Chapter 482: Black Hair

The Linghun Hetong binds the soul; as long as the one who initiated it does not dissolve it, even if the other party has means that reach the heavens, it cannot be resolved.

For example, like the Undying Emperor Jun Xiao Huangji, who was only a Shen Wang before becoming an Emperor Jun, he still couldn't resolve such an agreement.

To prevent this individual from going back on their word and causing backlash, the Ming Shi Dalu had specifically decreed that even if the other party could escape the Book of Heavenly Dao, they could not break free from the agreement between souls.

"The Linghun Hetong indeed cannot be split from the sea of consciousness, but I have fused with a special gas that can even resolve the Heavenly Dao of Shen Jie. Dissolving this contract is not difficult... As long as I have enough power to bombard the location of the contract, it can be done!"

Hen Ren said.

The Linghun Hetong is established on the foundation of the Heavenly Dao. Since this special power can resolve even the Heavenly Dao of Shen Jie, resolving a Linghun Hetong, as long as it's handled properly, is no problem at all.

"I see..." Zhang Xuan's eyes flashed.

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

After explaining, Hen Ren said no more. His aura became even more ancient and profound, and the black hole behind him grew larger, clearly having devoured 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 noticed something was wrong and hurriedly sent a message through divine sense.

"Let's prepare to 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 see the truth in battle!"

Boom!

His most powerful sword intent was unleashed once more.

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

What could stand in the way when life and death are of no concern?

Although this sword technique had not reached the level comprehended by an Emperor Jun, it contained all of his inner obsessions, pushing his Tian Ru You Qing cultivation technique 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 swirled, and her sword light was like snow.

Her sword technique was somewhat similar to 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 still fall short..."

Hen Ren chuckled lightly and reached down again.

In an instant, his hand covered the sky, enveloping the heavens and earth. Space shattered, and it seemed as though the sun, moon, and stars 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 couldn't withstand it!

Just 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 Jiu Tian Hun Dun Jin Lian, 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.

He had become an Emperor Jun, yet his avatar still hadn't changed its habit of showing off...

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

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

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

The remaining six great Emperor Juns also unleashed their techniques.

The seven Emperor Juns united, capable of destroying heaven and earth, with even a realm unable to withstand them. But Hen Ren, who had absorbed the special power, simply let the black hole expand as their attacks approached, swallowing the forces clean in the blink of an eye before counterattacking.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

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

Even the ten great Emperor Juns together couldn't block a single move from him!

How could this guy be so powerful?

"You can all die now..."

After defeating them with one strike, Hen Ren stepped forward and flipped his wrist to strike down again.

"You insolent rat!"

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

"Emperor Jun? He's also at Emperor 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 he was also an Emperor Jun powerhouse!

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

"He's the Emperor 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..."

Luo Ruoxi was about to answer when the space twisted, and they saw the Jian Shen Tian Emperor Jun being sent flying, crashing into the ground and creating a huge crater not far away.

With Zhang Xuan's current strength and comprehension of the sword dao, which far surpassed his own, even he couldn't contend, so this Emperor Jun, despite his formidable cultivation and advanced sword skills, was no match.

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

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

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

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

Could it be that no one in Shen Jie could stop this person in front of them?

And allow him to destroy the world?

"The only way... is to return your Tian Dao You Que to the Heavenly Dao itself, letting the Heavenly Dao 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, perhaps repairing the flaws and expelling Hen Ren.

It was like the immune system of the human body.

A complete immune system could easily drive out viruses; if damaged, even a strong person couldn't resist 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 person was just an ordinary Shen Wang, and even a Feng Hao one; the Heavenly Dao could kill him easily. But now he was stronger than Emperor Juns... far beyond what the Heavenly Dao could handle.

"This..." Luo Ruoxi paused, a look of disappointment on her fair face. "You're right... It might not suppress him, but if the Heavenly Dao is complete, he can awaken and slay this one without difficulty!"

"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, his sword intent shining brilliantly.

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 Shen Jie, not escape, his avatar and the Undying Emperor Zun shouted, blocking the way, while Luo Qiqi transformed back into her Jing Kong Zhu form.

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone risking their lives to block behind them without fear of death, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened. But he knew now wasn't the time for words. He pulled Luo Ruoxi along, his body flickering as he tore through space, appearing in the range of Zi Zai Tian the next moment.

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

"Where is the person you mentioned?"

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

If that person could truly save Shen Jie, he was willing to sacrifice himself!

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

After regulating her breath, Luo Ruoxi 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 Jun's remnant will had recognized him as master upon seeing the pendant.

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

He couldn't help asking.

The library's chaos had been calmed by the blood in the pendant, so was it possible that not only she was an Emperor Jun, but her father was as well, or even stronger?

If so, why was he in a coma?

And why did it require the Heavenly Dao's flaws for him to awaken?

