Chapter 756: The Ego Desires to Establish a Foundation

Soul contracts merge with the soul; unless voluntarily dissolved, they cannot be broken, no matter how powerful the other party is. For instance, even a powerful being like Emperor Undying, who was merely a Divine King before becoming an Emperor, was unable to break this type of agreement. To prevent betrayal and backlash, the Master Teacher Continent specifically decreed that even if one could escape the Heavenly Dao records, they could not break free from soul agreements!

"Indeed, soul contracts cannot be separated from the sea of consciousness, but I have merged with a special gas that can even dissolve the Heavenly Dao. Disintegrating this contract isn't difficult... As long as there's enough power to strike where the contract resides, it can be done!" the Ruthless One stated. Soul contracts are based on the Heavenly Dao. If this special power can dissolve even 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.

"Telling you all this is my thanks for bringing me to the God Realm!"

After explaining, the Ruthless One said no more. His aura grew more ancient and profound, and the black hole behind him expanded further. Clearly, even while speaking, he had devoured an immense amount of energy for nourishment.

"Zhang Xuan, the more the black hole devours, the stronger he becomes..." Luo Ruoxi urgently transmitted her voice.

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

Boom! The most powerful sword intent was unleashed once more.

"To live is to return, to die is to yearn forever!" Caring nothing for life or death, what could possibly hinder him? Although this sword technique hadn't reached the level of an Emperor's comprehension, it contained all of his innermost obsessions, pushing the Heavenly Emotions cultivation technique within him to its limit. With a single sword stroke, he cut the Ruthless One's attack in half.

At the same moment, Luo Ruoxi also made her move, her delicate hand swirling, sword light like snow. Her sword technique resembled that of the young man from Sword God Heaven, possessing an indomitable momentum and the natural grace of the Grand Dao.

"Your moves are powerful, but compared to mine, they're still lacking..."

With a faint smile, the Ruthless One reached down again. In an instant, his hand blotted out the sky and covered the earth, enveloping all of creation. Space shattered, and it seemed as though the sun, moon, and stars would be forcibly knocked down.

*Pfft! Pfft!* Zhang Xuan and Luo Ruoxi were simultaneously sent flying backward, spitting blood in mid-air. With their combined strength, they couldn't even withstand it! What realm had this fellow truly reached?

"Presumptuous!" The clone strode forward, lotuses blossoming with each step, the void filled with the sound of flowing water. From afar, it exuded an air of immense prestige. 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 surging towards the Nine Heavens. When he clashed with the Ruthless One, he too was sent flying backward, unable to block a single move.

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead. Even after becoming an Emperor, his clone still hadn't changed its pretentious nature... Such a flashy display was less effective than simply concentrating its power for greater impact!

"Attack together, otherwise, if they die, we'll all die..." Little Yellow Chicken roared, scarlet flames burning so fiercely that the sky seemed to ignite. The remaining six Great Emperors also unleashed their respective techniques. The seven Emperors combined forces, capable of destroying heaven and earth; a single realm would be unable to withstand them. However, their opponent was the Ruthless One, who had absorbed special power. As their attacks arrived, the black hole suddenly expanded, devouring the energy in the blink of an eye, then counterattacking.

*Boom boom boom boom!* The seven Emperors, like Zhang Xuan and the others, were sent flying backward. The ten Emperors, united, couldn't even block a single one of his moves! How could this fellow be so powerful?

"You may die now..." Having defeated everyone with one move, the Ruthless One took a step forward, flipped his wrist, and struck down again.

"How dare you, scoundrel!" Along with a roar, the old man from Sword God Heaven suddenly appeared, blocking their path, his long sword transforming into a galaxy.

"An Emperor? He's also an Emperor-level expert?" Zhang Xuan's pupils constricted. This old man had previously followed behind the young man. Zhang Xuan had thought he was merely a retainer, at most a Conferred Divine King, but upon seeing him unleash his power, he realized he was also a powerful Emperor! If he was an Emperor, then what was that young man?

"He is inherently the Emperor of Sword God Heaven..." Struggling to stand, Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth.

