Sashimi, grilled fins with sake, and cleaned innards, all served with unique dipping sauces.
Gasps and smacks of lips echoed continuously.
"The pink flesh is glistening... like a jewel!"
"The aroma of the fin sake is out, it's true that fins and lemon sake are a perfect match!"
"This scent, it's like a perfect blend of beef, whale, and fugu, I can't wait to try it!"
The innards were minced and mixed with the sauce.
Mission accomplished!
Given the large number of people, Zhang Wei had prepared five pufferfish whales.
"Alright, everyone can start eating."
"Dip the sashimi in my special sauce, and then have a sip of the fin sake. I believe this is definitely a rare enjoyment!"
Zhang Wei personally poured the sake.
Everyone raised their cups with both hands.
Wu Yong, as the highest-ranking and strongest individual besides Zhang Wei, was the first to pick up a piece of fish, dip it in the sauce, and put it into his mouth.
"Wuwuwu~~ The fish fat and sauce are an exquisite combination! No matter how much you chew, the flavor in the meat seems endless!"
"Even after swallowing, the lingering fragrance on your lips and teeth remains, just like the unfathomable depths of the sea, an endless supreme happiness!"
Vladimir and the others were also immersed in the deliciousness, some even shedding tears of emotion.
No wonder pufferfish whales were circulated on the black market; one had to taste them even in death!
Muscles bulged!
The fugu whale innards in the sauce provided surging energy!
Fu Long exclaimed in surprise, "I feel that the stamina lost from injuries and adventures has been completely restored, all fatigue eliminated in one go!"
Steam rose!
Not only Fu Long, but even Vladimir and his subordinates received promotions!
Some even advanced two levels!
Wu Yong's subordinates also benefited on a large scale, with many receiving promotions.
"The taste of the pufferfish whale is indeed quite amazing, and it's compatible with many people!"
Zhang Wei finally tasted it.
However, everyone, with great politeness, left the most succulent parts for the chef.
Incredibly delicious!
Zhang Wei nodded in surprise!
Despite being only level 29, the deliciousness of the pufferfish whale was no less than any other ingredient he had tasted.
Moreover, this ingredient suited him perfectly!
After just a casual bite, he felt heat surging within him!
"Not good!"
But the expected lightning leakage did not occur. Instead, steam rose, and Zhang Wei actually broke through his limits and was promoted to level 63!
This upgrade, it seemed the Gourmet Cells had sensed Zhang Wei's desire, and his control over his body had further strengthened.
He spread his hands.
That elusive lightning transformation feeling still lingered.
But it was more stable and easier to control, and as he closed his eyes, his electromagnetic perception also greatly enhanced, becoming more detailed and nuanced.
Zhang Wei couldn't help but marvel, "As expected of the Great Gourmet Era, there's no problem that good food can't solve!"
As long as one had a good meal, many worries would vanish.
This was the true meaning of this era!
.........
The following days were very busy for Zhang Wei.
Processing pufferfish whales was troublesome, let alone seven thousand of them.
To keep up with the progress, Zhang Wei had to work overtime in the Treasure Hall. To outsiders, it looked as if he were sleeping.
After five days of travel, the airship finally arrived at Stalingrad, a city in Siberia on the Initial Continent!
"What a familiar name... I have an urge to go back to the East Asian Plain and take a look."
He deployed the Warm Harbor, left a beacon, and left Wu Yong with 70 million worth of perfect-grade ingredients.
This was not the Ice Hell Plains, after all, and considering the freshness and preservation methods, Zhang Wei dared not leave too much.
Afterward, Zhang Wei scoured the local libraries to replenish his collection.
The Initial Continent was culturally developed, with countless famous snacks, many of which were worth learning from.
Once again transforming into lightning!
With flashes of lightning, Zhang Wei traversed the clear sky.
"My body seems to be more adapted to Lightning Leap, the distance covered has increased by 30%, and consumption has decreased by 25%. With the same amount of energy, Lightning Leap can cover 73% more distance!"
"Most importantly, my body seems to be more adapted to the Art of Thunder Control..."
.........
Half an hour later, Zhang Wei, covering a distance of six thousand kilometers, traveled from Stalingrad to the magnificent Eastern city of Chengdu!
The people here had black hair and black eyes, with smooth skin and no body odor, giving Zhang Wei a familiar feeling.
"As expected, it's a parallel world..."
The architectural style of Luodu was very similar to the Treasure Hall, with red lacquer, red pillars, and upturned eaves.
Soldiers patrolled below.
Half of the pedestrians on the road wore braided hair, suggesting they belonged to some last imperial dynasty, but there were slight differences.
