The Spirit of Gourmet

Chapter 153 The "723" Principle

"A second Food Spirit...?"

Zhao Qian rested her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling. "I already have quite a few ideas about the origin food for the second Food Spirit."

As she spoke, she turned her head and smiled at Bubu, as if the two had had similar discussions before.

"By the way, speaking of which..." Cao Dongdong scratched his head, "Activating the second star vein in the Spirit Chef Association requires seven Level 1 Food Recommender Badges, so what is needed to activate the third star vein?"

“You’ve come to the right person with that question,” Zhao Qian chuckled. “I’ve done my homework on this topic.”

"To activate the third star vein, one of two conditions must be met."

"First, you need to obtain seven Level 1 Spirit Master Badges. This is a condition for activating Star Veins in terms of combat, and it's suitable for Spirit Masters who focus on combat." Zhao Qian's eyes showed anticipation.

"That's my goal too!"

"Bubu and I are not strong enough to obtain the Level 1 Spirit Bearer Insignia, so we have temporarily chosen the cooking route to activate the second star vein."

"But this is only temporary!"

Zhao Qian waved her arm in the air. "Once I give birth to my second Food Spirit, and then upgrade both of them to the two-star level, I will have a chance to pass the Spirit Bearer's test and obtain the Spirit Bearer's Badge."

Those who are family know their own situation. Zhao Qian's culinary talent is actually not that high, at least not comparable to Cao Dongdong and Qin Lang. Her current culinary skills are the result of four or five years of studying cooking.

Compared to gaining recognition from a Level 2 Food Recommender in terms of culinary skills, combat is a more reliable way for her to advance.

"What about the second option?" Cao Dongdong couldn't help but ask, "What requirements must be met if we choose to collect the Food Recommender Badge?"

“Activating the same star vein often requires cooking skills that are one level higher than combat skills,” Zhao Qian explained. “Therefore, to activate the third star vein, you need to obtain three Level 2 Food Recommender Badges.”

"Activating the fourth star vein requires seven."

“Three Level 2 Food Recommender Badges…” Cao Dongdong stroked his chin. “If I skip collecting Level 1 Food Recommender Badges and visit three Level 2 Food Recommenders and pass their tests, can I activate the second and third Star Veins in one go?”

For Cao Dongdong, the number of food recommenders he can choose from is relatively limited, so if there were a way to do it all in one go, his life would be much easier.

Although the assessment for Level 2 food recommenders is more difficult, with enough effort, he may still be able to achieve it.

After all, even Qin Lang acknowledges his talent for desserts!

“Your idea is good, but unfortunately it’s impossible.” Zhao Qian couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Let alone whether you can pass the assessment, even if you can pass the Level 2 Food Recommender assessment, you can’t take shortcuts.”

"Because whether it is a Food Offering Person or a Spirit Holder, the Level 2 assessment must follow the '723' principle."

"What is the '723' principle?" Qin Lang, who hadn't spoken until now, couldn't help but ask curiously.

“The ‘723’ principle is a collective term for three principles,” Zhao Qian explained. “The ‘7’ refers to the fact that a prerequisite for conducting a Level 2 assessment is passing seven Level 1 assessments within the state.”

"Taking the food recommender assessment as an example, if you want to find a Level 2 food recommender in Tianhua State to conduct the food recommender assessment, you must first obtain seven Level 1 food recommender badges in Tianhua State."

"It has to be Tianhua Prefecture?" Qin Lang grasped the key point in Zhao Qian's words. "Aren't other prefectures included?"

“Yes.” Zhao Qian nodded. “This means that if we go to other states to take the Level 2 Food Recommender exam, the Level 1 Food Recommender badges we have obtained so far will not count, and we will have to obtain seven new ones.” “Then I will definitely stay in Tianhua State and take the Level 2 Food Recommender exam seven times in one go, and not go to other states.” Cao Dongdong couldn’t help but shake his head.

If you go to another state, you have to start all over again from level one.

“The idea is good, but unfortunately it’s almost a necessity.” Zhao Qian shook her head. “Don’t forget, what I just mentioned was only the first of the ‘723’ principles.”

"The 'two' in the '723' principle means that a single Spirit Chef can only obtain a maximum of two Level 2 tokens of the same type in the same state."

"In other words, you can only obtain a maximum of two Level 2 Food Recommender Badges and two Level 2 Spirit Holder Insignia in Tianhua Prefecture."

Upon hearing this, Qin Lang's expression hardened slightly. "So, to obtain three Level 2 Food Recommender Badges and activate the Third Star Vein, one needs to obtain Level 2 Food Recommender Badges in at least two states?"

"To activate the fourth star vein, you need to obtain at least 28 Level 1 Food Recommender Badges in four states?!" Cao Dongdong's expression turned desperate.

Given that he can only find dessert recommenders, how long will that take?

"Qin Lang is right, but Dongdong, you're wrong." Zhao Qian covered her mouth and smiled. "Next is some good news."

"It is also the last of the '723' principles."

"If a single Spirit Chef accumulates three Level 2 Food Recommender badges, they can skip the first requirement and take the Level 2 Food Recommender assessment in any state."

“That’s good news.” Cao Dongdong breathed a sigh of relief. “In other words, as long as I obtain seven Level 1 Food Recommender badges in each of the two states, and then accumulate three Level 2 Food Recommender badges.”

"So, the remaining four don't need a Level 1 badge anymore?"

“That’s right, exactly.” Zhao Qian gave Cao Dongdong an approving look. “Even if it’s just a dessert test, you can pass.”

"These are indeed complicated rules." Qin Lang looked thoughtful. "The fact that the Spirit Chef Association has set such Level 2 assessment rules gives me the feeling that they are encouraging Spirit Chefs to travel to different places."

“I have heard about that,” Zhao Qian continued. “Different cities and states in the Food Spirit World have their own local customs and traditions, and each place has its own special ingredients and various legends.”

“There are even other regions outside of the Shinonome region where the Spirit Chefs have different powers than us.”

"The '723' principle was established because, whether it's cooking or combat, only a Spirit Master with a wide range of skills can truly become powerful."

"I see." Qin Lang nodded in understanding, then paused. "I'm curious, does the Level 3 assessment, which goes above Level 2, also need to follow the '723' principle?"

"Then I don't know." Zhao Qian shook her head. "The Level 3 assessment is too far away for us."

"That's true." Qin Lang nodded. "In any case, let's start with the most basic thing: obtaining seven Level 1 Food Recommender Badges!"

"I'm already on fire!"

Cao Dongdong suddenly jumped up from the ground.

"Let's keep going! Destination: Danju City!"

(End of this chapter)