Chapter 734: Spiritual Power Weakens His Fate

Soul contracts, which bind two souls, cannot be dissolved unless the one who initiated it chooses to release it. Even someone as powerful as Emperor Undying, who was once a Divine King and later an Emperor, couldn't break such a pact. To prevent betrayal and backlash, the Master Teacher Continent specifically stipulated that even if someone could escape the Heavenly Dao Book, they still couldn't break free from the agreement between souls.

“While a soul contract cannot be directly severed from one's sea of consciousness, I have assimilated a special gas that can dissolve even the Heavenly Dao itself,” the Ruthless One explained. “Dispelling this contract is not difficult… all it requires is sufficient power to strike the contract's core.” Soul contracts are founded upon the Heavenly Dao, and if a special power can dissolve even the Heavenly Dao of the Divine World, then dissolving a mere soul contract, if handled correctly, presents no challenge. “I see…” Zhang Xuan's eyes gleamed with understanding.

“Consider this my thanks for bringing me to the Divine World,” the Ruthless One said, finishing his explanation. He said no more, his aura growing more ancient and profound, and the black hole behind him expanded further. Clearly, while he was speaking, he had devoured an immeasurable amount of energy, replenishing himself.

“Zhang Xuan, the more the black hole consumes, the stronger he becomes…” Luo Ruoxi also noticed the anomaly and quickly sent a telepathic warning.

“Prepare to act!” All doubt vanished from Zhang Xuan's mind. He took a deep breath, and his longsword suddenly rose. “Very well, let’s see who truly prevails!” With a roar, his most potent sword intent burst forth once more. *Life, I shall return; Death, I shall long for thee!* With no regard for life or death, what could possibly stand in his way? Although this sword technique had not yet reached the level of an Emperor’s comprehension, it embodied all his deepest convictions, pushing the Heavenly Empathy Art within him to its absolute limit. With a single strike, he cleaved the Ruthless One’s attack in two. At the same moment, Luo Ruoxi also moved, her delicate hands swirling, her sword light like falling snow. Her swordsmanship bore a resemblance to that of the young man from Sword God Heaven, carrying an unyielding momentum combined with the effortless grace of the Grand Dao.

“Your techniques are impressive, but against me, they fall short…” With a light chuckle, the Ruthless One lunged downwards again. In an instant, his hand blotted out the sky, enveloping heaven and earth. Space shattered, and the sun, moon, and stars seemed on the verge of being violently torn down. *Puff! Puff!* Zhang Xuan and Luo Ruoxi were simultaneously sent flying backward, spitting blood as they hurtled through the air. Despite their power, they couldn't withstand the attack! What level had this individual truly reached?

“Presumptuous!” Zhang Xuan’s clone strode forward, lotus flowers blooming with each step, and the sound of flowing water echoing in the void. From afar, his presence was undeniably grand. Having refined the Nine Heavens Primordial Chaos Golden Lotus, his cultivation was no weaker than Zhang Xuan’s. He threw a punch, his power surging towards the Nine Heavens. Yet, upon clashing with the Ruthless One, he too was sent flying, unable to block a single blow. Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead. Even after becoming an Emperor, his clone still clung to its showy nature… Such a flamboyant display was less effective than simply concentrating its power for greater impact!

“Attack together, or if they die, we all die…” Emperor Undying roared. Scarlet flames blazed, igniting the sky. The remaining six Emperors also unleashed their techniques. The combined might of the seven Emperors was enough to devastate worlds, and yet, against the Ruthless One, who had absorbed a special power, their attacks were met by his black hole, which suddenly expanded, devouring their power in the blink of an eye before counterattacking. *Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!* The seven Emperors, like Zhang Xuan and the others, were sent flying. Ten Emperors, combined, couldn't even withstand a single blow from him! How could this person be so incredibly powerful?

“You may die now…” After defeating everyone with a single move, the Ruthless One stepped forward, flipped his wrist, and struck down again.

“How dare you, you scoundrel!” Accompanied by a furious roar, the old man from Sword God Heaven suddenly appeared, blocking the attack, his longsword transforming into a galaxy.

“An Emperor? He’s also an Emperor-level expert?” Zhang Xuan’s pupils constricted. He had assumed the old man, who had followed behind the young man, was merely a subordinate, perhaps a Conferred Divine King at most. Now, seeing him unleash his power, he realized the old man was also an Emperor! If he was an Emperor, then what was that young man?

