The Strongest Gourmet System

In a small courtyard belonging to one of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's kitchens.

Chen An sat in the doorway, looking at the kitchen nearby with an expression that was hard to describe.

He had been a cook in his previous life, and after transmigrating, he was still a cook. He had finally made it to six years old and awakened his martial souls today, only to get a cleaver and a pot.

Was this damn thing afraid he would forget his old trade after changing worlds?

Of course, it wasn't as though he was really dissatisfied. After all, he had twin martial souls and innate full soul power. During the test that morning, Ning Fengzhi had even forgotten to drink his tea, while Grandpa Sword had pulled him over and examined him for ages.

One was called the Eternal Spirit Knife, the other the Dragon-Transforming Pot. When they awakened, silver light flashed and a jade-colored dragon's silhouette spiraled upward. They certainly looked impressive.

The Dragon-Transforming Pot could also turn into various kinds of cookware at his will.

But however impressive they looked, that didn't change the fact that they were kitchen utensils. He had tossed food in a wok in his previous life, and after transmigrating, he would keep tossing food in a wok. Even his martial souls came as a complete set. Apparently, being a cook was nonnegotiable.

Speaking of which, Chen An's previous life had been fairly decent. He had run a small restaurant of his own. He hadn't earned much, but supporting himself hadn't been a problem.

Then an accident happened. When he woke again, he was already a baby, picked up and brought back to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect by Chen Xin on his way home from an outing.

The old man had given him the name Chen An, too. There was no other meaning behind it; he simply hoped the boy would grow up safe and sound.

Over the past six years, the old man really hadn't mistreated him. He had never lacked food or clothing, and whenever there was something good, the old man always remembered to save him a share.

Unfortunately, the stomach sometimes simply refused to cooperate.

The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's food was naturally good, but after eating it for so long, Chen An still missed the flavors of his previous life. Once he was a little older, he began making trips to the kitchen.

He picked vegetables, helped out, and made himself something to eat along the way.

Seeing his interest, Uncle Zhou, who managed the kitchen, simply left the little stove in the back courtyard to him. Someone else handled the communal meals; Chen An could experiment with his own food.

Other than that, he played with Ning Rongrong. The little girl was about his age and had loved following him around since she was small. At mealtimes, if they found Chen An in the kitchen, they would find her there too nine times out of ten.

Making a little food every day, playing with the little girl for a while, and going back to sleep when he was tired-life was quite comfortable.

But now that his martial souls had awakened, he couldn't put off cultivation any longer.

He couldn't very well go out and announce, "My grandpa is Sword Douluo," to everyone he met. It would work, certainly, but it was a little embarrassing.

As he was thinking, a voice suddenly rang out in his mind.

[Ding! Strongest Gourmet System successfully bound.]

Chen An froze, then abruptly sat upright. A system? After waiting six years, he had already given up hope. He hadn't expected it to arrive today.

But before his delight had lasted even two breaths, something struck him. Wait, what system did it just say?

"A gourmet system?"

Looking at the large words appearing before him, Chen An's mouth twitched. A cleaver, a pot, and now a gourmet system.

Fine. The whole set.

I've already come to the Douluo Continent. Can't you let me do something else?

But soon, as the system explained itself, Chen An's expression slowly changed. It did want him to cook, but that cooking wouldn't go unrewarded.

As long as diners genuinely enjoyed his food, they could provide positive reviews, which could improve his soul power, physique, and other attributes.

Even the food he personally prepared could gain different special effects depending on the dish and how well he made it. Restoring stamina, strengthening the body, and even healing injuries were all possible.

"I can get stronger just by cooking?"

[Yes.]

With that affirmative answer, Chen An immediately stopped agonizing over it.

What's wrong with being a cook? Being a cook is pretty good. At least I know the job. It beats charging out with a cleaver to fight soul beasts for my life, doesn't it?

[Beginner reward issued. Recipe obtained: Yangzhou fried rice.]

A flood of information poured into his mind. By the time Chen An finished absorbing it, a smile had appeared on his face.

