The family stepped through the shimmering space passage without much surprise, already familiar with the brief sensation of spatial folding and unfolding from previous experiences with Ankit.
When they emerged on the other side, however, the sight that greeted them made even the most composed among them pause.
They stood at the grand entrance gate of a massive fortress, its towering spires and intricate walls gleaming under the sunlight with an otherworldly elegance.
Though the fortress appeared somewhat smaller than Dark Haven Fortress from the outside, its design radiated pure luxury—polished white marble veined with gold, floating crystal gardens suspended between sections, and sweeping arches that seemed to capture and refract light like living jewels.
Sanya and Rudra immediately began scrutinizing every detail with wide-eyed wonder, pointing excitedly at the hovering lanterns, the cascading waterfalls that defied gravity by flowing upward into misty pools, and the faint auras of protective vyuhas shimmering along the walls.
Kamal, ever observant, quickly noticed the most striking truth:
This fortress was not hidden underground like Dark Haven.
He turned to the Heart Clone for confirmation, voice steady but laced with curiosity.
"Ankit… this fortress isn't underground?"
The Heart Clone nodded calmly, his masked face betraying nothing but gentle warmth.
"Yes, it is not underground. More precisely, this fortress is not on the ground at all—it floats entirely in the sky. I have named it the Abode of the Sky."
Kamal simply nodded at first, accepting the statement without deep thought, but as the words fully registered in his mind, his eyes widened in stunned realization.
This entire fortress was suspended in the open sky?
Neelam and Sanya turned sharply toward the Heart Clone, their voices overlapping in disbelief.
"Really? In the sky?"
Rudra, however, needed no confirmation—he simply jumped up and down with unrestrained joy, shouting gleefully, "Flying! Flying! We're flying!"
The Heart Clone chuckled softly and replied in his usual calm, reassuring tone.
"Yes, we are currently high in the sky. If you still find it hard to believe, see for yourselves."
With a light clap of his hands, he teleported the entire group—himself, Kamal, Neelam, Sanya, Rudra, and even Astra the cow—outside the fortress in an instant.
They now hovered safely in open air, hundreds of meters above the ground, with the full majesty of the Abode of the Sky visible before them.
The fortress floated stationary, about five hundred meters above the earth, its base wreathed in soft clouds while sunlight danced across its golden accents and crystalline towers.
Even though the sudden teleportation caught them off guard, the family quickly steadied themselves, already growing accustomed to such displays from Ankit's clones.
Then they turned their attention downward—and Kamal suddenly exclaimed in recognition.
"Is this the Yutsa Valley?"
Neelam leaned forward slightly, eyes narrowing as she studied the familiar landscape below—the misty peaks, the winding river, the dense forests that had become the subject of countless online rumors and satellite images.
They had all seen the viral photos and videos claiming the Yutsa Valley was a secret realm or hidden dungeon.
The Heart Clone nodded once, voice steady and matter-of-fact.
"Yes, this is the Yutsa Valley. It is not a secret realm or a dungeon as the internet claims. I simply placed powerful restrictions and concealment vyuhas here so no one could approach or disturb the area."
Kamal, Neelam, and Sanya stared at each other in stunned silence, the realization hitting them all at once.
All those months of speculation, expeditions, and mystery… and it was simply their new home?
A quiet swell of pride rose in their chests—this was not some ancient ruin or forbidden ground; it was their family's private sanctuary.
The Heart Clone smiled faintly and gestured toward the grand gates.
"Come. Let me show you inside."
As the family followed him through the towering entrance, the true scale of the Abode of the Sky revealed itself.
What had looked relatively compact from the outside expanded dramatically once they crossed the threshold—internal spatial laws unfolded the fortress to at least ten times larger than Dark Haven Fortress, creating vast halls, endless corridors, floating courtyards, and entire wings that seemed to stretch into miles.
The luxury was simply unparalleled.
Crystal chandeliers floated overhead without chains, bathing every space in soft, warm light.
Gardens bloomed with essence flowers that released gentle fragrances and essence.
Marble floors shifted subtly to adapt to footsteps, never cold, always comfortable.
Training grounds featured gravity vyuhas, cultivation chambers, and elemental pools for cultivation.
Palaces within palaces offered private quarters, meditation halls, libraries filled with mysterious knowledge, and even recreational areas with illusory landscapes that could mimic any environment on Earth—or even custom environment.
Kamal walked slowly, running his hand along a pillar that hummed faintly with power.
Neelam gazed upward at ceilings painted with living star maps that moved in real time.
Sanya darted from room to room, laughing in delight at hidden fountains and glowing murals.
Rudra rode on Astra's back, pointing at everything and shouting, "This one! This one's the best!"
Astra herself seemed content, her white fur catching the light as she ambled through the wide corridors, occasionally stopping sniff at essence-rich plants.
The Heart Clone walked ahead, letting them explore at their own pace.