Above the eight ministers were four culinary detectives, primarily responsible for leading teams to capture rare beasts. Two regenerators and two nutritionists. And the strongest of them all, the Chairman - Xifeng.
At this moment, everyone except Wuyong, Aude, and Roger was injured.
Clearly, the target of this hunt was so powerful that the entire association had been mobilized.
"Thank you all for your hard work on this mission. Fortunately, there were no casualties in battle."
"Chairman Xifeng, let's start the feast quickly... the sick can't hold on any longer." Although everyone was scratched, they still had the mood to joke.
Xifeng didn't mind and laughed, "Then I won't waste any more words. To reward you all this time, I specially asked Tang Zhihun to prepare his masterpiece."
Everyone's eyes lit up, and they excitedly said, "Lingxi Five-Bird Soup?"
"I've heard of its name, but it's hard to get."
"I was fortunate enough to taste it once, and the flavor was truly rare in this world."
"Haha, our association roams many dangerous places in the human world and possesses countless rare ingredients, yet we still look so poor."
"Alas, after all, the soul of cooking is the chef; having ingredients alone is not enough."
Security Minister Wuyong said, "Heh heh, Chairman Xifeng and Master Tang Zhihun have known each other for many years, so you must have drunk it quite a bit."
Xifeng said proudly, "Naturally. The ingredients for Lingxi Five-Bird Soup are extremely rare. Without me, how could he gather them? Since we've put in the effort, can the soup be short of my share?"
"It's here, it's here!"
Under everyone's expectant gazes, a huge clay pot was pushed in.
Beneath the clay pot, an alcohol stove burned with a faint flame, keeping it warm even in the icy abyss.
Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle~
Under the intense aroma, stomachs growled one after another.
Looking at the soup served, everyone's mouths watered.
Especially those who were seriously injured, their eyes were already glowing green.
Xifeng took a deep breath, "Just the aroma makes my gourmet cells restless. If I don't have a good meal today, my body might rebel!"
The crowd could no longer restrain themselves. Some ate elegantly, while others chewed heartily.
Emperor penguins from the Ice Hell, red-crowned cranes from the Xing'an wetlands, hornbills from the humid rainforests, needle-tailed swifts from the scorching sun mountains, and osprey from the stormy seas...
The meaty aroma of five supreme rare birds, combined with fresh seasonal vegetables and mushrooms, created a flavor as explosive as a bomb!
Not only was the taste superb, but the nutrients were also fully utilized.
After finishing a bowl, white steam rose from the bodies of the injured, and large beads of sweat, carrying impure blood, rolled out.
The pierced bodies gradually healed, and a tingling sensation spread through the broken limbs and wounds.
Gourmet cells are extremely sensitive to food. As long as the host tastes top-tier delicacies, they become exceptionally active.
Coupled with the nutrients and medicinal effects of the ingredients themselves, gourmet cells would divide and multiply at a visible rate.
Healing of injuries was commonplace, and regeneration of severed limbs was also considered normal.
The most important thing was that it could enhance cell strength and increase the host's combat ability.
For gourmet cells, deliciousness... far surpasses nutrition!
"Fantastic!"
"This bowl of soup is better than a month of hard training for me!"
"Give me another bowl!"
"My injuries are already about seventy to eighty percent healed."
Wuyong wiped the corner of his mouth and gave Xifeng a thumbs-up, "Tang Zhihun truly deserves the title of national treasure, his skill is godlike!"
Xifeng looked at everyone's reactions with satisfaction before beginning to taste.
Having drunk it several times before, Xifeng had developed some tolerance, and the effect of Lingxi Five-Bird Soup was no longer as pronounced.
!
Xifeng's eyes widened!
"Chairman, you..."
It was normal to show such an expression in the face of delicious food.
But the Chairman was no ordinary person; he knew countless chefs on par with Tang Zhihun.
The Chairman's strength was built upon countless delicious meals!
It was truly rare for the Chairman, who tasted exquisite food, to show such an expression of enjoyment!
"Hoo~"
Xifeng let out a long sigh and waved his hand, "Tang Zhihun's recipe seems to have changed, it's slightly different from before."
"Different?"
"Yes, the flavor has ascended to another level. Even my gourmet cells were stirred for a moment."
Wuyong said, "I remember your gourmet cells have been dormant for a long time."
"That's right. When I was young, I tasted all the delicacies in the world, so much so that even top-tier dishes can no longer satisfy me. I never expected... Tang Zhihun's cooking to break through this level."
Wuyong recalled the scene of the kitchen being robbed. It seemed... things were not that simple.
However, Wuyong didn't feel it was appropriate to say anything based on mere suspicion.
In the advanced area kitchen, Tang Zhihun was still lost in thought, staring at a small jar of concentrated soup.
As a chef, he naturally had the right to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
"Master Tang, you haven't left yet."
Tang Zhihun turned his head and glanced, then said, "Minister Wuyong, what brings you here?"
"I was just thinking about the theft this morning..."
"Don't think about it. Nothing valuable was stolen. Perhaps some minister drank too much and ate my seasonings in the middle of the night."
Wuyong: ...
"Ahem, Chairman Xifeng praised you, saying your skills have broken through your original level."
Tang Zhihun became even more silent.
As a chef's dignity, he could not accept this praise.
Tang Zhihun said solemnly, "I've been making Lingxi Five-Bird Soup for over a decade, and it's always had the same old taste. How could there be a breakthrough?"
"My master, on his deathbed, imparted to us seven disciples a final cookbook, which we seven brothers divided equally. I inherited the Lingxi Five-Bird Soup. With about seventy percent mastery of this soup, I gained the title of Tang Zhihun in the culinary world."
"Over the years, I've continuously improved my skills and knife work, precision in boiling time down to the second, and seasonings down to the milligram... but no matter what, I could never replicate my master's taste."
Wuyong remained silent, listening quietly to Tang Zhihun's confession.
"But today... I tasted it."
"A Lingxi Five-Bird Soup of the same standard as my master's, authentic and perfect!"
Tang Zhihun suddenly stood up and said, "Minister Wuyong, please help me!"
"Uh, how can I help?"
"Help me find the person who secretly guided me! If I'm not mistaken, this person must have an infinite connection to Master, perhaps even a martial uncle of the same lineage!"
"No, it must be a martial uncle! Seeing his unworthy nephew, he couldn't help but offer some guidance!"
Wuyong thought for a moment, "This... might not be easy. If this top-tier chef is lurking here, they must want to remain undiscovered. If Master Tang wishes to seek guidance, you need to show sincerity first!"
Tang Zhihun suddenly realized.
"That makes sense. I'll leave a letter. If Martial Uncle returns, we can communicate through writing!"
Wuyong said, "As the Security Minister, if someone is indeed lurking here, I cannot turn a blind eye."
Tang Zhihun immediately said, "Please keep this a secret, Minister Wuyong. Consider it a great favor I owe you!"
A chef of Tang Zhihun's caliber was undeniably a national treasure.
The favor they spoke of...
Was invaluable!