Chapter 497: Lost Direction

Soul contracts bind souls together, and as long as the initiator doesn’t dissolve them, even if the other party has unparalleled means, they cannot be broken. It's like the Undying Emperor Jun, Jun Xiao Huang Ji—before, he was just a Shen Wang, and even as an Emperor Jun, he couldn’t resolve such an agreement. To prevent this individual from reneging and causing backlash, the Master Teacher Continent specifically decreed that even if someone could escape the Heavenly Dao’s registry, they still couldn’t escape the bindings between souls.

“Indeed, a soul contract cannot be split from the sea of consciousness, but I’ve fused with a special gas that can even resolve the Heavenly Dao itself, so dissolving this contract isn’t difficult… As long as I have enough power to bombard the location of the contract, it can be done!”

Hen Ren said.

Soul contracts are established on the foundation of the Heavenly Dao. Since this special power can resolve even the Shenjie Heavenly Dao, what’s so hard about resolving a soul contract, as long as it’s handled properly?

“I see…” Zhang Xuan’s eyes flashed.

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

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 devoured an unknown amount of power during their conversation to nourish himself.

“Zhang Xuan, the more the black hole swallows, the stronger his power becomes…”

Luo Ruoxi also noticed something was wrong and quickly sent a message through divine sense.

“Let’s make our move!” With his doubts cleared, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, raised the long sword in his hand abruptly, and said:

“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 anew, to die is to hold thoughts of longing forever!

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

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

Whoosh!

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

At the same time, Luo Ruoxi made her move, her jade-like hand swirling as sword light fell like snow.

Her swordsmanship 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’re still lacking…”

Hen Ren chuckled lightly and reached down again.

In an instant, his hand covered the sky, enveloping the heavens and earth. Space shattered, and it seemed as if the sun, moon, and stars would be forcibly pulled down.

Pfft! Pfft!

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

With their strength, they couldn’t withstand him!

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.

Having refined the Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, his cultivation was in no way inferior to Zhang Xuan’s.

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

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

Zhang Xuan clutched his forehead.

Even after becoming an Emperor Jun, his avatar 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, or if they die, we’ll all die…”

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

The remaining six great Emperor Juns also unleashed their techniques.

With seven Emperor Juns joining forces, they could destroy heavens and earth, making even a realm unable to withstand them. But Hen Ren, having absorbed that 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 with ten great Emperor Juns united, they couldn’t block a single strike from him!

How could this guy be so powerful?

“You can all die now…”

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

“How dare you, you vermin!”

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

“Another 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 sent flying, crashing into the distance and creating a huge crater.

With Zhang Xuan’s current strength and comprehension of the sword dao, even he couldn’t withstand Hen Ren, so despite this elder’s formidable cultivation and high sword skills, he was no match.

“Ha! Emperor Juns are nothing but a bunch of insignificant pests! Today, I’ll destroy the Nine Heavens, obliterate Shenjie, 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 demonic and otherworldly.

“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 techniques, yet none could block a single strike from him…

Could it be that no one in Shenjie could stop this person?

And allow him to destroy the world?

“The only way… is to return your incomplete Heavenly Dao to its original state, letting the Heavenly Dao suppress him…”

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

“Return the Heavenly Dao to its original state?” Zhang Xuan understood her meaning.

The library in his mind was part of the Heavenly Dao. Once returned, the Heavenly Dao would be complete, potentially fixing its flaws and expelling Hen Ren.

It was like the immune system of the body.

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

But…

“He’s too powerful. Even if the Heavenly 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 person was just an ordinary Shen Wang, yet not even a Feng Hao one; the Heavenly Dao could kill him easily. But now, he was stronger than Emperor Juns… 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 person without difficulty!”

“He?” Zhang Xuan frowned.

“I’ll take you to see him. He’s in Zizai 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 quickly. I’ll hold him off…”

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

The surrounding space solidified.

“Go!”

Seeing everyone 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 Zizai Tian the next moment.

Zizai Tian was no longer as carefree as before. Shenjie 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 this person could truly save Shenjie, 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…”

Luo Ruoxi regulated her breath and explained.

“Father?” Zhang Xuan suddenly understood.

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

“Is your father also an Emperor Jun? Or does he possess strength beyond that?”

He couldn’t help asking.

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

If so, why was he in a coma?

And why did it require an incomplete Heavenly Dao for him to awaken?

“He’s not an Emperor Jun, but… the Heavenly Dao!”

Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists.

