Chapter 466: The Divination

The soul contract binds souls together; as long as the initiator does not release it, even if the other party has unparalleled means, it cannot be broken. It's like the Undying Emperor Jun, Jun Xiao Huangji, who was only a Shen Wang back then, and even as an Emperor Jun, he couldn't resolve such an agreement. To prevent this individual from going back on their word and causing backlash, the Master Teacher Continent specifically decreed that even if one could escape the Heavenly Dao's registry, they still couldn't break free from the soul contract.

"Indeed, a soul contract cannot be split from the sea of consciousness, but I've fused with a special gas that can even resolve the Heavenly Dao itself. Dissolving this contract isn't difficult... As long as I have enough power to strike where the contract resides, I can do it!"

Hen Ren said.

The soul contract is built on the foundation of the Heavenly Dao. Since this special power can dissolve even the God Realm's 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 the God Realm!"

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 during their conversation 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 message through divine sense.

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

Boom!

His most powerful sword intent erupted once more.

To live is to return, to die is to long for each other!

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

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

Whoosh!

One strike cleaved Hen Ren's attack in two.

At the same time, Luo Ruoxi struck out. Her jade hand swirled, her sword light like 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 if the sun, moon, and stars would be forcibly pulled down.

Pfft! Pfft!

Zhang Xuan and Luo Ruoxi were both sent flying backward, spitting blood in mid-air.

With their strength, they couldn't withstand it!

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.

After refining the Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, his cultivation was no weaker than Zhang Xuan's.

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

But when it clashed with Hen Ren, he too was sent flying, unable to block even one move.

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

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

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

"Join forces, or we'll all die if they fall..."

Xiao Huangji roared, his crimson flames burning as if igniting the sky.

The other six great Emperor Juns also unleashed their techniques.

The seven Emperor Juns united, their power enough to destroy the heavens and earth, making even a realm unable to withstand them. But Hen Ren, having absorbed the special power, simply let his black hole expand. In the blink of an eye, it devoured their attacks completely, then countered swiftly.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The seven Emperor Juns, along with Zhang Xuan and the others, were all sent flying.

Even ten great Emperor Juns together 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.

"How dare you, vermin!"

Accompanying a loud shout, the elder from Jian Shen Tian suddenly appeared, blocking the way with his long sword transforming into a galaxy.

"Emperor Jun? He's also at Emperor Jun level?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

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

If he was an Emperor Jun, then what about that young man?

"He's the Emperor 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?"

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 Emperor Jun sent flying, crashing into the ground and forming a massive crater.

With Zhang Xuan's current strength and sword dao comprehension, even he couldn't hold out, so despite this elder's high cultivation and masterful sword techniques, he was no match.

"Ha! Emperor Juns are nothing but a bunch of weaklings! Today, I'll destroy the Nine Heavens, wipe out the God Realm, and trample all rules!"

After defeating the Jian Shen Tian Emperor Jun, Hen Ren laughed maniacally. The space around him collapsed continuously, making him seem like a demon.

"What do we do?" Zhang Xuan clenched his fists.

He and his clone had used their full power, and even Luo Ruoxi had unleashed her strongest moves, yet none could block even one of his strikes...

Could no one in the God Realm stop this man?

Would he be allowed to destroy the world?

"The only way is to return your Heavenly Dao fragment to the Heavenly Dao itself, letting it suppress him..."

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

"Return it to the Heavenly Dao itself?" 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.

Like a body's immune system.

A complete immune system can easily drive out viruses; if damaged, even a strong body can succumb to invasion.

But...

"He's too powerful. Even if the Heavenly Dao is restored, it might not suppress him!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Viruses can be killed by the immune system, but what about a fierce tiger?

This man was beyond an ordinary Shen Wang or even Feng Hao; he surpassed Emperor Juns... far beyond what the Heavenly Dao could handle.

"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 slay this one easily!"

"He?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

Ding! Ding! Ding!