"Then... what about the young man who taught me sword techniques?" Zhang Xuan couldn't hold back any longer.

"He is..." Luo Ruoxi was about to answer when space twisted. Immediately, the Emperor of Sword God Heaven was also sent flying backward, landing a short distance away, creating a large crater. Zhang Xuan's current strength and comprehension of the Sword Dao far surpassed his, yet he couldn't resist. Even if the old man's cultivation wasn't weak and his swordsmanship was superb, he was still no match.

"Hahaha, Emperors are nothing but a bunch of chickens and dogs! Today, I will destroy the Nine Heavens, obliterate this God Realm, and flatten all its rules!" Having defeated the Emperor of Sword God Heaven, the Ruthless One laughed madly, the surrounding space continuously collapsing, making him appear like a demon.

"What do we do?" Zhang Xuan clenched his fists. A moment ago, both he and his clone had unleashed their strongest combat power. Even Luo Ruoxi, standing before him, 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 stand against this person? Would they just let him destroy the world?

"The only way... is for your Flawed Heavenly Dao to return to the Heavenly Dao itself, allowing the Heavenly Dao to suppress him..." Luo Ruoxi clenched her delicate fists, her eyes red.

"Return to the Heavenly Dao itself?" Zhang Xuan understood her meaning. The Library of Heaven's Path in his mind was itself a part of the Heavenly Dao. Once it returned, the Heavenly Dao would be completely whole, perhaps allowing it to fix its flaws and naturally expel the Ruthless One. It was like the human body's immune system. If the immune system is complete, viruses are easily expelled; if it's damaged, it cannot resist viral invasion, and even the strongest person will die.

It's just that... "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. The immune system can eliminate viruses, but... what about a fierce tiger? What could even the strongest immune system do? This person before them was far stronger than an Emperor; even if he were just a common Divine King, or a Conferred one, the Heavenly Dao could easily kill him. But he was now beyond what the Heavenly Dao could contend with.

Luo Ruoxi paused, a look of disappointment on her fair, jade-like face. "Yes... it can't be suppressed, but if the Heavenly Dao is complete, *he* will awaken, and killing this one won't be difficult!"

"He?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"I'll take you to see him, he's in the Self-Contained Heaven..." Taking a deep breath, Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth and turned to fly forward.

"Trying to escape?" The Ruthless One snorted coldly and pressed downwards. Luo Ruoxi plummeted from the sky. Zhang Xuan unleashed his sword technique again, his sword intent shining brilliantly.

*Clang, clang, clang!* It was again blocked by the Ruthless One.

"You two go quickly, I'll hold him off..." Knowing they were seeking a way to save the God Realm, not to escape, the clone and Emperor Undying roared and stood in front. Luo Qiqi also transformed, returning to her true form as the Tranquil Sky Pearl. The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!" Seeing everyone fearlessly block the enemy, unafraid of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened. However, he knew this was not the time for words. He pulled Luo Ruoxi, his body flickered, tearing through space, and in the next moment, they appeared within the Self-Contained Heaven.

The Self-Contained Heaven had lost its former peace; the God Realm was collapsing, and chaos reigned everywhere.

"Where is this 'he' 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. Emperor Undying was once his beast pet..." Luo Ruoxi took a moment to adjust her breathing and explained.

"Father?" Zhang Xuan suddenly realized. No wonder he had always felt the blood in the pendant was similar to Luo Ruoxi's, yet different; it turned out to be her father's. This also explained why the remnant will of Emperor Undying, upon seeing the pendant, immediately acknowledged him as its master.

"Your father is also an Emperor? Or possesses power beyond an Emperor?" He couldn't help but ask. The library had been in chaos, and it was the blood in the pendant that allowed him to regain clarity. Could it be that not only was she an Emperor, but her father was too, and even more powerful? If that were the case, why would he be in a coma? And why would the Flawed Heavenly Dao be needed to awaken him?