He naturally knew how to make Yangzhou fried rice, but the system's recipe was clearly more exacting. It specified everything, from the rice's moisture level to when to add the shrimp and how to adjust the heat.

[Yangzhou fried rice: eating it restores stamina and slightly strengthens the physique. Current effects are weak.]

It could strengthen his physique, too. Chen An immediately felt an itch to try. He hadn't eaten lunch yet, so he might as well fry up a batch and taste it first.

He got up, entered the kitchen, and greeted Uncle Zhou. After taking some ingredients, he returned to the back courtyard and got to work.

The rice had just finished steaming. He scooped it out and spread it to release the heat first. Overly wet rice was the bane of fried rice; if it clumped together in the wok, even the finest ingredients would be wasted.

He would make a home-style version today. He deveined the shrimp and mixed them with a little salt, egg white, and starch, finely diced the ham and shiitake mushrooms, then boiled the peas and set them aside.

He didn't use the Eternal Spirit Knife. Grandpa Sword had only just reminded him that morning not to let anyone else know about his second martial soul for now. Chen An naturally remembered.

After cutting the ingredients and clearing the chopping board, Chen An stepped onto the little wooden stool before the stove and summoned the Dragon-Transforming Pot. At a thought, it became a wok, which he set on the small stove.

A jade dragon coiled around the wok's smooth, lustrous body. One glance was enough to distinguish it from the black iron woks beside it, worn by years of use.

In his previous life, Chen An certainly wouldn't have had the heart to use it for fried rice. Displaying it outside his restaurant to attract customers would have been better than cooking with it. For now, though, he would see how well it worked.

He gripped the handle and tested it. It was surprisingly light and considerably easier to handle than his usual iron wok.

Once the wok was hot and coated with oil, Chen An gently cooked the shrimp and scooped them out, then added the ham and mushrooms to stir-fry until fragrant.

As the oil sizzled, an aroma gradually drifted through the little courtyard.

Just then, Ning Rongrong ran in through the courtyard gate.

The little girl had clearly come to find him and play, but the moment she entered, her nose twitched and her gaze landed directly on the stove.

"Brother Chen An, what are you making?"

"Fried rice."

"Didn't you promise to come play with me?"

"After I eat."

At that, Ning Rongrong pouted unhappily. But looking at the food in the wok, she didn't urge him again. Instead, she fetched a little stool herself and sat down beside him.

Chen An left her to it. He scooped out the fragrant ingredients, added some fresh oil, and poured in the beaten eggs.

As his spatula swept through the egg, it quickly broke into tender yellow bits. While it was still soft, he tipped in the rice right after it.

Holding the wok handle in one hand and working the spatula with the other, he gradually broke apart the slightly clumped rice.

With the system's help, Chen An already knew this fried rice recipe by heart. He didn't need to think about when to stir or when to toss.

With a light flick of his wrist, the rice rose along the wok's sides. Golden bits of egg scattered among it in the firelight, like a handful of shattered gold cast into the air.

Wreathed in steam, the jade dragon on the wok seemed to have come alive, but Ning Rongrong had no attention to spare for it.

It smells so good. It's only eggs and rice stir-fried together. How can it smell this good?

Her already expectant gaze was now utterly fixed. She looked at the wok, then at Chen An, and finally couldn't resist asking.

"Is it ready yet?"

"Not yet."

The ham, mushrooms, and peas went back into the wok, followed by the shrimp. White, yellow, red, and green tumbled beneath the spatula, and the aroma grew richer than before.

Ning Rongrong swallowed involuntarily.

"I think it's ready."

"What you think doesn't count."

"But it looks delicious."

Chen An spared her a glance. Seeing that she had already risen from her stool and was staring longingly into the wok, looking ready to come closer at any moment, he couldn't help laughing.

"Not in a hurry to go play anymore?"

"No hurry."

"Weren't you just rushing me?"

"I haven't eaten either."

