"Hahaha, that's more like it! Family, love, the whole 'a teacher for a day is a father for life' thing—I don't care about any of it. This is the real me."
Evil Tang San grinned, spread his arms, and let it all out.
True Tang San remained composed and righteous. He flicked his sleeve and said, "Tang San, even though you're my dark side, you should still turn your heart toward the light. How can you willingly sink into darkness?"
"Hmph. You're the clone. You know better than anyone else. Which of us is more like the original? We both know the answer."
"You!" True Tang San stepped forward angrily and pointed at him.
"The power of the Talismans separates yin and yang, but everyone is born with both. There's no such thing as an original and a clone."
"Enough. I only want one thing. Give me that book." Evil Tang San fixed a vicious gaze on the Book of Antiquity, eyeing it covetously.
For some reason, when the Tiger Talisman had split Tang San apart just moments ago, the Book of Antiquity and the medicine pouch at his waist hadn't been affected.
He reached for the medicine pouch at his waist, while his counterpart held the Book of Antiquity.
True Tang San clutched the book, looking wary. "Don't even think about it. What's written in the Book of Antiquity is vital to everyone. There's no way I'll let you read it alone. And those Immortal Herbs were meant for everyone. Give them back to me."
"You sanctimonious hypocrite!" Evil Tang San felt a headache coming on and raised his pale arm.
"Black Silver Entanglement!"
A Yellow Soul Ring rose beneath his feet. This was a variant of the first Soul Skill, Blue Silver Entanglement, with a far more vicious and bloody power.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
The Blue Silver Grass on the ground shot toward his opponent and snatched the book from his hands.
"Tang San, you've already set foot on the path of evil. Give it back to me. White Silver Entanglement!"
The snow-white Blue Silver Grass missed its target. Evil Tang San used Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track to flee the alley, with True Tang San hot on his heels.
Several people who had seen the fireball land nearby came over to investigate. A dark blur swept toward them, slicing them into eight pieces and scattering their mangled remains across the ground.
"Tang San, you actually killed them!"
"Heh. I didn't kill them. You did. After all, you're my evil clone—Evil Tang San!" Evil Tang San glanced back with a wicked smile, already hatching a perfect plan.
"Tang San, you've fallen into the demonic path!"
The two chased each other all the way to Shrek.
At Shrek, everyone was chatting with Grandmaster, who had just returned. They hadn't expected Tang San to come back too, though he seemed to have changed somehow.
"Xiao San, I'm so glad you're all right. This is..." Yu Xiaogang hurried forward a few steps, then suddenly froze.
"Teacher! Your disciple has returned!"
The two Tang Sans raced in. The one in front immediately dropped to his knees before Yu Xiaogang, tears of longing bursting forth.
"Xiao San, get up. What happened?" Yu Xiaogang hurriedly helped him up, his heart instantly softening.
"Don't be fooled, Teacher! He's the evil one!" True Tang San shouted a warning, but Grandmaster had already been deeply moved by the heartfelt sincerity of the Tang San in his arms, and instinctively took his side.
Before Tang San could explain everything, Grandmaster and the others had already guessed what had happened. After all, this situation was far too similar to what had happened with Dai Mubai before.
It really was exactly what they had thought.
The Book of Antiquity recorded the power of the Talismans. He couldn't believe such a treasure existed in the world. Grandmaster's eyes burned with fervor.
At Spirit Hall, several more drops of divine water were added to Shendu's River of Divine Power. It wasn't much, but every little bit counted.
When he made the Book of Antiquity, he had placed an observing spell on it, allowing him to see what was happening on the other side.
Tang San held the Book of Antiquity high and earnestly offered it to Grandmaster. Everyone envied him, while also admiring his filial devotion.
This Tang San knew how to play the game—he was far more devious than Dai Xieyue. Shendu watched the show with a smile.
"Xiao San, you..." Grandmaster accepted the book, deeply moved. His emotions churned like boiling water, and tears spilled from his eyes.
True Tang San stood frozen beside them. He was certain he was the good side, but...
I am, right? He was a little confused.
"And there's this. These are the Immortal Herbs I asked Poison Douluo for. They can raise everyone's talent by at least one level, and completely awaken your Martial Soul, Teacher!"
Evil Tang San took out the medicine pouch and eagerly opened it.
"Really?" Yu Xiaogang was overjoyed. The Immortal Herbs inside seemed to embody all his hopes.
The other Tang San felt he couldn't let things go on like this. Just as he was about to step forward and set the record straight, who could have guessed that his counterpart would unleash his ultimate move?
Everyone gazed excitedly at the Immortal Herbs. The Tang San surrounded by them furtively glanced around, then suddenly struck himself hard in the chest and spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Pfft!"
Blood stained Tang San's chest, and he collapsed to the ground. The sight startled everyone.
"Tang San! Tang San!"
"Xiao San, how are you? Hang on!" Grandmaster held him anxiously.
"Third Brother! Waaaaah!" Xiao Wu collapsed onto him, overcome with grief.
Tang San was gravely wounded and near death. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he rasped weakly, "The power of the Talismans separates yin and yang, but everyone is born with both. There's no such thing as an original and a clone."
"There can only be one Tang San. After I die, I hope you'll treat him as me. Don't reject him. That way, I can die in peace." He pointed through his tear-filled eyes at the other him standing beyond the crowd.
Everyone was overcome with emotion. As expected of Tang San—truly a man of noble character!
"Third Brother! Waaaaah!" Xiao Wu wept until she could barely speak.
Ma Hongjun glared furiously at the other Tang San, gritting his teeth. "This is all your fault! If it weren't for you, Third Brother wouldn't be like this. You're the one who deserves to die!"
Beyond the crowd, True Tang San stood there, utterly dumbfounded. "It's over, it's over. I've become the clone!"
At Spirit Hall, Shendu watched True Tang San flee Shrek in a wretched state, barely escaping with his life, and shook his head in disdain.
The real Tang San was no good. As expected, the best Tang San was the one who'd turned evil.
With the Book of Antiquity in Grandmaster's hands, Shendu felt at ease. Grandmaster would never pass up a chance to show off his knowledge, and getting him to spread it to others would be easy.
At Shrek, Grandmaster returned to his dormitory and eagerly began writing a paper: Twelve Core Theories of Talismans.
"I, Yu Xiaogang, will surely become the greatest theoretical master in the world, whether the subject is Soul Beasts or demons."
His heart surged with excitement.
Elsewhere, at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
After many days of treatment, Shui Bing'er had finally recovered.
Her face was wrapped in a layer of bandages. It burned with pain, and only her eyes were exposed.
Shui Bing'er clutched her head and slowly sat up. Through a gap in the gauze, she saw several strangers standing before her. Their leader was an elegant man in his thirties.
"Young lady, are you feeling all right?" Ning Fengzhi bent down with a kind smile. Behind him, he held the hideous mask in his hand.
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