Way of the Knights

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The Celestial Ascension Platform…

According to what was detailed in the scroll that the Sect Master gave to them, this is a tool that was jointly created by the Ancestors in order to act as a trump card when the sect faced the threat of the Devil Emperor once again. 

That being said, it is no different that a Trial by Fire for it tests anyone who enters. If they were capable enough, then good. They'll receive ample experience and rewards that will definitely be useful in the future. If they're not capable then this tool is useless for them. 

The trials inside were unknown. The Sect Master said that this place had a Treasure Spirit who will judge the challengers according to the standards set by the Ancestors themselves. He also hinted that the trails will be different from person to person. He also didn't write anything about what the rewards within the platform. 

Needless to say, everyone who received the scroll must participate. There are no exceptions to this rule. Even the Sect Master himself will participate in it so they can't make any excuses. Furthermore, it was repeatedly emphasized on the scroll that going there would be extremely helpful during the upcoming task at hand. 

Raven sighed as he closed the scroll. There were many thoughts running on his head. He couldn't help but to guess what kind of trials there were inside the platform. He knew that there's no point in thinking too much about since he'd probably see something different anyways, that being said he just can't help himself. 

For now though, Raven is not in a hurry to visit the Celestial Ascension Platform since he had other matters to attend to. 

Raven already told Kyrie and his soldiers about his decision to be the successor of the Sect Master. To say that they were shocked was an understatement. That being said, they still ended up choosing to follow him instead. 

Once Raven was coronated as the successor of the Sect Master for the title of 'Chronos', Kyrie will become his personal Battle Maid, which isn't really different from her current role, however along with the coronation of Raven, she's bound to experience some changes due to her special constitution. 

As for the his soldiers, of course they'll be promoted. The mutation that occurred to them due to Raven was incredible. There isn't as much changes on them physically but when it comes to strength, they are a far cry from what they were previously. 

They inherited Raven's brute strength. The level varied according to their potential. The gold ranks inherited 30%, Black Gold 50%, Platinum 75% and those with Legendary ranked potential inherited 95% of Raven's brute strength. 

This concept is nothing less than incredible. If it weren't for the fact that there is a rule that the soldiers are not allowed to become stronger than their lords, then it was quite possible for these people to inherit 100% of Raven's raw physical strength. 

It had to be known that Raven's physique had evolve to a level where a simple flick of his finger could shatter a regular mountain to pieces. Which means that with a slight effort, his soldiers could do just that too. 

The moment they came out of their cocoons, the soldiers were thrown into panic since they couldn't control their strength properly. A simple grip of them were shattering anything they grabbed on. Thankfully Raven left an Avatar to supervise them. 

So far, they managed to reign their absurd physical strength, enabling them to do regular task. And now since they were chose to follow Raven, then in the future, they will become his most trusted men who will accompany him to depths of hell. 

Raven already made plans to arm them to the teeth. Their training is already in motion. In his estimates, they only need one year before they are ready to do the tasks he planned for them. 

---

Currently, Raven was meditating in the middle of a vast garden. 

His back was straight and his breathing was faint. His body was surrounded with a faint curtain of light which were forming several images of him. Sometimes they would appear real then suddenly turn illusory and vanish. Sometimes it will morph Raven's silhouette to a baby or an old man, it could even divide his appearance to both at the same time. 

This would normally be an alarming scene but to Raven, this is just a side-effect. It won't really affect him negatively and it's nothing permanent. This happens due to him currently re-affirming his understanding of Spacetime Laws. 

After quite sometime, Raven released a long sigh and opened his eyes.

"Nearly at the peak of the 1st Concept of Spacetime Laws. Once I get there, I should be able to breakthrough directly to the 2nd Concept. Still, that's going to take sometime." 

As of now, Raven didn't really have qualms about letting someone else know that he cultivates Spacetime Laws. At this point, since the Sect Master and Grand Elder knew about his inheritance, then they shouldn't be surprised to learn about this too, after all his Master Geezer also mastered it in the first place. 

In addition to his laws, Raven was also striding closer to his actual cultivation. If he continues this way, then in about four months he'd reach late Saint Knight Realm, within a year, he'll be able to breakthrough and undergo his 9th Transformation, the final one. 

"Let's keep going this way..." Raven muttered, "It wouldn't be long before I could finally cultivate the 2nd Chapter of the Book of Chaos. I wonder what kind of effects that will give me?"

"It is said that by the time that I reached my final transformation, I will be considered to have released all of my potential, allowing me to raise my strength more efficiently. I'll just wait and see I guess."

"Hmm?" Raven frowned all of a sudden when his attention focused on a specific spot within his inner cosmos.  action

He saw the World Tree Seed sitting in the middle of his inner cosmos. At first he couldn't tell any changes since the appearance remained mostly the same but when he inspected it closely, he discovered something interesting. 

"These are...Law Diagrams? It feels like my Spacetime Laws! Is it reacting to my Spacetime Laws?" Raven was gobsmacked by this development. 

He had the sudden urge to smack his forehead as he realized something.

"Right, I should've known." Raven smiled wryly. "As something worshipped by the Elves who were loved by the Laws and according to the records left behind by Old Master Tenrou, the World Tree was the source myriads of laws, it shouldn't be a surprise that Spacetime Laws are included in them."

"According to the legends, it's roots connects the past, present and the future. Its leaves contain the infinite worlds and realities and it's trunk protects the connection between everything and contains the all of the heavenly secrets."

"I should've known...I'm so dumb!" Raven chuckled. 

After saying that, Raven closed his eyes one more time and began supplying the World Tree Seed of his Spacetime Laws Insight. 

As expected, the seed inhaled the insights like there was no tomorrow. Multiple Law Diagrams began condensing within it's surface. They looked ancient scribbles which contained an archaic aura and endlessness.

Raven continued doing this and at the same time, he was also observing the Law Diagrams appearing on the seed. To his surprise, the Law Diagrams were filled with so much profundity that Raven's insight in the law were rising. 

'A cycle huh...' Raven muttered inwardly. 'Additionally, this Law Diagrams re-affirm my understanding on the 'Heavenly Secret Origin' - that the laws follow a certain arrangement much like inscriptions and runes.'

'I should proceed with caution though...' Raven felt a bit apprehensive. 'I should make sure that the insights I gain from observing these Law Diagrams, fits the insight I gained on my own. If not, then this might cause me to be stuck in a perpetual bottleneck. That'd be a huge waste.'

Raven made mental note to be cautious when it comes to dealing with laws. Especially with his understanding with the 'Heavenly Secret Origin'. 

He shouldn't be concerning himself with the 'Heavenly Secret Origin' in the first place anyway. Truth to be told, that subject are tackled by those who were trying to breakthrough to the Divinity Realm. A puny Saint Knight like him shouldn't be biting more than what he could chew. 

Well, it's not like Raven wanted to in the first place. The enlightenment came to him and who was he to refuse that opportunity? Besides, Raven wasn't in a hurry. He's mostly focusing on his foundations and laws right now. So long as he's careful, he shouldn't be in any trouble. 

Raven eventually ended his meditation. He exhaled, opened his eyes and stood up to return to his quarters. 

As he was on his way back, he suddenly heard Sect Master Lucas' voice on his ears.

"Be ready. The preparations are almost complete. Tomorrow is the day of your coronation as my successor." 

Raven took a deep breath in and nodded softly. Once he returned to his room, he sat down on his bed and felt his stomach churning.

"Oh dear....I'm nervous."