“He is an Emperor from Sword God Heaven himself…” Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth, struggling to stand.

“Then… what about the young man who taught me swordsmanship?” Zhang Xuan couldn’t hold back his question any longer.

“He is…” Just as Luo Ruoxi began to answer, space distorted, and they watched as the Emperor from Sword God Heaven was also sent flying, crashing into a distant spot, creating a large crater. Zhang Xuan’s current strength and comprehension of the sword dao far surpassed the old man’s, yet even he couldn't resist the Ruthless One. The old man, despite his strong cultivation and superb swordsmanship, was still no match.

“Hahaha, Emperors, just a bunch of mere chickens and dogs! Today, I shall destroy the Nine Heavens, obliterate this Divine World, and trample all its rules!” Having defeated the Emperor from Sword God Heaven, the Ruthless One cackled maniacally. The surrounding space continuously collapsed, making him appear demonic.

“What can we do?” Zhang Xuan clenched his fists. He and his clone had just unleashed their strongest combat power, and even Luo Ruoxi had used her most potent techniques, yet none could withstand a single strike from the opponent… Was there truly no one in the Divine World capable of stopping this individual? Would they have to watch him destroy the world?

“The only way… is for your Deficient Heavenly Dao to return to the Heavenly Dao itself, allowing the Heavenly Dao to suppress him…” Luo Ruoxi clenched her delicate fists, her eyes reddening.

“Return to the Heavenly Dao itself?” Zhang Xuan understood her meaning. The library in his mind was, in essence, a part of the Heavenly Dao. Once it returned, the Heavenly Dao would become complete, perhaps allowing it to mend its flaws and autonomously expel the Ruthless One. It was like the human body’s immune system. A complete immune system could easily repel viruses; if it failed, it couldn't resist viral invasion, and even the strongest person would succumb.

However… “He’s too powerful; even if the Heavenly Dao were fully restored, it might not be able to suppress him!” Zhang Xuan shook his head. While an immune system could kill a virus, what about a tiger? What could even the strongest immune system do against that? This individual, who was merely a Divine King and could easily be killed by the Heavenly Dao even if he was a Conferred King, was now more powerful than an Emperor… He was already beyond what the Heavenly Dao could contend with.

Luo Ruoxi paused, a look of despair on her fair face. “You’re right… it might not be able to suppress him. However, with the Heavenly Dao complete, *he* will awaken, and defeating this person won’t be difficult!”

“He?” Zhang Xuan frowned.

“I’ll take you to him, he’s in Zizaitian…” Taking a deep breath, Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth and turned, flying forward.

“Trying to escape?” the Ruthless One sneered, pressing down. Luo Ruoxi plummeted from the sky. Zhang Xuan once again unleashed his swordsmanship, a magnificent sword intent blazing forth. *Clang! Clang! Clang!* He was once again blocked by the Ruthless One.

“You two, go! I’ll hold him off…” Realizing they sought a way to save the Divine World, not merely to flee, Zhang Xuan’s clone and Emperor Undying roared, blocking the path. Luo Qiqi also transformed, reverting to her true form as the Silent Space Pearl. The surrounding space solidified.

“Go!” Seeing everyone selflessly stand guard, unafraid of death, Zhang Xuan’s eyes reddened. However, knowing this was no time for words, he pulled Luo Ruoxi, his body blurring as he tore through space, appearing in Zizaitian in the next instant. Zizaitian had lost its former tranquility; the Divine World was collapsing, and chaos reigned everywhere.

“Where is the person you spoke of?” Without time to observe the lives of ordinary people, Zhang Xuan looked at the girl in his arms. If the person she spoke of could truly save the Divine World, what did his own sacrifice matter?

“He is my father. The blood in your pendant is his, and Emperor Undying was once his beast companion…” Luo Ruoxi took a moment to compose herself before explaining.

“Father?” Zhang Xuan suddenly understood. No wonder he had always felt the blood in the pendant was similar to Luo Ruoxi’s, yet distinct. It was her father’s. This also explained why the remnant will of Emperor Undying immediately recognized him as its master upon seeing the pendant.

