Chapter 521: Wei Yang

The Ling Hun Qi Yue is a soul contract that binds souls together. As long as the initiator doesn't release it, even if the other party possesses incredible power, it cannot be broken. This is evident in the case of Xiao Huang Ji, the Undying Emperor Jun, who was a Shen Wang before but still couldn't break the contract even after becoming an Emperor Jun. To prevent the bound party from breaking their word and causing problems, the Master Teacher Continent specifically stipulated that even if someone could escape the Heavenly Dao registry, they still couldn't break free from a soul-based agreement.

"The Ling Hun Qi Yue is indeed impossible to separate from the sea of consciousness, but I have fused a special gas that can even resolve Tian Dao itself. Dissolving this contract is not difficult... as long as I have enough power to bombard the location where the contract resides, I can achieve it!"

Ruthless One said.

This Ling Hun Qi Yue is established upon the foundation of Tian Dao. Since the special power can even resolve the Shen Jie Tian Dao, what's so hard about dissolving a soul contract, provided it's handled correctly?

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

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

After explaining, Ruthless One said no more. His aura became even more ancient and profound, and the black hole behind him expanded further, clearly having devoured an unknown amount of energy during their conversation to nourish himself.

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

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

"Let's make our move!" With all doubts cleared, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath, raised the long sword in his hand abruptly, and said, "In that case, let's settle this with our skills!"

Boom!

His most powerful sword intent erupted once more.

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

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

Though this sword technique hadn't reached the level comprehended by an Emperor Jun, it contained all of his inner obsessions, pushing his Tian Ruo You Qing cultivation technique to its absolute limit.

Whoosh!

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

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 young man from Jian Shen Tian, carrying an unstoppable momentum and the effortless grace of aligning with the Great Dao.

"Your techniques are impressive, but compared to me, they still fall short..."

With a light smile, Ruthless One reached down again.

In an instant, his hand covered the sky, enveloping the entire world, shattering space and making it seem as if the sun, moon, and stars were about to be forcibly pulled down.

Pfft! Pfft!

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

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 he clashed with Ruthless One, he too was sent flying, unable to block even one move.

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 were concentrated for greater impact!

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

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

The other six great Emperor Juns also unleashed their techniques.

With seven Emperor Juns joining forces, they could destroy heaven and earth, making even a realm unable to withstand them. But Ruthless One, having absorbed the special power, simply let his black hole expand as their attacks approached, swallowing everything in an instant before countering.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The seven Emperor Juns, along with Zhang Xuan and the others, were all sent flying.

Even with ten great Emperor Juns united, they couldn't block a single move from him!

How could this guy be so powerful?

"You can all die now..."

After defeating them with one strike, Ruthless One stepped forward and flipped his wrist, slapping down again.

"You insolent rat!"

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.

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

Zhang Xuan's pupils constricted.

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 young man?

"He's the Emperor Jun of Jian Shen Tian..."

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

"Then... what about the young man who taught me the sword technique?" Zhang Xuan couldn't hold back.

"He's..."

Luo Ruoxi was about to answer when the space twisted, and they saw the Jian Shen Tian Emperor Jun being sent flying, crashing into the distance and creating a massive crater.

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

"Ha! Emperor Juns are nothing but a bunch of weaklings! Today, I'll destroy the Nine Heavens, destroy Shen Jie, and trample all rules!"

After defeating the Jian Shen Tian Emperor Jun, Ruthless One laughed maniacally, the space around him collapsing, making him appear demonic and otherworldly.

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

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

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

Would he be allowed to destroy the world?

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

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

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

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

It was like the immune system of the body.

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

But...

"He's too powerful. Even if 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 person was just an ordinary Shen Wang, and even a Feng Hao one could be easily killed by Tian Dao, yet he was stronger than Emperor Juns... far beyond what 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 Tian 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?"

Ruthless One snorted coldly and pressed down.

Bang!

Luo Ruoxi plummeted from the air.

"You..." Zhang Xuan unleashed his sword technique again, his sword intent blazing forth.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

It was blocked by Ruthless One once more.

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

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

The surrounding space solidified.

"Go!"

Seeing everyone blocking fearlessly, even facing death, Zhang Xuan's eyes reddened, but he knew now wasn't the time for words. He grabbed Luo Ruoxi and flashed through space, appearing in Zi Zai Tian's range the next moment.

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

"Where is the person you mentioned?"

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

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

"He's my father. The blood in your pendant is his. 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 that?"

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 too, and even stronger?

If so, why was he in a coma?

And why did it require Tian Dao's flaw to awaken him?

"He's not an Emperor Jun, but... Tian Dao!"

Luo Ruoxi clenched her fists.

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

"Yes! Fifty years ago, my father couldn't withstand that massive hand and fell into a coma. 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 Shen Jie's balance. The only way to restore him is to collect the scattered parts... That's why I was so determined, why I couldn't fail! That's why I entered the Master Teacher Continent to study the Chun Qiu Da Dian and find a way to defeat Kong Shi! And when I fought Kong Shi, the favor I asked of him was for this."

