King of Beasts

Chapter 100: Exquisite Dishes

At this moment, Lu Ran deliberately referred to the Blizzard Sword Intent as a special culinary skill, the ‘Ice and Snow Knife Technique,’ and confidently spoke up.

Fortunately, he had comprehended the Blizzard Sword Intent before entering, otherwise, he would have had nothing impressive to boast about.

He appeared so talented that it wouldn’t be unreasonable for a hidden big shot to come out and teach him…

“Ice and Snow Knife Technique?” Shopkeeper Long was taken aback.

“Ah…” Sister White Tiger and the others also looked bewilderedly at the seemingly unremarkable Lu Ran. A special culinary skill?

Didn’t you say you were a student? Even if you attended a culinary school, you wouldn’t be learning such a thing!

One had to admit, Lu Ran’s rhetoric successfully piqued Shopkeeper Long’s curiosity. She looked at Lu Ran and said:

“Do you mean that your pet beast is ice-type, and you have the ability to harness its power to perform ice-type techniques?”

This was indeed an advantage. Although not uncommon among chefs, having an ice-type pet beast with a special beast taming skill was at least better than the other five who had no skills at all.

An ice-type pet beast plus a special beast taming skill? That’s not so impressive.

However, Lu Ran then said:

“No.”

“Then do you have a special cooking utensil that contains ice-type power? Unfortunately, in the superior assessment, assessors are not allowed to use special cooking utensils.”

“That’s not it either,” Lu Ran continued. “Without relying on external forces, I purely honed myself day after day to become an excellent chef, training my spirit to a certain level.”

“I… can accomplish all of this with my own strength!”

After Lu Ran finished speaking, Shopkeeper Long was once again stunned. Bai Ling and the others were also very confused. No pet beast, no supernatural equipment… what are you trying to pull off?

“Interesting fellow,” Shopkeeper Long remarked after a moment, smiling as she spoke. “Intriguing, I’d like to see what your ‘Ice and Snow Knife Technique’ is all about.”

“Come, follow me to the spare kitchen.”

“Show me this so-called ‘Ice and Snow Knife Technique’ of yours!”

Lu Ran naturally had no objections. Shopkeeper Long swayed her hips as she turned and walked away. Without a word, he followed her, as if triggered by some hidden task. Nearby, Bai Ling and the others remained bewildered but had no choice but to follow.

“Xiao Wang, what the heck is the Ice and Snow Knife Technique?” Deer As Horse asked, puzzled, on the way.

“Uh… I can’t explain it well. You’ll see soon enough,” Lu Ran replied. He certainly couldn’t explain that it was sword intent.

Sigh, using Master Jiang Dou’s cherished sword intent for cooking made Lu Ran feel guilty…

Soon, Lu Ran and the others were led to a kitchen. It was very quiet with hardly anyone around. The kitchen counter was filled with various Cooking Utensils, both Western and Eastern styles from the blue star, making it very well-equipped.

Shopkeeper Long went to a corner, lifted a gray cloth, and took out a piece of meat of an unknown species. From its texture, it resembled beef.

She placed the beast meat on the cutting board and nodded, signaling Lu Ran to choose his knife and start the demonstration.

At this moment, everyone was observing the meat, feeling that it was no different from ordinary beef, quite unremarkable. Meanwhile, Lu Ran stepped forward, carefully selecting among the numerous knives…

Before long, Lu Ran found a knife that felt most suitable in his hand. Instead of a cleaver, he chose a knife that looked more like a paring knife. After twirling it in his hand once, Lu Ran finally looked at the beast meat.

The next moment, he took a deep breath, stepped forward, patted the beast meat, and then tossed it into the air.

Immediately, he held the knife in his right hand and, at an almost imperceptible speed, slashed wildly in the air.

During the process, the knife flashed brilliantly, dazzling everyone present. They could all feel a chill spreading through their bodies, making the entire kitchen feel a few degrees colder.

Seeing this, Deer As Horse and the others shivered all over.

But most importantly, as Lu Ran inserted the knife into the cutting board, the falling beast meat had already been neatly and smoothly sliced into eight pieces.

This guy really has impeccable knife skills!

