Chapter 472: Wen Qiaoyun

The soul contract is a bond between souls, and as long as the one who initiated it doesn't dissolve it, it cannot be broken, no matter how powerful the other party is. It’s like with Di Jun Xiao Huang Ji; back when he was just a Shen Wang, even as a Di Jun himself, he couldn’t resolve such an agreement.

To prevent this individual from going back on his word and causing a backlash, the Ming Shi Da Lu had specifically decreed that even if someone could escape the Tian Dao’s records, they still couldn't break free from soul-based agreements.

“While the soul contract indeed cannot be split from the sea of consciousness, I’ve fused with a special gas that can even dissolve the Tian Dao. Resolving this contract isn't difficult... As long as I have enough power to strike at the contract’s location, it can be done!”

Hen Ren said.

The soul contract is built on the foundation of the Tian Dao, and since this special power can dissolve even the Shen Jie Tian Dao, what’s so hard about dissolving a soul contract if handled properly?

“I see...” Zhang Xuan’s eyes flashed.

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

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

“The more the black hole absorbs, the stronger his power becomes…”

Luo Ruoxi noticed something was wrong and quickly sent a message through voice transmission.

“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.

In life, I shall return triumphant; in death, I shall long for you!

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

Though this sword technique hadn’t reached the level of a Di Jun’s enlightenment, 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 swirling as sword light fell like snow.

Her sword style resembled that of the youth 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 were about to be forcibly pulled down.

Pfft! Pfft!

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

With their strength, they couldn't withstand him!

Just how far had this guy reached in terms of realm?

“Outrageous!”

His clone stepped 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 no weaker than Zhang Xuan’s.

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

But upon clashing with Hen Ren, he too was sent flying, unable to block even one move.

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

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

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

“Join forces, or we’ll all die if they fall…”

Xiao Huang Ji roared, igniting crimson flames that set the sky ablaze.

The other six Di Juns also unleashed their techniques.

The seven Di Juns united, capable of destroying 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 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 ten Di 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!”

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 follower, at most a Feng Hao Shen Wang, but now he realized the man was a Di Jun expert!

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

“He’s the Di Jun of Jian Shen Tian…”

Luo Ruoxi struggled to her feet and gritted her teeth.

“Then… what about the youth who taught me the sword technique?” Zhang Xuan couldn’t hold back.

“He’s…”

Before Luo Ruoxi could answer, the Jian Shen Tian elder was sent flying, crashing into the distance and creating a massive crater.

With Zhang Xuan's current strength and sword dao comprehension, even he couldn't hold out, so despite the elder’s solid cultivation and advanced sword skills, he was no match.

“Ha! Di Juns are nothing but weaklings! Today, I’ll destroy the nine heavens, obliterate the Shen Jie, and trample all rules!”

After defeating the Jian Shen Tian Di Jun, Hen Ren laughed maniacally, the surrounding space collapsing as he embodied pure evil.

“What do we do?” Zhang Xuan clenched his fists.

He and his clone had already used their strongest attacks, and even Luo Ruoxi had unleashed her most powerful moves, yet none could block even one of his strikes...

Was there truly no one in the Shen Jie 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 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 Hen Ren.

It was like a body’s immune system.

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

But…

“He’s too powerful. Even if the Tian Dao is restored, could it suppress him?” Zhang Xuan shook his head.

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

This man was beyond an ordinary Shen Wang; even surpassing Di Juns, 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 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 Shen Jie, not flee, his clone and the Undying Di Zun shouted, blocking the way as Luo Qiqi transformed back into the Jing Kong Pearl’s true form.

The surrounding space solidified.

“Go!”

Seeing everyone risking 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 Zai Tian.

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

“Where is he, the one you mentioned?”

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

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

“He’s my father. The blood in your pendant is his. The Undying Di Zun 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.

So that explained why the Undying Di Zun’s remnant will had 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 had been calmed by the pendant's blood. Was it possible her father was a Di Jun, or 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; he’s… the Tian Dao!”

Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists.

“The Tian Dao? Your father… is the Tian Dao?” Zhang Xuan was shocked.