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

“Yes! Fifty years ago, my father couldn’t withstand that giant hand and fell into a coma. The Heavenly Dao shattered into three parts: Heavenly Dao Orderly and Heavenly Dao Incomplete entered the spatial chaos, while I took control of Heavenly Dao Natural to maintain Shenjie’s balance. The only way to restore him is to gather the scattered parts… That’s why I was so determined, why I couldn’t fail! That’s why I entered the Master Teacher Continent to study the Chun Qiu Canon 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 Master Teacher Continent, this girl had told him her story—she needed to save a close relative. He hadn’t understood then, but now it all made sense.

It was her father, and he was the Shenjie Heavenly Dao!

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

“Acting as Heavenly Dao Natural… You don’t have a fragment of the Heavenly Dao in your body?” Suddenly noticing the oddity in her words, Zhang Xuan looked over.

“I’m just controlling 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 Heavenly Dao Incomplete; 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.

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

“This… I’m not sure…”

Luo Ruoxi glanced at the collapsing Shenjie, hesitating.

Shenjie was her father’s foundation, and now it was in ruins. Even if he awakened, could he truly 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 only have ourselves to figure this out!” Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth. “You, me, my avatar, united with the Nine Heavens Nine Emperors, and even coordinating with Kong Shi—we might not lose!”

“Kong Shi? He…”

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, he had figured it out. Kong Shi’s so-called preservation of his spirit must be the same—he was a Xian Tian Tai Hun Ti.

He could remain clear-minded in the womb.

Add to that the precautions he set in advance, and revival was just a matter of time.

Luo Ruoxi was stunned, apparently not expecting this.

“We’ll know once we check. If I’m right, he should have recovered by now. Otherwise, his students wouldn’t have stayed away from Chao Xi Hai…”

Zhang Xuan said.

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

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

“This…” Luo Ruoxi’s heart shook as realization dawned.

“Let’s go!”

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

“You’re here!”

Who else could it be but Kong Shi?

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

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

“You…”

Luo Ruoxi’s body trembled.

She knew Emperor Juns could revive—like the Undying Emperor Jun had—but she hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly!

“I hid 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 Shenjie, he had experienced an unknown length of time to restore his power—potentially decades.

“Our combined strength is strong, but defeating Hen Ren won’t be easy…”

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

It wasn’t about boosting the enemy or undermining morale—it was the truth.

So many had joined forces earlier and still couldn’t block him. Adding one more Kong Shi wouldn’t change the situation!

“Individually, 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 Shenjie and scatter the Heavenly Dao—its power is undeniable. Hen Ren absorbed that power and devoured Shenjie’s spiritual energy for fifty years. Any of us, or even all ten-plus Emperor Juns together, can’t compare…”

Kong Shi said. “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 doing it was hard.

Emperor Juns stood at the peak of Shenjie. If it were that easy to absorb others’ power, 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 Shenjie!”

Kong Shi said.

“Me?” Zhang Xuan was stunned. “Why me?”

“Ling Xi Emperor Zun cultivates freedom and transcendence, but with his father’s and the Heavenly Dao’s constraints, and his attachments, he can never truly transcend! If I didn’t see wrong, during our fight, you once gave up and intended to let me kill you, right?”

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi fell silent.

During the battle, that thought had indeed crossed her mind, so at the beginning, they had both held back, fighting like it was a spar rather than a life-or-death struggle.

“Unable to transcend, he can’t unleash his full power. Even with more true qi, he couldn’t impact that supreme realm! As for me…”

Kong Shi nodded. “I bear the burdens of all beings and wish to save the world, but I’m unwilling to let others sacrifice for me. Too much mercy is a flaw! If I had been more ruthless and wiped out the Yi Ling Clan, we wouldn’t be in this mess…”

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

“So, I’m not suitable! But Zhang Xuan’s techniques follow his heart, without flaws. He values living true to himself—even if it means death, as long as he has no regrets, his heart is clear. Such a person has greater tolerance and potential, allowing him to go higher and farther!”

Kong Shi continued.

To live is to return anew, to die is to hold thoughts of longing forever!

If even death doesn’t matter, what else could bind him?

“This…” Zhang Xuan frowned, about to say something, but Kong Shi looked at him intently. “No need to decline. 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 Emperor Zun has no Heavenly Dao fragment, but she’s long controlled the Heavenly Dao and has her own understanding of it; I control Heavenly Dao Orderly. If we channel our power to you, you’ll have the complete Heavenly Dao force in your body! Combined with your avatar’s Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, you can stabilize the Nine Heavens, control the universe, battle the nine realms, and extinguish all things!”

“Alright!” Seeing the decision was made and further explanation was 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 become the Heavenly Dao, soaring above the nine heavens.

