Then the Heart Clone spoke again, cutting through their reverie with a calm reminder.
"But there is one thing you must understand clearly. If you remain mortal and have not yet stepped into cultivation, you can receive the full benefits of the Mortal Foundation Scripture. However, once you step onto the cultivation path, the scripture's effects will drop to only five percent of their original power. So tell me—what will you choose?"
He fell silent, giving them time to decide without pressure.
"To delay cultivation and practice the scripture for more years… or to step onto the path now and accept the reduced benefits?"
Xinxuan immediately began overthinking, his mind racing through advantages and disadvantages.
Full benefits for longer meant a much stronger foundation—higher talent ceiling, better mentality, more room to grow before bottlenecks.
But delaying cultivation meant slower initial progress, lost time, and the risk of falling behind others who advanced early.
Yet the long-term gain… the potential to transcend even purple-level talent…
After several minutes of internal debate, he made his choice.
He would practice the scripture for more years.
The remaining disciples reached the same conclusion—nobody wanted to be left behind in the long run.
One by one, they nodded in agreement.
The Heart Clone sensed their decisions and continued without surprise.
"Very well. You have chosen wisely."
He then taught them the complete practice method of the Mortal Foundation Scripture—every detail, every breathing pattern, every mental focus—and sent them to the training ground in abode of the sky to begin immediately.
Before sending them, he handed each disciple a small, translucent earpiece-like item—crafted personally by him.
"This will translate any language—spoken words, beast roars, intent, everything—directly into your understanding. No more need for external devices."
The disciples marveled at the tool; it was far superior to the ones Mordan had provided, capable of interpreting even the deepest intent behind a beast's growl.
Then the Heart Clone turned to his beast subordinates.
He noticed Husa's eyes—sharp, alert, and tinged with quiet envy as the wolf watched the human disciples receiving their new gifts and opportunities.
The Heart Clone reached down and patted Husa's head gently.
"You don't have to be envious that they can enhance their talent and you cannot. You are not suitable for the Mortal Foundation Scripture—it is designed for humans, who possess innate intelligence even as mortals. Beasts rely mostly on instinct before awakening. You need a different method. But for now…"
He smiled faintly.
"Let's train you, okay?"
Husa's ears perked up.
He had just heard that he would receive something special too.
His tail wagged rapidly—forgetting for a moment that he was a proud snow wolf—and happiness shone in his eyes.
Remembering Astra, who had been personally trained by Master and grown so powerful, Husa felt a surge of aspiration.
He wanted to become like her—strong, respected, indispensable.
The Heart Clone led Husa and the other beasts to a separate section of the training ground.
His training method was direct and brutal: nothing more than letting them fight each other constantly.
He also sparred with them personally—holding back just enough to challenge without destroying, sharpening their instincts, reactions, and combat sense with every clash.
For Husa, he began teaching Beast Techniques—specialized martial forms adapted for beasts, similar to human techniques but optimized for claws, fangs, tails, wings, and raw physicality.
He had already taught these to Astra; now Husa received the same knowledge.
For the other beasts—most of whom had not yet fully awakened their intelligence—the process was slower.
The Heart Clone had to guide them step by step, using intent and essence pulses to convey movements and principles.
To motivate them, he spoke clearly.
"Whoever is the first—excluding Husa—to completely master a Beast Technique will receive a personal cultivation system from me."
The beasts' eyes lit up with fierce determination.
Even without full intelligence, they understood the promise perfectly.
A cultivation system meant power, growth—everything they instinctively craved.
They roared in unison and threw themselves into training with renewed ferocity, grinding relentlessly to become the first.
Husa watched them with a competitive glint in his eye, already practicing the new techniques his Master had given him.
The Heart Clone observed it all with quiet satisfaction.
Humans and beasts training side by side.
The Abode of the Sky had become more than a fortress.
It had become a cradle for power.
And the path ahead—for every single one of them—stretched toward the stars.