"He's 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 resist that giant hand and fell into a coma. The Heavenly Dao fragmented into three parts: the Orderly Heavenly Dao and the Flawed Heavenly Dao entered the spatial turbulent flow, while I took control of the Natural Heavenly Dao to maintain balance in the God Realm. To restore him, all the scattered parts must be collected... That's why I was so resolute; I couldn't fail! That's why I specifically went to the Master Teacher Continent, studied the Spring and Autumn Annals, and tried to defeat Master Teacher Kong! The favor I asked of him during our battle was also for this," Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood. Not long after meeting her on the Master Teacher Continent, the girl before him had told him her story about saving a loved one. He hadn't understood then, but now it all made sense. It was 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 control of the Natural Heavenly Dao... Do you not have a Heavenly Dao fragment within you?" Suddenly realizing something amiss in her words, Zhang Xuan looked at her. "Taking control" and "integrating it into one's body," as he had, were two different concepts.

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

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

"If I separate the Flawed Heavenly Dao from my body, your father will live again, and even kill the Ruthless One, 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 One? It was truly hard to say!

"It seems even you aren't sure. In that case, it's better to rely on ourselves than on others... We'll have to find a way!" Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth. "You, me, my clone, united with the Nine Heavens' Nine Emperors, and if Master Teacher Kong joins us, we might not necessarily fail!"

"Master Teacher Kong? He..." Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"Master Teacher Kong is dead, right? He isn't truly dead. If I'm not mistaken, your killing him was merely a method for him to escape the Heavenly Dao... Unless there's an accident, he should be a Congenital Fetal Soul Body, just like Wei Changfeng!" Zhang Xuan said. Upon seeing Wei Changfeng, he had understood that Master Teacher Kong's supposed method of retaining consciousness was likely the same as his: being a Congenital Fetal Soul Body. This allowed one to remain unconfused even within the womb. Coupled with the preparations he had made beforehand, resurrection was merely a matter of time.

Luo Ruoxi froze, seemingly not expecting this.

"We'll know if we go and see. If my guess is correct, he should have already recovered. Otherwise, his students wouldn't have even gone to the Sea of Tides..." Zhang Xuan said. Master Teacher Kong's students, such as Ancient Sage Ziyuan, were all powerful. Even without the help of an Emperor, they would surely have had a way to enter the Sea of Tides, yet none were seen. There must have been something more important awaiting them, something they wanted to do while all the Emperors were preoccupied with the Sea of Tides! And this important matter was clearly the restoration of Master Teacher Kong.

Luo Ruoxi's heart trembled, and she suddenly understood.

"Let's go!" Without further explanation, Zhang Xuan swiped his hand and reappeared at Master Teacher Kong's residence. Indeed, he saw an old man floating cross-legged in the air. Upon seeing them, he smiled faintly, "You've arrived!" Who else could it be but Master Teacher Kong! This Teacher of Ten Thousand Generations had truly not disappointed him! As he had guessed, he had resurrected while everyone's attention was focused on the Sea of Tides.

Luo Ruoxi's delicate body trembled. She knew Emperors could resurrect; Emperor Undying had also returned to life. But... she hadn't expected it to be so fast!

"I concealed myself from the Heavenly Dao and prepared a backup plan in advance. The nameless giant in the Nether Soul Pool was my creation. On that day, when you slew it, I used the opportunity to break free from the Heavenly Dao's restraints and re-form my physical body. I've only just recovered!" Master Teacher Kong 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 strength. Decades had passed.

"Our combined strength is formidable, but defeating the Ruthless One won't be easy..." Seeing that Master Teacher Kong had indeed recovered, Luo Ruoxi still shook her head. She wasn't exalting another's power or deflating their own morale; it was simply the truth. A moment ago, so many people combined forces couldn't block him. What difference would adding Master Teacher Kong make? It still wouldn't change the situation!

"Individually, and even united, we are indeed no match for him. But... what if we merged everyone's power into a single person?" Master Teacher Kong looked over with a smile.

"Merge into a single person?" This time, not only did Luo Ruoxi frown, but Zhang Xuan was also full of doubt.

