Food Wars, my food not only glows!

　"I understand. From today onwards, I will spend at least 12 hours a day in the kitchen!"

　Upon hearing Bai Yuan's words, a resolute look flashed across Hojo Miyoko's face. She needed to put pressure on herself; only in this way could she quickly become stronger!

　"Fool, you still need to pay attention to the balance between work and rest. Go out and see the world more often, and don't confine yourself to the small kitchen."

　Over time, that might not only fail to lead to progress, but could actually cause a decline in ability.

　Hearing Hojo Miyoko's determination, Shirabuchi helplessly tapped her head and then spoke to her earnestly.

　Cooking is never something you can master by working in isolation. It requires constant practice, learning from others' cooking, combining it with your own, taking the best and discarding the worst, before you can hope to reach the highest level.

　"I understand. So, I need to engage in a lot of matches, fighting against powerful opponents, and only in this way can I quickly become stronger...?"

　Hojo Miyoko looked at Bai Yuan with a puzzled expression. She used to prepare her dishes in a corner of the kitchen, but now Bai Yuan was telling her that this approach didn't seem to work...

　"You don't necessarily have to compete against experts. Just observe and learn more, and don't work in isolation. You can achieve the same results."

　Seeing that Hojo Miyoko's thoughts had been corrected, Bai Yuan loosened his grip and gently patted her head as encouragement and comfort.

　"Read more and learn more..."

　Miyoko Hojo murmured softly, a strange light flickering in her eyes.

　Seeing this, Bai Yuan stopped talking. Sometimes, saying things too clearly is not a good thing.

　Everyone has a different understanding of cooking; all he needs to do is guide them onto the right path.

　As for which path they ultimately chose, he had no intention of interfering; it was their own choice, and they would bear the consequences themselves, good or bad.

　The journey from the moonlit sky to home took about 30 minutes. Shirabuchi led Hisako Shinto and Miyoko Hojo on a leisurely walk.

　The sunlight shone on the three of them, making it slightly hot, but no one cared.

　After the first round of competition.

　There is a one-week buffer period for preparation.

　The second round of the competition will not be announced to the opponent before the competition, but will be notified by email a week in advance. This week is also to allow them to focus on refining their dishes.

　The semi-finals.

　We can no longer be as casual as we were at the beginning.

　Before long, the three returned home. They were stunned by the scene in front of them as soon as they arrived at the door. Then Bai Yuan frowned and spoke.

　"Excuse me, what brings you here to my house?"

　Looking at the old man and two young men in front of him, Bai Yuan was filled with doubt. He did not remember knowing such people, nor did he know why they wanted to see him.

　"You're Bai Yuan? You look quite ordinary. Are you really a top-tier seven-star chef?"

　Zhou Quan looked at the man who had suddenly appeared in front of him with a puzzled expression. He had thought that even if Bai Yuan was in his twenties, he would be an uncle who was almost thirty.

　Instead of the one in front of him, who looks to be only in his early twenties, even younger than him...

　This guy doesn't look like a top-tier seven-star chef at all; isn't he just a pretty boy?!

　"This isn't just ordinary, it's absolutely super cool!"

　Zhou Yuyu's eyes widened when she saw Bai Yuan. She covered her mouth shyly, then surrounded him, looking him up and down without any of the reserve expected of a young lady.

　"noob..."

　"You bastard! Get out of here and play somewhere else."

　Seeing Zhou Quan roll his eyes, seemingly about to say something outrageous, Old Man Zhou, who had been observing Bai Yuan, finally reacted and went over to give him a flying kick, sending him sprawling to the ground.

　Not feeling relieved afterward, he rubbed his foot again before giving Bai Yuan a helpless smile.

　"This kid is spoiled by his family and acts like a lawless person outside. I will discipline him properly when we get back. Please don't mind, young friend, just pretend he was farting."

　Old Zhou was also a little embarrassed. They came to pay a visit, and he didn't want to accidentally make enemies instead of building a good relationship, which would be a real joke.

　"It's nothing, so what brings you here?"

　Dissipating the force gathered in his arms, Bai Yuan looked at the old man in front of him with a half-smile. The old man had a well-proportioned figure, but judging from his exposed arms, he should be the lean type with great strength.

　"It's nothing serious. I just heard that a new seven-star chef has emerged in China, so I wanted to pay him a visit. Please forgive me if I have offended anyone."

