A judge suddenly recoiled, throwing the chopsticks in his hand.
He said sternly, "This... this craving feeling, did you add addictive ingredients!"
Another judge, on high alert, said, "Just a few bites, and I felt immense pleasure and satisfaction. There's something wrong with this food!"
"I feel hot all over, and my gluttonous cells are churning abnormally..."
"And this illusion... it's definitely addictive ingredients!"
These symptoms were strikingly similar to the addictive ingredients strictly prohibited by the culinary world.
Unlike food that brings happiness, addictive ingredients focus on damaging the health of the consumer.
Most importantly, addictive ingredients themselves have little taste, but through their special properties, they can bring feelings of satisfaction, pleasure, and relaxation!
Many people have been poisoned by these evil things, becoming increasingly addicted, eventually exhausting their finances and resorting to criminal acts.
Even those with ample wealth would have their health eroded, leading to an early death.
This kind of thing is also common on Blue Star, with frequent news reports of unscrupulous vendors adding ying su shells to spicy hot pots.
The many judges glared with anger!
The host said angrily, "You need to give everyone an explanation."
"Please, remain calm."
Zhang Wei's expression was extremely serene as he said to everyone, "Can't you truly see the marvel of this dish? I can forgive your shallowness, but when faced with a work of this caliber, you should at least put in some effort."
The many judges were filled with suspicion.
From a taste perspective, this dish was absolutely exquisite!
But this sensation of comfort that permeated the entire body was something ordinary ingredients could not achieve, along with the bizarre boiling of cells within...
Could it be that there was a world-shattering secret here?
A judge tentatively asked, "You didn't drug us?"
Zhang Wei said proudly, "I did!"
Pfft~
The judge's veins bulged with anger!
"You actually admit to drugging us so righteously!"
"Damn it, someone, ignore the black list, just take him down!"
"Wait a moment!"
Zhang Wei's expression remained unchanged as he looked at them with amusement, "I may have drugged you, but I didn't say what kind of medicine it was! Using some medicinal herbs in medicinal cuisine isn't an excessive matter, is it?"
"Medicinal cuisine?"
"You actually mastered something so complex?"
"Nonsense, this doesn't taste like medicinal cuisine at all!"
"Besides, medicinal cuisine is for recuperation, and its taste is slightly inferior. Your dish doesn't fit at all!"
In this world, the system of traditional Chinese medicine was not well-developed, mostly superficial, with Western medicine being the mainstream in the healthcare industry.
Low-end medicinal cuisine restaurants were everywhere, but most lacked genuine skill.
To be truly considered medicinal cuisine, without a six-star or higher culinary skill, it was unthinkable!
Zhang Wei leisurely ladled out a bowl of soup, "The secret behind this, I will tell you slowly."
"Then tell me first, why do these meatballs taste so clear?"
"Two points. Firstly, the taste is still the same. The clarity is because your taste systems have changed! This bowl of soup has given you new taste senses!"
"New... taste senses?"
"Utterly preposterous!"
Zhang Wei scoffed, "You old fools, don't you know that gluttonous cells have their own ability to perceive taste!"
Everyone was stunned.
What Zhang Wei said was not false. Taste was the foundation of gluttonous cells. If food didn't taste good, even with abundant nutrients, gluttonous cells wouldn't absorb it.
"The most fundamental value of this medicinal soup is to establish the perception between gluttonous cells and taste nerves, allowing the feelings of the gluttonous cells to be accurately conveyed to the brain, thus creating the sensation of deliciousness reaching the entire body!"
The judges' eyes widened.
Even Lou Ming looked incredulous!
"Establishing a connection with the taste nerves... how is such a thing possible?"
"This, I cannot judge whether this action violates the rules."
"Could it be that our bodies have been modified?"
Zhang Wei interrupted their wild thoughts and directly revealed the secret, "Modified, my foot! This is a medicinal effect of the soup, and it only lasts for about ten minutes after drinking it."
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, realizing it was just a temporary effect.
But then they thought about it, how was this good?
How could the ability to fully appreciate deliciousness only last for ten minutes?
It was truly a shame!
This medicinal soup had practically turned everyone into a tongue!
"I'll answer the remaining questions later. While the medicinal effect is still active, hurry up and taste it."
As soon as tasting was mentioned, the gluttonous cells within everyone boiled again!
A strong desire to eat surged up!
This feeling directly reduced the credibility of Zhang Wei's words!
Among the many judges, only Old Jun chose to believe Zhang Wei and walked to the meatballs, beginning to enjoy them heartily.
"Old Jun, be careful!"
"This dish is a little too strangely delicious!"
While everyone was worried, Old Jun's eyes suddenly widened, and he stood frozen on the spot!
Old Jun's skin turned red, and waves of heat rose from him...
Turning around, Old Jun's complexion was greatly improved, and even his wrinkles had lightened, looking radiant!
"Old Jun, you've broken through?"
Old Jun clenched his fist, feeling the surge of immense vitality within him, and nodded affirmatively.
"Yes, I've broken through!"
His voice was not loud, but it was like thunder from a clear sky.
As is widely known, addictive ingredients cause immense damage to the body. No matter how much enjoyment or satisfaction is derived, there can be no real nutritional effect from the ingredients, let alone breaking through barriers and leveling up!
"In that case, this really isn't poison!"
"What this young man said is actually true!"
With no fear of poison, the surging appetite could no longer be suppressed. The many judges surrounded the dining table, madly grabbing for the meatballs!
Some even stuffed three or four meatballs into their mouths at once, enjoying multiple times the pleasure!
Lou Ming was pushed out of the crowd, put down his chopsticks, and smiled helplessly.
"What, not eating more?"
"I already understand your skills. Eating more would merely be enjoyment."
"With the possibility of breaking through barriers, you might be able to survive."
Lou Ming shook his head and said with洒脱 (freedom/unrestraint), "No need. I've lived long enough."
"It's just a pity that I didn't defeat you. Qian Xue might be sad in the netherworld."
Zhang Wei didn't say much.
After a while, Lou Ming asked again, "I've also dabbled in medicinal soup, but why can't I taste the flavor of the ingredients?"
"Refined Cuisine Skill."
"Refined ingredients undergo subtle changes in taste... that's reasonable."
Zhang Wei said, "I've practiced the Refined Cuisine Skill for a long time, and I'm very clear about the laws of taste changes. I can predict the taste and, by altering the recipe, achieve a subtle adjustment."
"To... to think it's like this!"
This was a skill he had developed while researching clear soups. After this period of exploration, his skill had become even more refined!