Chapter 755: Heavenly Profound Mystic Immortal Technique

Soul contracts bind the soul. As long as one doesn't voluntarily break them, even someone with immense power cannot dissolve them. For example, the Undying Emperor Little Yellow Chicken, who was only a God King before becoming an Emperor, also couldn't resolve such an agreement. To prevent him from reneging and causing a backlash, the Master Teacher Continent specifically stipulated that even if one could escape the Heavenly Dao Registry, they couldn't break a soul agreement!

"A soul contract indeed cannot be separated from one's sea of consciousness," the ruthless man said. "However, I have integrated a special gas that can even dissolve the Heavenly Dao. Dissolving this contract isn't difficult... as long as there's enough power to strike the contract's location, it can be done!" Soul contracts are based on the Heavenly Dao. If this special power can dissolve the Heavenly Dao of the God Realm, dissolving a soul contract, if handled properly, is no challenge.

"So that's how it is..." Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

"Speaking so much to you is also a way of thanking you for bringing me to the God Realm!" After explaining, the ruthless man said no more. His aura became increasingly ancient and profound, and the black hole behind him grew even larger. Clearly, while he was speaking, he had devoured an unknown amount of power, nourishing himself.

"Zhang Xuan, the more the black hole devours, the stronger he becomes..." Luo Ruoxi also sensed something was wrong and quickly sent a telepathic message.

"Prepare to act!" With his doubts dispelled, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, and his long sword suddenly rose. "Since that's the case, let's settle this in combat!"

Boom! His most powerful sword intent was unleashed once more. "Live to return, die with endless longing!" Caring neither for life nor death, what could possibly stop him? Although this sword technique hadn't reached the level of an Emperor's comprehension, it contained all the deep-seated beliefs in his heart, pushing the Heavenly Dao of Emotion cultivation technique within him to its limit. One sword strike cut the ruthless man's attack in two. At the same moment, Luo Ruoxi also made her move, her jade hands swirling, sword light like snow. Her sword technique was somewhat similar to that of the young man from Sword God Heaven, carrying an indomitable momentum and the natural elegance of the Grand Dao.

"Your techniques are powerful, but compared to me, they still fall short..." With a light laugh, the ruthless man reached down again. In an instant, his hand blotted out the sky, enveloping heaven and earth. Space shattered, and even the sun, moon, and stars seemed about to be forcibly struck down.

Puff! Puff! Zhang Xuan and Luo Ruoxi both flew backward, spewing blood in mid-air. With their combined strength, they couldn't even withstand it! What realm had this fellow truly reached?

"Impudent!" the clone strode forward. With each step, lotuses bloomed, and the sound of flowing water echoed in the void. From afar, it looked extremely impressive. Having refined the Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, his cultivation was in no way inferior to Zhang Xuan's. He raised a fist, his power soaring to the Nine Heavens. Colliding with the ruthless man, he also flew backward, unable to block a single move. Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead. Even after becoming an Emperor, the clone still hadn't changed its show-off nature... Such a flashy display would be less effective than concentrating its power for greater impact!

"Let's attack together, otherwise, if they die, we'll all die..." The Little Yellow Chicken roared, scarlet flames burning, as if the sky itself had been ignited. The remaining six Emperors also unleashed their techniques. The seven Emperors combined their might, capable of destroying heaven and earth; a single realm couldn't withstand them. But facing the ruthless man, who had absorbed special power, their attacks reached him, and the black hole suddenly expanded, devouring their strength in the blink of an eye, then counterattacking.

Bang bang bang bang! The seven Emperors, like Zhang Xuan and the others, were sent flying backward. The ten Emperors, united, couldn't even block a single move from him! How could this fellow be so powerful?

"You can all die now..." After defeating everyone with one move, the ruthless man took a step forward, flipped his wrist, and struck down again.

"You scoundrel, how dare you!" Accompanying a loud shout, the elder from Sword God Heaven suddenly appeared, blocking in front, his long sword transforming into a galaxy.

