This clone appeared during the retreat on the eve of departure from Lingxiu Village. Long before that, he had asked Qiqi if multiple realms would result in a clone.
Qiqi's answer was ambiguous; it didn't say it was impossible nor possible. When the clone truly appeared, it enlightened Liu Zixuan that such matters are also opportunities.
Had Liu Zixuan not saved that infant in his dream, perhaps the clone wouldn't have been mentioned.
Thus, after the shock, Liu Zixuan gradually accepted the fact and understood what the elders often said about causality.
When coming to the western Star Sea, Liu Zixuan claimed to be cultivating within the Relic Pearl. In truth, it was because of the clone.
Because he discovered the clone was entirely different from what he had imagined.
This was an independent entity. Logically speaking, the two of them were connected mentally, and the clone shouldn't be able to surpass the original.