“Is your father also an Emperor? Or does he possess power beyond an Emperor?” he couldn’t help but ask. The library's chaos had been quelled by the blood in the pendant, which restored his clarity. Could it be that not only was she an Emperor, but her father was too, and even more powerful? If so, why was he comatose? And why would he need the Deficient Heavenly Dao to awaken?

“He is not an Emperor; he is… the Heavenly Dao!” Luo Ruoxi clenched her delicate fists.

“The Heavenly Dao? Your father… is the Heavenly Dao?” Zhang Xuan was stunned, unable to believe it.

“Yes! Fifty years ago, my father couldn't withstand that great hand and fell into a coma. The Heavenly Dao fragmented into three parts: the Orderly Heavenly Dao and the Deficient Heavenly Dao entered the spatial currents, while I took control of the Natural Heavenly Dao to maintain the Divine World’s balance. To restore him, all the scattered parts must be collected… That's why I was so resolute, unable to fail! That’s why I specifically entered the Master Teacher Continent to study the Spring and Autumn Annals, to find a way to defeat Master Kong! And what I asked of Master Kong during our battle was also this,” Luo Ruoxi explained.

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood. Not long after they first met in the Master Teacher Continent, the girl had told him her story about wanting to save a beloved relative. He hadn’t understood then, but now it all became clear. It was her father, and he was the Heavenly Dao of the Divine World! Could the Heavenly Dao truly take human form and have children?

“You’re in control of the Natural Heavenly Dao… Do you not have a Heavenly Dao fragment within you?” Suddenly realizing a discrepancy in her words, Zhang Xuan looked at her. Controlling something was a different concept from having it integrated into one's body, as he did.

“I merely control it; I am not a part of the Heavenly Dao itself…” Luo Ruoxi replied.

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. This meant he only needed to separate the Deficient Heavenly Dao from himself; she wouldn't have to die. Although he was reluctant to accept such a fate for himself, he certainly didn't want the girl before him to be harmed.

“If I separate the Deficient Heavenly Dao from my body, your father will recover, and he can even defeat the Ruthless One, right?” Zhang Xuan asked.

“This… I’m not sure…” Luo Ruoxi hesitated, looking up at the collapsing Divine World. The Divine World was her father’s foundation; with its current state, even if he awoke, could he truly defeat that formidable Ruthless One? It was hard to say!

“It seems even you aren’t certain. In that case, it’s better to rely on ourselves than on others… We must find a way!” Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth. “You, I, my clone, together with the Nine Heavens and Nine Emperors, and if Master Kong joins us, we might just win!”

“Master Kong? He…” Luo Ruoxi frowned.

“Master Kong is dead, isn't he? He isn't truly dead. If I’m not mistaken, your defeat of him was merely a method for him to escape the Heavenly Dao… Barring any surprises, he should be an Innate Embryonic Soul Body, just like Wei Changfeng!” Zhang Xuan stated. Upon seeing Wei Changfeng, he had understood that Master Kong's claim of retaining his intellect likely meant he was an Innate Embryonic Soul Body, capable of maintaining lucidity even in the womb. Combined with the preparations he had made beforehand, his resurrection was merely a matter of time. Luo Ruoxi was stunned; she seemingly hadn’t anticipated this.

“We’ll know if we go and see. If my guess is correct, he should have recovered, otherwise, his students wouldn’t have remained absent from the Tidal Sea…” Zhang Xuan said. Master Kong’s students, like Ancient Sage Ziyuan, were all exceptionally powerful. Even without the help of an Emperor, they would surely have found a way to enter the Tidal Sea, yet none had been seen. This strongly suggested they had a more important task awaiting them, which they intended to accomplish while all the Emperors were preoccupied at the Tidal Sea. And this important task was clearly Master Kong’s recovery.

Luo Ruoxi’s heart jolted, and she suddenly understood.

“Let’s go!” Without further explanation, Zhang Xuan made a gesture with one hand, and they reappeared at Master Kong’s residence. Indeed, an old man was sitting cross-legged, suspended in the air. Seeing their arrival, he smiled faintly, “You’re here!” Who else could it be but Master Kong? This Eternal Teacher had certainly not disappointed him! Just as he had suspected, Master Kong had revived, taking advantage of everyone’s attention being focused on the Tidal Sea. Luo Ruoxi's delicate body trembled. She knew Emperors could revive, and Emperor Undying had, but… she hadn’t expected it to be so fast!