"An Emperor? He's also an Emperor-level expert?" Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted. This elder had followed behind the young man previously, and Zhang Xuan had thought he was merely a subordinate, at most a Conferred God King. Only upon seeing his display of power did he realize he was also an Emperor-level expert! If he was an Emperor, what then was that young man?

"He is an Emperor of Sword God Heaven himself..." Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth, struggling to stand.

"Then... what about the young man who taught me the sword technique?" Zhang Xuan couldn't help but ask.

"He is..." Just as Luo Ruoxi was about to answer, space twisted, and then they saw the Sword God Heaven Emperor also sent flying backward, landing some distance away, creating a large crater. Zhang Xuan's current strength and comprehension of the sword dao far surpassed his, yet Zhang Xuan couldn't resist. Even if this elder's cultivation wasn't weak and his swordsmanship was superb, he was still no match.

"Haha, Emperors, just a bunch of weaklings! Today I shall destroy the Nine Heavens, obliterate this God Realm, and flatten all its rules!" Having defeated the Sword God Heaven Emperor, the ruthless man laughed wildly. The surrounding space continuously collapsed, making him appear like a demon or a devil.

"What do we do?" Zhang Xuan clenched his fists. Just now, he and his clone had unleashed their strongest combat power, and even Luo Ruoxi had used her most powerful moves, yet none could block a single attack from the opponent... Could it be that no one in the God Realm could truly stop this person? Would they just let him destroy the world?

"The only way... is to return your Heavenly Dao of Defect 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 of Heaven's Path in his mind was originally a part of the Heavenly Dao. Once it returned, the Heavenly Dao would be completely whole, perhaps able to repair its flaws and naturally expel the ruthless man. Just like the human body's immune system. If the immune system is intact, viruses are easily expelled; if it breaks down, it can't resist viral invasion, and even the strongest person will die.

However... "He's too powerful. Even if the Heavenly Dao is fully restored, it might not be able to suppress him!" Zhang Xuan shook his head. Viruses can be eliminated by the immune system, but... what about a fierce tiger? What can even the strongest immune system do against that? This person before them was beyond the Heavenly Dao's ability to contend with; he was far stronger than an Emperor, whereas the Heavenly Dao could easily kill even a Conferred God King.

Luo Ruoxi paused, a look of disappointment on her fair, jade-like face. "You're right... it might not be able to suppress him. But if the Heavenly Dao is whole, he can wake up, and slaying this one won't be difficult!"

"He?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"I'll take you to him. He's in Autonomous Heaven..." Taking a deep breath, Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth and turned to fly forward.

"Trying to escape?" the ruthless man sneered, pressing down. Luo Ruoxi fell from the sky. Zhang Xuan's sword technique was unleashed again, his sword intent radiating brilliantly. Clang clang clang! Again, it was blocked by the ruthless man.

"You two hurry and go, I'll hold him back..." Knowing that they were seeking a way to save the God Realm, not flee, the clone and Undying Emperor roared and blocked their path. Luo Qiqi also transformed, reverting to her Tranquil Sky Pearl form. The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!" Seeing everyone bravely blocking behind him, fearless of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened. However, knowing this was no time for words, he pulled Luo Ruoxi, his body flickered, tearing through space, and in the next moment, they appeared within the vicinity of Autonomous Heaven.

Autonomous Heaven had lost its former serenity; the God Realm was collapsing, and chaos reigned everywhere. "Where is he, the one you spoke of?" Having no 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 God Realm, what did his own sacrifice matter?

"He is my father. The blood in your pendant is his. The Undying Emperor was once his beast pet..." Luo Ruoxi adjusted her breathing and explained.

"Father?" Zhang Xuan suddenly understood. No wonder he had always felt the blood in the pendant was similar yet different from Luo Ruoxi's; it was her father's. This also explained why the wisp of will left behind by the Undying Emperor immediately acknowledged him as its master upon seeing the pendant.

"Your father is also an Emperor? Or possesses strength beyond an Emperor?" He couldn't help but ask. The library's confusion was dispelled by the blood in the pendant, allowing him to regain clarity. Could it be that not only was she an Emperor, but her father was too, and even more powerful? If so, why would he be in a coma? And why would the Heavenly Dao of Defect be needed to awaken him?

