Chapter 458: Rare Effects

The soul contract, or Linghun Qiyue, binds souls together, and as long as the one who initiated it does not release it, even if the other party has incredible means, it cannot be broken.

It's like the case of Bu Si Di Jun, also known as Xiao Huang Ji. He was once just a Shen Wang, while I am a Di Jun, and even he couldn't resolve such a pact.

To prevent this individual from going back on their word and causing backlash, the Ming Shi Dalu had specifically decreed that even if someone could escape the Heavenly Dao's registry, they still couldn't break the agreement between souls.

"While the Linghun Qiyue indeed cannot be separated from the sea of consciousness, I have merged with a special gas that can even dissolve the Heavenly Dao itself. Resolving this contract is not difficult... As long as I have enough power to strike at the point where the contract resides, it can be done!"

Hen Ren said.

The Linghun Qiyue is based on the foundation of the Heavenly Dao. Since this special power can dissolve even the Shen Jie Heavenly Dao, what's so hard about dissolving a soul contract, as long as it's handled properly?

"I see..."

Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

"Telling you all this is my way of thanking you for bringing me to Shen Jie!"

After explaining, Hen Ren said no more. His aura grew even more ancient and profound, and the black hole behind him expanded further, clearly having absorbed an immense amount of power in that short time to nourish himself.

"Zhang Xuan, the more the black hole absorbs, the stronger his power becomes..."

Luo Ruoxi noticed something was wrong and quickly sent a telepathic message.

"Let's make our move!"

With his doubts cleared, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, raised the long sword in his hand, and declared, "In that case, let's settle this with our skills!"

Boom!

His most powerful sword intent erupted once more.

To live is to return anew, to die is to hold eternal longing!

What can stand in the way when life and death mean nothing?

Though this sword technique hadn't reached the level comprehended by a Di Jun, it contained all of his inner obsessions, pushing his Tian Ruo You Qing cultivation to its limits.

Whoosh!

With one strike, he cleaved Hen Ren's attack in two.

At the same moment, Luo Ruoxi struck as well, her jade-like hand swirling with sword light as pure as snow.

Her swordsmanship resembled that of the young man from Jian Shen Tian, carrying an unstoppable momentum and the effortless grace of the Great Dao.

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

Hen Ren chuckled lightly and reached down again.

In an instant, his hand covered the sky, enveloping the heavens and earth. Space shattered, and it seemed as though the sun, moon, and stars would be forcibly pulled down.

Thud! Thud!

Zhang Xuan and Luo Ruoxi were both sent flying backward, spitting blood into the air as they tumbled.

With their strength, they couldn't withstand him!

Just what realm had this guy reached?

"Outrageous!"

His clone strode forward, each step blooming with lotus flowers and echoing with the sound of flowing water in the void.

From afar, it looked incredibly imposing.

Having refined the Jiu Tian Hun Dun Jin Lian, his clone's cultivation was in no way inferior to Zhang Xuan's.

He raised a fist, sending power surging into the nine heavens.

But when it clashed with Hen Ren, the clone was also sent flying, unable to block even one move.

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

Even after becoming a Di Jun, his clone hadn't changed its habit of showing off...

Such flashy displays would be better if the power was concentrated for greater effect!

"Let's all attack together, or we're all doomed if they die..."

Xiao Huang Ji roared, his crimson flames burning so fiercely that the sky seemed to ignite.

The other six Di Jun also unleashed their techniques.

The seven Di Jun united, their power enough to destroy heavens and earth, making even a realm unable to withstand them. But Hen Ren, having absorbed that special power, simply let his black hole expand as their attacks approached, swallowing everything in an instant before countering.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The seven Di Jun, along with Zhang Xuan and the others, were all sent flying.

Even the ten Di Jun combined couldn't block a single move from him!

How could this guy be so powerful?

"You can all die now..."

After defeating them with one strike, Hen Ren stepped forward and swung his hand down again.

