Shrimp in Snow

"Anything else? Other S-class ingredients will do!"

"There really isn't anything left..."

With a wry smile, Xuan Sheng gestured toward the old man and asked in confusion,

"You're in such urgent need of S-class ingredients because..."

"Ah, I want to use the finest ingredients to make a dish. Only ingredients of sufficient quality can produce a greater increase in culinary skill."

The old man turned and walked back into the room, and Li Xunsheng followed him. The steward who had led the way seemed to know the old man's personality and did not stay. Instead, he tactfully turned and left.

[Note: The speed at which culinary skill increases is linked to the tier of the ingredients used to make a dish and the tier of the finished product.]

A flash of inspiration struck, and Li Xunsheng immediately remembered the half-warehouse of potatoes he had.

In other words, if he used those potatoes to make fries, mashed potatoes... In short, his culinary skill would rise very quickly?!

"You want to watch me cook? Fine, but don't make a sound, and don't come too close and disturb me. This is crucial."

The room was not a bedroom for living in. It was actually a small kitchen.

It had every kind of cooking utensil, and the fire beneath the stove had never gone out. Old Man Liu was busy washing the utensils and had no time to bother with the youth who had followed him in.

"Okay."

Li Xunsheng obediently stood against the wall, gazing eagerly as he waited for the old man in front of him to begin cooking.

[A-class Ingredient: Six-tier Minotaur Milk: A-class ingredient. Upon consumption, increases Strength by 10% for one hour.]

[Five-tier Lobster Lord's Shrimp Meat: A-class ingredient. Upon consumption, increases total damage dealt by 5% for one hour.]

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

"Hmm... let's begin."

After preparing all the ingredients and seasonings and finishing washing the utensils, the old man muttered to himself and picked up the spatula.

With a flick of the spoon, a thin layer of oil appeared in the previously empty wok...

The old man controlled the spatula methodically, neither hurried nor showy.

Yet every movement seemed to follow a certain rhythm, flowing together with perfect coordination and putting any observer at ease...

The fully washed Golden Potatoes went into the wok. Though they had not been steamed, the spatula quickly mashed them into snow-white paste. Bathed in oil and fire, they acquired a golden shell...

After sprinkling on only a little salt and some special seasoning, the old man shifted his attention to another wok...

The cooked shrimp meat went into the wok, followed by the fragrant milk... Three snow-white ingredients came together in one wok. Before the youth could even see the old man's movements clearly, he discovered that the mashed potatoes had somehow become cylindrical. The milk and shrimp meat had long since disappeared, leaving only the golden, crispy shell of the mashed potatoes, glistening faintly with oil in the wok.

"Done."

After sprinkling on some chopped scallions, the old man had spent less than ten minutes cooking, yet he looked as though he had just fought a great battle. Sweat covered his face as he slowly exhaled.

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

"Congratulations..."

Looking at the golden dish on the plate, shaped like a spring roll, Li Xunsheng finally spoke after silently watching the entire process.

Now that the dish had been completed, then...

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

"Hmm... yes... it's finally done..."

Staring contentedly at the golden dish he had taken off the stove, the slightly plump old man stroked his beard, satisfaction filling his face.

"Hmm... I'll call it Shrimp in Snow. Young man, how should I thank—cough, cough, thank you?"

Seeing that one Golden Potato still remained unused on the stove, the old man's expression changed. He swiftly snatched it up, then stroked his beard and resumed his air of an eminent master, as though the person who had just grabbed the potato had never been him.

"Um... can I have this?"

Li Xunsheng pointed at the [Shrimp in Snow] in the bowl. His goal was obvious.

That was exactly what he had come for!

A potato 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' completed. Congratulations, you have obtained the dish 'Shrimp in Snow' and 'Old Man Liu's Gratitude'.]

"I can tell from the look in your eyes that you want to learn cooking too. If there's anything you want to ask, you can come to me anytime."

The young man had not left while he cooked, instead insisting on watching from the side. Old Man Liu had already seen through his little scheme.

That was why Old Man Liu had added that last remark.

"And if you come across any more S-class ingredients, you must come find me!"

The moment S-class ingredients were mentioned, the old man's face became eager and expectant again.

To an old man obsessed with cooking, nothing was more precious than high-tier ingredients.

"But... it really is a pity. Ingredients of this quality must be hard to find again, right?"

Luckily, he had been clever enough to take all the potatoes from the young man. Otherwise, it would probably have been difficult to find such excellent ingredients again.

Heh heh, now this last bit of S-class ingredients belongs to me.

Stroking the remaining Golden Potato, the old man wore a mischievous smile, looking like a child showing off a beloved toy in front of his friends.

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

Li Xunsheng gave an awkward yet polite smile, put away the [Shrimp in Snow], and nodded repeatedly.

You're right. Absolutely right.

"All right, I'll tell the people here that if you want to visit me again or deliver high-tier ingredients, you're welcome anytime. But if there's nothing else, hurry up and leave. I still have other dishes to study..."

After driving the youth out of his kitchen, Old Man Liu began pondering again: What else could he make with the Golden Potato in his hand...?

The crispy shell shattered at the slightest touch. The fragrant, rich mashed potatoes melted in his mouth, while the springy shrimp meat inside seemed almost alive, leaping between his teeth. Along with its tender fragrance, the mashed meat carried an intensely fresh flavor that spread abundantly between his lips and teeth...

"Mmph..."

As soon as he left Drunken Flower House, Li Xunsheng stuffed the [Shrimp in Snow] into his mouth and wholeheartedly savored the dish that could increase his Strength by a full ten points...

[After using 'Shrimp in Snow', Strength +10!]

"It's so delicious..."

After wiping the corner of his mouth, the youth gazed reluctantly at the empty plate.

Having watched Old Man Liu make it, he had already memorized the [Shrimp in Snow] recipe through the Eye of God. The other ingredients were easy enough to obtain, but this A-class dairy product and the shrimp meat would be difficult to find...

Hmm... Anyway, it could only increase his Strength once. Maybe he should just forget about it.

Although it was incredibly delicious, Li Xunsheng still gave up on the idea of eating S-class dishes as his regular meals.

He had half a warehouse of potatoes to use up. He could casually make some mashed potatoes, fries, and the like, then put them up for sale online.

Still, the fact that S-class ingredients could accelerate the growth of culinary skill was a truly unexpected delight.

Thinking of how quickly his culinary skill level was about to rise, Xuan Sheng could not help but speed up on his way back...