This turn of the corner, everyone was stunned by the sight before them!
"This… is this the fairy tale kingdom?"
"It's so… pink?"
Before them stood a castle with pink as its dominant color!
Grand and magnificent, yet with a dreamlike, fairy-tale quality, it covered at least tens of thousands of square meters, with over a dozen towering spires, each twenty to thirty meters high.
The exterior was a wall of candy-crafted Christmas trees, and the wide gate bore the words 'Dream Castle' in a cartoonish font.
Of course, those who had arrived were all powerful figures, and they wouldn't be awestruck by a mere castle.
The main reason was that the entire castle was constructed from candy!
And!
The materials were no ordinary candy. The sweet aroma was like a seductive devil, igniting the deepest desire to eat, a special allure that only gourmet ingredients could possess!
"Could it be that the entire castle is constructed from gourmet ingredients?"
"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"
"Zhang Wei possesses an extremely high-capacity storage equipment. This is documented in the Northern Territory Merit Records. Back then, Zhang Wei used this equipment to transport military supplies to the front lines, achieving great success!"
"Did I mention anything about storage space?"
"This simply doesn't make sense. Even if an ordinary person were lucky enough to return from the Gourmet World, they would mostly be injured, with few making any gains. At most, they'd see some strange things. But Zhang Wei…"
"This only proves that Zhang Wei is no ordinary person!"
"Even if he's extraordinary, this is too far-fetched. How could there be so much? Such a massive structure, even as a hollow shell, wouldn't be easy. One hundred tons? A thousand tons? Or ten thousand tons?"
When the words "ten thousand tons" were uttered, everyone held their breath!
Ten thousand tons of gourmet ingredients?
Was this something a mortal could comprehend?
No!
It must have been a mixture, using seasonings or ingredients from the Gourmet World to create this effect!
Otherwise, ten thousand tons of gourmet ingredients, how much money could that be worth?
However, these were vulgar minds. Those who truly loved gourmet food followed the call of their appetite, gazing at the castle with reverence!
No one dared to take a step, for fear of soiling this place.
Zhang Wei said, "Please, everyone, everything in this castle is edible, except for the floor. I originally had enough materials, but I believe that making food into flooring to be trampled upon is a sign of extreme disrespect."
The crowd nodded in agreement, then dared to take a step forward.
Upon closer inspection, they discovered that this miniature castle even had a moat, with various fish swimming within.
Sweet Water River!
Bone Fish!
Xi Feng bent down, scooped up a handful of water, and drank it down.
He then laughed to those around him, "This moat is also drinkable, what are you all waiting for?"
A group of people gathered around.
Wu Yong tentatively scooped up a handful and exclaimed in surprise, "So heavy, this handful of water must weigh dozens of pounds. And the water's viscosity is so high, yet it looks so clear and crystalline!"
"So sweet!"
"It's sugar water!"
"How can these fish live in such dense, viscous sugar water? What species are they!"
Zhang Wei explained, "Those are Bone Fish. They've grown up in sugar water since childhood. To avoid sugar erosion, they've developed a lot of bones, with only a small amount of skin and muscle. They have almost no combat power, and their capture level is entirely due to the danger of their habitat."
Entering within the walls, they were greeted by greenery formed from pastry trees!
These pastry trees had a capture level of 85. After Zhang Wei dismantled them, he reassembled them into tree shapes!
Besides the greenery, there was a chocolate fountain at the entrance, with dark brown chocolate swirling in ripples.
Beside it were biscuit sticks. Plucking a piece and dipping it into the chocolate created a classic sweet snack.
"Such fragrant chocolate!"
"It contains considerable energy! After eating just a small piece, I feel my body heating up, even a sense of fullness!"
Zhang Wei explained again, "The ingredients here are from the Gourmet World and have high consumption levels, thus possessing immense nutrition. Ordinary Gourmet Hunters would feel intensely full after eating just a fist-sized pastry."
"With your strength, that chocolate stick just now should fill one-third of your stomach! So, eat sparingly, otherwise, you won't be able to experience the wonders within!"
A chocolate stick almost filled the stomach?
Was this still a snack?
An ordinary person coming here would likely leave after a few sips of sweet water from the moat.
Zhang Wei did not build this place as a theme park for ordinary people.
Moreover, if it wasn't substantial enough to withstand eating, letting so many people in would mean it would be devoured as soon as it was completed!
