Way of the Knights

Chapter 519 - Chalice Room

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"My harvest this time around are too great." 

This was Raven's first thoughts as soon as his consciousness returned to his body. Now that he was able feel the strength coursing through his veins, he couldn't help but feel a bit sentimental. 

He's yet again one step closer to reaching the peak, and with his current accumulations, he'll be far stronger compared to his previous life once he stepped on that stage once more. 

Raven's now a Saint Knight. Not just any other Saint Knight.

He's a Saint Knight that is several times stronger compared to people at his stage. He's a realm-surpassing genius! Even in the Ancient Elysium Sect, people like him are extremely rare. 

Armed with his monstrous strength, vast energy reserves, and a very powerful soul, those who could exchange blows with him could only counted on one hand. His techniques are very refined, and his law applications are very exquisite. He also got a two Domains - one that is purely offensive and one that could more or less guarantee his survival. 

Raven's foundations runs very deep, and he works harder than everyone else. In due time, Raven was destined to become an existence that could go wherever he wants to without any obstruction. 

After being momentarily drunk with his new found strength, Raven took this time to inspect his Inner World and was welcomed with a very different scene. 

The Cosmos present within his Inner World seemingly expanded. At it's core, a huge star surrounded in white flames were still present. The gorgeous swirl surrounding it was now glowing with myriad of colors. Each sparkle present within are in fact crystalized Cosmic Energy which would be consumed whenever he spends energy. The white flames were obviously the Cleansing Flames which now burn brighter and infinitesimally close to sprouting. 

What new is that numerous constellations revolving around along the movement of the Cosmos. Raven was surprised to see these in here, he didn't know that this sort of thing was possible to happen. 

He wouldn't have been as surprised if he found them as law-diagrams scattered around his body, however for him to see them here were something unexpected. 

Unfortunately, even though Raven prided himself to know a lot, he had never seen these constellations before and doesn't know what they represent. All he knew is that the ones here should be replicas of the first batch of constellations to ever appear. 

"This needs further research." Raven murmured, "Maybe it's also time for me to pay a visit to those constellations and figure out what they want from me." 

Even so, Raven realized that now is not yet the time for that. With a thought, he summoned another set of uniform from his spatial ring and changed into it. After that, he inspected where he was. 

Compared to what he had seen before, this place is no longer surrounded in darkness. He somehow arrived at an empty hall. Aside from three ritual chalices present in the middle of the hall, there's nothing else he could see in there. This really makes him wonder if he was truly in the same place as before. 

He took a step forward and took a moment to inspect the chalices. Each one was sitting on top of a platform created using Timeless Divine Stones - a specific material that truly deserves it name. 

Each chalice differs in color. One was blue, the other was pitch black and the last was golden. Each one is adorned by different ornaments and had several carvings from ancient times. 

Raven stepped closer to the first chalice which was blue one and inspected it closely. The moment he got close, he could strange fluctuations from it. All of a sudden, an ancient text appeared before him. It reads:

[Poseidon's Holy Chalice - It was he who lorded over the masterless Ocean of Stars. Descendant! Offer your blood, use it to fill the Chalice. Prove your worth by letting Poseidon judge your potential.]

He was a bit surprised as he saw this. Raven never heard about this before. He didn't know who Poseidon was but he'll venture a guess and say that he must be one of the Founders of the Sect. 

"Hmm. Well, they're not going to leave this here and even build a whole shrine for just for fun right? I don't see why not."

Raven shrugged and procured a knife from his spatial ring. He then stepped closer to the Chalice and slit his wrist, allowing his viscous blood to fill it. 

Once he's done, Raven retracted his arm and the wound on his wrist was already healed. He didn't even felt pain in the process. As soon as he stepped back, he saw the chalice sunk a bit on the platform. 

Next, the chalice flared with a brilliant blue light, causing Raven to squint for a bit. A majestic aura with an unquestionable nobility appeared out of nowhere. 

Raven saw his blood diffusing, forming into a blurry silhouette of a man holding a trident and wore a beautiful crown made out of sea crystals. 

He didn't understand what's going on but he remained still. The silhouette suddenly raised his trident and pointed towards his forehead. Raven didn't move and simply allowed this to happen. Even though he could only guess who this person is, he knew that he's being tested and he wasn't truly against it.

Even though the man appeared to be a blurry silhouette, Raven could still feel the cold feeling near his forehead. All of a sudden, a bright light poured out from the tip of the trident and was involuntarily absorbed by Raven. 

Raven unconsciously closed his eyes and felt warmth coursing through his body. After a few moments, he opened them since the feeling disappeared. It was also at the same moment that the silhouette disappeared without saying a word. 

That caused him to confused, he couldn't help but ask: "Okay, so what's supposed to do?"

Raven was at a loss, he truly didn't feel like something changed within him. Nevertheless, the blue chalice sank even further to the stone platform and disappeared from his view. Which confused him even more. 

"Uh, off to the next one I guess?" Raven shrugged, what else could he do? It disappeared on its own. He didn't receive any kind of explanation or anything, he didn't even know if that guy called Poseidon found him worthy at all.

In addition to that, he couldn't see any exits here so with nothing else to do, he moved on to the next chalice.

The same scene played out once more. Once he got close, an ancient text unfolded and it reads:

[Hades' Holy Chalice - Pastor of the Dead, Ruler of the Underworld. Descendant! Offer your blood, use it to fill the Chalice. Prove your worth by letting Hades judge the innocence of your soul!]

"Oh, so it's my soul that's being judged now? Sure, I guess." Raven shrugged once more and just like before, he slit his wrist and filled the chalice with his blood. 

The pitch black chalice sank as well and this time, a formidable presence filled the room. Raven could feel his soul being stared down by a large beast as soon as that aura appeared. 

Raven saw his blood diffuse once more and formed a silhouette of a rather plain looking old man. His back was hunched and he supported himself with a bone staff which handle looked like a skull. The silhouette was a bit blurry too, making Raven unable to make out his facial features.

Just like before, Raven felt the silhouette step closer at him. This time, the skull staff was placed on his forehead and a black light suddenly drowned the room. 

Raven unconsciously closed his eyes once more as he felt his life flashing by. Moments later, he opened them and found the old man dispersing into thin air. 

Once again, he was dumbfounded. What's that supposed to do? - is the question he hand in mind. But again, just like before, the black chalice sank within the platform and disappeared. 

"Still no exit, so off to the last one I guess." Raven sighed and begrudgingly went towards the golden chalice. 

[Zeus' Holy Chalice - King of Gods. Ruler of the Skies. Lord of Thunder and Lightning. He who sat at the summit. Descendant, this is the Chalice of our Forefather Zeus. Fill his Chalice with your blood, kneel in front of it and let the Forefather judge you Will.]

"Zeus." Raven muttered. 

Just by the way how he was described on the Ancient Text, he could already guess his identity. Raven remained silent and felt a bit apprehensive. Nevertheless, there's nothing else he could do other than to be judged.

For the last time, hopefully, Raven slits his wrist and filled the golden cup with his blood. Just like the previous two, the golden cup sunk for a bit and Raven directly lost consciousness. 

His body mysteriously floated as dark clouds appeared and his blood turned into a silhouette of a old man with long white hair wearing loose white robes. The man stared at Raven, his gaze seemingly able to transcend space and time. 

The old man raise a finger and touched Raven's forehead, leaving a mark which looked like a bolt of thunder in there. He then disappeared as soon as Raven regained consciousness, leaving him speechless. 

"Okay, what the hell!?"