“I had concealed myself from the Heavenly Dao and prepared a contingency beforehand. The nameless giant in the Nether Soul Pool was left by me. On that day, when you struck me down, I seized the opportunity to break free from the Heavenly Dao's constraints and remold my physical body. I have only just recovered now!” Master Kong smiled gently. He was skilled in temporal abilities, so while it seemed only a day or two had passed in the Divine World, he had actually undergone an unknown duration, decades even, to recover his strength.

“Our combined strength, the three of us, is significant, but defeating the Ruthless One won’t be easy…” Seeing that Master Kong had indeed recovered, Luo Ruoxi still shook her head. She wasn’t trying to diminish their morale, but merely stating a fact. So many people had combined their efforts just now and still couldn’t withstand the opponent; what difference would adding one more Master Kong make? It still wouldn't change the situation!

“Individually, and even united, we are indeed no match for him. But… what if all our power were concentrated into a single person?” Master Kong smiled, looking at them.

“Concentrated into a single person?” This time, not only Luo Ruoxi but also Zhang Xuan frowned, full of doubt.

“That hand could tear through the Divine World and shatter the Heavenly Dao; its strength is beyond question. The Ruthless One has absorbed all that power and devoured fifty years' worth of spiritual energy from the Divine World. Individually, none of us, the dozen or so Emperors, are his match…” Master Kong said. “But united, with all our power concentrated into one person… that might be a different story!”

“How can it be concentrated?” Luo Ruoxi asked, looking at him. It sounded simple but was difficult to execute. Emperors already stood at the pinnacle of the Divine World; if absorbing others' power were so easy, she wouldn't have stagnated for so many years.

“It’s simple,” Master Kong replied. “We will concentrate our power into Zhang Xuan. Once he breaks through the Emperor’s limitations, he can save the Divine World!”

“Me?” Zhang Xuan was startled. “Why me?”

“Emperor Lingxi cultivates freedom and transcendence from nature! But with her father and the Heavenly Dao as constraints, and with people she cares about, she can never truly transcend,” Master Kong explained. “If I’m not mistaken, during our battle, you also considered giving up, intending to be slain by me!” Luo Ruoxi was speechless. Indeed, during their fight, she had harbored such thoughts, which was why their initial exchanges were more like sparring than a fight to the death, with both holding back.

“Unable to transcend, she naturally cannot unleash her full power. Even with more vital qi, she cannot ascend to that supreme realm. As for me…” Master Kong nodded. “While I care for all beings and wish to enlighten the world, I am unwilling for others to sacrifice for me. Too much benevolence is also a flaw! If I had been more ruthless and exterminated the Spirit Tribe, we wouldn't be in this situation now…” If he had eradicated all the Spirit Tribe members back then, the Ruthless One could not have revived, and the current predicament would not exist.

“Therefore, I am also unsuitable! Zhang Xuan, however, cultivates with a clear mind and has no flaws. He seeks to live authentically; even if he dies, as long as he lives without regret, his heart is unburdened. Such a person possesses greater capacity for acceptance and greater potential for growth. Only someone like him can ascend higher and go farther!” Master Kong continued. *Life, I shall return; Death, I shall long for thee!* If one doesn’t even care about death, how can they be constrained by other matters?

Zhang Xuan frowned, about to speak, when Master Kong looked at him with piercing eyes. “There's no need to refuse. First, there’s no time to train someone else. Even if there were, I doubt anyone could do better than you! Although Emperor Lingxi doesn't have a Heavenly Dao fragment within her, she has long controlled the Heavenly Dao and possesses her own understanding of it. I control the Orderly Heavenly Dao. If we imbue you with our power, you will possess the complete power of the Heavenly Dao! Combined with your clone’s Nine Heavens Primordial Chaos Golden Lotus, you can utterly stabilize the Nine Heavens, control the cosmos, battle through the nine layers of sky, and destroy all things!”

“Alright,” Zhang Xuan conceded, seeing that their decision was made and further explanations would be futile. He nodded.

With a thunderous roar, Zhang Xuan settled into a cross-legged position. In the blink of an eye, two vast streams of power surged into him from either side. Zhang Xuan's entire body stiffened, and in that instant, he seemed to transform into the Heavenly Dao itself, soaring above the Nine Heavens. His soul, physical body, and vital qi were all instantly baptized, growing stronger and more profound.