"He is not an Emperor, but... the Heavenly Dao!" Luo Ruoxi clenched her delicate fists.

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

"Yes! Fifty years ago, Father couldn't withstand that colossal hand and fell into a coma. The Heavenly Dao fragmented into three parts: the Heavenly Dao of Order and the Heavenly Dao of Defect entered the spatial turbulence, while I took charge of the Heavenly Dao of Nature to maintain the balance of the God Realm. To restore him, we had to collect the scattered parts... That's why I was so determined and couldn't fail! That's why I specifically entered the Master Teacher Continent, researched the Spring and Autumn Annals, and sought a way to defeat Kong Shi! The favor I asked of him during my fight with Kong Shi was also this." Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan realized. He had only recently met the girl in the Master Teacher Continent, and she had told him her story about saving a loved one. He hadn't understood it then, but now he suddenly comprehended. It turned out to be her father, and he was even the Heavenly Dao of the God Realm! Could the Heavenly Dao truly take human form and have children?

"Took charge of the Heavenly Dao of Nature... You don't have fragments of the Heavenly Dao within you?" Suddenly realizing the implication of her words, Zhang Xuan looked at her. To "take charge" was different from being "integrated within one's body," as in his case.

"I merely control it; I am not a part of the Heavenly Dao..." Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. In that case, he would only need to separate the Heavenly Dao of Defect from himself; she wouldn't have to die. Although he was unwilling to accept such a fate for himself, he also didn't want the girl before him to be harmed.

"If I separate the Heavenly Dao of Defect from my body, your father can recover and even slay the ruthless man, right?" Zhang Xuan asked.

"This... I'm not sure..." Looking up at the already collapsing God Realm, Luo Ruoxi hesitated. The God Realm was her father's foundation. With the foundation in such a state, even if he woke up, could he truly defeat that powerful ruthless man? It was truly hard to say!

"It seems even you aren't certain. If that's the case, it's better to rely on ourselves than on others... we'll have to find a way ourselves!" Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth. "You, I, the clone, united with the Nine Emperors of the Nine Heavens, and if we add Kong Shi, we might not be unable to win!"

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

"Kong Shi is dead, right? He didn't truly die. If I'm not mistaken, his being slain by you was merely a method to break free from the Heavenly Dao... Barring any accident, he should be like Wei Changfeng, an Innate Fetal Soul Body!" Zhang Xuan said. Upon seeing Wei Changfeng, Zhang Xuan had realized that Kong Shi's claim of retaining his consciousness should mean he was also an Innate Fetal Soul Body, capable of remaining lucid even in a state of rebirth. Coupled with the preparations he made beforehand, revival was only a matter of time. Luo Ruoxi froze, seemingly not expecting this.

"We'll know if we go check. If my guess is correct, he should have recovered by now. Otherwise, his students wouldn't have skipped even the Tidal Sea..." Zhang Xuan said. Kong Shi's students, such as Ancient Sage Ziyuan and others, were all very powerful. Even without the help of Emperors, they would surely have found a way to enter the Tidal Sea, yet none of them were seen. There must have been something more important awaiting them, which they intended to do while all the Emperors were preoccupied with the Tidal Sea! And this important matter was clearly the restoration of Kong Shi. Luo Ruoxi's heart trembled, and she suddenly understood.

"Let's go!" Without further explanation, Zhang Xuan swiped his hand, returning to Kong Shi's residence. Indeed, he saw an old man floating cross-legged in the air. Upon seeing them, the elder smiled slightly. "You've arrived!" Who else could it be but Kong Shi! This Master of Myriad Generations truly did not disappoint him! Just as he had guessed, he had revived while everyone's attention was focused on the Tidal Sea. Luo Ruoxi's delicate body trembled. She knew Emperors could revive, and the Undying Emperor had also returned, but... she hadn't expected it to be so quick!

