Chapter 467: Who Committed the Foul?

Soul contracts bind souls together, and as long as the initiator does not release it, even if the other party has unparalleled means, it cannot be broken.

For example, the Undying Emperor, Xiao Huang Ji, was once only a God King, and even as an Emperor, he could not resolve such a pact.

To prevent this individual from going back on their word and causing backlash, the Master Teacher Continent had specifically decreed that even if the other party could escape the Heavenly Dao's registry, they still could not break free from the soul's agreement!

"Ling Hun Qi Yue is indeed impossible to separate from the sea of consciousness, but I have fused with a special gas that can even dissolve the Heavenly Dao. Resolving this contract is not difficult... As long as I have enough power to strike at the location of the contract, I can do it!"

Hen Ren said.

Ling Hun Qi Yue is based on the foundation of the Heavenly Dao, and since this special power can dissolve even the God Realm's Heavenly Dao, what difficulty is there in resolving a soul contract, as long as it is 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 unknown amount of power during their conversation, using it for nourishment.

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

Luo Ruoxi also sensed something was wrong and quickly sent a message.

"Let's make our move!" With his doubts cleared, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, raised the long sword in his hand abruptly, and said, "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 cherish eternally!

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

Though this sword technique had not reached the level comprehended by Emperors, it contained all of his inner obsessions, pushing his Tian Ruo You Qing cultivation to its limits.

Whoosh!

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

At the same time, Luo Ruoxi struck out, her jade hand swirling as sword light fell like snow.

Her swordsmanship bore some resemblance to 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 still fall short..."

Hen Ren chuckled lightly and reached down again.

In an instant, his hand covered the sky, enveloping the heavens and earth, shattering space, as if the sun, moon, and stars were about to be forcibly pulled down.

Pfft! Pfft!

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

With their strength, they could not withstand him!

What realm had this guy reached?

"Outrageous!" His avatar 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 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, he too was sent flying, unable to block even one move.

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

Even after becoming an Emperor, his avatar had not changed its habit of showing off...

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

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

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

The other six great Emperors also unleashed their techniques.

The seven Emperors united, their power enough to destroy heaven and earth, incapable of being withstood by any realm. But Hen Ren, having absorbed the special power, simply let the black hole expand as the attacks approached, swallowing them clean in an instant before countering.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The seven Emperors, like Zhang Xuan and the others, were sent flying.

Even ten great Emperors together could not 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!"

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

"Another Emperor? He's also at the Emperor level?"

Zhang Xuan's pupils contracted.

He had thought this elder was just a attendant, at most a titled God King, but now he realized the man was also an Emperor powerhouse!

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

"He's the Emperor 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 could not hold back.

"He's..." Luo Ruoxi was about to answer when the space twisted, and they saw the Jian Shen Tian Emperor sent flying, crashing into the ground and creating a huge crater.

With Zhang Xuan's current strength and comprehension of the sword dao, even he could not contend, so despite this elder's formidable cultivation and superior sword skills, he was no match.

"Ha! Emperors are nothing but a bunch of weaklings! Today, I will destroy the Nine Heavens, obliterate this God Realm, and trample all rules!"

After defeating the Jian Shen Tian Emperor, 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 avatar had already used their full strength, and even Luo Ruoxi had deployed her most powerful moves, yet none could block even one of his attacks...

Was there truly no one in the God Realm who could stop this man?

Would he be allowed to destroy the world?

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

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

"Return 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 repairing its flaws and expelling Hen Ren.

It was like the immune system of the body.

A complete immune system could easily fend off viruses, but if damaged, even a strong person could 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 could be killed by the immune system, but what about a fierce tiger?

This man was just an ordinary God King, yet even titled ones could be easily slain by the Heavenly Dao. He was stronger than Emperors... 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 with ease!"

"He?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

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

Taking a deep breath, Luo Ruoxi 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, sword intent blazing forth.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

It was blocked by Hen Ren once more.

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

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

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone selflessly holding the line without fear of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened, but he knew now was not the time for words. He pulled Luo Ruoxi along, his body flickering as he tore through space, emerging in the Zi Zai Tian area the next moment.

