Chapter 52: Workout in Hell
Garion crossed his arms, staring at the grey-robed elder with a huge grin.
"I don’t know much. I just heard the name, and it sounds cool. So I figured... why not move there?"
He leaned forward, narrowing his eyes.
"But looking at your and the others’ faces, it seems like it’s not just any island, huh?"
The elder’s expression grew serious as he nodded slowly.
"Indeed. As the name suggests, it is essentially a demon world island. That’s why it’s called Demon Gate Island."
He then continued, his voice carrying more weight.
"The island is filled with demonic mana. It corrupts the body and mind of cultivators. Anyone who trains there risks losing themselves."
He raised his finger, warning him even more.
"And also... the beasts that live there... all of them have been demonized. They are violent, twisted, and stronger than the usual beasts."
Dahlia frowned, crossing her arms.
"So basically, everything there wants to kill us."
The elder gave her a sharp look but didn’t deny it.
"Indeed, but it was not that extremely dangerous, as there are no real demons there."
The elder leaned in, warning her.
"But still, this island remains as one of the most dangerous places in this region."
Garion nodded calmly, rubbing his chin.
"I see. Dangerous place and demonic mana. Beast gone mad. Sounds like a good workout place for me."
The elder blinked, taken aback.
"Workout...?"
Garion chuckled.
"Yeah. A good gym is supposed to push you until you break. If the environment itself tries to break you, then working out there will make you stronger, faster."
The other elders shook their heads in disbelief.
"Madness..."
"Does he truly intend to live and build a sect there?"
Garion ignored them and asked another question related to it.
"How about resources? What about the land itself?"
The gray-robed elder frowned, hesitant. Still, he answered honestly.
"I don’t really know. Few dare to set foot on the island, so few knew how rich the island really is, but..."
He looked at Garion, smiling a bit.
"Seeing how it was remained untouched, the natural resources should be... quite rich."
Garion nodded again, and a satisfied look crossed his face for once. But still inside, his mind churned.
It is indeed a good place, as no one ever claimed it, but still, why did it need to be this island?
Just what is hidden in this island that the system forced me to build the root of God Gym there?
It wasn’t very clear to him, but he knew he’d only find the answer by going there himself.
Garion then clapped his hands once, startling the other.
"Alright then. Since cultivators usually avoid the island, just give us the whole island."
The crowd exploded in shock.
"The whole island?!"
"Is he insane?!"
The gray-robed elder raised a brow.
"The entire island... are you certain?"
Garion smirked.
"Of course. You said it yourself, no one else wants it. Then I’ll take it all. God Gym doesn’t share."
Dahlia grinned faintly, her pride showing..
"Figures. Master only thinks big."
The elder sighed, shaking his head.
"Very well. If that is your wish, the Demon Gate Island shall belong to the God Gym."
The elder then narrowed his eyes, warning him.
"But I warn you, Garion. Once it’s yours, you cannot return it, and you need to make sure that no demon beasts escaped from that island."
Garion waved his hand lazily.
"Sure. Don’t worry about it. I will make sure to turn it into the best gym in the world, and no demon beasts will escape from that island."
Then he paused, thinking about something, and his grin sharpened.
"But that feels too easy for you to do, right? So why don’t you give us more?"
Garion then spread his arms wide to the sky.
"Spread the news that God Gym, the winner of this once-a-decade tournament, is starting a sect there, and in three months, I will open a recruitment test."
He turned back toward teh elder.
"Your job is simple. Spread the word and help me send those who want to join straight to the island in three months."
The crowd erupted again.
The gray-robed elder looked at Garion long and hard.
"You’re really serious about this?"
Garion smirked, staring back at the elder.
"Dead Serious."
The system tells me to recruit one hundred new members, but it doesn’t specify a time limit. So even three months later is no issue.
---
The gray-robed elder let out a long sigh, then raised his hand, silencing the crowd.
"Very well. I will accept your request."
All eyes turned to the center stage as the elder announced the prize.
"As the champion of this tournament, Dahlia has chosen teh third reward. A request."
"Her demand has been heard and agreed to. From this moment forward, Demon Gate Island shall belong to the God Gym."
The entire arena erupted at once, but the elder silenced them once again.
"For a full decade, no sect shall disturb teh God Gym, nor enter its territory. I will personally enforce this decree."
The elder coughed a bit before continuing.
"Furthermore, in three months’ time, the name of the God Gym will be spread across the region.
"And anyone who wishes to join them will be sent directly to them."
The whispers rose again, a mix of disbelief and excitement.
The elder turned to Garion, his gaze sharp.
"Is that enough for you, Garion?"
Garion smirked, folding his arms.
"Yeah. That’ll do."
The elder’s eyes narrowed.
"Then I must ask... do you wish to go to Demon Gate Island now? I can send you there immediately."
Dahlia turned to Garion quickly.
"Master, are we really going right now?"
Garion laughed, shaking his head.
"Later. We need to pack some stuff first in our mountain base."
He then leaned toward her.
"Do you want to go there with this cloth, leaving all the other clothes you had in your room?"
Dahlia frowned, hearing that, and quickly her cheek reddened.
The elder just laughed and nodded slowly.
"I see. Very well. Then I will wait for you in the city tomorrow."