Way of the Knights

Chapter 518 - Destruction Domain, Blooming Lotus

---

It started with a single crack, which eventually spread and branched into many more. 

The sound it created was akin to a glass being stepped on, fragile and loud. It didn't take long before webs of cracks covered the entire cocoon where Raven is. 

Amidst an empty space, on this and this alone could be seen. Out of nowhere, lights started seeping out of the cracks. It illuminated the darkness through faint rays of lights, which eventually turned brighter and stronger. 

*Boom!*

An earth-shaking explosion occurred afterwards, however instead of the shell being blown away everywhere, it slowly unfurled itself. 

Like pale lotus petals blooming, they slowly revealed Raven's body, floating due to a mysterious force. The cocoon which served as the womb where he transformed once more, bloomed into a spectacular lotus throne. The scene was akin to the birth of a god. 

Raven's eyes were still shut. He's still in a fetal position and still trapped in a trance, nevertheless his presence became some sort of a beacon. He became the center of this place, the only one who existed amidst this omnipresent darkness. 

Anyone who looks at him in this state wouldn't be able spot a single flaw on him. It's as if the gods used a lot of their time creating Raven, making him the perfect specimen. 

Raven's skin was covered in multiple markings which released a unique brilliance. If one looked closely, each of this markings were the same as the constellations which he witnessed earlier. They are present everywhere on his body. Their glow was strong enough to illuminate this whole place and project the actual constellation they represent. 

A faint hymn could heard being released by Raven's body. This tune was something that he was releasing unconsciously. Anyone who cultivated the Zither Heart will immediately fall into a deep trance upon hearing this unique melody. This is because this hymn is the same as the first sound that ever existed. To cultivators who cultivates the Zither Heart, this is an immeasurable serendipity that could never be sought after, only encountered. 

Sadly, Raven was the only one present here, and it's not even clear if heard the sound either. 

He's still unconscious. This is because Raven's currently experiencing and watching the cycles of life and death as well the creation and destruction of all. He watched as an apathetic observer, he never cared nor interfered. Even if he wanted to, he can't. 

Nevertheless, this experience was a great lucky chance for Raven. This kind of serendipity is something that he won't encounter very often. 

Raven saw the birth of everything. 

I all started with a single spark of light. The sparks multiplied and created a link to each other which created the First Constellation. The First Constellation was then followed by the second, and the third and so on…

The more they multiplied, the more power they had over the omni-present void. Eventually their numbers multiplied to a ridiculous degree that they pushed the void into the edge. In the end, each constellation devoured the remaining void, using it as a fuel to realize their full potential. 

What followed was the birth of everything else. With the constellations as the foundation, the myriad existences also multiple until they filled the emptiness. The Void itself never disappeared, instead it was reproduced by the constellations that devoured it. It's twin was Chaos.

If the Void doesn't permit life. Chaos creates life through the blessings of the constellations. 

As the World of Creation matured, so did the Constellations. In the end, what was born will eventually die. Even the Constellations who started it all cannot escape that. 

One by one, they faded from existence. Nevertheless, they never truly disappeared. 

With their retirement, Chaos and Void remained, ever at odds with each other. Chaos created life which blossomed and give birth to new lives. Similar to the Constellations, Chaos eventually faded but never truly disappeared. 

From that point on, Raven watched as the cycle of life and death repeated itself over and over again. It didn't matter how prosperous the race is or how strong they've gotten. They could run through the end of the world, they could make repeated breakthroughs, they could do everything they could to escape from it but at one point, they'll be cornered. 

Where there is smoke, fire is usually not far away. 

Where there is life…there is death.

Everything that is Created will eventually be Destroyed. 

This is an unending cycle. An inescapable net. Something that is inevitable.

The only way to avoid it, is by transcending it. 

*Dub!* *Dub!* *Dub!* 

Loud, pounding sounds resounded out of nowhere. It's as if a giant war drum was being played.