“You wish to stop me too? Very well, I’ll kill you all first, then go slaughter Zhang Xuan…” The Ruthless One sneered coldly, having easily dispatched Luo Qiqi, the clone, and the others. While the combined power unleashed by the clone and the numerous Emperors was formidable, it was still weak compared to him. The Tidal Sea had almost completely devoured the spiritual energy outside the cities of the Divine World, and now all that power served as his nourishment. Every movement he made carried the ability to destroy heaven and earth. These Emperors and Divine Kings, though representing the pinnacle of the Divine World, were still no match for him. At this moment, the Ruthless One seemed to embody the entire Divine World; no one could stop him.

“If the Divine World is to perish, our lives hold no meaning. I, Yun Chi, shall die with you…” Emperor Yun Chi transformed into his true form, a massive five-clawed golden dragon, and swooped down towards him from the air.

“You? Unworthy!” The Ruthless One squeezed his hand, and the golden dragon was caught in his palm, unable to escape no matter how it struggled.

“Old friend, wait for me!” Emperor Fumeng also roared, transforming into his White Tiger true form and charging forward through the air. Emperor Undying revealed his Immortal Fire Phoenix true form, its flames illuminating the sky. Emperor Xuanming’s true form was a massive tortoise, seemingly supporting the heavens. The Four Divine Beasts, guardians of the Divine World’s four cardinal points, simultaneously transformed into their true forms, and the collapsing Divine World visibly slowed. The cosmos seemed to instantly stabilize. *Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!* With four consecutive palm strikes, the Ruthless One suppressed the four beasts, a fierce murderous intent flashing in his eyes. “Since you seek death, I shall grant it to you…”

Mid-roar, just as he was about to unleash a deadly blow to annihilate everyone, he felt his raised arm tighten, stopping in mid-air. “Do you think you can kill them without asking me first?”

Then, to everyone’s astonished gazes, a figure slowly walked out of the air. It was Zhang Xuan! The young man’s entire body now surged with power, more than ten times stronger than before. He descended from the heavens as if he himself were an entire world.

“You’ve made quite some progress…” The Ruthless One paused, his gaze solemn. He clearly didn’t understand why the opponent’s strength had undergone such a tremendous change in just a few minutes. “But what if you have? Even the Divine World at its peak couldn’t resist me. I don’t believe you can stop me…” With a cold snort, the Ruthless One struck down again. Zhang Xuan raised his longsword and met the attack. The two clashed, tearing space apart and sending currents of vital energy swirling wildly.

“Can Zhang Xuan win?” At Master Kong’s abode in Zizaitian, Luo Ruoxi watched, filled with worry. Having transferred their power to Zhang Xuan, her and Master Kong’s own cultivation had fallen to merely Divine King level, no longer as resplendent as before. However, their foundational level remained, so with enough power, they would eventually recover.

“With his current strength, winning… will be very difficult! Unless… he can comprehend power that transcends an Emperor’s!” Master Kong said after a moment of silence. More than ten Emperors combined couldn't defeat the Ruthless One; even if they transferred all their power to Zhang Xuan, victory wouldn't be easy. The reason for doing so was that… only by concentrating power into one person was it possible to reach the apex, to truly surpass limits, and to break through oneself!

“Power that transcends an Emperor’s?” Luo Ruoxi’s gaze was distant. When her father was still conscious, he had told her similar words, but… she couldn't achieve it. Could the man she loved?

“He certainly can… He possesses an unyielding heart! And a profound pride in this world,” Master Kong said, seeing the doubt in her mind.

Zhang Xuan endured several more blows, his hand split open and a terrible gash appearing on his chest. Just as Master Kong had said, even with their combined power and the complete Heavenly Dao within him, he was still no match.

“Hahaha, I thought you were more impressive. You’re nothing special!” the Ruthless One sneered coldly.

“I’m no match for you anyway, and I’ll be killed sooner or later. So, I wish to die by your strongest attack…” Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, stopped attacking, and instead looked at the Ruthless One.

“Very well, I’ll grant your wish and give you my strongest attack…” Hearing this, the Ruthless One paused, then snorted coldly, raising his hand. *Whoosh!* A surge of green light appeared in his palm and slammed down. Indeed, it was his strongest attack; the entire Divine World roared, seemingly on the verge of collapse, and a massive crater was once again formed. Zhang Xuan closed his eyes, making no attempt to dodge. His head exploded, and his soul scattered in all directions.

