Lou Ming let out a burst of laughter, which gradually became more unrestrained and wild!
"Me?"
"I am Lou Ming!"
"And my partner was once the top of the Black List. We spent thirty years together to build this vast underground kingdom!"
Everyone present was struck with terror!
This person before them was an old monster over a hundred years old!
"Lou Ming... I know you, I've read your biography!"
"You once ventured into Feng Huo Lin Shan and retrieved legendary ingredients!"
Facing Lou Ming, everyone's demeanor was extremely humble. Seventy years ago, when Lou Ming was in his prime, they were all mere children.
And now, they were facing this living fossil!
Feng Huo Lin Shan...
This was a place name, signifying extreme danger!
Coincidentally, at the foot of Feng Huo Lin Shan lay the world's largest deposit of phosphorite!
Zhang Wei, having read extensively, had come across information about Feng Huo Lin Shan.
It was said that the entire mountain was composed of high-quality phosphorite. However, numerous underground rivers and currents flowed through it, causing water and rock to interact. The mountain was perpetually extremely hot, and one could often see blazing flames.
Furthermore, gourmet cells, with their extreme adaptability, could form unique ecosystems in such environments.
Due to the vast temperature difference with the outside world, strong winds constantly swept through. Plants lacked moisture and had high oil content, frequently leading to forest fires.
It was a forbidden land for humans.
Lou Ming's face showed a hint of reminiscence.
"Seventy years ago, the Black List was at its peak. I received intelligence that there were traces of the legendary creature, the Fire Feather Phoenix, within Feng Huo Lin Shan."
"My partner and I went together, overcoming countless dangers, and finally reached the mountain peak."
Lou Ming looked at the two small stone figures on the mountaintop and revealed a faint smile.
"The one who fell was me."
The numerous judges fell silent. It was clear that this dish carried too much history.
Elder Jun said sternly, "According to that biography, you eventually captured the Fire Feather Phoenix. That was the final chapter, and the story was not written further."
Everyone was quite curious and turned their gazes to Lou Ming.
Lou Ming said with a deep voice, "The intelligence that day was mistaken."
"The intelligence indicated that the Fire Feather Phoenix was a 100-year-old juvenile with a capture level of 55. But in reality, the phoenix had already matured, being three hundred years old!"
"My partner fought it for half a day, and finally managed to slay it on the mountaintop. However, he himself sustained severe injuries."
"The phoenix's fire was like a persistent parasite, constantly eroding my partner... He only lasted for half a month before he departed from me forever."
Lou Ming pointed to his creation.
Beneath the stone path of the mountain, various scenes were formed using ingredients. At the very peak of the mountain stood a phoenix in a graceful posture!
"Everyone, please savor this culinary journey."
The base of the mountain was lush and green, made of dried grass.
Accompanying it were seasoned shredded potatoes, dried scallion leaves, and sour lychees...
The most striking feature was the exquisitely carved radish flowers.
Many judges began to taste.
Lou Ming gestured to Zhang Wei, the host, and his assistants, saying, "You all try it too."
Zhang Wei did not stand on ceremony and tasted each dish.
"The seasoned shredded potatoes are prepared in a very simple manner, and the taste isn't astonishing, but there are no flaws either."
Zhang Wei glanced at Lou Ming, not expecting it to be such ordinary fare...
"I vaguely recall the first time my partner and I went on an adventure, our objective was to find pink radishes in the Black Grasslands, and we inadvertently found some potatoes."
"Although they were all low-level items, we were incredibly happy back then."
Lou Ming said, a heartfelt smile appearing on his face.
These dried grass shreds were the common black grass found everywhere in the Black Grasslands, slightly sweet and edible.
The radishes used for carving and the seasoned shredded potatoes were also specialties of the Black Grasslands.
A judge couldn't help but blurt out, "We're not here to listen to your stories! With these shredded potatoes, even a child could make them!"
Lou Ming remained unhurried. "Don't panic, the culinary journey has just begun."
Following Lou Ming's guidance, the judges' chopsticks moved upwards along the mountain path.
The first stop, an apple cider deep well, from which apple cider could be scooped endlessly with a spoon.
The second stop, a fruit forest... The taste was still mediocre, just cut fruits.
The third stop...
Zhang Wei tasted them in order and found himself getting hungrier.
"Wait... there's something wrong."
"From the very first step of tasting, it was filled with details. My mind was so engrossed by the little stories that I didn't realize it for a moment!"
"Whether it's the apple cider or the seasoned shredded potatoes, they are all rare appetite stimulants! And most of those fruits are acidic..."
"That's it!"
"The dried grass shreds!"
"Paired with the slightly sweet dried grass shreds, they neutralize the excessive sourness! So the taste doesn't feel abrupt!"
"No wonder the initial few dishes were so unremarkable, they had a hidden purpose!"
"If I'm not mistaken, the main course is about to appear!"
Zhang Wei's gaze towards Lou Ming finally held a hint of affirmation.
This man was qualified to contend with him.
While Jun Qing, in his similarly complex dishes, only knew how to pile up high-end ingredients, Lou Ming had meticulously arranged the flavors, each with its own role!
Even the most ordinary ingredients were utilized to their full potential!
Lou Ming's story continued.
Each stop represented a bit of his and his partner's shared experiences.
From weak to strong, traveling the world.
The grade of the ingredients also increased progressively.
Level 8 Keila Alligator...
Level 15 Electric Bee...
Level 22 Silverback Gorilla...
Level 35 Drunken Ox...
Zhang Wei took a bite.
"This drunken ox brisket is truly mastered!"
"The beef is tender, and the brisket portion was chosen. The fat from the Drunken Ox contains a large amount of alcohol; the flavor should be tequila!"
The culinary journey was only halfway through, yet it was already filled with surprises!
Whether in taste or grade, it was incomparable to the seasoned shredded potatoes from before!
At the end of the culinary journey was the phoenix on the mountaintop!
This Fire Feather Phoenix was about three meters tall, its body crystalline! It was entirely pieced together with Ruyi vegetables, with meticulous detail!
Lou Ming glanced at the judges, who were now all captivated by his exquisite and extensive skills!
This so-called "Ascension to the Peak" was a culmination of Lou Ming's life experiences.
Frying, stir-frying, boiling, stewing, birds and beasts... it was like an exhibition of culinary arts!
It was less a single dish and more like a feast!
However, it was within the rules; anything made by the chef within 24 hours was permitted.
The fact that Lou Ming could create dozens of unrelated dishes, and excel in each one, was proof of his strength!
"Everyone, please savor the final chapter of the Ascension Symphony—The Phoenix's Demise!"