"I concealed myself from the Heavenly Dao and prepared a contingency beforehand. The nameless giant in the Nether Soul Pool was left by me. When you slew it that day, I seized the opportunity to break free from the Heavenly Dao's restraints and re-condense my physical body. I've only just recovered now!" Kong Shi smiled faintly. He was proficient in time abilities. While it seemed only a day or two had passed in the God Realm, in reality, he had experienced an unknown amount of time to recover his power. Decades had passed for him.

"The three of us are strong, but defeating the ruthless man won't be easy..." Seeing that Kong Shi had indeed recovered, Luo Ruoxi still shook her head. It wasn't a matter of building up someone else's prestige and diminishing her own resolve, but simply a fact. Just now, so many people combined their strength and couldn't stop him. What difference would adding one more Kong Shi make? It still wouldn't change the situation!

"Individually, and even united, we are indeed no match for him. But... what if all our powers were concentrated into one person?" Kong Shi looked over, smiling.

"Concentrated into one person?" This time, not only Luo Ruoxi but also Zhang Xuan frowned, full of doubt.

"That hand could tear through the God Realm and shatter the Heavenly Dao; its power is beyond doubt. The ruthless man absorbed all that power and then devoured fifty years of the God Realm's spiritual energy. In terms of individual strength, none of us, a dozen or so Emperors, are truly his match..." Kong Shi said, "But if we unite and concentrate all our power onto one person... that might be different!"

"How can we concentrate it?" Luo Ruoxi looked over. Easier said than done. Emperors already stood at the pinnacle of the God Realm. If it were so easy to absorb others' power, she wouldn't have been stagnant for so many years.

"It's simple... we'll concentrate our powers on Zhang Xuan. Once he breaks through the Emperor's shackles, he can save the God Realm!" Kong Shi said.

"Me?" Zhang Xuan was stunned. "Why me?"

"Emperor Lingxi cultivates freedom and transcendence! But with the constraints of her father and the Heavenly Dao, and people she cares for, she can never truly transcend! If I'm not mistaken, when we fought, you once gave up, intending to be slain by me!" Kong Shi said. Luo Ruoxi was speechless. During their battle, she indeed had such intentions, which was why their initial exchanges felt more like sparring, with both holding back, unlike a life-or-death struggle.

"Unable to transcend, she naturally cannot unleash her strongest power. Even with more true qi, she cannot reach that supreme realm! As for me..." Kong Shi nodded. "My heart is for the common people; I wish to save all under heaven, yet 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 Qingtian Race, we wouldn't be in this situation now..." If he had been able to eradicate all the Qingtian Race back then, the ruthless man couldn't have revived, and this situation wouldn't exist now.

"Therefore, I am also unsuitable! But Zhang Xuan's cultivation technique follows his heart and has no flaws. He strives to live as himself; even if he dies, as long as he lives without regrets, his heart is clear. Such a person possesses greater inclusiveness and greater room for growth. Only this way can one go higher and further!" Kong Shi continued. "Live to return, die with endless longing!" If he doesn't even care about death, how could he be shackled by other things?

Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, when Kong Shi looked at him with piercing eyes. "There's no need to refuse. Firstly, there isn't enough time to nurture someone else. Even if there were, I don't believe anyone could do better than you! Although Emperor Lingxi doesn't have Heavenly Dao fragments within her, she has controlled the Heavenly Dao for many years and has her own understanding of it. I control the Heavenly Dao of Order. If we infuse our power into you, you will possess the power of the complete Heavenly Dao! Coupled with your clone's Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, you can perfectly stabilize the Nine Heavens, control the universe, fight through the Nine Heavens, and destroy all things!"

"Alright!" Seeing that the other party had already made a decision, further explanation from him would be useless. Zhang Xuan nodded.

Boom! He sat cross-legged, and in the blink of an eye, two powerful streams of energy surged into him from both sides. Zhang Xuan's body stiffened, and in an instant, he seemed to transform into the Heavenly Dao itself, soaring above the Nine Heavens. His soul, physical body, and true qi were all instantly baptized, becoming stronger and more profound.

