"What kind of new product is this? Boss Zhao, you're quite irresponsible for not preparing more!" Furong Sister's old companion lamented. Ever since tasting Zhao Shen's rice, he found it difficult to eat anything else. With newfound vigor from slaying monsters daily, he was on the verge of leaving the novice village to embark on his journey to the grand city.
What delighted him even more was that his lackluster little brother had suddenly found his confidence, reigniting the romance between him and Furong Sister.
Before long, the crowd swelled, and even the ten or so servings of rice initially displayed at the stall were snatched up.
Listening to the bespectacled gentleman boast about his recent indulgence in the new Ice Crystal Snow Silk Bun only intensified his hunger, saliva pooling at the back of his tongue.
"Enough talk already! If you keep going on, I might just have to take it out of your mouth and eat it myself!" Dou Dou exploded.
...
"What is Boss Zhao doing? Why does it take so long to make a bun?" The thin man observed Zhao Shen, who remained still in a personal state of concentration.
"Who knows? It's been over ten minutes, and there's been no reaction at all; this is unusual," Mu Yichun remarked, recalling how Zhao Shen had been similarly withdrawn during their first meeting, completely shutting off his senses. This time, however, the duration seemed excessive.
In truth, Zhao Shen had entered the realm of the Culinary Master, a domain where he needn't worry about prying eyes; to outsiders, he appeared to be merely daydreaming.
He was poised for a formidable challenge against the Ming Leng Ku Cang before him—having experimented with its filling at various temperatures forty-nine times, even the most indestructible of monkeys should have been refined by this point.
At last, during his fiftieth attempt, a qualitative change occurred.
The Ming Leng Ku Cang radiated a chilling blue hue, an ethereal pale. Zhao Shen sprang into action, wielding his Culinary Master's knife to lift the creature into the air, narrowing his eyes as he unleashed a speed that transcended human limitations, executing four swift cuts in mid-air. A slender strip of the most exquisite silk meat fell into the iron pot, which crystallized with frost, emitting a crisp sound, as if the very moisture from the air condensed into frost.
Though Zhao Shen had grown lean, his lifelong practice of swordsmanship allowed him to achieve three strikes in reality; however, through the game's enhancements, he managed four.
Shaking his head, he thought it insufficient. Traditionally, a Culinary Master could strike thirty-six times in the air; he had much ground to cover before reaching that level of mastery.
...
*Task Prompt*: "Culinary Master's knife technique is lacking; the Ming Leng Ku Cang has undergone a mutation, its specific effects unknown. Only the strongest technique can elevate one to the status of Culinary Master!"
"Goodness, my knife skills are already at the level of a top-tier chef!" Zhao Shen scoffed at the system.
*Task Prompt*: "Culinary Master's knife technique is lacking; the Ming Leng Ku Cang has undergone a mutation, its specific effects unknown. Only the strongest technique can elevate one to the status of Culinary Master!"
Having ceased to argue with the system, Zhao Shen continued to cut a hundred Ming Leng Ku Cang. His right arm grew weak, barely able to lift, as the cold of the creature threatened to freeze the knife if he lingered too long.
Fortunately, the marvelous steamer imposed no temperature restrictions. Upon retrieving the buns made from the Ming Leng Ku Cang, he found them still cool to the touch, yet remarkably soft in texture—truly astonishing.
"Ding! Congratulations, Culinary Master, for completing the ultimate challenge; reward: level increased by 1."
**[Ming Leng Ku Cang Bun]**: A Culinary Master's ultimate challenge creation, though the process encountered unforeseen complications, resulting in an irreversible mutation that may yield unexpected surprises.
...
By the time Zhao Shen emerged from the Culinary Master domain, over twenty minutes had elapsed. He had painstakingly prepared 150 Ice Crystal Snow Silk Buns.
"I say, Boss Zhao, I heard you had a new product, and I rushed over only to find it all sold out! I've already been waiting for half an hour," an elderly man grumbled.
"Oh dear, spare me the lamentations; I've waited so long, my flowers have wilted, and my saliva could nourish the earth!" Dou Dou chimed in, wiping his mouth.
A cacophony of voices erupted around him, and rather than dissipating in Zhao Shen's absence, the crowd grew denser, now numbering thirty or forty, tightly surrounding the stall.
"You have no idea! That new bun is truly a classic; it's undoubtedly the best I've ever…" The bespectacled gentleman began to boast again.
Zhao Shen remained silent, promptly placing all 150 Ice Crystal Snow Silk Buns on display while sending a message to Xiaoshuang, as previously agreed.
...
Upon receiving Zhao Shen's message, Xiaoshuang set off in her large jeep, wearing her dark-themed outfit. She adored this particular style, having prepared ten identical ensembles.
Just as she was about to enter the marketplace, however, she found herself blocked at the entrance.
"Not this annoying pest again," Xiaoshuang thought to herself.
Dayu had indeed taken position at the market's entrance.
"Fancy meeting you here, Xiaoshuang. I sincerely apologize for my previous behavior; today, I'd like to treat you as a means of making amends," Dayu enthused, fully aware of Xiaoshuang's fervor for food. He had waited at the market for the entire morning, and his patience had finally paid off.
"Well, isn't this a coincidence?"
Before Xiaoshuang could even respond, Dayu opened the car door and climbed in.
Suppressing her urge to push Dayu out, Xiaoshuang simply wanted to indulge in Zhao Shen's new offerings. The Dragon's Saliva Rice had been unforgettable, making it impossible for her to enjoy ordinary rice afterward. What delight awaited her with the new product? She had no time to waste entangled with Dayu.
However, due to Dayu's intrusion, a few minutes were lost, and during that brief interval, Zhao Shen began to feel restless.
...
"Don't shove! There are only 150 of these! For a bun priced at 58 gold coins, you're still buying?" The elderly man expressed his frustration, nearly toppled over by the throng behind him. He couldn't comprehend why so many were scrambling for such expensive buns.
Clearly, he had forgotten he was one of those caught up in the rush.
People often possess an innate curiosity for new flavors. The Dragon's Saliva Rice was already extraordinary; the newly launched buns were sure to be just as exceptional. How could they possibly miss out on such a sight?
After the first round of purchases, 116 buns remained. Aside from Mu Yichun and others who had reached their purchase limits, the rest of the crowd was merely eager to sample.
"Xiaoshuang, you must hurry! With this momentum, they're going quickly!" Zhao Shen began to worry, wishing he had notified her sooner.
"Delicious! This bun is simply divine, the broth, the flavor!"
"I wouldn't trade it for ten Haagen-Dazs; this bun transcends the very definition of a bun—it is a sacred delight!"
"Oh heavens, it's utterly delightful, a sensation from beginning to end! If only there were more; I must reach my purchase limit!"
After the initial tasting, the crowd found themselves unable to stop, and the second round of purchases commenced. Within minutes, only 26 buns remained at the stall, as most had reached their limits.
...
"Hurry up and grab some! There are only 26 left; they'll be gone soon!" Furong Sister abandoned her stall and pulled her old companion into the frenzy.
Her call incited a flurry of activity as everyone rushed to purchase, fearing they might miss out on that exquisite flavor.
Life is fleeting; one must indulge in pleasure while they can—gold coins suddenly seemed trivial.
The old man called his partner to join him in experiencing the game. However, when she finally arrived, they discovered that the last five buns listed had mysteriously vanished.
And with that, Zhao Shen exited his stall state.