She said it with perfect confidence, but who had been clamoring to go out just now? Why hadn't she remembered she hadn't eaten then?

Without exposing her, Chen An sprinkled in a little salt, followed by the chopped scallions.

The ham was already salty, so it didn't need much salt, and the scallions certainly couldn't be cooked too long. A few tosses in the rising heat instantly released their fresh fragrance.

"Get a bowl."

Almost as soon as he finished speaking, a little bowl appeared before him. She even had a spoon ready.

Chen An blinked. When did you get those?

"Here. Fill it up."

Giving her an exasperated look, Chen An nevertheless served her a bowl.

"It's hot. Blow on it before you eat."

"Mm-hmm!"

Agreeing repeatedly, the little girl took the bowl and impatiently scooped up a spoonful. After blowing on it a few times, she put it in her mouth.

At the first bite, Ning Rongrong instantly went still.

The fragrance of egg mingled with the ham's savory saltiness in her mouth. Each grain of rice was distinct, and the shrimp was tender and fresh. She had never tasted anything like it before.

Delicious. So delicious.

"How is it?"

Chen An wanted to ask, but Ning Rongrong had no time to answer. Her spoon moved again and again, stuffing her little cheeks full. The moment she swallowed, another heaping spoonful followed.

Even Chen An was taken aback by her speed.

Usually, the girl complained that one dish tasted bad or another was bland. Sometimes she even needed coaxing to eat a couple more bites.

Now, though, nobody even needed to tell her.

"Slow down. Nobody's going to steal it."

"Delicious... this is delicious."

Her words were muffled, but her spoon never paused.

Seeing her eat like that made Chen An happy. What cook didn't want people to enjoy their food?

He scooped the rice out of the wok, withdrew his martial soul, and served himself a bowl before sitting beside her to eat.

It really did taste good, even better than in his previous life. After swallowing it, he also felt a faint warmth, and some of the soreness in his arm from tossing the wok eased.

Still, his reaction wasn't as exaggerated as Ning Rongrong's. He had made it himself, after all, so he had some idea of what to expect.

But before he could eat more than a few bites, the little girl held out her empty bowl.

"More."

Chen An looked at the empty bowl, then at her.

"More? You've already eaten a whole bowl."

Ning Rongrong's face reddened slightly, and she spoke quietly.

"I don't usually eat this much. You just made it too delicious today."

It was a completely unconvincing explanation, but Chen An didn't mind. He took the bowl and served her another small half bowl.

"Don't force yourself if you're full. I'll make more tonight."

Hearing there would be more that evening, Ning Rongrong immediately smiled. Just as she was about to say something, Uncle Zhou finished his work out front and followed the aroma into the back courtyard.

He had only intended to check on Chen An. The little fellow had just awakened his martial souls that morning; he shouldn't get so absorbed in playing that he forgot lunch.

But when he reached the stove and saw the fried rice in the basin, then the bowls in the children's hands, Uncle Zhou found himself a little unsettled.

He had smelled the fragrance out front, but he hadn't expected to come closer and find that it really was a basin of fried rice.

"Xiao An, did you make this?"

"Yes. Uncle Zhou, try some too."

As he spoke, Chen An got up, filled a bowl, and handed it over.

"All right, I'll try a bite."

He had worked in the kitchen for so many years and naturally knew how to make fried rice, but he had truly never smelled any this fragrant.

Without bothering to fetch a stool, Uncle Zhou took the bowl and scooped up a spoonful while standing beside the stove.

At the first bite, Uncle Zhou froze. Then the spoon in his hand simply wouldn't stop. Spoonful followed spoonful, and he ate even faster than Ning Rongrong.

Chen An waited and waited, but this elder, normally so fond of offering him pointers, never spoke. Ning Rongrong, however, couldn't resist reminding him.

"Uncle Zhou, didn't you say you'd try one bite?"

"Mm, delicious."

"You've already eaten lots of bites."

"Mm, it is delicious."

Seeing that she couldn't get through to him at all, Ning Rongrong could only turn to Chen An, her little face full of anxiety.

