Though some claimed the shop was a scam, Mu Yichun and his companions could hardly contain their excitement, each swiftly purchasing a bun until they were all sold out.
The Ice Crystal Snow Silk Buns were visually captivating, shimmering like crystals and exquisitely crafted. Each delicate seal was clearly visible, transforming what was merely food into a finely sculpted work of art!
Held in hand, they were pleasantly warm, eliminating the need to wait for cooling before indulging, much to the delight of the eager diners.
The dandy, Dou Dou, paid no heed to the artistry; after all, if the proprietor could transform even plain rice into the exquisite Dragon's Saliva Rice, surely a filled bun would not disappoint?
Without further ado, he popped the entire bun, already small in size, into his mouth.
...
As the sun climbed high in the sky during the sweltering summer day, even within the game, the simulation flawlessly recreated the oppressive heat of the season—if only there were electric fans.
At that moment, Dou Dou felt a refreshing breeze sweep over him, instantly reviving his drowsy state after a long wait.
The savory filling, perfect coloration, and rich juices flooded his mouth, far removed from the nauseating greasiness typical of ordinary buns; instead, the meat was delightfully chewy.
"Boss, do you have vinegar?" inquired the bespectacled gentleman, holding his bun without taking a bite.
"No," Zhao Shen replied curtly, believing such a premium bun should be savored in its purest form, untainted by condiments.
"How frustrating! Can't you change your attitude? Eating a bun without seasoning is hardly appealing," he retorted, revealing a penchant for adding flavor to his food.
"It's not allowed," Zhao Shen insisted.
He refrained from further banter with Zhao Shen, for Dou Dou was already voraciously devouring his Ice Crystal Snow Silk Bun, casting a predatory glance at the gentleman's bun, as if ready to pounce at any moment.
...
In contrast to Dou Dou's hasty consumption, the bespectacled man approached his bun with a distinct method, carefully opening a small portion of the delicate flower-like top before inhaling its aroma deeply.
He was not disappointed; a refreshing meaty fragrance wafted into his nostrils, causing goosebumps to rise across his skin.
It exuded the invigorating essence of a snowy wilderness—neither the greasy sensation of pork nor the harsh taste of beef, but rather a subtle hint of nature's bounty.
"Goodness! What kind of meat filling is this, boss? I've tasted exquisite crane meat buns, yet none possess this transcendental quality!"
With utmost care, he placed this treasure into his mouth, taking a small bite and savoring it slowly. Such a tasting technique was typically reserved for the delicate French soufflé, yet here it was applied to a humble bun.
Since soufflés must be tasted within mere minutes of baking, their beauty dissipates swiftly with the release of heat, along with their unique lightness.
Zhao Shen merely shook his head; his Ice Crystal Snow Silk Buns naturally lacked such a flaw.
...
Yet regardless of tasting methods, the expressions on the faces of the diners conveyed a singular sentiment.
"Delightful!"
"This is the most exhilarating bun I've ever tasted! Is this truly a bun? It surpasses even the most extravagant pastries of medieval Europe!"
"Not even the softest sponge cake compares to this bun. Is this truly just a flour-based food?"
The trio expressed their heartfelt exclamations, showering compliments without reservation.
"I've tasted the most authentic Goubuli buns from Tianjin, a venerable establishment renowned as the finest in China. But compared to Zhao Shen's craftsmanship, they fall short," even the discerning gourmet, the thin man, admitted.
"Thank you," Zhao Shen replied with stoic calm. While those delicacies they mentioned were indeed famous, could they compete with the Glacial Valley Flour and Ice Crystal Snow Silk Meat, not to mention his culinary prowess?
"Could I perhaps buy a few extra today? I wish to save them for leisurely enjoyment. Look how thin I've become; I need to nourish myself," the thin man implored, adopting a pitiful demeanor.
"No," Zhao Shen said, raising an eyebrow.
"After waiting since morning, it's practically lunchtime! I haven't even had a soy milk; tofu pudding would suffice," the dandy lamented, regretting not savoring the bun thoroughly earlier, adding his voice to the plea.
"Furong Sister next door sells tofu," Zhao Shen remained unmoved.
...
Casting a glance at Furong Sister, who was smiling alluringly at him, the dandy faltered. While they praised Zhao Shen's sincerity and heartfelt craftsmanship, the restriction on purchases plagued them, and their complaints stemmed solely from not having eaten enough.
"Could it be possible to…?"
"No, I said you should either eat or leave; the remaining buns will soon be gone."
Before the bespectacled gentleman could finish his sentence, Zhao Shen interrupted, leaving everyone speechless.
Ignoring the crowd, Zhao Shen focused intently on making buns. He browsed the ingredients list for ice silk, ready to purchase directly without needing to visit the market, as money was indeed valuable.
He made a purchase of 3,000 gold coins worth of Ice Crystal Snow Silk, sufficient to craft 150 buns with 30 batches, each batch consisting of a steamer's worth.
**[Ming Leng Ku Cang]**: An elite monster from the frigid snow-capped mountains, its body radiating cold within ten zhang—handle with care! Unknown uses. 10 gold coins per unit.
Suddenly, the last page revealed another type of silk, and Zhao Shen was taken aback, astonished to discover that this legendary ice silk truly existed, priced at ten times the previous amount!
He wondered which formidable being could possibly have the capability to slay such a creature.
...
"Ding! Random task triggered: Use Ming Leng Ku Cang to create steamed buns and challenge the culinary world's impossibilities."
Zhao Shen was momentarily stunned. Was this some kind of joke? Ming Leng Ku Cang was an entity of extreme coldness, far surpassing the chill of ice silk—could such a thing even be edible?
*Task Prompt*: "A Culinary Master creates possibilities from the impossible; observe keenly, learn diligently, and inquire sparingly."
"Well played," he mused.
Accepting the task's requirements, Zhao Shen promptly purchased a batch of Ming Leng Ku Cang.
While he was selecting ingredients, chaos erupted outside. The newly released buns had been snatched up before anyone could take a proper look.
"What's happening? Sold out already? Hurry up and make more!" A middle-aged man grumbled, patting his stomach in frustration as he witnessed the exquisite buns vanish at the hands of Mu Yichun and his friends.
"They're gone! Don't wait around!" Dou Dou shouted, eager to purchase his limit in one go.
"Who are you fooling? If they're sold out, why are you still here? The youth today are so irresponsible—there are too few buns for the crowd waiting here!" An elderly man chimed in, squeezed into the throng. Zhao Shen's culinary offerings appealed to both the young and old. Upon hearing of new products, he hurried over, only to find them already snatched away.
Some had already hastily purchased servings of rice, unable to resist the allure of the equally delicious Dragon's Saliva Rice as their mouths watered in anticipation of the new buns.