"You want to stop me too? Very well, I'll kill you all, then go slay Zhang Xuan..." The ruthless man sneered coldly, swatting Luo Qiqi and the clone away. The combined power unleashed by the clone and the numerous Emperors was indeed formidable, but compared to him, it was still somewhat weaker. The Tidal Sea had devoured almost all the spiritual energy of the God Realm outside the cities. Now, all that power had become his sustenance. Every move he made carried the power to destroy heaven and earth. These Emperors and God Kings, though representing the pinnacle of the God Realm, were still no match. At this moment, the ruthless man seemed to embody the entire God Realm; no one could stop him.

"If the God Realm perishes, there's no meaning in our lives. I, Emperor Yun Chi, will perish with you..." Emperor Yun Chi transformed into his true form, a massive five-clawed golden dragon, and soared through the air, pouncing towards him.

"Just you? You're not worthy!" The ruthless man squeezed his hand, and the golden dragon was trapped in his palm, unable to escape no matter how it struggled.

"Old friend, wait for me!" Emperor Fu Meng also roared, transforming into his true form, a white tiger, and appeared in the air before him. The Undying Emperor's true form, the Undying Fire Phoenix, manifested, its flames illuminating the sky. Emperor Xuan Ming's true form was a massive tortoise, as if it was holding up the heavens. The Four Divine Beasts, guardians of the God Realm's four poles, simultaneously transformed into their true forms, and the collapsing God Realm seemed to slow down. Heaven and earth seemed to freeze in an instant.

Bang bang bang bang! With four consecutive palm strikes, the ruthless man suppressed the four beasts. A fierce killing intent flashed in his eyes. "Since you seek death, I shall grant it to you..." Amidst his roars, just as he was about to unleash a fatal blow and obliterate everyone, he felt his raised arm tighten and stop in mid-air.

"You want to kill them? Have you asked me first..." Then, to everyone's stunned gaze, a figure slowly walked out of the air. It was Zhang Xuan! At this moment, the young man's entire body surged with power, more than ten times stronger than before. He came as if from heaven, as if his entire being was a world.

"You've made significant progress..." The ruthless man stopped, his gaze solemn. He clearly didn't understand why the other party's strength had undergone such a tremendous change in just a few minutes.

"But what if it's increased? Even the God Realm at its peak couldn't withstand me. I don't believe you can stop me..." With a cold snort, the ruthless man struck down again. Zhang Xuan raised his long sword and met the attack. The two clashed, tearing space apart as chaotic currents surged everywhere.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?" At Kong Shi's residence in Autonomous Heaven, Luo Ruoxi looked on, full of worry. She and Kong Shi had transmitted their power to Zhang Xuan, and their own cultivation had now fallen to only the God King level, no longer as formidable as before. However, their underlying foundation remained; as long as they had enough power, they could eventually recover.

"With his current strength, winning... is difficult! Unless... he can comprehend power beyond an Emperor!" After a moment of silence, Kong Shi said. More than a dozen Emperors combined couldn't defeat the ruthless man. Even if they had transmitted all their power to Zhang Xuan, victory wouldn't be easy. The reason they did this was because... only by concentrating power into one person could it possibly reach the pinnacle, truly surpass limits, and break through the self!

"Power beyond an Emperor?" Luo Ruoxi's eyes held a distant look. When her father was still conscious, he had told her the same thing, but... she couldn't do it. Could the man she loved achieve it?

"He certainly can... He possesses an unyielding heart! And a profound pride in this world." Seeing the doubt in her heart, Kong Shi smiled.

Bang bang bang! After several consecutive moves, Zhang Xuan's tiger's mouth split open, and a huge, ghastly wound appeared on his chest. Just as Kong Shi had said, even after integrating their combined powers and forming a complete Heavenly Dao within him, he was still no match.

"Haha, I thought you were so powerful, but you're just so-so!" the ruthless man sneered coldly.

"Anyway, I'm no match for you, and I'll be killed sooner or later. Since that's the case, I wish to die by your strongest attack..." Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan stopped, no longer attacking, but instead looked at the ruthless man before him.

"Alright, I'll grant your wish and give you my strongest attack..." Hearing him say this, the ruthless man was momentarily stunned, then let out a cold snort and raised his palm. Whoosh! A blue light appeared in his palm and slammed down fiercely. It was indeed his strongest attack. The entire God Realm boomed, as if on the verge of collapse, and another massive crater was struck into the ground. With his eyes tightly shut, Zhang Xuan did not dodge. His head exploded, and his soul scattered in all directions.