Zi Zai Tian was no longer as peaceful as before. The God Realm was collapsing, everywhere in chaos.

"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 the God Realm, he was willing to make the sacrifice!

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

Luo Ruoxi regulated her breathing and explained.

"Father?"

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

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

That also explained why the Undying Emperor's remnant will had recognized him as master upon seeing the pendant.

"Is your father also an Emperor? Or does he possess strength beyond that?"

He could not help but ask.

The library's chaos had been calmed by the blood in the pendant, so was it possible that not only she, but her father as well, was an Emperor, 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. He is... 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 could not withstand that massive hand and fell into a coma. The Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts: Tian Dao You Xu and Tian Dao You Que entered the spatial chaos, while I took control of Tian Dao Zi Ran to maintain the God Realm's balance. The only way to restore him is to gather the scattered parts... That's why I was so determined, why I couldn't fail! That's why I entered the Master Teacher Continent 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 understood.

Not long after they met on the Master Teacher Continent, this girl had told him her story—she needed to save a close relative. 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 on behalf of Tian Dao Zi Ran... You don't have a fragment of the Heavenly Dao in your body?" Suddenly realizing the implication in her words, Zhang Xuan looked over.

Acting on behalf was different from what he had, which was fused within.

"I only control it; 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 Tian Dao You Que; she didn't have to die.

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

"If I separate the Tian Dao You Que 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 awoke, could he truly defeat that 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 avatar, the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, and even Kong Shi—if we work together, we might still win!"

"Kong Shi? He..." 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 Chang Feng, a Xian Tian Tai Hun Ti!"

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Chang Feng 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 undeluded even in the womb.

With his prior arrangements, 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 wouldn't have stayed away from the Chao Xi Hai..."

Zhang Xuan said.

Kong Shi's students, like Zi Yuan Gu Sheng and the others, were incredibly strong. Even without an Emperor's help, they could enter the Chao Xi Hai, yet none had appeared.

They must have something more important—helping Kong Shi recover.

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

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, Zhang Xuan waved his hand, and they arrived at the place where Kong Shi resided. Sure enough, an elder was floating in the air in a meditative pose. Seeing them, he smiled slightly. "You've come!"

It was Kong Shi!

This teacher of all ages had not disappointed him!

As guessed, he had revived while everyone's attention was on the Chao Xi Hai.

"You..." Luo Ruoxi trembled.

She knew Emperors could revive, as the Undying Emperor had, but not so quickly!

"I hid from the Heavenly Dao and prepared in advance. The nameless giant in the You Hun Pool was left by me. When you slew me that day, I used it to break free from the Heavenly Dao's constraints and reform my body. I've only just recovered now!"

Kong Shi smiled faintly.

He was proficient in 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 combined strength is 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 themselves; 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 individually or even together, 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 apart 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 Emperors, would be no match alone..."

Kong Shi said. "But if we concentrate all our power into one person... it might be different!"

"How do we concentrate it?"

Luo Ruoxi asked.

It sounded simple, but doing it was hard.

Emperors stood at the pinnacle of the God Realm. If it were that easy to absorb others' power, she wouldn't have been stalled for so many years.

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

Kong Shi said.

"Me? Why me?"

Zhang Xuan was stunned.

"Ling Xi Di Zun cultivates freedom and transcendence, but with his father and the Heavenly Dao's restrictions, and his attachments, he can never truly transcend! If I guessed right, 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 his intention, so at the beginning, both had held back, more like sparring than a life-or-death battle.

"Unable to transcend, 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 seek to embrace all beings and enlighten the world, but I'm too unwilling to let others sacrifice for me—too much benevolence is a flaw! If I had been more ruthless and wiped out the Yi Ling Clan, we wouldn't be in this situation..."

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, 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 cherish eternally!

If even death means nothing, what else could bind him?

"This..." Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, when Kong Shi looked at him intently. "No need to decline—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 Di Zun has no Heavenly Dao fragment, but she's long controlled the Heavenly Dao, giving her her own understanding of it. I control Tian Dao You Xu. If we channel our power to you, you'll have the complete Heavenly Dao force within you! Combined with your avatar's Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, you can stabilize the Nine Heavens, control the universe, battle the nine realms, and extinguish all things!"

