Way of the Knights

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As Raven was laying on the ground and resting, he felt something being absorbed by his body. 

He didn't have to think too much because he already knew what this was. This was the remaining essence of Carl, containing pieces of his memories and energy. Because Raven had successfully defeated Carl, this could be considered as his additional reward.

Raven closed his eyes and assimilated Carl's memories. The assimilation didn't take long so Raven eventually arrived at the conclusion that Carl's memories are of no use for him. 

What he received are fragments of his life experiences, which is useless for Raven. And also some of his techniques and Law Insights. These would've been helpful if he knows Light Laws but unfortunately he doesn't. 

Still, he kept them in mind since even if it wasn't useful for him, this will be incredibly helpful for Luna. Of course he was already planning on creating a material to place these insights so that he could pass it to her later. 

As he was resting, two transparent silhouettes materialized near him. 

One was a man and the other was a woman. And although they appeared a mere ghosts, anyone who saw them would be able to feel that they're more than that. Even in their ethereal form, they still retained the air of a true master, and if they so desired they could cause a great upheaval with just a flick of their finger. 

These people were none other than Inos and Astrid. The previous heirs of the Ancestral Divine Crown who's souls remained with it. 

The two approached Raven and sat in front of him. Raven was already aware of their presence so he sat up to greet them.

"It's been a while." Raven as soon as he saw them. The two nodded to him but didn't really share his sentiments. It might've been years since Raven last saw them but for these two, that span of time is all but just a blink of an eye. Their meditations lasts longer that in all honesty.

"Congratulations on arriving at this checkpoint. Now, you're halfway there. You'll be entering the Palace soon." Inos said while smiling. 

"Thank you, I'm looking forward to it, but I'm afraid that it might take me a while." Raven replied truthfully. 

"Don't feel rushed." Astrid added, "You are already doing very good. Keeping up your pace like this is fine."

"I know but, I'm just really curious about what's inside." Raven replied, "I've been staring at it for a long time now so I can't really help it."

The two smiled at his honest answer, they can't really rebuke his claim since they were like him back then. One couldn't just help themselves but wonder what really lies behind that huge palace doors. 

"It is alright to be curious, but let me inform you right now that whatever's behind those doors. You aren't ready for it yet." Astrid told him, "Far from it actually."

"She's right, partner." Inos added, "Just maintain this kind of routine, rushing in won't do you any good anyway."

Raven nodded at them and stayed silent for a bit. Suddenly, he remembered some matters that he wanted to ask to them. 

"Oh right, Astrid. I have a request…"

"I'm aware of it." She said while smiling, she then pointed her delicate fingers on Raven and sent a beam of light towards him. 

"I also have something for you, partner." Inos added as he too did the same thing. 

Raven then closed his eyes and assimilated the memories that's been transferred to him. And to his surprise, it is quite a lot. 

He had received some of Astrid's Destruction Law insights but it's only limited to the first field of study, which is the Breaking Stage. Additionally, he received two Ancient Arts from her as well. They are:

[True Destruction Manual] and [Grand Hammer Stances]. 

The [Grand Hammer Stances] is pretty straightforward, it is an art that focuses on the hammer itself. It is a much needed battle skill for Raven since majority of the skills he had so far was self-created. Those weren't so bad but he needed more inspiration to make his own skills stronger so this is a welcomed addition. 

As for the [True Destruction Manual], it is an absolute treasure. This manual was basically created to cultivate Destruction Laws. 

It had to be known that gaining enlightenment from a certain law doesn't mean that one could fully harness it's strengths already. Since the Laws are extremely profound, it is required for one seek further enlightenment to use them, but even then it still doesn't meant that they are using it to its fullest. 

Raven might've gained enlightenment from Destruction Laws but he himself could tell that with the way he uses it brings no justice to the law. He also knows that he's wasting so much of it's potential and he really wanted to bring out its full capabilities but he's helpless for the matter as well. 

But now that he received this manual from Astrid, that's bound to change. 

Ancient Arts created to cultivate Laws directly are incredibly rare. Even with his long previous life, the amount of time he had seen these kinds of technique could be counted on one hand. Without a doubt, if this manual was released to the Divine Realm, countless of experts will emerge and there will be a bloody war for it. 

Cultivating Laws allows one to get closer to the real strength of Laws. This ancient art won't make allow him to gain enlightenment from laws constantly but instead, it will strengthen everything he already knows about it, allowing him to display the full potential of his own understandings and application for Destruction Laws. 

As for what Inos gave him, it was just a bunch of his Laws of Time and Space insights. 

Inos didn't give him much because both of them knew that Raven isn't enlightened with those Laws. The insights he gave, was just a research material for Raven, just so that he can gain inspiration for him. 

After receiving and assimilating these gifts, Raven opened his eyes and said: 

"Thank you. I'll put these things to good use."

"You'd better." Astrid snorted, "Or else, I will never help you again." 

Of course she was jesting, so the three had a good laugh to ease up the atmosphere. 

"Oh that's right partner. I have to tell you something." Inos said in a serious voice. 

"What is it?" Raven asked since he could see that whatever he has to say must be pretty important.

"It's like this…"

***

"Damnable pest…" An old voice sounded in the void. 

Anyone who heard this voice could feel the agitation and irritation behind his words, fortunately no one was here to hear it. In fact, it would be best for anyone not to arrive at this place ever. 

This place is at the very depths of the Grand Ancestral Plane. It's located where no ordinary humans or beast could ever step on. It was naturally hidden and for a very good reason at that. 

The Center. This is what this place is called. And just like the name implies, this is the very center of the plane and its most important place. 

What lies here is the heart of the plane, the Core. The reason why this place is hidden from everyone is because if the Core of the Plane was destroyed, then the whole plane will crumble. Of course, the Core of the Plane isn't something that anyone could just destroy, still it is the most sensitive part of the plane so it's being protected. 

The only caretaker of the Core is the Consciousness of the Plane and anyone whom it tasked to do so, such as the biological father of the Ice Emperor. 

Unfortunately, even with the place being protected by the Old Man, something still managed to force their way in and is now causing an enormous headache for the plane as a whole. 

This being is none other than Vit'hum, the Pale Hybrid. 

As a malnourished Dragon Kin, Vit'hum was strong enough to endure the resistance of the old man. It even managed to stay alive to form a Bloodline Pact that bound it and the Plane's core together, and through this pact Vit'hum could absorb the vitality of the plane for its own use. 

The Old Consciousness who resides in this place looked at the slumbering pest who's still draining the Plane's vitality. In his attempts to prevent this from happening, the Old Man erected multiple formations that filters the effect of the Bloodline Pact to weaken its siphoning. 

Needless to say, the old man is still helpless to stop it from draining vitality off the plane. 

The Old Man appeared to be agitated. So much so that he tried to bend the laws of the plane to kick this intruder out. Unfortunately it failed to do so since Vit'hum's body is too durable. 

And though the Pale Bastard was in slumber, it could still feel that agitation of the old man. It then subconsciously strengthened the siphoning much to the Old Man's annoyance. 

"Bastard!" The Old Man sent lightning towards the beast in his anger but what the beast didn't know is that all of this was just an act. 

The Old Man was actually relieved that it reacted this way. Inwardly, he told himself:

'Enjoy your very last moments alive, you damnable pest.'