It was blocked by Hen Ren once more.

"Go, I'll hold him off..."

Knowing they were trying to save the God Realm, not flee, the clone and the Undying Emperor Zun shouted, blocking the way, while Luo Qiqi transformed back into her Jing Kong Pearl form.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone risk their lives to hold the line without fear of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened, but he knew now wasn't the time for words. He pulled Luo Ruoxi along, tore through space, and in the next moment, they arrived in Zi You Tian's domain.

Zi You Tian was no longer as peaceful as before; the God Realm was collapsing, and chaos reigned everywhere.

"Where is he?" Zhang Xuan asked, ignoring the ordinary people's plight and looking at the girl in his arms.

If this person could truly save the God Realm, he was willing to sacrifice himself!

"He's my father. The blood in your pendant is his, and the Undying Emperor Jun was once his beast pet..."

Luo Ruoxi steadied her breath and explained.

"Father?" Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

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

That also explained why the Undying Emperor Jun's remnant will had submitted to him upon seeing the pendant.

"Is your father also an Emperor Jun? Or does he have power beyond that?"

Zhang Xuan couldn't help asking.

The library's chaos had been calmed by the pendant's blood. Could it be that not only she, but her father was an Emperor Jun, or even stronger?

If so, why was he in a coma?

And why did it require a flawed Heavenly Dao for him to awaken?

"He's not an Emperor Jun, but... the Heavenly Dao!"

Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists.

"The Heavenly Dao? Your father... is the Heavenly Dao?" Zhang Xuan was shocked, 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 Flawed entered the spatial chaos, while I took control of Heavenly Dao Natural to maintain the God Realm's balance. The only way to restore him is to gather the scattered parts... That's why I've been so determined, unable to fail! That's why I entered the Master Teacher Continent to study the Spring and Autumn Codex 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 finally understood.

Not long after they met on the Master Teacher Continent, this girl had shared her story with him—to save a dear one. He hadn't grasped it then, but now he did.

It was her father, and he was the God Realm's Heavenly Dao!

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

"Acting as Heavenly Dao Natural... You don't have a Heavenly Dao fragment in your body?" Suddenly realizing the inconsistency in her words, Zhang Xuan looked at her.

Acting as and fusing with were two different concepts.

"I'm just controlling it; I'm not part of the Heavenly Dao..."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan sighed in relief.

That meant he only needed to separate his own Heavenly Dao Flawed; she wouldn't have to die.

Though he was reluctant to accept this fate, he didn't want the girl before him to suffer.

"If I separate the Heavenly Dao Flawed from my body, your father can awaken and even slay Hen Ren, right?" Zhang Xuan asked.

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

Luo Ruoxi glanced at the collapsing God Realm, hesitating.

The God Realm was her father's foundation, and now it was in ruins. Even if he awakened, could he truly defeat such a powerful Hen Ren?

It was hard to say!

"Since you can't be certain, it's better to rely on ourselves... We only have ourselves to count on!" Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth. "You, me, my clone, plus the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, and even Kong Shi—if we work together, we might still win!"

"Kong Shi? He's..."

Luo Ruoxi frowned.

"He's dead, right? But he hasn't truly died. If I'm guessing correctly, 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— an innate fetal soul body that avoids confusion in the womb.

Add to that his pre-arranged contingencies, and revival was only a matter of time.

Luo Ruoxi was stunned, apparently not expecting this.

"Let's go check. If I'm right, he should have recovered by now. Otherwise, his students wouldn't have stayed away from the Tide Sea..."

Zhang Xuan said.

Kong Shi's students, like Zi Yuan Gu Sheng and the others, were incredibly strong. Even without an Emperor Jun's help, they could enter the Tide Sea, yet none had appeared. They must have something more important—helping Kong Shi recover.

"This..." Luo Ruoxi was shaken, suddenly understanding.

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, Zhang Xuan waved his hand, tearing space open and returning to where Kong Shi resided. Sure enough, an elder was floating in mid-air, cross-legged. Seeing them arrive, he smiled faintly. "You're here!"