"Zhang Xuan..." Seeing this scene, everyone's faces turned pale. Luo Qiqi seemed to go mad. Emperor Yun Chi and the others also widened their eyes, trembling continuously. Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi, who witnessed this, were also stunned. Their original intention was for him to break through his shackles and strive for a realm beyond the Emperor. Why did he not resist and willingly accept death? Wouldn't that betray their good intentions?

"No, wait, it's the Undying Emperor's method of immortality..." Just as they wondered, Kong Shi suddenly spoke. Everyone then saw that Zhang Xuan, whose head had exploded and even whose soul had shattered, had the pendant on his chest suddenly burst open. A drop of blood floated up, ignited, forming a ball of searing flame. From within the flames, a perfectly intact figure slowly emerged.

"He... used the opponent's power and the blood in the pendant to separate the Heavenly Dao of Defect from his soul?" Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted. After his rebirth from the ashes, Zhang Xuan's body no longer contained the Library of Heaven's Path. Without the Heavenly Dao's interference, he had broken free from it!

"How did he do it?" Kong Shi was also full of disbelief. The Heavenly Dao and soul were fused, inseparable. To break free, he had to scatter his soul and re-condense it using the Nether Soul Pool. Yet this person before them had completely broken free after just one fatal blow. What method did he use?

"I know..." Luo Ruoxi realized. "He used the ruthless man's method of breaking free from soul contracts..." Soul contracts bind master and servant; if the master doesn't release it, the servant is forever bound... The Library of Heaven's Path was similar, essentially an enhanced version of such a contract. Once bound to the soul, it would not separate until death. But... the ruthless man used that special power to break free from soul contracts. Zhang Xuan had asked about the specific method in detail before, likely having conceived this idea back then. That's why he intentionally fought to the death, allowing the ruthless man to unleash his strongest attack on him. By utilizing this power, he was reborn from the ashes. Unexpectedly, it was a resounding success!

"So that's it. This is the way to break through the Emperor's realm..." Zhang Xuan, stepping out of the flames, displayed a faint smile on his face, as if he had understood something. He suddenly beckoned, and the clone at his side immediately transformed back into a lotus flower and flew over. In an instant, it perfectly fused with him. In the blink of an eye, everyone felt that Zhang Xuan before them seemed to have become the Nine Heavens, and the Nine Heavens were him. He lightly stomped his foot on the ground. The chaotic Nine Heavens immediately stabilized. The Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus appeared at the birth of the Nine Heavens and could stabilize them. Now, with the clone and his true self perfectly fused, inseparable, it meant he had mastered this power. Furthermore, with the cultivation of the Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus fused within him, his already peak realm had loosened, seemingly on the verge of a breakthrough at any moment.

"Master-servant bond, brotherhood, teacher-student relationship, parental love, romantic love... fused together, this is everything in the world. This is what it means to be human!" With a smile, Zhang Xuan muttered to himself. The moment the Library of Heaven's Path separated from his soul, he understood. Did humans create the world by observing it, or did the world exist first, and then humans? Was it the wind moving, or his heart moving? This question had perplexed countless people throughout eternity. Of course, now... none of that mattered! Without life, without emotion, even if the world existed, what meaning would it have? Therefore, after transcending romantic love, comes the emotion of all beings! It is the intertwined emotions of the entire world. All things in the world have emotions. There is a world only with emotion, and life can be perpetuated only with emotion. Love is emotion. Hate is emotion. Joy is emotion. Pain is emotion. Separation is emotion. Reunion is also emotion!

"Myriad emotions, at my command..." With a low cry, the realm that had confined Zhang Xuan instantly shattered. The Emperor's shackles were broken! In an instant, he seemed to touch a brand new world and its gateway; his soul was rapidly nourished. Innumerable streams of chaotic qi surged towards him, and his physical body rapidly ascended. Before, he could only progress by absorbing spiritual energy, but now, spatial turbulence, chaotic qi, and even the opponent's blue light could all be used by him, without distinction.