No, no serious chef would dare to play like this. Who would cut meat while tossing it in the air? This technique didn’t seem like it was honed through ordinary knife practice.

Of course, what amazed them the most was the current state of the meat. Every cut surface of the meat was now covered with a light layer of frost. The juice from the beast meat didn’t leak at all; it was entirely locked within the meat. Even now, a faint white mist emanated from the pieces, clearly indicating a change from their previous state.

“What is this?” the wilderness explorer exclaimed, astonished. He indeed hadn’t seen Lu Ran borrow the power of a pet beast, nor did he use anything other than ordinary Cooking Utensils. How did the meat transform like this? What kind of peculiar ability was this?

The others also widened their eyes, not sensing any ice energy during the process.

But this meat…

“This…” Shopkeeper Long’s expression changed as she quickly approached and touched the beast meat.

Cold seeped into her hand, and unlike the freezing effect caused by temperature or ice energy, in that instant she touched the beast meat, Shopkeeper Long felt as if she was witnessing an illusion, as though she were in the midst of a blizzard… She shook her head abruptly, then looked at Lu Ran in disbelief.

“How about that?” Lu Ran asked, apprehensive.

“Culinary Intent… Who exactly are you?” Shopkeeper Long squinted and said, “With such talent, do you really need to come to our Frost Moon Pavilion to study?”

“A genius capable of making peerless dishes imbued with the true essence and Soul of the Food should have countless famous chefs vying to take them as an apprentice.”

Lu Ran’s heart pounded wildly. Damn, the Blizzard Sword Intent can really be used for cooking?!

As Shopkeeper Long finished speaking, Lu Ran felt thrilled, but the other five fell into deep thought, looking at Lu Ran incredulously.

Damn, peerless dish, Culinary Intent, what the heck!

Is this guy a disciple of some big shot who’s skilled in Culinary arts and leads a lifestyle?

They had thought everyone entered this secret realm with zero basics, yet here was someone who possessed “Culinary Intent”!

Culinary Intent… It sounded like something high and mighty.

“I don’t know what Culinary Intent is. This Culinary Skill was something I accidentally honed and mastered,” Lu Ran explained.

“Alright, I’ve basically understood your situations. Next, go to your respective rooms according to the room numbers I gave you and wait.”

“I will notify each of you when it’s time to find a suitable master to learn from.”

“As for you, follow me!” Shopkeeper Long said, looking at Lu Ran and immediately beginning to treat him differently.

Soon, the other five challengers were dismissed with mixed feelings, while Lu Ran, under Shopkeeper Long’s guidance, was led to his own room.

Shopkeeper Long tossed the room key to Lu Ran, stared at him intently, and asked, “What’s your name? Do you have a master?”

“My name is Sudden Death King, but you can just call me Xiao Wang, Shopkeeper. I don’t have a master. I came to Frost Moon Pavilion to find a skilled mentor to lead me into the world of chefs,” Lu Ran replied earnestly.

“Do you know how strong your talent is?” she asked.

“I didn’t know before… but now, I think I have an idea,” Lu Ran said.

He had never imagined that sword intent could be related to Culinary Intent.

At this moment, Shopkeeper Long pondered for a while, biting her finger, and said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a newcomer like you. The technique of infusing mental will into Cooking Utensils is very rare.”

“Especially since it’s the chef mastering this technique without borrowing the power of a pet beast.”

“Just now, I wasn’t mistaken. There was a residue of your ice-like Culinary Intent on the ingredients.”

“Unfortunately, it’s still not very refined. However, even so, it’s extremely rare. Once you master it and find suitable ingredients, you might be able to cook an ‘exquisite-level dish’!”

It’s important to know that typically, pet beasts that comprehend shaping artistic conception only integrate it into their energy moves. Lu Ran and General Ha, learning the technique of merging weapons with artistic conception, had essentially stepped out of the usual path.

And this path happens to be very close to top-level chef techniques!

“Exquisite-level dish?!” Lu Ran couldn’t help but exclaim, feeling ecstatic. If that’s the case, it would be amazing.

Cooking a special-grade cuisine is considered a breakthrough in the Assessment. If he could cook an exquisite cuisine, he would exceed the task by 1000%.

