Chapter 53: Cut the Root Now
The gray-robed elder held up his hand and stopped Garion before he left.
"Garion, remember. My promise is only to protect the God Gym on the Demon Gate Island and forbid any sect from entering your territory for the next ten years."
He glanced at the crowd, then back at Garion.
"But, here, in this city, or anywhere else, the normal rules still apply. You are still in the game as long as nobody finds out."
He leaned in, reminding him about his current situation.
"Many people in this region had been watching you from the shadows. Your disciple has humiliated several well-known sects today. I suggest you watch your back."
Garion’s grin didn’t fade. He tilted his head, as if tasting a good challenge.
"Of course."
He stepped closer, smirking.
"I’m waiting to see what they’re gonna try to me. I want to see just how strong they really are. And also, I’ll be here tomorrow."
The elder nodded once, serious.
"I’ll wait for you in the city. Be careful. I already warned you."
Garion tipped his head.
"Understood."
He winked, then laughed, loud enough to attract some other people.
Dahlia watched both of them, not knowing what they were talking about. She then stepped forward, turning to Garion.
"Master... what did he mean? Are there really people who dare to fight you even after knowing that I won this tournament?"
Garion looked down at her, grinning. He reached out and ruffled her hair with his rough hand.
"You really don’t know, huh? Of course, they dare. You beat a lot of people today, and some were strong enough to ignore the rules and come to me directly."
He straightened, folding his arms.
"There should be two or three people, or maybe more, who wanted revenge because you beat their disciple and made their sects seem weak."
Garion also raised his two fingers.
"And also, the reason why they really dared to do this is that they are second realm cultivators."
Dahlia frowned as she let the words sink in.
"Second Realm? Are you really sure, master? How can they be so shameful?"
Garion laughed.
"There is nothing to be ashamed about as long as no one finds out, and that’s why the elder told us to watch our backs."
He then leaned in, putting his hands on her shoulder.
"But don’t worry. I’m here, and if anyone wants to try, I’ll show them what happens, then they try to take a swing at us."
Dahlia nodded once, and a small smile appeared.
"Yes, Master. Let us show that we, the God Gym, are not an easy opponent and not easy to bully."
Garion laughed as he took Dahlia with him.
"Good. Now let’s go back and pack our things. And if anyone dares to come, let’s show our power."
The gray-robed elder turned and walked away with several officials, not caring about what would happen from now on.
---
Deep in the forest, not far from Garion’s mountain gym, a group of people appeared.
At the front was a tall man in red robes, his face sharp and his eyes burning with anger.
His long sleeves swayed as he walked, and the symbol of blood-red fang glimmered faintly on his chest.
This was Feron, sect leader of the Red Fang Sect.
Dahlia had crushed his disciple in the first round of the tournament, humiliated in front of thousands.
The shame had followed him and his disciple back to his sect, resulting in numerous rumors about his sect.
Behind him stood several others, mainly leaders of other small sects, all wearing the same grim expression and sharing the same goal.
Every one of them radiated power beyond the first realm. Their mana pulsed steadily, thicker and heavier than the air around.
All of them were cultivators of the second realm.
One of them, the cultivator with green robes and a crooked nose, clicked his tongue.
"So this is where the so-called God Gym hides? Just a broken mountain hall? No wonder nobody knew them until now."
Another woman, dressed in gray robes with cold eyes, frowned.
"Don’t underestimate them. We don’t need to talk about Dahlia, but her master is. He is a strange one, even dared to stare down strong elders without fear."
Feron stopped, turning back to the group. His voice was low but sharp and filled with venom.
"Strange or not, I won’t let that humiliation stand. My best disciples, eliminated in the first round by a no-name brat. And her master laughed as if my Red Fang Sect was nothing."
He clenched his fist, mana flaring faintly around it.
"I will kill them tonight."
The crooked-nose man chuckled.
"That’s exactly why we’re here, isn’t it?" God Gym embarrassed more than just your sect. That girl fought like a beast, and Garion mocked us all. If we let this go, our sect names will rot."
The woman in gray nodded.
"Agreed. Their arrogance spreads fast. Already, common conversation whispers about them. If we let them go, we won’t have the chance to avenge this."
Another man, short and stocky with a long beard, joined in.
"Then we cut the root before it grows. Remember, we need to end them before they move to Demon Gate Island."
The group fell silent at the mention of that name.
Even Second Realm cultivators hesitated at the thought of that cursed island.
Feron’s lips curled into a sneer.
"Exactly. Once they moved, I wouldn’t even touch them. But, now they haven’t moved yet, so this is our only chance."
The crooked-nose man grinned.
"So, Sect Leader Feron, how are you planning to move now?"
Feron turned back toward the mountain, his eyes gleaming with rage.
"Simple. We strike the God Gym before sunrise. Garion, Dahlia, and any others... we destroy them once and for all."
The gray-robed woman folded her arms.
"What to do about that Garion? His body is strange. I couldn’t read his cultivation at all."
Feron smirked darkly.
"Then we’ll show him what real power is. He may be loud and strong, but we are all second realm. Together, he cannot stand against us."
The others exchanged glances, then nodded one by one.
Four sect leaders stood united by anger and pride. And all of them were marching toward Garion’s God Gym.
Garion was about to be tested.