This, in fact, isn't coming from a War Drum outside. It is coming from Raven's body, more specifically, his heartbeat. 

The vigorous and soul-stirring sound of his heartbeat echoed everywhere. With it, the brilliance of his entire body pulsed and intensified at every beat. 

Raven's thick and viscous blood started circulating, bringing life and activity all over his body. His body slowly unfurled and the brilliance he's emitting reached it's peak level. 

The hymn got louder and started playing on sync with his heartbeat. Raven's aura climbed to it's peak, releasing a heavy, oppressive and unquestionable majesty. Raven's aura was like that of a True Emperor. 

A majestic armament covered his naked body. The dark armor glowing with a milky, dark golden sheen was now covered in multiple sparkles of light. A golden wheel also appeared behind Raven. It slowly shank until it became an emblem that etched itself on his chest plate. 

One thousand hands appeared around Raven, blooming like a lotus flower. Each hand was somewhat illusory but contained astral phenomena like the birth and death of a star, galaxies, cosmos and etc. 

After that, a wide dome surrounded him. It spanned for couple hundreds of miles, bringing in a intense suppression. Within this dome, one could see manifestations of broken and shattered spaces. One wrong move and they'll find themselves flaking away to disappearance. 

This dome represents Raven's territory, more specifically his improved territory since he's now a Saint Knight. His Destruction Territory had now transformed into a domain - Destruction Domain. 

Raven's Destruction Domain is not only bigger compared to it's previous state, it is also far more deadlier since his breakthrough on his Destructions. 

His domain not only displays the effect of Breaking Concept of Destruction, it also displayed fragments of the Shattering Concept.

What's Broken cannot be Repaired. 

What's Shattered cannot be Fixed. 

The Breaking Concept does what it says. It's capable of breaking everything, albeit bodies, attacks, laws - so long as it exists, it could be broken. Of course it all depends on the strength of the one who's using it. 

As for the Shattering Concept, it's similarly straight forward. Anything that is affected by it will 'Shatter', thus completely nullifying it's existence. If, say, one of Raven's enemies were struck by his Shattering Concept, their bodies will soon begin breaking down into bits and pieces. 

If Raven's understanding of Shattering Concept rises, then anything that's affected by this concept will never be able to 'Fix' the damage he's done. If their arms were Shattered by Raven, then they'll never be able to re-grow that arm again no matter what kind of Heavenly Medicines they consume. The only way they could do so is if they get rid of Raven's Destruction Laws which will seep through their body or, killing Raven directly. 

This is just the second concept of Destruction Laws and it's already this deadly. There's still three more until Raven could finally unlock the true power of Destruction Laws. And if this isn't enough, there's still his Spacetime Laws. 

At some point in time, Raven's Domain finally receded. His Knightly Armament also disappeared, leaving him completely naked once more. At this point, Raven looked no different than an ordinary mortal who had very outstanding looks. 

Due to Raven's deep accumulations and unbelievably stable foundations and control, his aura was perfectly concealed within. In anytime he desires to, he could erupt with a deadly force that is capable of destroying worlds. 

Raven's eyelids fluttered and with it, his surroundings rumbled. 

His lotus throne shook and started peeling away, each petals fused on his body, disappearing without a sound. Shortly after he absorbed the lotus throne, a vast suction occurred. This was him taking his first breath after his 8th Transformation. 

On top of his head, an outline of a golden crown could be seen but it dissipated shortly after it appeared. 

Raven's arm moved and a unique set of robes condensed out of pure Destruction Laws covered his entire body. He slowly floated down and once his toes touch the ground, another phenomenon occurred. 

An enormous lotus bloomed with him at the center, each petals contained pure Destruction Energy. This is achieved when one's foundations and understanding of their laws reached a certain level of mastery. 

Being at the center of the lotus, Raven's eyes fluttered open accompanied by a dark golden glow. The moment he opened his eyes, it's as if the world turned still. 

Slowly, a smile formed on his lips.