The ruthless man never expected that his full-power attack, instead of slaying him, had actually completed him. He roared in frustration, a furious cry, and attacked again.

"Your resentment towards the high and mighty Emperors for not saving you in the spatial turbulence is an emotion; your feeling of having once been my servant, imbued with humility and anger, is an emotion; your desire to destroy the God Realm to vent your fury 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, and he gently grasped with his palm. The ruthless man, originally invincible, was bound by countless threads of emotion, his movements restricted, unable to budge. As long as one possessed emotion, they would be used and controlled by him!

The ruthless man's eyes were filled with terror. "Teacher Zhang, I am your servant, please don't kill me... I am willing to offer my soul as a sacrifice..."

"It's too late for that now..." Zhang Xuan smiled faintly and shook his head. Having mastered the emotions of the world, concepts like "servant" held no meaning for him anymore. Having killed so many people in the God Realm, harming his girlfriend, Luo Qiqi, and so many friends, how could he possibly show clemency today!

"No..." Sensing his decisiveness, the ruthless man's pupils contracted. Before he could finish speaking, he immediately felt an intense pain surge through his body. In an instant, he exploded, transforming into countless streams of spiritual energy that surged throughout the God Realm. All the power previously devoured by the Tidal Sea was now returned, and the depleted wildernesses revitalized.

"Killed just like that?" Emperor Yun Chi, the Undying Emperor, Exquisite Fairy Linglong, and the others all widened their eyes in disbelief. They had just exchanged blows with the ruthless man and knew how terrifying he was. Such a powerful being was actually annihilated with a mere gesture. To what extent had Zhang Xuan truly reached? Could there truly be another realm above that of an Emperor?

"He succeeded..." Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi released their clenched fists.

"This is a part of the Heavenly Dao, so I shall now return it to the Heavenly Dao..." Seeing the "Heavenly Dao of Defect" that had just been separated from his body still floating in the air, Zhang Xuan smiled faintly and flicked his finger. The Library, which had accompanied him since his rebirth, loudly embedded itself in the sky above the God Realm. Like the ringing of a great bell, the continuously collapsing God Realm visibly and slowly recovered, and the chaotic air currents also gathered once more. The collapsing God Realm finally stopped, and the depleted spiritual energy slowly revived with the ruthless man's death.

"It seems the God Realm is about to welcome an era of spiritual energy resurgence once more..." Zhang Xuan smiled. The hole in the Tidal Sea had recovered with the completion of the Heavenly Dao. It was only a matter of time before the God Realm returned to its former glory.

"Zhang Xuan, come here..." Just as he finished these things, a voice echoed in his mind. Zhang Xuan was startled, then took a step forward. This step took him an unknown distance, and then he saw a young man standing before him. It was precisely the one who had previously taught him sword techniques.

"Senior, you..." Seeing it was him, Zhang Xuan was stunned. He had long felt this person was unfathomable, but only now did he realize that he was only slightly weaker than himself, having already reached the pinnacle of the Emperor realm, incomparably stronger than Luo Ruoxi had been.

"Just call me by my name. I am... Nie Tong!" The young man, radiating an indomitable sword intent, said faintly.

"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!" The young man named Nie Tong smiled slightly and stepped forward. Zhang Xuan followed closely behind. After flying for an unknown distance, they stopped before a mountain peak. Then, he saw another young man. His appearance wasn't much older, with raised eyebrows that gave him a profound, unfathomable feeling.

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled. This young man's strength was actually greater than his own, having also broken through the Emperor's shackles, and his cultivation was even more profound and substantial!

"I am Nie Yun!" The young man smiled faintly and looked over. "Which means... Nie Lingxi, the father of Luo Ruoxi, as you know her!"

"Ruoxi's father?" Zhang Xuan trembled. "You... are the Heavenly Dao of the God Realm?" Luo Ruoxi had said her father was the Heavenly Dao, but he never imagined it would be such a young man.

