[{"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-416":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},1633316,2099,"Chapter 416: Pride Is More Expensive Than War","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-416",416,"\u003Cp>Pelion folded his arms and looked at Darius with a knowing expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now I understand why you are so fixated on them,\" he said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darius did not respond, but his eyes hardened slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pelion continued, pacing slowly across the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His boots echoed lightly against the stone floor while the black-flamed bird behind him shifted its wings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"God Gym is rising quickly. That alone draws attention. Many factions are already observing them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stopped walking and looked directly at Darius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And when they learn that one of their top disciples is Dahlia Draconia...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let the sentence hang for a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your clan, which already suffered damage to its reputation, will face more ridicule.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darius’s jaw tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pelion gave a small shrug. \"People love stories like that. A genius daughter leaves her clan, grows stronger elsewhere, and surpasses her origins.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tilted his head slightly. \"You know how the upper circles gossip.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darius’s dragon aura flickered faintly again before he forced it down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So yes,\" Pelion said plainly. \"You want them destroyed before that story spreads further.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall grew quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But it is not easy, Lord Darius,\" Pelion added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darius stared at him. \"Then what can you do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have given you many dragons. Rare bloodlines. War-beasts that strengthened your forces.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice grew firmer. \"What exactly are you offering in return?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pelion raised one hand calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know,\" he said. \"And we appreciate it. That is why you are considered a partner.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled faintly. \"And because you are a partner, I can give you two choices.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darius’s brows lowered. \"Choices?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pelion walked closer again, stopping a few steps away. The black flames around his beast dimmed slightly, as if giving space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You may accept one of them,\" Pelion said calmly. \"Or reject both. That is your freedom.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darius crossed his arms slowly. His expression hardened, and his gaze did not waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speak clearly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pelion nodded once. \"Very well. Then let me explain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke in a steady voice, laying out the two paths without rushing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone remained calm, almost casual, but the weight of what he described was heavy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black flames flickered faintly as he talked, rising slightly whenever he emphasized a point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the details unfolded, Darius’s expression shifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, he remained cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then his brows tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the time Pelion finished, Darius’s jaw was visibly tense. He had not expected this. His fingers slowly tightened against his sleeves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You...\" Darius began, then stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, even he was caught off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pelion observed him carefully. He did not interrupt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darius took a slow breath and straightened his posture again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragon aura around him flickered faintly, activating instinctively before he suppressed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief trace of[Dragon Sovereign Aura]cracked the stone beneath his boots before fading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You expect me to consider this?\" Darius asked quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I expect you to think,\" Pelion replied. \"Nothing more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall fell silent again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pelion stepped back toward the door, giving space. His movements were unhurried and confident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have given you options,\" he said calmly. \"Not promises.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He adjusted his sleeve slightly as if this were a routine negotiation instead of a political turning point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Think carefully, Lord Darius.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced over his shoulder one last time. His eyes were steady, no longer smiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Pride often makes men choose poorly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-flamed bird suddenly spread its massive wings. A wave of heat rolled through the hall before it folded them neatly again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pelion gave a small, casual wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll see you later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His faint smile returned, controlled and measured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Goodbye.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The heavy doors opened and then shut behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Darius remained where he stood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His arms slowly lowered to his sides. His fingers clenched tightly, and thin cracks spread across the stone floor beneath him again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time in that conversation, he looked uncertain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Muscle God Island, the main training hall was packed with noise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Metal weights slammed against the floor, disciples shouted counts, and the air smelled of sweat and salt from the sea breeze outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia stood in the center of a sparring circle with her arms crossed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of new recruits stood in front of her, nervous but excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Again,\" she said loudly. \"You call that a punch? Put your waist into it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One recruit rushed forward and threw a straight punch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia stepped aside casually and tapped his shoulder. He lost balance and stumbled forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She grabbed the back of his collar before he fell flat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Control your center,\" she said firmly. \"If I were an enemy, you’d already be on the ground.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She let him go and clapped once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Next.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another recruit activated a weak body enhancement. Dahlia snorted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don’t rely on flashy tricks. If your body isn’t strong enough, even[Muscle Burst]won’t save you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The recruit swallowed and nodded quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While she corrected their stances, Clara walked into the hall with her usual relaxed smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned against one of the pillars and watched for a moment before calling out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Sister Dahlia.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia didn’t turn. \"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara pushed off the pillar and walked closer, hands behind her back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did you get any news from Master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia finally glanced at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s been a year,\" Clara added. \"The central island still isn’t finished. What is he even doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia let out a breath through her nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don’t know,\" she said honestly. \"You know Master is crazy sometimes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She folded her arms again and looked at the recruits struggling through push-ups.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But this is still outrageous.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She clicked her tongue lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s been a year. A whole year. And he’s still not done with whatever project he’s hiding.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara nodded slowly. \"I see.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tilted her head slightly. \"So what are you doing after this, Sister?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing. Train like usual. Improve the recruits. Patrol rotation later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She glanced at Clara. \"What? You have something?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara’s smile widened slightly. \"Maybe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She leaned closer and lowered her voice just a little. \"Eliza found something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia’s attention sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A hidden pirate base,\" Clara continued. \"Not far from the outer sea line.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia raised a brow. \"Pirates again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clara nodded. \"And there’s something interesting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia stared at her. \"What?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1039,"2026-06-06T11:12:18.543Z",1,"novelbin.me","92e04247f7329f5fb9135db42bcd74ed36a4c4fe67f84c082d09033256f79529","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-73","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-415",613,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fheretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-cover.jpg"]