His soul, body, and true qi were all undergoing rapid refinement, 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 avatar and the various Emperor Juns was indeed formidable, but compared to him, it was still weak.

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

At that moment, Hen Ren seemed to embody all of Shenjie, unstoppable.

“If Shenjie falls, living on has no meaning. 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 immortal fire phoenix form, flames lighting up the sky.

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

The four divine beasts, guardians of Shenjie’s four poles, transformed simultaneously, slowing the collapsing Shenjie.

It was as if the universe had frozen in an 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 finish them off, he felt his raised arm tighten, frozen in mid-air.

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

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

It was Zhang Xuan!

Now, the young man exuded surging power, at least ten times stronger than before, descending like a world unto himself.

“You’ve improved a lot…”

Hen Ren halted, his gaze turning serious.

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

“But so what? Even at its peak, Shenjie 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 air currents raging everywhere.

“Can Zhang Xuan win?”

In the Kong Shi residence of Zizai Tian, Luo Ruoxi watched worriedly.

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

However, their foundation remained. As long as they had enough power, they could recover eventually.

“With his current strength, winning… is tough! Unless… he comprehends a power that transcends Emperor Jun!”

After a moment of silence, Kong Shi said.

Even with over ten Emperor Juns’ power transferred, defeating Hen Ren wouldn’t be easy.

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

“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 pride toward this world.”

Sensing her doubt, Kong Shi smiled.

…

Bang! Bang! Bang!

After several exchanges, Zhang Xuan’s tiger’s mouth split open, and a massive wound appeared on his chest, gruesome and terrifying.

As Kong Shi had said, even with their power fused and forming a complete Heavenly Dao in his body, he still wasn’t a match.

“Ha, I thought you’d be something special. Turns out you’re nothing!”

Hen Ren sneered.

“Anyway, I’m no match for you and will 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 give you my strongest attack…”

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

Whoosh!

A green light appeared in his palm and slammed down.

It was indeed his strongest attack. The entire Shenjie 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 Emperor Jun and the others stared wide-eyed, trembling nonstop.

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 did he choose to face death without resistance?

Wasn’t this wasting their efforts?

“Wait, it’s the Undying Emperor Jun’s immortality technique…”

Just as they were puzzled, Kong Shi spoke up.

Everyone then saw that Zhang Xuan, whose head had 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 a completely intact figure slowly emerged.

“He… used the opponent’s power and the blood in the pendant to separate the Heavenly Dao Incomplete from his soul?”

Luo Ruoxi’s pupils contracted.

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

“How did he do that?”

Kong Shi was full of disbelief.

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

This young man had achieved it with just one strike—what method did he use?

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

Luo Ruoxi realized.

The soul contract bound master and servant, unbreakable unless the master released it… The Heavenly 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—probably planning it then.

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

And it had succeeded spectacularly!

“So, this is 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 Zhang Xuan had become the Nine Heavens, and the Nine Heavens were him.

He lightly stamped his foot on the ground.

The chaotic Nine Heavens stabilized immediately.

The Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus, born with the Nine Heavens, could stabilize them. Now, with his avatar fused perfectly, it meant he controlled that power.

Not only that, with the fusion of the Nine Heavens Chaos Golden Lotus cultivation, his already peak realm began to loosen, as if it could break through at any moment.

“Master-servant bonds, brotherhood, teacher-student ties, parent-child affection, romantic love… Fused together, they become all things in the world. This is what it means to be human!”

Zhang Xuan murmured with a smile.

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

Was it the world that existed first, with people observing it, or people first, then the world?

Was it the wind moving, or the heart?

This question had puzzled countless people throughout history.

But now… it didn’t matter.

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

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

All things in the world have emotions. With emotion, there is the world; with emotion, life endures.

Love is emotion.

Hate is emotion.

Joy is emotion.

Sorrow is emotion.

Parting is emotion.

Reunion is emotion!

“Ten thousand emotions, all for my use…”

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

He had broken through the Emperor Jun barriers!

In that moment, it was as if he had touched a new world and gate. His soul received rapid nourishment.

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

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

“You…”

Hen Ren hadn’t expected his full attack not only to fail in killing him but to empower him, and he roared in fury. With a shout, he attacked again.

“You resent the lofty Emperor Juns for not saving you from the spatial chaos—that’s emotion; you feel humiliated as my servant, harboring bei wei and anger—that’s emotion; you want to destroy Shenjie to vent your rage—that’s emotion; you seek to grow stronger—that’s also emotion… Emotion controls you, so how can you defeat me, or escape my control?”

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

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

“You…”

Hen Ren’s eyes filled with panic.

