Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method-Chapter 382: Congratulations, Don’t Tell Anyone

Sorien and the Solmira delegation soon left the God Gym grounds, their figures disappearing beyond the outer buildings.

Not long after, Rachel approached Garion together with Dahlia and the others.

Rachel looked curious. "What were you two talking about?"

Garion smiled and stretched his arms slightly. "Nothing complicated."

Everyone leaned in a little.

"We’re officially a Grand Faction now," Garion said.

For a brief second, no one reacted.

Then...

"...What?"

"...Grand?"

Valtor stared. Clara blinked twice. Arden froze completely.

Dahlia, on the other hand, just smiled.

Garion turned his head toward her. "And Dahlia... you already knew, right?"

Dahlia nodded calmly. "Yeah. I figured."

Garion raised an eyebrow. "So... you’re planning revenge?"

Dahlia laughed, waving her hand dismissively.

"Revenge?" she said. "Please."

She crossed her arms, her expression relaxed but sharp.

"The moment I left," Dahlia continued, "they were already mocked. Losing a genius like me? That hurt their pride far more than any fight."

She shrugged. "For now, that’s enough."

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"And they should know by now that I’m here," she added. "If they know what’s best for them, they won’t interfere with us."

She paused, then smiled faintly.

"But if they do..."

Garion smirked. "Of course."

Rachel stepped forward, clearly thinking about something else.

"Garion," she asked gently, "what about our territory?"

She hesitated. "How large is it?"

Garion’s smile widened. "All the islands."

Everyone stiffened.

"All... of them?" Arden asked carefully.

Garion nodded. "Demon Gate Island and all the surrounding islands."

He spread his hands slightly. "Together, they form a massive archipelago."

Rachel’s eyes widened.

"That’s... enormous," she said softly.

"Even Top Factions don’t control even a tenth of that," Ragric muttered.

Garion smirked. "Of course not."

He looked around at everyone.

"We’re a Grand Faction now."

His tone turned serious.

"And because of that, I need all of you to keep this quiet."

He met their eyes one by one.

"Grand Factions are secret elites. For outsiders, we’re just a Top Rank faction."

Dahlia nodded immediately. "Yeah. Don’t tell anyone."

She grinned. "Just say we’re Top Rank."

Rachel blinked. "But... Dahlia."

She tilted her head, clearly puzzled. "Earlier, you told us about Grand Factions. Wouldn’t that have caused trouble if we didn’t pass?"

Dahlia smiled confidently, completely unbothered.

"Because I knew we would become one," she said simply. "So it was fine to tell you all in advance."

Garion laughed, shaking his head.

"As expected of you, Dahlia."

---

On the Solmira flying ship, the wind rushed softly past the barrier as the vessel moved steadily through the sky.

Sorien stood near the railing, hands behind his back, watching the clouds drift by.

After a moment, he turned his head.

"Sindral," he asked calmly, "are you alright now?"

Sindral was sitting nearby, leaning back against the side of the ship.

He flexed his fingers once, then rolled his shoulders.

"Yeah," he said. "I’m fine."

He paused, then added with a grimace, "Aside from my tongue still stinging."

Sorien raised an eyebrow.

"...The potion?"

Sindral nodded. "My body’s already healed," he said. "Completely. That thing works fast."

He shook his head. "But the taste... I don’t think I’ll ever forget it."

Sorien allowed himself a small smile. "Good. As long as you’re alive."

He then grew serious again.

"So," Sorien continued, "what do you think of Dahlia?"

Sindral didn’t answer right away.

He stared out at the sky for a few seconds, jaw tight.

"She’s strong," he finally said. "Very strong."

He clenched his fist slowly.

"As expected of the former genius of the Draconia Clan," Sindral continued.

"She already achieved dragonification... even though she hasn’t reached the Third Realm."

He looked back at Sorien. "That shouldn’t be possible under normal paths."

Sorien nodded. "It likely isn’t."

"It must be because of God Gym’s cultivation path," Sindral said quietly.

"That’s my conclusion as well," Sorien replied. Then he added, "And there’s something else you should know."

Sindral frowned. "What?"

Sorien looked straight at him.

"Dahlia wasn’t even serious yet."

Sindral’s eyes widened. "...What?"

"What do you mean?" he demanded.

Sorien spoke evenly. "Garion told me himself. She didn’t use her full dragon form. And she didn’t release all of her power."

He paused. "She was holding back."

Sindral stared at him in disbelief.

"...You’re joking," he said.

Sorien shook his head. "No."

He continued calmly, "I could feel it during the fight. There was pressure she never released."

Sindral clenched his teeth.

"So she was..." He stopped himself, then finished quietly. "...playing with me."

Sorien didn’t deny it.

Sindral looked away, frustration clear on his face.

"...Damn it."

After a short silence, Sorien spoke again.

"We’re heading to the Draconia Clan next."

Sindral turned sharply. "Why?"

Sorien smiled faintly. "To alert them."

Sindral froze for a second.

Then he understood.

"...I see," he said, nodding slowly.

---

Before long, the Solmira flying ship slowed and descended toward the heart of the Draconia Clan’s territory.

Below, massive stone structures and training grounds stretched across the land, carved with dragon motifs and ancient symbols.

The moment the ship entered visible range, several Draconia guards stiffened and looked up.

"A flying ship?" one of them muttered.

Another narrowed his eyes. "Wait... look at the emblem." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

As the ship drew closer, the golden symbol on its side became clear.

"...Solmira Clan."

The guards straightened up immediately.

Their relaxed posture vanished, replaced by discipline and caution.

They stepped forward as the ship landed, weapons still lowered but hands ready.

"Greetings," one of the guards said respectfully.

"May we ask what brings members of the Solmira Clan to Draconia territory?"

Sorien stepped off the ship calmly, his hands folded behind his back.

He smiled faintly. "Please inform your patriarch that Sorien of the Solmira Clan has come to meet him."

He paused, then added evenly, "I have important information that must be delivered in person."

The guards stiffened.

"...Sorien?"

They exchanged quick glances.

They knew that name.

One of the guardians of the Solmira Clan. An important figure. Not someone who visited without reason.

The lead guard nodded immediately. "Understood."

He gestured to another guard. "Inform the patriarch at once."

"Yes!" the guard replied, already turning and rushing away.

Sorien and Sindral were escorted forward without delay, their path cleared as Draconia members stepped aside respectfully.