"He's not an Emperor Jun; he's... the Heavenly Dao!"

Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists.

"The Heavenly Dao? Your father... is the Heavenly Dao?" Zhang Xuan was shocked, unable to believe it.

"Yes! Fifty years ago, my father couldn't withstand that massive hand and fell into a coma. The Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts: Tian Dao You Xu and Tian Dao You Que entered the spatial chaos, 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 was so determined, unable to fail! That's why I specifically entered Ming Shi Dalu to study the Chun Qiu Da Dian and find a way to defeat Kong Shi! And when I fought Kong Shi, the favor I asked of him was for this."

Luo Ruoxi explained.

Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

Not long after they met on Ming Shi Dalu, this girl had told him her story about saving a close relative, but he hadn't realized it then. Now he did—it was her father, and he was the Heavenly Dao of Shen Jie!

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

"Acting as Tian Dao Zi Ran... you don't have a fragment of the Heavenly Dao in your body?" Suddenly realizing the oddity in her words, Zhang Xuan looked over.

Acting as versus fusing with—it was two different concepts.

"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 own Tian Dao You Que; she didn't have to die.

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

"I'll separate the Tian Dao You Que from my body; then your father can awaken and even slay Hen Ren, right?" Zhang Xuan asked.

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

Luo Ruoxi looked up 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 really defeat that powerful Hen Ren?

It was hard to say!

"It seems you can't be certain. In that case, better to rely on ourselves... We have to find a way ourselves!" Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth. "You, me, my avatar, united with the Jiu Tian Jiu Di, and even with Kong Shi's help—we might not lose!"

"Kong Shi? He's..."

Luo Ruoxi frowned.

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

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Changfeng had made him realize that Kong Shi's so-called preservation of his spirit was likely the same—he was a Xian Tian Tai Hun Ti, able to remain undeluded 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 like Zi Yuan Gu Sheng and the others wouldn't have stayed away from Chao Xi Hai..."

Zhang Xuan said.

Kong Shi's students, like Zi Yuan Gu Sheng, were all incredibly strong. Even without an Emperor Jun's help, they should have ways to enter Chao Xi Hai, yet none had appeared.

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

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

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, Zhang Xuan waved his hand, tearing space to return to where Kong Shi resided. Sure enough, they saw an elder floating in mid-air in a meditative pose. Seeing them arrive, he smiled faintly. "You've come!"

Who else could it be but Kong Shi?

This teacher of ten thousand ages hadn't disappointed him!

As guessed, he had taken advantage of everyone's focus on Chao Xi Hai to revive.

"You..."

Luo Ruoxi trembled.

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

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

Kong Shi smiled faintly.

He was proficient in time abilities, so while only one or two days had passed in Shen Jie, he had experienced an unknown amount of time to restore his power—perhaps decades.

"Our individual strengths are strong, and even united, we might not easily defeat Hen Ren..."

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

It wasn't about boosting the enemy's morale or diminishing their own; it was the reality.

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

"If we fight individually or even united, we're indeed 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?"

This time, not just Luo Ruoxi frowned—Zhang Xuan was full of confusion too.

"That hand could tear Shen Jie apart and scatter the Heavenly Dao; its power is undeniable. Hen Ren absorbed that power and devoured Shen Jie's spiritual energy for fifty years. In terms of strength, the ten-plus Emperor Juns we have, taken individually, are no match..."

Kong Shi said. "But if we unite and concentrate all our power into one person... then maybe not!"

"How do we concentrate it?"

Luo Ruoxi looked over.

It sounded simple, but doing it was hard.

Emperor Juns stood at the peak of Shen Jie; if absorbing others' power was that easy, she wouldn't have stagnated for so many years.

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

Kong Shi said.

"Me? Why me?"

Zhang Xuan was stunned.

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

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi fell silent.

During the fight, he had indeed considered that, so at the beginning, both had held back, like sparring rather than a life-or-death battle.

"Unable to transcend, he can't unleash his full power. Even with more true qi, he still can't impact that supreme realm! As for me..."

Kong Shi nodded. "I have the heart to embrace all living beings and enlighten the world, but I don't want others to sacrifice for me—too much benevolence is a flaw! If I had been more ruthless and exterminated the Yi Ling Clan, we wouldn't be in this situation now..."

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

"So, I'm not suitable! But Zhang Xuan's techniques follow his heart, without flaws. He values living true to himself; even in death, as long as he has no regrets, his heart is at peace. Such a person has greater tolerance and potential, allowing him to go higher and farther!"

Kong Shi continued.

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

If even death means nothing, how could other things bind him?

