[{"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-293":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},1633221,2099,"Chapter 293: Ancient Beasts Start Storytime","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-293",293,"\u003Cp>Eldrin took a slow breath, then lowered his head slightly as if organizing his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell me, human,\" he said calmly. \"Do you know the true name of this island?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden blinked. \"This island is called Demon Gate Island, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused, then added, \"And I have a name. Call me Arden.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin nodded. \"Very well, Arden.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around the forest, his gaze lingering on the twisted trees and darkened ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What you said is correct. That is what this island is called now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his eyes sharpened. \"But long ago, it had a different name.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden crossed his arms. \"Different how?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This land was once called the Four Directions Island,\" Eldrin said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden frowned slightly. \"Four Directions Island?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin nodded. \"Because four great sects ruled this place.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised one claw and spoke slowly, clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Azure Dragon Sect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden glanced at the wooden dragon’s body and felt a chill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Black Snake Tortoise Sect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden’s eyes shifted to Bastor and Varyn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The White Tiger Sect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silvar’s tail flicked once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the Vermilion Bird Sect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden’s eyes widened. \"Wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned forward. \"I’ve heard those names before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dion spoke from behind him. \"Same here. Those were legendary sects.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden nodded. \"They were said to be top sects that suddenly fell because of a beast tide.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around at the island again, realization slowly settling in. \"You’re saying... this island is that place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin nodded. \"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden swallowed. \"Then that beast tide...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was not ordinary,\" Eldrin said. \"It was a demonic beast tide.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden’s gaze slowly drifted toward the massive black gate in the distance. His expression darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...And that gate,\" he said quietly. \"Is that the reason?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin followed his gaze and nodded. \"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued, \"We named it the Demon Gate because of the mana that leaks from within.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The mana is corrosive,\" Eldrin explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It twists beasts, turning them feral. Humans who absorb it grow sick, weak, or lose their minds entirely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dion grimaced. \"That explains a lot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin turned his eyes back to Arden. \"That is why I was surprised.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden tilted his head. \"Surprised by what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That you can withstand this mana,\" Eldrin replied. \"You stand in its presence without collapsing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden nodded. \"That’s because of our training.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin raised an eyebrow. \"Training?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden answered simply. \"We specialize in strengthening the body first. Mana comes second.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin stared at him for a moment, then let out a slow breath. \"Humans truly have changed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden waved a hand lightly. \"It’s not that impressive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He straightened. \"Please continue.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin nodded. \"Very well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his gaze back toward the black gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And before I go further,\" Eldrin said, \"there is something you should understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shifted his body slightly, then gestured toward himself, Silvar, Bastor, and Varyn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are not just beasts living on this island. We were the guardian beasts of those four sects.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden blinked. \"Guardian beasts?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Eldrin replied. \"That is why the sects took our forms as their symbols and names.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden nodded slowly. \"That makes sense.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced around at the four of them, then frowned slightly. \"But you’re missing one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin followed his gaze and nodded. \"Correct.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re talking about the Vermilion Bird,\" Arden said. \"She’s still sleeping.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin nodded again. \"Yes. Cindor remains in deep rest.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden crossed his arms. \"Alright. Go on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin took a slow breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When the Demon Gate appeared,\" he said, \"everything changed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed toward the gate. \"The demonic mana pouring out of it corrupted the beasts first.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ordinary beasts lost their reason,\" Eldrin continued. \"They became feral. Violent. Demonic beasts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dion swallowed hard as he listened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And then,\" Eldrin said, \"a massive demonic beast tide formed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden’s fists clenched slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The four sects tried to fight back,\" Eldrin went on. \"But they were already being affected by the demonic mana.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silvar spoke coldly, \"Their bodies weakened. Their minds dulled. Their techniques lost balance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin nodded. \"Because of that, a single day was enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden’s eyes widened. \"A day?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Eldrin said quietly. \"One day was enough for the destruction of all four sects.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clearing fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for us,\" Eldrin continued, \"we were resisting the demonic mana with everything we had.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bastor rumbled, \"We could not leave our posts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Varyn hissed softly. \"Helping them directly would have meant losing ourselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden nodded. \"So after the sects were destroyed, what happened next?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin lifted his head. \"We gathered.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All four of us,\" he said. \"And we decided to destroy the Demon Gate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden raised an eyebrow. \"But you couldn’t enter it, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes,\" Eldrin replied. \"The Demon Gate functions like a twisted treasure realm. Those outside cannot enter it freely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden clicked his tongue. \"That’s troublesome.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is why,\" Eldrin said, \"we chose another path.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke the name clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"[Four Legendary Beasts Convergence].\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air seemed to tighten slightly as he said it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We combined our powers,\" Eldrin explained. \"Earth, water, metal, wood, and fire.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bastor and Varyn,\" he added, \"were the core anchors of the seal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bastor nodded heavily. \"Our bodies bear the greatest burden.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Varyn added, \"That is why we reacted so strongly when you fought us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin looked at Arden. \"If the seal weakens while they are exhausted, the Demon Gate could destabilize.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden exhaled slowly. \"I see now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He then asked, \"What about the sleeping and awakening cycle?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin continued, \"The seal cannot be maintained forever.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Every few years,\" Eldrin said, \"we must loosen it slightly to recover.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When that happens,\" Silvar said, \"some demonic beasts escape.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Silvar handles the strongest ones,\" Eldrin added. \"Cindor destroys the weaker ones completely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I,\" Eldrin said, placing a claw against the ground, \"repair and stabilize the land.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After that,\" Eldrin finished, \"Bastor and Varyn reseal the gate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And we sleep again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden nodded slowly. \"So you awakened now because...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...It is almost time to loosen the seal,\" Eldrin said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black gate pulsed faintly in the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden stared at it, understanding finally settling in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he lifted his head again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There’s one more thing,\" Arden said. \"You keep saying four beasts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced around. \"But I count five.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin smiled slightly, as if he had been waiting for that question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bastor and Varyn are special,\" Eldrin explained. \"Although they appear as two beings, they are in truth a single existence.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bastor let out a deep rumble. Varyn’s body shifted smoothly along the shell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We are one,\" the serpent said calmly. \"Two forms. One core.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden’s eyes widened. \"...That’s new.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a breath and shook his head with a small laugh. \"I never thought I’d see something like that.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He straightened and nodded. \"Alright. That answers everything I wanted to know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eldrin watched him closely, then spoke again. \"Then may it be my turn to ask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden met his gaze without hesitation. \"Sure. Go ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1141,"2026-06-06T11:12:18.543Z",1,"novelbin.me","bc117254b78146563a0d633fecb6cfc517e1337eca573fb940210a146cf17f1c","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-294","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-292",613,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fheretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-cover.jpg"]