Chapter 1114: I Cracked Open~

Is this a real clone?One with independent consciousness?Yes, that makes sense. After all, it materialized by taking half of my entire strength.

Xu Xiaoshou watched with a strange feeling and listened with confusion, completely baffled by this sudden appearance of another himself. After a long moment of processing, he finally asked, "What... can you do?"

"Everything you can do, I can do," the Second True Body said with a smile.

"How much of it?"

"A hundred percent."

"Passive skills?"

"Yes, those too."

"Thinking?"

"If I want to, I can think too."

Xu Xiaoshou was suddenly filled with a sense of dread, a fear of the unknown and the uncontrollable. He immediately questioned, "Then what's the difference between you and me?"

"There's the biggest difference: you are the True Body, and I am the Second True Body," said the other Xu Xiaoshou, like a mirror image clone.

Second True Body... Xu Xiaoshou mused. It wasn't a clone, nor a demi-saint avatar, but a Second True Body. It inherited all his abilities, not just combat skills, but also thought, making it essentially another him.

What if it longed for freedom?

"I have a question," Xu Xiaoshou asked, raising his head, his eyes filled with an unsettling coldness.

"Please, speak," the Second True Body replied politely, as if noticing nothing.

"After all, I am the original, and you are the second. We are not equal, that's correct, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"If that's the case, then it's not a question of two tigers in one mountain, but a matter of sovereign and subject, correct?"

Without waiting for the Second True Body to respond, Xu Xiaoshou continued, "Since it's a matter of sovereign and subject, let me ask: if the sovereign wishes for the subject's death, what's the next line?"

The Second True Body's face stiffened, as if it understood something. Its lips suddenly paled as it hesitated, "The subject... is a commoner?"

Xu Xiaoshou was so choked up he almost spat out blood.

He didn't hesitate, directly throwing out Cangkou like a judge issuing a decree, and said indifferently, "Kill yourself!"

"Have mercy, master..." The Second True Body dropped to its knees with a thud, its hand unconsciously reaching for Cangkou, which was suddenly writhing with excitement.

"I know what you're thinking, but there's no need for that. If you want me to die, a single thought is enough. You yourself said it: you are the original, I am the second. I wouldn't go against your will..." The Second True Body tremblingly placed Cangkou against its neck. It truly seemed unable to disobey Xu Xiaoshou's command.

Cangkou's blade vibrated wildly, as if kicking the air, trying to direct its sharpest edge towards its master's main artery—it seemed to be its deepest desire.

Xu Xiaoshou watched the scene with the cold detachment of a deity perched on clouds, showing no mercy as he said, "Sorry, I have to verify my theory, so you have to die once."

Tears streamed from the Second True Body's eyes. It tried to crane its neck back, but involuntarily moved closer and closer to Cangkou's blade.

It lamented mournfully, "Even so, couldn't you just make me explode? Why give this cursed sword a taste of blood? Don't let it break its taboo of devouring its master!"

"The words of a dying man are good," Xu Xiaoshou nodded, acknowledging the Second True Body's last words. Disregarding its resistance, he retrieved Cangkou, then, with a glint in his eye, said, "Now you can die. Explode."

Flesh flew, air surged, and the Second True Body instantly perished.

"Ugh, damn it—"

At the same moment, Xu Xiaoshou hunched over like a shrimp from the pain, clutching his head and banging it against the ground.

The so-called Second True Body, after all, was half of himself split off. When it died, its physical body, spirit, and soul perished simultaneously.

This was akin to Xu Xiaoshou severing half of himself; how could it not hurt?

When he'd severed an arm to survive against Jiang Buyi, it had been excruciatingly painful—not just physical pain, but more so the profound agony of self-mutilation!

It was like being able to tolerate a cut inflicted by an enemy's blade, but struggling psychologically to inflict a wound upon oneself.

However, this experiment also allowed Xu Xiaoshou to confirm the unique definition of the "Second True Body":

"The Second True Body can perfectly replicate all of the main body's abilities, including passive skills, and contains another 'self.' Besides having to accept the 'true self's' control, it possesses its own 'sentience.'"

