Perhaps for an ordinary chef, a delicious plate of fried rice is simply that—fried rice. However, for a Culinary Master, the pursuit should transcend mere culinary norms.
Yet, crafting an extraordinary fried rice posed a challenge, one that even Zhao Shen found somewhat daunting.
Purchasing a magical jade plate cost Zhao Shen nearly a thousand gold coins, and its sole purpose was to record and play back.
One must admit, it was far superior to any streaming service, free from advertisements, links, or censorship.
...
Zhao Shen intended to revisit "Cooking Master" from his childhood in pursuit of that unique fried rice.
The first step was to scramble the eggs quickly, stirring them until they were half-cooked. Then, the rice must be added, ensuring that each grain was separated before gently folding it into the eggs. Once the rice and eggs were harmoniously blended, salt and pepper would be sprinkled to encapsulate all the flavors and aromas in an instant.
Zhao Shen shook his head; he had accomplished all of this, yet the question remained—how could he create a fried rice that stood apart?
Gazing intently at the Phoenix Eggs in his hand, a spark of inspiration ignited in his mind. Perhaps there was a feasible approach?
He took one of the Phoenix Eggs, opting not to crack it directly into the pan but instead placing it in a circular dish, continuously stirring with a spoon.
After utilizing a third Phoenix Egg, Zhao Shen finally succeeded in his endeavor. Two bowls of egg liquid appeared, one containing clear egg whites and the other, a vibrant golden-red yolk.
He first scrambled the egg whites until half-cooked, then tossed in the rice, rolling it twice before layering the yolk on top.
The sizzling sound resonated, and an even richer aroma of eggs wafted towards him, more pronounced than before.
...
Moments later, as Zhao Shen poured the contents from the pan onto a plate, a burst of golden light accompanied by a wave of tantalizing fragrance erupted, soaring to the heavens.
"Ding! Congratulations, Culinary Master, on completing the mission [Golden Fried Rice]. Reward: [Culinary Master Egg Beater]. Level +1."
**[Culinary Master Egg Beater]:** A hand-crafted device by the Culinary Master, constructed from unknown materials. Specifically designed for the imaginative Culinary Master, it separates egg whites and yolks automatically when placed within. (Quest items are non-tradable, non-destructible, and cannot be dropped.)
Zhao Shen was momentarily taken aback; he hadn't anticipated such a contraption. Nonetheless, it was a welcome convenience, sparing him the effort of laboriously stirring with a spoon each time.
After taking a bite, he devoured the dish with remarkable fervor, hardly able to believe the exquisite taste was his own creation. Even his typically discerning palate was enchanted, let alone that of others.
The tender yolks enveloped the rice, showcasing their vibrant color and sheen. Each grain of Dragon Spices was entirely coated in the egg liquid, tantalizing Zhao Shen's senses.
Immersed in the joy of his culinary prowess, Zhao Shen cherished this feeling, reflecting on how the past two decades had been merely a prelude; only a life filled with such gastronomy could be deemed truly fulfilling!
Contentedly patting his belly, Zhao Shen awkwardly recalled that this meal cost him 150 gold coins for three Phoenix Eggs and 88 for the Dragon Spices, totaling 233 gold coins.
"Ding! Congratulations on consuming the Culinary Master's Golden Fried Rice. For the next 24 hours, your attack power will increase by 5%."
Having expended such effort to create this dish, he resolved that it must yield at least 100 gold coins in profit. Thus, he decided to price the golden fried rice at 333 gold coins.
...
After several days of sales, Zhao Shen amassed a total of fifty thousand gold coins—a testament to the overwhelming popularity of his culinary creations. It was astounding to realize he had unwittingly earned a fortune equivalent to half a year's salary; it all felt surreal.
The following day, as Zhao Shen set up his stall once more, a new dish made its debut.
Without any promotion or announcement, like gold, it would shine on its own, especially when it was luminous golden fried rice.
**[Culinary Master Golden Fried Rice]:** An imaginative creation by the Culinary Master, renowned for its delightful flavor and aromatic essence. Reviews declare it delicious, with potential for unexpected surprises. Price: 333 gold coins per serving (Limited to one serving per person per day, binding upon purchase).
The description was rarely verbose.
Today, Zhao Shen awoke early, finding the stall somewhat desolate.
About five minutes passed before the first customer arrived—not a regular, but a new face.
The customer was a woman in her late twenties, clad in professional attire—a tailored black business suit, a chic leather handbag in hand, her hair neatly pulled back, and her face adorned with subtle makeup that accentuated her features, embodying the essence of an office lady.
However, her sharp gaze and bold crimson lips lent her an air of intimidation.
...
"Clack, clack, clack."
No doubt, the modern sound of high heels echoed, unlike the whoosh of flying swords.
After a brief appraisal of Zhao Shen, the woman, Ding Zhenghui, aged 28, was a manager at a large corporation—the so-called "nanny" of the legends, a healing-class profession. Rarely did she dine out, hence her unawareness of Zhao Shen's burgeoning reputation. Much like the previous profession-driven male customer, she too was rushing to defeat bosses, seeking a quick bite at the stall area, where Zhao Shen stood out due to the early hour and fewer vendors.
"Boss, what simple food do you have?" Ding Zhenghui inquired.
"Please take a look; these are the only two options." This wasn't Zhao Shen's preferred type; she seemed too mature, and he generally maintained a cool demeanor when facing unfamiliar women.
Xiaoshuang was also influenced by the buff.
She frowned as she opened the stall. Thankfully, it wasn't cluttered with an overwhelming assortment of items, unlike other stalls. However, the meager selection made her question her eyesight.
Rubbing her eyes and scrutinizing the prices, she was surprised to find them accurate. Raising her head to observe Zhao Shen, she silently thought, "I didn't expect this seemingly delightful little stall to be a scam; rice at 88 gold coins and fried rice at 333 gold coins—is this man out of his mind?"
"Boss, are these your only options? Are you certain you haven't mispriced them?" Ding Zhenghui voiced her dissatisfaction, her expression reflecting her displeasure. The fact that she refrained from outright insults showcased her civility.
"After a long wait, I finally arrived today. I've dreamt for so long of savoring your cuisine. Yesterday night, I even dreamt of your dishes! This morning, upon seeing you set up, I immediately spent 1,000 gold coins to teleport here; my mouth is watering! Quickly, bring me a steamer of ice dumplings," came Mu Yichun's booming voice, accompanied by the imposing presence of his massive sword.
...
"Is that a setup?" Ding Zhenghui was not the first to express doubt.
"Apologies, but I didn't prepare any dumplings today," Zhao Shen replied. After rising early to make dozens of servings of golden fried rice, he was exhausted and had neither the energy nor the will to prepare fillings. The experience of crafting the Ming Leng Ku Cang had left him greatly shaken.
"Hmm? There's a new item today—Golden Fried Rice! Zhao Shen, how did you recreate *Cooking Master*? Quickly, give me a serving to try!" Mu Yichun eagerly handed over gold coins to purchase a portion.