“Zhang Xuan…” Everyone paled at the sight. Luo Qiqi looked as if she had gone mad. Emperor Yun Chi and the others stared with wide eyes, trembling uncontrollably. Master Kong and Luo Ruoxi, witnessing this, were also stunned. Their original intention was for him to break through his limitations and ascend beyond the Emperor realm, so why did he not resist and willingly accept death? Wouldn't this betray their good intentions?

“No, it’s Emperor Undying’s immortal technique…” Just as confusion reigned, Master Kong suddenly spoke. Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan, his head exploded and his soul shattered, as the pendant on his chest suddenly burst open. A drop of blood floated up, ignited, and formed a fiery blaze. From within the flames, an unscathed figure slowly emerged.

“He… used the opponent’s power and the blood in the pendant to separate the Deficient Heavenly Dao from his soul?” Luo Ruoxi's pupils constricted. Zhang Xuan, reborn from the flames, no longer had the Heavenly Dao Library within him. He was free from the Heavenly Dao’s interference, completely detached from it!

“How did he do it?” Master Kong was also filled with disbelief. The Heavenly Dao and the soul were intertwined, inseparable. To break free, he himself had to scatter his soul and use the Nether Soul Pool to reform it. This individual, after only being struck down once, had completely broken free. What method did he use?

“I know… He used the method the Ruthless One used to break free from the soul contract…” Luo Ruoxi realized. A soul contract binds master and servant; if the master doesn’t release it, the servant remains bound forever… The Heavenly Dao Library was similar, a strengthened version of such a contract. It bound the soul and would not be separated unless one died. But… the Ruthless One had broken free from a soul contract using that special power, and Zhang Xuan had inquired about the specific method in detail earlier. He had likely conceived this plan back then. This was why he deliberately feigned a desperate struggle, allowing the Ruthless One to unleash his strongest attack on him. Using that power, he was reborn from the flames, and unexpectedly, it was a great success!

“So that’s it, this is the way to break through the Emperor’s limitations…” A faint smile appeared on Zhang Xuan’s face as he emerged from the flames, as if he had understood something profound. He suddenly waved his hand, and his clone, which had transformed back into a lotus, immediately flew over. In an instant, it perfectly merged with him. In the blink of an eye, everyone felt as if the Zhang Xuan before them had transformed into the Nine Heavens, and the Nine Heavens were him. With a gentle step on the ground, the chaotic Nine Heavens immediately stabilized. The Nine Heavens Primordial Chaos Golden Lotus, which appeared at the birth of the Nine Heavens, could stabilize it. Now, with his clone perfectly fused with himself, without distinction, it meant he had gained control of this power. Not only that, but with the cultivation of the Nine Heavens Primordial Chaos Golden Lotus fused into him, his realm, which had already reached its peak, now showed signs of loosening, as if he could break through at any moment.

“Master-servant bond, sibling bond, teacher-student bond, parent-child bond, romantic love… when merged together, they are indeed all things in the world; this is what it means to be human!” Zhang Xuan murmured with a smile. The moment the Heavenly Dao Library separated from his soul, he understood. Was it humanity that created the world by observing it, or did the world exist first, and then humanity? Was it the wind that moved, or the heart? This question had plagued countless individuals throughout eternity. Of course, now… none of that mattered! Without life, without emotion, what meaning would the world hold, even if it existed? Therefore, beyond romantic love, there was the love for all sentient beings! It was the emotion that permeated the world. All things in the world possessed emotions; with emotion, there was a world, and with emotion, life could continue. Love is emotion. Hatred is emotion. Joy is emotion. Pain is emotion. Farewell is emotion. Reunion is also emotion!

“Myriad emotions, for my use…” With a low cry, the realm that had confined Zhang Xuan instantly shattered. The Emperor’s limitations were broken through! In an instant, he felt as if he had touched a new world and its gateway, and his soul was rapidly nourished. Countless streams of primordial chaos surged toward him, and his physical body rapidly ascended. Previously, he could only progress by absorbing spiritual energy, but now, spatial currents, primordial chaos, and even the opponent’s green light could all be used by him, without distinction.