“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 spatial chaos, while I took control of Tian Dao Zi Ran to maintain the 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 the 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 suddenly realized.

Not long after they met on the Ming Shi Da Lu, this girl had told him her story about saving a close relative. Now he understood—it was her father, the Shen Jie Tian Dao!

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

“I’ve been acting as Tian Dao Zi Ran… but I don’t have a Tian Dao fragment in me?” Suddenly noticing the oddity in her words, Zhang Xuan looked over.

“I’m just controlling it; I’m not part of the Tian Dao…”

Luo Ruoxi said.

Zhang Xuan sighed in relief.

That meant he only needed to separate his own Tian Dao You Que; 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 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 hesitated, glancing at the collapsing Shen Jie.

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

It was hard to say!

“Since you’re not certain, we’d better rely on ourselves… The three of us—you, me, and my clone—along with the Jiu Tian Jiu Di, and even Kong Shi if we can get him, might still win!”

Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth.

“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 Tian 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—using the Xian Tian Tai Hun Ti to avoid losing his soul.

With the precautions he had set, 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 the Chao Xi Hai…”

Zhang Xuan said.

Kong Shi’s students, such as Zi Yuan Gu Sheng, were incredibly strong. Even without a Di Jun’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, tearing space open and returning to where Kong Shi had resided. Sure enough, an elder was floating in the air in a meditative pose. Seeing them arrive, he smiled faintly. “You’re here!”

It was Kong Shi!

This teacher of ages hadn’t disappointed him!

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

“You…”

Luo Ruoxi trembled.

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

“I hid from the Tian Dao and prepared in advance. The nameless giant in the You Hun Pool was left by me. When you killed me that day, I used it to break free from 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 one or two days had passed in the Shen Jie, he had experienced much longer to restore his power—potentially decades.

“Our individual strengths are strong, and even together we’re formidable, but defeating Hen Ren won’t be easy…”

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

It wasn’t about boosting the enemy or undermining morale; it was the truth. So many had joined forces earlier and still couldn’t block him. Adding one more Kong Shi wouldn’t change the outcome.

“If we fight alone or even united, we’re no match for him. But what if we fuse all our powers into one person?”

Kong Shi looked over with a smile.

“Fuse into one person?”

Both Luo Ruoxi and Zhang Xuan frowned in confusion.

“That hand could tear apart the Shen Jie and scatter the Tian Dao—its power is undeniable. Hen Ren absorbed it all and devoured the Shen Jie’s spiritual energy for fifty years. Any of us, or even all ten-plus Di Juns, couldn’t stand against him alone…”

Kong Shi explained. “But if we unite and concentrate all our power into one person… maybe then we could.”

“How do we concentrate it?”

Luo Ruoxi asked.

It sounded simple, but it was difficult in practice.

Di Juns stood at the peak of the Shen Jie; if it were that easy to absorb others’ power, she wouldn’t have stagnated 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 the Shen Jie!”

Kong Shi said.

“Me? Why me?”

Zhang Xuan was stunned.

“Ling Xi Di Zun cultivates freedom and transcendence, but with his father’s and Tian Dao’s restrictions, and his attachments, he can never truly transcend! If I recall correctly, during our fight, you once gave up and intended to let me kill you.”

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi fell silent.

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

“Without transcendence, he can’t unleash his full power. Even with more true energy, he couldn’t break through to the highest realm! As for me…”

Kong Shi nodded. “I care for all 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, Hen Ren couldn’t have revived, and none of this would have happened.

“So, I’m not suitable either! Zhang Xuan’s cultivation flows naturally 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.

In life, I shall return triumphant; in death, I shall long for you!

If even death doesn't bother him, what else could hold him back?

“This…” Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, but Kong Shi’s gaze was firm. “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 Tian Dao fragment, but she’s long controlled the Tian 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 Tian Dao strength. 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 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, feeling as if he had transformed into the Tian Dao itself, soaring above the nine heavens.

His soul, body, and true energy were all instantly 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 Qiqi and the others away, Hen Ren sneered coldly.