Luo Ruoxi explained.

Zhang Xuan suddenly realized.

Not long after they met on the Master Teacher Continent, this girl had told him her story about saving a close relative. He hadn't understood then, but now it all made sense.

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

Could Tian Dao really take human form and have children?

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

"I'm just controlling it, not part of Tian Dao itself..."

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

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

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

Luo Ruoxi hesitated, glancing at the collapsing Shen Jie.

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

It was hard to say!

"Since you're not certain, it's better to rely on ourselves... We only have ourselves to count on!" Zhang Xuan gritted his teeth. "You, me, my avatar, plus the Nine Heavens and Nine Emperors, and even Kong Shi—if we work together, we might still win!"

"Kong Shi? He..."

Luo Ruoxi frowned.

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

Zhang Xuan said.

Seeing Wei Chang Feng had made him realize that Kong Shi's way of preserving his spirit was likely the same—as a Xian Tian Tai Hun Ti, able to remain aware even in the womb.

With his prior arrangements, revival was only a matter of time.

Luo Ruoxi was stunned, apparently not expecting this.

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

Zhang Xuan said.

Kong Shi's students, like Zi Yuan Gu Sheng and the others, were incredibly strong. Even without an Emperor 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 was shaken, suddenly understanding.

"Let's go!"

Without further explanation, Zhang Xuan waved his hand, tearing through space and returning to where Kong Shi had resided. Sure enough, an elder was floating in mid-air, cross-legged. Seeing them arrive, he smiled slightly. "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's body trembled.

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

"I hid from 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 escape Tian 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 who knows how long to restore his power—perhaps decades.

"Our combined strength is strong, but defeating Ruthless One won't be easy..."

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

It wasn't about boosting the enemy or undermining 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 individually, or even together, we're no match for him. But... what if we fuse all our power into one person?"

Kong Shi looked at them with a smile.

"Fuse into one person?"

This time, not just Luo Ruoxi, but Zhang Xuan was also full of confusion.

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

Kong Shi said, "But if we concentrate everyone's 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 Shen Jie's peak. 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 constraints, he can save Shen Jie!"

Kong Shi said.

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

"Ling Xi Emperor 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 guessed right, when he fought me, he even considered giving up and letting me kill him!"

Kong Shi said.

Luo Ruoxi fell silent.

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

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

Kong Shi nodded. "I seek to embrace all beings and save the world, but I'm too unwilling to let others sacrifice for me. Too much benevolence is a flaw! If I'd 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, Ruthless One couldn't have revived, and none of this would have happened.

"So, I'm not suitable either! But Zhang Xuan's techniques are seamless, without flaws. He emphasizes 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.

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

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 it better than you! Ling Xi Emperor Zun has no Tian Dao fragment, but she's long controlled 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 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 destroy all things!"

"Alright then!"

Seeing that 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 streams of power surged into him from both sides.

Zhang Xuan's entire body stiffened, as if he had instantly become Tian Dao itself, soaring above the nine heavens.

His soul, body, and true energy 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 Qi Qi and the others away, Ruthless One 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 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 pinnacle, were no match.

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

"Even if Shen Jie falls, living means nothing. I'll go down with you..."

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

"You? You're not worthy!"

Ruthless One clenched his hand, and the golden dragon was trapped in his palm, struggling futilely to escape.

"My old friend, wait for me!"

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

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

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

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

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

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

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

As he roared, about to deliver the fatal blow and wipe them out, he felt his raised arm tighten, frozen in mid-air.

"Want to kill them? Did you ask me first?"

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

It was Zhang Xuan!

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

"He's made quite a leap..."

Ruthless One halted, his expression turning serious.

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

"But so what? Even at full strength, Shen Jie couldn't withstand me. I don't believe you can!"

With a cold snort, Ruthless One struck down again.

Zhang Xuan raised his long sword and met the attack.

The two clashed, tearing space apart and sending energy surging 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 only 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 will be tough! Unless... he can comprehend a power that transcends Emperor Jun!"

After a moment of silence, Kong Shi said.

Even with all of them channeling their power, making Zhang Xuan's body host the complete Tian Dao, defeating Ruthless One 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 break through 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 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 the fused power forming the complete Tian Dao in his body, he was still no match.

"Ha! I thought you'd be something special. Turns out you're just this!"

Ruthless One sneered coldly.

"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..."

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan stopped attacking and looked at Ruthless One.

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

Hearing this, Ruthless One paused, then snorted coldly, raising his hand.

Whoosh!

A green light appeared in his palm and slammed down.

It was indeed his strongest attack, making all of Shen Jie rumble as if it couldn't bear the weight, creating a massive crater.

Zhang Xuan closed his eyes and didn't dodge.

Bang!

His head exploded, and his soul scattered.

"Zhang Xuan..."

Everyone's faces turned pale at the sight.

Luo Qi Qi seemed to go mad.

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

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

The plan was for him to break through the constraints and reach a realm beyond Emperor Jun. Why had he chosen to face death without resistance?

Wasn't this wasting their efforts?