"This..." Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, but saw Kong Shi looking at him intently. "No need to decline; time is short. Even if we tried to cultivate someone else, it might not work, and I don't think anyone could do better than you! Although Ling Xi Emperor Zun doesn't have a Heavenly Dao fragment, she's long controlled the Heavenly 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 Heavenly Dao power in your body! Combined with your avatar's Jiu Tian Hun Dun Jin Lian, you can stabilize the nine heavens, control the universe, battle the nine skies, and exterminate all things!"

"Alright!"

Seeing the decision was made and more explanations were useless, Zhang Xuan nodded.

Boom!

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

Zhang Xuan's entire body stiffened, as if he had instantly transformed into the Heavenly 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 slay Zhang Xuan..."

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

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

Chao Xi Hai had devoured nearly all of Shen Jie's spiritual energy outside the cities, and now that energy had become his nourishment. Every move he made carried the ability to destroy the world; these Emperor Juns and Shen Wangs, despite representing Shen Jie's peak, were no match.

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

"Shen Jie is doomed; living means nothing. I, Yun Chi, will perish with you..."

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

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

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

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

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

It was as if the universe had frozen 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 and prepared to deliver a fatal blow to wipe them all out, he felt his raised arm tighten, stopping 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!

At that moment, the youth's power surged, more than ten times stronger than before, descending like a world unto itself.

"You've improved quite a bit..."

Hen Ren halted, his gaze turning serious.

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

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

Hen Ren snorted coldly and struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his long sword and met the attack.

The two clashed, tearing space apart and sending energy surging in all directions.

"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 only 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 difficult! Unless... he can comprehend a power that transcends Emperor Jun!"

After a moment of silence, Kong Shi said.

Even with the power of over ten Emperor Juns transferred to him, defeating Hen Ren wouldn't be easy.

The reason for this was to concentrate the power into one person, potentially touching the peak and truly surpassing limits to break through!

"A power that transcends Emperor Jun?"

Luo Ruoxi's eyes grew distant.

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

"He can... He has an unyielding heart and an arrogant spirit 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, ghastly and terrifying.

As Kong Shi had said, even with their fused power forming the complete Heavenly Dao in his body, he was still no match.

"Ha, I thought you'd be more impressive, but you're just so-so!"

Hen Ren sneered.

"Anyway, I'm no match for you; I'll be killed eventually. Since that's the case, I want to die under your strongest attack..."

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

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

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

Splash!

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 everywhere.

"Zhang Xuan..."

Everyone's faces turned pale at the sight.

Luo Qiqi seemed to go mad.

Yun Chi Emperor Jun and the others widened their eyes, trembling uncontrollably.

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

The intention was for him to break through the shackles and reach a realm beyond Emperor Jun, so why didn't he resist and choose to die?

Wasn't that wasting their efforts?

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

As they wondered, Kong Shi spoke up.

Everyone then saw that Zhang Xuan, with his head exploded and soul shattered, had the pendant on his chest suddenly burst open. A drop of blood floated up, igniting into a blazing flame, from which 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 contracted.

The Zhang Xuan reborn from the flames no longer had the Heavenly Dao library in his body or the Heavenly Dao's interference—he had escaped it!

"How did he do that?"

Kong Shi was full of disbelief.

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

This one had only been struck once and completely freed—what method had he used?

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

Luo Ruoxi realized.

The Linghun Hetong bound master and servant; without the master's release, the servant was forever bound... The Heavenly Dao library was similar, like an enhanced contract binding the soul, unbreakable in death.

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

That's why he deliberately let himself be struck with the strongest attack.

Using that power for rebirth, it had succeeded spectacularly!

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

The Zhang Xuan emerging from the flames smiled faintly, as if he had understood something. With a wave of his hand, his avatar on the side immediately turned back into a lotus flower and flew over.

In an instant, it fused perfectly with him.

In the blink of an eye, everyone felt that the Zhang Xuan before them had become the nine heavens, and the nine heavens were him.

He lightly stamped his foot on the ground.

The chaotic nine heavens stabilized immediately.

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

Not only that, with the cultivation from the Jiu Tian Hun Dun Jin Lian and his own peak realm showing signs of loosening, it seemed he could break through at any moment.

"Master-servant bonds, brotherhood, teacher-student bonds, parent-child bonds, 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 had realized.

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 emotions, what meaning did the world have?

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

All things in the world have emotions; with emotions, there is the world; with emotions, 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 shackles in Zhang Xuan's body shattered instantly.

He had broken through the Emperor Jun barrier!

In that moment, it was as if he had touched a new world and gate. His soul was rapidly nourished, and countless strands of chaotic energy surged over, rapidly enhancing his body.

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

"You..."

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

"You resent the lofty Emperor Juns for not saving you from the spatial chaos—that's emotion; you feel humble and angry as my servant—that's emotion; you want to destroy Shen Jie to vent your anger—that's emotion; you seek to become stronger—that's emotion too... Emotions control you; how can you defeat me, who controls them?"

