The Food God's Reward

Flender's expression darkened slightly. He had not expected Yan Zu to dare challenge his teaching philosophy in public.

But when he recalled the strength Yan Zu had displayed in yesterday's test, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect backing Ning Rongrong, he ultimately held his temper. He said coldly, "You may hold a different view. But at Shrek, you follow Shrek's rules. For today's first lesson, Oscar, Ning Rongrong, step forward!"

Oscar and Ning Rongrong were startled, but stepped forward.

"Of you two, one is a Food System and the other an Auxiliary System. Your physical fitness is the team's weak point." Flender pointed to the dirt road around the village. "See that road? Run twenty laps around the village. This is to train your fundamentals. If you don't finish before noon, no food!"

"What?" Oscar's face turned green. "Dean, I'm a Food System Soul Master, I..."

"Cut the nonsense!" Flender interrupted him. "Auxiliary Systems and Food Systems are the easiest targets for a breakthrough on the battlefield. Without good stamina, how can you keep up with the team? Run!"

Ning Rongrong's heart sank as she looked at the long dirt road. Twenty laps would be no easy feat, even though she had now begun practicing the Nine Yin Manual.

Just as she was preparing to grit her teeth and start running, Yan Zu spoke up. "Dean, since this is team training, it shouldn't be directed at individuals alone."

Flender raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"Auxiliary Systems and Food Systems are the foundation of a team, not its weak points," Yan Zu said calmly. "We're a whole. Their shortcomings are shortcomings for all of us. We should run these twenty laps together."

Xiao Wu nodded at once. "I'll run with A-Zu!"

Zhu Zhuqing shot a cold glance at Tang San and Dai Mubai beside her and said impassively, "I'll join you too."

Ning Rongrong froze. She looked at Yan Zu, then at Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing, and her eyes suddenly grew warm. She had not expected Yan Zu to choose to accompany her through this exercise that she should have faced alone.

"You..." Flender frowned. "This is special training for Auxiliary Systems. What are you Battle Soul Masters butting in for?"

"Precisely because it's special training, we should complete it together," Yan Zu said calmly. "Dean, didn't you say you wanted to raise 'monsters'? A team of monsters should naturally advance and retreat together."

With that, he was the first to step forward, running to Ning Rongrong's side. "Come on, let's go together."

Ning Rongrong bit her lip and nodded firmly. "Mm!"

The four started running side by side, racing along the dirt road around the village. Oscar followed behind them with a miserable expression, both touched and ashamed. He was a Food System, yet he had burdened three Battle Soul Masters with accompanying him in training.

Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun remained where they stood, unmoved. Ma Hongjun even smiled at their misfortune. "Only fools would run with them. They'd be better off getting more sleep."

Tang San was silent for a moment before turning away. "A waste of stamina."

Dai Mubai sneered and folded his arms as he watched, showing no intention of joining in. "They're asking for hardship."

The blazing sun hung overhead, and dust flew through the air.

Twenty laps proved far longer than imagined. By the third lap, Oscar was already panting, his face pale. Food System Soul Masters lacked physical training to begin with, and now he felt as though his lungs were about to burst.

He braced his hands on his knees, bent over, and gasped for air. "I can't... you go on... don't worry about me..."

Although Ning Rongrong had practiced the Nine Yin Manual, her foundation was still shallow. By the fifth lap, she too was drenched in sweat, her legs heavy as lead.

"Rongrong, regulate your breathing, sink your Qi into your dantian, and use the footwork I taught you." Yan Zu ran beside her, his voice steady. "Don't rush. Keep your rhythm."

Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing stayed on either side of Ning Rongrong, slowing down with her so she could adjust.

Yan Zu slowed his pace and came to Oscar's side. "Oscar, listen to me. Running isn't about brute force. You need to pay attention to your breathing rhythm. When you inhale, imagine your Soul Power rising from your dantian. When you exhale, imagine the turbid air leaving through the soles of your feet. Inhale for three steps, exhale for two. Don't lose the rhythm."

"Huff... huff..." Oscar raised his head with difficulty. "I... I'll try..."

"Follow my rhythm." Yan Zu held two fingers together like a sword and gently tapped Oscar's back. A stream of gentle Nine Yin True Qi entered him, helping settle his disordered breathing. "Feel this current of Qi moving. Don't resist it. Adjust your breathing to follow it."