"Wait, no—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 had shattered, had the pendant on his chest burst open. A drop of blood floated up, ignited, and formed a blazing flame. From the flame, an intact figure slowly emerged.

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

Luo Ruoxi's pupils contracted.

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

"How did he do that?"

Kong Shi was full of disbelief.

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

Yet this young man had achieved it with just one strike. What method had he used?

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

Luo Ruoxi realized.

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

But Ruthless One 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.

Using that power for rebirth, and it had succeeded brilliantly!

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

The reborn Zhang Xuan 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 he could break through at any moment.

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

With a smile, Zhang Xuan murmured to himself.

The moment Tian Dao library separated from 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 troubled countless people.

But now... none of that mattered!

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

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

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

Love is emotion.

Hate is emotion.

Joy is emotion.

Sorrow is emotion.

Parting is emotion.

Reunion is emotion!

"Ten thousand emotions, all for my use..."

With a low cry, the restraints in Zhang Xuan's body shattered instantly.

The Emperor Jun constraints were broken!

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

Countless strands of chaos energy surged toward him, and his physical body advanced rapidly.

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

"You..."

Ruthless One hadn't expected his full-force attack not only to fail in killing him but to empower him, and he raged, "Waah!" before lunging again.

"You resent the lofty Emperor Juns for not saving you from 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 grow stronger—that's emotion... Emotion controls you, so how can you defeat me, or escape my control?"

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

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

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

"You..."

Ruthless One's eyes filled with panic. "Zhang Shi, I'm your servant. Don't kill me... I'm willing to offer my soul..."

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

Zhang Xuan smiled and shook his head.

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

He had killed so many at the god level and harmed his girlfriend Luo Qi Qi and so many friends. Today, how could he forgive?

"No..."

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

Bang!

In an instant, he exploded, turning into vast spiritual energy that poured into Shen Jie.

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

"This..."

"He's really dead just like that?"

Yun Chi Emperor Jun, Undying Emperor Jun, Ling Long Immortal Zi, and the others stared in disbelief.

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

Could there truly be a level beyond Emperor Jun?

"He succeeded..."

Kong Shi and Luo Ruoxi unclenched their fists.

"This is part of Tian Dao, so 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 gathered once more.

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

"It seems Shen Jie is entering a new era of spiritual revival..."

Zhang Xuan smiled.

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

"Zhang Xuan, come here..."

Just 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 young man standing before him.

It was the one who had taught him the sword technique earlier.

"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 hair's breadth away, having reached the absolute peak of Emperor Jun, far surpassing the previous Luo Ruoxi.

"You can just call me by my name. I'm Nie Tong!"

The young man exuded an unstoppable sword intent and said lightly.

"Nie Tong?" Zhang Xuan furrowed his brow.

He had never heard this name.

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

Nie Tong smiled and stepped forward.

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

There, another young man stood.

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

"This strength..."

Zhang Xuan trembled.

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

"I'm Nie Yun!" The young man smiled faintly and looked over. "Or... Nie Ling Xi, the one you know as Luo Ruoxi's father!"

"Luo Ruoxi's father?"

Zhang Xuan was shocked. "You're... Shen Jie's Tian Dao?"

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

"I used One Qi Transforms Three Purities, turning part of my soul into Tian Dao! Besides, I created this world, so calling me Tian 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?

"But if Shen Jie is your creation and you're Tian Dao, why did you let Ruthless One rampage without intervening... even ignoring your daughter's life?"

Zhang Xuan asked.

Nie Yun didn't answer his question directly but looked at him. "Do you think there's life beyond Shen Jie that's even stronger?"

"This..." Zhang Xuan paused. "There should be, right?"

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

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

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

"In that state, restoring myself would take just a thought, but... I realized that to truly transcend Shen Jie's constraints and explore where that hand came from, and what's beyond Shen Jie, I couldn't do it alone. So, I wanted to see if any life could break through Emperor Jun's limits and reach my level!"

"That's why I sent the scattered Tian Dao intent to the lowest worlds... granting it to souls originally of this world and one not belonging to it. And you didn't disappoint me!"

Nie Yun laughed.

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

Zhang Xuan's heart shook.

No wonder he could traverse here—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 free. I just had a thought and didn't expect you to succeed..."

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

Without Kong Shi's selflessness, achieving 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 hold back, thinking he could retreat safely. 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 watched their fight and knew Kong Shi had been indecisive.

It might also be that he didn't want 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 disregarding his daughter's life?

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

Nie Yun smiled faintly. "At your current level, in a life-or-death situation, could you save someone? That's how it is."

"This..." Zhang Xuan smiled bitterly.

Breaking through Emperor Jun was a different concept. If he were willing, 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 took the surname Luo... To make her believe and not act on emotion, I've let her think I'm still in a coma until now..."

Nie Yun sighed. "I'm quite the heartless father... Anyway, you explain this to her. Her feelings have shifted to you now; she probably doesn't even think of me anymore... Ha ha, I'll stay hidden for a while. I don't want her turning 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 option; who asked him to win over the man's daughter?

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