Who else could it be but Kong Shi?

This teacher of ages hadn't disappointed him!

As expected, while everyone's attention was on the Tide Sea, he had revived.

"You..."

Luo Ruoxi trembled.

She knew Emperor Juns could revive, like the Undying Emperor Jun, but she hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.

"I hid from the Heavenly Dao and prepared in advance. That nameless giant in the You Hun Pool 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 a master of time abilities, so while only one or two days had passed in the God Realm, he had experienced much longer to restore his power—perhaps decades.

"Our individual strengths are strong, and together we're even more so, 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 Kong Shi wouldn't change the outcome!

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

Kong Shi looked at them with a smile.

"Fuse into one person?"

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

"That hand could tear the God Realm and scatter the Heavenly Dao—its power is undeniable. Hen Ren absorbed that power and devoured the God Realm's spiritual energy for fifty years. Any of us, or even all ten-plus Emperor Juns, can't match him alone..."

Kong Shi said. "But if we unite and concentrate our power into one person... maybe then we could!"

"How do we concentrate it?"

Luo Ruoxi asked.

It sounded simple, but doing it was hard.

Emperor Juns stood at the God Realm's peak. If absorbing others' power was that easy, she wouldn't have stagnated for so long.

"It's simple... We'll channel our power into Zhang Xuan. Once he breaks through the Emperor Jun constraints, he can save the God Realm!"

Kong Shi said.

"Me? Why me?"

Zhang Xuan was stunned.

"Ling Xi Emperor Zun cultivates freedom and transcendence, but with his father's and the Heavenly Dao's restrictions, and his attachments, he can never truly transcend! If I didn't misjudge, when he fought me, he once gave up, intending to let me kill him!"

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi fell silent.

During their fight, that had indeed been her intention, so at the start, they had both held back, more like sparring than a life-or-death battle.

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

Kong Shi nodded. "I bear the weight of all beings and wish to save the world, but I'm too compassionate, which is a flaw! If I'd been 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 cultivation is seamless, without flaws. He values living true to himself; 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, to die is to long for each other!

If even death doesn't matter, what else can bind him?

"This..." Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, but Kong Shi looked at him intently. "No need to refuse—time is short. Training someone else isn't feasible, and even if it were, I doubt anyone could do it better than you! Ling Xi Emperor 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 channel our power to you, you'll have the complete Heavenly Dao force! Combined with your clone's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, you can stabilize the Nine Heavens, command the universe, battle the nine skies, and destroy all things!"

"Alright!"

Seeing the decision was made, Zhang Xuan nodded.

Boom!

He sat cross-legged, and in an instant, two vast powers surged into him from both sides.

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

His soul, body, and true energy were all cleansed in that moment, 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 Qiqi, the clone, and the others away, Hen Ren sneered coldly.

The combined power of the clone and the various Emperor Juns was formidable, but compared to him, it was still weak.

The Tide Sea had devoured nearly all the spiritual energy outside the God Realm's cities, and now that energy nourished him. Every move he made carried the ability to destroy the world. These Emperor Juns and Shen Wangs, despite representing the God Realm's peak, were no match.

At that moment, Hen Ren seemed to embody the entire God Realm, unstoppable.

"The God Realm's destruction means our lives are meaningless too. I'll go down with you..."

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

"You? 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 Emperor Jun roared, transforming into his white tiger form and charging forward.

The Undying Emperor Jun revealed his undying fire phoenix form, flames lighting up the sky.

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

The four divine beasts, guardians of the God Realm's four poles, transformed simultaneously, slowing the collapsing realm.

It was as if the universe froze 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 seek death, I'll grant it..."

As he roared and prepared to finish them, he felt his raised arm lock in place.

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

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

It was Zhang Xuan!

Now, his power surged, at least ten times stronger than before, descending like a world unto itself.

"You've improved a lot..."