"You insolent rat!"

Accompanied by a shout, the elder from Jian Shen Tian suddenly appeared, blocking the way with his long sword transforming into a river of stars.

"Another Di Jun? He's also at the Di Jun level?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

He had thought this elder was just a follower, at most a Feng Hao Shen Wang, but now he realized the man was also a Di Jun powerhouse!

If he was a Di Jun, then what about that young man?

"He's the Di Jun of Jian Shen Tian..."

Luo Ruoxi struggled to her feet and gritted her teeth.

"Then... what about the young man who taught me the sword technique?"

Zhang Xuan couldn't hold back.

"He's..."

Luo Ruoxi was about to answer when the space twisted, and they saw the Jian Shen Tian Di Jun sent flying, crashing into the ground and creating a massive crater.

With Zhang Xuan's current strength and comprehension of the sword Dao, even he couldn't withstand Hen Ren, so despite the elder's high cultivation and masterful swordsmanship, he was no match.

"Ha! Di Jun? Just a bunch of insignificant pests! Today, I'll destroy the nine heavens, wipe out Shen Jie, and trample all rules!"

After defeating the Jian Shen Tian Di Jun, Hen Ren laughed maniacally, the space around him collapsing, making him appear demonic and otherworldly.

"What do we do?"

Zhang Xuan clenched his fists.

He and his clone had already used their full power, and even Luo Ruoxi had unleashed her strongest techniques, yet none could block even one of Hen Ren's moves...

Was there really no one in Shen Jie who could stop this?

Would he be allowed to destroy the world?

"The only way is to return your incomplete Heavenly Dao to its original state, letting the Heavenly Dao suppress him..."

Luo Ruoxi's delicate fists clenched, her eyes reddening.

"Return it to its original state?"

Zhang Xuan understood her meaning.

The library in his mind was part of the Heavenly Dao. Once returned, the Heavenly Dao would be complete, potentially fixing its flaws and expelling Hen Ren.

It was like the human body's immune system.

A complete immune system could easily drive out viruses, but if damaged, even a strong body couldn't resist invasion.

But...

"He's too powerful. Even if the Heavenly Dao is restored, could it suppress him?"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

The immune system might handle viruses, but what about a tiger?

Hen Ren was just an ordinary Shen Wang, yet even beyond Di Jun level... He was no longer something the Heavenly Dao could contend with.

"This..."

Luo Ruoxi paused, a look of disappointment on her fair face. "You're right... It might not suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao is complete, he can awaken and defeat this one easily!"

"He?"

Zhang Xuan frowned.

"I'll take you to see him. He's in Zi Zai Tian..."

Luo Ruoxi took a deep breath, gritted her teeth, and flew forward.

"Thinking of escaping?"

Hen Ren snorted coldly and pressed down.

Bang!

Luo Ruoxi plummeted from the air.

"You..."

Zhang Xuan unleashed his sword technique again, his sword intent blazing forth.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

But it was blocked by Hen Ren once more.

"You all go! I'll hold him off..."

Knowing they were trying to save Shen Jie, not flee, Zhang Xuan's clone and Bu Si Di Zun shouted, stepping forward, while Luo Qi Qi transformed back into her Jing Kong Zhu form.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone blocking without fear of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened, but he knew it wasn't the time for words. He pulled Luo Ruoxi along, tore through space, and in the next moment, they arrived in Zi Zai Tian's domain.

Zi Zai Tian was no longer as peaceful as before. Shen Jie was collapsing, and chaos reigned everywhere.

"Where is the person you mentioned?"

With no time to observe the ordinary lives around them, Zhang Xuan looked at the girl in his arms.

If this person could truly save Shen Jie, he was willing to sacrifice himself.

"He's my father. The blood in your pendant is his, and Bu Si Di Jun was once his beast pet..."

Luo Ruoxi regulated her breath and explained.