“Don’t get too excited too soon,” Shopkeeper Long glanced at Lu Ran and said, “This process could take a year, five years, or even ten years. It all depends on your talent… Exquisite-level dishes are not so easily made.”

“However, passing the Superior Chef Assessment should be no problem. Although your ice and snow culinary intent restricts your cuisine style, once you enter the hunting grounds, you only need to catch a fish, make some sashimi, and with simple seasoning, your culinary skills alone will absolutely conquer the examiners’ taste buds, making them feel as though they’re in a dream, floating in bliss.”

“Sashimi is a simple dish to prepare, but it requires extremely precise knife skills and temperature control.”

“Sashimi…” Lu Ran nodded.

He hadn’t expected to become a technician in the end.

It would be his culinary skills that would conquer the examiners.

An unexpected path.

“Of course, I believe your future achievements shouldn’t be limited to just the Superior Chef Assessment,” Shopkeeper Long said. “For the next 15 days, I’ll personally train you and help you hone your Culinary Intent.”

“Even if you don’t become a culinary god like Yan Sizhen the Emperor, your achievements won’t be low!”

“Alright…” Lu Ran nodded.

The shopkeeper herself stepping in… He looked at the beautiful woman in front of him, wondering if she also cooked.

“By the way, I’m curious about what you’ve been through. Cultivating Culinary Intent isn’t easy,” Shopkeeper Long said, looking at the young Lu Ran.

“Is it really that hard…” Lu Ran asked, a question that might earn him a beating.

“Heh…” Shopkeeper Long’s mouth twitched; it seemed geniuses weren’t always so endearing.

“Of course! Only chefs with Culinary Intent can create dishes with a soul, touching the essence of food!” she said, slapping the table.

“Why is Yan Sizhen the Emperor considered the progenitor of culinary manship? Because he was the first to master Culinary Intent!”

“Decades ago, the empire was in a mini ice age. Yan Sizhen the Emperor cooked a dish called ‘Flame Dragon Roaming Nine Heavens,’ and the aroma spread across the continent. Those who smelled it felt like they were in midsummer. The fragrance instantly helped countless beasts awaken their fire abilities, slowly ending the mini ice age.”

“Of course, such a dish likely surpasses the exquisite-level. Looking at the grand sweep of history, it would leave an indelible mark. In short, to achieve such effects, high-quality ingredients and powerful Culinary Intent are indispensable.”

“Each exquisite-level dish can grant the consumer incredible power… aiding beastmasters in breakthroughs or helping pet beasts evolve,” Shopkeeper Long said. “But it’s pointless to discuss this with you now.”

“Next, I’ll prepare a batch of special ingredients for you and provide you with a dedicated room. You need to continue honing your Culinary Intent, striving to achieve the perfect blend of your intent and the ingredients as soon as possible.”

“Having Culinary Intent alone isn’t enough. You also need to integrate it with the characteristics of the ingredients, allowing their flavors and your intent to complement each other. Otherwise, an overly dominant Culinary Intent will overshadow the natural taste of the ingredients, ruining the dish.”

“Additionally, your Culinary Intent only remained on that piece of beast meat for less than ten seconds, which is insufficient. By the time someone starts enjoying the dish, the golden moment of flavor will have dissipated, and the quality of the dish will revert to an average level.”

“When a chef infuses their intent into a dish, it must retain that intent long enough. Your duration is too short. To be precise, the time your Culinary Intent remains on the ingredients is too short!”

Lu Ran nodded repeatedly, listening intently to the guidance.

He had no choice; his background was in sword intent, previously used for combat, naturally lacking in such nuances. It wasn’t until now that Lu Ran felt a sense of relief.

At least this breakthrough task seemed secure.

All he needed to do was strive for exquisite cuisine as much as possible.

However, just as there are only a few exquisite-level Forgemasters in Xia Country, there likely aren’t many exquisite-level chefs either…

Lu Ran’s expression turned peculiar. If he managed to create an exquisite-level dish in this secret realm, could he really become a professor in the culinary department at a beast taming university upon his return? Being a professor, according to what Master Lin had said, seemed quite lucrative. Considering the treatment that could attract a Forgemaster like Master Lin, Lu Ran was curious.