Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method-Chapter 418: They’re Swimming Toward Trouble

Dahlia, Clara, and Eliza gathered inside one of the private preparation rooms near the docks.

Dahlia tightened the straps around her wrist guards and glanced at the other two. "Are you both ready?"

Clara was sitting on a bench, tying her hair up into a high ponytail.

She grinned without looking up. "Of course. I’ve been bored all week."

Eliza stood near the door, adjusting the small blade hidden at her thigh. She gave a quiet nod. "Ready."

Dahlia rolled her shoulders once and checked the small waterproof pouch tied around her waist.

"Okay, let me tell you that there will be no flashy entrances or explosions. We go in and clear the base in silence."

Clara stood up and stretched her arms over her head. "So boring. Are you sure you don’t want at least one dramatic entrance?"

Dahlia shot her a look. "This is our secret attack, not the sect’s one."

Clara placed a hand over her chest dramatically. "Fine, fine. I’ll behave."

Eliza stepped closer to the table and spread out a small map she had drawn earlier. She pointed at a curved section of coastline.

"We swim from the south side," she said softly. "Less patrol."

Dahlia leaned over the map. "Distance?"

"About four kilometers."

Clara whistled lightly. "That’s it? Easy."

Dahlia smirked. "Don’t slow us down."

Clara placed a hand on her hip. "Please. I swim faster than half the Flame Island idiots."

Eliza quietly folded the map and slipped it into a waterproof wrap.

Dahlia clapped her hands once. "Let’s go."

The three of them left the room and headed toward a quieter section of the port.

Most disciples were busy on the main docks, loading supplies and training. No one paid them much attention.

They stepped behind a wooden partition near the water and changed into streamlined swimsuits designed for movement.

Clara adjusted the strap on her shoulder and looked at Dahlia. "You sure you don’t want to bring a weapon?"

Dahlia flexed her fingers. "My body is enough."

Eliza stepped into the shallow water first. She tested the temperature and nodded. "Clear."

Clara followed, letting the water rise to her waist. "Cold."

"You’ll survive," Dahlia replied calmly as she stepped in last.

The water reached her shoulders.

She looked toward the dark horizon where the pirate base was hidden beyond a rocky curve.

"Remember," she said quietly, "we move underwater when close."

Clara gave a lazy salute. "Yes, Captain."

Eliza took a deep breath and submerged smoothly without a sound.

Clara followed right after.

Dahlia glanced once more toward Muscle God Island behind her. The lights of the port flickered in the distance.

Then she dove in.

The three of them moved through the water with strong, controlled strokes.

Their bodies cut cleanly through the sea, steady and efficient.

For disciples of God Gym, swimming several kilometers was nothing more than extended warm-up training.

Clara swam slightly ahead, glancing back once to grin underwater before accelerating again.

Eliza stayed lower, close to the darker layers beneath the surface.

Dahlia maintained the center position, her breathing calm and measured.

Above the waves, the sea looked peaceful.

Below it, three figures moved quietly toward a pirate base that had no idea what was coming.

---

Inside the pirate base, the atmosphere was tense.

The base was built along a rocky coastline, half-hidden between cliffs.

Torches burned along wooden walls, and crates of stolen goods were stacked carelessly in corners.

Several pirates stood nearby, whispering nervously.

At the center of the main hall stood a tall man in dark armor trimmed with red patterns.

Darrell Draconia.

His expression was already irritated before the report even finished.

"What do you mean we cannot attack God Gym?" he snapped.

The pirate captain in front of him lowered his head quickly. "Sir... we received direct notice from the main Draconia Clan."

Darrell’s eyes narrowed. "Speak clearly."

"The Solmira Clan informed them that they are aware the pirate movements are connected to Draconia."

Murmurs spread across the room.

The captain swallowed and continued. "They said if Draconia continues indirect attacks, Solmira will intervene."

Darrell’s jaw clenched. "So Solmira dares to threaten us?"

He stepped forward suddenly, his boots slamming against the wooden floor. "Who do they think they are?"

His dragon aura flared slightly, causing nearby pirates to step back instinctively.

"We are Draconia," he said angrily. "The Clan of Dragons."

A few pirates nodded nervously, but none dared to speak.

The assistant beside him, a younger Draconia member wearing lighter armor, cleared his throat carefully.

"Sir... we have been formally notified by the clan headquarters."

Darrell shot him a sharp look.

"The Patriarch does not want further escalation right now."

Darrell stared at him for a long second.

"You’re telling me," he said slowly, "that after all this preparation... we just stop?"

The assistant kept his posture straight despite the pressure in the room. "Yes, sir."

Darrell turned away abruptly and walked toward a table covered with sea maps. He slammed one hand down on it.

"They were already weakening," he muttered. "Another month and the outer patrol routes would have been disrupted."

He exhaled sharply. "Damn, Solmira."

The assistant hesitated. "Sir... if we continue against orders..."

Darrell shot him another glare. "You think I don’t know the consequences?"

Silence fell again.

After a moment, Darrell straightened. "Fine."

He rolled his shoulders once, forcing his aura to settle. "I’ll return to the main clan."

He looked at the pirates around him. "You idiots hold this base and no linking yourselves to Draconia."

One pirate nodded quickly. "Yes, Captain."

Darrell grabbed his cloak and fastened it around his shoulders.

"Prepare a ship," he ordered. "We leave before sunrise." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The assistant stepped closer. "Sir, what about the current operations?"

Darrell’s eyes hardened. "Freeze them."

He began walking toward the exit. "If Solmira wants to watch us, let them watch nothing."

He paused at the doorway and looked back at the hall. "But this isn’t over."

His voice lowered slightly. "God Gym won’t grow forever."

Outside, the sea wind howled faintly against the cliffs.