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

No wonder he had always felt the blood in the pendant was similar to Luo Ruoxi's but different—it was her father's.

That also explained why Bu Si Di Jun's remnant will had recognized him as master upon seeing the pendant.

"Is your father also a Di Jun? Or does he have strength beyond Di Jun?"

He couldn't help asking.

The library's chaos had been calmed by the blood in the pendant. Was it possible that not only she was a Di Jun, but her father was too, and even stronger?

If so, why was he in a coma?

And why did he need an incomplete Heavenly Dao to awaken?

"He's not a Di Jun; he's... the Heavenly Dao!"

Luo Ruoxi clenched her 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 massive hand and fell into a coma. The Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts: Heavenly Dao Orderly and Heavenly Dao Incomplete entered the spatial chaos, while I took control of Heavenly Dao Natural to maintain Shen Jie's balance. The only way to restore him is to gather those scattered parts... That's why I've been so determined, unable to fail! That's why I entered Ming Shi Dalu to study the Chun Qiu Da Dian and find a way to defeat Kong Shi! And when I fought Kong Shi, the favor I asked of him was for this."

Luo Ruoxi explained.

Zhang Xuan suddenly realized.

Not long after they met on Ming Shi Dalu, this girl had told him her story about saving a dear one. He hadn't understood then, but now it all made sense.

It was her father, and he was the Shen Jie Heavenly Dao!

Could the Heavenly Dao really take human form and have children?

"You mentioned taking control of Heavenly Dao Natural... So, you don't have a fragment of the Heavenly Dao in your body?"

Suddenly noticing the oddity in her words, Zhang Xuan looked over.

"I'm just in control; I'm not part of the Heavenly Dao..."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

In that case, he only needed to separate his own Heavenly Dao Incomplete; she didn't have to die.

Though he was unwilling to accept this fate, he didn't want the girl in front of him to be harmed.

"If I separate the Heavenly Dao Incomplete from my body, your father can awaken and even defeat Hen Ren, right?"

Zhang Xuan asked.

"This... I'm not sure..."

Luo Ruoxi hesitated, glancing at the collapsing Shen Jie.

Shen Jie was her father's foundation, and now it was in ruins. Even if he awakened, could he really defeat such a powerful Hen Ren?

It was hard to say!

"Since you're not certain, it's better to rely on ourselves... We have to find a way!"

Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth. "You, me, my clone, plus the Jiu Tian Jiu Di—if we team up with Kong Shi, we might still win!"

"Kong Shi? He's..."

Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"He's dead, right? But he hasn't truly died! If I'm correct, you killing him was just a way for him to escape the Heavenly Dao... He's probably like Wei Changfeng, with a Xian Tian Tai Hun Ti!"

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng had made him realize that Kong Shi's way of preserving his spirit was likely the same—as a Xian Tian Tai Hun Ti.

It allowed one to remain clear even in the womb.

Add to that the precautions he had set in advance, and his revival was only a matter of time.

Luo Ruoxi was stunned, apparently not expecting this.

"We'll know once we check. If I'm right, he should have recovered by now. Otherwise, his students like Zi Yuan Gu Sheng wouldn't have stayed away from Chao Xi Hai..."

Zhang Xuan said.

Kong Shi's students, such as Zi Yuan Gu Sheng, were all incredibly strong. Even without a Di Jun's help, they could enter Chao Xi Hai, yet none had shown up.

They must have something more important—like restoring Kong Shi.

"This..."

Luo Ruoxi's heart shook as she suddenly understood.

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, Zhang Xuan drew his hand through the air and returned to where Kong Shi had resided. Sure enough, an elder was floating in mid-air, cross-legged. Seeing them arrive, he smiled faintly. "You've come!"

Who else could it be but Kong Shi?

This teacher of ages hadn't disappointed him!

As guessed, while everyone focused on Chao Xi Hai, he had revived.

"You..."

