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"I am Invincible."
"..."
"..."
There was a pin-drop silence as Arthur said his 'name' out loud.
"Tch! What kind of name is that?" A girl amongst the beast men muttered in disbelief.
"That is not our concern," Takye said.
Among the Fire Spirit Sect disciples, their leader gave Arthur a despising look, "Isn't that too arrogant?"
"Hehehe, I still don't believe that is his real name though. But he still dared to say it," Aselia chuckled silently.
'Invincible, that's his name?' Ava thought.
Meanwhile, even the man was stunned for a second but then he eased up his expression and spoke in a surprised tone.
"That is one unique name you have there. I see why you hesitated to say it when I asked. You were not sure if your name was so arrogant that I would be offended?"
Arthur nodded but kept silent.
"Hahaha! You had the wrong thoughts young one. I am not such a fellow. A name is just a name in the end."
"But seeing how you are dressed, you are not an Alchemist?"
"Yes, senior. This junior is only focused on the martial dao and hasn't attempted any other path."
"I see. I would advise that you practice alchemy even if it isn't as much as you would with your cultivation. Otherwise, you would be wasting your good talent."
"Thank you for your guidance." Arthur bowed slightly indicating he will keep the man's words in his heart.
'Well, I already had plans of practicing Alchemy long ago.'
The man nodded at Arthur, "Now, let the last person step forward."
Arthur returned to his group, with Aselia winking at him and Mark giving him a respectful nod.
'It seems my status went up a notch in their hearts eh?'
It wasn't just them, everyone here now had a strong impression of Arthur, especially the members of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Ava stepped forward at this time and placed her hand on the black orb expectantly.
*Shing!*
Unlike the previous reactions where the black orb lit up bit by bit. The instant she placed her palm on it, it lit up entirely in an instant shocking many.
And just when everyone thought that was the end the light illuminated the entire hall and they had to squint their eyes due to the brightness.
The man widened his eyes when he saw this and a fervent desire appeared in his gaze as he looked at Ava.
'Yes, this is more perfect than what I hoped for!'
And just when he was about to speak, the orb of light vibrated intensely and the white light suddenly turned green.
"What?!" The man blurted out in shock and stood up from his throne.
*Swoosh!*
In an instant, he moved with a great speed akin to teleportation and appeared beside the testing table where the orb of light was.
"Alchemic Essence! It is the legendary Alchemic Essence Energy!" He muttered in shock.
And then it happened.
*Crack!*
The orb cracked and subsequently shattered in that instant.
The light disappeared and the hall returned to normal.
"..."
Everyone was speechless.
'She broke the orb? Damn, she's good!' Arthur thought, feeling that it was already decided who would be inheriting the Alchemist's inheritance.
The man had regained his composure and reigned in the shock he felt, "What is your name, young lady?"
"Ava...Ava Noire," Ava bowed humbly.
"Good, very good. You have the greatest talent for Alchemy that I have ever seen in all my life."
"Ava Noire, would you take me as your Master?" The man asked with a bit of excitement in his tone.
"I would be glad to have you as my Master," Ava bowed in excitement as her goal today has been achieved.
'With this, my growth in Alchemy will be much faster and smoother!' She rejoiced in her heart.
"Good! Hahaha! It seems the heavens decided to reward me in my last days!"
"Well, the test has come to an end as I have already chosen my successor. The rest can leave while I have a private discussion with her," he spoke with an impatient tone that worried Arthur.
The man waved his hand and power carried everyone outside before they could properly react, except one.
"You stay! I have a reward for you!"
Arthur had a bad feeling about being told to stay behind and was secretly on guard as he felt that the moment of truth has arrived.
'Whether he is sincerely looking for a successor, or if he has ulterior motives, it will be revealed right about now.'
*Bang!*
The door behind them closed and only three people were left.
Arthur looked at Ava and saw her smiling face.
Ava was a very pretty girl with glossy black hair tied to a bun and a bang let loose at each side of her face.
She had smooth fair skin and beautiful emerald eyes. Her figure was not lacking either.
But Arthur shook his head at her relaxed expression, 'She has no idea.'
The man noticed that Arthur did not look as excited as he should when he said that he will reward him.
But he said nothing, while in his heart he thought, 'Does he suspect something? It doesn't matter, it is time anyway.'
"Now that we are alone, I think it is time for the grand finale," a strange glint flashes through the man's eye as he grinned.
"What do you mean, Master?" Ava asked, confused.
"Oh, nothing much. It is only that it is time for me to reveal myself."
"What?"
The man didn't respond to Ava's question as Arthur secretly riled up his essence energy even if he may not put up much of a fight.
But a soothing feeling from his soul calmed him down and his gaze became like still water without any ripples.
*Swoosh!*
As if finally responding to Ava's question, a person suddenly appeared on the throne in the room and all the lights in the hall changed their color to red.
"Hello, youngsters. How was my grand entrance?"
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------------End of Chapter------------
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Alternate ending...
The Alchemist?: "Hello, youngsters. How was my grand entrance?"
Arthur: "Meh..."
The Alchemist?: "What-?!"
Ava: "That was a grand entrance?"