Special Cooking Ingredients!
The thought immediately popped into everyone's minds!
The scope of special cooking ingredients was vast, generally referring to things that could not be directly eaten or used without special preparation.
The Ozone Grass and Puffer Whale in the original work were like this.
Ozone Grass required two people to work together to peel and eat it simultaneously; otherwise, their body fluids would become unbalanced, and they would turn into coke.
The Puffer Whale had extremely demanding requirements for knife skills, otherwise, its poison sac would be ruptured, turning the meat into a toxic meal.
A seemingly capable chef argued, "Every special cooking ingredient requires extensive experimentation to discover its preparation method. How can we possibly know at first glance?"
"But I knew it at first glance!"
"This..."
Zhang Wei said, "This is the difference between a top chef who can explore the Gourmet World and a second-rate chef! I'll give you another chance. Tell me, how should this grass be prepared?"
"This..."
Dozens of excellent chefs exchanged glances and began to ponder.
"Mr. Zhang Wei, may we touch or take a small portion?"
"Certainly."
With Zhang Wei's permission.
Dozens of chefs each took a small section. Some tasted it, while others cut it with knives, carefully examining its internal structure.
These chefs were all top-tier in the Human World, with their skills starting at 6 stars or above.
The Fang Grass was not a particularly difficult ingredient. It only took them twenty minutes to come up with a plan to soak it in water.
Zhang Wei poured a basin of water over it. The Fang Grass swelled up like a sponge. In less than ten minutes, its appearance turned into an aloe-like verdant green, and a fresh vegetable aroma wafted out.
The merchant took a deep sniff and said, "This... this is the true taste of this ingredient!"
"It's so enticing!"
Zhang Wei sneered and took out a stopwatch. "You spent twenty minutes researching this item. In the perilous Gourmet World, how much pressure could these twenty minutes have caused your fellow food hunters?"
"The slow efficiency of your exploration determines the life and death of your companions. Teamwork is about two people!"
"As a chef, to be so sluggish when facing an unfamiliar ingredient is truly astonishing! Where is your usual nobility? Does your strength truly match it!"
Zhang Wei entered his "poison tongue" mode.
In this era, the number of high-level chefs was far fewer than that of food hunters. In their partnership, chefs held more sway.
Without Zhang Wei, they would not have admitted their incompetence, usually blaming their companions for failing to provide them with a stable cooking environment!
The food hunters nearby wanted to nod in agreement.
But seeing their companions being so harshly criticized, they felt it was inappropriate to make any comments.
After a good ten minutes of scolding, Zhang Wei felt it was enough and switched to the "carrot" mode. "This is a cold dish and a side dish from the Gourmet World, called Fang Grass."
"It's delicious and can be considered a delicacy among meats and vegetables! Everyone, have a taste. Consider it a gift from me."
Everyone immediately felt that while Zhang Wei's words were harsh, he was quite generous.
After tasting it, the merchant immediately said, "I have tasted over two hundred kinds of vegetables in the Human World, and I have never had such a wonderful feeling. It's refreshing and invigorating, yet I feel a fire burning in my stomach. After eating it, I feel completely energized!"
"If you have some of this with drinks, it could at least increase your alcohol tolerance by fifty percent!"
However, some also said, "Although this cold dish tastes excellent, it's not the kind of flavor that cannot be found in the Human World. To my knowledge, there are over ten kinds of vegetables that are comparable to it."
"Is this the pinnacle of Gourmet World delicacies? It hasn't exceeded my understanding!"
Opinions were divided.
Fang Grass had a cooking level of around 45. With the Gourmet World's bonus, its taste was extremely rare, but not unique.
Zhang Wei's lips curled. "Of course. This Fang Grass is just like a weed in the Gourmet World, merely fodder for some herbivores!"
What!
Such a delicious dish is merely animal feed?
Then what would truly delicious food be like?
As he spoke, Zhang Wei took out a delicate small bottle from his pocket. His careful demeanor indicated that it was in a different league than Fang Grass!