Luo Ruoxi trembled.

She knew Di Jun could revive—Bu Si Di Jun had done it—but she hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.

"I hid from the Heavenly Dao and prepared a backup in advance. The nameless giant in You Hun Chi was left by me. When you killed me that day, I used it to escape the Heavenly Dao's bindings and reform my body. I've only just recovered now!"

Kong Shi smiled faintly.

He was proficient in time abilities, so while only a day or two had passed in Shen Jie, he had experienced much longer to restore his power—perhaps decades.

"Our individual strengths are strong, and even together we're formidable, but defeating Hen Ren won't be easy..."

Seeing that Kong Shi had indeed recovered, Luo Ruoxi still shook her head.

It wasn't about boosting the enemy or undermining morale; it was the truth.

So many had joined forces earlier and still couldn't block him. Adding one more Kong Shi wouldn't change the situation!

"If we fight alone or even united, we're no match for him. But what if we channel all our power into one person?"

Kong Shi looked at them with a smile.

"Channel it into one person?"

This time, not just Luo Ruoxi, but Zhang Xuan was also full of confusion.

"That hand could tear apart Shen Jie and scatter the Heavenly Dao, its power undeniable. Hen Ren absorbed that power and devoured Shen Jie's spiritual energy for fifty years. Any of us Di Jun, or even all of us together, can't compare..."

Kong Shi said. "But if we combine our strength and focus it on one person... maybe then we could!"

"How do we focus it?"

Luo Ruoxi asked.

It sounded simple, but doing it was hard.

Di Jun stood at the peak of Shen Jie. If it were that easy to absorb others' power, she wouldn't have stagnated for so long.

"It's simple... We'll pour our power into Zhang Xuan. Once he breaks through the Di Jun shackles, he can save Shen Jie!"

Kong Shi said.

"Me? Why me?"

Zhang Xuan was stunned.

"Ling Xi Di Zun cultivates freedom and transcendence, but with her father's and the Heavenly Dao's constraints, and her attachments, she can never truly transcend! If I saw correctly, during our fight, you once gave up and were prepared to be killed by me, right?"

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi fell silent.

During the battle, she had indeed considered that, so at the beginning, they had both held back, fighting like it was a spar rather than a life-or-death struggle.

"Without transcendence, she can't unleash her full power. Even with more true energy, she couldn't impact that supreme realm! As for me..."

Kong Shi nodded. "I bear the burdens of the world and wish to save all, but I'm too compassionate, which is also a flaw! If I'd been more ruthless and wiped out the Yi Ling clan, we wouldn't be in this mess..."

If he had exterminated the Yi Ling clan back then, Hen Ren couldn't have revived, and none of this would have happened.

"So, I'm not suitable! But Zhang Xuan's techniques follow his heart without flaws. He values living true to himself, and even in death, as long as he's lived without regret, his heart is clear. Such a person has greater tolerance and potential, allowing him to go further!"

Kong Shi continued.

To live is to return anew, to die is to hold eternal longing!

If even death doesn't matter, how can other things bind him?

"This..."

Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, when Kong Shi looked at him intently. "No need to decline; time is short. Even if we tried to cultivate someone else, it might not work, and I doubt anyone could do it better than you! Ling Xi Di Zun has no Heavenly Dao fragment, but she's long controlled the Heavenly Dao and has her own understanding of it. I control Heavenly Dao Orderly. If we infuse our power into you, you'll have the complete Heavenly Dao strength in your body! Combined with your clone's Jiu Tian Hun Dun Jin Lian, you can stabilize the nine heavens, command the universe, battle the nine skies, and destroy all things!"

"Alright!"

Seeing that the decision was made and further explanation was useless, Zhang Xuan nodded.

Boom!

He sat cross-legged, and in the blink of an eye, two vast streams of power surged into him from both sides.

Zhang Xuan's body stiffened, feeling as though he had instantly become the Heavenly Dao itself, soaring above the nine heavens.

