Raviel steadied himself under the barbell, sweat dripping down his temple.

He had managed a single rep, his arms and legs trembling slightly.

Garion clapped his hands together, his voice echoing across the training hall.

"Alright, Patriarch Raviel, that's a good first rep, but we're just getting started. Give me five more! Focus on your form this time."

Raviel was already sweating, but he grinned stubbornly. "You make it sound so easy."

Garion smirked. "It is easy when you stop fighting your body and start listening to it."

Raviel groaned as he lowered himself again, the bar trembling slightly on his shoulders.

Garion stepped closer, adjusting his elbow position.

"No, no. Keep your chest up. Don't lean forward too much. There, that's better. Now down... slowly! Breathe in. Up... exhale!"

Raviel followed his rhythm. By the third squat, his breathing grew heavier, his face flushed.

Garion crouched beside him, grinning. "Good! That's it! Don't stop! Feel that burn? That's growth!"

Raviel gritted his teeth. "It's pain, not growth!"

Garion laughed. "Same thing!"

After finishing the last rep, Raviel racked the bar with a deep exhale, wiping the sweat off his face.

"You really are insane, Garion. I haven't felt this exhausted since my first breakthrough."

Garion only smiled proudly.

"And that's why your body will start improving again. Even gods need to rebuild their foundation sometimes."

He turned toward Rendric, who had been standing silently at the side, staring at the barbell like it was a beast.

"Your turn, Elder Rendric."

Rendric blinked. "You… you can't be serious."

He pointed at the 50-kilogram bar. "That weight nearly crushed the Patriarch, and you expect me to lift that?"

Garion grinned. "Of course I do. This is body strength, not just cultivation level. You two aren't that far apart in muscle, believe me."

Rendric frowned hard. "That's not very reassuring."

Raviel laughed loudly, still catching his breath. "Come on, Elder. If I can do it, so can you. Don't embarrass me now."

Garion nodded. "Exactly. You've already seen how it's done. Get under the bar."

With a resigned sigh, Rendric stepped forward. His movements were stiff and cautious, but Garion guided him.

"Good. Hands here... widen your grips. Feet shoulder-width apart. Now duck under the bar."

Rendric awkwardly positioned himself. "Like this?"

Garion shook his head. "No, no. Straighten your back. Tighten your elbow. Don't lean your neck too far. Perfect. Now lift."

The bar came up slowly, trembling as Rendric straightened. His face turned red instantly. "It's heavier than it looks!"

Garion grinned. "That's gravity welcoming you to the club. Now, go down slowly. Don't rush!"

Rendric lowered himself a bit too quickly, his knees wobbling. Garion instantly moved in, grabbing his elbow.

"Careful! Don't collapse! Keep your balance. Straighten your back more!"

Rendric exhaled shakily and pushed himself up again, veins showing on his arms.

"Good! That's one rep. Now five more," Garion said with a teasing smile.

Rendric's eyes widened. "Five? I'll die!"

Garion chuckled. "Then you'll die with better posture. Let's go!"

Raviel was laughing so hard now he almost fell off the nearby bench.

"I never thought I'd see Elder Rendric training like a new recruit!"

Garion ignored him and focused on Rendric.

"Down again! Slowly! Don't lean! Good, that's better! Breathe, Rendric, breathe! This isn't your last breath!"

By the fourth rep, Rendric's legs were shaking. "This… is impossible…"

Garion crouched beside him, still cheering. "Nothing's impossible here! Push through! One more rep!"

Rendric grunted and forced the last squat, nearly collapsing as Garion helped him rack the bar.

The elder fell to one knee, panting hard.

Garion smiled down at him. "See? You did it. Not bad for someone who said he'd die."

Rendric glared weakly. "You're enjoying this too much."

Garion grinned. "That's my job. I make people stronger and miserable at the same time."

Raviel leaned back, still laughing. "He's not lying, Elder."

Garion clapped his hands again. "Alright, that's your first set. Now we rest for a minute, then we'll add ten more kilos."

Both Raviel and Rendric froze. "WHAT?"

Garion's grin widened. "Come on now, I said we're training, not playing."

Raviel sighed, rubbing his arms. "You're a demon, Garion."

Garion smirked proudly. "Wrong. I'm your trainer."

As the two elders groaned and began to do barbell squats again the next round, Garion walked around them.

He was adjusting their stance again and again, making small corrections while offering loud encouragements.

"Rendric, straighten your back! Raviel, lower, lower! Don't cheat the movement!"

Raviel grunted through his fifth squat again. "You really love yelling, don't you?"

Garion chuckled. "It's called motivation. Now up!"

When the second set finally ended, both Raviel and Rendric collapsed onto the floor, drenched in sweat.

Raviel lay flat on his back, staring at the ceiling. "Garion… remind me why I agreed to this again?"

Garion smirked. "Because you said it yourself. Pain builds progress."

Rendric groaned beside him. "Next time, I'll stay old and weak. Progress isn't worth this."

Garion laughed, patting his shoulder once before turning toward the center of the training hall.

"Rest for ten minutes. If you're still alive after that, we'll move to the next workout."

Raviel gave a tired thumbs-up from the floor. "You're lucky I like you, Garion."

"Of course I am," Garion replied with a grin as he walked off.

The hall was lively. Dahlia, Rynar, Rynor, and the other disciples were each guiding two elders through different training exercises.

The elders' faces were red, their breathing heavy, their dignified appearance completely gone.

Sweat dripped onto the floor as they struggled to keep up.

Garion stopped near Dahlia's group first. She was making two elders do push-ups.

"Lower! Lower!" Dahlia shouted, crouching beside one of them. "You're not even halfway down!"

"I am halfway!" the elder gasped.

Dahlia shook her head. "No, you're not! That's just your arms giving up!"

Garion chuckled quietly and stepped closer. "Good form, Dahlia. Just make sure their backs stay straight."

Dahlia grinned proudly. "Don't worry, Master. I've got this."

She lightly tapped one elder's shoulder with her foot. "Back straight, elder! You're bending like an old tree!"

Garion folded his arms, amused. "He is an old tree, Dahlia."

The elder groaned. "Your sect's manners are as harsh as your training…"

Garion smiled. "That's how results are made."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.