"That hand could tear through the God Realm and scatter the Heavenly Dao; its power is beyond doubt. The Ruthless One absorbed all that power and then consumed fifty years' worth of spiritual energy from the God Realm. In terms of individual strength, none of us dozen-plus Emperors are a match for him..." Master Teacher Kong said, "But if we unite and concentrate all our power onto one person... it might be a different story!"

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

"It's simple... We'll focus all our power on Zhang Xuan. Once he breaks through the Emperor's shackles, he can save the God Realm!" Master Teacher Kong said.

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

"Emperor Lingxi cultivates freedom and transcendence from nature! But with the constraints of her father and the Heavenly Dao, and people she cares about, she can never truly transcend! If I'm not mistaken, when we fought back then, you even gave up, intending to be slain by me, didn't you?" Master Teacher Kong said.

Luo Ruoxi was speechless. During their battle, she had indeed had such an intention. That's why, at the beginning of their fight, both of them held back, resembling a sparring match rather than a life-or-death struggle.

"Unable to transcend, she naturally cannot unleash her full power. Even with immense true qi, she cannot impact that supreme realm! As for me..." Master Teacher Kong nodded. "My heart is filled with concern for all beings, wanting to save the world, yet I am unwilling for others to sacrifice for me. Too much benevolence is also a flaw! If I had been a little more ruthless and exterminated the Qingtian people, we wouldn't be in this situation now..." If he had been able to annihilate all the Qingtian people back then, the Ruthless One would not have been able to resurrect, and the current situation would not exist.

"Therefore, I am also not suitable! As for Zhang Xuan, his cultivation technique is aligned with his heart and has no flaws. He believes in living authentically; 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 development. Only this way can he go higher and further!" Master Teacher Kong continued. "Live to return, die to yearn forever!" Caring nothing for death, how could he be hindered by other matters?

Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, when Master Teacher Kong looked at him with bright eyes. "No need to decline. Firstly, there isn't enough time to cultivate someone else. Even if there were, I don't think anyone could do better than you! Although Emperor Lingxi doesn't have a Heavenly Dao fragment within her, she has controlled the Heavenly Dao for many years 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 Chaotic Golden Lotus, you will be able to stabilize the Nine Heavens, control the universe, battle the Nine Vaults, and annihilate all creation!"

"Alright!" Seeing that the other party had already made a decision, further explanations were useless. Zhang Xuan nodded.

Boom! He sat cross-legged, and in the blink of an eye, two vast streams of power surged in from both sides. Zhang Xuan's body stiffened; he felt as though he had instantly transformed into the Heavenly Dao, soaring above the Nine Heavens. His soul, physical body, and true qi were all instantly baptized, growing stronger and more profound.

"You want to stop me too? Fine, I'll kill you all, then go slay Zhang Xuan..." Having sent Luo Qiqi and the clone flying, the Ruthless One sneered. The combined power unleashed by the clone and the various Emperors was indeed formidable, but compared to him, it was still somewhat weaker. The Sea of Tides 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 Divine Kings, though representing the pinnacle of the God Realm, were still no match. At this moment, the Ruthless One seemed to embody the entire God Realm; no one could stop him.

"With the God Realm destroyed, our lives are meaningless. I, Emperor Yunli, will perish with you..." Emperor Yunli transformed into his true form, a massive five-clawed golden dragon, and soared towards him.

"Just you? You're not worthy!" The Ruthless One clenched his hand, and the golden dragon was caught in his palm, unable to escape no matter how much it struggled.

"Old friend, wait for me!" Emperor Fumen also roared, transforming into his true form, a White Tiger, and soared forward. Emperor Undying revealed his true form as an Undying Fire Phoenix, its flames illuminating the sky. Emperor Xuanming's true form was a colossal tortoise, seemingly supporting all the heavens. The Four Divine Beasts, who guarded the four cardinal points of the God Realm, simultaneously transformed into their true forms. The collapsing God Realm even seemed to slow down. The universe seemed to freeze in an instant.

*Boom boom boom boom!* With four consecutive strikes, the Ruthless One suppressed the four beasts, a strong killing intent flashing in his eyes. "Since you seek death, I shall grant it to you..." Amidst his roaring, just as he was about to deliver a killing blow to obliterate everyone, he felt his raised arm tighten and stop in mid-air.