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

The Chao Xi Hai had devoured nearly all the Shen Jie’s spiritual energy outside the cities, and now that energy had become his nourishment. Every move he made carried the power to destroy worlds. These Di Juns and Shen Wangs, despite representing the Shen Jie’s peak, were no match.

At that moment, Hen Ren seemed to embody the entire Shen Jie, unstoppable.

“The Shen Jie is doomed; living means nothing. I’ll go down with you…”

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

“You? You’re not worthy!”

Hen Ren clenched his hand, trapping the golden dragon in his palm no matter how it struggled.

“My old friend, wait for me!”

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

The Undying Di Zun revealed his undead fire phoenix true 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 the Shen Jie’s four poles, transformed simultaneously, slowing the collapsing world.

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

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Hen Ren struck four times, 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 seize up in mid-air.

“Want to kill them? Did you ask me first?”

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

It was Zhang Xuan!

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

“He’s made significant progress…”

Hen Ren halted, his gaze turning serious.

He couldn’t fathom how the other’s strength had changed so dramatically in just minutes.

“But so what? Even at its peak, the Shen Jie couldn’t withstand me. I don’t believe you can!”

Hen Ren snorted coldly and struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his long sword and met the attack.

The two clashed, 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 glorious as before.

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

“With his current strength, winning is tough! Unless… he can comprehend a power beyond Di Jun!”

After a moment of silence, Kong Shi said.

Even with the power of over a dozen Di Juns transferred to him, defeating Hen Ren wouldn’t be easy.

The reason for this approach was that only by concentrating the power in one person could there be a chance to touch the pinnacle and truly surpass limits.

“A power beyond Di Jun?”

Luo Ruoxi’s eyes grew distant.

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

“He can… He has an unyielding heart and 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 power fused within him, 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 and stopped attacking, instead looking at Hen Ren.

“Very well, I’ll give you my strongest attack…”

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

Whoosh!

A green light appeared in his palm and slammed down.

It was indeed his strongest attack; the entire Shen Jie rumbled as if it couldn’t bear the weight, creating a massive crater.

Zhang Xuan closed his eyes and didn’t dodge.

Bang!

His head exploded, and his soul scattered.

“Zhang Xuan…”

Everyone’s faces turned pale at the sight.

Luo Qiqi seemed to go mad.

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

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

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

Hadn’t they sacrificed for nothing?

“Wait, it’s the Undying Di Zun’s immortality technique…”

As they puzzled over it, Kong Shi spoke up.

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

“He used the opponent’s power and the pendant’s blood 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; he was free from its interference and the Tian Dao’s bindings.

“How did he do that?”

Kong Shi was incredulous.

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

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

“I get it… He used Hen Ren’s method to break the soul contract…”

Luo Ruoxi realized.

The soul contract bound master and servant; without release, the servant was trapped… The Tian Dao library was like an enhanced version of that, binding the soul indissolubly.

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

He had deliberately let Hen Ren strike him with full force.

Using that power, he was reborn in the flames, and it had succeeded spectacularly!

“So that’s the way to break through Di Jun…”

The Zhang Xuan emerging from the flames smiled faintly, as if enlightened. He waved a hand, and his clone instantly turned back into a lotus flower and flew over, merging perfectly with him.

In a flash, 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 Jiu Tian Hun Dun Jin Lian, born with the nine heavens, could stabilize them. Now, with his clone merged seamlessly, he controlled that power.

Moreover, with the fusion and his cultivation at its peak, his realm showed signs of loosening, as if breakthrough was imminent.

“Master-servant bonds, brotherhood, teacher-student ties, parental love, romance... Fused together, they become the essence of all things. This is what it means to be human!”

Zhang Xuan murmured with a smile.

The moment the Tian 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 ancient question had puzzled countless people.

But now… it didn’t matter.

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

So, after breaking through romance, it was the emotion of all beings—the intertwined feelings of the world.

All things in the world have emotion; with emotion comes the world, and with emotion, life endures.

Love is emotion.

Hate is emotion.

Joy is emotion.

Sorrow is emotion.

Parting is emotion.

Reunion is emotion!