Then, Zhang Wei very carefully poured out sparkling red gem-like gravel and displayed it before everyone with great reverence.
Seeing the brilliant light, the merchant's eyes widened. "Mr. Zhang Wei, what exactly is this!"
Zhang Wei said proudly, "This is the core of a Red Sugar Gargoyle, also known as Scarlet Sugar. It's a peerless delicacy with a cooking level of 135, a taste unobtainable in the Human World!"
Scarlet Sugar!
A highly potent ingredient that absolutely could not be cultivated in the Human World, it was of excellent quality and possessed medicinal properties.
Red Sugar Gargoyles were mineral-based variant life forms. Their bodies contained easily absorbable folic acid and iron, giving them a powerful blood-building and replenishing effect! Furthermore, due to their mild nature, they could clear blockages in the body, opening it up!
On one hand, it could be used for gynecological blood stasis or cold uterus issues in women. When combined with Yuan Water, it could also function as a combat medicine, quickly healing injuries and replenishing lost blood.
Secondly, Scarlet Sugar also had the ability to remove blemishes, nourish the skin, and regulate internal pigmentation. This ability was not about whitening but about removing dullness, age spots, acne, tear troughs, and other imperfections from the skin, making a person appear refreshed. Thus, Scarlet Sugar was extremely suitable for women. In ancient times, it was used as a royal tribute, exclusively for the emperor's harem.
In addition, Scarlet Sugar could be used in medicine, for syrups to treat respiratory illnesses, and for complex digestive diseases like gastritis and stomach ulcers. Its functions were extremely versatile.
Moreover, as an ingredient with a cooking level of 135, Scarlet Sugar possessed immense energy. When used as a combat medicine for healing, it could also replenish stamina. It was said that consuming just a few grams could allow one to fight for an entire month.
It was a high-energy polymer even superior to the Silver Apple!
Zhang Wei took a sip of water to moisten his throat and added, "Finally, Scarlet Sugar also possesses a top-tier flavor for cooking. Once you taste it, you will never forget it – a marvelous texture forever etched in your soul!"
Everyone listened in stunned silence.
This small pinch of ruby-like gravel possessed so many effects!
Furthermore, each one was outstanding, driving people mad!
And Zhang Wei's obvious reverence suggested it was exceptionally precious!
The merchant swallowed and asked, "Mr. Zhang Wei, would our merchant guild be fortunate enough to acquire some Scarlet Sugar? The price is not an issue!"
"You haven't even tasted it yet, and you're convinced I'm telling the truth?"
"Given your ability to enter and exit the Gourmet World, I believe you wouldn't deceive me."
Zhang Wei chuckled. "Since you're in the merchant business, have you heard of the Gourmet Bank?"
Gourmet Bank?
As the weakest continent, the Gourmet Bank only had a few billion in ingredient reserves. Zhang Wei had explored there for three months, so there was likely not much left.
The merchant pondered, "I have heard of it. It's said to be an emerging cross-continental organization, but it's not very reliable. It's said to have been out of stock for two months. Their ingredients have an excellent reputation in the industry, and even now, countless people visit daily to purchase ingredients!"
As expected!
Given the perfection of those ingredients, they had indeed sold out!
These past two months had been a bit of a delay!
Zhang Wei said, "I am the owner of the Gourmet Bank. The reason for being out of stock is simply that I was exploring the Gourmet World for too long. Also, I will be selling these Gourmet World ingredients at the Gourmet Bank. I hope you can help me promote it."
"The Gourmet Bank will be selling Gourmet World ingredients!"
The merchant was greatly surprised! This was a colossal business opportunity. Such information couldn't even be told to one's own father, let alone be shared with competitors!
The merchant gritted his teeth. "Uh... actually, our merchant guild is quite powerful. Could we establish an exchange with the Gourmet Bank and sign some supply agreements?"
"Powerful?"
The merchant affirmed, "Since I can stake out Gourmet World ingredients at the Life Waterfall Pool, I naturally have sufficient capital to acquire them!"
"May I ask your name?"
