[{"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-28":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},1633176,2099,"Chapter 28: The Weight of a Thousand Competitors","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-28",28,"\u003Cp>Dahlia stepped into the waiting room and froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall was really big, but it was quickly filled with a lot of young cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boys and girls mixed together and their chattering echoed off the stone walls for all ot hear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From what she could see, there had to be at least a thousand competitors gathered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia tugged her robe tighter around her body, her eyes scanning the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some sat cross-legged in meditation, looking peaceful and calm, and others boasted loudly, laughing with their sectmates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia could see that they were from a sect from their uniforms, which looked the same but still had some differences, which indicated different sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only difference was the uniforms’ colours and crests, and all the ones who wore them looked proud and arrogant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia then let out a slow breath, steadying herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So many... how will this tournament even work with this many people?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far from her, a group of boys was talking excitedly, attracting her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I heard the strongest this year is Adriel of the Silver Flame Sect. He broke through the Saturation stage before sixteen.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t forget Larris from the Stone Fang Clan. They say he can punch through a wall without even using mana.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s also Elira of the Dawnspire. Her light arts are impossible to counter once she gets serious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia listened silently, her eyes narrowing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The names mean nothing to her, but she could tell these competitions were considered monstrous among their peers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another group spoke nearby, and they were also quite excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whoever wins this year will gain treasures strong enough to reach Mana Core Realm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just imagine... the resources... and also the fame from winning this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the sects that had them will rise. It’s not just about glory. It’s survival.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia sat down in a quiet corner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one looked at her or even questioned her about the name of her sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were just too many competitors to bother with her or even with every face here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, she could feel the weight of the atmosphere pressing down on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t just a fight. It was a war of pride between sects, clans, and families.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She closed her eyes, settling her breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Focus. Calm the lungs, steady the heart, guide the muscles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a moment, she imagined Garion’s voice beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t look at their clothes, don’t look at their names. In the arena, none of that matters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All that matters is form, balance, and discipline. Remember your training.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia clenched her fists on her knees, her confidence building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes. I don’t care if they’re called Adriel, Larris, or Elira. I don’t care what sect they come from. I trained harder than any of them, and I’ll win.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noise of a thousand voices filled the hall, but Dahlia blocked it out, keeping her mind clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how many competitors stood in her way, she swore she would make them all remember her name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion sat down in the common seats, folding his arms as he glanced around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There are way more people here than I expected.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stands stretched all the way around the arena, packed with spectators, and all of them buzzed with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected of a once-in-a-decade competition. Everyone’s here to watch the young lions tear each other apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes went higher, past his section. A special section was across the stadium, separated by walls and guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was filled with people wearing elaborate robes with perfect posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their robes gleamed with a silken crest with a mark uniquely belonging to their own sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion quickly smirked, crossing his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those must be the big shots, elders, and clan patriarchs. They must be at least Mana Core Realm... maybe higher.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion rubbed his chin, his smirk widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s see how powerful their disciple are. Is my Dahlia or theirs stronger?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion then turned back to the arena, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, a booming voice rang out, silencing the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer appeared at the center platform, his robe flaring dramatically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome, everyone, to the Genius Youth Tournament!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stands erupted in cheers. Thousands of voices merged into a single roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As you all know, this event gathers the brightest youths for just one mission. It’s to battle for glory and bring resources and fame back to their affiliations!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer looked around, smirking, and he continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And this year, we have thousands of competitors. There are far too many for a simple duel-based opening.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion quickly raised a brow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thousand, huh? No wonder all the stands looked so packed despite the wide area.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer’s smile widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Therefore, like tradition, the opening stage will be... a battle royale!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd roared again, but Garion frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Battle Royale? That’ll be messy. Dahlia will have to fight in the middle of the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, the announcer raised his and, turning his smile slyly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However! This year’s battle royale will be... different.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone leaned forward, listening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not far from here, a Treasure Realm has recently appeared!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience gasped. Even Garion’s eyes widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What?! A Treasure Realm? Again? Why didn’t the system warn me this time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This particular realm has a special restriction. Only those below eighteen years of age may enter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In other words, exactly the same as our competitors today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shouts and whispers filled the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion quickly glanced at the elder’s section. Most of them sat calmly. It seems that they already knew it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A bold voice then came from the stands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn’t that dangerous? Throwing thousands of youths into a Treasure Realm?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer chuckled, raising his hand for silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Worry not. Each competitor will be given a jade token. If you crush it, you will be instantly teleported out of the realm for safety. However...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, grin widening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The points will be cut in half.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another voice cried out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about deaths?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer spread his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a prestigious tournament. A little blood is inevitable. That is the way of cultivation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The audience erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were cheering wildly, others grimacing, as this was the real truth of the cultivation world.\u003C\u002Fp>",1031,"2026-06-06T11:12:18.261Z",1,"novelbin.me","8ff009bd9e5dfc7f084b1314baae46aa0bbb7728cfdaaf0ed08e51c2747751db","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-271","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-270",613,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fheretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-cover.jpg"]