Oscar felt a cool sensation flow in through his back, and his burning lungs suddenly felt much more comfortable. Following Yan Zu's instructions, he began to adjust his breathing-in, in, in, out, out...

"That's it, just like that." Yan Zu jogged alongside him. "Keep your steps light. Land on the balls of your feet first and use the rebound from the ground. Don't rely entirely on your calves. See? Like Rongrong, lean your center of gravity slightly forward and make use of your momentum."

Ahead of them, Ning Rongrong demonstrated the basic footwork of the Nine Yin Manual. Though her movements were awkward, they did save far more effort than simply forcing herself to run.

"I... I feel much better..." Oscar was surprised to find that he could actually keep up the rhythm. Though he was still tired, he no longer felt like he was suffocating.

"Food System Soul Masters aren't a burden; they're the core of a team's ability to keep going." Yan Zu handed him a waterskin. "Your sausages can restore Soul Power and stamina, but first you have to be able to stay on the battlefield. That's why physical fitness is essential training for you. Come on, I'll run with you. Follow my rhythm."

Yan Zu slowed down and ran with Oscar at the back of the group. As he ran, he offered pointers. "Watch how you swing your arms. Don't move them too much; conserve your strength. Look ten meters ahead, not down at your feet..."

From early morning until dusk, the four supported one another. Yan Zu stayed beside Oscar throughout, sending a wisp of True Qi into him whenever his strength flagged to help him adjust, and teaching him how to run with the most efficient posture.

Oscar went from panting for breath to gradually finding his rhythm. Though he was still exhausted, he actually managed to keep going.

At last, as the sun sank in the west, the five crossed the finish line.

"We... we finished..." Oscar collapsed on the ground, but his face was alight with excitement. He could not move even a finger, yet his eyes shone like never before. "Yan Zu... thank you... I never thought... I could finish twenty laps..."

Ning Rongrong was pale too, but as she looked at Yan Zu beside her, equally drenched in sweat yet with determination in his eyes, a warmth unlike any she had felt before welled up in her heart.

She walked over and handed Oscar a water flask. "Yes, it's all thanks to A-Zu. Otherwise, we definitely couldn't have made it."

Flender stood at the finish line, watching the five support one another, and remained silent for a long time. He looked at Oscar—the Food System who used to faint after ten laps had actually completed the whole distance under Yan Zu's guidance. Though his breathing was ragged, it held a certain hidden rhythm.

"This kid..." Flender pushed up his glasses, an unusual look flashing in his eyes. "He knows a thing or two..."

In the end, he merely waved a hand. "That's all for today's class. Starting tomorrow, training begins in earnest!"

After class, Oscar struggled to his feet and gave Yan Zu a solemn bow. "Yan Zu, words can't express my gratitude. From now on... from now on, eat as many of my sausages as you want! I'll keep you supplied!"

Yan Zu laughed and helped him up. "We're all partners. There's no need for that. Go back and get some rest."

At that moment, the system:

[Ding! Key event check-in successful! You have earned Oscar's gratitude, triggering a rare reward!]

[Congratulations, host! You have obtained: "Culinary Master (Douluo Continent Edition)"!]

[Reward description: Mastery of the properties of native Douluo ingredients, including Soul Beast meat, heavenly materials and earthly treasures, medicinal herbs, and more. Precise combinations and special cooking techniques can be used to draw out the fundamental energy of ingredients and remove impurities. Can prepare "cultivation enhancement meals" (increase cultivation speed by 10%-80%, depending on ingredient grade) and "physique-tempering recipes" (solidify foundations and optimize Martial Soul Compatibility). Can also prepare foods that provide targeted boosts, such as Soul Power recovery and spiritual power nourishment. No side effects; suitable for all Soul Masters and Soul Beasts.]

Yan Zu could not help being taken aback. Good grief, he really was worthy of being the future Food God.

He had begun helping Oscar simply because he felt that, in the original work, Oscar had not carried the sense that being a Soul Master made him superior to others.

Of course, that had something to do with Oscar himself being a support-type Soul Master. But in any case, Oscar was one of the few relatively normal students at Shrek Academy.

To receive a reward for it, however, could only be called a pleasant surprise.

(Thanks to 1Yi for the monthly ticket support.)