"Nanshan Baishengke Merchant Guild. You can call me Old Ma."
"Gourmet Bank, Zhang Wei!"
The two shook hands.
This could be considered the beginning of a friendship.
Seeing them conversing happily, everyone else looked on with envy.
Befriending Zhang Wei, how much profit would they gain in the future...
Zhang Wei's treasure trove had accumulated for three months, and the ingredients were already piled high in the right annex.
As he spoke, Zhang Wei took out a pink heart-shaped fruit. Upon its appearance, a musky scent emanated from it.
[Musk Fruit of Pink Vanilla]
[Capture Level: 100]
[Cooking Level: 65]
"This was the first ingredient I collected after entering the Gourmet World. It possesses a fruitier flavor than the Rainbow Fruit. Although its flavor profile is slightly less complex, its rich aroma is unparalleled in the Human World!"
Ordinary grade!
According to market prices, a cooking level of 65 would be at least 250,000, and the Musk Fruit not only had an exquisite taste but also the bonus of the Gourmet World, with a starting price of at least 600,000 per kilogram!
Keep in mind that the Rainbow Fruit only cost 12,000 per kilogram!
The price difference between the two was a staggering 50 times!
However, the Rainbow Fruit weighed several hundred kilograms, while an ordinary Musk Fruit was only about fifteen kilograms.
"Everyone, please have a taste."
Everyone shared a Musk Fruit!
Mango...
Passionfruit...
Banana...
Peach...
Multiple flavors exploded in their mouths, a super-concentrated sweet and blissful sensation!
It was like the richness of thousands of mangoes converged... as juicy and moist as a peach!
"Incredible smoothness! It slid down my throat before I could even chew!"
"So... so delicious!"
"Is this the delicacy from the Gourmet World that far surpasses the Rainbow Fruit..."
The merchant said excitedly, "This... I have eaten thousands of fruits in the Human World, and none have ever satisfied me so much! Can I... can I also acquire this!"
"Of course, I'm displaying it for this very reason."
The merchant said, "Six hundred thousand per kilogram... I'll offer eight hundred thousand! No, one million! Mr. Zhang Wei, how much more Musk Fruit do you have? I'll buy it all!"
One million per kilogram, and he wanted to buy it all?
The Nanshan Baishengke Merchant Guild was indeed quite powerful.
The merchant was exceedingly excited. If the Musk Fruit tasted like this, what about the Scarlet Sugar?
Zhang Wei said, "Scarlet Sugar would be quite expensive as a seasoning. How much are you prepared to offer?"
As he spoke, Zhang Wei shook the small bottle in his hand.
Scarlet Sugar shimmered with an alluring crystal-like luster under the sunlight.
"Two million!"
The merchant gritted his teeth. "Per gram!"
Two million per gram!
This meant the price per kilogram reached an astonishing twenty billion!
By unit price, it was comparable to the Silver Apple.
"Mr. Zhang Wei, how much can you provide! I want to acquire the exclusive distribution rights for Scarlet Sugar!"
The merchant was convinced that Zhang Wei wouldn't have a large quantity of such a precious item.
After all, Zhang Wei was also someone who had just entered the Gourmet World for the first time, and it was barely possible for him to return.
But he was wrong.
Zhang Wei was the peerless fiend who had single-handedly wiped out 152 Red Sugar Gargoyles. If not for that, he wouldn't have fought so fiercely with Sheng Taro!
Red Sugar Gargoyles grew very slowly. Their hard outer shells kept their size down.
Typically, they would mature in 150 years, reaching a height of just over three meters and weighing no more than a ton.
In their prime, they would reach four meters and weigh around 1600 kilograms.
Furthermore, Red Sugar Gargoyles were not like eggs where cracking the shell would result in a lot of Scarlet Sugar. Harvesting them was quite troublesome.
On average, one Red Sugar Gargoyle produced only 50 kilograms of Scarlet Sugar syrup, and after extraction, only three kilograms of solid granules could be called Scarlet Sugar!
This meant Zhang Wei had over 450 kilograms of Scarlet Sugar in total!