“Zhang Shi, I’m your servant. Don’t kill me… I’m willing to offer my soul…”

“It’s too late for that now…”

Zhang Xuan smiled and shook his head.

Controlling the emotions of the world, 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, how could he forgive?

“No…”

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

Bang!

In an instant, he exploded, turning into vast spiritual energy that surged across Shenjie.

All the power that Chao Xi Hai had devoured was now returning, bringing life back to the withered wilderness.

“This…”

“Is that it? He’s dead?”

Yun Chi Emperor Jun, Undying Emperor Jun, 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 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, so I’ll return it now…”

Seeing the “Heavenly Dao Incomplete” 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 Shenjie’s sky with a thunderous sound.

The crumbling Shenjie visibly stabilized, and the chaotic airflows gathered once more.

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

“It seems Shenjie is about to welcome an era of spiritual energy revival…”

Zhang Xuan smiled.

The hole in Chao Xi Hai had closed with the Heavenly Dao’s completion, and Shenjie’s return to its former glory was only a matter of time.

“Zhang Xuan, come here…”

As soon 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, and soon 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 felt this person was unfathomable before, and now realized he was only a step away, having reached the absolute peak of Emperor Jun, far surpassing the previous Luo Ruoxi.

“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, not knowing how far they flew before stopping at a mountain peak.

There, another youth stood.

He looked only slightly older, with upward-sweeping brows, giving a profound and inscrutable air.

“This strength…” Zhang Xuan trembled.

This youth’s power surpassed even his, having also broken through Emperor Jun’s barriers, and his cultivation was deeper and more profound!

“I’m Nie Yun!” The youth smiled faintly and looked over. “Also… Nie Ling Xi, the father of Luo Ruoxi in your words!”

“Luo Ruoxi’s father?” Zhang Xuan was shocked. “You’re… the Shenjie Heavenly Dao?”

Luo Ruoxi had mentioned her father was the Heavenly 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 Heavenly Dao! Besides, I created this world, so calling me the Heavenly Dao isn’t wrong!”

Nie Yun smiled lightly.

Zhang Xuan couldn’t believe it.

Shenjie was created by this person?

Then how strong was he?

“That’s not right. If Shenjie 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 weren’t for his breakthrough, Shenjie might have completely fallen. Why had this person done nothing, not even caring about his daughter’s safety?

Nie Yun didn’t answer his question but looked at him steadily.

“Do you think… beyond Shenjie, there are even stronger beings?”

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

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

“I once suspected that beyond Shenjie lay greater powers, so I used all my strength to peer into it, ultimately drawing backlash from a higher world… a hand descended from the void!”

Nie Yun looked over. “If I had dodged, Shenjie might have been wiped out, leaving no life. So, I blocked it, but my incarnated Heavenly Dao was scattered.”

“In that state, restoring it would take just a thought, but… I realized that to truly transcend Shenjie’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 Emperor Jun’s barriers and reach my level!”

“That’s why I sent the scattered Heavenly Dao intent to the lowest worlds… granting it to souls native to this world and one not belonging to it. And you didn’t disappoint me!”

Nie Yun laughed.

“A soul not belonging to this world—so, my crossing over was because of you?” Zhang Xuan’s heart shook.

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

“Heh!” Nie Yun chuckled lightly. “Those native to this world have reverence for it, making it harder to break its shackles. I just had a whim and didn’t expect you to succeed…”

“I…” Zhang Xuan’s face reddened. “Without Kong Shi, I couldn’t have reached this level…”

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

“The opportunity was his, but he didn’t seize it. His duel with Ling Xi was his best chance to break through, but he chose to retreat, thinking he had a way out. In reality, he lost his fearless drive. Facing someone beyond us, without that spirit, how could he contend?”

Nie Yun said.

Zhang Xuan fell silent.

He had witnessed their battle; Kong Shi had indeed lacked decisiveness.

Perhaps he hadn’t wanted to kill Luo Ruoxi.

“If Kong Shi had won, Luo Ruoxi 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 here, she wouldn’t die…”

Nie Yun smiled faintly. “You’re now almost at my level. 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 uses 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 explain this to her. After all, her affections have shifted to you. As her father, I’m probably forgotten… Ha, I’ll stay hidden for now. I don’t want her causing chaos… Otherwise, she might turn the world upside down.”

Seeing this unreliable father, Zhang Xuan’s face hitched, and he had no choice but to agree.

“Alright…”

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

“The Heavenly Dao library was a thought of mine, both foundation and shackle. You broke through it with your own ability, showing your talent and potential. Your future is boundless. With my daughter by your side, as a father, I’m content.”