Way of the Knights

Chapter 658 - Book Of Chaos: 2nd

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Inside the Crown Space, Raven was in seclusion once more.

This time, he isn't doing any strenuous exercise nor comprehending/integrating with complicated Law Insights. He was mere reviewing information that's already planted on his consciousness. 

It was the information about the Book of Chaos' 2nd Chapter.

Now that Raven achieved his final transformation, it could be said that his physique was now tempered and blessed by Cosmic Energy. His foundations are all set and it couldn't get any better than this so he had to proceed on building the platform that will take him to the peak. 

As he gradually removed the seal placed on the 2nd Chapter, Raven felt nervous. He placed his trust on his master and followed his advice to not unseal this unless he finished the 1st Chapter. Raven easily unsealed the clump of light suspended on his Spiritual Consciousness and witnessed as it exploded into motes of light that gradually fused with his consciousness. 

Raven felt dizzy for a bit but he didn't do anything yet. Instead, he took advantage of this time to regulate his breathing and pacify his nervous heart. Once he was done, the information about the 2nd Chapter was now fully integrated onto his memories. 

Spending time to slowly and meticulously scan the information, Raven eventually understood the contents of the 2nd Chapter. 

As it turns out, the second chapter is also divided into multiple stages as well. If the first chapter refer to its divisions as 'Transformations', then the second chapter refers to it as 'Transitions'.

The 1st Transition is called: 'The Monarch's Road' - which will take him to the 'Knight Monarch Realm'. 

To those who followed the orthodox path, reaching the Knight Monarch Realm requires them to deepen their understanding of Laws and fuse their insights to their Domain into to advance it to the next level. Upon reaching the realm, their domain will evolve into the Monarch's Domain, a force that could permanently alter the state of their environment according to their desire and nature. 

Raven has to do something similar, however since he was an over-achiever he already has the qualifications since both of his Laws reached the 3rd Concept. His Lord's Domain is already just as, if not more, powerful than the majority of the Monarch's Domain since typically, those people used the  2nd Concept of their Law as foundations, which okay but not enough. Some hasty ones did while their Laws are at the Base Concept which is bad. Raven has both of his Laws at the 3rd Stage so he's already eligible for this. 

In addition to this, since Raven follows the unorthodox path, he had to do something extra. In his first Transition, he also has to integrate the Constellations that appeared on his Inner Cosmos. A very surprising detail that would normally faze him, but since he got an indirect warning not too long ago he wasn't so surprised any more. 

The second Transition is called: 'The King's Path' - which will take him to the 'King Knight Realm'. 

Reaching the Knight King Realm is already enough to cause someone to be well known in the Divine Realm. This stage is one step closer to the known peak of the Knight's Path after all. This stage is also known to be a watershed for most people. If one's foundation is lacking, reaching this real, is just impossible. Only those who put time and effort in solidifying their foundations and correcting their flaws will be allowed to reach this stage, it won't accept anyone who 'barely' made it either.

Those who follow the Orthodox Path will be required to Master their Laws if they want to reach this stage. This requirement is easy it say but incredibly hard to achieve. There are people who spend hundreds upon thousands of years just to reach the acme of their law. Those who also cultivate one more laws will be at a disadvantage since it will take them longer time to be ready, but if they succeed however, they will be definitely be stronger compared to others. 

For Raven, he has to do more than that. If he wanted to breakthrough to this stage, he has to confront the Heavenly Laws in order to prove that his Law Mastery is genuine. This process is called 'Heavenly Debate', something that Raven isn't really looking forward to. 

The 3rd Transition, the one that will take him to the Empyrean Knight Realm, is called: 'The Emperor's Reign'. 

Everyone who reached the Empyrean Knight Realm are well known people in the Divine Realm. Even those who deliberately hide their identities could still enjoy the privilege of being an Empyrean as long as it is confirmed. This is also when people decide their Empyrean Title. The title doesn't really do much since it doesn't contribute to the strength of the Empyrean. The title is also decided by the masses and approved by the Dawn Council.

Those who follow the Orthodox Path will experience numerous 'Changes' in this stages. These 'Changes' will correspond to the foundations they've built upon the early stages of their Ascension - the Champion's Physique. 

The Champion's Physique is acquired during the Champion Knight Realm. It is divided into: Golden, Platinum, Saint, Immortal, Perfected Immortal, Deity and Perfected Deity. 

This divisions are also applied in the Empyrean Changes. The final result will determine if the individual has the qualifications to challenge the known peak of Knighthood. Those who only experienced the 'Saint Empyrean Knight Change' and below are unqualified to even dream about reaching this Divine Knight Realm. 

Of course, this isn't always the case…

There are some rumors that there was a person who only had a Platinum-ranked Champion's Physique, managed to defy the heavens and reach the Divine Knight Realm through some means. Of course this was only rumors but there are some witnesses says otherwise.

For the Orthodox Path followers, they not only have to worry about the qualifications which were mentioned above, they also have to pay attention to the sheer amount of time and resources they need in order to make the breakthrough. Additionally, this is the stage where they have to start peeking through the Heavenly Secret Origin that resonates with them. 

The Heavenly Secret Origin is crucial in this stage since it will point them to the path where they need to go. Without it, their foundations to reach Divinity will be non-existent.

For Raven, he roughly had to do the same, only before he could even think about breaking through, he has to make sure that he becomes the Heir of the Ancestral Divine Crown first. Meaning that he had to gain the acknowledgement of all the constellations at the Monument of Stars. 

And finally, the last Transition for the 2nd Chapter, the method that will allow him to reach the Divine Knight Realm - 'The Ascension Ritual'. 

Divine Knight Realm also knows as the Realm of Divinity. Those who reached this stage are worshipped by the masses and will automatically have a say about the matters of the Divine Realm. Most of these people are part of the Dawn Council, some wanted to remain free and unaffiliated, becoming hermits or wanderers. 

The amount of people who wants to step on this stage and the things they are willing to do…

For the followers of the Orthodox Path, it's no longer the problem of mastering the laws. It's about establishing a path that belongs only to them. In order to do this, they have to discover the Heavenly Secret Origin that resonates with them, once they communed with it, that's the only time that they could explore their limits and establish their own road, in other words - their True Divinity.

For Raven, he needed to experience something more than that. Aside from discovering his Heavenly Secret Origin, he had to withstand the baptism of the 'Spirit World', meaning that he has to make a trip there to form his Divinity. 

It was an absurd requirement and Raven didn't even want to think about it for now since it gives him a massive headache. 

Geezer was too demanding. The location of the Spirit World wasn't even mentioned in the 2nd Chapter at all. How was he supposed to find a 'Missing World' without any clues? Additionally, the term 'Baptism' doesn't sound right to him, for all he know, this so called Baptism might as well be synonymous to 'Torture' in Geezer's vocabulary.

He's already calling it…after all his Master was a conman after all. 

After making sure that he got everything correct, Raven ended his mediation and collapsed on his makeshift bed. An exhausted groan escaped his lips as he stared at the tent's ceiling. 

"…well, you wanted this to happen right? You subjected yourself into suffering already. You've been conned once more, how does it feel?" Raven mocked himself and chuckled. 

Raven could only do this much, after all he's already in a path of no return. He already built his foundations and it's too late for him to change anything. The only choice left for him is to follow this road and see through it to the end. 

"…whatever, I'm sleepy. I'll just cross the bridge when I get there.. Hmph…troublesome."