Eat Your Fill, Then Deliver a Flying Kick
The next day, Yan Zu remembered that he had not yet tried the "Grandmaster of Culinary Arts" skill he had acquired the day before, so he took this opportunity to put it to practice.
The kitchen of Glazed Tile Residence was built by Ning Rongrong according to the standards of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect; it was spacious, bright, and fully equipped. Yan Zu took out ingredients from his storage bracelet.
--He had the three-hundred-year-old Wind Wolf Leg Meat he obtained through daily check-ins, as well as the Soul Condensing Grass, Jade Marrow Rice, and Clear Water Spirit Mushrooms he had previously purchased. These were all unique ingredients from the Douluo Continent, and with the blessing of the "Grandmaster of Culinary Arts" skill, their characteristics were clearly presented in his mind.
"Wind Wolf leg meat is potent and contains pure Soul Power, making it suitable for stir-frying. Pairing it with Soul Condensing Grass can neutralize its dryness and also improve cultivation efficiency; Jade Marrow Rice is rich in vitality, and when cooked with Clear Water Spirit Mushrooms, it can nourish the meridians; and then use Green Sprouts to make a cold dish to clear heat and detoxify, which perfectly balances the potency of the Wind Wolf." Yan Zu quickly planned out the famous recipe in his mind while his hands kept moving.
He first processed the Wind Wolf leg meat, gathering a wisp of Nine Yin True Qi at his fingertips and gently gliding it along the texture of the meat, instantly removing the tendons and membranes, leaving only the purest lean meat. Then he sliced the meat into even, thin slices.
Ning Rongrong peered curiously from the kitchen doorway, exclaiming, "A-Zu, your meat-cutting technique is so unique! It's even more professional than the sect's chefs!"
"I only know a little." Yan Zu smiled, lit a fire, set up a wok, and poured in a small amount of clear oil refined from the fat of Soul Beast. When the oil reached half-heat, he added ginger slices to sauté until fragrant, then added the sliced Wind Wolf meat and stir-fried it quickly. The meat slices sizzled in the wok, and the Soul Power collided with the oil, releasing a rich aroma, different from ordinary meat fragrance, and also carrying a faint Soul Power fluctuation, which invigorated people.
Xiao Wu's mouth was already watering. She waited by the stove, her eyes sparkling as she stared at the pot. "It smells so good! Little Brother A-Zu, when can we eat?"
"Don't rush, we still need to add Soul Condensing Grass." Yan Zu poured the chopped Soul Condensing Grass into the pot and stir-fried it evenly. The pale green juice of the Soul Condensing Grass blended with the meat slices, turning the originally bright red meat slices into a light emerald green, making the aroma even more mellow, and also carrying a hint of cool medicinal fragrance, perfectly neutralizing the dryness of the Wind Wolf.
On the other side, chalcedony rice and freshwater king oyster mushrooms have been simmering in the pot. The chalcedony rice slowly expands, and the freshwater king oyster mushrooms absorb the broth, becoming plump and glossy. The broth also turns a light milky white, exuding a nourishing aroma. The cold-dressed green sprouts are simple and neat, blanched and then topped with a small amount of sauce, making them crisp and refreshing.
Three dishes and a soup were served on the stone table in the courtyard: the stir-fried Wind Wolf meat slices were bright red with green hues and had a rich aroma;
The chalcedony and lingzhi mushroom soup is milky white in color, with a faint aura of spiritual energy.
The cold-dressed green shoots are vibrant green and refreshing;
There was also an omelet made from Hundred-Year Soul Beast egg, golden and fluffy, with a faint halo of Soul Power around the edges.
"Wow! It looks so delicious!" Xiao Wu couldn't wait to pick up her chopsticks, grab a big piece of Wind Wolf meat, and stuff it into her mouth.
The slices of meat were tender and springy, without any fishy or gamey taste. My Soul Power slid down my throat and into my stomach, instantly turning into a warm current that flowed slowly through my meridians. The Soul Power that I had used up in the morning's playful fight was quickly restored.
"Delicious! So delicious!" Xiao Wu's eyes lit up, and she took another bite of the egg pancake. The egg pancake was soft and sweet, and the Soul Power it contained was gentler than that of the Wind Wolf. It nourished her body, making her feel warm all over, and even her spirit became exceptionally full.
Ning Rongrong also picked up a piece of Wind Wolf, and snorted arrogantly, "You've got some skill, a little bit better than the sect's chefs." Despite saying that, her chopsticks didn't stop, and she took several more bites.
She could clearly feel that the pure Soul Power in the Wind Wolf was perfectly activated without any waste, and the meridians that were originally somewhat sluggish during cultivation became much smoother.
Zhu Zhuqing ate the quietest, but also the most attentively.
She picked up a piece of chilled green sprouts with her chopsticks. The crisp and tender texture, along with the coolness, slid down her throat, instantly dispelling the heat accumulated in her body from cultivation.
After taking another sip of the Jade Marrow Spirit Mushroom Soup, the gentle vitality nourished his meridians, and the soreness in his back from yesterday's cultivation quietly eased. His mental energy also became exceptionally focused, and even the fluctuations of the Nether Civet Martial Soul stabilized somewhat.
