[{"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-317":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},1633395,2099,"Chapter 317: Promises Are Optional Here","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-317",317,"\u003Cp>Garion stood from his chair and brushed his hands together once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright,\" he said calmly. \"We’re done here. Let’s go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia straightened immediately, rolling her shoulders as if she had been waiting for that exact word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden pushed his chair back and stood, while Dion picked up the remaining wine bottle out of habit, hugging it to his chest like a treasure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliza rose quietly without a sound, already positioning herself slightly behind Garion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before taking another step, Garion turned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze settled on Velgon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re an information broker,\" Garion said, voice steady. \"You’ve already earned plenty from us today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Velgon smiled politely, folding his hands together. \"I did. Very generous customers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion’s eyes narrowed just a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then listen carefully. Don’t spread anything about us. Don’t dig into us. And don’t send people to follow us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room went quiet for a breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Velgon tilted his head, as if thinking it over, then smiled wider. \"Of course. I wouldn’t dare.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion watched him for a second longer, then gave a small nod. \"Good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned away. \"Let’s leave.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disciples followed him without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia was the last to step through the door, throwing Velgon a sharp look before closing it behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The private room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then Velgon laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was soft at first, then grew louder as he leaned back in his chair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted one hand and flicked his fingers casually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadows near the wall rippled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A figure stepped out, half-formed, face hidden beneath a dark hood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You called?\" the figure asked quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Velgon’s smile did not fade. \"Yes. We have interesting guests.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you want me to do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Velgon rested his chin on his hand. \"Spread word of them to the higher demons. Quietly. Carefully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure hesitated. \"And the others?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Velgon’s eyes gleamed. \"Send a few groups to observe them. Not to interfere. Just watch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadow chuckled. \"You’re ignoring your promise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Velgon laughed again. \"Promise? I sell information. That is who I am.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned forward slightly. \"Those foolish otherworlders really think a warning would stop me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What if they find out?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Velgon shrugged. \"Then I’ll deal with it. Until then, their secrets are worth far more than their anger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadow bowed once and melted back into the darkness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Velgon remained seated, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk. \"This city is going to get very interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, the noise of the demon city swallowed the group again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia walked closer to Garion, lowering her voice. \"Master.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion glanced at her. \"Yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She frowned slightly. \"You know he won’t keep quiet. He’s a demon information broker.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know,\" Garion replied calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dion blinked. \"Then why did you warn him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden looked confused as well. \"Yeah. That felt... pointless.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion stopped walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The disciples halted with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned around, hands in his pockets, a small grin on his face. \"Because now I have a reason.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A reason?\" Dahlia repeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion nodded. \"A reason to deal with him later without feeling bad.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dion stared for a moment, then burst out laughing. \"That’s it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eliza covered her mouth slightly, eyes curving with quiet amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arden sighed. \"Master, that’s terrifying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion shrugged. \"He’s useful. For now. When he stops being useful, I’ll break him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia snorted. \"You really think far ahead.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion smirked. \"That’s how you stay alive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group resumed walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malreth sat on his throne of black stone, one clawed finger tapping against the armrest in a slow, impatient rhythm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His crimson eyes glowed faintly as he stared down at the kneeling assistant below him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...Say that again,\" Malreth said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant swallowed and lowered his head further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord. We sent three scouting groups toward the newly activated Demon Gate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malreth leaned forward slightly. \"And?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And... none have returned.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tapping stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malreth’s eyes narrowed. \"None?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant nodded, sweat forming along his temples. \"Not a single one. No signals. No survivors. Not even corpses drifting back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence filled the chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malreth slowly stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stone floor cracked under his weight as he rose to his full height. \"Interesting,\" he muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked down the steps, each heavy step echoing through the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So the gate connects to a world strong enough to erase my scouts completely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant hesitated. \"My lord... Could it be a high-level human world?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malreth snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Humans?\" He waved one hand dismissively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If they were ordinary humans, they would have died the moment demonic mana touched them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned sharply. \"Then tell me this. If that world is strong, why was the gate sealed for so long?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant opened his mouth, then closed it again. \"I... I don’t know.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malreth’s claws dug into the stone railing beside him. \"There are only two possibilities.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised one finger. \"Either that world recently grew stronger.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised a second finger. \"Or they were always strong and simply waited.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lips pulled into a greedy smile. \"Either way, that means profit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant flinched. \"Profit... my lord?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malreth laughed softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If a strong world exists on the other side, then its bodies, souls, artefacts, and techniques are worth far more than this entire outer region.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paced slowly. \"And if they sealed the gate before, it means they feared us. Fear creates hesitation. Hesitation creates opportunity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant hesitated again. \"But... none of our scouts returned. Should we... be cautious?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malreth stopped walking and looked down at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cautious?\" he repeated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His aura surged, pressing the assistant flat to the ground. \"Do you know why I sit on the High Council?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant struggled to breathe. \"B-because... you are strong, my lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malreth smiled. \"No. Because I am greedy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his foot, easing the pressure slightly. \"Greed drives progress. Greed takes risks. And greed never waits.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned away. \"If my scouts died, then they were weak. That only means the rewards are higher.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant coughed. \"Then... what are your orders?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malreth’s eyes gleamed. \"We need more information. Not more sacrifices.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved his hand sharply. \"Summon Drazhul.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant nodded quickly. \"Yes, my lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And Xavira,\" Malreth added. \"I want both of them here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant froze. \"Both... High Councillors?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Malreth chuckled. \"If this gate truly leads to a powerful world, I can’t do it alone.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His smile widened, sharp and hungry. \"Let them taste the bait. Let them commit resources.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked toward the distant pulse of the Demon Gate, far beyond the city walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And when we find out who is on the other side,\" Malreth whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will decide whether to harvest them... or devour everything myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The assistant bowed deeply, fear clear in his shaking shoulders, and hurried out of the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>",1118,"2026-06-06T11:12:18.542Z",1,"novelbin.me","8ba05c77c32942c00306f9e08a216112a2f651e1f1d11e6a980c4a5825891a11","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-318","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-316",613,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fheretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-cover.jpg"]