Chapter 470: Desperate Struggle

The Ling Hun Qi Yue is a soul-binding contract that cannot be broken unless the person who initiated it chooses to release it, regardless of how powerful the other party is.

This is similar to the case of Bu Si Di Jun, also known as Xiao Huang Ji. Even when he was only a Shen Wang and later a Di Jun, he couldn't resolve such a pact. To prevent anyone from going back on their word and causing trouble, the Ming Shi Da Lu specifically stipulated that even if someone could escape the Tian Dao Zhi Ce, they still couldn't break free from a soul-level agreement.

"While the Ling Hun Qi Yue indeed cannot be separated from the sea of consciousness, I have fused with a special gas that can even dissolve the Tian Dao. 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!"

Ruthless One said.

The Ling Hun Qi Yue is based on the Tian Dao. Since this special power can even dissolve the Shen Jie Tian Dao, dissolving a soul contract isn't hard as long as it's handled correctly.

"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, Ruthless One said no more. His aura became even more ancient and profound, and the black hole behind him expanded further, clearly having absorbed a vast amount of power during their conversation to nourish himself.

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

Luo Ruoxi also sensed 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, "Since 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 a Di Jun, it contained all his inner obsessions, pushing his Tian Ruo You Qing cultivation to its absolute limit.

Whoosh!

With one sword strike, he cleaved Ruthless One's attack in two.

At the same moment, Luo Ruoxi made her move, her jade-like hand swirling as sword light danced 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're still lacking..."

With a faint smile, Ruthless One reached down again.

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

Pfft! Pfft!

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

Despite their strength, they couldn't withstand him!

Just how far had this guy advanced?

"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 cultivation was in no way inferior to Zhang Xuan's.

He raised a fist, its power surging toward the nine heavens.

But when it clashed with Ruthless One, he too was sent flying, unable to block even a single strike.

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

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

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

"Let's all attack together, or we'll all die if they fall..."

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

The remaining six Di Juns also unleashed their techniques.

The seven Di Juns united, their power enough to destroy heavens and earth, overwhelming any realm. But Ruthless One, having absorbed the 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 Juns, along with Zhang Xuan and the others, were all sent flying.

Even the ten Di Juns 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, Ruthless One stepped forward and swung his hand down again.

"You insolent rat!"

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

"Di Jun? He's also at Di 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 he 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..."

Struggling to stand, Luo Ruoxi gritted her teeth and said.

"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 the Jian Shen Tian elder was 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 hold his own, so despite the elder's formidable cultivation and sword skills, he was no match.

"Ha! Di Juns are nothing but a bunch of insignificant creatures! Today, I'll destroy the nine heavens, annihilate Shen Jie, and trample all rules!"

Defeating the Jian Shen Tian Di Jun, Ruthless One laughed maniacally, the surrounding space collapsing as he appeared 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 deployed her strongest techniques, yet none could block even one of his strikes...

Could it be that no one in Shen Jie 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 Tian Dao itself, letting it suppress him..."

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

"Return to the Tian Dao itself?" Zhang Xuan understood her meaning.

The library in his mind was part of the Tian Dao. Once returned, the Tian Dao would be complete, potentially fixing its flaws and expelling Ruthless One.

It was like a body's immune system.

A complete immune system could easily fend off viruses, but if damaged, even a strong body could succumb to invasion.

But...

"He's too powerful. Even if the Tian 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?

Ruthless One was just an ordinary Shen Wang, yet even beyond Di Jun level... He was no longer something the Tian 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 Tian Dao is complete, he can awaken and defeat 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?"

Ruthless One snorted coldly and pressed down.

Bang!

Luo Ruoxi plummeted from the air.

"You..."

Zhang Xuan unleashed his sword technique again, his sword intent radiating brilliantly.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

It was blocked by Ruthless One once more.

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

Knowing they were trying to save Shen Jie, not flee, the 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 fearlessly, even facing 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..."

After regulating her breath, Luo Ruoxi 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.

So that explained why the remnant will of Bu Si Di Jun recognized him as master upon seeing the pendant.

"Is your father also a Di Jun? Or even stronger?"

He couldn't help asking.

The library's chaos was calmed by the blood in the pendant. Could it be that not only was she a Di Jun, but her father was too, and even more powerful?

If so, why was he in a coma?

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

"He's not a Di Jun, but... Tian Dao!"

Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists.

"Tian Dao? Your father... is the Tian 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 Tian Dao shattered into three parts: Tian Dao You Xu and Tian Dao You Que entered the space turbulence, while I took control of Tian Dao Zi Ran to maintain Shen Jie'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 Ming Shi Da Lu 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 finally understood.

Not long after they met on Ming Shi Da Lu, this girl had shared her story with him—she needed to save a close relative. He hadn't grasped it then, but now it all made sense.