"He isn't listening to me."

Chen An smiled and shook his head. That much was clear. Even if she asked his name right now, the answer would probably still be "delicious."

Only after finishing the bowl of fried rice did Uncle Zhou let out a long breath.

"Xiao An, give me another bowl."

"There's none left."

This time, before Chen An could answer, Ning Rongrong spoke first and pointed to the empty basin beside them.

There really was none left. It was Chen An's first attempt, and he hadn't prepared much.

Seeing this, Uncle Zhou's face filled with regret. His eyes involuntarily drifted toward the bowls in the children's hands before quickly withdrawing.

At his age, he could hardly bring himself to fight children over food.

But the flavor still lingered in his mouth, making it truly hard to let go.

"How about frying another batch? I'll fetch the ingredients."

"No more for now. I have to learn cultivation from Grandpa Sword this afternoon. I'll make some tonight."

Chen An shook his head. He hadn't forgotten the important business, and maintaining the Dragon-Transforming Pot also consumed soul power.

At that, Uncle Zhou couldn't press him further and could only nod. Then, still a little uneasy, he reminded him.

"Make more tonight, then. Don't let it run short again. I'll prepare the ingredients. Tell me whatever you need."

"All right."

With that agreement, Uncle Zhou finally nodded in satisfaction. Once the two children had finished eating, he gathered up their bowls and took them out front to wash.

Watching him leave, Ning Rongrong suddenly leaned closer to Chen An and spoke quietly.

"Brother Chen An, let's take it back with us to eat tonight, okay?"

"Why not just eat here?"

"Uncle Zhou must be tired after working all day. We shouldn't trouble him again."

The corner of Chen An's mouth twitched.

Bullshit, afraid of troubling him. You just don't want him coming over to eat.

How did I never notice this girl had so many tricks up her sleeve over a meal? The food hasn't even been cooked yet, and she's already thinking about having one less mouth to feed.

"No. Uncle Zhou is coming for dinner too. I already promised him."

Seeing that Chen An would not agree, Ning Rongrong pouted in disappointment, but she did not make any more fuss. Seeing this, Chen An smiled and asked another question.

"What about Grandpa Sword and Grandpa Bone, then?"

At those words, Ning Rongrong immediately found herself torn.

Of course she wanted her two grandpas to have a taste too, but remembering how Uncle Zhou had eaten earlier, she glanced at the now-empty basin. The little girl thought for a good while before finally making up her mind.

"Save some for them. I'll eat a little less."

Chen An smiled and rubbed her head. Just as he was about to say something, the system's notification sounded.

[Ding! Received one positive review from Ning Rongrong. Reward: 1 physique point.]

[Ding! Received one positive review from Uncle Zhou. Reward: 1 physique point.]

[Yangzhou fried rice positive review progress: 2/100.]

Warmth flowed through his limbs. Chen An clenched his hands, clearly feeling that his arms were stronger than before, and delight immediately welled up within him.

Positive reviews really could improve his physique. Looking at the system's description again, he saw that it did not distinguish between diners' cultivation levels, either. A positive review from an ordinary person and one from a Titled Douluo gave the same reward.

However, each person could only provide one per meal, and eating the food himself earned no positive review reward. Hugging a pot and eating his way to Titled Douluo was clearly impossible.

A hundred positive reviews would unlock a new dish. Chen An did some reckoning. With so many people in the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, never mind a hundred-even a thousand positive reviews did not seem out of reach.

Of course, he would have to take it slowly. He had meals to cook, but he could not neglect his cultivation either.

With a plan in mind, Chen An stood up and patted the creases in his clothes, smiling at Ning Rongrong.

"Come on. Let's go find Grandpa Sword."

"Okay."

This time, the little girl agreed especially readily, but after only a few steps, she could not help tugging on his sleeve again.

"Big Brother Chen An."

"What is it?"

"Could we have dinner a little earlier tonight?"

At that, Chen An turned to look at her, utterly speechless.

"You only just put your bowl down."