[{"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-42":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},1633202,2099,"Chapter 42: The Dark Horse","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-42",42,"\u003Cp>Garion looked at the one who stopped them and was surprised when he saw him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was the same old man he had met in the hallway last night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of that, Garion gave a short nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sure. Let’s just stand down. We’re all here to watch the competition.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He picked up his robe and pulled it back on, though his eyes stayed sharp. He glared across the row of elders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But don’t forget that this place is for all of us, not just you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So don’t you dare glare at me again, whether your disciple loses... or whether that weak endrick was even your disciple or not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The green-robed elder’s face turned stiff. His lips parted as if he wanted to shout back, but no words came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, he only looked away and turned back into his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion grinned, satisfied, and sat down heavily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man chuckled and sat beside Garion to keep an eye on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion leaned his head toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello again, old man. What do you think? My disciple’s great, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man stroked his beard, eyes still on the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed. She saw through that boy’s movement and countered it with ease. Her strength and speed were also top-notch.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion slapped his knee and laughed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you! That’s the body that resulted from training my way, the God Physique Cultivation path.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stretched his arms wide and leaned back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now let’s just enjoy the show. Forget those wussy elders. They can sulk all they want and still my single disciple make them all lose face.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You really don’t hold back, do you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No point. Holding back is for cowards.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man just laughed, hearing what Garion said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the waiting area, the Dahlia sat quietly in the corner, keeping her head down while the other talked about her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among those were the top three favourites to win this tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adriel leaned casually against the wall, chuckling a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"She’s interesting. To beat Endrick that easily... I expected more of a struggle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elira crossed her arms, golden braid falling over her shoulder. Her pale blue eyes narrowed in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed. When she struck him, I couldn’t even sense her mana flow. It was clean and controlled. She could be a dark horse in this tournament.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adriel smirked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dark horse or not, I’d like to see her technique up close.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Larris looked at them briefly, voice blunt and flat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dark horse ot not, I’ll win this tournament. Including you two.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adriel laughed lightly, shaking his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Straightforward as always, Larris.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Elira’s lips curved into a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Confidence is good. Just don’t let it turn into arrogance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia stayed silent in her corner, pretending not to listen as she was focused on the battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest of the matches rolled on one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From her corner, Dahlia watched with her arms crossed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One fight ended in less than ten seconds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A boy charged wildly, only to get flipped over the shoulder of his opponent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd laughed more than they cheered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another match dragged on far too long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two girls kept circling, throwing sloppy kicks that barely hit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia almost yawned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tapped her fingers on her arms, eyes steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this is all they’ve got, then I can win this easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Garion’s words echoed in her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Never underestimate anyone. The moment you let it go, you trip on your own feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She breathed out slowly through her nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right. Stay sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A competitor across the room groaned as medics carried him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another one limped down the stairs, clutching his ribs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia’s eyes followed each of them without emotion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers clenched briefly into a fist beneath her robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weak or strong, it doesn’t matter. I’ll crush them if they stand in my way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she sat back, straightening her shoulders, face calm again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer raised his voice over the noise of the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The first round is over! Now, let us begin the second round of the tournament!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd cheered, stomping on the stone floors of the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer checked the board in his hand, then pointed toward the waiting area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For the first match of the second round... Let’s welcome... Dahlia of the God Gym versus Adriel of the Silver Flame Sect!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gasps rippled through the stands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That strange girl who beat Endrick in one palm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And Adriel, one of the top three favorites...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia stood slowly, tightening her robe and walking toward the arnea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adriel was also moving, spear in his hand, his white robe flowing as he walked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled lightly, tilting his head at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So you are the one they call the dark horse. I’ve been waiting to see just how good you are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia kept her face calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ll see if you can keep smiling after this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That made Adriel’s eyes narrow, though his smile didn’t fade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He twirled his spear once, the polished silver tip catching the light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’ll test that, then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stepped onto the arena floor together, facing one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The announcer lifted his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First match of the second round! Begin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd roared again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Adriel set his stance, spear steady in both hands, eyes sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His every move carried precision, like he had practiced it a thousand times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahlia slid into her stance, one hand forward, the other pulled back near her waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her feet pressed firmly against the stone, ready to spring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She breathed in once, exhaled slow, and focused on Adriel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The match had begun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>---\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the premium seats area, Garion leaned forward, arms crossed, eyes locked on the match below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was serious for once, watching every small movement Dahlia made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly, an old man in a flowing silver robe sat beside him calmly, surprising him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His beard was thin and neat, his hair tied back with a silver clasp. A faint smile appeared as he turned to Garion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hello. I am Serath, the master of that Adriel. Nice to meet you, the master of that girl.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Garion only smirked as he was interested in this old man.\u003C\u002Fp>",1034,"2026-06-06T11:12:18.261Z",1,"novelbin.me","853f3f7b9affe108f18d20dfd9d369813d1bd269913a7d8bb016603d05e6d410","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-283","heretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-chapter-282",613,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fheretic-trainer-the-gym-is-my-cultivation-method-cover.jpg"]