"Ah, rogue! Husband, look quickly!" A woman inadvertently discovered a completely naked man standing beside her and let out a sharp scream, her face flushing crimson.
Dayu's bare backside was exposed to the open air, and he felt an overwhelming sense of shame, yet the heat was unbearable, and his mouth was parched. Every movement he made was accompanied by beads of sweat cascading down his body.
"Damn it! How dare you harass a respectable woman in broad daylight? It seems you have a death wish."
...
The sight of Dayu's naked form amidst the bustling crowd at the altar prompted a scandalous uproar in the novice village, drawing countless spectators who paused to gawk and gossip, causing a temporary paralysis of traffic.
The incident of a man running naked became the talk of the town, a piece of news eagerly shared in every alley.
"Did you hear? The naked running incident! There are fools every year, but this year seems especially abundant. People today are so restless; they will do anything for fame."
"Indeed! What has happened to societal values? An adult man casting aside all dignity to streak through the streets! It's truly embarrassing for men."
"Who knows? Perhaps he watched too many risqué films and thought he could achieve fame like those actors."
...
Those living in affluence often seek amusement, not everyone approaches the simulated life with a mindset centered on combat and leveling up; some simply wish to savor a different world.
Naturally, they could not miss such a scandalous scene, which was subsequently featured in the *Daily News* as one of the top ten most impactful events of the day.
Moreover, the incident was recorded in high-definition by the magical jade plate.
The central figure of this event stood dazed in front of the stall area, limping as he approached, having spent a few coins. A wave of revitalization washed over him, his injuries healed as if by magic; after all, the essence of the simulated life was to allow individuals to enjoy an alternate reality rather than endure suffering. Once out of combat mode, copies of the divine doctor Hua Tuo were readily available along the roadside.
"Ding! Hidden mission [Uphold the Culinary Master's Prestige] completed. Reward: Special ingredient, Phoenix Egg. Level +1."
"Ding! As a Culinary Master, you successfully defeated a challenger to your prestige. Reward: 10 prestige points."
**[Phoenix Egg]:** A special ingredient provided exclusively to Culinary Masters, sourced from the legendary Phoenix Bird, renowned for its melodious song akin to silver bells. It is exquisite and elegant, producing the most delightful notes in the world. The bird lays eggs thrice each spring, with each nest yielding one to three eggs. It is provided at a special price of 50 gold coins per egg. Daily limit: 300 eggs. (Quest items are non-tradable, non-destructible, and cannot be dropped.)
This egg was something Zhao Shen had never even heard of; it did not exist in reality, but he recognized the classification of entry-level goods.
Level 1 denotes the beginning of Qi cultivation, level 11 signifies Qi condensation, and level 21 refers to entry-level magical creatures, which produce eggs suitable for culinary use.
...
"Ding! Culinary Master's professional task: Cook fried rice that glows."
Zhao Shen inhaled sharply; perhaps only such an egg could yield luminous fried rice.
"Apologies, everyone; today's sales will conclude," Zhao Shen announced to the surrounding crowd. While most lamented the missed opportunity to savor his delectable offerings, it would be inappropriate to compel the vendor to continue under such circumstances.
As the crowd dispersed, Zhao Shen meticulously examined his new dish. Fried rice was one of the fundamental dishes in Chinese cuisine, something nearly every cook could prepare. Of course, even those who couldn't cook could manage to stir-fry something, but the difference in quality could be astronomical. This simplest of dishes often reflected a chef's basic skill level.
Every cook's method diverged, resulting in numerous variations of fried rice, including the well-known Yangzhou fried rice, ham fried rice, Lao Gan Ma fried rice, shredded meat fried rice, and sunset fried rice, among others.
Yet, every type of fried rice shared a fundamental requirement: the rice must be perfectly cooked, possessing a delightful chewiness, and the eggs should be flavorful and appetizing, with the two complementing each other harmoniously.
As for the glowing fried rice, Zhao Shen had yet to encounter such a recipe at home, though he did recall one from the anime *Cooking Master Boy*: every three to five grains of rice were coated with egg liquid, transforming the dish into a dramatically exaggerated golden fried rice that shimmered with a yellow glow.
Observing and executing were two entirely different matters. Zhao Shen understood that this represented a challenge for him, as replicating a dish that did not exist in reality without a recipe would be immensely difficult.
...
The ingredients were ready, and as for the rice, he naturally opted for Dragon Spices.
What made it even more convenient was that he could take the cooked Dragon Spices, let them cool, and use them directly as the main ingredient, which was incredibly efficient.
Exhaling a breath of stale air, Zhao Shen stretched his right arm, which had been under considerable strain, then retrieved two Phoenix Eggs to begin cracking them. The two eggs collided, producing a crisp sound as the egg liquid fell into the bowl. The egg whites were crystal clear, and the yolks were not the ordinary yellow of chicken eggs but bore a hint of golden-red, enhancing their vibrancy and allure.
The rice was from Dragon Spices, and the eggs were of the highest quality; all his ingredients were exceptional. It was likely that he alone could create truly luminous fried rice.
Each of Zhao Shen's movements flowed with grace. Despite lacking taste in reality, he had been subject to more stringent standards imposed by his late father. Every movement was devoid of flamboyance, resembling the precise techniques of chefs in cooking competitions, embodying textbook-like poise.
His slight stubble and the upward curl of his lips further showcased his culinary flair.
"Ding! As a Culinary Master, you have successfully demonstrated your prestige, earning 1 prestige point."
After a few minutes of stirring in the Culinary Master's iron pot, a steaming plate of fried rice emerged, wafting fragrant aromas as Zhao Shen served it into a dish without wasting a single grain of rice. Thanks to the non-stick nature of the Culinary Master's pot.
Gazing at the plate that resembled a golden rice field, the fried rice radiated color, fragrance, and flavor.
...
If one were to compare the fried rice sold externally to the plate Zhao Shen had just prepared, it would surely fall woefully short, lacking any semblance of similarity.
The aroma of the Phoenix Eggs mingled with the intensified scent of Dragon Spices, the individual grains of rice separated and evenly coated in egg liquid, each grain gleaming like gold, loosely piled together, reminiscent of an endless golden rice field in the autumn countryside.
Zhao Shen picked up a spoon and began to taste it with remarkable composure.
"Not too shabby."
With the first bite, the flavor was indescribable, unfathomably delightful for a seemingly simple dish like fried rice. The tenderness and softness were reminiscent of noodles, while the rich egg aroma flooded his palate.
Yet, Zhao Shen felt something was lacking.
After all, it was merely a plate of fried rice.