Within Dayu's heart, joy blossomed; this was precisely the outcome he desired, a chance to tarnish Zhao Shen's reputation.
"This bun is crafted from the Ming Leng Ku Cang, harvested from the icy peaks of the most frigid mountains, thus it has been aptly named the Ice Crystal Snow Silk Bun. The ice silk only thrives in the harshest of winters, absorbing the essence of celestial snow. The silkworms live and die within a season, returning to nature, which ensures they are devoid of impurities and possess an unparalleled clarity."
"The filling of this bun is derived from the most exquisite part of the Ming Leng Ku Cang, measuring merely a finger in length, with only an inch selected. From one hundred silkworms, only five buns can be crafted. The mixture is seasoned with red dates and eggs; the eggs soften the innate bitterness of the silk meat, while the dates diminish the frostbite flavor, creating a taste that is profoundly memorable, even capable of inducing mild hallucinations."
"The dough is made from grains that flourish in the warm heart of these frigid realms, nourished by the eternal snowmelt of ancient glaciers, cultivated in the untouched layers of permafrost, resulting in a dough of exceptional quality. This not only locks in the meat's aroma but also ensures the gluten's perfect elasticity, rolled out with precision to achieve a delicate thinness without compromise."
Zhao Shen spoke slowly, his expression solemn as he added, "These elements represent the very essence of a chef's craft; I implore you not to question their integrity."
...
It was rare for Zhao Shen to articulate so much in one breath. The crowd, upon hearing his explanations, began to comprehend that they had consumed the very essence of premium ingredients, many of which they had never even heard of. No wonder the price was so steep! It would be entirely reasonable if it were even higher.
"Then why should something I've purchased be declared inedible? Do you think I care about a few gold coins?" Dayu said, brandishing the bun as if to shove it into his mouth.
"Don't eat it! I'm doing this for your own good. The ice silk used in this bun has undergone a mutation," Zhao Shen cautioned. The properties of the Ming Leng Ku Cang were extraordinarily cold; what if it induced some malign consequence? Despite his disdain for Dayu, Zhao Shen remained a fundamentally kind-hearted individual.
"Enough with your nonsense and theatrics! If you say I can't eat it, then I absolutely will!" Dayu taunted, intent on making Zhao Shen uncomfortable by defiantly proceeding to take a bite.
"Please, you truly shouldn't! Don't make this difficult for yourself!" Zhao Shen pleaded, reaching for Dayu's arm to reclaim the Ming Leng Ku Cang Bun.
"Who do you think you are to instruct me? I'll eat this in front of you, so stand back!" Dayu yelled, revealing a sinister grin.
In reality, Dayu's oppressive demeanor had long since worn down Zhao Shen's patience. With a swift kick, Zhao Shen was sent sprawling like a ragdoll; after all, the disparity between a level three and a level ten character was monumental. Dayu had already reached level ten and would have left the novice village long ago had he not been waiting for Xiaoshuang.
Moreover, he felt emboldened, knowing his dark guards would not intervene.
...
To everyone's astonishment, Dayu brazenly unleashed his aggression within the safety zone, catching Mu Yichun and the others off guard. By the time they rushed to intervene, it was too late.
As Zhao Shen lay on the ground, Dayu reveled in his triumph. It was about time; this insufferable pest deserved to be bested! His conviction solidified that this bun must hold immense significance, else Zhao Shen would not be so agitated.
"Ding! The Culinary Master's prestige is under challenge. As a Culinary Master, your pride surpasses your very life; the Culinary Master Prestige System has been activated."
"Ding! The Culinary Master Prestige System is now operational. It detects that the host has previously demonstrated prestige twice, granting an additional 2 prestige points."
"Ding! The Culinary Master's level is insufficient; 2 prestige points have been automatically allocated to Culinary Master talent skills."
Culinary Master Prestige: Who can rival you in this simulated life? Who reigns supreme over the vast continent? When your prestige is challenged, when your dignity is insulted, as a Culinary Master, rise and take up your frying pan to fight! (Methods of gaining prestige: Demonstrating Culinary Master prestige grants 1 point, maintaining Culinary Master prestige grants 5 points, defeating those who infringe upon your prestige grants 10 points; additional methods are being compiled...)
Culinary Master Basic Skill [Culinary Master Knife Technique]: The host's inherent talent skill, a legendary knife technique passed down through nine generations, capable of executing thirty-six strikes in a single second, carving through space and time with a dazzling display. This is the supreme knife technique in the culinary world! Current level 4/36.
Culinary Master Basic Skill [Culinary Master State]: The host's inherent talent skill, honed through decades of perseverance, having mastered culinary arts that transcend the heavens, yet fate is often fickle, and taste can come and go! After activation, the Culinary Master's taste senses become astonishing, increasing the properties of consumed items by threefold for five minutes. Cooldown time: 60 minutes. This is the state of the Culinary Master in full power. Current level 3/10.
...
Before he could even check his task rewards, Dayu had already crammed the glowing blue Ming Leng Ku Cang Bun into his mouth. Zhao Shen, unable to watch, shut his eyes and whispered, "May a good man find peace in life."
As he bit down, time itself seemed to pause for Dayu. The bun melted in his mouth, and before he could savor it, an icy torrent erupted from within him. In that moment, his expression froze, his eyelids drooping into a half-closed state.
The bitten Ming Leng Ku Cang Bun fell from Dayu's hand with a soft thud, shattering upon impact like a delicate crystal ornament, dissolving into the ground with an almost miraculous quality, akin to a ginseng fruit.
In an instant, a chill swept through the air, tempering the sweltering heat of the summer day as if the sun itself had dimmed.
The spot where the exquisite blue bun had vanished was now covered in frost.
June, and snow began to fall.
...
Zhao Shen felt utterly bewildered; he truly felt innocent in this predicament. He had warned him countless times not to eat it—why had he insisted on doing so?
Was self-sabotage a concept he had invented?
"Cough, cough, Boss Zhao, what's happened to him?" Xiaoshuang asked shyly as she rushed over to help the dazed Zhao Shen, feeling a pang of sympathy since he was, after all, a good friend of her cousin.
"I truly have no idea," Zhao Shen admitted, and he genuinely did not know.
"Perhaps you should just let him be," Xiaoshuang suggested, though Dayu was clearly at fault, she did not wish to escalate matters further.
"I wish I could, but I simply can't," Zhao Shen replied, his words coming from the heart.
"Though it's quite refreshing," Xiaoshuang said, inching a bit closer to Dayu. Under ordinary circumstances, he would have been ecstatic, but now he found no joy in it.
"Do you genuinely want me to let him go?" Zhao Shen thought to himself, noting the sly glint in Xiaoshuang's eyes.
...
Before the once-bustling stall, an utterly extraordinary scene unfolded: a humanoid ice sculpture stood frozen in an extremely grotesque pose, grinning widely with a look of utter self-satisfaction. It was so absurd that one might think it a wax figure.
Yet, this bizarre sculpture was Dayu, and those nearby vaguely recalled the moments just minutes earlier—Zhao Shen's earnest warnings and Dayu's arrogant defiance.