　Because the other party was a strong person of equal strength, Old Man Zhou did not dare to put on airs as an elder.

　He respectfully explained his purpose, then looked at him expectantly, hoping the other party wouldn't leave an old man who was about to die standing outside.

　However, even though he had been mentally prepared before coming, Old Man Zhou still couldn't help but be shocked when he actually saw Bai Yuan's face.

　There was nothing we could do; the other party was simply too young.

　Didn't you see his granddaughter has become a lovesick fool...?

　Wait, Zhou Yuyu, what are you doing!

　Coming to her senses, she remembered that she had a granddaughter. Looking up, she saw that she was standing next to Bai Yuan, poking his arm with her finger.

　"Brother, you're so strong! Your muscles are huge! How do you train? I reckon you could beat two Xiao Quan to death!"

　Feeling the hardness through her fingers, Zhou Yuyu covered her mouth in surprise. This hardness was even stronger than some professional fitness coaches!

　Zhou Quan, who was pretending to be dead on the ground: ? ? ?

　"I exercise a little regularly, but I'm not particularly skilled at it."

　Looking at the girl with an expression of adoration, Bai Yuan had a helpless expression on his face. Since she was looking at him like that, he couldn't very well reprimand her.

　After all, no man would insult his female admirer.

　"This is far from just a little training; you're too modest, brother!"

　If Yu'er were to date, she'd definitely choose someone like you, brother. Putting everything else aside, you'd give her a tremendous sense of security! By the way, brother, do you have a girlfriend yet?

　Her pink twin ponytails swayed in the air, exuding an indescribable vitality. The girl's eyes were clear, as if she were asking about something ordinary.

　If an ordinary teenager were to encounter her, he would probably not be able to withstand a few rounds before revealing his bank card PIN.

　But Bai Yuan is different; he's surrounded by so many beautiful girls that he's become somewhat desensitized.

　"I have someone I want to marry."

　"Eh?!"

　"Since you've come to visit, please come in and have a seat. Hisako, make some tea."

　"it is good."

　Hisako Shinomiya, who had been curiously observing from the side, nodded, then trotted into the house. She took out the tea set from the drawer, which she knew better than the host, Shiroyuki, and began to brew tea very elegantly.

　She learned this from working alongside Erina Nakiri, who only allowed her to brew tea when Erina was entertaining important guests.

　However, she had no temper at all when Bai Yuan was ordering her around. Instead, she was filled with a little joy because she felt needed by him!

　Soon, the tea was brewed, and Bai Yuan learned the origins of the people in front of him.

　The Zhou family, a renowned culinary family in China.

　The old man in front of me is Zhou Tai, a top-level eight-star chef and the current head chef of China's state banquets. He has a group of chefs under his command who can make dishes that glow.

　The younger one is Zhou Quan, who has just entered the top rank, but he will be assessed in Hangzhou.

　As for the pink-haired girl with pigtails, her name is Zhou Yuyu, and she is a first-class chef.

　She's usually quite active and lively, always looking energetic, but once she starts cooking, she's like a completely different person.

　Chapter 186 The Challenge of the State Banquet Chef

　"So you're the chef who hosts state banquets. It's a pleasure to meet you."

　After listening to Zhou Tai's self-introduction, Bai Yuan's expression changed several times. Finally, he took the initiative to place the tea in front of him, showing a friendly attitude.

　He has always held seniors in the culinary world in high esteem, especially those who are top-tier eight-star chefs, which makes him extremely envious.

　If I could have a match with such a master, regardless of the outcome, it would be incredibly exhilarating. The moment before the result is revealed would be even more exciting!

　Of course, such a master would be extremely cautious about food battles, and it would be difficult to get him to agree without paying a price.

　As for the cost, it could be money, fame, or support for future generations.

　For a moment, Bai Yuan thought about many things.

　"please."

　Bai Yuan placed the exquisitely crafted tea snacks in front of Zhou Tai and his two grandsons, raised his hand in a gesture of invitation, and then picked up a piece of mung bean cake to eat.

　Delicate and soft. When Bai Yuan took a gentle bite, the dense cake seemed to slowly melt on her tongue, bringing a unique sensation.

　An unparalleled silky smooth feel.

　Its sweetness is just right, neither too sweet nor too cloying, and it brings out the natural sweetness and aroma of mung beans perfectly, making it a truly exquisite product.

