Chen An

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Previous Life and Adoption

Chen An previously operated a small restaurant and earned enough to support himself. After an accident, he awakened in another world as a baby. Chen Xin found him during an outing, brought him to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, and named him Chen An in the hope that he would grow up safe and sound 1.

Although well cared for, Chen An missed the flavors of his previous life. Once old enough, he began helping in the kitchen and preparing food for himself. Uncle Zhou eventually gave him use of the small stove in the back courtyard 1.

Awakening and the Courtyard Kitchen

At six, Chen An awakened the Eternal Spirit Knife and Dragon-Transforming Pot, along with innate full Soul Power. Initially exasperated that even his Martial Souls were kitchen utensils, he embraced cooking as a route to strength after binding the Strongest Gourmet System. Ning Rongrong and Uncle Zhou became the first diners to reward his system-made Yangzhou Fried Rice with positive reviews 1.

His courtyard subsequently attracted Ning Fengzhi, Chen Xin, Gu Rong, and an expanding group of disciples. Fang Ming, Zhao Hai, Lu Yuan, and the kitchen staff took over preparation and cleanup tasks, leaving Chen An time for cultivation. By the time he sought his third Soul Ring, twenty disciples regularly ate there 4 7 8 34.

Heaven Dou City and Martial Soul Research

Ning Fengzhi introduced Chen An to Xue Qinghe, who enjoyed his cooking and invited him to visit Heaven Dou City. On a separate shopping trip with Chen Xin and Ning Rongrong, Chen An bought seasonings and received a storage belt purchased by Chen Xin at auction 11 12.

After learning that Ning Rongrong’s Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda could support only seven Soul Rings, Chen An recalled the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda from his previous life. He requested books on Martial Soul Mutation, but found that the records did not explain how to deliberately transform an already awakened Martial Soul 15 16.

Rainbow Porridge and Further Study

Following his third-ring hunt, Chen An used Rainbow Porridge to clear lingering poison from Cheng Yu, a student traveling with Qin Ming. The group still continued to the city to have Cheng Yu’s wound examined; the porridge did not replace further care 38 39.

Through Qin Ming, Chen An and Ning Rongrong attended a Soul Beast identification lesson at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy. Chen An learned to distinguish observations from assumptions, record uncertain details as unknown, and question the sources behind recorded age estimates. He later packed Rongrong’s observation notes when preparing to accompany Shao Heng’s third-ring hunting party 41 42 45.

A Food-type Soul Master’s Example

At the sect’s awakening ceremony, Ning Fengzhi asked Chen An to show his Martial Soul to families concerned about children awakening food-related abilities. Still wearing his apron, Chen An displayed his pot and three Soul Rings, surprising parents who had mistaken him for an ordinary kitchen helper. He subsequently arranged a special dinner for the families 57.

Personality

Chen An is practical, good-humored, and deeply interested in his craft. Even while sightseeing, he asks vendors about ingredients and preparation methods rather than simply buying snacks. He readily shares food with helpers and guests, while privately finding the courtyard regulars’ increasingly elaborate attempts to secure meals amusing 4 7 20.

He treats cooking rewards as a supplement to cultivation, not a substitute for it. He maintains regular meditation, values Chen Xin’s personal instruction, and asks questions instead of remaining stuck on problems. When uncertain about Xue Qinghe’s identity, he refrains from making unsupported claims 2 19 23.

Despite his willingness to help, Chen An sets limits on his availability. He restricts early meal invitations to manageable numbers, requests advance notice for training support, and refuses to let popcorn production displace his own cultivation. He also accepts that stronger Soul Beasts remain beyond his ability to confront without protection 6 7 32 36.

Abilities & Skills

Strongest Gourmet System

The system rewards Chen An when diners genuinely enjoy food he prepares and provides recipes with beneficial effects 1.

• Attribute rewards: Positive reviews improve his physique and can grant small amounts of Soul Power 1 14.
• Equal review value: An ordinary diner’s positive review provides the same reward as a Titled Douluo’s 1.
• One review per diner per meal: Extra servings or multiple dishes do not multiply a person’s contribution 1 6.
• No self-review rewards: Eating his own cooking does not generate positive reviews 1.
• Recipe unlocks: Reaching one hundred positive reviews unlocks a new dish; Yangzhou Fried Rice unlocks Sweet and Sour Pork Tenderloin this way 8.
• Quality requirement: Familiar diners do not automatically praise him. Excess salt or incorrect frying temperatures still draw criticism 56.
• Soul Skill compatibility: Food produced through his Soul Skills can also earn rewards 5.

Dragon-Transforming Pot

A Food-type Martial Soul with a jade-colored body and dragon patterns, capable of changing into different kinds of cookware at Chen An’s will 1 24.

• Commonly takes the form of a wok for everyday cooking 2 6.
• Requires sustained Soul Power; improved control reduces unnecessary expenditure 2.
• Holds all three documented Soul Rings 37 56.
• Its Soul Skills supply ingredients, but Chen An must still prepare and cook the finished dishes himself 5 25 37 38.

First Soul Skill: BB Popcorn

Creates BB Corn that Chen An cooks into popcorn with appetite and recovery benefits 5.

• Stimulates appetite and helps diners absorb the meals eaten afterward 5.
• Increases Soul Power recovery speed by 30% for one hour 5.
• Shortens recovery breaks during disciples’ training when served at an appropriate time 30.
• Can support duties such as cart escorts, but does not replace equipment, rest, or practical preparations 49 51.
• Producing a kernel initially costs less Soul Power than maintaining the pot 5.
• Its aroma can attract nearby Soul Beasts 5 6.