"Want to kill them? Did you ask me first...?" Then, to everyone's stunned gaze, a figure slowly walked out of the air. It was none other than Zhang Xuan! At this moment, the young man's entire body 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 improved quite a bit..." The Ruthless One stopped, his gaze solemn. He clearly didn't understand why, in just a few minutes, the opponent's strength had undergone such a tremendous change.

"But what if it has increased? The God Realm in its prime 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 long sword and met the attack. The two battled, tearing space asunder, spiritual currents scattering everywhere.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?" At Master Teacher Kong's residence in Self-Contained Heaven, Luo Ruoxi watched, full of worry. After she and Master Teacher Kong transmitted their power to Zhang Xuan, their own cultivation had fallen to the Divine King level, no longer as formidable as before. However, their inherent cultivation levels remained; as long as they had enough power, they could eventually recover.

"With his current strength, winning... will be very difficult! Unless... he can comprehend power beyond an Emperor!" After a moment of silence, Master Teacher Kong said. Over a dozen Emperors combined couldn't defeat the Ruthless One. Even if they transferred all their power to him, winning wouldn't be easy. The reason for doing so was that... power, only when concentrated in one person, had the potential to reach the peak, to truly surpass limits and break through oneself!

"Power beyond an Emperor?" Luo Ruoxi's gaze became distant. 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 lofty pride for this world." Seeing the doubt in her heart, Master Teacher Kong smiled.

*Boom boom boom!* After a few consecutive moves, Zhang Xuan's tiger's mouth (the web between thumb and forefinger) split open, and a huge, ghastly wound appeared on his chest. Just as Master Teacher Kong had said, even with their combined power, forming a complete Heavenly Dao within him, he was still no match.

"Haha, I thought you were more impressive, but you're nothing special!" The Ruthless One sneered.

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

"Very well, I'll grant your wish and give you my strongest attack..." Hearing this, the Ruthless One was startled for a moment, then snorted coldly and raised his palm.

*Whoosh!* A green light appeared in his palm and slammed down fiercely. It was indeed his strongest attack; the entire God Realm rumbled as if it could barely withstand it, and another massive crater was formed.

With his eyes tightly shut, Zhang Xuan did not dodge. His head exploded, and his soul scattered everywhere.

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

"No, it's Emperor Undying's method of immortality..." Just as they were wondering, Master Teacher Kong suddenly spoke.

Everyone then saw Zhang Xuan, whose head had exploded and even whose soul had shattered. The pendant on his chest suddenly burst open, a drop of blood floated up, ignited, forming a scorching flame. From within the flame, a perfectly intact figure slowly emerged.

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

"How did he do it?" Master Teacher Kong was also full of disbelief. The Heavenly Dao and his soul were merged, inseparable. To break free, he had to scatter his soul and reform it using the Nether Soul Pool. How did this person, who was only killed once, manage to completely break free? What method did he use?

"I know... He used the Ruthless One's method for breaking free from soul contracts..." Luo Ruoxi realized. A soul contract binds master and servant; unless the master dissolves it, the servant remains bound forever... The Library of Heaven's Path was like this, an enhanced version of a contract. Once bound to the soul, it wouldn't be detached unless one died. But... the Ruthless One had used that special power to break free from the soul contract. Zhang Xuan had asked about the specific method in detail before, so he probably started planning then. That's why he deliberately risked his life, allowing the Ruthless One to use his strongest attack on him. By using this power, he was reborn from the flames. Unexpectedly, it was a great success!

"So that's it, this is the method to break through to Emperor-level..." Zhang Xuan, stepping out of the flames, displayed a faint smile on his face, as if he had understood something. He suddenly gestured, and his clone on the side immediately transformed back into a lotus flower, flying towards him. In an instant, it perfectly merged with him. In the blink of an eye, everyone felt that Zhang Xuan before them had become the Nine Heavens, and the Nine Heavens was him.

