[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method":3,"chapter-heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-268":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1633171,2099,"Chapter 268: Fear Admitted Over Dinner","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-268",268,"\u003Cp>Garion and Arden sat across from each other in the cafeteria.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they sat down, the system hummed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Plates began sliding onto the table one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grilled meat, thick cuts still steaming. Bowls of rice, vegetables, and soup followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even a few strange-looking side dishes Arden didn’t recognize appeared neatly at the edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion grabbed a piece of meat without hesitation and took a big bite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright,\" he said between chews, glancing at Arden. \"You wanted to talk. What’s on your mind?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden picked up his own plate, holding it carefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a small bite first, chewing slowly, clearly thinking while he ate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master,\" he said, voice polite as always, \"I want to inspect the forest deeper. About... this phenomenon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion paused mid-bite and raised an eyebrow. \"Phenomenon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden nodded. \"Yes. The demonic beasts. The way they awaken.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He set his chopsticks down and straightened up a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From what I know, demonic beasts don’t usually awaken in cycles like this. But on Demon Gate Island, they wake up every two or more years.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion leaned back slightly, chewing. \"And that bothers you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Arden admitted immediately. \"A lot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion swallowed and smirked. \"Then why don’t you just go check it out? Why come to me first?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden froze for half a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he lowered his head slightly. \"...Because I’m scared.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion blinked once. Then he laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not loudly... just a short, surprised laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well, that was honest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden scratched his cheek, embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know I’ve gotten stronger. But this island feels... wrong. Too quiet sometimes. Too heavy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. \"Arden.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden looked up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’ve already awakened your[Unique Physique],\" Garion said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You killed a third-realm demonic beast today. Cleanly. And you did it while thinking clearly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden hesitated. \"But I’m still only in the second realm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion waved a hand. \"Realm numbers don’t scare me. Bodies do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tapped his own chest. \"And your body? It’s solid. Stable. Strong.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden’s shoulders relaxed just a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion continued, tone casual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you feel danger, you retreat. If something feels off, you observe from a distance. You’re not a berserker like Valtor, and you’re not reckless like the twins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smirked. \"That’s actually why I trust you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden blinked. \"You... trust me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion nodded. \"You think before acting. That’s rare here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took another bite of meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And remember... our strength is our body. If things get bad, you don’t collapse. You move. You run. You adapt.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden let out a quiet breath. \"When you say it like that... it sounds simpler.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is,\" Garion said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don’t need to solve the island in one day. Just gather information.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden nodded slowly. \"Then... you allow it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion grinned. \"Of course. Just don’t do anything stupid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden almost smiled. Almost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up his chopsticks again. \"I’ll be careful.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion leaned back in his chair, satisfied. \"Good. Eat more. Thinking burns energy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden nodded and took another bite, feeling steadier than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the direct disciple dorms, Valtor had just reached his door when a calm voice stopped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Valtor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seira stood a few steps behind him, arms crossed, her posture straight as always.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor blinked. \"Yeah?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to talk to you,\" Seira said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tilted his head, then shrugged. \"Sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They moved a little to the side, away from the doors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor leaned against the wall casually, crossing his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So? What do you want to talk about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seira didn’t answer right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She studied him for a moment, eyes sharp and unreadable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you think of this sect?\" she finally asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor raised an eyebrow. \"That’s sudden.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seira didn’t look away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know why you were sent here. You’re supposed to spy on the God Gym... its strength, its training, its methods. Your clan follows a body path too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor let out a short laugh. \"Straight to the point, huh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scratched the back of his head, then smiled, wide and honest. \"To be honest... I like it here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seira’s eyes narrowed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor continued, voice relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, more than that. I’m even thinking about ditching that mission completely and just staying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That finally got a reaction. Seira’s brows lifted just a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor pushed off the wall and gestured around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know my clan is considered a top clan. Strong bodies, brutal training, lots of pride. But compared to the God Gym?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head. \"The difference is like heaven and earth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seira stayed silent, listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just look at our seniors,\" Valtor said, voice growing more serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They’re still in the second realm, but they can kill third-realm demonic beasts like it’s nothing. And they did it after training for barely over a year.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He clenched his fist unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In my clan? That’s impossible. Not even the elders would believe it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked at Seira directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So if you ask me which side I’d choose? I’d choose the God Gym without hesitation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seira studied his face. \"Even if your clan disowns you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor laughed loudly. \"If they dare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his grin turned sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Honestly, if they knew how strong the God Gym really is, they wouldn’t dare touch me. They’d probably pretend I never left.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a short silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor tilted his head. \"What about you, Ice Princess?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seira clicked her tongue. \"Don’t call me that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then answer the question. Your mission wasn’t just watching me. You were observing the sect too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seira let out a slow breath. \"You’re right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked down the hallway, then back at him. \"To be honest... I feel the same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor blinked. \"Huh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This sect is different,\" Seira continued. \"Not just in strength. The environment here is... strange.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She frowned slightly, searching for the right words. \"Better.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t see disciples plotting against each other,\" Seira said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No bullying for status. No crushing juniors just to feel superior.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused. \"The seniors guide the juniors. They yell, they push them hard, but there’s no malice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor laughed. \"Except during training. Then they basically torture us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seira gave him a flat look. \"You enjoy that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Obviously.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sighed, but there was no real annoyance in it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even so, it’s different. In other sects, strength creates fear. Here, strength creates... trust.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor nodded slowly. \"Yeah.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seira folded her arms tighter. \"I doubt any disciple here wants to defect. Or betray the sect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She hesitated. \"That kind of loyalty is rare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor smirked. \"It helps when the training actually works.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seira was quiet for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she spoke, voice firm. \"If my clan orders me to leave... I don’t think I will.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor grinned. \"Same.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stood there for a second, the hallway quiet again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seira turned toward her room. \"This conversation never happened.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor chuckled. \"Of course.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused at her door. \"...Get some rest. Tomorrow’s hunt will be worse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Valtor laughed loudly as she walked away. \"Good. I’d be disappointed if it wasn’t.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1165,"2026-06-06T11:12:18.543Z",1,"novelbin.me","1039be43f4f26a1220388c04dd0142ced3e5eb48bdeaf7dbedd5c2e155f64964","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-26","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-25",613,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fheretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-cover.jpg"]