Legendary Soul Art

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Headmaster Blake's guests turned silent at Number One's announcement and they all gazed between him and the host to see if they were actually playing with them. The Hunting Guild members were the only ones who focused on the mask as if they found it familiar.

"How do you expect us to believe all of this?" the old man from White Lotus questioned with a glare at Number One and smacked the table to show his disapproval. "Headmaster Blake, tell us now if you are just pranking us. There is no way a youngster like him can compare in skill to the Legendary Alchemist. You could have thought of something more believable."

"What can I say?" Headmaster Blake asked back with a shrug. "I was also surprised at first but Number One proved to me his skills countless times. He has already produced hundreds of supreme tier pills so I have no reason to doubt him. Even if he was really lying, which is highly unlikely, I would just pretend to believe him just to receive a constant supply of supreme-tier pills. Name anyone else who can produce so many of them."

Number One only smiled at Headmaster Blake's assistance and withdraw tens of vials filled to the brim with pills. It was his entire stock of pills and they all shone with their own glow. He only let the guest stare for a few seconds and collected them back into his ring before anyone was consumed with greed.

"I have never made a pill that's lower in quality," Number One commented confidently while sitting back in his chair. "Even if I was lying like Headmaster Blake mentioned, only the Legendary Alchemist could be able to provide me with so many supreme tier pills. Does that really make any sense? Why would he sit behind on the sidelines and constantly make me new pills to grow my fame? If anyone has ever met that man, they would know how ridiculous that sounds."

Number One gazed towards the three Inner World Soul Artists and they all turned serious. "He is right. The Legendary Alchemist would never be this selfless, but at the same time, no one has seen him for the past ten years. Who knows what changed in that time."

Everyone was clearly suspicious but Number One couldn't care less. There would always be demand for high-ranked pills no matter where he was. Even if he sacrificed all his time to make pills, he would still be unable to satisfy millions of Soul Artists who use pills on daily basis.

"Look, no matter what I say, you will always be suspicious of me just because I'm young. I can go to the side room right now, prepare whatever pills you name and you can still say I already had them made beforehand," Number One pointed out while scanning the table for delicious food and began filling his girl's plates. "You just won't accept the fact that a young man like me could be better than anyone else who spent years studying."

Number One made sure Nami and Luna had food before finally filling up his plate as if he was at a family dinner. "Even if you leave this dinner after learning that Legendary Alchemist is never going to show up, that's all fine by us. There is only so much time in a day and I can't work with everyone. Anyone who doesn't believe me would actually do us a favor if they left right away."

"That's honestly hilarious," the old man commented sarcastically. "You didn't even try to prove that you are a skilled Alchemist and you already give us an ultimatum. We came here for Saint and Legendary Pills that only the Legendary Alchemist could make. Are you trying to say we should just trust you with priceless Soul Herbs and hope you won't ruin them?"

Number One bit into a juicy leg without caring about dining etiquette and began recounting all Soul Herbs he needed. The guests were confused initially but halfway through the list, they caught on and withdrew their own list that Number One asked Baldy to spread.

"...Black Heart Flower, Blood of the Ancient Hydra, Liver of the Two-headed Wyvern and lastly the Ice Mint." Number One finished the list as he wiped his fingers. "Since you are the first potential clients I have, I will give you this special opportunity that even the Legendary Alchemist wouldn't give you. If you can bring me any ingredient from this list, I will make any pill you want free of charge."

The old man was starting to get annoyed at how Number One was ignoring his question but the Hunting Guild members were the opposite. They grew curious while displaying the exact list and asked, "Were you the one who spread this list? We found someone spreading the news that its a leaked list of Soul Herbs that Legendary Alchemist is looking for."

Number One praised Baldy in his mind and nodded, "That's right. I need them for my own projects and using my old master's reputation worked just as intended. You can be mad at me for lying but at the end of the day, I can provide just as good service as him if not better. I will at least not be picky with what pills I make as long as I get the Soul Herbs I need."

"Headmaster Blake, do you really allow this to happen?" the old man complained again. "Once the news of your lie spreads to the public, the Winged Soul Academy's reputation will be over. You are bound to make a lot of enemies if—"

"You can leave then," the Silver Spring lady cut the old man off. "No one is forcing you to stay and do business with him so stop complaining. He already said you can leave if you don't believe him. Why are you wasting time if you are too scared to take necessary risks?"

"Ha! Scared? I was already doing business when you were still in your mother's womb," the old man called out scornfully. "I can tell when someone is being suspicious and this kid is definitely hiding something. He showed no proof other than premade pills which could be easily secured by the Academy. I won't believe all of this is true unless I see his skills with my own eyes. You are delusional if you trust him blindly."

Headmaster Blake frowned at his words and quickly stood up, "Are you claiming that I fabricated everything just to scam you? What the hell would I get from it? A bunch of priceless Soul Herbs that I have no use for? Why would I risk offending so many experts if I wasn't sure of Number One's skills?"

The old man paused as he realized he might have pushed the limits a bit too far but he didn't back down. He gazed at Number One and ordered, "Show us your Alchemy Flame then. Everyone here knows one needs extremely stable Soul Energy to produce high quality pills. If you claim to be better than Legendary Alchemist, you must be at least Black or Gold Soul Talent."

Number One already knew this was a possibility but he wasn't a bit worried. It was better to eliminate weed who would only complain during the whole process and only bring him trouble.

Number One smiled while extending his palm and a bright white flame burst out for everyone to see. Even though it danced calmly and controlled on his palm, every guest was flabbergasted.

"Hahaha, I fucking knew it!" The old man burst out laughing immediately and stood up as if he was done. "I rest my case. Good luck wasting your Soul Herbs if you really decide to work with a White Talent Alchemist. He even called himself Number One, ahahah!"

The old man headed towards the exit but then he paused at the doorstep when he realized no one else was leaving. "You all can't be serious. Are you really going to stay and listen to this kid's lies?"

"Your actions clearly shows that you are just a puppet who knows nothing about Alchemy. It's surprising how you managed to create such empire without basic knowledge," the Silver Spring lady commented while gesturing the old man to leave. "Don't waste more of our time and go. We have some serious business to do in here."

The owner of White Lotus Auction Houses was momentarily lost his smile as he wanted to argue more but Headmaster Blake stepped in by clapping his hands. Multiple Disciplinary Guards in black uniforms came out from the adjusting rooms and they walked to the old man's side.

"I actually expected you to be more open minded but I was trully wrong," Headmaster Blake announced coldly. "The guards will escort you out of the Academy since you are no longer welcome. You don't respect me enough to trust me so I decided we will stop doing business with your Auction Houses. I won't be accompanying you out."

"What…? You can't be serious," the old man commented as he was pushed back by the guards. "You don't have such authority! We have many contracts in place that you cannot break!"

"Oh, really? I just did it," Headmaster Blake replied casually and waved the old man goodbye. "You really thought I will work with someone who calls me a scammer? Get out of my Academy."

"You are going to regret this! Don't come begging when you change your mind! We are done! Over! My White Lotus will never work with the Winged Soul Acad—"

The old man's voice was getting distant as the guards were dragging him away from the dining room and they soon stopped hearing him. Number One only canceled his flame in response and asked, "Anyone else?"