Even those like Tian Zui, the winner of the gluttony competition, would consider it a feast to eat a few tables, chairs, sofas, and bedding.
In the original work, Toriko's house was a candy house, built by a professional construction team.
This indicated that candy houses would be relatively common in a few hundred years.
However, his building materials were all from the Human World ingredients, and their consumption levels were not high. In the end, his new house was completely devoured by his friends after a day of effort.
The high-nutrition ingredients from the Gourmet World could effectively deter these excavators and demolition crews. As long as food wasn't wasted, even Zhang Wei didn't have an insatiable appetite.
After all, this was the entire harvest from the Gravity Well over three months!
The blacksmith and the woodcutter, drawn by the scent, immediately set their sights on the furniture that looked like water dispensers.
"At the very top of the castle, I've built nine reservoirs and created a complete beverage supply system using the falling gravity!"
Zhang Wei approached a dispenser, took a cup carved from dried fruit candy, and poured a cup of water from the first tap.
It tasted sweet and very refreshing.
Lemon-flavored soda!
The second tap, strawberry-flavored soda!
The third tap, lychee-flavored soda!
Over a dozen taps stretched out, all originating from the first reservoir.
Zhang Wei smiled, "Guess what's in the first reservoir?"
Everyone was startled, "Isn't it soda?"
But since Zhang Wei asked, it couldn't be that simple.
Jun Qing, being quite research-oriented, looked at the differently colored taps and pondered for a moment…
Could it be…
"Soda water!"
"Bingo! You're very talented, would you like to be the creative engineer for the second phase of the Candy Castle?"
The others looked confused.
Heng Xing asked, "Isn't this just soda of various flavors? Why is it flowing out of one reservoir?"
Jun Qing smiled slightly and pointed to the water pipes, "The secret lies in this water supply system, or rather, the pipes!"
"The reservoir at the top must contain some kind of high-pressure solid block, fusing carbon dioxide with baking soda and water to form a slightly alkaline soda. This slightly alkaline water is usually used to treat stomach problems, so you might not be familiar with it."
"These water pipes are entirely constructed from solid fructose of different flavors. When the carbon dioxide-rich, slightly alkaline water flows through the pipes, it dissolves the pipe walls and mixes with their flavors, thus creating soda of various flavors!"
Zhang Wei nodded, "Indeed, you've guessed more than eighty percent correctly."
Jun Qing was surprised, "What, did I miss any steps?"
Zhang Wei took out a white tablet from his pocket, with the words "effervescent tablet" on it!
"Effervescent disintegrant!"
"Correct."
Heng Xing scratched his head, again confused, "What is an effervescent disintegrant?"
"A medical supply!"
Jun Qing explained, "Effervescent tablets use the reaction between organic acids and basic carbonates (hydrogen) as effervescent disintegrants. When placed in water, they immediately undergo an effervescent reaction, producing and releasing a large amount of carbon dioxide gas, resembling boiling, hence the name effervescent tablet."
"The purpose is to improve the taste of the tablet using acidity and carbon dioxide. Additionally, it allows patients who have difficulty swallowing solid tablets to consume their medication smoothly."
"However, some people also use this for snack processing. When I was young, I was tricked by a magician. They used concentrated fruit powder and effervescent disintegrants to make sugar pills called 'Deep Water Bombs,' dropping them into water to create drinks for magic shows."
Effervescent drink tablets.
It was a childhood memory.
Anyone who knew of it was likely not young.
Jun Qing asked, "Why add effervescent disintegrant?"
Zhang Wei held up a finger, "First, pressure!"
"Although I've infused a lot of carbon dioxide and soda water, the reservoir's strength is limited, and high pressure could cause it to explode! Effervescent disintegrants can effectively supplement carbon dioxide, making the soda more bubbly and improving the taste!"
"Second, the flavor of solid fructose isn't very strong. As the soda flows through, the taste would be quite light. But if effervescent disintegrants are added, it allows for more efficient flavor infusion, improving the taste of the soda!"
So that's how it is!
What an ingenious idea!
What about the remaining reservoirs?
The blacksmith approached the second reservoir and drew water, from which flowed a continuous stream of high-quality beer… sweet mead!
The production method was similar to the soda, but the water was replaced by malt concentrate.
"Waaah~~ this slightly bitter taste, this is beer made with the freshest, original brewing method!"
