Douluo Continent: Gourmet Prisoner

Shrek Academy, Sea God Pavilion.

The heavy wooden door slowly closed, shutting out the noise from the outside world.

Inside the pavilion, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. A dozen or so figures sat on either side, all of them respected elders and deans of various departments.

Seated at the head of the table, Mu En sat upright, his hair and beard all white, yet his eyes remained sharp as an eagle's as he surveyed the crowd below. He said in a deep voice, "This meeting of the Sea God Pavilion is convened to discuss the cooperation between the Star Dou Great Forest and Shrek Academy. I have already agreed to this, and Di Tian, ​​the Beast God of the Star Dou Great Forest, has also shared a lot of crucial information with me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Mu En raised his hand, took out a notebook from his sleeve, and handed it to Xuan Zi beside him, indicating that he should pass it on: "I have written all of this down in this notebook. You can take it and look at it yourselves. If there is anything you don't understand, you can ask me."

Upon hearing this, everyone reached out and took the notebooks, bending down to read them. For a moment, the only sound in the room was the rustling of pages turning.

The handwriting on the leather notebook was neat and clear, detailing the division between the outer and mixed areas of the Star Dou Great Forest, the list of explorable ingredients, precautions for capturing them, and some information about the connection between the energy of ingredients and the cultivation of Soul Masters. Everyone stared at it in astonishment.

After a long while, an elder with graying hair and beard closed his notebook first, his brows furrowed slightly. He looked at Mu En, his tone tinged with confusion: "Elder Mu, what does it mean that the notebook says the excess energy provided by the ingredients can be used to condense soul rings?"

"It means exactly what it says." Mu En spoke calmly, his voice not loud, but each word clear. "After being cooked, high-quality ingredients can nourish a Soul Master's body and strengthen their foundation. However, during this process, some excess pure energy will settle down. This energy can be used to condense new Soul Rings and also to increase the age of existing Soul Rings. More importantly, Soul Rings condensed with this energy will be more compatible with the Soul Master than those obtained by hunting Soul Beasts."

Upon hearing this, a collective gasp filled the room, and everyone's gaze toward the leather-bound book instantly turned fervent.

"Then Elder Mu," another elder followed up with a question, his eyes full of inquiry, "why did the Beast God specifically emphasize the importance of the chef?"

Mu En leaned back in his chair and slowly explained, "When ingredients are successfully cooked, their flavor becomes richer and more fragrant. The more delicious the ingredients, the more abundant and pure the energy they can unleash. Moreover, the Star Dou Great Forest contains many unique ingredients with special methods of capture and cooking. If you don't follow the rules, you either won't get the real deliciousness, or the ingredients will produce toxins that will not only fail to nourish your body but will also damage your health."

Everyone suddenly realized what was going on, and their gazes toward the notebook became even more serious.

At this moment, an elder sitting at the end of the table hesitated before speaking, "Elder Mu, what is the true meaning of the Beast God of the Star Dou Great Forest's intention for us to do?"

"It's very simple." Moon's gaze swept over everyone, his tone solemn. "Shrek and the Soul Beast race are allowed to jointly manage the outer perimeter and mixed zone of the Star Dou Great Forest. You have all seen the food and hunting methods recorded in the notebook. If we discover new areas or new ingredients that we have never seen before, we need to inform the Soul Beast managers left in the outer and mixed zones."

"So, what should we do next?" Dean Yan Shaozhe of the Martial Soul Department asked in a deep voice. As he looked at the contents of the notebook, his heart was already filled with turmoil.

Mu En pondered for a moment, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Starting tomorrow, we will gradually send people and students to explore the Star Dou Great Forest. In addition, the academy will establish a separate department called the Culinary Department, which will specialize in studying cooking techniques and the pairing of ingredients. The dean of the Culinary Department will be Xuan Zi for the time being."

"This...this isn't right, is it?" Yan Shaozhe suddenly stood up, his brows furrowed, his tone full of opposition. "Elder Mu, cooking skills are ultimately just a side path. How can they compare to improving soul power and cultivating martial souls? Students have limited energy. If they are distracted by learning these things, I'm afraid it will delay their proper path!"

"Unorthodox methods?" Xuanzi sneered, glancing at Yan Shaozhe with a hint of sarcasm. "Fine, Yan Shaozhe, since you think cooking skills aren't important, then from now on, neither you nor anyone from your martial soul system should touch these ingredients that can enhance spirit rings and nourish the body. I want to see who will be jumping up and down in a panic when others rely on ingredients to gradually become stronger and their spirit ring ages keep rising."

"Elder Xuan, that's not what I meant!" Yan Shaozhe hurriedly explained, his face flushed red. "I just felt that students should focus on improving their skills. As for culinary skills, learning a little bit is enough. Why bother opening a separate department for it?"

"Learn a little bit?" Moon's voice suddenly turned cold. "Yan Shaozhe, didn't you hear me clearly? Only a qualified dish can bring out the full potential of the ingredients. Do you think superficial skills can achieve that?"

Yan Shaozhe opened his mouth, wanting to say something more, but was coldly interrupted by Mu En.

"My mind is made up." Mu En's words carried an unquestionable authority. "Not only the Culinary Arts Department, but also the Soul Guidance Department should be developed vigorously. Exploring the Star Dou Great Forest cannot be separated from the assistance of Soul Guidance Devices. Whether it is exploring the dense forest or capturing ingredients, Soul Guidance Devices can be of great use."

"Elder Mu!" Yan Shaozhe was sweating profusely, still trying to argue his case.

"If you refuse again," Mu En glanced at him indifferently, his tone light but full of intimidation, "we'll deduct a portion from your Martial Soul Department's budget to subsidize the Gourmet Department and the Soul Guidance Department."

"...Yes, Elder Mu."

Yan Shaozhe's shoulders slumped instantly, his face drained of all color, and he hung his head like a defeated rooster, slinking back to his seat, not daring to utter another word.

On the other hand, the Dean of the Soul Guidance Department, Xian Lin'er, and the Vice Dean, Qian Duoduo, were beaming with joy. They exchanged a glance and saw barely suppressed excitement in each other's eyes.

Qian Duoduo clenched his fists secretly, pondering how to use the funds to develop more soul tools.

The atmosphere inside the Sea God Pavilion suddenly became somewhat subtle.

"So, Elder Mu, what should we do next?"

"We've been sending students out to explore the Star Dou Great Forest in batches. Di Tian has relaxed some restrictions on Shrek Academy, allowing us to have teachers to lead the teams and protect the students. Next, I will send Le Xuan to lead a team of some inner court students to explore the outer circle of the Star Dou Great Forest. Of course, inner and outer court students are also allowed to explore on their own, but we cannot guarantee their safety if they explore on their own."

"Also, if a student discovers this, they should be asked to return and notify the academy, which will then inform the administrators of the Star Dou Great Forest, the outer perimeter, and the mixed zone. The academy will also provide a generous reward."

Do you have any further objections?

"That's all, Elder Mu."

The sandalwood incense still wafted in the air, and a transformation concerning the future of Shrek Academy had quietly set the tone within this solemn pavilion.