His soul, body, and true energy were all undergoing rapid refinement, growing stronger and more abundant.

...

"You all want to stop me? Fine, I'll kill you first, then go after Zhang Xuan..."

After slapping Luo Qi Qi and the others away, Hen Ren sneered coldly.

The combined power of Zhang Xuan's clone and the other Di Jun was indeed formidable, but compared to him, it was still weak.

Chao Xi Hai had devoured nearly all of Shen Jie's spiritual energy outside the cities, and now that energy had become his nourishment. Every move he made carried the ability to destroy worlds. These Di Jun and Shen Wang, representing Shen Jie's peak, were still no match.

At that moment, Hen Ren seemed to embody Shen Jie itself, unbeatable.

"Even if Shen Jie falls, living means nothing. I'll go down with you..."

Yun Chi Di Jun transformed into his true form, a massive five-clawed golden dragon, lunging at him.

"You? You're not worthy!"

Hen Ren clenched his hand, and the golden dragon was trapped in his palm, struggling futilely to escape.

"My old friend, wait for me!"

Fu Meng Di Jun roared, transforming into his white tiger form and charging forward.

Bu Si Di Jun revealed his undying fire phoenix form, flames lighting up the sky.

Xuan Ming Di Jun's true form was a massive turtle, as if supporting the heavens.

The four divine beasts, guardians of Shen Jie's four corners, transformed simultaneously, slowing the collapsing world.

It was as if the universe had frozen in that instant.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Hen Ren struck four times in succession, suppressing the four beasts, his eyes flashing with intense killing intent. "Since you're seeking death, I'll grant it..."

As he roared and prepared to finish them off, he felt his raised arm seize up in mid-air.

"Want to kill them? Did you ask me first?"

In the shocked gazes of the crowd, a figure stepped out of the air.

It was Zhang Xuan!

Now, the young man exuded surging power, at least ten times stronger than before, descending like a world unto himself.

"You've improved a lot..."

Hen Ren halted, his gaze turning serious.

He couldn't understand how the young man's strength had changed so dramatically in just minutes.

"But so what? Even at its peak, Shen Jie couldn't withstand me. I don't believe you can!"

Hen Ren snorted coldly and struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his long sword and met the attack.

The two clashed, tearing space apart and sending shockwaves everywhere.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

In Zi Zai Tian, at Kong Shi's residence, Luo Ruoxi watched worriedly.

She and Kong Shi had transferred their power to Zhang Xuan, reducing their own cultivation to merely Shen Wang level, no longer as glorious as before.

However, their foundation remained, and with enough power, they could recover eventually.

"With his current strength, winning will be tough! Unless... he comprehends a power beyond Di Jun!"

After a moment of silence, Kong Shi said.

Even with the power of over a dozen Di Jun infused into him, defeating Hen Ren wouldn't be easy.

The reason for this approach was that only by concentrating the power in one person could they touch the pinnacle and truly surpass limits.

"A power beyond Di Jun?"

Luo Ruoxi's eyes grew distant.

Her father had said the same when he was awake, but... could the man she loved achieve it?

"He can... He has an unyielding heart and an arrogant defiance toward the world."

Sensing her doubt, Kong Shi smiled.

...

Bang! Bang! Bang!

After several exchanges, Zhang Xuan's tiger's mouth split open, and a hideous wound appeared on his chest.

As Kong Shi had said, even with the complete Heavenly Dao power in his body, he wasn't a match.

"Ha! I thought you'd be something special. Turns out you're nothing!"

Hen Ren sneered.

"Since I'm no match anyway and will be killed eventually, I might as well die under your strongest attack..."

Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, stopped attacking, and looked at Hen Ren.

"Very well, I'll give you my strongest attack..."

Hearing this, Hen Ren paused, then snorted and raised his hand.

Whoosh!

