Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method-Chapter 381: Welcome to Secret World Politics

Garion leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on his knees.

"When you say I can’t act reckless," he asked, "what exactly do you mean?"

He tilted his head. "And what about rumors?"

Sorien let out a quiet sigh, as if he had expected the question.

"Alright," he said. "I’ll explain it clearly."

He straightened his posture and spoke more slowly.

"In this world, most people believe the highest level a faction can reach is Top Level," Sorien said.

"That’s what’s written. That’s what’s taught."

He paused.

"But the Grand Faction level is different."

Garion raised an eyebrow.

"It’s hidden," Sorien continued.

"Not recorded openly. Not announced. Even many leaders of Top Level factions don’t know it exists."

Garion blinked. "Even them?"

"Yes," Sorien replied. "Including all of your disciples who came from Top Level factions."

He looked Garion straight in the eye.

"That’s why I said you must be careful. Grand Factions are the real elite of this world."

Garion leaned back and nodded slowly. "I see."

It reminded him of his past life. The kind of power that didn’t show itself publicly, but decided everything behind the scenes.

"So," Garion said, "we keep things quiet."

"Exactly," Sorien replied. "No unnecessary displays. No pointless conflicts. Even rumors can spread fear."

Garion exhaled. "Makes sense."

He paused, then asked, "What about privileges?"

Sorien smiled faintly. "Of course."

"First," he said, "as a Grand Faction, you gain access to the World Councils."

Garion frowned. "World councils?"

"You can think of it as a meeting of world leaders," Sorien explained.

"Only Grand Factions and a few special entities can attend."

Garion nodded. "I see. What else?"

Sorien shrugged lightly. "That’s the main one. Along with direct connections to other Grand Factions."

"Connections?" Garion repeated.

"Yes," Sorien said. "Information exchange. Resource bartering. Mutual warnings."

He looked serious. "Don’t underestimate that. These aren’t Top Level factions. These are forces that can change the world."

Garion nodded again. "Alright. And my territory?"

"You already know the basics," Sorien replied. "Demon Gate Island and the surrounding islands."

He smiled and reached into his robe.

"Here," he said.

He pulled out a slim, rectangular object.

Garion’s eyes widened. "...Is that a phone?"

Sorien nodded. "Yes."

Garion stared. "How is that even here?"

"Another otherworlder made it," Sorien replied calmly. "This has become a personal item for every Grand Faction leader."

He handed it over.

"This one is yours."

Garion took it and turned it over in his hand.

He activated it.

His eyes widened further.

"...This is exactly like the one from my world," he muttered.

Sorien smiled faintly. "Except it’s more durable. Much harder to break."

Garion snorted. "Figures."

He tapped the screen and opened the map.

At first, he just glanced at it.

Then he froze.

"...Wait."

He leaned closer, fingers moving quickly as he zoomed out.

And out.

And out again.

The map kept expanding.

Garion’s eyes widened.

"What the hell," he said quietly. "This world is huge."

Sorien watched his reaction calmly.

"It’s far larger than most people realize," he said.

Garion swallowed. "It’s easily ten times bigger than my old world."

He zoomed again, then stopped when a highlighted region caught his eye.

"...This is my territory?"

Sorien nodded. "Yes."

Garion stared.

The marked area wasn’t just an island.

It was massive.

"...That’s almost continent-sized," Garion muttered.

Sorien smiled. "Demon Gate Island is just the core. All the surrounding islands fall under your authority."

He pointed at the screen. "Taken together, it’s a huge continent-sized archipelago."

Garion leaned back and let out a slow breath.

"...Good," he said. Then he smiled. "Really good."

His fingers moved again, opening another layer of the map.

"Alright," he said. "How about the factions around me?"

Sorien waited.

Garion frowned slightly as the symbols appeared.

"...Huh?"

There was only one.

One Grand Faction marker near his territory.

The rest of the surrounding area was empty.

Completely empty.

"No way," Garion said. "That’s it?"

Sorien nodded. "Yes."

Garion glanced at him. "So all that empty area..."

"Is reserved," Sorien finished. "Future Grand Factions."

Garion raised an eyebrow. "Meaning no one can just claim it."

"Exactly," Sorien said.

Garion looked back down at the screen, his thumb hovering for a moment before tapping the symbol of the nearby faction.

"...Let’s see who my neighbor is."

The name appeared clearly.

Draconia Clan.

Garion blinked once.

Then he laughed quietly.

"To think," he said, shaking his head, "the Draconia Clan is right next to me."

He leaned back slightly, eyes still on the screen. "Small world."

Sorien’s expression shifted the moment he saw the name Garion was looking at.

"...I expected that reaction," Sorien said.

Garion glanced up. "You already knew."

Sorien nodded. "I know about your disciple, Dahlia."

Garion didn’t interrupt. He simply waited.

Sorien continued, his tone more serious now. "I’m asking you this as a representative of a Grand Faction."

He met Garion’s eyes directly.

"Please don’t start a conflict with the Draconia Clan," Sorien said. "For her sake."

Garion’s smile softened slightly.

"And also," Sorien added, "because we can’t afford to lose any Grand Factions. Balance matters."

Garion nodded slowly.

"Don’t worry," he said. "I have no intention of fighting them."

He paused, then added calmly, "As long as they don’t provoke me."

His eyes sharpened just a little.

"So you might want to pass that message along," Garion continued. "To them."

He gestured lightly at the map.

"Especially now that I’m not just a sect leader," he said. "But the owner of this territory."

He tapped the highlighted region once.

"The God Archipelago."

Sorien blinked.

"...God Archipelago," he repeated.

Then he smiled.

"That’s a good name."

Garion smirked. "Of course it is."

Sorien stood up, adjusting his robes.

"I understand," he said. "I’ll make sure the message is delivered."

Garion rose as well. "Good."

Sorien gave a small bow. "Then, if you’ll excuse me."

Garion returned the gesture with a nod. "Thank you for your time, Sir Sorien."

As Sorien turned to leave, Garion glanced once more at his phone and smirked.