Way of the Knights

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"No but seriously, why are you here? Why didn't you join the tournament? I wanted to bet money on you, you know?" Albert said after Raven greeted Raul. 

Raven smiled and rested his back against his chair, saying: "Nothing much. It's just I don't have that much to gain even if I join. Additionally, I was too exhausted from the Smelting Trial. Although we're given five days of time to recover, I wasn't enough for me."

"But I heard the reward from the tournament was a Spiritual Treasure. I even heard that the one who takes the first place will receive a ticket that could be exchanged for a Perfected Deity ranked Spiritual Treasure! You just missed out on that you know? " Albert reiterated, even so Raven only smiled and shook his head. 

"I already got two Spiritual Treasure thanks to you guys. I don't need more for now." Raven stated, "Additionally, the rewards for the Tournament is just that. I won't gain any Merit Points from it, which is why I decided not to join." 

"Huh? There's no Merit Point reward? Isn't that a bit too cheap?" Albert grumbled as he turned his head back to the arena. 

Even Albert himself could feel the strangeness of these events. It had to be known that he's the young sect master of the Martial Emperor Sect, it is not strange for him to react this way since he participated in the meetings in the sect before, and through his experience, events like this would always have a Merit Point rewards. 

From Raven's simple words, Albert was able to guess somethings by himself, causing him to look at his father unconsciously. 

In truth, Raul was also surprised by the sudden news that Raven revealed. As a Sect Master himself, he knew the importance of Merit Points for disciples, specially if the sect's livelihood focuses on rendering Meritorious Services. Doubt started filling his chest as he stared at the competing disciples on the arena. 

Raul looked at Raven and asked: "Are you certain that there is no Merit Point Reward for this Nephew Raven?" 

"Well, I can't be certain for sure." Raven replied, "But when the ten of us exited the Smelting Trial, the Envoys met us and the War God himself personally acknowledged our statuses as disciples of the sect. He's the one who gave us this uniform and some gifts for new disciples."

"He was also the one who personally asked if we want to participate for the Tournament. When he was asked what are prices, he only said the tickets and didn't say anything about Merit Points at all. And since this is the War God himself, I refuse to believe that a man of such caliber would forget such a simple thing."

"Therefore I thought, since it's just Spiritual Treasures, there's no reason for me to join this tournament. It'll just be a waste of my time." Raven replied causing the father and son to turn quiet for a bit. 

Although the three of them were watching the fight on the Arena, it was only Raven who's actually paying attention. The father and son had differentiating thoughts on their mind with what Raven revealed just now. 

No one could tell what they're thinking, but for sure it has something to do with the Ancient Elysium Sect. As for Raven, he couldn't be bothered about it. It's useless for him to think about since he hasn't even stepped inside the sect, so he's in no position to pry about these details just yet. 

"Oh by the way…" Raven's voice interrupted their thoughts, causing them to look at him. "Can you guys introduce those people who fighting to me?" 

"Oh, right!" Albert was startled at first but he quickly took out a pamphlet from his ring and tossed it to Raven. 

Raven briefly looked at the names written at the list. It contained the names of those who became official disciples. 

'Jason Sigmus, I know this guy. He's the one who approached me first. Just like me, he also has a Perfected Deity's Champion Physique. I don't about his abilities but from what I can remember, I felt his vigorous life force. He must be a Body Path Specialist then. 

'Ryan Northson, this was the guy who killed two participants earlier. I'm not sure whether he uses Ice Laws or other but Jason said there's rumors that this guy also has a Perfected Deity Champion Physique as well.'

'Nelson Blair. Jason said he was someone who hailed from a Great World and also is a descendant of an Imperial Lineage. Also has the peak champion's physique."

'Jonathan Evergreen, this should be the descendant of God Beast Clans. Carrying the Azure Dragon's bloodline. I wonder if I could use him to get a dragon soul? Maybe not.'

'Michelle Valentine, Jason introduced her as the young queen of the Sky Weavers Clan. I have no recollection of her, but since he included her to the people I have to watch out on, then she must be formidable.'

'Madman Floyd. Wow, they really wrote his name like this. Jason said he's a bloodthirsty one. We'll see about that.'

"Juniper Myles, now I don't know who this is. But why do I feel like I'm not going to like this guy at all. That shouldn't be the case right? I never even met him.'

'Pyra and Mira Crawford, twins eh? *Sigh* Why do they have to be twins? I just hope that they don't resemble my sisters or else that'll make things awkward for me.'

'And finally, there's me. The most handsome, magnificent, elegant and - ehem...'

Raven then turned towards the arena and watched the two contenders fighting. He briefly activated his ocular vision to see things more clearly and identify who's fighting currently. 

'I could feel a strong vitality behind this guy, but it feels strange. It doesn't come from humans.' Raven inspected the first participant. As he observe things quietly, he could see a faint image of a reptile slithering through this person's body, it felt fierce, dominant and aggressive. 

"Bloodline? That should be Jonathan on the left right?" Raven asked Albert. The latter then looked at him strangely and said:

"Yes, but how did you know?" 

"Oh, someone introduced him to me earlier and gave out some insider details. I felt the bloodline of a God Beast on his body, that's how I knew. On the other hand…" Raven pointed at the other guy and continued: "Who's he?"

"He's Nelson. A very impressive guy…" Albert praised solemnly. 

"Ah! The guy who's a descendant of an Imperial Lineage?" Raven stared at Nelson below, inspecting him with ocular technique. He could definitely tell the arrogant air as well the natural elegance he possess. 

"Not only that, he also has a Perfected Deity's Champion Physique." Albert wasn't even surprised that Raven knew about Nelson's background, therefore he added this as well.

"Right, I forgot about that." Raven stated. Once again, Albert wasn't surprised since apparently someone leaked some information to Raven. 

"Which is why I think he's going to win." Albert added, at this point their attention was now focused on the on going match below. 

"Hmm…" Raven traced his chin, he frowned for a bit and inspected the fight below. "Are you sure? I don't think that's enough to defeat Jonathan though. I heard Jonathan also has a Perfected Deity's Champion Physique."

This startled both Raul and Albert, causing them to look at Raven strangely. Albert's reaction was more earnest as he asked: "Really?"

"Well, I can't be sure - oh look! There it is!" 

The attention was now focused on to the match below where Jonathan's body is surrounded with a brilliant halo of violet-gold, representing the fact that he indeed has a Perfected Deity's Champion Physique. Perfectly in time for when Raven just revealed this information. 

Albert was slack jawed, talk about perfect timing. He initially thought that Nelson will easily win this match since from the results earlier, Nelson has the upper hand. The imperial blood flowing on his veins gave him a majestically overbearing aura, in addition to the fact that he has a Perfected Deity's Champion Physique as well, Jonathan was being constantly pushed back. 

Compared to the injured Jonathan, Nelson wasn't even flustered. But that's until Jonathan revealed his Champion's Physique as well. 

Everyone on the stadium let out surprised gasps and cheers. The fervent atmosphere within the stadium was raised even more. The crowd was going wild as they saw how fast Jonathan's injury healed and used the momentum of his physique to deliver strong attacks towards Nelson, who became flustered due to the sudden shift

"See?" Raven smiled and looked at the stunned Albert. 

"Well, that's was shocking." Albert admitted, he turned his head towards Raven and asked: "But still, I am more astonished on how accurate your information was. We couldn't even get any details about these people yet you have. Who told you about them?"

"Oh, it's a talkative guy that I met at the beginning of the exams. He's also a disciple actually. His name is Jason Sigmus."

"What!?" Albert suddenly blurted, he was so shocked that he actually stood up from shock. "You know that guy?"