A beam of green light appeared in his palm and slammed down.

It was indeed his strongest attack, making the entire Shen Jie rumble as if it couldn't bear the weight, creating a massive crater.

Zhang Xuan closed his eyes and didn't dodge.

Bang!

His head exploded, and his soul scattered.

"Zhang Xuan..."

Everyone's faces turned pale at the sight.

Luo Qi Qi seemed to go mad.

Yun Chi Di Jun and the others stared in wide-eyed shock, trembling.

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi, who had seen it happen, were both stunned.

The plan was for him to break through his limits and reach beyond Di Jun, so why did he give up and walk to his death?

Wasn't that wasting their efforts?

"Something's wrong—it's Bu Si Di Jun's undying method..."

As they puzzled over it, Kong Shi spoke up.

Everyone then saw that Zhang Xuan, whose head had exploded and soul shattered, had the pendant on his chest burst open. A drop of blood floated up, ignited into a blazing flame, and from within, an unharmed figure slowly emerged.

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

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

The reborn Zhang Xuan no longer had the Heavenly Dao library in his body; he was free from its interference and the Heavenly Dao's bindings.

"How did he do that?"

Kong Shi was full of disbelief.

To escape, he had to scatter his soul and use You Hun Chi to reform it.

Yet Zhang Xuan had achieved it with just one lethal strike—what method had he used?

"I get it... He used the same method Hen Ren used to escape the Linghun Qiyue..."

Luo Ruoxi realized.

The Linghun Qiyue bound master and servant, unbreakable unless the master released it... The Heavenly Dao library was similar, like an enhanced contract binding the soul.

But Hen Ren had used that special power to escape, and Zhang Xuan had asked about it in detail before. He must have been planning this.

That's why he deliberately let himself be killed, forcing Hen Ren to use his strongest attack.

Leveraging that power for rebirth, it had succeeded beyond expectations!

"So that's the way to break through Di Jun..."

The reborn Zhang Xuan smiled faintly, as if he had understood something. With a wave of his hand, his clone on the side instantly turned back into a lotus flower and flew over.

In an instant, it fused perfectly with him.

Everyone felt that the Zhang Xuan before them had become the nine heavens, and the nine heavens were him.

He lightly stamped his foot on the ground.

The chaotic nine heavens stabilized immediately.

The Jiu Tian Hun Dun Jin Lian, born with the nine heavens, could stabilize them. Now, with his clone fused perfectly, it meant he controlled that power.

Moreover, with the fusion of the Jiu Tian Hun Dun Jin Lian's cultivation, his already peak realm began to loosen, as if it could break through at any moment.

"Master-servant bonds, brotherhood, teacher-student ties, parent-child affection, romantic love... Fused together, they become all things in the world. That's what it means to be human!"

Zhang Xuan murmured with a smile.

The moment the Heavenly Dao library left his soul, he had realized.

Did the world exist first, with people observing it, or did people come first?

Was it the wind moving or the heart?

These eternal questions had troubled countless people.

But now... none of that mattered!

Without life, without emotion, what meaning did the world have?

So, after breaking through romantic love came the affection for all beings—the intertwined emotions of the world.

All things in the world have emotions. With emotion, there is the world; with emotion, life endures.

Love is emotion.

Hate is emotion.

Joy is emotion.

Sorrow is emotion.

Parting is emotion.

Reunion is emotion!

"Ten thousand emotions, all for my use..."

With a soft cry, the shackles in Zhang Xuan's body shattered instantly.

He had broken through the Di Jun barriers!

In that moment, it was as if he had touched a new world and gate. His soul was rapidly nourished.

Countless strands of primal chaos energy surged toward him, and his physical body advanced swiftly.

He no longer needed to absorb spiritual energy; spatial chaos, primal chaos energy, even the opponent's green light—everything could be his, indistinguishable.

"You..."

