Food Wars, my food not only glows!

　"I won't look; I'll find the answer in your cooking."

　Bai Yuan's voice was indifferent, devoid of any emotion. As he spoke, he rinsed the half-chicken in the ingredients several times with clean water, and at the same time used a special technique to press it to remove all the blood, which was the main source of the fishy smell.

　The freshness of the chicken is closely related to the deliciousness of the chicken soup. The half chicken in front of me is obviously frozen and of very poor quality.

　While it's not impossible to do it, the chicken soup made this way will taste significantly less delicious and will also affect the next step in the cooking process.

　"Looks like it's time to use it."

　Drawing the Eternal Spirit Blade from its sheath, Bai Yuan knew that even though he was competing against an unknown nobody, he would still give it his all out of respect.

　"What's going on? The ingredients...the ingredients look much rounder and plumper?! As if they were just slaughtered!"

　Looking at the ingredients in front of him, Kobayashi Rindou couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, his eyes revealing disbelief.

　The ingredients, processed some time ago, are now as fresh as if they were just slaughtered!

　"Don't make a fuss, this is the legendary kitchen utensil, the Everlasting Knife, which has the magical ability to restore the freshness of ingredients that have lost their flavor."

　Seeing Kobayashi Rindou's startled reaction, Bai Yuan shrugged.

　Next, put the prepared chicken into a pot of hot water without blanching it, so that all the flavor is locked in the soup. Just skim off the foam on the surface of the soup.

　"I see..."

　"So that's how big it is! How can there be such a magical knife in the world? This is simply incredible. Can I take a look?"

　Watching Bai Yuan loosen the ginger by crushing it, and at the same time find angelica and codonopsis in the classroom, put the three ingredients into a gauze and put them into the chicken soup pot.

　Like a little girl who has discovered a doll, Kobayashi Rindou rushed up to them, looking at them with excitement.

　It was as if she would do anything as long as Bai Yuan nodded and allowed her to touch the legendary Eternal Spirit Blade.

　This is a legendary kitchen utensil that can bring back the freshness of ingredients! I don't know what the principle is, but it can do such a magical thing.

　"It's on the table, take it and see for yourself."

　Bai Yuan was not stingy about this. On the one hand, no one but him could use the Eternal Spirit Blade, and on the other hand, he was confident in his own strength.

　Even if Kobayashi Rindou were truly greedy and ran away with a kitchen knife, he was absolutely confident that he could catch up with her and teach her a lesson!

　Turn the heat to low and keep the pot bubbling like fish eyes; this will ensure the chicken soup is bright and flavorful.

　On the other side, pour all the soybeans into a bowl, and wait for the chicken soup to cook before pouring it all in at once, so that the soybeans can absorb the flavor of the soup.

　The purpose of this step is to make the tofu flavorful with meat.

　Looking at the soaking soybeans, Bai Yuan turned his gaze to the fresh Erjingtiao and Chaotianchi peppers on the cooking counter, and then started boiling water in a pot.

　Blanch the two types of chili peppers in hot water for 20 seconds, then take them out and dry them in the sun.

　During the sun exposure process, the chlorophyllase in the chili peppers is oxidized by light, causing the chili peppers to become colorless and transparent, turning them into white chili peppers.

　"What are they doing? Aren't they making Mapo Tofu? Why boil the chilies first and then dry them? This is a completely pointless step."

　During the cooking process, Terunori Kuga kept a close eye on Hakugen's actions.

　The pressure from a five-star chef was immense; when he actually started cooking, he was nothing like the nonchalant person he had initially appeared to be.

　"Could it be some kind of cooking method I don't know? After all, he's a five-star chef, so it's normal for him to know things that ordinary people don't!"

　No, this is too intriguing! I must ask him for advice after the competition!

　Unable to figure it out, he simply stopped thinking about it. Hisagi Teruki suppressed his curiosity and refocused his attention on the soy milk that had just been cooked in front of him.

　He added gypsum powder to the soy milk and stirred it continuously with a spoon. The soy milk then turned into tofu pudding. He then placed the tofu pudding into a mold and pressed it down with a heavy object to make it solidify.

　"Isn't it supposed to help ingredients regain their freshness? Why doesn't it work for me?"

　Holding the Eternal Spirit Blade, Kobayashi Rindou looked at the beef in front of him with a puzzled expression. It was cut with the Eternal Spirit Blade, so why was it the same as before?