"However, it will not transcend the 'true self' or even harm the 'true self,' because it must obey the commands of the 'true self,' which is 'me.'"

"Therefore, it will not become another 'me,' but merely a 'tool' for me—a perfectly flawless tool!"

Xu Xiaoshou took a long time to recover from the pain.

After understanding the true definition of the "Second True Body," the exhilaration he gained from it was even greater than the satisfaction of finding peace after suffering.

"Since it won't transcend me, the 'Second True Body' is undoubtedly a divine ability!"

"If I had the Second True Body during the Spirit Abode Auction, I might not have needed to ask Bazun'an for help; if I had it in the Yunlun Mountain Range, Little Chick Xu wouldn't even have had to appear."

"Furthermore, when facing the demi-saint Jiang Buyi, I wouldn't have needed to sever an arm. I could have used the Second True Body to simulate a more realistic death, playing that old demi-saint like a fiddle, and even tricking him further—after all, I'm no longer afraid of death; only the Second True Body would die."

"What's more, from now on, Xu Shao Xu Deyie, the demi-saint successor of the Tai Xiang Xu Family in the Northern Region, can appear and confront Saint Slave Xu Xiaoshou simultaneously. This transforms deceiving the heavens into creating something from nothing... The Northern Region Xu Family will grow bigger and stronger!"

Xu Xiaoshou felt as if everything about himself had been illuminated by this sudden divine ability.

This awakened skill, combining both combat and support, could in an absurd way fill all the loopholes in his past and future plans. It was simply god-tier.

"The only downside..."

Xu Xiaoshou stood up, clutching his head, still a little unsteady, his eyes hazy. "When it died, I really hurt!"

"Endless Life," "Full of Vigor," and "Transformation" took a huge amount of time to fully repair the injuries to his body, spirit, and soul.

Xu Xiaoshou attempted to condense a Second True Body once again.

He watched his own splitting process for the second time from an omniscient perspective, then saw the recently deceased Second True Body come back to life.

"Fortunately, the splitting only needs to happen once. After the split is complete, as long as the Second True Body doesn't die, I can just summon it directly without experiencing the initial pain," Xu Xiaoshou realized another aspect of the Second True Body's use.

"Congratulations, you've successfully given birth again." This newly appeared Second True Body immediately started spewing provocative remarks. "I think I'm not the first other me you've summoned."

After Xu Xiaoshou clutched his head and the pain subsided, he felt another wave of dizziness.

This guy's way of speaking is so convoluted...

And "given birth"...

What's with "giving birth"?!

So, this is the effort people have to expend when talking to me?

Looking at it this way, talking to me is truly exhausting... I even want to kill myself, damn it!

Xu Xiaoshou suddenly thought of Shouye.

That Red Coat must have been enduring such pain when chatting with him, right?

After all, their conversations had always been very profound.

Hmm, speaking of which... I haven't seen Shouye since entering Void Island. I wonder if he survived the Nine Deaths Thunder Tribulation, sigh.

"How do you know you're not the first?" Xu Xiaoshou snapped back to attention and asked.

The Second True Body chuckled, "How could I not know myself? With my cautious personality, the first one 'birthed' would definitely die, and probably explode, leaving no corpse—" It shuddered.

Xu Xiaoshou rolled his eyes heavenward, "Please stop using the word 'birth.' Also, from now on, when you speak, refer to yourself as 'you,' not 'I.' I am me, and you are you. Don't go in circles, it makes my head spin."

"Oh," the Second True Body nodded, chuckling, "So you know that too."

Xu Xiaoshou: "..."

No, you were just born. Where did you learn this sarcastic ability? Why are you so annoying when you talk?

"If you keep being sarcastic, I'll make you explode," Xu Xiaoshou said, his eyes chilling.

"Apologies, apologies." The Second True Body immediately admitted its mistake, bowing sincerely and repeatedly saying, "I'm really sorry. If I've offended you in any way, I'll freaking bow and apologize to you, please forgive me."

Then it exploded...

Xu Xiaoshou clutched his head and slammed it against the ground again, creating a large crater, still unable to believe that the Second True Body he summoned had such a terrible attitude!