Second Soul Skill: Restorative Soup

Produces meat and organ-meat ingredients for a hot soup that restores stamina and some Soul Power 24 25.

• Eases fatigue after training or travel 25 26.
• Requires ingredient preparation and stewing rather than appearing ready to drink 25.
• Creating the ingredients causes a substantial immediate Soul Power drain 25.
• Drinking the soup does not recover enough power to offset its production cost; Chen An cannot use it to generate unlimited Soul Power 25.
• Sect-wide use remains conditional on his available strength and cultivation schedule 26 27.

Third Soul Skill: Rainbow Porridge

Produces translucent rice and vegetables in seven colors for a toxin-clearing porridge 37.

• Uses red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple ingredients 37.
• Successfully clears lingering poison from Cheng Yu 38 39.
• Cannot be assumed to completely remove extremely potent poisons or stubborn accumulated soul toxins with a single bowl 37.
• Requires time to cook and consumes considerable Soul Power 37 38.
• Ning Fengzhi advises checking the patient’s condition before using it for poison treatment 39.

Eternal Spirit Knife

A gleaming silver kitchen-knife Martial Soul with a faint dragon pattern, capable of changing blade shape for different tasks 6.

• Demonstrated forms include a boning knife, a Civil and Martial Knife, and a thin blade suited to trimming membranes 6 22 25.
• Used for detailed ingredient work, including scoring fish and preparing meat 17 22.
• Chen An often uses it away from other diners’ view 6 22.
• Remains without a documented Soul Ring; he chooses the pot for his third ring as well 34.

Culinary Expertise

Chen An combines professional experience from his previous life with the system’s precise instructions for moisture, knife work, batter consistency, heat, and timing 1 8 9.

• Other documented dishes include Wensi Tofu, tea-cooked shrimp, Beggar’s Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, Harbin-style Guobaorou, and Twice-Cooked Pork 19 27 32 40 45 53.
• Uses ordinary cookware for lengthy stages when doing so conserves Soul Power, as with Dongpo Pork’s initial braise 15.
• Coordinates preparation with helpers and cooks in batches to serve the courtyard without sacrificing freshness 8 40 53 55.

Cultivation and Field Knowledge

Chen Xin teaches Chen An meditation, Soul Power recovery, control, and practical movement training 2 10.

• Accumulated physique rewards improve his cooking endurance and help him withstand demanding Soul Ring absorption 8 24 36.
• His seven-thousand-year third ring is possible because of his developed constitution and repeated examinations by Chen Xin—not a standard others can safely copy 44.
• Studies Soul Beast records and learns to assess tracks through multiple pieces of evidence rather than isolated signs 4 41 42.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Storage Soul Tool belt — Has three cubic meters of storage space. Chen Xin purchases it for 41,000 Gold Soul Coins at Heaven Dou Auction House; Gu Rong promptly suggests using it to deliver meals 12.
• Ordinary dagger — Used to kill Soul Beasts after Chen Xin restrains them and exposes a vulnerable point 5 24 36.
• Conventional cookware and knives — Supplement his Martial Souls and help conserve Soul Power 15 17 38.
• Soul Beast books and observation notes — Used to research ring candidates, review uncertain sightings, and prepare for journeys 4 41 45.

Relationships

• Chen Xin / Grandpa Sword — Guardian, adoptive grandfather figure, and cultivation mentor. Found and named Chen An, raised him, and personally protects him during his first three ring hunts 1 2 5 24 36 37.
• Ning Rongrong — Close childhood companion who calls him “Brother Chen An.” They play together, study together, and share an interest in his new dishes; she also worries about his safety and checks him for injuries after his third-ring trip 8 19 39 42.
• Ning Fengzhi / Uncle Ning — Sect master and supportive elder. Evaluates Chen An’s food, arranges controlled trials, and insists that requests for support remain subordinate to Chen An’s cultivation and availability 4 6 26 51.
• Gu Rong / Grandpa Bone — Affectionate elder and regular diner. Helps assess ring options, asks Chen An to bring him meals, and reminds him to stay close to Chen Xin while traveling 4 12 23.
• Uncle Zhou — Kitchen manager and day-to-day mentor. Gives Chen An his first private stove, organizes ingredients and helpers, offers cooking feedback, and takes over dinner after his Level 34 breakthrough 1 8 56.
• Chen Chuan — Kitchen assistant who regularly prepares ingredients and tends the fire for Chen An’s cooking 4 6.
• Fang Ming, Zhao Hai, and Lu Yuan — Early disciple diners and popcorn testers. Become enthusiastic regulars who handle chores so Chen An can cultivate 7 8.
• Shao Heng — Disciple and regular diner whose training benefits from Chen An’s food. Chen An celebrates his breakthroughs with meals and prepares to accompany his third-ring hunt 17 19 30 45.
• Han Cheng — Regular diner and cart escort. Coordinates a timed popcorn serving with Chen An while retaining ordinary road-safety preparations 49 51.
• Xue Qinghe / Brother Xue — Recurring guest and city guide. Enjoys Chen An’s cooking and becomes a familiar visitor, though Chen An remains cautious about assumptions concerning his identity 11 20 23.
• Qin Ming and Cheng Yu — Academy acquaintances met during the return from his third-ring hunt. Chen An treats Cheng Yu’s lingering poison, and Qin Ming helps arrange further learning at Heaven Dou Imperial Academy 38 40 41 42.

Notable Quotes

“I can get stronger just by cooking?” 1

“The chicken was made during the day. The soul power was cultivated at night.” 33

“To actually cook, you still have to watch the heat. Having a pot doesn't mean the rice will cook itself.” 57