He gently stamped his foot on the ground. The chaotic Nine Heavens immediately stabilized. The Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus appeared when the Nine Heavens were born and could stabilize them. Now, with his clone perfectly merged with him, indistinguishable from himself, it meant he had gained control of this power. Not only that, having integrated the cultivation of the Nine Heavens Chaotic Golden Lotus, his already peak realm loosened, seeming ready to break through at any moment.

"Master-servant affection, brotherhood, teacher-student bond, parental love, romantic love... all merged together, this is the essence of all things in the world, this is what it means to be human!" With a smile on his face, Zhang Xuan murmured to himself. The moment the Library of Heaven's Path detached from his soul, he understood. Did humanity create the world by perceiving it, or did the world exist first, then humanity? Was it the wind moving, or the heart moving! This question had troubled countless people since ancient times. Of course, now... none of that mattered! Without life, without emotion, what meaning would the world have, even if it existed?

Therefore, after transcending romantic love, came the love for all beings! It was the interwoven emotions of the entire world. All things in the world possess emotions; only with emotion can there be a world, and only with emotion can life continue. Love is emotion. Hatred is emotion. Joy is emotion. Pain is emotion. Separation is emotion. Reunion is also emotion!

"Thousands of emotions, at my command..." With a low cry, the confined realm within Zhang Xuan instantly shattered. The Emperor's shackles, broken! In an instant, it was as if he had touched a brand new world and its grand gates. His soul was rapidly nourished. Countless streams of chaotic energy surged over, and his physical body rapidly improved. Previously, he could only advance by absorbing spiritual energy, but now, spatial turbulence, chaotic energy, and even the opponent's green light could all be his, indistinguishable.

The Ruthless One hadn't expected that his full-power attack, instead of killing Zhang Xuan, had actually completed him. He shrieked in rage, then roared 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 being my former servant, filled with humility and anger, is an emotion; your desire to destroy the God Realm to vent your rage 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 grasped with his hand. The formerly invincible Ruthless One was bound by countless threads of emotion, restrained and unable to move. As long as there was emotion, he could use it, control it!

The Ruthless One's eyes filled with terror. "Master Zhang, I am your servant, don't kill me... I am willing to offer a soul sacrifice..."

"It's too late to say that now..." With a faint smile, Zhang Xuan shook his head. Having mastered the emotions of the world, things like servants no longer held any meaning for him. Having killed so many people in the God Realm, harmed his girlfriend, Luo Qiqi, and so many friends, how could he possibly forgive him today!

"No..." Sensing his decisiveness, the Ruthless One's pupils constricted. Before his words ended, he immediately felt a violent pain throughout 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 Sea of Tides now flowed back, and the depleted wildernesses were once again vibrant with life.

"He just... killed him like that?" Emperor Yunli, 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 was annihilated with a mere gesture. What level had this Zhang Xuan reached? Was there truly another realm above Emperors?

"He succeeded..." Master Teacher Kong 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 "Flawed Heavenly Dao" that had just been separated from his body still hovering 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 God Realm. Like the ringing of a great bell, the continuously collapsing God Realm visibly began to slowly recover, and the chaotic spiritual currents reformed. The collapsing God Realm finally halted, and the depleted spiritual energy slowly revived with the Ruthless One's death.

"It seems the God Realm is about to welcome an era of spiritual energy resurgence..." Zhang Xuan smiled. The hole in the Sea of Tides 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..." No sooner had he finished than a voice sounded in his mind. Zhang Xuan was startled, then took a step. This single step traversed an unknown distance. Immediately, he saw a young man standing before him. It was precisely the one who had taught him sword techniques earlier.

"Senior, you..." Seeing it was him, Zhang Xuan was surprised. He had previously felt that this person was unfathomable, but only now did he realize that he was only slightly weaker than himself, having already reached the pinnacle of Emperor-level power, far stronger than Luo Ruoxi had been before.

"Just call me by my name. My name is... Nie Tong!" The young man, exuding an indomitable sword intent, said faintly.

"Nie Tong?" Zhang Xuan frowned slightly. It was the first time he had heard this name.

"Follow me, I'll take you to see 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. He then saw another young man. His appearance wasn't much older than his, with raised eyebrows that gave him a profound, unfathomable aura.

