loud shout, blocked the front; Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to her true form as the Still Void Pearl.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone fearlessly blocking the rear, unafraid of death, Zhang Xuan's eye sockets reddened; however, he also knew now was not the time for many words, he grabbed Luo Ruoxi, his body flickered, 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?"

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 companion……" Luo Ruoxi adjusted her breath and explained.

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly realized.

No wonder I always felt the blood in the pendant resembled Luo Ruoxi yet was different; it turns out it is 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 could not help but ask.

The library's chaos is due to the blood in the pendant, which has restored my clarity; could it be that not only is she an Emperor, but her father is as well, and even stronger?

If that is the case, why would he then fall into a coma?

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…… thus I am so resolute, cannot fail! I therefore entered the Master Teacher Continent specifically, studying the Spring and Autumn Grand Canon, seeking a way to defeat Master Kong! While fighting Master Kong, the favor I asked of him was also this."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

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

It turns out to be her father, and moreover the Heavenly Dao of the Divine Realm!

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

"Acting as steward of the Heavenly Dao's natural order…… you have no fragments of the Heavenly Dao within 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 oversee it; I am not part of the Heavenly Dao……" Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

In that case, I only need to separate the flawed Heavenly Dao from within myself; there is no need for her to die as well.

Although unwilling to accept such a 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 asked.

"This…… I am also not certain……"

Luo Ruoxi lifted her gaze to the already collapsed Divine Realm and hesitated.

The Divine Realm is the foundation of her father; now that foundation is like this, even if he awakens, can he truly defeat that powerful Henren?

Really hard to say!

Looks like you can't be sure either. Since that's the case, seeking help from others is worse than relying on oneself... We only have ourselves to figure it out! Zhang Xuan clenched his teeth: "You, me, and my avatar, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, if we also cooperate with Kong Shi, we might not be unable to win!"

"Kong Shi? He..." Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"Kong Shi is already dead, right! He didn't truly die; if my guess is correct, he was slain by you, merely a method to escape the Heavenly Dao... No surprise, he should be like Wei Changfeng, an 【Innate Fetal Soul Body】!"

Zhang Xuan said.

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

One can remain clear-minded even in the womb.

Adding the preparations made in advance, revival is merely a matter of time.

Luo Ruoxi froze, seemingly not expecting this.

"If we go check, we'll know; my guess is correct—he should have already recovered, otherwise his disciples couldn't have not even gone to the Tidal Sea..." Zhang Xuan said.

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

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

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

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

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, with a single hand gesture, Zhang Xuan returned to where Kong Shi resided, and indeed saw an old man sitting cross-legged, floating in midair; upon seeing them arrive, he smiled faintly: "You've come!"

Who else could it be if not Kong Shi!

This teacher of all ages certainly did not disappoint!

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

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

She knew the Emperor could revive, the Undying Emperor had also come back to life, but... she didn't expect it to happen so quickly!

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

Kong Shi smiled faintly.

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

Decades of time have passed.

"Our three strengths are considerable, but wanting to surpass the Ruthless One is not that easy..."

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

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

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

It would not change the situation either!

"Our individual strength, even when combined, is indeed not a match for the opponent, but... what if we merged 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 capable of tearing apart the Divine Realm and scattering the Heavenly Dao—its strength is undeniable; the Ruthless One absorbed all that power and also devoured fifty years of spiritual energy from the Divine Realm; relying solely on strength, our dozen or so Emperors, each taken individually, are indeed no match..."

Kong Shi said: "But if we unite and concentrate the power in one person... perhaps it would be different!"

"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.

"Quite simple... we will gather our power onto Zhang Xuan; once he can break through the Emperor's shackles, we can save the Divine Realm!"

Kong Shi said.

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

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

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi could not speak.

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

"Being unable to transcend, naturally one cannot unleash their strongest power; even with abundant true qi, they cannot assault that supreme realm! As for me..."

Kong Shi nodded and said: "Holding the world in one's heart, wishing to save all beings, yet unwilling to let others sacrifice for oneself—excessive compassion is also a flaw! If one were a bit more ruthless, exterminating the Alien Spirit clan, the present situation would not have arisen..."

If back then we could have exterminated all Alien Spirit folk, the Ruthless One could not have revived, nor would we be in this situation.

"So I am also unsuitable! Zhang Xuan, however, cultivates a method that flows naturally, without flaw; he focuses on 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 inclusivity and greater room for growth; only thus can one go higher and farther."