"Alright!"

Seeing the decision was made, Zhang Xuan nodded.

Boom!

He sat cross-legged, and in the blink of an eye, 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 rapidly purified, 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 the avatar and the Emperors was indeed strong, but compared to him, it was still weak.

The Chao Xi Hai had devoured nearly all the spiritual energy outside the cities in the God Realm, and now that energy had become his sustenance. Every move he made carried the power to destroy the world, and these Emperors and God Kings, 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, Yun Chi, will perish with you..."

Yun Chi Da Di transformed into his true form, a massive five-clawed golden dragon, lunging through the air 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.

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

Xuan Ming Da Di'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, and the collapsing God Realm slowed.

The universe seemed to freeze in that instant.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

With four consecutive strikes, Hen Ren suppressed the four beasts, his eyes flashing with intense killing intent. "Since you're seeking death, I'll grant it..."

As he roared, about to deliver the fatal blow, he felt his raised arm tighten, frozen 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!

The young man now exuded surging power, at least ten times stronger than before, descending like a world unto itself.

"You've improved significantly..."

Hen Ren halted, his gaze turning serious.

He clearly didn't understand how the young man's strength had changed so dramatically in just a few minutes.

"But so what? Even at its peak, the God Realm 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, energy currents raging everywhere.

"Can Zhang Xuan win?"

In the Zi Zai Tian where Kong Shi resided, Luo Ruoxi watched with worry.

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

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

"With his current strength, winning is tough! Unless... he can comprehend a power that transcends the Emperor level!"

After a moment of silence, Kong Shi said.

Even with the power of over a dozen Emperors transferred to him, victory was not guaranteed.

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

"A power that transcends the Emperor level?"

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 pride 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 their fused power forming a complete Heavenly Dao within him, he was still no match.

"Ha, I thought you were something special. Turns out you're not!"

Hen Ren sneered.

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

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

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

Hearing this, Hen Ren paused, then snorted coldly, raising his hand.

Whoosh!

A green light appeared in his palm and slammed down.

It was indeed his strongest attack, making the entire God Realm rumble as if it could not bear the weight, creating a massive crater.

Zhang Xuan closed his eyes and did not dodge.

Bang!

His head exploded, his soul scattering.

"Zhang Xuan..."

Everyone's faces turned pale at the sight.

Luo Qi Qi seemed to go mad.

Yun Chi Da Di and the others stared wide-eyed, trembling.

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

The plan was for him to break through his limits and reach a realm beyond Emperors. Why did he not resist and choose death?

Wasn't this wasting their efforts?

wait, it's the Undying Emperor's method..."

As they wondered, Kong Shi spoke up.

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

"He... used the opponent's power and the blood in the pendant to separate the Tian Dao You Que from his soul?"

Luo Ruoxi's pupils shrank.

The reborn Zhang Xuan no longer had the Heavenly Dao library in his body, free from its interference and the Heavenly Dao's bindings!

"How did he do that?"

Kong Shi was also incredulous.

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

This one had freed himself with just one strike—what method had he used?

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

Luo Ruoxi realized.

Ling Hun Qi Yue bound master and servant, unbreakable unless the master released it... The Heavenly Dao library was similar, like an enhanced contract, binding the soul indissolubly.

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 Hen Ren strike with full force.

Using that power for rebirth, it had succeeded brilliantly!

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

The reborn Zhang Xuan smiled faintly, as if enlightened. He waved a hand, and his avatar immediately turned back into a lotus flower and flew over.

In an instant, it fused perfectly with him.

Suddenly, everyone felt that Zhang Xuan 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 his avatar fused seamlessly, he controlled that power.

Not only that, with the fusion and his peak realm loosening, it seemed he 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!"

Smiling, Zhang Xuan murmured to himself.

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

Did the world exist because people observed it, or did people come after the world?

Was 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 did the world had?

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

All things in the world 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 instantly.

The Emperor's constraints were broken!