　The beef wasn't fresh at all, not at all like it was when it was first slaughtered! Was Bai Yuan lying to her? But the chicken from before definitely looked fresh...

　"Because you are not its master, you must first gain its approval in order to use it, otherwise it is impossible to unleash its magical power."

　Bai Yuan's voice slowly rang out, "The legendary cooking utensils are not for just anyone to use. Even if Kobayashi Rindou has good talent, he is only good."

　To gain the recognition of legendary kitchen utensils, one must at least reach the Special Grade Five Star level in their teens and possess the ability to create glowing dishes.

　"What? Kitchen utensils can recognize their owners?"

　Upon hearing Bai Yuan's words, Kobayashi Rindai frowned, suspecting that the other party was treating her like a fool.

　It's unbelievable that a mere kitchen knife could recognize its owner.

　"If you can accept that it has such amazing abilities, can't you accept that it can choose its own master?"

　Bai Yuan's voice carried a hint of teasing as he took the Eternal Spirit Blade from Kobayashi Rindan's hand and began to perform in front of her.

　With a flash of silver light, the beef in front of me was sliced ​​into paper-thin slices and neatly arranged on the plate.

　"Want to try it?"

　The beef on the plate was layered on top of each other, so fresh that it even shimmered with iridescent colors in the sunlight, and the shreds of meat on it seemed to be twitching slightly.

　Seeing this, Bai Yuan brought a copper pot, added boiling water into it, and then added scallion segments, ginger slices, red dates, and a small piece of angelica root.

　Dilute the sesame paste with warm water, add minced garlic, cilantro, chopped green onions, crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and other seasonings, then add light soy sauce, sugar, and vinegar to taste.

　After tasting the flavor with his chopsticks, Bai Yuan handed the bowl of condiments to Xiao Lin Longdan, inviting her to try the hot pot made with fresh beef sliced ​​with the Yongling Knife!

　"Gudu."

　Looking at the clear broth bubbling in front of me,

　Upon seeing the condiment bowl emitting an incredibly enticing aroma, Kobayashi Rindou swallowed hard.

　"Then I won't be polite."

　Without hesitation, I picked up my chopsticks, took a thin slice of beef, gently swished it three times, and then put it into the dipping sauce bowl to coat it with sesame sauce.

　The beef has a delicate and tender texture, making it easy to swallow with almost no chewing, and because it is so fresh, the taste is absolutely amazing!

　Add some rich sesame sauce, and the taste is amazing!

　Although it was very hot, causing Kobayashi Rindou to keep sticking out her tongue, she couldn't bear to spit it out.

　At this moment, the girl's body trembled slightly, as if she was enduring something, and her cheeks turned red from the heat.

　"Great! Hot pot with meat!"

　After a while, Kobayashi Rindou exhaled a long breath of hot air, then excitedly grabbed Bai Yuan's arm, his eyes filled with a unique joy.

　"The combination of perfectly fresh meat and a richly flavorful dipping sauce is an absolutely invincible killer move!"

　As Bai Yuan spoke, he couldn't resist picking up his chopsticks, putting beef into the copper pot, dipping it in the sesame sauce bowl next to him, and eating it with relish.

　"This is really good! It's so delicious with just meat and dipping sauce! I've decided, I'm having hot pot tonight."

　I'm going to eat ten pounds in one go!

　"You need to use very fresh beef and lamb, so it's best to go to the market in the morning to buy them and cook them around noon, otherwise the taste will be greatly diminished."

　Bai Yuan reminded them that the beef and mutton in the morning are usually very fresh, as they are slaughtered on the same day, making them perfect for hot pot!

　"Indeed, the freshness of the meat greatly affects the taste of hot pot..."

　"Or you could come to my place sometime, and we could have a small hot pot party? Your Eternal Spirit Knife can really keep the ingredients fresh."

　Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, Kobayashi Rindou grabbed Bai Yuan's arm, completely disregarding his identity, and extended an invitation with utmost sincerity.

　"Going to your place? That's not a bad idea, but I have something to do tonight. How about tomorrow? Can I bring someone with me?"

　Thinking about tonight's itinerary, Bai Yuan pondered for a moment before speaking.

　"Really? That's great! You can bring as many people as you want, not just one. It's more lively with more people!"

　Kobayashi Rindou clapped her hands excitedly. She was never a shy person, and besides, more people would make it more lively than just the two of them!

　The two chatted casually, as if they were old friends who hadn't seen each other for years.