The Ruthless One hadn’t expected his full-strength attack to not only fail to kill Zhang Xuan but actually facilitate his breakthrough. He shrieked in fury, then roared and attacked again.

“Your resentment towards the high and mighty Emperors for not saving you in the spatial currents is an emotion; your belief that you were once my servant, filled with humility and rage, is an emotion; your desire to destroy the Divine World to vent your anger is an emotion; your wish to become even stronger is also an emotion… Emotions control you, so how can you defeat me, how can you not be controlled by me?” With a faint smile, Zhang Xuan’s voice grew faster and louder. He lightly reached out his hand. The Ruthless One, previously invincible, was bound by countless threads of emotion, his movements restricted, unable to budge. As long as he possessed emotion, he would be used and controlled by Zhang Xuan!

The Ruthless One’s eyes filled with terror. “Master Zhang, I am your servant, please don’t kill me… I am willing to sacrifice my soul…”

“It’s too late for that now…” Zhang Xuan smiled faintly and shook his head. Controlling all emotions in the world, the concept of a servant no longer held any meaning for him. After killing so many people in the Divine World, harming his girlfriend, Luo Qiqi, and so many friends, how could he possibly forgive him today?

“No…” Sensing Zhang Xuan’s resolve, the Ruthless One’s pupils constricted. Before he could finish speaking, he felt an intense pain surge through his body. In an instant, he exploded, transforming into countless streams of spiritual energy that poured into every corner of the Divine World. All the power that the Tidal Sea had previously devoured was now returned, and the parched wildernesses once again burst with life.

“He was just… killed like that?” Emperor Yun Chi, Emperor Undying, Fairy Linglong, and the others all widened their eyes in disbelief. They had just fought the Ruthless One and knew how terrifying he was. Such a powerful being had been effortlessly annihilated. To what level had this Zhang Xuan truly ascended? Was there really another realm beyond that of an Emperor?

“He succeeded…” Master Kong and Luo Ruoxi released their clenched fists.

“This is a part of the Heavenly Dao, so I shall return it to the Heavenly Dao now…” Seeing the “Deficient Heavenly Dao” that had just been separated from his body still suspended in the air, Zhang Xuan smiled faintly and flicked his finger. The library, which had accompanied him since his rebirth, slammed into the sky of the Divine World, embedding itself there. With a resonance like a grand bell, the constantly collapsing Divine World visibly began to recover, and the chaotic currents of energy gradually coalesced. The crumbling Divine World finally stabilized, and its depleted spiritual energy slowly revived with the Ruthless One’s demise.

“It seems the Divine World is about to usher in an era of spiritual energy recovery once more…” Zhang Xuan smiled.

“Zhang Xuan, come this way…” Just as he finished these tasks, a voice echoed in his mind. Zhang Xuan paused, then took a step forward. This single step traversed an unknown distance, stopping him before a mountain peak. There, he saw another young man. His appearance wasn't much older than Zhang Xuan's, with upward-slanting eyebrows that gave him an unfathomable depth.

“This strength…” Zhang Xuan trembled. The young man before him was even more powerful than he was, having also broken through the Emperor’s limitations, and his cultivation was even more profound and weighty!

“You may call me by my name. I am… Nie Tong!” the young man said calmly, an unyielding sword intent emanating from him.

“Nie Tong?” Zhang Xuan frowned. He had never heard that name before.

“Come with me, I’ll take you to meet my brother!” The young man named Nie Tong smiled faintly and stepped forward. Zhang Xuan followed closely behind him. After flying for an unknown distance, they stopped before a mountain peak. There, Zhang Xuan saw another young man. His appearance wasn’t much older than Nie Tong's, with upward-slanting eyebrows that gave him an unfathomable depth.

“This strength…” Zhang Xuan trembled. The young man before him was even more powerful than he was, having also broken through the Emperor’s limitations, and his cultivation was even more profound and weighty!

“I am Nie Yun,” the young man said with a faint smile, looking over. “Which is to say… Nie Lingxi, the father of Luo Ruoxi, as you know her!”

“Ruoxi’s father?” Zhang Xuan was stunned. “You… are the Heavenly Dao of the Divine World?” Luo Ruoxi had previously said her father was the Heavenly Dao, but he had never imagined him to be such a young man.

“I manifested myself into three pure forms; a part of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Furthermore, this world was created by me, so it is not incorrect to say I am the Heavenly Dao,” Nie Yun said with a faint smile.

