Way of the Knights

Chapter 806: Inheritance Ceremony

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Raven coronation as the next Sect Master of the Ancient Elysium Sect is happening today.

The Divine Realm is shaking in excitement…it's only natural. After all, who in the Divine Realm isn't aware of who Raven was at this point? Surely nobody after the ridiculous amounts of praises he received from the Oriental Dragon Group. 

The announcement was released a week before the schedule. And to say that the Ancient Elysium Sect was filled to the brim with people, would be an understatement. 

For the first time in forever, the Ancient Elysium Sect opened its doors and welcomed people in with their unique hospitality. 

The announcement of the sect opening its doors came as a huge shock to people, but that shock turned into excitement real quick. They didn't waste anytime and made a trip to the sect, bearing gifts in order to curry the favor of the sect. 

Their gifts were accepted, the sect's treasury are now brimming with resources which can last them for ages to come. Of course, the sect made sure to do a good job at being hosts, welcoming everyone with open arms and giving them a tour of the sect, they even gave the guests some gifts of their own. 

All of this happened while Raven silently prepare for the ceremony. 

Unbeknownst to people, Raven just returned to the sect today. What can he do? He's a busy man. The stuff he had to deal with at the Dawn Council kept him occupied until this day, if it weren't for the Sect Master reminding him of the ceremony, Raven would've forgotten about this altogether. 

Raven for sure wasn't expecting this to be this grand though…

In truth, he wanted this ceremony to be intimate. Just with the elders and disciples of the sect plus his friends and the sect's allies, that's all. It was the Sect Master who opposed this of course. He said that this is a great time to form connections. 

With the intention of opening up their doors for everybody, such event will bound to attract all sorts of people. Yes, they do have to be careful but it's also such a good opportunity that it'll be a shame to let it pass. 

Honestly, what could Raven even say at this point. He knows that the Sect Master is right. So he could only agree to this. 

Currently, Raven is resting at his personal estate. He's been at the bath for two hours now, silently taking deep breaths to get rid of jitters. Once he was well rested, he stood up, dried himself and wore the sect's ceremonial clothing. 

The clothes consists of a long crimson robes made out of the finest silk which flowed the gentlest stream of water. It has golden linings, tight around the shoulders, waist and hɨps but extremely loose at the rest. There also a set of pants which followed the same color scheme, tightly-fitted and has numerous images sewn at its surface. A pair of jet black boots which reached right up to legs and also has a golden edges. 

Aside from these, Raven also has to wear a head ornament – a hairpin which is adorned with numerous gems and glowed with a golden-violet sheen. A belt which is made out of an ancient leather depicting numerous auspicious beasts and he has to carry a unique and ancient hourglass artifact which will be necessary for the ceremony later. 

Raven is not allowed to take a step out of his chambers until it was the time for his coronation therefore, he's in no hurry to wear all of this. 

—

Although it was established that today's Raven's coronation as the new Sect Master, it wasn't only him who'll be promoted. 

He's the main man, sure. But the Ancient Elysium Sect decided to take advantage of this time to shift gears and introduce the new age of the sect's Heirs. Meaning the new Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, Athena, Aphrodite, Helios, Hephaestus, and so on, will also be coronated today. 

The only exceptions are Gaia and the War Gods for they are to hold their titles until they died. 

The ceremony already started at this point. The first sign was the skies within the sect dimming and stars illuminating their surroundings. 

It was then followed by the silhouette of Mount Olympus – the real one, appearing before everyone's view. The majestic and towering mountain was impossible to not be noticed judging by it's sheer size. 

A deep and sonorous voice echoed across everyone's ears. It was the sound of the Grand Elder's voice for this is the last time he'll act as Zeus – the King of Gods. As soon as he announced that the ceremony started, he started calling-up names of the Heirs. 

The previous generation are all standing at the peak of the mountain. Once their Heir is called, they are to walk down the mountain while their heirs climb it instead. Their steps are equally measured for they are supposed to meet halfway up the mountain. 

Once the meet at the middle, the older will pass on their Inheritance Mark – the very same mark that represents their authority and responsibilities, to the young one. The older will continued walking down the mountain while the young one continues up until they arrived at the top. 

This was how the ceremony occurred…

Everyone who attended the ceremony were awed by the display. The ceremony was a bit simple yet it also displays tradition. It boasts the long, long history of the Ancient Elysium Sect and what they signify for the entirety of the Divine Realm. 

Every time an heir officially replaced the older one and sat upon the peak of the mountain, all disciples will passionately offer their greetings loudly and in perfect unison, knocking their heads on the concrete floor, this includes the Service Disciples as well. 

Not even the Dawn Council had this kind glory. 

Witnessing such atmosphere really made some people think. There are some people here who are unaffiliated by anything, not a part of a sect nor any organizations. At any other day, this people would say that they prefer to have their freedom even if means making their life more difficult. Right now though, these people are starting to doubt their decision. 

They think that it might not be too bad to join a sect after all, especially this one. 

And then…coronation of the next Zeus was finished. Their heir already arrived at the peak of the mountain, bearing the mark of a thunderbolt on his forehead. The disciples paid their respects to their new Grand Elder with another set of kowtows. 

After that…a brief silence wrapped the entire place. The atmosphere was already solemn before but this time, it was doubled. The anticipation was unbearable for most people but they endured, the silence was defeaning but nobody said a word, they didn't even dare to breathe loudly. 

The new age of Heirs simultaneously turned around and stared at the skies above. They stared at the spot where the brightest star was, the very same place where Sect Master Lucas appeared. 

He stood there, back turned towards them, gazing at the vast expanse of stars beyond them. He solely turned around and peered down at everybody, wearing a solemn yet kind expression. He parted his lips and said:

"Show yourself, my successor." 

"I answer to thine call, Master." 

To some, this is the first time they laid eyes on Raven. And with his current appearance, it'll be a huge surprise if some women here manages to resist his unearthly charm. 

Wearing a long crimson robes which flowed like a gentle stream of water, coupled with a deviously handsome visage and an ethereal aura, Raven scaled up the mountain with an Ancient Hourglass artifact on hand. 

The moment he took a step at the foot of the mountain, it's as if time has stopped. The world turned silent and he became the sole existence in the entirety of the Divine Realm. His steps were light and didn't make any sound but each step he took was heavy and steady. 

All color was flushed out, remaining to only him alone. His dazzling appearance dimmed the brilliance of the stars itself. 

He walked strong and determined until he reached the peak of the mountain, the silence was ended but the loudest greetings that the disciples and the new heirs uttered the moment he joined their ranks. 

Raven nodded to them and signaled them to rise. After that, he started rising to the stars, reaching the same height as Sect Master Lucas. 

Golden grains of sand appeared from Lucas' body and flowed through the hourglass that Raven was carrying. Once the last grain of sand was transferred, the hourglass emitted a flash of brilliance, turning into a streak of light that embedded itself at Raven's forehead. 

Raven summoned the Scepter of Wisdom and slammed it next to him, the brilliance of the stars intensified and all sorts of heavenly phenomena occurred with the appearance of the Constellations. 

Lucas smiled and patted Raven's shoulders, he then faced the crowd and announced:

"Pay respects to your next Sect Master, Vendrick Valorheart!"