　Their actions had already stunned Terunori Kuga, who had just finished pressing tofu and was looking up to see what was happening on the other side.

　What is Bai Yuan doing? He's just boiling the beef he uses in Mapo Tofu like that! What does he use to make Mapo Tofu?

　With this question swirling in his mind, Terunori Kuga frowned, feeling a surge of anger. This was simply too disrespectful of him!

　Despite the difference in their skills, how could someone think they could beat him by making such a shoddy Mapo Tofu? It's a joke!

　Thinking of this, Terunori Kuga shook his head and decided to stop paying attention to Shirai and focus all his attention on the tofu in front of him.

　Once the tofu reaches its optimal state, he can begin the actual production process!

　"Speaking of which, why did you cook these chilies and then put them in the sun to dry? This shouldn't be the way to make Mapo Tofu."

　Wait a minute, haven't these peppers turned white from being dried in the sun?!

　As he spoke, Kobayashi Rindou glanced at the chili peppers on the shelf outside, his mouth slightly agape in shock.

　The sunlight was perfect at that moment, and the chili peppers, under the influence of the light, gradually lost their color and became pure white.

　This discovery shocked Kobayashi Rindou, filling his mind with doubts and questions.

　Why do chili peppers turn white?

　"This is because blanching destroys the chlorophyllase on the surface of the peppers. During the sun exposure, the chlorophyllase in the peppers undergoes photo-oxidation, and then they begin to fade."

　The sun is shining brightly today, which will speed things up; otherwise, I wouldn't have considered doing this, given that it takes a lot of time.

　Seeing the white-tinged Erjingtiao and Chaotianjiao peppers outside, Bai Yuan smiled with satisfaction and went out to collect them.

　"So why bother making the chili peppers lose their color? Aren't you making Mapo Tofu...?"

　Rindou Kobayashi was still puzzled, but fortunately she had a mouth, so she directly asked the question that was on her mind.

　"Of course, it's for making creative dishes."

　Mapo tofu is Mapo tofu; it would be too boring if everyone made the same thing, so I made white Mapo tofu.

　Upon being asked, Bai Yuan didn't hide anything and directly stated his idea: he wanted to make white Mapo Tofu!

　"White Mapo Tofu?!"

　Bai Yuan's words left Kobayashi Rindou even more confused.

　This was a term she had never heard before. Wasn't Mapo Tofu supposed to be bright and appealing, with an enticing red color that made people want to taste it?

　Besides, how exactly do you make white Mapo Tofu? Even with white chili peppers, the fermented bean paste is still red!

　That layer of rich, red chili oil and sauce is the source of Mapo Tofu's deliciousness!

　"Just wait and see."

　Looking at the white chili peppers on the cutting board, Bai Yuan didn't offer much explanation, but instead...

　Cut the peppers into small pieces and put them into the pot filled with cold water along with the Sichuan peppercorns.

　Once the water in the pot is boiling, add the snow-white, tender chicken broth tofu. In this way, the issues of spiciness and numbing sensation in Mapo Tofu are resolved!

　"White Mapo Tofu? What a whimsical idea."

　Kuga Terunori, who was not far away, pricked up his ears to eavesdrop on the conversation between the two. After hearing Bai Yuan's thoughts, he couldn't help but sneer.

　Even if you have white chili peppers, so what? Making fermented soybean paste takes at least a month, and without it, the taste and flavor of Mapo Tofu will be greatly diminished!

　It's highly unlikely that Bai Yuan anticipated the duel and prepared white fermented soybean paste beforehand, right? The probability of that is negligible!

　"So, what are you going to do...?"

　As Shirai walked towards the classroom door, Kobayashi Rindou was filled with curiosity.

　As a five-star chef, the other party would never make such a basic mistake. They must have already thought of a substitute, right?

　"Tap tap tap."

　A series of loud footsteps sounded, and Bai Yuan's figure suddenly disappeared into the corridor.

　"Wait? They're gone?"

　Watching Bai Yuan's disappearing figure, Kobayashi Rindou exclaimed in surprise, his face showing disbelief. Had this guy run away?

　impossible!

　That means we need to go outside and find a way to break the deadlock.

　Just as Kobayashi Rindou was about to say something to Kuga Terunori, who was making Mapo Tofu in a very proper manner, he saw footsteps coming from the doorway again.

　Bai Yuan appeared at the doorway, and in his hand was a small pot that was entirely blue and shaped like a dragon coiled around it!