Zhang Wei landed and asked, "Excuse me, fellow townsman, how do I get to the library, and where is the most famous restaurant here?"
The passerby looked surprised and asked, "You don't even know Juxia Tower?"
Juxia Tower?
That sounded quite familiar!
The passerby continued, "Juxia Tower is where a Special Grade Chef came from. Who in Sichuan doesn't know about it?"
Special Grade Chef?
Converting according to regional ratings, a Special Grade Chef should be level ten!
Zhang Wei almost spat out his drink. A place like the Initial Continent, which struggled to even find level 20 ingredients, could produce a level ten chef? What a joke!
From further conversation, he learned that this Special Grade Chef had been traveling all over the continent with his companions, sending letters home periodically.
The passerby marveled, "Juxia Tower's 'Magical Mapo Tofu' is known throughout Sichuan! That's a recipe left by a level ten chef!" Big Wind Novel
Juxia Tower...
Not bad!
Zhang Wei first followed the directions and visited the library and the ingredient market, where he swept through them.
His generosity was astonishing!
As night fell, Zhang Wei arrived in front of Juxia Tower. He loved this kind of architecture full of Chinese style.
After spending a few thousand Beli, Zhang Wei obtained a top-tier private room with a canopied bed, light gauze, and a gentle breeze, exuding great style.
"What would you like to order, sir?"
"One of each to start, I'll add more if it's not enough."
The waiter looked bewildered~
This was Zhang Wei's habit when going to a restaurant; he had to have quantity.
Moreover, Zhang Wei had just recovered from a serious illness and needed a lot of delicious food to replenish his stamina.
The waiter mumbled, "Sir, our menu has over twelve major cuisines and more than twelve hundred dishes. Are you sure?"
"Twelve hundred dishes?"
"Yes, yes, Juxia Tower is the number one establishment in Sichuan, it's..."
"Then I'll have two servings."
Waiter: ???
Zhang Wei continued, "There are only over twelve hundred dishes, which doesn't seem like enough. Please tell the kitchen to double the portion size for all dishes!"
The waiter stood there, flipping through the menu, and said, "Many of our dishes require reservations..."
"That's fine, take your time with the reservations. I think if we serve the twelve hundred dishes in rotation, there should be enough time."
.........
Clearly,
Zhang Wei's unusual behavior attracted the attention of Juxia Tower's management.
The head chef and owner of Juxia Tower came to Zhang Wei's private room.
She was a middle-aged woman, and her every move exuded a gentle and dignified aura. She carried the indelible scent of over a hundred seasonings, clearly a seasoned chef who had spent years in the kitchen.
"So strong..."
Not just her strength, but Zhang Wei could feel a special aura from her, one that belonged to someone with extraordinary culinary skills!
Even Lou Ming or Luo, the partner of Tian Zui, from back then, were not even a tenth of this person before him!
The only one comparable might be Granny Qian from Rivendell Forest...
A level ten chef!
This person was also a level ten chef!
The middle-aged woman smiled and said, "Guest, thank you for visiting Juxia Tower. I am the head chef here, Liu Bangling, or you can call me Chef Abe."
Zhang Wei showed respect and stood up to shake her hand.
Then, Zhang Wei picked up the book next to him and said, "I just bought this book. It tells the legendary stories of Chef Abe and your son, Liu Angxing."
"Biographies of Sichuan Legends"
It vividly described Liu Angxing of Juxia Tower's travels and experiences, eventually earning the title of Special Grade Chef and heading to a legendary distant land.
It also contained a small amount of information about Liu Bangling.
Known as the "Fairy of Sichuan Cuisine"!
But he never expected that she would also be a level ten chef!
Chef Abe smiled faintly and said, "It's all just baseless rumors."
After a brief exchange,
Liu Bangling left the room.
As soon as she entered the kitchen, dozens of chefs stepped forward, each with a look of concern.
"Chef Abe, how was it?"
Liu Bangling said with a stern expression, "If I'm not mistaken, the guest is indeed a chef of extreme strength!"
"How strong?"
"No less than me!"
The surrounding head chefs were all shocked. Who was Liu Bangling?
She was a renowned level ten chef who had traveled the culinary world and witnessed its vastness.
Very few people had ever received such an evaluation from her.
A top-tier chef visiting another establishment and doing so secretly.
Clearly, there was only one logical explanation.
A challenge!
The circle of high-level chefs was usually very small. For culinary exchanges or visits, an invitation was usually extended, and the host would prepare accordingly.
But to come so stealthily, the intentions were obvious.
It was to present some mediocre dishes while Juxia Tower was complacent, and then criticize them from a highly professional standpoint, thereby damaging Juxia Tower's reputation.
