Chapter 45: A Taste of Hawke's Feelings
No matter where you go, the magic of food streets seems to be ever-present. Whether it's Shrek Academy, Dio Academy, or anywhere else, there always seems to be a vibrant food street.
The food street at Dio Academy is no exception in terms of bustling activity. Located in Tiandou City, Dio Academy is the largest and most renowned Soul Master academy in the city, attracting numerous civilians hoping to make a living there.
From the moment Du Qianjue stepped out of the school gate, he attracted a lot of attention, including that of many of his classmates. When he set up his barbecue stall, he became even more of a focal point.
"Junior, are you planning to sell barbecue?" A pretty senior student boldly approached and asked.
"Yes, isn't it obvious?" Du Qianjue nodded, taking out a bunch of bamboo skewers from his storage soul guide. "Would you like to try some?"
Facing Du Qianjue's charming smile, the senior student felt a bit dizzy.
"There's no alcohol at this barbecue stall, but I'm already drunk on his smile..."
"Sure, I'll have two skewers," she said, somewhat dazed.
"Meat from hundred-year soul beasts is five gold soul coins per skewer, thousand-year soul beast meat is twenty gold soul coins per skewer, three-thousand-year soul beast meat is fifty gold soul coins per skewer, and ten-thousand-year soul beast meat is one hundred gold soul coins per skewer."
Du Qianjue pulled out a sign with these prices and placed it in front of his stall.
"Please place your order!"
The senior student looked at the prices and felt even dizzier. "Wow, high-end ingredients for a street stall! How rich is this guy? Who can afford this?!"
"I'll take five skewers of the thousand-year meat, thank you." She reluctantly took out one hundred gold soul coins from her storage soul guide and handed them to Du Qianjue.
One hundred gold soul coins for five skewers of barbecue! That's like spending ten thousand bucks on five skewers back on Earth.
Luckily, this senior was a native of the Douluo Continent. Otherwise, she might have asked, "Are these bamboo skewers made of gold or is the soul beast meat made of gold?"
Du Qianjue took the gold soul coins and immediately retrieved a large chunk of thousand-year soul beast meat from his storage soul guide, kept fresh with extreme ice.
The meat weighed about two pounds, and he wasn't making much profit, but he didn't care about making money, just not losing any.
Seeing the portion size, the senior student realized she wasn't being ripped off. The price of soul beast meat was pretty transparent; a two-pound chunk of thousand-year soul beast meat was indeed around one hundred gold soul coins.
Feeling reassured, she looked at Du Qianjue with even more admiration in her eyes, almost brimming with tears.
To ensure the freshness of the ingredients, Du Qianjue defrosted the meat, then with a flick of his hand, wind blades formed from wind element cut the meat into uniform strips.
The strips, with fine muscle tissue interspersed with tiny bits of fat, glistened with droplets of water as if freshly cut from the soul beast.
With his left hand supporting the strips with gentle soul power, he swiftly skewered them with bamboo sticks in his right hand. By the time he placed the skewers on the grill, all the meat strips were evenly threaded.
He retracted his soul power from his left hand, ignited the fire with fire attribute soul power, and controlled the temperature strictly within the grill.
Du Qianjue's eyes focused intently on the skewers, flipping them periodically to ensure even cooking. His left hand busied itself sprinkling and brushing on various seasonings.
As the rich aroma wafted through the air, everyone around suddenly found their own food unappetizing.
The senior student who had been watching Du Qianjue's fluid movements was spellbound.
"Why does this look so pleasing to the eye? Aren't boys generally not good at cooking? Why is this junior's cooking so good, and he's so handsome..."
The barbecue was almost ready. Du Qianjue added a final sprinkle of cumin before handing the steaming skewers to the senior student.
"Enjoy."
"Th-thank you!" she blushed, taking the skewers and inhaling deeply, her face showing sheer bliss.
Unable to resist any longer, she took a big bite, letting the flavors explode on her taste buds.
Tender, juicy, spicy...
She never thought food could taste so good.
Du Qianjue watched, arms crossed, a cold smile on his lips.
"Hah, people of Douluo, experience the wonders of culinary science and skills!"
"Heh heh heh..."
"Junior, I'll have some too!"
"Me too! I want ten skewers of the three-thousand-year meat!"
"I'm broke, but I still want to try. Five skewers of the hundred-year meat!"
"I want some too..."
Du Qianjue's stall was swamped. Even those who were already eating tossed their food aside and rushed over to place orders.
Other vendors on the street were left desolate, staring at their empty stalls with tears in their eyes.
Du Qianjue welcomed all customers. Any troublemakers trying to cut in line were quickly subdued by the sight of his six soul rings, making them line up obediently.
When someone recognized him as the newly enrolled genius Soul Emperor, his business flourished even more.
It wasn't until late into the night that Du Qianjue ran out of meat in his storage soul guide. Reluctantly, the crowd dispersed, with even the ten-thousand-year soul beast meat sold out.
Looking at the pile of gold soul coins, Du Qianjue raised an eyebrow.
All this soul beast meat was supplied by his sect, costing him nothing, so it was nearly all pure profit.
And his earnings for the night...
Nearly thirty thousand!
How much did Hawke's grilled fish cost per skewer? Five copper coins? Earning a few gold coins in one night?
Du Qianjue pondered.
Market prices are just market prices. For high-level soul masters, soul beast meat was merely a trip to the Star Dou Forest away. Making money was way too easy for the strong.
But Du Qianjue wasn't just in it for the money or the experience.
He had plenty of money, and selling a few skewers was enough for fun.
The main thing was that he found controlling the various elements so precisely seemed to enhance his mastery over them.
Du Qianjue extended his hand, and five elements—wind, ice, thunder, earth, and fire—coiled around his fingers as if they were his own.
This was a new feeling, one he had never experienced before.
Was this due to my talent, or just a coincidence?
Without a clear answer, Du Qianjue decided to embrace it. As long as it made him stronger, he'd continue. Maybe he'd come back when he got bored.
But not every day. Barbecuing could be tiring.
(End of Chapter)
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