Was it sick?

Xu Xiaoshou condemned the other for a bit, then suddenly realized, *Maybe I'm the one with the problem?*

"I have a problem? Impossible!"

Clutching his head, he stumbled a few steps, immediately dismissing the very idea. If only there was a third-party verification, it must definitely be the Second True Body with the problem!

"Damn it, its whole vibe is off. When would I ever say 'damn it'..." He paused.

Xu Xiaoshou decisively cut off the thought, stopping himself from overthinking such complex matters.

With a flash, he appeared directly in front of the cozy little wooden house Teardrop had built by the broken tower—now Muzixi's residence.

He pushed the door open. Inside, a little girl in a small puffy green dress, tying her twin ponytails, a picture of a demure young lady, turned her head in slight alarm. "What are you doing?"

Xu Xiaoshou got straight to the point, blurting out, "Is the way I talk annoying?"

Muzixi: ???

*Is he crazy? Is that even a question?*

She didn't answer Xu Xiaoshou's question. Instead, she spun around, holding her skirt, a giggle spreading across her face. "Xu Xiaoshou, I changed back! Do I look good in this?"

"Looks good," Xu Xiaoshou nodded first, then scanned her up and down. His gaze settled, and he unconsciously compared it to Teardrop's appearance, regretfully saying, "It's just a little small."

Muzixi stumbled, almost falling. At his words, her small face instantly filled with shock, and murderous intent surged in her eyes like a tide.

*Clap, clap!*

She clapped her hands.

"Little Tree, rise!"

With a boom, Xu Xiaoshou was blasted high into the sky by an enormous ancient tree that suddenly erupted from the ground, while below, his junior sister's furious screams echoed.

"Xu Xiaoshou, get lost—"

"Undeniably, I bear some responsibility for the Second True Body turning out this way, but it's not a big problem."

Xu Xiaoshou splashed cold water on his face, calmed down, and finally gained some self-awareness.

After waiting for his three passive skills to mostly heal his injuries again, he once more fissioned out a "Second True Body."

In truth, the consequences of the spiritual and soul injuries were severe. Even though they seemed to be healed by his passive skills, Xu Xiaoshou felt extremely fatigued, a deep mental exhaustion.

The best way to recover was, first, sleep—a long sleep. But Xu Xiaoshou didn't even consider this; he had no time for sleep.

Second was to use holy medicines that repaired spirit and soul, which would surely bring his state back immediately.

But Xu Xiaoshou was afraid he couldn't withstand the impact of the medicine, as he had only recently consumed Dragon Apricot. Therefore, he didn't consider continuing to take medicine, relying solely on his passive skills to bear the cost of giving birth... *bah*, splitting the Second True Body.

"I suppose I'm the third one?" This time, the Second True Body appeared somewhat more normal, or perhaps not entirely normal.

Xu Xiaoshou chuckled, realizing that if he didn't want to risk being choked by himself, he should revert to his own ways. So he said, "Then think about it: what did the previous two die from?"

"I think I don't need to think about it to understand," the Second True Body seemed a little afraid, furtively glancing at the main body. It didn't dare to make sarcastic remarks, trying its best to let the main body do the talking.

This was a survival tactic!

Little did it know, the previous two had died precisely because of their incessant sarcastic remarks!

"I'm very satisfied with your attitude. At least so far, you've assessed the situation well and know what to say and what not to say. I assume you'll also know what to do and what not to do in the future," Xu Xiaoshou began to lay down the rules.

This third one seemed acceptable. At least he didn't want to endure the pain of continued "birth"... uh, splitting, for now.

"I will," the Second True Body said. "I understand what you like best. I'm just a tool; I'll bear with it and play the part."

Xu Xiaoshou: "..."

*Couldn't you just keep things like "bear with it" to yourself?*

However, seeing that three consecutive clones couldn't control their words, Xu Xiaoshou felt he understood something else.

Could it be that he had misunderstood the previous two?

This "Second True Body" was like an internal dialogue with himself; it wouldn't consider anything.

Or, from a subjective level, they all believed they were "me"—why would "I" need to hold back when talking to myself?

