After the comparison screen finished replaying Tang San's past, silence fell across both the white world and the dark world.
For a moment, no one spoke.
This Tang San… was difficult to judge.
After hearing the words of the Tang Sect Master and the inner thoughts of the Second Elder, everyone formed their own conclusions.
Some believed that since the Sect Master had already acknowledged Tang San as a genius, his actions—though improper—were not unforgivable. After all, he had never leaked the sect's techniques, and in the end, he chose death to prove his innocence.
As the saying goes: respect for the dead is paramount.
Perhaps Tang San was not truly evil—just a gifted genius who lacked proper guidance and strayed down the wrong path.
But others saw something entirely different.
To them, Tang San was ungrateful, selfish… even hypocritical.
He had been an orphan, taken in and raised by the Tang Sect. That life-saving kindness should have been repaid with loyalty.
Even if he was talented, was there no proper path to becoming an inner disciple?
Why resort to theft?
Wasn't that nothing more than greed?
And when he was discovered?
He ran.
Only when cornered did he put on an act—leaving behind those inferior Buddha's Wrath Lotuses, speaking lofty words, and jumping to his death.
No one was a fool.
Everyone could see through it.
Dark World — Shrek Academy
After watching the footage, Xiao Wu, Dai Mubai, Ning Rongrong, and the others instinctively glanced at Tang San.
Their expressions were… complicated.
Xiao Wu felt especially conflicted.
The Tang San she had known for over six years—gentle, respectful, devoted—didn't seem to align with the person shown in the sky.
Could he really have such a past?
She shook her head firmly, trying to convince herself.
No… this must be wrong.
This so-called "comparison sky screen" could be misleading.
Third Brother wouldn't be like that…
I should trust what I've experienced myself.
Dai Mubai and Ning Rongrong, however, were less certain.
Without saying a word, they subtly took a step back from Tang San.
Not too far—just enough.
After all, they were still classmates. Basic courtesy had to be maintained.
But the thought lingered:
If he could steal from his own sect… what about us?
Yu Xiaogang's expression stiffened.
His face turned slightly pale.
The disciple he had personally chosen… had such a past?
If Tang San's character was truly flawed, what would that say about him?
After all, Tang San was his greatest proof—his pride as a master of martial spirit theory.
Would his reputation be tarnished as well?
But then, another thought surfaced—one he could not ignore.
His own past.
What he had done in Spirit City…
A trace of guilt flickered across his eyes.
Do I even have the right to judge him?
After all… he had made questionable choices too.
He sighed inwardly.
Forget it.
Everyone has their own struggles.
No one has lived an easy life.
Turning a blind eye… might be the best option.
The Sky Screen
After the Second Elder's thoughts ended, the projection suddenly went dark.
[Part One: The Past of Tang San, Sea God and Asura God, has concluded.]
[Intermission.]
[Next: The past of Tang Chuan — God of Life and God of Destruction of the White World.]
[Stay tuned.]
White World — Blue Silver Forest
"It's finally over!"
The Blue Silver King spoke with obvious anger.
"I never imagined that Tang San from another world would be so ungrateful, selfish, and shameless! Comparing him to His Highness is nothing short of an insult!"
But Ah Yin remained silent.
Her emotions were far more complicated.
If Tang San possessed memories from another world…
Then what about her own son?
Tang Chuan… could he be the same?
A chilling thought emerged in her mind.
If so… is he still my child?
Beside her, Tang Chuan stood quietly, his heart in turmoil.
Next… it will be my turn.
My past will be revealed.
Then… everything will come out.
Will Mother think I'm some foreign soul… who took over her child's body?
After a long silence, he took a deep breath.
He made his decision.
He stepped forward.
"Mom… there's something very important I need to tell you."
Ah Yin forced herself to remain calm, though her heart trembled.
"What is it, Xiao Chuan? You can tell me anything."
Her voice was gentle, but there was a faint unease beneath it.
Tang Chuan clenched his fists.
"…Mom, actually… I may not truly be your son."
The words hung heavy in the air.
"Like Tang San from the dark world… I also have memories of another life."
"In that world, I was an orphan. I grew up in an orphanage."
"One day, while trying to save some children, I was crushed to death by a falling steel coil…"
"When I woke up… I had become your child."
"I don't know if I was reincarnated… or if I replaced your original son, who might have died during the Spirit Hall's pursuit."
His voice trembled.
"But… none of that matters to me."
"In all these years, you raised me, cared for me, and loved me."
"In my heart… you are my true mother."
With a choked voice, Tang Chuan dropped to his knees, his eyes reddened.
"Xiao Chuan…"
Ah Yin could no longer hold back her tears.
Her heart trembled violently.
Memories flooded her mind—every moment they had shared, every smile, every word of affection.
How could she not feel it?
How could she deny it?
No matter who he was before…
The child before her now was real.
Her child.
She stepped forward, her voice trembling yet firm:
"No matter what…"
"You are still my child."
The Sky Resumes
After several hours, the projection flickered back to life.
[Above the vast blue sky, white clouds drift lazily.]
[A massive bird with triangular wings—seemingly forged from steel—roars across the heavens.]
[The view shifts downward. A towering city of steel and concrete appears. Skyscrapers gleam under the sun, their glass reflecting dazzling light.]
[On wide, flat roads, small steel vehicles race forward on four black wheels. Below, countless people move like ants.]
What… kind of world is this?!
Across both the white and dark worlds, humans and intelligent soul beasts alike stared in shock.
This was a civilization unlike anything they had ever seen.
A completely different era.
A completely different world.
And it had only just begun.