[Genshin Impact]: I can become stronger by cooking.

"Let's operate legally first. I have a restaurant idea that's still in its early stages, and I want to test it out first."

"Yes, it's good to have ideas. Remember to contact me if you need funding for the restaurant renovation."

"Don't worry, sis. If you really need money, I won't be polite. By the way, could you find me that kid Fimini's file? I need to check some information."

"The children's files... I haven't had a chance to look at them yet. Let me find them for you." With that, Arecino stood up and rummaged through the filing cabinet behind her, finally pulling out a file labeled "Fimini" and handing it to Chao Ke.

[Name: Fimini]

[Source: Sent by mother]

[Abilities: Ice-attribute Divine Eye, excellent diving skills, equipment repair...]

[Task Execution Log: ....]

[Background investigation: Born in the Fontainebleau district...father owed a huge debt to the Firebird Order...when the family debts could not be repaid, the mother sent Fimini to the mansion for protection, and faced the loan sharks alone...]

Upon seeing the "Firebird Order," Chao Ke's eyes lit up. Sure enough, the mansion's archives contained some records of moneylender gangs. This would make his search much easier; if he had gone there sooner, perhaps Fimini's mother could still have been saved.

Arecino seemed to sense something from Chao Ke's expression, took the file on Fimini from Chao Ke's hand, and read it through from beginning to end.

Arecino sighed and said, "This child is quite pitiful... His mother has fallen into the hands of those scumbags from the Firebird Order, she's probably going to suffer a lot."

As she spoke, Arecino pulled a letter from the pile of documents on the table and handed it to Chao Ke.

"This is?"

Chao Ke opened the envelope with a puzzled look and found that it was the mansion's investigation report on the Firebird Order.

The Firebird Order, a small organization that has been active in the Fontainebleau district for many years, is involved in loan sharking, violent debt collection, extortion, and other illegal activities. However, in the last six months, they have suddenly become very low-key and difficult to track down, and are suspected of being involved in the sale of the illegal drug 'Lex'.

“Violent debt collection, selling Less—they’re the kind of guys who’d stay in Mello Petersburg until they die. It’s hard to imagine what kind of inhuman treatment Fimini’s mother would have received in that environment,” Chao Kemo said, stroking his chin.

Arecino also looked serious, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the table as she weighed the pros and cons in her mind.

After a long while, Arecino exhaled a heavy breath and said.

“I understand your thoughts. But the Buffati Mansion has just undergone a change in leadership and is now under the spotlight of various forces in Fontainebleau. We are an intelligence organization, and it is not advisable for us to make any major moves in the near future.”

Chao Ke nodded, indicating his understanding.

"So, you're planning to wait until after this sensitive period to conduct the investigation?"

"Do not."

Arecino shook her head, the red cross in her pupils shining brightly at that moment.

"I plan to go to Grey River myself tonight."

Chao Ke was taken aback for a moment, then burst into hearty laughter.

"Sis, you're becoming more and more charming in my eyes."

Chapter 7 Chef's Level Advancement

The next morning, when Chao Ke pushed open the door to the office at the Bufati Mansion, he found his older sister already sitting at her desk, working.

"You've come at the perfect time. Please refill my cup of strong tea."

Chao Ke nodded, took the teacup his older sister handed him, and brewed her another strong cup of tea.

She hadn't returned home all night. Although I couldn't see any signs of fatigue on my older sister's face, the dark red bloodstain on her shoe suggested that her actions last night hadn't gone smoothly.

"How did last night's operation go? Did you get anything?"

"There's progress on the Firebird Order. Although they've tried their best to hide it, their methods are too crude. I've already caught a few of their weaknesses, and it'll be a matter of just a few days before they're destroyed."

Arecino took a sip of strong tea and spoke calmly.

That makes sense. After all, he is the head of the intelligence agency of the Winter Kingdom. It is indeed overkill for him to deal with a small, unknown organization.

Chao Ke got up, made himself a strong cup of tea, and chatted with his older sister for a while.

After finishing several cups of strong tea, Chao Ke wanted to end the chat so as not to disturb his older sister's work anymore, but his sister stopped him.

Arecino pulled a document and a ticket from her desk and handed them to Chao Ke.

"What are these? Shop operation documents and tickets to a performance at the Opikley Opera?"

【Ding! 】

[Congratulations, host, on completing the advancement mission]

[Advanced Quest: Own your own restaurant (Completed) and obtain a recipe (Completed)]

[The host can proceed to the system interface to begin advancing their cooking level]

The system notification made Chao Ke breathe a sigh of relief; it seemed that the long-term leased shop also belonged to his restaurant.