From the Red Sugar Gargoyles alone, he could generate a staggering 900 billion Belize!
Moreover, Zhang Wei also had perfect-grade replicated Red Sugar Gargoyles, which were even stronger, faster, and larger!
A perfect-grade Red Sugar Gargoyle weighed 7 tons and could produce 350 kilograms of Scarlet Sugar syrup.
And due to optimization, the yield ratio of Scarlet Sugar syrup also increased. From 350 kilograms of syrup, 40 kilograms of perfect-grade Scarlet Sugar could be produced!
The unit price would at least double to over 4 billion.
Daily, just from Scarlet Sugar, the treasure trove could produce value worth 160 billion Belize!
Zhang Wei smiled. "I think you cannot monopolize the Scarlet Sugar business!"
"While I can't grant you exclusive distribution rights, I can give you sales and operating rights. I believe that's enough for you to earn until your fingers cramp from counting money."
"However... I have one condition!"
The merchant Old Ma's heart tightened, and he quickly asked, "What condition?"
"Our business settlements cannot be in Belize or gold; I want to settle in ingredients!"
"Ingredients!"
The merchant Old Ma broke out in a cold sweat!
Ingredient transactions emphasized matching status. Low-grade, low-rarity ingredients, no matter how numerous, would barely pique the interest of high-level food hunters.
Therefore, high-grade ingredients held a unique position in the market.
This was why Old Ma was staking out the Life Waterfall Pool.
Gourmet World ingredients stood at the very top of the food chain in terms of value!
Old Ma said with difficulty, "But I really can't produce ingredients comparable to Scarlet Sugar!"
Zhang Wei shook his head. "No, I only want ingredients from level 1 to 35."
Old Ma was stunned, even doubting if he had heard correctly!
Trading level 135 ingredients for level 1-35 ingredients? Was he out of his mind?
Those common ingredients were no different from Belize and gold!
"But..."
As expected, there was a "but."
Old Ma, as if he had anticipated it, cautiously said, "Please, go on."
"I want all ingredients from level 1 to 35."
"What?"
Zhang Wei repeated, "I want all known ingredients from level 1 to 35, without missing a single one, whether they are endangered or treasured by some people as their own lives. As long as they truly exist, they must be included in the list!"
Old Ma gasped!
This requirement was too damn perverted!
The difficulty level had broken through the sky. If something was treasured as one's own life, how could he possibly procure it for him?
If he agreed to this, Old Ma would have to become a bandit and an expert field scout overnight, constantly battling these rare items!
"What? Isn't the Nanshan Baishengke Merchant Guild very powerful? Can't you do it?"
Old Ma kept wiping his sweat.
On one hand, it was a project where he would earn until his fingers cramped; on the other hand, it was a near-impossible and demanding requirement...
Damn it!
What should I do?
Finally, all his thoughts coalesced into one sentence!
Fortune favors the bold!
Old Ma slapped the table and said heroically, "I accept this deal!"
Zhang Wei also slapped the table. "Good!"
"However, let's agree in advance: if you fail to deliver, you must pay at least a 50% breach of contract fee, and you will permanently lose the possibility of future cooperation with the Gourmet Bank. So... how much is the contract for?"
"How much Scarlet Sugar do you have?"
"More than you can imagine."
Old Ma held up two fingers. "Do you have twenty billion?"
"Only this much? I'm not interested in small orders."
Old Ma was shocked. Twenty billion was a small order?
Scarlet Sugar, with a little hype, could easily double in price.
Twenty billion worth of goods could be sold for at least forty billion, that's double the profit!
Old Ma's face turned red with excitement. "Forty billion!"
"Can you take sixty billion?" Zhang Wei asked tentatively.
Old Ma suddenly stood up and roared hoarsely, "I want one hundred billion worth of goods!!!"
"Deal!"
One hundred billion worth of goods!
This represented one hundred billion in profit!
Old Ma seemed to see the Nanshan Baishengke Merchant Guild soaring to dominance in the Southern Continent with this tailwind!