“Ten thousand emotions, all for my use…”

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

The Di Jun constraints were broken!

In an instant, he seemed to touch a new world and gate. His soul was rapidly nourished, and chaotic energy surged toward him. His body advanced swiftly.

He could now absorb spatial chaos, chaotic energy—even the opponent’s green light—as his own, without distinction.

“You…”

Hen Ren hadn’t expected his full attack not only to fail but to empower him, and he raged, “Wah!” before lunging again.

“Your resentment toward the lofty Di Juns for not saving you in the spatial chaos is emotion; feeling humble and angry as my servant is emotion; wanting to destroy the Shen Jie to vent is emotion; desiring to grow stronger is also emotion… Emotion controls you, so how can you defeat me, who controls emotion?”

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’ll offer my soul…”

“It’s too late for that now…”

Zhang Xuan shook his head with a smile.

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

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

“No…”

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

Bang!

In a flash, he exploded into countless strands of spiritual energy, surging back to every corner of the Shen Jie.

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

“This…”

“Is that it? He’s gone?”

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

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

Was there truly a level beyond Di Jun?

“He succeeded…”

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi unclenched their fists.

“This is a part of the Tian Dao; 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 Shen Jie’s sky with a thunderous ring.

The crumbling Shen Jie visibly stabilized, and the chaotic energy regathered.

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

“It seems the Shen Jie is entering a new era of spiritual revival…”

Zhang Xuan smiled.

The Chao Xi Hai’s void had mended with the Tian Dao’s completion, and the 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 youth 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, having reached the absolute peak of Di Jun, far surpassing the previous Luo Ruoxi.

“Just call me by my name. I’m Nie Tong!”

The youth exuded an unstoppable sword intent and said lightly.

“Nie Tong?” Zhang Xuan furrowed his brow.

He had never heard this name.

“Come with me; I’ll take you to see my brother!”

Nie Tong smiled faintly and stepped forward.

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

There, another youth stood.

He looked only slightly older, with raised eyebrows giving an inscrutable aura.

“This strength…” Zhang Xuan trembled.

This youth’s power surpassed his own, also beyond Di Jun, but deeper and more profound!

“I’m Nie Yun!”

The youth 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 mentioned 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.

The Shen Jie was created by this man?

Then how strong was he?

“But if the Shen Jie is your creation and you’re the Tian Dao, why didn’t you act against Hen Ren’s rampage… or even care about your daughter’s life?”

Zhang Xuan asked.

Nie Yun didn’t answer directly and instead looked at him. “Do you think there’s life beyond the Shen Jie, even stronger than here?”

“This…” Zhang Xuan paused. “There should be…”

Though he hadn’t seen it, since this man had reached this level, others might too, or even exceed it—like Nie Yun himself.

“I once suspected there was more beyond the Shen Jie, so I tried to peer further, ultimately drawing the backlash from a higher world… A massive hand descended!”

Nie Yun continued. “If I’d dodged, the entire Shen Jie might have been wiped out, leaving no life. 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 the Shen Jie’s limits and explore the hand’s origin or what’s beyond, I can’t do it alone. So, I wanted to see if any life could break through Di Jun and reach my level!”

“That’s why I sent the scattered Tian Dao intents to the lowest worlds… one to a soul belonging here, and one to a soul not from this world. And you didn’t disappoint me!”

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 had transmigrated—it was all this man’s doing.

“Hehe!”

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 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 retreat, thinking he had a way out. In reality, he lost his 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 hadn’t wanted 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. “You’re now almost at my level. In a life-or-death situation, could you save someone?”

“This…” Zhang Xuan gave a wry smile.

Beyond Di Jun was a different concept. If Nie Yun had acted, he could have saved her without a scratch.

“Ling Xi is the child of 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… You should explain this to her. Her feelings have shifted to you; as her father, I’m probably forgotten. Haha, I’ll stay hidden for now to avoid chaos… Otherwise, she might turn the world upside down.”

Seeing this unreliable father, Zhang Xuan’s face twitched, and he reluctantly agreed. “Alright…”

He had no choice; who asked him to win over the man’s daughter?

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

Nie Yun said.