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

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

He once needed to absorb spiritual energy to progress, but now, spatial chaos, chaotic energy, even the opponent's green light—anything 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, "Waah!" charging again.

"You resent the lofty Emperors 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 the God Realm to vent your fury—that's emotion; you seek 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, 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'll offer my soul..."

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

Zhang Xuan smiled and shook his head.

Controlling the world's emotions, such servant bonds meant nothing to him.

He had killed so many in the God Realm, hurt his girlfriend Luo Qi Qi, and so many friends. How could he forgive that today?

"No..."

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

Bang!

In an instant, he exploded, turning into vast spiritual energy that surged across the God Realm.

All the power that the Chao Xi Hai had devoured was now returned, revitalizing the withered wilderness.

"This..."

"Is that it? He's gone?"

Yun Chi Da Di, the Undying Emperor, 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 erased so easily, what level had Zhang Xuan reached?

Was there truly a realm beyond Emperors?

"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 "Tian Dao You Que" 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 boom.

The collapsing God Realm visibly stabilized, and the chaotic energies gathered once more.

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

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

Zhang Xuan smiled.

The Chao Xi Hai'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 felt this person was unfathomable before, and now realized he was only a step away, having reached the absolute peak of Emperors, 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 and stepped forward.

Zhang Xuan followed closely, traveling an unknown distance before stopping at a mountain peak.

There, he saw another young man.

His appearance was not much older, with raised eyebrows giving a profound, inscrutable air.

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

This young man's power surpassed even his, having broken through the Emperor's constraints with even deeper, more profound cultivation!

"I am Nie Yun!"

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

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

Zhang Xuan was shocked. "You... are the God Realm's Heavenly Dao?"

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

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

Nie Yun smiled faintly.

Zhang Xuan could hardly believe it.

The God Realm was created by this man?

Then how strong was he?

"That's not right. If the God Realm is your creation and you're the Heavenly Dao, why did you let Hen Ren rampage without intervening... even regarding your daughter's life?"

Zhang Xuan asked.

Nie Yun did not answer but looked at him. "Do you think... beyond the God Realm, there are even stronger beings?"

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

Though he hadn't seen any, since this man could reach such heights, others might too, perhaps even further.

"I once suspected that beyond the God Realm lay greater powers, so I tried to peer into it with all my might, ultimately drawing backlash from a higher world... a hand descended from the void!"

Nie Yun said. "If I had 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 constraints, 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's constraints and reach my level!"

"That's why I sent the scattered Heavenly Dao intents to the lowest worlds... granting them to souls native to this world and one not belonging to it. And you didn't disappoint me!"

Nie Yun laughed.

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

Zhang Xuan was shocked.

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

"Heh!" Nie Yun chuckled lightly. "Those native to this world have reverence for it, making it harder to break free. I acted on a whim and didn't expect you to succeed..."

"I..." Zhang Xuan's face reddened. "If not for Kong Shi, I couldn't have reached this level..."

Without Kong Shi's selflessness, achieving this was 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 drive. Without that spirit, how can one face those who surpass us?"

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan fell silent.

He had witnessed their fight; Kong Shi had indeed lacked resolve.

He might not have wanted to kill Luo Ruoxi.

But that single thought had cost him the 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 here, she wouldn't die..."

Nie Yun smiled faintly. "At your current level, do you think, in a life-or-death situation, you could save someone?"

"This..." Zhang Xuan苦笑.

Breaking through to this realm was different from being an Emperor. If he truly wanted to, he could save someone at the last moment without a scratch.

"Ling Xi is from my other wife, Luo Qing Cheng, so she uses 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. "I'm quite the heartless father... You explain this to her. Her feelings have shifted to you, so she probably doesn't even think of me anymore... Ha, I'll stay hidden for a while. Otherwise, she might turn everything upside down..."

Seeing how unreliable this father was, Zhang Xuan's face twitched, and he had to agree. "Alright..."

He had no choice—who else could he blame for winning her heart?

"The Heavenly Dao library was my intent, both foundation and constraint. You broke through it on your own, showing your ability and potential. Your future is boundless. With my daughter by your side, as her father, I'm content."

With that, the content ends.