Hen Ren hadn't expected his full attack not only to fail in killing him but to empower him, and he raged, "Wah!" shouting as he attacked again.

"You resent the lofty Di Jun for not saving you from the spatial chaos—that's emotion; you feel humiliated as my servant, harboring卑微 and anger—that's emotion; you want to destroy Shen Jie to vent your rage—that's emotion; you crave greater power—that's emotion... Emotion controls you, so how can you defeat me, who controls emotion?"

Zhang Xuan smiled faintly, his voice growing faster and louder. With a gentle grasp of his hand, Hen Ren, who had been invincible, was bound by countless emotional threads, rendered immobile.

As long as there was emotion, he could be used and controlled!

"You..."

Hen Ren's eyes filled with panic. "Zhang Shi, I'm your servant—don't kill me... I'm willing to offer my soul..."

"It's too late for that now..."

Zhang Xuan smiled and shook his head.

Controlling the emotions of the world, something like a servant held no meaning for him.

After killing so many in Shen Jie, hurting his girlfriend Luo Qi Qi, and so many friends, how could he forgive today?

"No..."

Sensing his resolve, Hen Ren's pupils contracted. Before he could finish, intense pain wracked his body.

Bang!

In an instant, he exploded, turning into vast spiritual energy that surged across Shen Jie.

All the power that Chao Xi Hai had devoured was now returned, revitalizing the barren lands.

"This..."

"Is that it? He's dead?"

Yun Chi Di Jun, Bu Si Di Jun, Ling Long Xian Zi, and the others stared in disbelief.

They had fought Hen Ren and knew his terror. For such a powerful being to be vanquished so easily, what level had Zhang Xuan reached?

Was there truly a realm beyond Di Jun?

"He succeeded..."

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi unclenched their fists.

"This is part of the Heavenly Dao, so I'll return it now..."

Seeing the "Heavenly Dao Incomplete" that had been separated from his body still floating in the air, Zhang Xuan smiled lightly and flicked his finger.

Buzz!

The library that had accompanied him since rebirth embedded itself into Shen Jie's sky with a thunderous ring.

The collapsing Shen Jie visibly stabilized, and the chaotic flows gathered once more.

The crumbling world finally halted, and the depleted spiritual energy slowly revived with Hen Ren's death.

"It seems Shen Jie is about to enter an era of spiritual energy revival..."

Zhang Xuan smiled.

The hole in Chao Xi Hai had closed with the Heavenly Dao's completion, and Shen Jie's return to its former glory was only a matter of time.

"Zhang Xuan, come here..."

As he finished, a voice echoed in his mind. Zhang Xuan paused and stepped forward.

In that step, he didn't know how far he traveled, and soon he saw a young man standing before him.

It was the one who had taught him the sword technique.

"Senior, you..."

Seeing it was him, Zhang Xuan was surprised.

He had always felt this person was unfathomable, and now he realized the man was only a step away from his own level, at the absolute peak of Di Jun, far surpassing the previous Luo Ruoxi.

"Just call me by my name. I'm Nie Tong!"

The young man exuded an unstoppable sword intent and said lightly.

"Nie Tong?"

Zhang Xuan furrowed his brow.

He had never heard this name.

"Come with me; I'll take you to see my brother!"

Nie Tong smiled faintly and stepped forward.

Zhang Xuan followed closely. After an unknown distance, they stopped at a mountain peak.

There, another young man stood.

He looked only slightly older than Nie Tong, with upward-sweeping brows that gave a profound, inscrutable air.

"This strength..."

Zhang Xuan trembled.

This young man's power surpassed his own. He had also broken through Di Jun's barriers, and his cultivation was even deeper and more profound!

"I am Nie Yun!"

The young man smiled faintly and looked over. "Or rather... Nie Ling Xi, the father of Luo Ruoxi in your words!"

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

Zhang Xuan was shocked. "You're... the Shen Jie Heavenly Dao?"