Following that, they would propose a challenge, stating how the dish should truly be prepared.
For the sake of its reputation, Juxia Tower would have to accept the challenge!
Winning would bring no benefits, but losing would tarnish Juxia Tower's reputation...
It wasn't that they were overthinking.
This had actually happened before!
Liu Bangling said sternly, "From now on, the supply to regular customers will be halved. All senior chefs will be assigned to handle these orders! Ordinary customers will be served by regular chefs and apprentices!"
"Also, immediately contact the ingredient market and the Gourmet Merchants Association and have them deliver all the high-quality ingredients they can find!"
The assistant nodded vigorously!
Since this mysterious chef had received praise from the "Fairy of Sichuan Cuisine," they needed to respond with their strongest stance!
.........
In the top VIP seating of Juxia Tower.
Zhang Wei waited impatiently. Bored, Zhang Wei began to flip through the various books he had collected during the day.
Then, Zhang Wei discovered a shocking fact.
The Initial Continent produced an absurd number of quality chefs. Among the known level ten chefs, more than half came from the Initial Continent. This place with scarce resources actually cultivated more talent than the four surrounding continents?
Zhang Wei thought of Chun Niang. Indeed, her culinary skills were skillful and solid, far superior to some renowned chefs from the northern regions.
After a full six hours, Zhang Wei had read several books.
Zhang Wei did not rush them. Zhang Wei's electromagnetic waves could sense a large amount of busy and anxious emotions in the distance.
"Not bad, this kind of earnestness and full effort. It really is a responsible establishment!"
Footsteps were heard outside the door.
Chef Abe personally led a team in.
"We've kept you waiting. To ensure the best experience, we've made more thorough preparations."
"No matter, good food is worth waiting for."
More than a dozen head chefs pushed in carts.
These carts ranged from the size of a tea table to that of a truck!
Bowls and plates were brought out.
Boiled Sliced Pork...
Double Pepper Beef Cubes...
Dry-fried Bitter Gourd...
Silver Thread Shrimp...
Spicy River Prawns...
Dry-fried Pork Intestines...
Preserved Vegetable and Pork Slivers...
Five-Color Boiled Pork Rolls...
Braised Perch...
Braised Tendons...
In a blink of an eye, over a hundred classic dishes were presented.
Each portion was quite substantial.
The huge dining table was quickly filled to capacity.
"Are you also a chef, sir?"
Zhang Wei chuckled, "That's amazing, you guessed it."
As expected!
Seeing Zhang Wei readily admit it, Liu Bangling said directly, "Since we are colleagues, there's no need to hide anything. Let's use these dishes to have a good exchange! These were all prepared by our best chefs in the establishment. Please feel free to critique them."
Zhang Wei nodded.
An artistic exchange... I didn't expect Juxia Tower to be so diligent and eager to learn, not missing any opportunity for exchange.
I am not well-known on the Initial Continent, yet I receive such treatment.
I should offer some pleasantries first.
"I am merely a humble cook with meager skills. I wouldn't dare to speak of critique."
Liu Bangling said, "I can sense your extraordinary talent. I believe today will be very exciting!"
Since she said so, Zhang Wei would no longer be polite.
Zhang Wei never hesitated to spread his culinary skills; otherwise, he wouldn't have built the canteen.
The first dish!
Boiled Sliced Pork!
It was the most classic and widely spread Sichuan dish. Although there were some differences from the preparation on Blue Star, it still gave Zhang Wei a taste of home.
The ingredients were select lean pork tenderloin. The pork itself contained a small amount of fat, making it very fragrant even without fatty parts. The accompaniments included cabbage, kelp, bean sprouts, and lettuce.
There were also small amounts of minced garlic, scallions, and kelp.
The pork was likely treated with egg white and starch, allowing the tenderness of the tenderloin to be fully utilized!
Unidentified varieties of Sichuan peppercorns and red chili segments fully brought out the numbing, spicy, fresh, and fragrant flavors...
Zhang Wei was surprised to find that this dish was prepared exceptionally perfectly.
Steady and skillful, there were no flaws to be found.
Clearly, this Boiled Sliced Pork had incorporated the essence of the chef's skill; such perfection could not be achieved without hundreds or thousands of practice sessions!
One of the Gold Label chefs stepped forward and said, "Sir, please give me your critique on this Boiled Sliced Pork..."
Zhang Wei wore a look of contentment and praised, "Based on this Boiled Sliced Pork alone, you have at least the skill of a seven-star chef."
The Great Dao is simple!
Looking around, there were twelve such Gold Label chefs!
"Juxia Tower's chef lineup is truly luxurious..."