Hen Ren halted, his gaze turning serious.

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

"But so what? Even the God Realm at its peak 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, space tearing apart and energy raging everywhere.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

In Zi You 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 Shen Wang level, no longer as glorious as before.

But their foundation remained; with enough power, they could recover eventually.

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

After a moment of silence, Kong Shi said.

Even with the power of over a dozen Emperor Juns transferred to him, victory wasn't guaranteed.

The reason for this was to concentrate the power into one person, potentially touching the pinnacle and truly surpassing limits.

"A power beyond Emperor 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 a proud 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 massive wound appeared on his chest, gruesome and terrifying.

As Kong Shi had said, even with the complete Heavenly Dao force 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.

"Fine, I'll give you my strongest attack..."

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

Whoosh!

A green light appeared in his palm and slammed down.

It was indeed his strongest attack; the entire God Realm rumbled, as if it couldn't bear the weight, forming a massive crater.

Zhang Xuan closed his eyes and didn't dodge.

Bang!

His head exploded, his soul scattering.

"Zhang Xuan..."

Everyone's faces turned pale at the sight.

Luo Qiqi seemed to go mad.

Yun Chi Emperor Jun and the others stared in disbelief, trembling.

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi, seeing this, were both stunned.

The plan was for him to break through his limits and reach beyond the Emperor Jun realm. Why had he chosen to face death?

Wasn't this wasting their efforts?

wait, it's the Undying Emperor Jun's immortality technique..."

Just as they wondered, Kong Shi spoke up.

Everyone saw the pendant on Zhang Xuan's chest shatter, a drop of blood floating up and igniting into a blazing flame. From the flames, an intact figure slowly emerged.

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

Luo Ruoxi's pupils shrank.

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

"How did he do that?"

Kong Shi was full of disbelief.

To escape, he had to scatter his soul and reform it in the You Hun Pool.

This young man had achieved it with just one lethal strike—what method had he used?

"I get it... He used Hen Ren's method to escape the soul contract..."

Luo Ruoxi realized.

A soul contract binds master and servant, unbreakable unless the master releases it... The Heavenly Dao library was like an enhanced version, binding his soul indestructibly.

But Hen Ren had used that special power to escape, and Zhang Xuan had asked about the details earlier—probably planning it then.

So, he deliberately let Hen Ren use his strongest attack.

With that power, he was reborn in the flames, and it worked perfectly!

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

The Zhang Xuan emerging from the flames smiled faintly, as if enlightened. He waved his hand, and his clone 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 Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, born with the Nine Heavens, could stabilize them. Now, with the clone fused seamlessly, he controlled that power.

Moreover, with the lotus's cultivation integrated, his already peak realm began to loosen, as if breakthrough was imminent.

"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 understood.

Did the world create people, or do people create the world?

Is it the wind moving, or the heart?

This eternal question had puzzled countless people.

But now... it didn't matter.

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

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

All things have emotion; 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 restraints in Zhang Xuan's body shattered.

He broke through the Emperor Jun constraints!

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

Countless chaotic energies surged toward him, and his body advanced swiftly.

He could now absorb not just spiritual energy, but spatial chaos, chaotic energy—even the opponent's green light—turning it all into his own, indistinguishable.

"You..."

Hen Ren hadn't expected his full attack not only to fail but to empower the young man. Enraged, he roared and struck again.

"You resent the lofty Emperor Juns for not saving you from spatial chaos—that's emotion; feeling humble and angry as my servant—that's emotion; wanting to destroy the God Realm to vent your fury—that's emotion; desiring to grow stronger—that's emotion too... Emotion controls you, so how can you defeat me, or escape my control?"

Zhang Xuan smiled faintly, his voice growing faster and louder. He gently grasped his hand.

The once-unstoppable Hen Ren was bound by countless emotional threads, immobilized.

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, a servant meant nothing to him.

