At the training ground of the Abode of the Sky, all twenty disciples had gathered at the exact appointed time, standing in neat rows on the wide, smooth marble platform that overlooked floating gardens and distant artificial horizons.
Among them were five young men like Xinxuan, three middle-aged men, two elderly men, and two teenage boys—making twelve males in total.
The remaining eight were females: four young women around Vera's age, two middle-aged women, one teenage girl, and one elderly lady.
They came from different countries, carrying unique customs, languages, and backgrounds, yet now they stood united in identical training suits—simple, comfortable garments of soft white fabric that adjusted perfectly to each person's form, embroidered faintly with silver threads that shimmered with subtle essence.
Every disciple waited in respectful silence, hearts beating with a mixture of anticipation, nervousness, and quiet excitement for the moment their Master would arrive.
Just then, the Heart Clone appeared without warning—manifesting directly on the elevated platform at the center of the training ground, his mask removed, revealing Ankit's true face: tall, strikingly handsome, with long black hair tied loosely behind him and a few strands falling gently over his shoulders, dressed in the same pure white robes that seemed to absorb and reflect light in equal measure.
The moment he materialized, all twenty disciples bowed in perfect unison, voices rising together in clear, sincere greeting.
"Master!"
They quickly formed a perfect horizontal line around the platform, standing straight and attentive, eyes fixed on him with deep respect.
The Heart Clone looked over them slowly, his gaze warm yet carrying an undeniable weight of authority.
His voice, low but resonant, drew every ounce of their attention the instant he spoke.
"My disciples."
He let the words linger for a moment before continuing, tone steady and measured.
"First: from today, you begin your real training here. You will not leave this fortress or return to the outside world until you are strong enough. The path will be hard—you will be battered, exhausted, pushed beyond what you think you can endure. But I will ensure you never stop moving forward."
He paused, letting the seriousness settle over them.
"Second: I know many of you are not yet confident in your ability to walk the path of cultivation. Some of you doubt yourselves, your talent, your will. But if you persist—if you refuse to give up—you will become powerful. You will follow this path to its very end. I myself am still walking it. I have not even glimpsed its conclusion. To me, cultivation is never-ending."
A quiet ripple of determination passed through the group.
"Third: you have all wondered about your families—whether they can cultivate under my guidance. Unfortunately, I will not train them personally. However, you may train them yourselves. You may share the cultivation system, techniques, and knowledge I give you. And once per month, I will hold a sermon here. Let your family members bring their questions, doubts, and problems to me then, and I will resolve them."
The disciples' faces lit up with relief and joy.
They had worried about leaving their loved ones behind or being unable to help them grow stronger.
Now, that burden lifted—they could guide their families themselves and still receive Master's wisdom directly once a month.
Then the Heart Clone's voice grew slightly softer, yet no less commanding.
"Let me also tell you: you are not alone as my disciples."
Xinxuan nodded quietly to himself—he had already guessed his Master would have many more disciples.
The Heart Clone continued.
"Let me take you to meet them first."
With a gentle wave of his hand, space folded around the entire group.
In a single, smooth motion, the twenty disciples vanished from the training ground and reappeared in a vast, open chamber deep within the fortress—one they hadn't seen before.
At it's centre stood a massive gate.
He said, "This gate leads to the continent i build, where my disciples stay."
He leads them inside.
The air here was thick with essence, the ground soft and springy beneath their feet with essence grass that glowed faintly under the artificial sunlight, and an endless forest stretched out before them—towering trees with leaves that shimmered like jade, distant mountains rising in sharp peaks, deep valleys carved by crystal rivers, and rolling plains dotted with essence flowers that released gentle, calming fragrances.
The Heart Clone raised his voice—not loud, yet it echoed clearly across the entire continent like rolling thunder that reached every corner without effort.
"Come here."