Eight Kings?
In Toriko, Zhang Wei knew exactly what the eight giant beasts at the top of the food chain were!
The fat man said, "The Eight Kings refer to the eight types of kingly beasts that preside over the culinary world, contended for by the strongest individuals of each species."
Zhang Wei nodded, the Eight Kings were not fixed; their positions were often replaced.
For example, the Regal Mammoth from Legal Island and the recently slain Demonic Serpent, their respective species had once been among the Eight Kings.
"And the overlord of the sea has always been the whale that travels through time!"
"The stomach of this type of whale can connect to another dimension. My backpack is made from this material."
Zhang Wei's eyes widened, "Whale King Moon died?"
Whale King Moon, ranked among the Eight Kings, swam in the endless ocean of food, a legendary lifeform.
The fat man rolled his eyes, "How is that possible? This species isn't limited to just one Whale King; there are plenty of weaker ones."
Just like the Demonic Serpent, its strongest individual was only slightly inferior to the Eight Kings, while its weaker ones were only level 20.
However, the Demonic Serpent's reproductive capabilities were extraordinary, unlike whales.
Corresponding to magical technology, scientific technology, and immortal cultivation techniques, the Grand Culinary Era also had its own marvel: ingredient technology!
A myriad of strange plants and animals, when utilized properly, could achieve various inconceivable effects.
The soup and wine finished, the fat man stood up and wiped his mouth.
He took out a large bag of lemons from his backpack, containing over a dozen.
"Thanks for the hospitality. I have urgent matters to attend to, so I won't be bothering you further."
"These are Fountain Lemons, a good item in their own right. Consider them a meeting gift."
As the fat man walked to the cave entrance, he suddenly turned back and said, "By the way, I never asked for your name."
Zhang Wei paused for a moment, then replied, "Why should we have met before?"
"Why should we have met before… Damn, that's so cool! My name is Haru. If you ever need anything, you can come find me in Progress City. I'm well-connected there."
After Haru left, Zhang Wei picked up the so-called Fountain Lemons.
【Discoverable Ingredient Found】
【Fountain Lemon】
【Capture Level: 5】
【Description: A magical water-storing plant. A single small fruit can store fifty liters of lemon juice, a true thirst-quenching artifact.】
Zhang Wei was speechless.
The lemon in front of him, no bigger than half a fist and weighing at most two taels, could store fifty liters of juice!
Did this have any basic logic?
Did this conform to physical common sense?
He picked up a lemon and cut a small piece. With a slight squeeze of his palm,
Pale white juice gushed out like a spring, quickly filling a basin.
"The taste is surprisingly good, sour but not astringent, with a faint, fresh aroma."
"If added to tequila, Corona, or whiskey, it would undoubtedly add a unique flavor."
...
...
Progress City
Black List International Investment Group.
The General Manager of the Sky Thief Alliance stood ramrod straight at the entrance. Seated on a soft, genuine leather sofa was an impeccably dressed aristocratic elder.
The elder put down the instruction manual, removed his monocle attached to a gold chain, and placed it in his breast pocket.
"A rather interesting little device. It utilizes the principle of compression to process illicit drugs, making their effects more potent."
The General Manager said with a fawning smile, "I've already tested a sample. The effect is incredibly potent! However, it does take a significant toll on one's vitality. Even with the Jade Pill, it leaves underlying injuries."
The aristocratic elder nodded and popped one into his mouth.
The General Manager blurted out, "Don't!"
The elder, however, acted as if nothing had happened, smacking his lips and saying, "A bit spicy."
"This..."
"The efficacy is still a bit lacking. The illicit drugs mastered by the Intelligence Network are too crude; they don't have much of an effect when consumed."
"The director's knowledge is vast; he's certainly not comparable to those country bumpkins in the Intelligence Network."
The elder, holding the status of director, said, "I will send the formula and the medicine to the alchemy dens in the lower city. Their abundance of illicit drugs will allow this pill to be reborn. This is a great service you've rendered. Tell me, what do you desire?"
The General Manager put on a facade of fearful humility, repeatedly declining.
The elder nodded in satisfaction, "You know when to advance and when to retreat. That's precisely why I thought highly of you back then."
"How about this: I will privately transfer 5% of the Sky Thief Alliance's shares to you. You must work hard from now on."
"In a few decades, you might even have a chance to enter the board of directors..."
The General Manager repeatedly said, "I dare not, I dare not," but the smile on his lips could no longer be suppressed.
"Oh, and what about the thug you hired?"
"According to the timeline, Haru should have already arrived at the Century Collector's Association... assuming that lost soul doesn't get lost again."
...
Century Collector's Association.
High-Level Kitchen.
A large quantity of ingredients was taken out of the preservation boxes. Even the ingredients that should have been sent to the Century Ice Pillar were all intercepted.
"Damn it, you clumsy fools, you're delaying the service! You'll all have your wages docked tomorrow!"
Tang Zhihun shouted, his forehead beaded with sweat, looking utterly exhausted.
To gather enough food to break through the barrier, the entire high-level kitchen was in a frantic state.
At this moment, Tang Zhihun couldn't help but miss Zhang Wei. In all these years, he had never met an assistant chef with such quick and nimble hands.
Since Zhang Wei called in sick, Tang Zhihun felt extremely unaccustomed to the situation.
In the adjacent restaurant, besides the four Gourmet Inspectors, there were also Ministers Wu Yong and Rhode.
Countless dishes were brought in by waiters, and the six people at the table transformed into gluttons, their mouths slick with oil.
"First, the appetizer, a hawthorn and sweet pear platter to whet the appetite, followed by pickled salted plums..."
"Next, the soup course, a Yellow Wine Soothing Soup personally simmered by the head chef. While it cannot compare to the Lingxi Five-Bird Soup, it is still a top-tier soup."
"Fish course... Raw Sliced Salmon, Purple Pomegranate Sturgeon Roe..."
"Meat course... Four-Tusked Woolly Mammoth..."
"Main course... Smoked Stone Drum Giant's Toe..."
"Salad... Snow Shrimp and Potato Salad..."
"Dessert... Passion Fruit!"
"Beverage... Amber Brandy..."
The serving order followed the standard Western multi-course meal. With this banquet-style plating, the ingredient requirements could be minimized, significantly increasing the possibility of breaking through the barrier.
After all, barriers were not something that could be broken just by saying so.
What if the food was consumed, but one's strength remained stagnant? West Wind would weep tears of regret.
The situation West Wind feared the most was being able to afford the car but not the fuel!
Even if they broke through, maintaining the high cost of meals would be a problem.
Watching the six individuals with oily mouths, West Wind secretly shed the tears of a miser.
Wu Yong gulped down three bottles of brandy with a hearty belch.
The alcohol fumes rose, and his resolute, square face became slightly lewd.
Rhode, whose strength was slightly inferior to Wu Yong, was now exuding steam all over his body, his heavy breaths accompanied by occasional groans of pleasure.
The four Gourmet Inspectors were even stronger, but they too were somewhat losing their composure.
"Enjoy life to the fullest, and do not let your golden goblet face the moon alone."
"Don't put too much psychological pressure on yourselves. Even if you can't break through, everyone should savor this moment."
West Wind forced the words out, suppressing the heartache.