He had killed so many in the God Realm, hurt his girlfriend Luo Qiqi, and so many friends. How could he forgive that 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 into countless spiritual energies, surging back to every corner of the God Realm.

All the power the Tide Sea had devoured was returned, revitalizing the withered wastelands.

"This..."

"Is that it? He's dead?"

Yun Chi Emperor Jun, the Undying Emperor Jun, Ling Long Xian Zi, and the others stared in disbelief.

They had fought Hen Ren and knew his terror. For this young man to erase him so easily, what realm had he reached?

Could there truly be a level beyond Emperor 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 Flawed" 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 the God Realm's sky with a thunderous ring.

The collapsing God Realm visibly stabilized, and the chaotic energies regathered.

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

"It seems the God Realm is entering an era of spiritual revival..."

Zhang Xuan smiled.

The Tide Sea's void had been mended with the Heavenly Dao's completion, and the God Realm returning 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 traveled an unknown distance and 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 sensed this person's unfathomable depth before, and now realized he was only a step away, at the absolute peak of Emperor 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 the name.

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

Nie Tong smiled faintly and stepped forward.

Zhang Xuan followed closely. After flying 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 giving a profound, inscrutable air.

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

This young man's power surpassed even his, also beyond Emperor Jun, but deeper and more profound!

"I'm Nie Yun!" The young man smiled faintly and looked over. "Also... Nie Ling Xi, the one you know as Luo Ruoxi's father!"

"If Xi's father?" Zhang Xuan was shocked. "You're... the God Realm's Heavenly Dao?"

Luo Ruoxi had mentioned it, 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 was incredulous.

The God Realm was created by this man?

Then how strong was he?

"That's not right. If you created the God Realm and are the Heavenly Dao, why let Hen Ren rampage without intervening... Even your daughter's life in danger?"

Zhang Xuan looked at him.

If not for his breakthrough, the God Realm might have been utterly destroyed. Why had this man done nothing? Not even care about his daughter?

Nie Yun didn't answer directly but looked at him. "Do you think... beyond the God Realm, there are even stronger beings?"

"This..." Zhang Xuan paused. "Probably, right?"

Though he hadn't seen any, since this man had reached this level, others might too, or even exceed it—like the one before him.

"I once suspected that beyond the God Realm, there might be greater life forms, so I pushed myself to peek. In the end, it drew backlash from a higher world... A massive hand descended!"

Nie Yun continued, "If I'd dodged, the entire God Realm might have been wiped out, leaving no life. So, I blocked it, but my Heavenly Dao form shattered as a result."

"In that state, restoring myself is just a thought, but... I realized that to truly transcend the God Realm's limits, explore the hand's origin, and see what's beyond... I can't do it alone. So, I wanted to see if any being could break through the Emperor Jun constraints and reach my level."

"That's why I sent the scattered Heavenly Dao intents to the lowest worlds... one to a soul belonging to this world, and one to a soul not from here. And you didn't disappoint me in the end!"

Nie Yun laughed.

"A soul not from this world... So, my crossing over was because of you?"

Zhang Xuan's heart shook.

No wonder he could cross over—it was all this man's doing.

"Heh!" Nie Yun chuckled. "A soul native to this world has reverence for it, making it harder to break free. 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 selfless contribution, it 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 way out. 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 fight; Kong Shi had indeed lacked decisiveness.

Perhaps he didn't want to kill Luo Ruoxi.

"But if Kong Shi had won, If Xi 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. "At your current level, in a life-or-death situation, could you save someone? That's the difference between you and an Emperor Jun."

"This..." Zhang Xuan smiled bitterly.

Beyond Emperor Jun was a different concept. If this man had acted, he could have saved her without a scratch.

"Ling Xi is from my other wife, Luo Qing Cheng, so she took the surname Luo... 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. "I'm quite the heartless father. Anyway, you 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, but he had no choice. "Alright..."

"You've broken through the constraints with your own ability, proving your talent and potential. My daughter being with you brings me comfort as a father."

With that, the text ends.