Zhang Xuan couldn't believe it. The Divine World was created by this man before him? How powerful must he be?

“Wait, if the Divine World was created by you, and you are the Heavenly Dao, why did you allow the Ruthless One to rampage without intervening…?” Zhang Xuan looked at him. If he hadn’t made his breakthrough, the Divine World might have completely collapsed. Why had this person remained indifferent, even to his daughter’s life and death?

Without answering his question directly, Nie Yun looked at him calmly. “Do you believe… there are even more powerful beings above the Divine World?”

Zhang Xuan paused. “There should be, I suppose…” Although he hadn't seen them, since he could cultivate to this realm, perhaps others could too, or even surpass it, like the man before him.

“I once suspected there were more powerful beings above the Divine World, so I used all my strength to peer into it, which ultimately drew a backlash from a higher world… A hand tore through the void and descended!” Nie Yun looked at him. “If I had dodged then, it’s highly likely the entire Divine World would have been obliterated, with not a single life remaining… So, I blocked the attack, but as a result, the Heavenly Dao, which was my manifestation, was split apart.”

“In that situation, I could have recovered with just a thought. But… I realized that to truly transcend the Divine World’s limitations, to explore where that hand came from, and what lies beyond the Divine World… it would be very difficult for me alone. So, I wanted to see if any life could break through the Emperor’s limitations and reach a level comparable to mine!”

“Therefore, I sent the fragmented Heavenly Dao consciousness to the lowest realm… granting it to a soul originally belonging to that world, and to a soul not belonging to this world. And you, in the end, did not disappoint me!” Nie Yun chuckled.

“A soul not belonging to this world… So my transmigration was also your doing?” Zhang Xuan's heart jolted. No wonder he had transmigrated; he hadn't expected it was all this person's doing.

“Heh heh!” Nie Yun chuckled softly. “A soul that originally belongs to this world inherently possesses reverence for it, making it much harder to break through its limitations. It was merely a thought of mine, and I didn’t actually expect you would succeed…”

“I…” Zhang Xuan's face flushed. “If it weren’t for Master Kong, I wouldn't have been able to reach this level at all…” Without Master Kong’s selfless dedication, reaching his current realm would have been impossible.

“I gave him the opportunity, but he didn’t seize it. The battle with Lingxi was actually his best chance for a breakthrough, but unfortunately, he chose to retreat, believing he had a backup plan to escape completely. In reality, he lost the spirit of courageous advancement. When facing someone beyond us, if one doesn’t even possess that spirit, how can they contend?” Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent. He had witnessed their battle; Master Kong had indeed been somewhat lacking in decisiveness. It was also possible that he was unwilling to kill Luo Ruoxi. Alas, that single moment of hesitation cost him the opportunity to advance.

“If Master Kong had won, Ruoxi would have died…” A moment later, Zhang Xuan looked over, his brows furrowed. Could it be that this man didn’t even care about his daughter’s life or death?

“With me here, she wouldn’t die…” Nie Yun smiled faintly. “Your current strength isn’t far from mine. Do you think that, with the strength we two possess, if we truly wanted to save someone at a critical moment, we couldn’t do it?” Zhang Xuan gave a wry smile. Breaking through the Emperor’s limitations and being an Emperor were two different concepts. If Nie Yun had truly wished to intervene, he could indeed have saved her at the last moment, ensuring she sustained no injury whatsoever.

“Lingxi was born to my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, which is why she adopted the surname Luo as her disguised name… To make her believe me and not act on emotion, she still believes to this day that I am in a coma…” Nie Yun gave a wry laugh. “I suppose I’ve been a cruel father… How about this, you explain it to her. After all, her heart has already turned to you now; her old father probably won’t even cross her mind anymore… Haha, I won’t appear for now. I’ll hide away for a while; otherwise, I’m truly afraid she’ll turn the world upside down…” Seeing such an unreliable father before him, Zhang Xuan’s face twitched, and he could only agree, “Alright…” There was no other choice; after all, he had "abducted" the man’s daughter…

“The Heavenly Dao Library was a manifestation of my will, a foundation but also a limitation. The fact that you could break through that limitation with your own abilities demonstrates your talent and potential. Your future is boundless, and as a father, I am content that my daughter is with you.”