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

"I used One Qi Transforms Three Purities; one part of my soul became the Heavenly Dao! Besides, I created this world, so calling me the Heavenly Dao isn't wrong!"

Nie Yun smiled lightly.

Zhang Xuan couldn't believe it.

Shen Jie was created by this man?

Then how strong was he?

"That's not right—if Shen Jie is your creation and you're the Heavenly Dao, why did you let Hen Ren rampage without intervening... Even your daughter's life was at risk?"

Zhang Xuan looked over.

If it weren't for his breakthrough, Shen Jie might have completely fallen. Why had this man done nothing? Not even caring about his daughter?

Nie Yun didn't answer the question directly but looked at him. "Do you think there's life beyond Shen Jie, even stronger than here?"

"This..."

Zhang Xuan paused. "There should be..."

Though he hadn't seen it, since this man could reach such a level, others might too, perhaps even stronger—like the one before him.

"I once suspected there was more beyond Shen Jie, so I tried to peer further, but it drew the backlash of a higher world... A massive hand descended!"

Nie Yun said. "If I'd dodged, Shen Jie might have been wiped out entirely, leaving no life. So, I blocked it, but my Heavenly Dao form shattered as a result."

"In that state, restoring myself would be just a thought, but... I realized that to truly transcend Shen Jie's limits and explore where that hand came from, and what's beyond Shen Jie, I couldn't do it alone. So, I wanted to see if any life could break through Di Jun's barriers and reach my level!"

"That's why I sent the scattered Heavenly Dao intent to the lowest worlds... granting it to souls originally of this world and one not belonging here. And you didn't disappoint me in the end!"

Nie Yun laughed.

"A soul not belonging to this world—so, my crossing over was because of you?"

Zhang Xuan's heart shook.

He had wondered how he could cross over, and now he knew it was this man's doing.

"Heh!"

Nie Yun chuckled lightly. "Those native to this world have reverence for it, making it harder to break its limits. I just had a whim and didn't expect you to succeed..."

"I..."

Zhang Xuan's face reddened. "Without Kong Shi, I couldn't have reached this level..."

Without Kong Shi's selflessness, achieving his current state would have been impossible.

"The opportunity was his, but he didn't seize it. His duel with Ling Xi was his best chance to break through, but he chose to retreat, thinking he had a backup to escape unscathed. In reality, he lost his fearless drive. Facing someone beyond us, without that spirit, how can you contend?"

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan fell silent.

He had witnessed their battle; Kong Shi had indeed lacked decisiveness.

Perhaps he hadn't wanted to kill Luo Ruoxi.

But that single hesitation had cost him his chance.

"If Kong Shi had won, Luo Ruoxi would have died..."

After a moment, Zhang Xuan looked over, his brows furrowing.

Was this man indifferent even to his daughter's life?

"With me there, she wouldn't have died..."

Nie Yun smiled faintly. "You're now almost at my level. In a life-or-death situation, could you save someone?"

"This..."

Zhang Xuan smiled bitterly.

Beyond Di Jun was a different concept from Di Jun. If this man had wanted to act, he could have saved her at the last moment without a scratch.

"Ling Xi is the child of my other wife, Luo Qing Cheng, so she used the surname Luo as a disguise... To make her believe and not act on emotion, I've let her think I'm still in a coma until now..."

Nie Yun sighed bitterly. "I'm quite the heartless father... Anyway, you should explain this to her. Her feelings have shifted to you now; she probably doesn't even think of me anymore... Ha ha, I'll stay hidden for a while. Otherwise, she might turn the world upside down..."

Seeing how unreliable this father was, Zhang Xuan's face twitched, and he had no choice but to agree. "Alright..."

He had no option; who asked him to win over the man's daughter?

"The Heavenly Dao library was my intent, both a foundation and a shackle. You broke through it with your own ability, showing your potential. With my daughter by your side, as her father, I'm content."

Nie Yun said.