Zhang Xuan smiled faintly, his voice growing faster and louder. With a gentle grasp of his hand, the once-unstoppable Hen Ren was bound by countless emotional threads, immobilized.

As long as there were emotions, he could use and control them!

"You..."

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

"Now it's too late to say that..."

Zhang Xuan smiled and shook his head.

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

He had killed so many at the god level, hurt his girlfriend Luo Qiqi, and so many friends; today, there was no forgiveness!

"No..."

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

Bang!

In an instant, he exploded, turning into vast spiritual energy that surged back to every part of Shen Jie.

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

"This..."

"Is that it? He's dead?"

Yun Chi Emperor Jun, the Undying Emperor Jun, Ling Long Xian Zi, and the others all widened their eyes in disbelief.

They had fought Hen Ren and knew how terrifying he was. For such a powerhouse to be vanquished so easily, what level had Zhang Xuan reached?

Could there truly be a realm beyond Emperor Jun?

"He succeeded..."

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi unclenched their fists.

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

Seeing the "Tian Dao You Que" that had just 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 sound.

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

The ruined Shen Jie finally stopped, and the depleted spiritual energy slowly revived with Hen Ren's death.

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

Zhang Xuan smiled.

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

"Zhang Xuan, come here..."

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

In that step, he didn't know how far he traveled, then 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 stunned.

He had felt this person was unfathomable before, and now he realized the difference was only slight; he had reached the absolute peak of Emperor 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 and stepped forward.

Zhang Xuan followed closely, not knowing how far they flew before stopping at a mountain peak.

There, they saw another youth.

He looked only slightly older, with raised eyebrows giving a profound, inscrutable air.

"This strength..." Zhang Xuan trembled.

This youth's power surpassed even his own; he had also broken through the Emperor Jun barrier, and his cultivation was deeper and more profound!

"I'm Nie Yun!"

The youth smiled faintly and looked over. "In other words... Nie Ling Xi, the one you know as Luo Ruoxi's father!"

"If Xi's father?"

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

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

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

Nie Yun smiled faintly.

Zhang Xuan couldn't believe it.

Shen Jie was created by this person?

Then how strong was he?

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

Zhang Xuan looked over.

If it wasn't for his breakthrough, Shen Jie might have completely collapsed. Why had this person done nothing, not even caring about his daughter?

Nie Yun didn't answer the question directly but looked over. "Do you think... beyond Shen Jie, there are even more powerful beings?"

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

Though he hadn't seen any, since this person could reach such a level, others might too, or even exceed it—like the one before him.

"I once suspected that beyond Shen Jie, there might be stronger beings, so I tried my hardest to peer out, ultimately drawing the backlash from a higher world... a massive hand descended!"

Nie Yun looked over. "If I had dodged, Shen Jie might have been wiped out, leaving no life. So, I blocked it, but my incarnated Heavenly Dao was scattered as a result."

"In that state, restoring it would be just a thought, but... I realized that to truly transcend Shen Jie's shackles, explore the hand's origin, and see what's beyond... I couldn't do it alone. So, I wanted to see if any being could break through the Emperor Jun barrier and reach my level!"

"That's why I sent the scattered Heavenly Dao intent to the lowest world... granting it to a soul native to that world and one not belonging to it. And you didn't disappoint me in the end!"

Nie Yun laughed.

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

Zhang Xuan's heart shook.

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

"Heh!"

Nie Yun chuckled lightly. "A soul native to this world has reverence for it, making it harder to break through its shackles. I just had a whim and didn't expect you to truly succeed..."

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

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

"The opportunity was given to him, 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 had a way out. In reality, he lost his fearless drive. Facing someone who transcends us, without that spirit, how can you contend?"

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan fell silent.

He had watched their fight; Kong Shi had indeed lacked decisiveness.

Perhaps he hadn't wanted to kill Luo Ruoxi.

But that single thought had cost him the chance to advance.

"If Kong Shi had won, If Xi would have died..."

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

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

"With me there, she wouldn't die..."

Nie Yun smiled faintly. "Your current strength is almost on par with mine; in a life-or-death situation, could you save someone?"

"This..." Zhang Xuan smiled bitterly.

Breaking through Emperor Jun was a different concept; if he truly wanted to, he could save someone at the last moment without a scratch.

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

Nie Yun sighed bitterly. "I'm quite the heartless father... Anyway, you explain this to her. After all, her feelings have shifted to you; as her father, I'm probably forgotten... Ha ha, I'll stay hidden for now and show up later, or she might turn everything upside down."

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

He had no choice; who asked him to have taken the man's daughter?

"The Heavenly Dao library was a manifestation of my intent; it was both your foundation and your shackle. That you broke through it on your own shows your ability and potential. Your future is limitless, and with my daughter by your side, as a father, I'm content."

As Nie Yun spoke, the narrative fades, leaving the resolution to unfold.