Shrimp in Snow

"Anything else? Other S-class Ingredients are fine too!"

"There really isn't any more…"

Smiling wryly, Li Xunsheng gestured to the old man and asked in confusion, "Why do you need S-class Ingredients so urgently…?"

"Ah, I want to use the best ingredients to make a dish. Only if the ingredients are good enough can I achieve a higher culinary skill improvement."

The old man turned and walked back into the room. Li Xunsheng followed him. The steward who had led the way, however, seemed to know the old man's personality and didn't stay any longer, wisely turning to leave.

[Note: The speed of culinary skill improvement is linked to the grade of ingredients used and the grade of the finished dish.]

A flash of inspiration struck Li Xunsheng, and he immediately thought of his half-full warehouse of potatoes.

This means if he used those potatoes to make french fries, mashed potatoes… in short, his culinary skill improvement speed would be very fast?!

"You want to watch how I cook? Alright, but don't make any noise, and don't get too close to disturb me. This is very important."

The room wasn't a bedroom but a small kitchen.

All sorts of cooking utensils were present, and the fire under the stove hadn't been extinguished. Old Man Liu was busy cleaning the utensils and didn't have time to pay attention to the young man following him.

"Okay."

Standing obediently against the wall, Li Xunsheng eagerly waited for the old man in front of him to start cooking.

[A-class Ingredient: Six-tier Minotaur Milk: Consuming this can increase Strength by 10% for one hour.]

[A-class Ingredient: Five-tier Armored Shrimp Lord's Shrimp Meat: Consuming this can increase total damage dealt by 5% for one hour.]

[Note: Only one food buff can be active at a time, permanent buffs excluded.]

"Hmm… Let's begin."

With all ingredients and seasonings prepared, the old man, having finished cleaning the utensils, muttered to himself and picked up the spatula.

As the spoon moved, a thin layer of oil appeared in the previously empty pot…

The old man controlled the spatula methodically, without haste or any flashy moves.

Yet, all his actions seemed to follow a certain rhythm, extremely coordinated, bringing pleasure to the observer's heart…

The completely washed Golden Potato was tossed into the pot. Although not yet steamed, it transformed into a snow-white paste under the spatula's work, coated in a golden-yellow shell under the bath of oil and fire…

Sprinkling only a little salt and a special seasoning, the old man shifted his attention to another pot…

The perfectly stir-fried shrimp meat was added to the pot, along with the mellow milk… Three snow-white ingredients converged in one pot. The young man couldn't even clearly see the old man's movements before he noticed that the mashed potato in the pot had somehow turned into a cylindrical shape. The milk and shrimp meat had long since disappeared, leaving only the golden, crispy shell of the mashed potato, glistening slightly with oil in the pot.

"Done."

Sprinkling some chopped scallions, though it had been less than ten minutes, the old man looked as if he had gone through a great battle, his face covered in sweat as he let out a long sigh.

[Unnamed Dish: Permanently increases Strength by ten points upon consumption! Rating: S!]

"Congratulations…"

Looking at the golden dish shaped like a spring roll on the plate, Li Xunsheng, who had been watching silently, finally spoke slowly.

Since the dish was made, then…

[Old Man Liu: Culinary Skill Level: Lv.80!]

"Mmm… Yes… It's finally done…"

Looking contentedly at the golden dish coming out of the pot, the slightly plump old man stroked his beard, his face beaming with satisfaction.

"Hmm… Let's call it Shrimp in Snow. Young man, how should I thank… cough, thank you."

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.

Seeing a Golden Potato still on the stove that hadn't been used, the old man's expression changed. Quick as lightning, he swiftly put the potato away. Then, he stroked his beard and resumed his dignified demeanor, as if the person who had snatched the potato was not him at all.

"Then… can I have this?"

Pointing at the [Shrimp in Snow] in the bowl, Li Xunsheng's target was extremely clear.

He came for this!

Potatoes could only increase Strength by five points, but this thing could double that increase!

"Oh, you want this? Of course."

[Hidden Quest 'Old Man Liu's Breakthrough' Complete. Congratulations on obtaining the dish 'Shrimp in Snow' and 'Old Man Liu's Gratitude'.]

"I see that your eyes show you want to learn cooking too. If you have any questions, you can come ask me anytime."

Old Man Liu knew the young man's intentions when he insisted on watching instead of leaving during the cooking.

That's why Old Man Liu specifically added this remark.

"And, if you ever find any more S-class Ingredients, be sure to come find me!"

As soon as S-class Ingredients were mentioned, the old man's face immediately became urgent and expectant again.

For an old man obsessed with culinary arts, nothing was more precious than high-grade ingredients.

"But… it's truly a pity. Such S-class Ingredients should be hard to find again."

Fortunately, he was clever enough to take all the potatoes from this young man. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to find such good ingredients again.

Hehe, now, this last bit of S-class ingredient belongs to me.

Touching the remaining Golden Potato, the old man looked like a child showing off a beloved toy to his companions, a mischievous smile appearing on his face.

"Ah... that's true..."

Smiling awkwardly but politely, Li Xunsheng put away the [Shrimp in Snow] and nodded repeatedly.

You're absolutely right, absolutely.

"Alright, I'll tell the people here that if you want to see me again or deliver high-level ingredients in the future, you're always welcome. But if you have nothing else to do now, hurry up and leave. I have other dishes to research..."

After ushering the young man out of his kitchen, Old Man Liu began to ponder again: what else could he do with the Golden Potato in his hand...

The crispy outer shell broke with a touch, and the fragrant, soft mashed potato melted in his mouth. The bouncy shrimp meat contained within seemed as if it were still alive, dancing between his teeth. It was extremely tender, and the meat paste, carrying an incredibly fresh aroma, filled his mouth and lips...

"Mmm..."

As soon as he left the Drunken Flower House, Li Xunsheng popped the [Shrimp in Snow] into his mouth, reveling in the delicacy that could increase his strength by a full ten points...

[Used 'Shrimp in Snow', Strength +10!]

"This is truly delicious..."

Wiping the corners of his mouth, the young man looked at the empty plate with reluctance.

Having witnessed Old Man Liu's cooking process, he had already memorized the recipe for [Shrimp in Snow] using the Eye of God. However, while other things were manageable, finding A-class dairy products and shrimp meat was difficult...

Well... since it could only increase his strength once, maybe he should just forget about it.

Although it was quite tasty, Li Xunsheng still abandoned the idea of treating S-class dishes as everyday meals.

He had half a warehouse of potatoes to mess around with. He could just make some mashed potatoes, fries, or something similar and sell them online.

However, the fact that S-class ingredients could accelerate the growth of his culinary skills was an unexpected delight.

The thought of his cooking level rapidly increasing made Xunsheng unconsciously quicken his pace back...

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf to avoid losing it next time.