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

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

"I was acting as guardian of Tian Dao Zi Ran... I don't have a Tian Dao fragment in me?" Suddenly realizing the implication in her words, Zhang Xuan looked over.

Guarding and fusing were two different concepts.

"I only guard it; I'm not part of the Tian Dao..."

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

That meant he only needed to separate his own 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 suffer.

"If I separate the Tian Dao You Que from my body, your father can awaken and even defeat Ruthless One, right?" Zhang Xuan asked.

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

Luo Ruoxi glanced at the collapsing Shen Jie, hesitating.

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

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, the Jiu Tian Jiu Di—if we team up with Kong Shi, 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 Tian 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 preparations, 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 appeared.

They must have something more important—reviving Kong Shi.

"This..."

Luo Ruoxi's heart shook as understanding dawned.

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, Zhang Xuan waved his hand, and they returned to where Kong Shi resided. There, they saw an elder floating in mid-air, cross-legged in meditation. Seeing them arrive, he smiled faintly. "You've come!"

It was Kong Shi!

This teacher of ages had not disappointed him.

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

"You..."

Luo Ruoxi trembled.

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

"I hid from the Tian Dao and prepared 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 Tian Dao's bindings and reform my body. I've only just recovered now!"

Kong Shi smiled slightly.

He was a master of 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 formidable, and together we're even stronger, but defeating Ruthless One 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 reality.

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 confusion.

"That hand could tear apart Shen Jie and scatter the Tian Dao—its power is undeniable. Ruthless One absorbed that power and devoured Shen Jie's spiritual energy for fifty years. Any of us, or even all the Di Juns together, can't compare..."

Kong Shi said. "But if we concentrate everyone's power into one person... it might be different!"

"How do we concentrate it?"

Luo Ruoxi asked.

It sounded simple, but doing it was hard.

Di Juns stood at the peak of Shen Jie. If absorbing others' power were easy, she wouldn't have been stuck for so long.

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

Kong Shi said.

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

"Ling Xi Di Zun cultivates freedom and transcendence, but with his father's and the Tian Dao's restrictions, and his attachments, he can never truly transcend! If I guessed right, when he fought me, he even considered giving up and letting me kill him!"

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi fell silent.

During their fight, that thought had crossed her mind, so at the beginning, 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 qi, he couldn't break through to the highest realm! As for me..."

Kong Shi nodded. "I care for all living beings and want 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, Ruthless One couldn't have revived, and none of this would have happened.

"So, I'm not suitable either! But Zhang Xuan's cultivation follows his heart, without flaws. He values living true to himself—even if it means death, as long as he's unashamed, 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 bother him, what else could bind him?

"This..."

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

"Alright!"

Seeing his determination, Zhang Xuan nodded, knowing further argument was futile.

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, as if he had instantly become the Tian Dao, soaring above the nine heavens.

His soul, body, and true qi 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, Ruthless One sneered coldly.

The combined power of the clone and the Di Juns was indeed formidable, but it paled in comparison to his own.

Chao Xi Hai had devoured nearly all of Shen Jie's spiritual energy outside the cities, and now it had all become his nourishment. Every move he made carried the power to destroy worlds. These Di Juns and Shen Wangs, representing Shen Jie's pinnacle, were still no match.

At that moment, Ruthless One seemed to embody Shen Jie itself, unstoppable.

"Shen Jie is doomed, and living means nothing. I'll go down with you, Yun Chi..."

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

"You? You're not worthy!"

Ruthless One 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, shifting into his white tiger form and charging forward.

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

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

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

The universe seemed to freeze in that instant.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

With four consecutive strikes, Ruthless One suppressed the four beasts, his eyes flashing with intense killing intent. "Since you seek death, I'll grant it..."

As he roared, about to deliver the fatal blow, 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..."

Ruthless One halted, his expression turning serious.

He couldn't fathom 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!"

With a cold snort, Ruthless One 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 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 Shen Wang level, no longer as dazzling 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 Juns fused into him, defeating Ruthless One wouldn't be easy.

The reason for this approach was to concentrate the power into one person, potentially touching the pinnacle and truly surpassing 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 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 the complete Tian Dao force in his body, he wasn't a match.

"Ha! I thought you'd be something special, but you're not!"

Ruthless One 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 Ruthless One.

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

Hearing this, Ruthless One 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 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, his soul scattering.

"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 wide-eyed, trembling.

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

The plan was for him to break through his limits, not surrender to death!

This would make their efforts meaningless!

"Wait, it's the Bu Si Di Jun's immortality technique..."

Just as they wondered, Kong Shi spoke up.

Everyone then saw that as Zhang Xuan's head burst and his soul shattered, the pendant on his chest exploded, a drop of blood floating up and igniting into a blazing flame. From the flame, 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 Tian Dao library in his body, free from its interference and the Tian Dao's bindings.

"How did he do that?"

Kong Shi was equally incredulous.