"A-Zu, something's not right with this dish!" Ning Rongrong suddenly stopped eating, her Glazed Tile eyes fixed on Yan Zu. "It's not just delicious, it also nourishes the body and restores Soul Power!"
Xiao Wu nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes! I feel my Soul Power has recovered a lot, and my body feels warm. I'll definitely have more energy to cultivate!"
Zhu Zhuqing put down her chopsticks, a rare look of surprise on her face. "These dishes can optimize the circulation of Soul Power and alleviate hidden injuries from cultivation. The effects are very pure, with no side effects whatsoever."
Yan Zu smiled and said, "I used to do some research when I had nothing else to do. I discovered that Little Jade can precisely stimulate the original energy of ingredients, remove impurities, and make the food not only delicious but also helpful for cultivation."
"Little Jade has this ability?" Ning Rongrong's eyes lit up, and she immediately leaned closer. "Then you'll have to cook for me every day from now on! I want to eat dishes that can enhance my amplification effects!"
"No problem." Yan Zu nodded, a warm feeling rising in his heart as he saw the three satisfied expressions. This culinary skill not only made everyone happy with their meals but also aided their cultivation; it was truly an unexpected delight.
After dinner, Yan Zu and Zhu Zhuqing clearing away the dishes when the assembly bell rang from the playground.
The group exchanged glances, put down what they were holding, and walked outside.
On the playground, all the teachers and students of the Shrek Academy had arrived. Flender stood at the front, with Yu Xiaogang, who had a serious expression, beside him. Zhao Wuji, Shao Xin, and several other teachers lined up on both sides, while Tang San, Dai Mubai, and Ma Hongjun stood in the student ranks, each with a different expression.
"Everyone's here." Flender cleared his throat, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "Let me introduce you all—this is Grandmaster Yu Xiaogang, a renowned theoretical Grandmaster in the Soul Master World. From today onwards, Grandmaster will officially take over the academy's teaching and training arrangements. Please welcome him."
The applause was sparse. Xiao Wu pouted, while Ning Rongrong clapped twice expressionlessly.
Yu Xiaogang stepped forward, stood with his hands behind his back, and glanced at everyone, his gaze lingering on Yan Zu for a moment before he said calmly, "I don't care how you trained before. From today onwards, I will decide all training arrangements. Shrek wants to cultivate true elites, not just pretty faces. Therefore, before formulating a training plan, I need to see your actual combat skills."
Yu Xiaogang's gaze fell on Yan Zu, the corners of his lips slightly upturned, carrying a hint of unspoken meaning. "First match, Dai Mubai, you face Yan Zu."
After he finished speaking, the playground fell silent for a moment.
Dai Mubai's face stiffened slightly. Of course, he remembered the first time he met Yan Zu —at the Rose Hotel, Yan Zu had forced him to his knees, leaving him utterly powerless. That memory was too vivid, still haunting him to this day.
"Dai Mubai, step forward," Yu Xiaogang urged.
Dai Mubai gritted his teeth and stepped forward with a forced smile. He knew in his heart that he was probably no match for Yan Zu.
But Yu Xiaogang didn't know that in his mind, Yan Zu was only a level 31 Auxiliary System Soul Elder, while Dai Mubai was a level 37 Power Attack System Battle Soul Elder. With system counter and level suppression, there was no way he could lose.
His arrangement was partly intended to teach Yan Zu a lesson, and partly to highlight Tang San by suppressing Yan Zu.
Dai Mubai bitter inside. But he couldn't say it; he couldn't very well admit in public that he was inferior to Yan Zu.
Yan Zu calmly walked to the center of the arena and nodded slightly to Dai Mubai: "Please."
"Begin!" Flender himself became the referee.
Dai Mubai took a deep breath, and three soul rings—two yellow and one purple—rose from beneath his feet, his White Tiger Martial Soul taking over his body.
Without hesitation, he immediately activated his First Soul Skill, "White Tiger Protection Barrier," and charged towards Yan Zu. His tiger claws, carrying a sharp gust of wind, aimed directly at Yan Zu's shoulder—he dared not be careless, and this attack was delivered with all his might.
Yan Zu neither dodged nor evaded; his Second Soul Ring lit up, and a pale blue shield instantly enveloped his entire body—"Jade Blessing."
"Bang!" The tiger's claw slammed into the shield, causing the azure light to vibrate violently. Spiderweb-like cracks appeared on the surface of the shield, but it did not shatter. Dai Mubai's mouth went numb, and his heart sank.
At the same time, the Third Soul Ring under Yan Zu's feet flashed with purple light - "Starlight Descent!" Silver-blue starlight enveloped his entire body, and all his attributes instantly surged.
Dai Mubai gritted his teeth and swung his claws again, launching a series of fierce attacks. The second strike, the third strike... With a "crack," the Jade Blessing shattered. However, at the very moment of shattering, an invisible force of dizziness suddenly struck Dai Mubai —this was the backlash effect of the Jade Blessing being broken!
Dai Mubai's vision went black, and his body involuntarily stiffened for a brief moment.
It was this very moment!
Yan Zu moved his feet, his figure approaching like Gui Mei, his right leg kicking in a sharp arc, precisely striking Dai Mubai's waist.
"Bang!"
Dai Mubai was kicked and sent flying, crashing heavily to the edge of the field, rolling several times in a disheveled state.
The entire room fell silent.