The Cloud True Lord stretched his wings and presented a large stack of picture books.
"Your Excellency, how do you find the scenery of my Cloud Country?"
The oil paintings were rich in color and sharp in contrast. The content depicted rare and beautiful scenery.
In the paintings, people frolicked and chased each other among the clouds, eating unknown fresh fruits and vegetables, their faces beaming with happiness.
"It's very good."
The Cloud True Lord's expression turned serious. "Your Excellency, I believe the second Food War is about to begin!"
"Food War?"
Zhang Wei was also familiar with this term. It was said to have erupted over the struggle for resources.
It had dragged on for a full century, advancing and retreating, until Arcadia intervened and brought the war to a close.
By this reckoning, Zhang Wei could basically ascertain his transmigration timeline.
"War is unavoidable!"
"The establishment of the Northern United Government was also due to external pressure."
"However, what can the loose North achieve even with a United Government?"
"When the curtain of chaos is drawn, there will be no inch of pure land left in the human world!"
"Our people left the Food Demon Realm hundreds of years ago and have built a free and unfettered paradise in the Cloud Country... a place where one can escape worldly turmoil and enjoy great freedom."
As the Cloud True Lord spoke, a look of piety appeared on his face.
But Zhang Wei found it all too familiar, like a clumsy, second-rate missionary proselytizing about heaven, amen, and little cupcakes.
"Who else have you pitched this pyramid scheme to?"
"Pyramid scheme? I don't understand, but everything I say comes from the bottom of my heart!"
"Who else have you invited?"
"Not everyone is qualified to enter the Cloud Country..."
Zhang Wei coughed lightly. "Actually, I'm still young. I'm not in a hurry about ascending to heaven."
"You want to refuse the invitation?"
"What, are you going to pull a knife out of your boot?"
The Cloud True Lord said, "The status of being invited to enter and being led in are entirely different. I wish for you to have a status in the Cloud Country that allows for equal dialogue with me!"
"Your class system is quite strict."
With that remark, Zhang Wei was almost certain that this so-called free utopia was no benevolent place.
According to the book, ascending to the clouds required traversing extremely perilous terrain such as blizzards, hurricanes, and thunderstorms.
For those without the ability to fly, it would be an inescapable prison with no way out.
The Cloud True Lord said, "Don't be too quick to refuse me. My offer is valid until the end of the Northern Feast."
The ringing of bells.
Waiters brought in trays of food.
"Please try these. They are the most ordinary vegetables, but due to growing in the blessed land of the Cloud Country, they possess such vitality."
They were less like serving trays and more like sealed pressure boxes.
Inside the boxes were soils, and the fruits and vegetables were still fresh.
[Found storable ingredient: Vibrating Banana]
[Base Capture Level: 4]
[Overall Capture Level: 29]
[Origin: Cloud Banana Grove]
[Description: A peculiar banana that prevents insect predation by vibrating, possessing self-protection capabilities. Its capture level is elevated due to its origin in the clouds.]
[Cloud: A special terrain with thin air and ample sunlight and moisture, resulting in extremely high-quality fruits and vegetables.]
---
[Found storable ingredient: Lung-Cleansing Tobacco Leaf]
[Capture Level: 5-29 (Regional Factor)]
[Description: A medicinal tobacco that can be smoked, aiding in the recovery of lung damage and helping to quit smoking.]
---
[Found storable ingredient: Detoxifying Radish]
[Capture Level: 6-29 (Regional Factor)]
[Description: A floating plant with developed foliage. Its suspended growth method gives it a crisp and sweet texture. Its roots do not contact soil, relying entirely on moisture and rainwater for irrigation.]
---
[Found storable ingredient: ...]
[Found storable ingredient: ...]
...
A total of seven or eight types were brought, each a specialty of the Cloud Country.
The classification of Gourmet Cells was actually quite vague, with multiple standards.
Mo Du used medicinal powders to adjust colors; this was the concentration rating method.
By judging the concentration of Gourmet Cells, one could determine the level of a person or object, which was relatively realistic, reliable, and intuitive.
However, the concentration evaluation method also had its drawbacks. Firstly, concerning combat power, due to the different focuses of Gourmet Cells, combat power could vary greatly at the same concentration.
Secondly, it failed to reflect regional advantages. For instance, the ingredients from the Cloud Country were not of high level, but would anyone really trade them as level five ingredients?
Another method was the evaluation of difficulty in acquiring comprehensive combat power.
This was the so-called Capture Level.
It took into account the creature's combat power, regional danger, difficulty of acquiring live specimens, and other factors...
The two evaluation methods, it could be said, had their own merits and drawbacks.
"Since Your Excellency has come, I must offer some hospitality. Please don't be shy and enjoy!"
"The delicacies of my Cloud Country, even without any processing, taste exceptional!"
Zhang Wei did not stand on ceremony. He took out his chef's knife and began to store them one by one.
To outsiders, it looked like an ordinary process of peeling, washing, and plating, perhaps thinking Zhang Wei was just being meticulous.
He cut the radish into small pieces and put them in his mouth.
Instantly, a fragrant, sweet, and crisp taste filled his mouth.
Zhang Wei couldn't help but praise, "So crisp!"
"Juicy, with a hint of spiciness that gives a refreshing sensation when chewing."
"The spiciness dissipates, becoming sweeter as you chew. After swallowing, a refreshing taste spreads throughout the esophagus."
"It even has the effect of stimulating the appetite and strengthening the spleen!"
"I can feel a flow of warmth in my liver and kidneys, as if they are helping the body expel toxins and reducing the burden on my liver and kidneys."
"If made into a platter, it could be served with some lemon and Verona beer..."
Zhang Wei commented on the ingredients as he ate.
The Cloud True Lord beside him was even more astonished!
He could discern so much information from just a few bites!
Before long, Zhang Wei had finished all seven or eight types of fruits and vegetables.
Only after Zhang Wei had finished eating the ingredients did the Cloud True Lord ask with a hint of pride, "What do you think of the produce of my Cloud Country?"
"Truly the peak of vegetables!"
"No fruits?"
Zhang Wei shook his head. "The Cloud Country is at a very high altitude, so both fruits and vegetables tend to be cold-resistant. This naturally results in a fresh and crisp taste. However, because of the cold, the sugar content accumulated in the plants is insufficient, making fruits slightly inferior."
To ensure sufficient sweetness, the temperature must be right. Tropical regions are always a paradise for fruits.
For example, bananas from Vietnam and papayas from Thailand...
However, there are exceptions. The Xinjiang region also has high temperatures, coupled with ample sunlight, making its fruits renowned worldwide for their sweetness and flavor.