Kong Shi continued.

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

Even death is not a concern, so how could one be bound by other matters?

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

"Alright!"

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

Boom—

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

Zhang Xuan's body stiffened; his whole being seemed to instantaneously embody the Heavenly Dao, soaring above the Nine Heavens.

Soul, flesh, and true qi were instantly baptized, growing stronger and mightier.

……

"You also want to stop me? Good, kill you all, then go kill Zhang Xuan……"

He sent Luo Qiqi and the clones flying, and Henren 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 devoured almost all the spiritual energy outside the city of the Divine Realm; now these powers have become his nourishment, and with every move he makes, they carry the ability to destroy heaven and earth. These Emperors and Divine Kings, despite representing the pinnacle of the Divine Realm, are still no match for a single blow.

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

"If the Divine Realm falls, our lives have no meaning; 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? You're not worthy!"

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

"Old friend, wait for me!"

Fumeng Emperor let out a loud roar, transforming into his true form, the White Tiger, and appeared before him in the air.

The Undying Emperor revealed his Undying Fire Phoenix true form, and flames blazed across the sky.

Xuan Ming Great Emperor's true form was 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, and the collapsing Divine Realm slowed down.

Heaven and earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Bang bang bang bang!

After four consecutive palm strikes, Henren subdued the four beasts, a fierce killing intent flashing in his eyes: "Since you seek death, I will grant it……"

Amidst the roars, as he was about to strike down and wipe out everyone, he felt his raised arm tighten and stop in midair.

"You want to kill them, have you asked me……"

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

It was Zhang Xuan!

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

"You've improved a lot……"

Henren stopped, his gaze solemn.

He clearly 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 if you've increased? Even at its peak, the Divine Realm couldn't withstand me; I don't believe you can block me……"

With a cold snort, Henren struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his longsword and went to meet him.

The two clashed, space tearing apart in streaks, and air currents ran wild in all directions.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

At the Free Heaven Kong Shi's station, Luo Ruoxi looked over, full of worry.

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

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

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

After a moment of silence, Kong Shi said.

More than ten Emperors united still could not defeat Henren, even if they transferred all their power to him; wanting to overcome him was still not easy.

The reason they did this was because…… only by concentrating power in a single person could one possibly touch the pinnacle, truly surpass limits, and break through oneself!

"Power beyond 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; could her beloved man do it?"

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

Seeing her doubt, Kong Shi laughed and said.

……

Bang bang bang!

After several consecutive blows, Zhang Xuan's tiger's mouth split open, and a huge wound appeared on his chest, gruesome 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!" Henren gave a cold smile.

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

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

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

Whoosh!

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.

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

Boom!

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

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

Luo Qiqi seemed to have gone mad.

Yun Chi Great Emperor and the others also widened their eyes, 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 to surpass the Emperor Realm; why didn't he resist and instead willingly face death?

This would be ungrateful of their good intentions.

"No, it is the Undying Emperor's Undying 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, ignited, 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 flaw in the Heavenly Dao and 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 scattered and, with the help of the Nether Soul Pool, recondense his soul and spirit.

This person before me, after being slashed just once, completely broke free; what method did he use?

"I understand... he used the Ruthless Person's method 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 will not free it.

But... the Ruthless Person used that special power to break the Soul Contract; the specific method, Zhang Xuan had inquired about in detail before, likely already had designs on it then.

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

With this power, he was reborn from the fire; unexpectedly, it was a great success!

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

Walking out of the flames, Zhang Xuan showed a faint smile, as if he understood something; he suddenly waved his hand, and a clone on one side instantly turned into a lotus flower and flew 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; 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 himself perfectly merged, indistinguishable, thus he mastered this power.

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

"Master-servant affection, brotherly affection, teacher-student affection, parental affection, romantic love... when combined, they are indeed 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 separated from the soul, he understood.

Is it that people see the world and then the world exists, or does the world exist first and then people appear?

Is it the wind moving, or the heart moving!

This question has troubled countless people since ancient times.

Of course, now... these are no longer important!

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

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

All things in the world have emotion; with emotion 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 emotions, for my use..."

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

The Emperor Lord's shackles, broken through!

In an instant, it seemed to touch a brand-new world and the Great Door; the soul received rapid nourishment.

