Heretic Trainer: The Gym Is My Cultivation Method

Chapter 538: He Chose Death On Purpose

Pelion’s fingers twitched, once, twice, then again, slower this time.

Floren’s smile didn’t fade. He simply watched, waiting, studying Pelion for any sign that he might break free from the illusion.

Then, suddenly, Pelion’s body stirred.

As movement returned to his limbs, he didn’t hesitate. His hand shot forward, straight into his own chest.

Floren’s eyes widened.

Pelion tore his heart free and held it up between them, blood dripping from his fingers

Floren’s eyes narrowed. "What are you...?"

Before Floren could finish, Pelion’s grip tightened. With a sickening crunch, he crushed his own heart.

Not a flicker of pain crossed his face.

Floren’s brows drew together. "You’re insane."

Pelion’s grin only widened, even as the life seemed to drain from his body. "Now you’re getting it."

A sudden flicker of black flame ignited within his chest.

[Black Phoenix Rebirth]

The fire spread rapidly, consuming him from within.

Black flames poured from every wound, devouring what remained of his body even as they rebuilt it anew.

The inferno spiraled upward, twisting into the air before collapsing back into him, condensing and tightening until it finally settled.

Pelion stood once more.

He rolled his neck, as if shaking off sleep, and immediately fixed his gaze on Floren.

Floren exhaled slowly, only then realizing he’d been holding his breath. His smile returned. "Welcome back, little bird."

Pelion didn’t answer immediately.

He stood there for a moment before finally lifting his gaze to Floren. "To think... from the very beginning..."

He took a step forward. "I was already inside your illusion."

Another step followed, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "But this time... I won’t be the same."

Floren remained still, watching him in silence, waiting for him to finish.

Pelion closed the distance between them, stopping just inches away. "I won’t get caught in it again."

Floren blinked once, then let out a quiet breath. "I see."

His shoulders relaxed further as he lowered his fan. He glanced at Pelion and gave a small shrug. "Then... I’ll give up."

Pelion paused. His grin faltered. "What?"

Floren turned his head slightly, looking off to the side before meeting Pelion’s gaze again.

"You said it yourself, didn’t you? That you wouldn’t get caught in my illusion again."

He tilted his head, almost idly. "So what’s the point?"

Pelion’s brows drew together, anger flashing across his face.

"You’re quitting?" he snapped. "How dare you quit after dragging me into this, after making me like that?"

Floren just laughed softly. "Quitting does sound a bit harsh, doesn’t it?"

He stepped back once, creating a small distance between them.

"Let’s just say... I’ve seen enough. From the very beginning, I was only here to show my face."

Pelion stared at him, stunned.

How twisted is this man?

For a moment, he didn’t know how to respond.

Floren simply smiled as he opened his fan again. "Thanks for the show, Pelion... goodbye."

With that, Floren turned and walked back toward the Grand Faction’s side as if nothing had happened.

---

Floren turned back toward the Grand Faction without another word.

On the Grand Faction’s side, the reaction came quickly, but not loudly.

Sianor exhaled a quiet sigh, rubbing his temple as though the outcome had always been inevitable.

Clark gave a single shake of his head, arms still crossed, his expression untouched by surprise.

Even Floren’s own harem exchanged glances, less shocked than resigned, as if they had expected nothing else.

But not everyone reacted the same way.

Rachel’s brows drew together slightly, her gaze lingering on Floren’s retreating figure, as if trying to make sense of something she couldn’t quite grasp.

Dahlia, on the other hand, made no effort to hide her darkening expression.

Her arms crossed tightly over her chest, fingers pressing into the fabric of her sleeves as she watched him go.

Then, unable to hold herself back any longer, she strode forward. "After everything I’ve done..."

Floren turned at her voice, lifting a hand in a casual, almost absent gesture. "Ah... sorry about that."

And before Dahlia could say another word, he turned away again and hurried toward his harem.

Dahlia’s eye twitched. "That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say? Just ’sorry about that’?!"

No one answered her.

In the distance, Floren was already being surrounded, his harem closing in around him with relieved murmurs and soft laughter.

Dahlia clicked her tongue, irritation flaring. "Goddammit... how dare he..."

She took a step forward, ready to chase after him, but Sianor moved first, stepping into her path and stopping her.

"Sorry about that," he said quietly.

Dahlia shot him a sharp look.

Sianor gave a small, helpless shrug. "You know how he is... not so different from your master. He’s got his own kind of cheat."

Dahlia frowned, irritation deepening. "And what exactly does that have to do with this?"

Sianor sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as if searching for the least awkward way to explain.

"It’s just... his comes with a drawback. One that keeps him, well... constantly active... sexually."

Dahlia stared at him, unimpressed. "You’re telling me he just walked off because of that?"

Sianor didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.

Dahlia exhaled sharply through her nose, frustration still simmering beneath the surface. "Tch. Damn it... forget him."

She uncrossed her arms, though her posture remained tense.

Sianor nodded once. "Agreed."

He stepped forward, his gaze returning to the arena. "Alright then..."

A quiet breath left him as his presence began to rise, subtle at first.

Then steadily building enough to draw attention without a single word more. "I’ll go next."

Dahlia’s eyes flicked toward him, her expression still edged with irritation. "Make sure you win. Don’t embarrass me like him."

Sianor only smiled, calm and assured. "Of course, Dahlia. I’m the leader of the Grand Faction. I take this seriously."

He rolled his shoulders once, the air around him tightening as if responding to his will.

Conversations in the distance began to fade, replaced by a growing tension that settled over the arena like a coming storm.

Whatever came next, he intended to end it cleanly. And this time, there would be no turning away.