Continuing by adding cabbage, lettuce, and tofu, the stew was cooked for about half an hour before being taken out.
Finally, the meal concluded with pan-fried crucian carp and donkey-hide gelatin, which were then simmered over low heat in the giant bronze cauldron.
"This Soup Pot Sprite is something I've never used before; I wonder how effective it will be."
"There are too few samples to test its effects."
At this moment, the Soup Pot Sprite was swimming in the soup within the preservation box.
This magical fungus could not be separated from hot soup for long, much like a fish out of water.
"Never mind, I'll test it later."
"With the Sharp Water Pool crucian carp, I'm confident I can refine the milky soup to its peak. I don't need it as an extra boost."
"Even if I add the Soup Pot Sprite, it would only be gilding the lily."
One hour...
Two hours...
Three hours...
The aroma wafted out. Zhang Wei stood by the giant bronze cauldron, monitoring the changes in the ingredients by their scent.
After a full six hours, the aroma finally stopped changing!
The original flavors of the ingredients had completely dissolved, giving way to an entirely new scent.
"This is the moment!"
He lifted the lid!
Illuminated by the fire, white steam billowed out, transforming the Hall of Treasures into a scene as if in a fairyland!
The soup's color was pale white, seeming to lack a bit of heat.
Yet, Zhang Wei's face lit up with surprise, indicating his satisfaction with the result.
He strained out the impurities from the soup.
The Art of Refined Eating was activated!
The boiling hot soup continued to bubble, and even more steam was produced!
The volume of the milky soup began to decrease, and its color deepened.
When it was reduced to a tenth of its original volume, the soup turned a true milky white!
"It's done!"
"As expected, the Art of Refined Eating can also serve as a processing step in cooking!"
"Just like pan-frying, stir-frying, braising, and deep-frying!"
"By leaving the cooking process with a little room to spare, and using the Art of Refined Eating to complete the final step, the results are even more perfect!"
"Wait a moment, I must taste it before I can be sure!"
Zhang Wei took out a spoon and stirred the milky soup.
The soup was milky white, and lighter.
The previously refined soup had been more viscous, akin to oil.
Compared to before, this was indeed a significant breakthrough!
"With each perfect soup I complete, my understanding of culinary arts deepens."
"However, this is just one dish in my Century Feast. I must not become complacent or slack off!"
The prestige of a Western-style full-course meal was somewhat lacking. Zhang Wei intended to create his own full course... no, a full feast!
The era's greatest full feast!
The initial scale of two hundred and eighty-eight dishes was enough to be eaten for three days and three nights, encompassing all manner of poultry, beasts, rare mountain delicacies, and treasures from rivers and seas!
It would be the most perfect banquet capable of showcasing his culinary skills to the fullest!
Zhang Wei calmed his emotions.
He ladled out the milky soup. Even after the Art of Refined Eating, over a hundred liters remained.
The energy contained within this soup was immense. Even a simple spoonful could sustain an ordinary person for days without needing to eat.
Its effects surpassed those of typical ration pills or辟谷丹 (Bigu Pills).
Of course, water intake was still necessary.
"The soup is milky, neither too thick nor too thin, with a fresh and distant aroma... Judging by its appearance and scent, it's already top-tier."
He scooped a spoonful and brought it to his mouth.
His tongue moved back and forth, ensuring closer contact between the soup and his taste buds.
"Delicious!!!"
"There are no flaws in the taste. My Art of Refined Eating has reached a state of perfection!"
"The flavor isn't heavy, yet it's incredibly appealing! It creates an urge to keep eating without stopping!"
"Could it be... a craving from my body?"
As he spoke, Zhang Wei tossed the spoon aside and drank directly from the cauldron.
The milky soup was already nutritionally balanced, and this time, Zhang Wei's selection of ingredients ensured a mix of meat and vegetables.
Whether it was carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, or minerals, everything was present. Especially the Sharp Water Pool crucian carp, which was highly effective at supplementing calcium.
Balanced!
It supplemented Zhang Wei's body's needs from all angles without any blind spots. Without a doubt, Zhang Wei's barrier would be broken again!
Instantly, both the strength of his muscles and bones, as well as his sensory abilities in sight, hearing, smell, and taste, ascended to a higher level.
"I've broken through one level. My comprehensive attributes have increased by about thirty percent."
"I still need to re-test my stamina, explosiveness, and other abilities. Ah... it's so troublesome. With frequent breakthroughs, it's hard to determine my current limits."
This was the kind of trouble many people would dream of having!
Zhang Wei clenched his fist, a strange urge to destroy rising within him, his fists itching.
"Could it be..."
To verify his guess, Zhang Wei immediately exited the Hall of Treasures and drove at maximum speed to the outskirts of Mo City.
"There shouldn't be anyone around here, right?"
He threw a punch!
The spiral-shaped punch force penetrated deep into the ground, carving out a trench ten meters wide and deep!
The punch force continued unabated, excavating further into the distance.
One hundred meters...
Two hundred meters...
Three hundred meters...
*Boom!!*
After the punch force was exhausted, it exploded!
Judging by the shape of the destruction, it was remarkably similar to a thermometer.
"It's about 650 meters long, and the depth and width have also significantly increased. Although it's only an increase of one level, the hardness of my fist has increased by at least 70%."
In layman's terms, this upgrade meant all of Zhang Wei's attributes had grown considerably, especially his attack power.
If converted to League of Legends, it would be like returning to base at level three, having two Doran's blades plus a Pickaxe more than the opponent.
A comprehensive attribute advantage.
"The improvement is so exaggerated, what could be the reason..."
"Could it be... the food effect?"
The ingredients possessed special effects, and after processing and combination, they became something entirely different.
The new milky soup had the food effects of [Bone Strengthening] and [Body Strengthening]. Zhang Wei hadn't paid much attention initially, but he hadn't expected the effect to be so pronounced.
"My bones have become more solid and resilient, and my muscle strength is greater."
"There isn't a single decent opponent. It's so difficult to even measure my own strength!"
Having completed the test, he turned to leave.
However, Zhang Wei was unaware of the tremendous shock this punch would bring to the Northern Territories!
On the previously barren wilderness, various forces gradually gathered.
These people murmured around the trench, seemingly marveling at the terrifying destructive power.
Among them were two brothers carrying giant swords, who had already leaped into the pit to examine the marks.
"What's the situation?"
Heng Xing's face was stern. "The entire tunnel is spiraled; it must have been left by that person."
"A single blow?"
"Evidently, yes."
Jun Qing exclaimed in horror, "Such immense destruction caused by just one blow?"
Heng Xing gave a wry smile, filled with unwillingness. "That person... is unfathomably deep."
"I originally thought that with the Blood Drinker Blade, and with diligent cultivation, I could avenge myself before long! Alas... the gap is too vast. I don't know when I'll be able to reach that realm!"
Jun Qing encouraged him. "The advancement of a Food Hunter has little to do with cultivation; that's a chef's responsibility! Trust me, that day will come!"
"I believe you! Let's work hard together!"
"That day will come!"