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

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

"You..." the Ruthless Person didn't expect that his full-force attack would not only fail to kill him, but actually fulfill him; angry, he shouted "wah-wah!" and, with a furious roar, attacked again.

"You resent the lofty Emperor Lord, not saving yourself in the spatial turbulence, that is emotion; feeling that you were once my servant, containing humility and anger, that is emotion; wanting to destroy the Divine Realm to vent anger, that is emotion; wanting to become stronger, likewise emotion... emotion controls you, how could you possibly overcome me and not be 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, tied hand and foot, 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..."

"Now saying these is too late..." Zhang Xuan smiled slightly and shook his head.

Controlling the emotions of the world, servants and such are already meaningless to him.

Killing so many Divine Rank beings, hurting his girlfriend, Luo Qiqi, and so many friends—how could he possibly forgive today!

"No..."

Feeling his decisiveness, Hen Ren's pupils contracted; before his words ended, he immediately felt a sharp pain throughout his body.

Boom!

In an instant, the eruption turned into countless spiritual qi that surged toward every corner of the Divine Realm.

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

"This..."

"Just like that, he's dead?"

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

Just moments ago they had crossed blows with Hen Ren, knew how terrifying he was, yet such a powerful person was wiped out with a casual gesture—how far has this Zhang Xuan actually reached?

Could there truly be a higher realm above the Emperor?

"He succeeded..."

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi loosened their clenched fists.

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

Seeing the "flawed Heavenly Dao" that had been separated 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 slammed into the sky of the Divine Realm.

The deep toll rang, the continually collapsing Divine Realm slowly healed visible to the eye, and the chaotic currents also gathered again.

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

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

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

"Zhang Xuan, over here..."

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

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

This was the very person who had previously taught him swordsmanship.

"Senior, you..."

Seeing it was him, Zhang Xuan froze.

He had always sensed this person was unfathomable; now he realized the individual was only a hair's breadth above himself, having already reached the peak of the Emperor realm, far surpassing Luo Ruoxi's former strength.

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

"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.

He then saw another youth.

His appearance was not much older, his eyebrows lifted, giving an inscrutable, profound impression.

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

The youth before him proved even stronger than he, likewise breaking through the Emperor's shackles, with a cultivation far deeper and more substantial!

"I am Nie Yun!" the youth said with a light smile, adding, "That is… Nie Lingxi, the father of Luo Ruoxi you spoke of!"

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

Zhang Xuan shuddered: "You… are the Heavenly Dao of the Divine Realm?"

Luo Ruoxi had said her father was the Heavenly Dao; he never imagined it would be such a young person.

"I transformed one qi into the Three Purities, turning a fragment of my soul into the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, this world is my creation—calling me the Heavenly Dao is entirely justified!" Nie Yun said with a faint smile.

Zhang Xuan could not believe it.

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

Just how powerful must his strength be?

"No, if the Divine Realm is your creation and you are the Heavenly Dao, why let Hen Ran rampage unchecked?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"If not for my own breakthrough, the Divine Realm would likely have collapsed utterly—why does this person before him remain indifferent?"

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

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

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

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 one before him.

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

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

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

"Thus I sent the scattered Heavenly Dao thoughts down to the lowest world, granting them respectively to the souls native to this world and to souls foreign to it. And you, you have not disappointed me!"

Nie Yun smiled.

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

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

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

"I…" Zhang Xuan's face flushed: "If not for Master Kong, I could never have reached this point…"

Without Master Kong's selfless dedication, reaching my present state would be utterly impossible.

"I gave him the opportunity, he just didn't seize it. The duel with Lingxi was actually his best chance to break through; unfortunately, he chose to retreat, thinking he had a backup plan and could withdraw safely, but in fact he lost the vigor to press forward. When facing someone surpassing us, if he lacks even this spirit, how could he possibly stand against them?"

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent.

At that time, he had watched their battle closely; Master Kong indeed lacked decisiveness.

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

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

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

Could it be that he doesn't care at all 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-and-death juncture, wanting to save someone, can you actually do it?"

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

Breaking through to Emperor and being an Emperor are two different concepts; if he truly wished to intervene, he could indeed save 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 surname Luo... In order to make her believe, to keep her unemotional, she has continued to think that I am still in a coma..."

Nie Yun let out a wry laugh: 'This father of mine has been pretty 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'd cause an uproar.'

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

There's 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 demonstrates your ability and potential, and your future is limitless. That my daughter can be with you brings me, as a father, some comfort."

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