　"What amazing mung bean cake! This is the best I've ever had, even better than the ones sold at Xuwang Pavilion!"

　Xu Wang Ge is the best pastry shop in their area. The master chef there is a top-level five-star chef who can create dishes that glow.

　Of course, the other party rarely takes action personally.

　Generally, the dishes are made by the apprentices, but even the pastries made by a top-level chef are of the highest quality.

　But even though the mung bean cakes produced there were incredibly delicious, the most delicious mung bean cakes she knew, they couldn't compare to what she was feeling right now!

　The sweet aroma of the pastries, like the warmest sunshine, gently falls into her heart, filling it and bringing her a sense of warmth and satisfaction.

　"It's an indescribable wonderful experience. To make mung bean cake to this level is much more difficult than making a normal dish into a top-grade seven-star dish."

　Zhou Tai was also somewhat surprised. The unique flavor of the mung bean cake on his tongue, its delicate and soft texture, undoubtedly indicated that the mung bean cake was very well made.

　Five-star Superior? No, it feels like it's at the level of Seven-star Superior. Could this guy be a pastry chef, skilled in making pastry dishes?

　"Drink tea, drink tea. This mung bean cake tastes best with tea. The slight bitterness followed by a sweet aftertaste allows the aroma of the mung bean cake to be released further."

　Bai Yuan didn't offer much explanation. He smiled and said to Zhou Tai, taking a bite of the mung bean cake in his hand and then taking a sip of tea.

　His leisurely and serene demeanor gives him the air of a reclusive sage.

　Seeing this, Zhou Quan, who had initially looked down on Bai Yuan, lowered his head, sipped his tea, and remained silent. Zhou Yuyu, on the other hand, stared at him with a lovesick expression, as if she had never seen a handsome man before.

　After that, Bai Yuan and Zhou Tai exchanged cooking experiences.

　One was a genius from ancient times, and the other was a master chef of state banquets in modern society. They started their conversation very amicably, but soon they started arguing heatedly over how to make a simple home-style dish, their lips almost smoking, and neither was willing to admit defeat.

　But after the argument, they both burst into laughter, praising each other's ideas without reservation and calling each other ingenious chefs.

　"this..."

　Hisako Shinoto opened her mouth but didn't say anything; she couldn't understand what the two people in front of her were doing.

　"I can't tell if they want to argue or if they're genuinely praising each other. But judging from the looks of it, the second possibility is probably something to be happy about."

　"Are all great chefs this eccentric? I thought only the old man was weird, but it turns out they're all weird."

　Zhou Quan looked at the two laughing heartily and began to criticize them without any restraint. He already thought his great-grandfather was strange enough, but now Bai Yuan had joined the mix.

　Does this mean that powerful people will eventually be driven insane?

　"It's really nice chatting with you. I brought my grandson here for a reason: I want to test his skills against the outstanding geniuses under your command."

　"Competition?"

　Upon hearing Zhou Tai's words, Bai Yuan raised his voice by two decibels, but quickly realized that the other party was not referring to him, but rather wanted the younger generation to have a competition.

　"That's right. Jade must be carved to become a useful object. If the little guys below don't get proper training, they'll never achieve anything great in their lives."

　Therefore, I often took him to visit various masters, letting them spar with the disciples of these masters. Although they lost more often than they won, it was still quite effective.

　Zhou Tai took a sip of tea, then cheerfully confessed to Bai Yuan.

　He came not just to exchange pleasantries and build rapport, but more to give Zhou Quan a chance to practice and establish good relationships with future geniuses in advance.

　Moreover, competitions among the younger generation can greatly help their growth, so he didn't think Bai Yuan would refuse.

　"You're right, let the younger generation compete with each other and show their skills in cooking."

　This is indeed a good way to make progress, and I have no reason to stop it.

　However, this kind of competition is too monotonous. I'm quite interested in your cooking, Brother Zhou. How about we have a competition between the two of us, with these kids helping out? It would be good for them to gain experience in this area.

　As they were talking, Bai Yuan suddenly pulled a booklet out of his pocket: the Food Wars Manual.

　As a gentle breeze blew by, the Food Wars recipe book flipped through the pages rapidly, revealing one name after another, before finally stopping on a blank page.

　"You want to be the last dragon chef in the world? What a terrifying ambition..."