"No… it's inaccurate to call it beer, it should be mead!"
The blacksmith and the woodcutter, both heavy drinkers, could accurately locate the alcohol as soon as they entered the house.
Meanwhile, the woodcutter had already moved to another area and was devouring the coffee table…
The outer shell of the coffee table was made of dark chocolate, but the woodcutter wasn't interested in that. Instead, a sweet syrup flowed from within!
Liquor-filled syrup!
It was the finest liquor-filled syrup from the heartwood of the pastry trees!
Others also began their own explorations.
However, the three members of the Black List were absent: the poisonous Scorpion, the Vampire who only ate sashimi, and the terrifying Clown, who found the place unsuited to his temperament and refused to come.
"There's quite a bit to do."
Zhang Wei plopped onto a sofa. This sofa, made of marshmallows with a outer layer of buffalo hide and glutinous rice, was incredibly soft and elastic.
As soon as he sat down, he felt as if he were lying in a cotton bag, very relaxing and comfortable.
Just then, Zhang Wei noticed Wu Yong on the other end of the sofa, licking his lips and eyeing the exquisitely crafted sofa menacingly!
"Stop!"
Zhang Wei cried out to stop him, but it was too late!
Wu Yong had already bitten into the buffalo hide and glutinous rice, tearing off a large chunk!
Instantly, Zhang Wei's side caved in, and pure white marshmallows gushed out from the tear, smearing Wu Yong's face.
Wu Yong was completely buried by the flying marshmallows, then burst into a carefree laugh, picking up a large chunk of marshmallow and putting it in his mouth.
He giggled foolishly, "So sweet, and so much fun."
Indeed.
Men are boys until death.
But in such a fairy-tale setting, is it really appropriate for a boy to have so much fun?
On the other side, the drinkers were huddled together, tearing at the curtains.
Those curtains were made from compressed kelp worms, equivalent to dried seaweed fabric, perfect for accompanying drinks.
Chocolate beetles…
Pea rainbow candies…
Pomegranate raisins…
Various gourmet ingredients were found everywhere.
Zhang Wei smiled at the assembled merchants, "How is it, are you satisfied with my castle?"
"Satisfied!"
"We love it, it's like a childhood dream."
"This construction style should be very popular with children, boys and girls. You can charge a high price for tickets!"
Zhang Wei shrugged, "So, how much should the ticket price be?"
The coal boss suggested, "A fixed price isn't appropriate. The appetites of ordinary people and high-level Gourmet Hunters are completely different. I suggest different ticket tiers based on consumption."
"Also, there should be rules, such as no malicious destruction, and no wasting of food taken. Otherwise, they'll have to pay for damages. Tourist time should be a few hours… you can just implement the buffet system!"
This was indeed an excellent suggestion.
Now, the coal boss had completely sided with Zhang Wei's Gourmet Bank.
Returning from the Gourmet World and bringing back so many ingredients, wasn't that proof of his strength?
Thinking of this, the coal boss made a decision that went against his ancestral traditions!
"Mr. Zhang Wei, may I speak with you in private."
"Hmm… of course!"
In a private room, the coal boss lit a banana candle.
Bananas have less water content than most fruits. Even ordinary bananas, with a cotton wick added and some processing, can be used as candles.
But banana candles are different. They have naturally occurring fibrous seeds inside. When lit, they become natural candles, and their flame is brighter than a hundred ordinary candles.
Moreover, they release a lot of fruit fragrance when burning, without any burnt smell.
Zhang Wei asked, "Mr. Coal Boss, what is it you wanted to discuss? Is it about the ingredient agency business? We have plenty of ingredients from the Gourmet World, and you don't need to worry about supply shortages."
The coal boss shook his head and said directly, "Mr. Zhang Wei, there is something I have always known, but I cannot go against it, nor can I help you."
Zhang Wei narrowed his eyes, "You mean…"
"Tai Sui Shen!"
That's right!
It was Tai Sui Shen!
The coal boss lowered his voice, "I am aware of Tai Sui Shen's actions."
"Heh heh… interesting."
"Mr. Zhang Wei, Tai Sui Shen cannot escape pursuit by top experts on the continent all by himself. He has a force behind him protecting him. I surmise… their instructions are his true objective."
"Oh… who is that force?"
The coal boss said in the most serious tone, "I have no evidence whatsoever. Once I leave this room, I will deny ever saying this! He is…"