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

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

"I get it... He used Ruthless One's method to escape the Ling Hun Qi Yue..."

Luo Ruoxi realized.

The Ling Hun Qi Yue bound master and servant, unbreakable unless released... The Tian Dao library was like an enhanced version, binding the soul indefinitely.

But Ruthless One had used that special power to escape, and Zhang Xuan had asked about the details earlier—probably planning this then.

So, he deliberately let himself be struck with the full force, using it to rebirth through the flames. And it had succeeded brilliantly!

"So, this is the way to break through Di Jun..."

The reborn Zhang Xuan smiled faintly, as if enlightened. With a wave, his clone turned back into a lotus flower and flew over, merging perfectly with him.

In an instant, everyone felt as if 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 Jiu Tian Hun Dun Jin Lian, born with the nine heavens, could stabilize them. Now, with the clone's perfect fusion, he controlled that power.

Moreover, with the fusion and his cultivation at its peak, his realm loosened, as if ready to 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. This is what it means to be human!"

Smiling, Zhang Xuan murmured to himself.

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

Was it the world that created people, or people that perceived the world?

Was it the wind moving, or the heart?

These eternal questions had puzzled countless people.

But now... they didn't matter.

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

So, after breaking through romantic love, it was the affection for 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 low cry, the restraints in Zhang Xuan's body shattered.

He had broken through the Di Jun constraints!

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

Countless strands of Hun Dun Qi surged toward him, and his body advanced swiftly.

He could now absorb space turbulence, Hun Dun Qi, even the opponent's green light—all as his own, without distinction.

"You..."

Ruthless One hadn't expected his full strike not only to fail in killing him but to empower him, leaving him furious and roaring as he attacked again.

"You resent the lofty Di Juns for not saving you from the space turbulence—that's emotion; you feel humiliated as my servant, filled with anger—that's emotion; you want to destroy Shen Jie to vent your rage—that's emotion; you crave more power—that's emotion... Emotion controls you, so how can you defeat me, who controls emotion?"

With a faint smile, Zhang Xuan's voice grew faster and louder. He gently reached out and grasped.

The once-unstoppable Ruthless One was bound by countless emotional threads, rendered immobile.

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

"You..."

Ruthless One'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.

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

"No..."

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

Bang!

In a flash, he exploded, turning into vast spiritual energy that surged across Shen Jie.

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

"This..."

"Is that it? He's defeated?"

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

They had fought him and knew his terror. For such a powerhouse to be vanquished so easily, what level had Zhang Xuan reached?

Could there truly be a realm beyond Di Jun?

"He succeeded..."

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi unclenched their fists.

"This is part of the Tian 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 Shen Jie's sky with a thunderous ring.

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

The collapsing world finally halted, and the depleted spiritual energy slowly revived with Ruthless One's death.

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

Zhang Xuan smiled.

The hole in Chao Xi Hai had closed with the Tian 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 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 always felt this person was unfathomable, and now he realized the man was only a hair's breadth 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 the name.

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

Nie Tong smiled 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, with raised eyebrows giving a profound, inscrutable air.

"This strength..."

Zhang Xuan trembled.

This young man's power surpassed his own, having also broken through Di Jun's constraints, and his cultivation was even deeper and more profound!

"I'm 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're... the Shen Jie Tian Dao?"

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

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

Nie Yun smiled lightly.

Zhang Xuan couldn't believe it.

Shen Jie was created by this man?

Then how powerful must he be?

"That's not right. If Shen Jie is your creation and you're the Tian Dao, why didn't you act against Ruthless One... or even care about your daughter's life?"

Zhang Xuan asked.

Nie Yun didn't answer 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..."

Since this man could reach such heights, others might too, perhaps even further.

"I once suspected there was more beyond Shen Jie, so I tried to peer into it with all my might, ultimately drawing the backlash from a higher world... A massive hand descended!"

Nie Yun continued. "If I'd dodged, Shen Jie might have been wiped out completely, with no life left... So, I blocked it, but my Tian Dao form shattered as a result."

"In that state, restoring myself is just a thought, but... I realized that to truly transcend Shen Jie'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 life could break through Di Jun's constraints and reach my level!"

"That's why I sent the scattered Tian Dao intent to the lowest worlds... granting it to souls native to this world and one not belonging here. 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's heart shook.

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 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, 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 back down, thinking he could retreat safely. In reality, he lost his drive. Facing someone beyond us, without that spirit, how can he 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, Luo Ruoxi would have died..."

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

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

"With me here, 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 how it is."

"This..."

Zhang Xuan smiled bitterly.

Breaking through Di Jun was a different realm. If Nie Yun had wanted to, he could have saved her at the last moment 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 everything upside down..."

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

"The Tian Dao library was my intent, both a foundation and a constraint. You broke through it with your own ability, showing your potential. My daughter with you brings me comfort as a father."

With that, the text ends as it was being updated.