"I transformed into Three Pure Ones with one breath; a portion of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Furthermore, this world was created by me, so it's not wrong to say I am the Heavenly Dao!" Nie Yun smiled faintly. Zhang Xuan was in disbelief. The God Realm was actually created by this person? Then how powerful must he be?

"Wait, if the God Realm was created by you, and you are the Heavenly Dao, why did you allow the ruthless man to rampage without intervening...?" Zhang Xuan looked at him. If he hadn't broken through, the God Realm could very well have completely collapsed. Why did this person before him not care? And why did he not even care about his daughter's life and death?

Without answering his question, Nie Yun looked at him faintly. "Do you believe... there are even more powerful beings above the God Realm?"

Zhang Xuan paused. "Probably..." Although he hadn't seen them, since he could cultivate to this realm, perhaps others could too, or even be stronger. Just like the one before him.

"I once suspected there might be more powerful beings above the God Realm, so I used all my strength to observe, which ultimately drew a backlash from a higher world... A hand tore through space and descended!" Nie Yun looked over. "If I had dodged then, it was highly probable that the entire God Realm would have been wiped clean, leaving no life... So, I blocked that attack. But because of it, the Heavenly Dao, which I had incarnated into, was split apart."

"In that state, if I wanted to recover, it would have been just a thought. But... I understood that to truly transcend the God Realm's shackles, to explore where that hand came from, and what lay beyond the God Realm... it would be very difficult for me to achieve alone. Therefore, I wanted to see if there was any life that could break through the Emperor's shackles and reach a level equal to mine!"

"So, I sent the scattered Heavenly Dao intentions to the lowest world... bestowing them upon a soul that originally belonged to that world, and a soul that did not. And you, ultimately, did not disappoint me!" Nie Yun smiled.

"A soul that didn't belong to this world... In other words, my transmigration was also because of you?" Zhang Xuan's heart trembled. No wonder he could transmigrate; he never expected it was all due to this person before him.

"Heh heh!" Nie Yun chuckled softly and said, "A soul that belongs to this world inherently holds reverence for it, making it much more difficult to break through its shackles. It was just a thought of mine, and I didn't expect you would actually succeed..."

"I..." Zhang Xuan's face flushed. "If not for Kong Shi, I wouldn't have been able to reach this level at all..." Without Kong Shi's selfless dedication, it would have been impossible to reach his current realm.

"I gave him the chance, but he didn't seize it. His battle with Lingxi was actually his best opportunity for a breakthrough. Unfortunately, he chose to retreat, thinking he had a contingency to escape unharmed, but in reality, he lost his courageous advancement. When facing someone beyond us, if one doesn't even have that spirit, how can they contend?" Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan remained silent. He had witnessed their battle back then, and Kong Shi was indeed somewhat lacking in decisiveness. It was also possible that he was unwilling to slay Luo Ruoxi. Alas, in that single thought, he missed the opportunity to advance.

"If Kong Shi had won, Ruoxi would have died..." After a moment, Zhang Xuan looked over, his eyebrows furrowed. Could it be that this person before him didn't even care about his daughter's life or death?

"With me around, she wouldn't die..." Nie Yun smiled faintly. "Your current strength is not much different from mine. Do you think, at a critical moment of life and death, with your combined strength, you could save someone?" Zhang Xuan gave a wry smile. Breaking through to Emperor and being an Emperor were two different concepts. If Nie Yun had truly been willing to act, he could indeed have saved them at the last moment, ensuring they wouldn't suffer even a single injury.

"Lingxi was born to my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, which is why her disguised name is Luo... To make her believe and not act on emotion, she has thought I was still in a coma until now..." Nie Yun let out a wry laugh. "I've been quite ruthless as a father... How about this, you explain this matter to her. After all, her heart has already shifted to you. I, her old father, probably won't even be remembered... Haha, I'll remain hidden for a while longer. Otherwise, I truly fear she'd 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 way but to agree. After all, he had taken their daughter away...

"The Library of Heaven's Path was formed from a wisp of my will. It was both a foundation and a restriction. Your ability to break through that restriction on your own shows your talent and potential. Your future is limitless, and as a father, I am truly relieved that my daughter can be with you."