"This power..." Zhang Xuan trembled. The strength of the young man before him was actually greater than his own. He had 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 previously said her father was the Heavenly Dao, but he never imagined it would be such a young man.

"I separated into three pure forms, and a part of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Moreover, this world was created by me, so calling me the Heavenly Dao is not inaccurate!" Nie Yun smiled faintly. Zhang Xuan couldn't believe it. The God Realm was actually created by this person before him? How powerful must he be then?

"Wait, if the God Realm was created by you, and you are the Heavenly Dao, why did you allow the Ruthless One to wreak havoc without intervening...?" Zhang Xuan looked at him. If he hadn't broken through, the God Realm could have completely collapsed. Why had this person before him not cared or intervened? He didn't even care about his own daughter's life and death?

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

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

"I once suspected that there might be even more powerful beings above the God Realm, so I used all my strength to peek, which ultimately drew a backlash from a higher world... A single palm tore through space and descended!" Nie Yun looked at him. "If I had dodged at that time, it was highly likely that the entire God Realm would have been wiped clean, leaving no life... So, I blocked that attack, but as a result, the Heavenly Dao I embodied was split apart."

"In that situation, I could have recovered with just a single thought, but... I understood that to truly transcend the shackles of the God Realm, to explore where that palm came from, and what lay beyond the God Realm... it would be extremely difficult for me alone. So, I wanted to see if any life could break through the Emperor's shackles and reach a level comparable to mine!"

"Therefore, I sent the scattered Heavenly Dao consciousness to the lowest realm... granting it separately to a soul originally belonging to this world and a soul not belonging to this world. And you, ultimately, did not disappoint me!" Nie Yun smiled.

"A soul not belonging to this world... so, my transmigration was also because of you?" Zhang Xuan's heart trembled. No wonder he was able to transmigrate; he hadn't expected it was all due to this person before him.

"Heh heh!" Nie Yun chuckled softly and said, "A soul originally belonging to this world naturally holds reverence for it, making it much harder to break through its shackles. It was merely a thought of mine, and I didn't truly expect you to succeed..."

"I..." Zhang Xuan's face flushed. "If it weren't for Master Teacher Kong, I would never have reached this level..." Without Master Teacher Kong's selfless dedication, it would have been impossible to reach his current realm.

"I gave him the opportunity; he just didn't seize it. His battle with Lingxi was actually his best chance to break through. Unfortunately, he chose to retreat, thinking he had a backup plan to escape completely. In reality, he lost his courageous advancement. 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, and Master Teacher Kong was indeed somewhat lacking in decisiveness. It was also possible that he was unwilling to kill Luo Ruoxi. Unfortunately, in that single moment of hesitation, he missed the chance to advance.

"If Master Teacher Kong had won, Ruoxi would have died..." A moment later, Zhang Xuan looked over, his brows furrowed. Could it be that this person didn't even care about his own daughter's life and death?

"With me here, she wouldn't die..." Nie Yun smiled faintly. "Your current strength isn't much different from mine. Do you think, with both of our strengths, if we wanted to save someone at a critical moment, could we do it?" Zhang Xuan gave a wry smile. Breaking through to Emperor-level and merely being an Emperor were two different concepts. If Nie Yun had truly wanted to intervene, he could indeed have saved her at the last moment and ensured she suffered no injuries whatsoever.

"Lingxi was born to my other wife, Luo Qingcheng, which is why her disguised name uses the surname Luo... To make her believe and not act on emotion, she has thought I was still in a coma until now..." Nie Yun gave a bitter laugh. "I've certainly been a ruthless father... How about this, you explain it to her? After all, her heart has already shifted to you. This old dad of hers probably won't even be remembered... Haha, I'll disappear for a while, otherwise, I'm genuinely afraid she'll turn everything 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 but to agree; after all, he had "taken away" someone else's daughter...

"The Library of Heaven's Path was formed from a thought of mine; it was both a foundation and a limitation. Your ability to break through that limitation on your own shows your talent and potential. Your future is boundless, and as a father, I am truly pleased that my daughter can be with you."