Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method-Chapter 298: Yes, The Dragon Talks

Chapter 298: Yes, The Dragon Talks
Garion let out a tired sigh and raised his hand. "Alright. Stop talking at once."
Everyone froze.
He pointed calmly at the massive dragon. "This dragon is not an enemy. He’s here to ask for help."
Dahlia blinked. "Help?"
She looked up at the dragon again, eyes narrowing with interest instead of fear.
The dragon lowered his head slightly. "Yes. That is correct."
The group went quiet again.
Rynor whispered, "It really talks."
Rynar muttered, "I don’t like how calm it is."
Clara leaned forward. "This is either very important or very dangerous."
Eliza stayed silent, but her eyes never left Eldrin.
Eldrin spoke again, voice steady and clear. "There is a treasure realm that has existed on this island for a very long time."
Dahlia crossed her arms. "Treasure realm?"
"Yes," Eldrin replied. "But this one is not ordinary."
He glanced toward the forest. "Demonic mana constantly leaks from it. That mana corrupts beasts and turns them into demonic beasts."
Dahlia’s eyes widened. "So that thing..."
She snapped her fingers. "That’s why this place is called Demon Gate Island."
Eldrin nodded. "Correct."
Rynor grimaced. "That explains a lot."
Eldrin continued, "We sealed it long ago. But the seal has begun to weaken."
Dahlia leaned forward. "Seal?"
She pointed at Eldrin. "Wait a minute. Who are you, exactly?"
The dragon straightened slightly. "I am Eldrin. The Azure Dragon."
A ripple went through the group.
"...Azure Dragon?" Dahlia repeated.
Eldrin added calmly, "Guardian beast of the former Azure Dragon Sect."
Dahlia’s eyes lit up with recognition. "I remember that name."
She snapped her fingers again. "The Azure Dragon Sect was part of the Four Direction Alliance."
Her expression turned serious. "They vanished one day."
She looked around slowly. "You’re saying this island was their territory. And they fell because of the Demon Gate."
Eldrin nodded once. "Yes."
The clearing fell silent.
Dahlia let out a slow breath. "That’s heavy."
Then she looked up again. "But why ask us?"
Eldrin did not hesitate. "Because you are strong."
He looked at each of them in turn. "And different from other humans."
"You all possess
[Unique Physiques]
," he continued. "Bodies that rival beasts."
Rynar straightened a little. Rynor smirked. Clara grinned.
Dahlia nodded slowly. "That’s true."
She turned to Garion. "Master?"
Garion shrugged. "Sounds about right."
Dahlia smiled, sharp and confident. "Then let’s go."
She cracked her knuckles lightly. "If something is messing with our island, we deal with it."
Garion let out a short laugh and nodded in approval. "Good."
He looked toward the forest, eyes sharp and focused. "Let’s handle this as soon as possible. I don’t like problems sitting around."
Dahlia straightened, the twins rolled their shoulders, and even Clara stopped joking for once.
Eliza quietly stepped closer to the group, ready without a word.
Garion turned to the dragon. "Eldrin. Take us there."
Eldrin dipped his head respectfully. "Understood."
His wings spread wide, mana gathering around his body as the air began to stir.
---
Deep in the forest, the air was heavy and still.
Silvar stood with his arms crossed, eyes half closed.
Bastor remained unmoving like a small mountain.
Varyn lay coiled along the shell, head lifted slightly, tongue flicking now and then.
None of them spoke.
Then a sharp sound cut through the silence, like heat tearing through the air.
Flames twisted and folded inward, and a figure descended from above.
Silvar opened his eyes. "Cindor."
The Vermilion Bird landed lightly, wings folding behind him.
"Silvar. Bastor. Varyn," Cindor said. "Have you been awake long?"
Bastor shifted, the ground giving a low rumble beneath him.
Varyn lifted his head a little higher.
"Longer than planned," Silvar replied.
Cindor frowned. "That should not be possible."
He looked around once, then back at them. "I was forced awake early."
Varyn hissed softly. Bastor’s eyes narrowed.
"...We are the same," Silvar said. "The awakening came too soon."
Cindor’s brow tightened. "Then something is wrong."
The forest seemed to press in closer as the four stood together.
"How could this happen?" Cindor asked.
Bastor’s deep voice finally rumbled out. "The Demon Gate."
Varyn followed quietly, "The seal is weakening."
Silvar nodded. "The pressure returned to us. That force dragged us awake."
Cindor clenched his fist. "So the seal can no longer contain it."
Bastor gave a slow nod. "The demonic mana is pushing back."
Cindor exhaled slowly. "I see."
He looked around again. "Then where is Eldrin?"
Silvar answered without hesitation. "He went to the humans."
Cindor’s eyes widened slightly. "Humans?"
His voice sharpened. "Why would he do that?"
Silvar replied calmly. "Because this time, the humans on this island are different."
Cindor scoffed. "Humans are weak."
"They were," Silvar said. "These ones are not."
Bastor shifted again. Varyn added softly, "They have bodies like beasts."
Cindor stared. "Bodies like beasts?"
Silvar nodded. "They do not rely only on mana. Their flesh endures."
Cindor folded his arms. "They are still human."
"Yes," Silvar replied. "But they fight third realm beasts head-on."
Cindor’s expression darkened. "That sounds exaggerated."
Bastor rumbled. "Eldrin fought one."
Varyn’s eyes narrowed. "And did not overwhelm him."
Cindor went silent.
"...I see," he said after a moment.
He looked toward the direction Eldrin had gone. "Eldrin always chooses balance over pride."
Silvar nodded. "He believes they can help."
Cindor clicked his tongue. "Belief does not equal strength."
He turned his gaze back to the forest. "Still, if Eldrin chose them, then they are worth seeing."
Bastor’s voice was low. "If they fail, the seal will break."
"And if they succeed," Varyn added, "the cycle may finally end."
Cindor’s eyes burned brighter. "Then let us see."
He spread his wings slightly, heat rippling outward. "When they return, I will judge them myself."
Silvar spoke coldly. "Do not act rashly."
Cindor smirked faintly. "I will not destroy without reason."
He looked ahead, toward the unseen Demon Gate. "But if these humans are as weak as I expect..."
The flames around him flared once.
"...then I will end this myself."
The forest fell silent again.