"Alright, if that's the case, I'll reluctantly treat you as me..." Xu Xiaoshou felt he had to put up with the other one... or rather, put up with himself.

Then his eyes darted, and a fun idea sparked in his mind.

"Come here," Xu Xiaoshou beckoned. Seeing the Second True Body didn't move, he patiently walked closer and leaned in, wanting to whisper something.

To his surprise, the Second True Body immediately stepped away, glancing at the main body with slight disdain, seemingly put off by such intimate gestures between two males.

Xu Xiaoshou's face darkened. In an instant, he read the Second True Body's thoughts and almost made it explode.

"Wait!" The Second True Body was startled, realizing it had overstepped again. It quickly explained, "You just need to think it; you don't have to say it. We're telepathically connected; I know what you're thinking."

"..." Xu Xiaoshou suppressed the urge to commit suicide. That truly was too painful.

"Then come with me," he waved his hand, signaling the Second True Body to follow.

"You don't need to say that either, just think it..." The Second True Body's annoying mouth instinctively mumbled, but it quickly sensed a murderous gaze from ahead and immediately fell silent, averting its eyes, not daring to meet his gaze.

***

The wooden house.

Muzixi had spent a little effort to rebuild the small wooden house that had just been shattered by the ancient tree. She was currently inside, gloomily plucking flower petals.

"Stupid Xiaoshou, stinky Xiaoshou, hateful Xu Xiaoshou..."

*Knock, knock, knock.*

Just then, a knock came from outside the door.

The little girl's eyes lit up. She jumped off the stool, her short legs scampering quickly to open the door. Sure enough, it was Xu Xiaoshou knocking!

Her expression hardened, and she put her hands on her hips, saying coldly, "What are you doing here? Looking for death?"

"I came to apologize." Xu Xiaoshou's attitude was very sincere. He bowed immediately. "I'm sorry I upset you just now. It was Big Brother's fault. It won't happen again, I promise!"

Muzixi: ???

*Has the sun risen from the west?*

Xu Xiaoshou, learned to apologize?

Muzixi was touched for a moment and was about to say "You're welcome"—this was what she envisioned a good big brother should be like!

Who would have thought that after Xu Xiaoshou finished speaking, he moved his body from in front of the wooden door, pulled his hand to the side, and said fiercely, "You come over and apologize too! It's all your fault!"

Muzixi stared blankly, utterly confused.

The next second, she saw Xu Xiaoshou pull out another Xu Xiaoshou!

What was going on... The little girl's lips instantly formed an "o" shape, and her Divine Demon Eyes widened. The second Xu Xiaoshou she saw, however, wasn't a painted clone as she had imagined, but a real person!

A genuine, real person, exactly like the first Xu Xiaoshou, without the slightest difference!

*Suspicion received, Passive Point +1.*

The second Xu Xiaoshou was pulled out by the ear, looking aggrieved. He also bowed, apologizing sincerely: "I'm sorry I upset you just now. Actually, all of this was my doing. You can blame me, or even kill me to vent your anger."

Muzixi: ???

What... exactly... was going... on?

Her small face was blank, full of shock. Her gaze darted between the first and second Xu Xiaoshou. Even her "Divine Demon Eyes" couldn't tell the difference between real and fake. So, Xu Xiaoshou actually had a twin brother?

At this moment, both Xu Xiaoshous, seeing that their junior sister couldn't distinguish them even with her "Divine Demon Eyes" activated, burst into laughter simultaneously. They put their hands in their pockets, then scattered a shower of flower petals in front of them.

These two mischievous fellows simultaneously leaned down, grinned, and approached Muzixi, then displayed identical, chilling expressions and actions.

"Hahaha, didn't expect this, did you? I've split!"

With a thud, Muzixi was so startled that she fell backwards onto the ground, her face pale. She scrambled backward, as if she had seen a demon.

Only then did she realize this was another one of Xu Xiaoshou's pranks. Her face flushed with anger. She grabbed the "Buddha-Slaying Blade" and "Prison Void Magic Staff" from inside the wooden house and charged forward, screaming furiously.

"Xu Xiaoshou, I'll kill you—"