In truth, Zhao Shen was not particularly sensitive to spice, yet the dish before him, while undeniably fiery, presented its heat as a fleeting embellishment, leaving behind only the delightful aroma of the noodles—a blessing for those who cannot tolerate spiciness.
Green peppers, red morsels of meat. Even before seeing them, the fragrant scent enveloped him. The distinctive patterns of the crimson lotus were clearly visible, tantalizing his taste buds.
Initially, Zhao Shen harbored concerns about any negative debuffs, but upon tasting the dish, he found himself utterly overwhelmed by the delightful wave of flavor that washed over him, completely disregarding any such notions. His sole focus was to savor the exceptional noodles before him, and throughout the indulgence, he couldn't help but smirk, shaking his head in blissful disbelief as he exclaimed, "This is absolutely delicious!"
He transformed into his own fervent culinary enthusiast, and by the end, he raised the plate to his lips, scraping the remnants into his mouth.
The braised meat within the noodles was remarkably tender, the natural roasted flavor of the crimson lotus pork harmonizing beautifully with the rich essence of the sauce. The aroma intoxicated his palate, leaving a sweet aftertaste that was anything but cloying, while the texture was delightfully chewy.
He savored the substantial presence of the meat without encountering any tough sinew; it was undoubtedly the product of superior quality, perfectly complementing the exquisite braising. The meticulously prepared peppers did not overshadow the meat's inherent flavors; rather, their crispness and spiciness caused his mouth to water profusely.
...
Moreover, the meticulously rolled noodles, crafted using the techniques of royal chefs, were perfected by stringent temperature control during boiling. The noodles had a delightful springiness, flowing smoothly like a gentle stream through his heart, devoid of the toughness associated with gluten, yet remarkably crisp and richly aromatic.
The unique flavor of the fiery peppers danced upon his tongue, while the succulent juices of the crimson lotus pork flowed between his lips and teeth, growing more addictive with each bite!
The passionate intertwining of these two flavors left him insatiable and yearning for more!
"Ding! Congratulations, player, you have consumed the Culinary God's Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles! You have embraced your identity as a culinary enthusiast, surrendering to the Culinary God's feet. In honor of your devotion, the Culinary God bestows upon you supreme power; your next attack will undoubtedly trigger a critical strike!"
Even after finishing the last bite, Zhao Shen longed to lift the plate and lick it clean, closing his eyes and daydreaming for a while. He picked up his knife once more, and with fluidity, he prepared the ingredients again, so delicious was the dish that he couldn't resist the urge to prepare ten more servings to savor until dawn!
A few minutes later, as he readied another plate of Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles, the Culinary God's system went haywire once more.
...
Culinary God Manual: "Ding! The Culinary God's Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles are a specially crafted dish. Due to their overwhelming nature, consumption is limited to one serving per day; otherwise, you may find yourself questioning life!"
"What the hell? Why didn't you mention this sooner?" Once again, the Culinary God Manual was being troublesome, and now even he was ensnared.
Culinary God Manual: "Ding! The Culinary God's Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles are a specially crafted dish. Due to their overwhelming nature, consumption is limited to one serving per day; otherwise, you may find yourself questioning life!"
"I can't even eat my own creation? I am the Culinary God! Why should my own dishes be limited? I demand to eat more; otherwise, I'll go on strike!" Zhao Shen fumed.
Culinary God Manual: "Ding! The Culinary God's Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles are a specially crafted dish. Due to their overwhelming nature, consumption is limited to one serving per day; otherwise, you may find yourself questioning life!"
"You win; I'm truly at a loss for words." Faced with Zhao Shen's protests, the system remained indifferent. His chopsticks moved like a monkey reaching for the moon, futilely poking into the Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles; it appeared that consuming more was simply not an option.
Amidst his incessant musings about life's absurdities, Zhao Shen finally grasped how challenging it must be for those who linger at his stall daily—this was their reality!
...
Thus, the following day, Zhao Shen arose unusually early. He was not one to hoard the delights of culinary art for himself; such gastronomic treasures should be shared, for they were gifts from the Culinary God.
"New dish."
Zhao Shen merely sent a simple message to Mu Yichun, and within two minutes, four eager patrons appeared at his stall, oblivious to the cost of teleportation.
Of course, this was merely Zhao Shen's perspective; Mu Yichun had his own thoughts.
Firstly, while arriving on a flying sword was impressive, it required fuel, and arriving late could mean waiting an additional two hours. The whole journey could easily consume four to five hours, translating to more than a mere thousand gold coins in lost opportunity. Having gained experience from previous encounters, Mu Yichun preferred to teleport directly to the novice village.
Surely, only Zhao Shen's enchanting offerings could entice the denizens of the main city to travel to the novice village for a meal.
...
The morning light was just right, not glaring but infused with hope. For a day as splendid as this, spending it amid culinary delights was nothing short of delightful, allowing one to forget their worries and infusing the day ahead with renewed vigor. The four companions felt as though they had returned to their elementary school days during gym class, drowsy yet compelled to engage energetically on the playground—this time, however, driven by their appetite for food.
"Zhao Shen, are you in a good mood today? It's rare to see you up so early! I've heard that the morning air is rich with spiritual energy, which can greatly benefit those who practice cultivation. Are you perhaps preparing for some cultivation?" Mu Yichun inquired.
In the world of gaming, there existed numerous professions, and his choice was that of a cultivator.
"Whether or not I cultivate is trivial; the highways are filled with opportunities. Aren't you tired of lugging around that flying sword, big brother? Zhao Shen's culinary creations are what truly matter." Doudou, undeterred by food, dismissed even his brother's profound insights.
"Vulgar! How could you not know what new delight Zhao Shen has crafted?"
Mu Yichun appeared exasperated, but then swiftly shifted the focus back to food, leaving discussions of cultivation behind.
"Enough talk; I'm already hungry! Let's get moving—I want one of everything today to amplify the culinary excitement!" The bespectacled man, who had previously been discerning, had now completely succumbed to the allure of food.
"Exactly! Upon hearing Old Mu's voice, I couldn't resist coming over myself!" the thin man exclaimed.
...
"Hold on, hold on; everyone will get a share!" Zhao Shen responded cheerfully. Just thinking about their reactions to the Fiery Crimson Lotus Noodles filled his heart with glee, bringing a smile to his face.
"Hm? There's something strange about that smile; it seems somewhat sinister," Doudou whispered to Mu Yichun.
"Indeed, when has Zhao Shen ever been so generous and cheerful? Typically, he sports that haughty expression—either you eat or you don't," the bespectacled man began to doubt.
"True, today he rose unusually early; it's only 7 AM. Zhao Shen usually doesn't open the stall until after 10; this certainly isn't normal," even Mu Yichun began to question.
Yet, with the food at hand, they prioritized their hunger. As Zhao Shen hung each dish on the stall, the final new dish gradually came into view before the four of them.