Way of the Knights

---

A month passed since Paolo slew one of the Fog Wanderers.

During this whole month, Raven remained in full alert just in case something comes up. Fortunately, it seems that the situation was diffused before things got complicated. Although he was already expecting such outcome, it's still a relief to see that it actually happened. 

In order for something like this to not happen again, Raven started a meeting and reminded them about the exact plan. He made sure that everyone completely understood what he's trying to do since they don't really have much room for adjustments. 

When everything settled down, Raven's schedule lightened up even more so than before. This allowed him to have more time to train, and he never missed out on it. 

Today, he's sitting inside one of the cultivation rooms. He was cross-legged, with his eyes closed. He's digesting some insights of the Avatars within his Inner Cosmos. All of a sudden, he opened his eyes and let out a long sigh. 

He opened his palms, revealing several clusters of what looked like miniature stars, dancing on top of his palms. With a thought, these cluster of stars formed different constellations, causing weird phenomenon to occur around Raven. 

Another sigh could be heard from Raven, he looked at the stars with a complicated gaze as he said:

"Man, I missed out on so many things..." Raven groaned, "Had I known that I became capable of harnessing the power Constellations once I got their acknowledgement, I could've done so many things with it."

Harnessing a fraction of a Constellation's power - this is probably the biggest secret that he discovered once he started researching his Inner Cosmos more. Raven can't believe that he was completely unaware of such benefit and it drives him crazy since he could do so many things with it.

'Extreme Yang Illumination' allows him to infuse the Laws of 'Bright Yang' onto things. 'Extreme Yin Silhouette' allows him infuse 'Illusory Yin' Laws to things. 'Five-Elemental Stellar Formation' gives him access to base level of  'Fire, Water, Earth, Wood and Metal Laws'. The 'Continuum Star Cluster' makes it easier for him to wield 'Spacetime Laws' and could even make his journey to the Spacetime Void safer. 'Great Annihilation Star Formation' could boost his Destruction Laws and even allow him to momentarily borrow the 5th Concepts of Destruction Laws which is Annihilation on his next attack. 

There are still other Constellations within him that's waiting to be discovered, there's even more waiting for him at the Monument of Stars. 

And this just within one month of research, considering the fact that these Constellations had been inside him, marinating for a long time, Raven now desired to wring them out of their use in order to satisfy his frustrations.

He hadn't mastered any of this yet. Just receiving the acknowledgement of a Constellation doesn't end there, he had to personally learn all of them in order to widen his arsenal of powers. Such is the true inheritance befitting of the Next Heir. 

"Thankfully, it's still rather early when I discovered it. I think I need to reach the 8th level of Myriad Incarnations Scripture soon in order to make this process a little bit faster. 

Raven sighed some more and stood up. He did some light stretches and went silent for a bit. His thoughts were centered on the matters of the sect for now, deciding what to do. 

In the end, he could only smile wryly and say: "The hell...I've become such a busybody that I don't have any idea on what to do during my day-offs. I've divided the task so well that I really have nothing to do for now."

Shaking his head for a bit, he laughed and said: "Whatever, I guess I'll take it easy for now." 

Raven then went towards the bathroom to enjoy a warm bath and relax for a bit.

---

"Have you thought about this clearly?" 

"Yes, I do Master." 

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I am sure Master." 

"Are you really, really sure?" 

"..."

"Alright, geez. No need to look at me like that." An old man snorted as he saw his disciples making a grumpy expression. The old man sighed and continued: "Well, it seems that I really can't dissuade you. I don't need to remind you that the place you plan on visiting is extremely dangerous."

"I am aware of that, Master. However, I need some stimulation. Nobody in this place could stand-up against me anymore." The disciple made a rather helpless expression when he said this. 

"Tch. Isn't it because you literally you're too perverted that nobody likes to fight you?" The old man clicked his tongue. 

"Master, stop slandering me. I am loyal to my wife but I can't help it if people are attracted to my awesome handsomeness." The disciples shamelessly proclaimed, causing the old man to snort in disdain. 

"You and your self-confidence...whatever. Do as you please, but don't be reckless. Retreat if you find yourself unable to proceed of it gets too dangerous. Understand?" 

"Yes, Master." 

"Off you go then. Take one of my talismans, just in case." 

The disciples graciously received the talisman and bound it to him. He kowtowed to his Master and left the wide hall in silence. Upon exiting the hall, the large doors automatically closed behind him. He didn't pay this any mind and continued walking forwards, he has somewhere to be and he wanted to get there as quickly as he could. 

"Yo, Prince! How'd it go?" 

A voice suddenly interrupted the disciples thoughts, he looked to his right and saw a person walking right next to him. 

"I got permission, Evan. I plan on going there right away." The disciple replied.

"Ooh! I don't know if I should congratulate you or if I should condemn you for being suicidal." 

"Okay, why does everybody has no faith in me? That place wouldn't have been here if all it offers were dangers right?" 

"Oh, no I agree with that. However, it's just not worth it in our opinion, you on the other hand, is a madman for wanting to go there. And as for the matter about why the entrance of that place is here, beats me."

"...I heard that at the bottom of that place, the remains and/or inheritance of a large turtle could be found."

When the guy named Evan heard the disciple's' words, he was so shocked that his mouth flew wide open and he stopped on his tracks. The disciple noticed his reaction which caused him to sigh, he thought that it would've been wiser for him to stay silent, but it's too late now. 

"You are..." Evan was still gobsmacked, but he shook his head and laughed mirthlessly. "Truly a madman! Are you even certain of that?" 

"I'm not." The disciple replied truthfully. 

"So you mean to say that you'll risk your life in there just to confirm a baseless rumor?" Evan asked. 

"...yeah, I guess." The disciple shrugged and continued walking. 

"H-hey! Damn, you are just..." Evan couldn't believe this guy. "Why go that far though? Why are you in such a hurry? You're talented enough to have a bright future, why risk your life over something uncertain?"

The disciple sighed upon hearing that, yet he didn't stop walking. Evan just continued following the guy until they exited the building. 

"They - no, my wife she..." The disciple sighed and continued with a rather helpless voice. "She went to find the inheritance of the Big Bird." 

"Your wife...Princess Vermillion? And by the Big Bird you mean..."

"Yeah..." 

"Well, good for her. But from what I know, that much should've been expected. I mean, compared to the other Guardian Sects, the camp of the Big Birds are being guarded by the Big Birds themselves."

"And that what makes this sad...we don't have a Big Turtle guiding us anymore..." 

"Your Master is one, have you forgotten?" 

"Not enough..." 

"Eii! I don't know what to do with you anymore! Seriously? Is your reason really just wanting to be at an even standing with your wife? You don't really have to go this far right? And I'm sure that Princess Vermillion wouldn't mind." 

The disciple sighed and paused in his tracks, he then looked at Evan and said: "You're right. I have other reasons why I'm doing this. However, I can't tell you that. Just know that I won't risk my life for nothing." 

"...alright, I guess I really can't dissuade you. Whatever, just make sure to come back alive Paul." 

"Will do, thanks Evan. You can go back now, Mira's probably freshening up for you." Paul grinned and gave Evan a knowing look before walking away.

"Y-you!!" 

Paul could only chuckle however once there was nobody following him, his face regained its seriousness. Eventually, he arrived at the edge of a tall cliff, he peered down and saw pitch darkness. Paul inhaled sharply, he also had this impression that someone or something was making eye-contact with him. 

After calming himself down, Paul grinned fiendishly and said: "Wait for me down there, Big Turtle.. I'm coming for that shell."