The Spirit of Gourmet

Chapter 230 Unexpected Characteristics

"I was wrong, I was really wrong!"

Cao Dongdong was grabbed by the ear by Zhao Qian, and he clasped his hands together, begging for mercy.

Qin Lang, standing to the side, chuckled and shook his head.

That guy deserved it.

When Cao Dongdong sparred with Zhao Qian before, he did not let Tuantuan reveal the [Swallowing Soil] ability at all. Instead, every time Tuantuan was hit by Bubu's [Earth Rock Rush], it made Tuantuan look like it was seriously injured.

Tuantuan has been influenced by this guy and has started to go astray.

Having never seen anything like this before, Lala cautiously retreated behind Qin Lang and cast an inquiring glance at Danbao beside her.

"Gulu~"

Egg Baby rubbed against Spicy and gave it a comforting look.

They often do this; you'll get used to it.

Laughing and joking all the way, Qin Lang and his two companions soon arrived at the Royal Chef Association.

The previous test for Egg Baby was conducted here, so Qin Lang was quite familiar with the place this time.

Coincidentally, the person on duty in the testing area today is Tang Anna, who did the test for Egg Baby last time.

"Oh, our tournament champion is back?" Tang Anna looked at Qin Lang with a smile and teased him.

"Ms. Tang, you watched the game too?" Qin Lang was somewhat surprised.

“Of course, replays of all kinds of cooking competitions are my favorite videos to watch while eating.” Tang Anna smiled and nodded, looking at Lala.

It seems like only a month has passed since Qin Lang last underwent a Food Spirit test, but considering that Qin Lang won the competition and obtained seven Food Recommender badges in a month, activating the second star vein seems quite reasonable.

"Are you here today to conduct a test for this child?"

"Yes." Qin Lang nodded, picked up Lala, and handed her to Tang Anna. "Don't be afraid, it's just a little test for you."

"Crack!" Lala nodded, then took a bite out of Tang Anna's arm.

"Uh..." Qin Lang was speechless. He was about to explain when he saw Tang Anna's smile widen. "It seems this child likes me very much."

"Ms. Tang, how did you know that this was Lala's way of showing friendliness?" Zhao Qian couldn't help but ask curiously.

"Feel it with your heart." Tang Anna smiled mysteriously, picked up Lala and put her on the testing platform. After starting the test, she said softly, "Food spirits are all frank. They rarely hide their emotions, so you can see the difference if you observe carefully."

As she spoke, Tang Anna picked up the printed test results, glanced at them, and then handed them to Qin Lang with a smile, saying, "Your second food spirit is also excellent."

Qin Lang curiously took the test results and examined them.

[Food Spirit Characteristics: Complex Flavor]

【Complex Flavor: Possesses a hidden flavor attribute, which switches to the hidden flavor attribute when it is countered by the opponent.

[Food Spirit Value: 270]

【Four-dimensional analysis:
Stamina: 60
Attack: 80
Defense: 50
Speed: 80]

"It's actually a [complex flavor]?"

Before Qin Lang could speak, Zhao Qian couldn't help but exclaim, "This is the first time I've ever seen a Food Spirit with this characteristic."

Qin Lang stroked his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face.

According to its characteristics, Spicy has two different flavor attributes, but unlike Rare Spirit, it cannot have both effects at the same time.

Normally it will exhibit the normal flavor attribute, that is, the umami attribute. When the umami attribute is countered by the opponent, it will switch to the hidden attribute.

In addition, the spicy flavor score is the same as Egg Treasure's, 270 points, but the distribution of these 270 points is completely different from Egg Treasure's.

In fact, it could be said to be the complete opposite.

Spicy's strengths are attack and speed, her 60 stamina is average, but her 50 defense is a clear weakness.

However, the term "complex flavor" means that Spicy has a wider range of flavor attributes to control, and can control more flavor attributes.

Furthermore, the ability to counter flavor attributes reduces the damage Spicy receives by half. Therefore, Spicy's survivability isn't as bad as one might think.

The only problem now is...

What exactly is the hidden flavor profile of "spicy"?

From the perspective of the origin of the cuisine, it is probably one of the two flavors: salty and spicy, but it could also be other flavor attributes.

"How about we give it a try?"

Cao Dongdong summoned Tuantuan, his face full of eager anticipation.

Zhao Qian's two food spirits are both of the same umami attribute as La La, so they cannot create attribute counters. Egg Treasure's salty attribute is countered by the umami attribute.

No matter how you look at it, only the sweetness of the tuantuan can counteract the freshness.

"Okay." Qin Lang nodded, put away the test report, and led Cao Dongdong and Zhao Qian to the battle stage.

The moment she entered battle mode, the green chili pepper glow above Lala's head, which occasionally turned red, quickly switched back to a stable red.

When Qin Lang scanned Lala again, its attributes had changed.

"drop--"

【Attributes: Spicy, Spirit】

“It’s spicy!” Zhao Qian, who also got the results from the scan, started counting on her fingers. “Freshness counters sour, spicy, and salty, while spiciness counters sour, sweet, and bitter.”

"In other words, 'spicy' can simultaneously suppress five taste attributes: sour, spicy, salty, sweet, and bitter!"

Although the umami attribute counters the spiciness attribute, when facing an opponent with the umami attribute, spiciness will not switch to the spiciness attribute and will remain the same umami attribute, so there is no counter.

The only thing that can counteract the spiciness is the astringency.

Compared to regular Food Spirits, which have three flavor attributes that counter or are countered by three other flavor attributes, Spicy's range of counters is already quite broad.

"Does that mean people with better cooking skills get more powerful food spirits?" Cao Dongdong, standing on the opposite side of the field, sighed enviously and recalled Tuantuan.

He naturally didn't intend to actually let Tuantuan and Lala fight; it would be too much of a bully for Lala, who was still a baby.

Moreover, Lala doesn't even have the ability to attack right now.

With Tuan Tuan's recall, La La also ended her battle state, the light above her head turned green again, and she flew back to Qin Lang's side.

"It seems I need to prepare some offensive combat skills for you as soon as possible." Qin Lang smiled and patted Lala's head.

I wonder when the Traveler's Book will give him a new combat skill. The first two skills were support-type; it would be great if there was an attack-type one.

"Egg Baby, we..." Qin Lang hadn't finished speaking when he saw Egg Baby suddenly acting strangely beside him, and a look of confusion appeared in his eyes. "What's wrong with you?"

"Gulu~"

Egg Baby looked at Qin Lang with a pitiful expression.

Upon hearing Zhao Qian's analysis, it realized that the spicy flavor was a way to restrain itself.

On second thought, it seems that mental types also counter fire types?

In this way, both of his attributes as a senior have been suppressed by Lala. How can he expect Lala to be his subordinate in the future?
"So that's why." Qin Lang shook his head, both amused and exasperated, and patted Danbao's big ears. "It's alright, Lala is faster than you."

The faster the speed, the easier it is to trigger Egg Baby's [Counterattack] skill.

Upon hearing this, Danbao's mood immediately improved.

Its position as the top dog is still secure!

Lala blinked and moved closer to Danbao from behind.

"Ouch!"

"Gurgle... gurgle!!!"

(End of this chapter)