Zhang Wei wasn't bragging. He knew the capture level of "yan jing" (salt essence) was not low, and it should be worth something.
Moreover, when Zhang Wei bombarded the deep salt walls, the shattered ore residue didn't require Zhang Wei to refine it. By the time the Treasure Hall collected it, it was already snow-white salt powder.
However, looking at this group of people, who seemed like they had never seen salt before, Zhang Wei knew he might have taken too much.
"It's just a bowl of salt, is it worth all this fuss?"
During this period, Zhang Wei practiced at the deep salt walls every day. Each attack would trigger the Treasure Hall's collection.
In just two days, the Treasure Hall's replication time was shortened to one day.
After that, no matter how much it was collected, the time wouldn't change.
But the salt powder on the display cabinet gradually increased, from a mere pinch of two or three grams at the beginning to a large bowl now, at least three kilograms.
One could imagine how much Zhang Wei had mined during this time!
Ten kilograms…
In just three days.
This was the only collection item of Zhang Wei's that he couldn't finish.
Really, no matter how good yan jing was, eating too much would kill you.
The guard beside him clearly had never seen such a high-grade ingredient.
He asked in confusion, "Is yan jing very valuable?"
"Valuable? A thousand times more than gold!"
The chieftain explained with a hoarse voice, "Salt is an essential substance for living beings to control their bodies. Once it's lacking, they feel extremely weak. Yan jing not only can adjust taste but also enhance a living being's control over their body."
"If you can ingest half a gram of yan jing, your body will obey your every command, you can do whatever you wish with your thoughts! And your reaction speed and manipulation precision will also be elevated to a much higher level."
The guard was aghast, "It's that miraculous?"
"Of course. Normally, your brain signals are like an old horse delivering messages, often getting lost and being very slow. But after eating yan jing, it's like a telegram on a loudspeaker, fast and clear!"
The chieftain continued to extol the benefits of yan jing, leaving the guard stunned.
Izey quickly interrupted the chieftain and said to Zhang Wei, "I'm sorry, although yan jing is precious, the Rainbow Fruit holds even greater significance for us!"
Zhang Wei was slightly disappointed and was about to put away the yan jing.
Izey suddenly said, "Wait a moment!"
"Hm?"
"Why don't we have a wager?"
Zhang Wei was stunned.
Izey's voice was full of temptation, "Since you can produce yan jing, your culinary skills must be good, right? I also have some new insights in cooking. Why don't we have a cooking competition? With yan jing and the Rainbow Fruit as stakes?"
Zhang Wei was speechless.
"You want to compete with me in cooking?"
"Are you scared?"
"This… it is indeed a bit embarrassing."
Competing with Izey in cooking was like snatching candy from a child.
Back then, when Zhang Wei was just a mortal, Izey might not have been able to win.
And now, Zhang Wei's punch could shatter three tons of steel. His hand speed, sense of smell, taste, manipulation precision, and all other attributes had been comprehensively upgraded. How could Izey possibly win?
Izey revealed a hint of mockery, "I didn't expect you to be so indecisive. If you're a man, give me a clear answer!"
"Alright, since you insist. But I want to see the Rainbow Fruit first."
Saying that, Zhang Wei pushed the yan jing to the chieftain's side, handing it over to a third party.
The chieftain looked a little scared, "This… if even a little is spilled, selling my old bones wouldn't be enough to compensate!"
"It's fine, you still have over a hundred yaks."
The chieftain: "…………"
Izey's guards took out four preservation boxes from their thick leather satchels. Inside were the Rainbow Fruits.
After confirming, and handing the Rainbow Fruits to the chieftain.
Izey smiled, "The theme for this competition is steak. Fifteen minutes, do you have any objections?"
"No problem."
"Good, in that case, let's begin!"
Izey suddenly put on an expression of realization, "Damn it, there's only one set of cooking utensils. No choice, Senior, please prepare your own."
In this ice and snow, where could one find cooking utensils?
Besides, within dozens of miles, the only beef available was from icefield yaks.
Relying on mere icefield yaks with a capture level of three?
Heh, the dishes made would probably be hard to swallow!
Izey was completely playing dirty, but he had left the other party with no room to argue.
After all, the rules were agreed upon at the beginning, and there was no mention of providing cooking utensils and ingredients.
Thinking of obtaining ten kilograms of yan jing so easily, Izey couldn't help but maintain his usual calm demeanor.
"No matter."
Zhang Wei flipped his hand, and a complete set of cooking utensils, ingredients, and seasonings appeared out of thin air.
It was even more comprehensive than Izey's!
Izey's smile froze on his face, and everyone else looked aghast.
"What kind of divine technique is this?"
"Space ability? Are legendary space abilities real?"
"Or is it some kind of spatial treasure?"
Zhang Wei's heart stirred. To think that there were spatial items in "Food Wars" world. It seemed this world was far more complex than he imagined.
Seeing this, Izey wasn't discouraged. There were no shortcuts in the art of cooking.
Ever since he entered the kitchen at the age of four, he had defeated countless legendary chefs.
This masked man in front of him, though incredibly wealthy, in terms of culinary skills… no one could defeat me!
Zhang Wei nodded, very impressed with Izey's reaction.
If it were "Soul of Cooking," his mindset would have been affected. But Izey, on the contrary, was able to ignite his fighting spirit, showing an excellent disposition.
"If this were my previous life, seeing such a young man, I would definitely be fond of him and perhaps even take him as a disciple."
"However, in the world of 'Food Wars,' the limitations of lifespan are very vague. Living for hundreds of years is not difficult."
"And with the Treasure Hall in my possession, even immortality is highly possible. Taking disciples and leaving legacies, forget about it."
The stopwatch ticked.
The chieftain shouted.
"Time's up! Exchange dishes for tasting!"
Zhang Wei took the dish, glanced at it casually, and shook his head, "No need, you taste it."
"Bastard, how can you be so impolite!"
"What's your attitude? Even if you admit defeat, at least show some grace!"
Izey stopped everyone, picked up a steak knife, cut a piece of meat, and put it into his mouth.
……
……
……
"Vice-president, please speak, what do you think?"
Izey didn't answer, still wearing that stunned expression.
Zhang Wei said, "If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."
Saying that, he walked up to the chieftain and reached out to take the Rainbow Fruit.
A sword light flashed!
Zhang Wei frowned, "What do you mean?"
Izey stepped forward, his sunny and cheerful expression long gone. His eyes were fixed on Zhang Wei.
"I am very sorry, but the Rainbow Fruit and yan jing are… indispensable to the Secret Realm Exploration Association! I cannot give them to you."
The chieftain exclaimed, "Mr. Vice-president, this is a breach of contract! An outright breach of contract!"
"If this matter is not known to outsiders, it will not be considered a breach of contract."
Izey glanced at the guards behind him. The guards stood at attention immediately, afraid of being considered 'outsiders.'
Izey's intention was clear: murder and robbery.
Zhang Wei shook his head, "I cannot do something like robbing and murdering, which is why I chose to trade with you."
"In fact, I've never killed anyone."
"But that doesn't mean I don't dare to kill. As a chef, fearing the killing of life would be a joke, wouldn't it?"
"I'll give you one more chance, put the sword away."