The Spirit of Gourmet

Chapter 195 Semifinals Theme

"Qin Lang, you're awesome!"

Cao Dongdong excitedly rushed towards Qin Lang, who was walking down from the stands, shouting, "We're in the semifinals! We're in the semifinals!"

"Keep your voice down." Qin Lang patted Cao Dongdong's shoulder, shaking his head with a wry smile. "We're only in the top four yet."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but look at the other three semi-finalists sitting in different positions in the stands.

"Go back to your seats, the draw for the semi-finals is coming up soon."

"Mhm." Cao Dongdong nodded and followed Qin Lang back to their seats in the stands.

Yu Zaozao and Zhao Qian each offered their congratulations, and in the center of the arena, amidst thunderous cheers, the images of the four finalists appeared on the big screen.

"The draw is about to begin!" Zhao Qian couldn't help but exclaim softly, looking at the avatar above Qin Lang's. "Next match, you'll be facing off against that player, Ellie."

“Yes.” Yu Zaozao’s expression was equally serious. “Among the top four contestants, this Ellie is the most mysterious.”

"In each of her previous competitions, she presented a different theme, but she always delivered an exceptionally good dish."

"Even now, no one can say for sure where she came from. There are only rumors that she might be a culinary master from another region outside of the Shinonome area."

"Moreover!" Yu Zaozao took a deep breath, "Even in the semi-finals, no one knows what her culinary skills are. She hasn't even summoned any food spirits; she's fighting entirely on her own cooking skills."

"Some even doubt that she is a chef specializing in spirit beasts!"

"That's really impressive." Cao Dongdong couldn't help but nod. "Now we can only hope that the choice of subject matter is more suitable for Qin Lang."

“It’s more interesting when it’s challenging,” Qin Lang smiled. “As for the subject matter, we’ll have the results soon.”

No matter how wide one's knowledge is, can anyone compare to him?
As they were talking, the topics on the large screen in the room began to scroll, and this time the food recommender for the lucky draw was Song Changtian.

At his shout of "Stop!", the scene was frozen in time.

[Semifinal Group A: Du Ziyan vs. Liu Jing, Subject: Beef]

[Semi-final Group B: Ellie vs. Qin Lang, Theme: Fruit]

"Goodness, Du Ziyan actually drew the same topic as you in the next round," Cao Dongdong clicked his tongue. "Wouldn't you call this a duel from afar?"

"Isn't the main point Qin Lang's next topic?" Zhao Qian couldn't help but roll her eyes. "It's fruit!"

"Qin Lang, what are your plans?"

"Still under consideration." Qin Lang stroked his chin, looking thoughtful, then suddenly realized something and turned to look at the other side of the stands.

A blonde girl was looking at him with a defiant gaze. Their eyes met, and she quickly looked away as if she had been electrocuted.

"I'm definitely going to win with this fruit theme." Lomi chuckled, her face full of confidence, as she looked away.

"Really?" Liu Chuang asked curiously. "But I don't think I've ever had any of your fruit-related dishes before."

“That’s because most of my food has nothing to do with fruit,” Lomi snorted. “But, the original food of Lei’s cuisine does include fruit.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Chuang's eyes lit up immediately.

The food that Lomi could use as the origin of food...

That must be her specialty, right?

"Then we're sure to win the next match!" Liu Chuang waved his hand excitedly. "As long as we win the semi-finals, we're guaranteed at least second place."

"The premium ingredients are in hand!"

"Kukuku, I want more than just second place." Lomi's lips curled into a slight smile. "Let this world bow down at the feet of this beautiful girl!"
-

"Thump~" Qin Lang and his group, who had just left the arena, saw Du Ziyan standing in the middle of the passageway ahead and immediately showed strange expressions.

"Hey, is he waiting for Qin Lang?" Cao Dongdong couldn't help but mutter to himself.

"You can tell from your eyes, yeah." Zhao Qian rolled her eyes.

As the two were talking, the other person strode over.

"You still have room for improvement in your beef preparation," Du Ziyan said with a hint of hostility. "You've wasted a good culinary skill."

"Hmm?" Hearing such aggressive words, Qin Lang raised an eyebrow slightly. "You mean, you can do better?"

"Keep your eyes peeled for the semi-finals in three days." Du Ziyan's tone was full of confidence, as if he had never taken any opponent seriously.

After saying this, he turned to leave, but then stopped in his tracks.

"in addition…"

"Your dragon beard noodles are indeed impressive. I look forward to a battle with you."

After saying this, Du Ziyan stopped walking and gradually walked away.

“Looking forward to a battle with you~” Cao Dongdong pouted, mimicking the other person’s tone, “I’ve never seen anyone so arrogant.”

"You've seen it today." Qin Lang patted him on the shoulder with a smile. "Since Du Ziyan is so confident in his beef dishes, I'll have to watch the semi-finals in three days."

"But for now... let's think about what kind of dishes I should choose for the semi-finals."

As he spoke, Qin Lang couldn't help but show a conflicted expression.

There are quite a few dishes to choose from when it comes to fruit.

Hearing Qin Lang's words, Zhao Qian hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, "Qin Lang, would it be convenient for you to give me some pointers these next few days?"

"Hmm?" Qin Lang looked at Zhao Qian in surprise, then seemed to realize something, "Your second food spirit's origin food?"

Unlike Qin Lang, who is still hesitating and struggling with the decision of his second Food Spirit, Zhao Qian had already decided on the origin food of her second Food Spirit a long time ago.

But almost two days have passed since the star vein was activated, and there has been no further news about Zhao Qian's second food spirit.

Zhao Qian couldn't possibly be unaware of how food spirits are created, so there must be something wrong with her origin food.

“Yes.” Zhao Qian nodded. “As you know, the deliciousness of food is directly proportional to the flavor value of the food spirit it gives birth to.”

"So, just to be on the safe side, I tried making the origin dish that I had decided on before the food spirit was born."

"But after tasting it, something felt off."

"I used exactly the same ingredients as before, but this dish just doesn't have the amazing taste I remember."

At this point, Zhao Qian said with some distress, "I even suspect that maybe it's because I've been eating too much good food with you that I've become more picky about food."

"Looks like this really is my fault?" Qin Lang shook his head, both amused and exasperated. "So, you hope to make this dish even more delicious before the second Food Spirit is truly born?"

"Yes!" Zhao Qian nodded emphatically, her eyes filled with anticipation. "It shouldn't take you too long, okay?"

"No problem." Qin Lang nodded. "Let's start when we get back to the hotel."

"Perfect timing, I haven't decided what dish to make for the next meal yet."

"Perhaps I can find some inspiration from your food?"

(End of this chapter)