After glancing at the stamps from the Fontaine Chamber of Commerce and other departments on the shop's operating documents, Chao Ke put them away and focused his attention on the Opiclie Opera performance ticket.

The performance is the day after tomorrow, and the troupe performing is a well-known and established troupe in Fontainebleau.

"Sis, what's this show ticket for?"

"This was sent by Fontaine and we were invited to watch the performance. It is said that the Water Demon Goddess Funina will personally perform in this show."

Chao Ke frowned slightly. "Is this a show of force to us?"

Arecino nodded. "I guess it's meant to give us a warning."

"I understand, sis. I'll definitely be there to watch the show."

After leaving the mansion, Chao Ke went straight to his shop.

Looking at the shop that had been completely cleaned up, Chao Ke could only sigh at the efficiency of the debt collector. The task he gave yesterday was completed by the landlord today.

【Ding! 】

[A store with host ownership has been detected; the restaurant decoration generation package is available.]

[Does the host wish to use this?]

【whether】

Chao Ke chose the "No" option.

It's still daytime, and my act of taking over this shop is already ostentatious enough. There's no need to attract the attention of Fontaine's relevant forces by instantly completing the renovations.

Within the Adventurers' Guild, Chao Ke posted a project at market price: to erect a shed outside his shop to block the view inside.

After doing all this, Chao Ke went home along the way.

After entering the room, drawing the curtains, locking the door, and confirming that there were no listening or surveillance devices around, Chao Ke sat cross-legged on the floor and opened the system interface.

[Demon God Level]

[Cooking Level: Beginner (Can be Advanced)]

[Advanced Quest: Completed]

Chao Ke selected "Advanced" in the Chef's Level section.

[Chef's Level Advancement Begins]

[Advancing...]

[Chef's level successfully advanced]

[Congratulations, host, on reaching a new culinary level: Apprentice]

In an instant, Chao Ke's body seemed to explode.

A strong sense of separation came from all around. Suddenly, Chao Ke's body seemed to have left the Teyvat continent and arrived in a boundless sea of ​​stars.

In this sea of ​​stars, countless stars transformed into ethereal nebulae, nourishing Chao Ke's body.

But in just a few milliseconds, Chao Ke shuddered and instantly broke free from the sensation, his mind and body returning to the continent of Teyvat.

It felt as if everything that had just happened was just a dream.

But Chao Ke himself knew that the vast and boundless sea of ​​stars he had seen earlier was definitely not an illusion.

Within his body, abundant energy surged, replenishing all the hidden injuries left over the years and the life force damaged by the overuse of the Evil Eye.

Not only that, but even his ability to perceive elements has been significantly enhanced.

In addition to the grass element he already possesses, he also seems to be able to easily manipulate the fire element surrounding him.

Looking at the system interface, the four large characters "Demon God's Authority" were particularly eye-catching.

【The Demonic Authority of the Chef (Apprentice Level)】

【1. Fire Element Mastery (Beginner)】

【2. Food Enchantment (Level 1)】

"Control of fire element?"

Chao Ke focused his mind and entered the elemental field of vision.

Ignoring the unusually active grass element, Chao Ke focused his attention on the fire element.

As his thoughts shifted, the fire element around him began to flow in accordance with Chao Ke's commands.

"Oh!"

As the fire element gathered, a small, flickering flame appeared in Chao Ke's palm.

"So this is the power of a demon god's authority? It's definitely a different experience from using the Eye of God..."

Chao Ke carefully experienced the power of the Demon God's authority and couldn't help but admire it.

Chao Ke has personally experienced the Elemental Authority, the Eye of God, and the Evil Eye, and he has the absolute right to speak on their differences.

The Demon God (Elemental) Authority, a power used by demon gods and immortals, guides elemental power through consciousness, which not only consumes less energy but also allows for a faster elemental response.

As an external organ, the Eye of God does not guide elemental power as smoothly as the Authority of the Demon God. The user needs to inject their thoughts into the Eye of God before they can guide elemental power, which is an extra step compared to the user of the Authority, and it also consumes more physical strength.

The Evil Eye, as a replica of the Eye of God, has a much cruder way of guiding elemental power. If the user has no experience using the Eye of God, they can only guide elemental power using their own life force according to the Evil Eye's built-in program. However, even for the owner of the Eye of God, operating the Evil Eye at high power inevitably requires consuming some of their own life force.

The use of the power of the demon god (elements) cannot be mastered in a short time.

Chao Ke extinguished the flames in his hand and focused his attention on another authority in the system interface.

【The Demonic Authority of the Chef: Food Enchantment (Level 1)】