The Wine and Beauty rest area.
Mo Du slumped in his chair, looking utterly dejected.
"What's wrong? In a bad mood?"
The sudden voice startled Mo Du.
Turning around, he saw that Zhang Wei had appeared behind him at some point.
Mo Du complained with a mournful tone, "You're becoming more and more like a phantom. I shouldn't have taught you all the secrets of the Stealth Technique."
"It's all thanks to your excellent teaching."
Zhang Wei's strength was no longer what it used to be. Mo Du was only around level 10 and naturally didn't notice anything.
"Why the long face?"
Mo Du sighed and complained to Zhang Wei, "It's all because of this competition slot."
"Many contestants couldn't participate due to delays. To ensure the competition proceeded smoothly, Wine and Beauty was forcibly required to compete, but I haven't prepared anything at all."
"The participating contestants are at least four-star chefs, such figures of prestige. Where am I supposed to find them on such short notice? If we shame the feast and lower the competition's standards, we'll definitely be punished."
"It's a pity that I just took over Wine and Beauty and have to suffer such unfair treatment."
Mo Du collapsed onto the table, like a beached fish.
Speaking of which, Mo Du suddenly remembered that when he was imprisoned in the inner space, Zhang Wei's prison meals tasted surprisingly good, far beyond ordinary levels.
Mo Du seemed to see a glimmer of hope. "Brother, are you good at cooking? Do you have a chef's qualification? Can you reach the four-star level?"
Zhang Wei was amused and exasperated.
"What, you're setting your sights on me?"
"Oh, but I have no choice!"
Mo Du seized the opportunity to grab Zhang Wei's arm and shook it, asking, "Brother, do you actually have four-star skills..."
"Four-star... it should be more than that."
"Wow! You're the best!"
Mo Du hugged Zhang Wei, wanting to kiss him on the cheek, but Zhang Wei covered his mouth.
"You little rascal, behave yourself!"
"I don't want to compete, it's too much trouble."
Compared to competing, Zhang Wei preferred to be a spectator.
Mo Du immediately pouted and pleaded, "Brother~~ Please! It's all for the sake of the Deer God!"
"If Wine and Beauty places, even if we pass the preliminaries, it will be extremely beneficial for our future development."
As the saying goes, a good man can't resist three hums.
No, a hero can't resist a beautiful...
That's not right either.
Ahem~~
It's all for the development of the Hidden Collection Hall.
Zhang Wei reluctantly agreed.
Mo Du's Wine and Beauty was on the first day, and Great Glacier was on the third day, so there was no time conflict.
Mo Du cheered and then asked, "Then what dish are we preparing? I'll go buy the ingredients."
Zhang Wei was speechless.
"You haven't even prepared the ingredients? Aren't all the high-level ingredients in the Food Plaza already complained about?"
Mo Du said aggrievedly, "The time was so rushed, I haven't even decided on a head chef, how could I prepare the ingredients."
"Forget it, I'll figure out the ingredient situation."
"Brother."
"Hmm?"
"You're amazing."
"Don't flatter me!"
The Fighting Arena had an audience of 200,000. To achieve a ranking, the ingredients prepared would inevitably be massive.
In this segment, the various organizations wouldn't be using too many high-level ingredients, otherwise, the cost would be difficult to control.
This also tested the basic skills of the chefs and their control over ordinary ingredients.
For twenty thousand people, even a small portion of one hundred grams per person would require twenty thousand kilograms, or twenty tons of ingredients.
That quantity, to put it mildly,
Even an ordinary laborer carrying cement would need an entire day to complete the task, let alone to turn it into delicious cuisine.
In this stage, chefs were allowed to bring assistants. The number of dishes prepared shouldn't exceed five, and the total number of people on stage couldn't exceed twenty.
This was also a significant test of stamina.
In the Great Glacier team, in addition to assistants like Zhang Wei, there were over a dozen skilled laborers responsible for washing and trimming vegetables and so on.
The formal competition was on the second day.
That evening, Mo Du and Zhang Wei, along with a group of employees, rushed to the Food Plaza.
The so-called Food Plaza was essentially a vegetable market.
However, the ingredients sold had a level, with the lowest being level 1.
It was luxuriously decorated, had large capital flow, and was a very high-end establishment.
The Food Plaza was always bustling, and even at this hour, people were still flowing in and out.
An employee reported with a dejected expression, "We've inquired all around, and all ingredients above level five are sold out. The remaining ones have also been reserved by regular customers."
"I offered to give them more money, but the boss said credit is priceless."
"Damn it, at a time when there were so many people, this personage was perfectly established."
"This guy really knows how to put on an act."
The other employees also returned with nothing.
In front of outsiders, Mo Du's disguise was impeccable.
Her ethereal voice was low and calm, "Mr. Head Chef, what do you think?"
Mo Du announced to the employees that they had found an exceptionally talented chef.
This person was, of course, Zhang Wei, who had used the Illusionary Transformation technique.
Zhang Wei's mischievous streak flared up.
"Boss, I'll use my eyes to see."
Mo Du was stunned on the spot but managed to suppress her urge to tease further, pretending to be serious.
"Mr. Head Chef, please behave yourself."
"Ahem... Boss, I think level one and two ingredients are also good, as long as they are fresh."
Mo Du frowned, "Level one and two ingredients are too common. Most of the people coming are distinguished guests, and they may not be able to conquer their palates."
"We have to try something, no matter how slim the chance."
"Alright, I trust the Head Chef's skills. Which type should we purchase then?"
"Anything."
"Huh?"
Zhang Wei said, "All types of ingredients are fine. I have a broad range of expertise. Just focus on one thing: freshness!"
"Okay."
Mo Du immediately instructed, "Did you all hear that? Go quickly."
The numerous employees immediately scattered, embarking on their shopping spree.
Zhang Wei's improvisational ability was second to none; the only limiting factor was the freshness of the ingredients.
With the Hidden Collection Hall, he could preserve exhibits in their best state. The right wing also had a time-stopping function.
The Bronze Cauldron also possessed the powerful ability to revitalize ingredients and allow them to continue growing.
Therefore, Zhang Wei had never used inferior dishes.
Strictly speaking, this was one of Zhang Wei's few weaknesses.
...
The next day, before dawn.
The first group of fifty chefs entered early.
The venue's entrance was bustling like a marketplace.
Various organizations were moving banners, cooking equipment, tables, and chairs, creating a chaotic scene.
Mo Du's group had just finished purchasing ingredients and could now transport them directly to the venue without even needing to enter the warehouse.
Besides Zhang Wei himself, Mo Du had also arranged for assistants and helpers, though their levels were relatively low.
They were not as good as Wangyue Zhai, Shuiyuntian, or even the Century Collection Association.
However, given Zhang Wei's speed, they might not be necessary.