Chapter 108 - The Dragon Chef (Part 2)

Frost Moon House became lively in an instant, as guests who had already sampled the platters clamored for seconds, eager to experience that oddly blissful sensation once more. Meanwhile, those who hadn’t yet tasted it, spurred by the reactions of their fellow diners, began urging the runner to hurry and bring them a plate as well.

“My, oh my.”

Just then, Manager Long descended from upstairs. Surprised by the bustling atmosphere, she mused, “In just three days, they’ve managed to prolong the retention of culinary intent. They’re truly talented.

“But this can’t go on. We’re giving it away for free,” she muttered.

Previously, the fruits carried only a cool sensation, but now, with Lu Ran and Captain Doofus infusing Blizzard Sword Intent, guests could savor an extraordinary flavor. Manager Long realized they could no longer offer the fruit platters on the house.

Yes... it was time to start charging.

“Manager, a guest in one of the private rooms has requested to see you. He’s from the City Lord’s Mansion,” a runner whispered as he quickly approached.

Manager Long nodded and said, “Lead the way.”

At that moment, Lu Ran continued slicing fruit, feeling as tired as a dog. After three days of practice, his Blizzard Sword Intent could indeed linger outside his body for an extended time.

While three days had passed, for Lu Ran and Captain Doofus, it was equivalent to six days of practice, as they could share experiences through Super Beast Mimicry.

“The retention of culinary intent... This must be a type of energy projection technique!”

Over the days, Lu Ran had gradually grasped the principles. The stages of Energy Projection were: Ordinary Projection, Projection Manipulation, and Eternal Projection. It was said that the highest realm of Energy Projection allowed an energy technique to remain indefinitely without dissipating.

A beastmaster who had entered the ascension realm once claimed that, on the Stellar Moon Continent, there was a beastmaster who used this method to create an artificial sun that eternally illuminated a dark abyss.

Even after decades, with both the beastmaster and their familiar long gone, the miniature sun remained suspended in the sky, banishing darkness.

At present, sustaining Blizzard Sword Intent within the ingredients gave Lu Ran a sense that he was advancing toward the Eternal Projection stage.

Who would’ve thought something as simple as cooking could involve so many techniques that double as training for strength enhancement?

“Not bad at all. Those who came in with you are just getting familiar with basic culinary techniques, while you’re already serving dishes that customers are clamoring to order.”

Manager Long’s voice broke his focus as she entered.

“Manager Long?”

“You’ve done well. Your Culinary Intent can now be preserved in the ingredients for a noticeable time. Although still short, it’s a valuable improvement,” she said.

“Some customers even experienced the effect of your intent, and the place is abuzz.”

“Really!?” Lu Ran’s eyes lit up.

He and Captain Doofus had tried a few of the fruits infused with Blizzard Sword Intent themselves, and they were indeed refreshing in the summer heat. It was satisfying to know that others could experience it too.

“What kind of feedback did we get?”

“Very positive. So, I’m thinking, no more freebies. Starting tomorrow, we’ll charge for them, and you’ll get a share of the profits!” Manager Long laughed.

“Also, your luck seems uncanny. The son of Ning Chuan’s City Lord is dining here today, and he tried one of these fruit platters. In two days, there’s a banquet celebrating the City Lord’s promotion to a rank five beastmaster, and he’d like to invite you to cook at the City Lord’s Mansion.

“I told him you’re only skilled with fruit platters, but he insisted on inviting you. This is a rare opportunity, so I’ll bring you along.”

“Uh...” Lu Ran hesitated.

“They only want me to make fruit platters?”

“Yes,” Manager Long confirmed. “This is your chance to impress. Ning Chuan’s City Lord is a patron of talent, whether it’s a beastmaster or a chef. The event will be filled with prominent young talents from Ning Chuan, so attending could be beneficial for you.”

“Alright then...” Lu Ran conceded. Refusing an invitation from the City Lord’s son would probably be more trouble than it was worth.

***

After the lunch rush, Lu Ran took a brief rest in his room. He planned to continue practicing in the afternoon to avoid any mishaps at the banquet.

According to Manager Long, the City Lord of Ning Chuan was a generous and talent-loving figure. If Lu Ran performed well, he would likely be rewarded handsomely.

Hearing this, Lu Ran felt it was worthwhile to attend. He was currently in need of this world’s currency. Any rewards he received could be exchanged for crystal coins, which would allow him to purchase resources that enhanced comprehension and learning.

These could be useful in attaining Divine Dragon Sword Intent.

There was a knock at the door.

“Who is it?” Lu Ran asked.

“It’s us!”

A familiar voice came from the other side. Lu Ran opened the door to find the five who had entered the ascension realm with him: Deer Masking Horse, Snakeskin, Ibeth, Mountain Adventurer, and White Tiger Sis.

“What brings you all here?” Lu Ran asked, inviting them in.

Deer Masking Horse exclaimed, “Bro, how did you do it? The fruit platters from earlier. Those were all you, right?”

“We’re still learning basic culinary techniques, but you’ve already created a viral dish!”

“Well, I couldn’t exactly teach you all,” Lu Ran laughed.

“I used the effects of what Manager Long calls Culinary Intent. Actually, Culinary Intent is the second phase of Intent Formation in Energy Formation. You all probably guessed as much.”

“Yeah.” Snakeskin, Ibeth, and Mountain Adventurer sighed, realizing they were correct.

Most likely, Lu Ran’s familiar had mastered Intent Formation, and then Lu Ran, who must have some specialized beastmaster skills, learned it as well.

“Sudden Death King, you’re amazing. Your familiar has already mastered Intent Formation. Given that, you shouldn’t be unknown, right? You should be on the Heavenly Familiar Ranking,” Ibeth remarked, confused.

The name Sudden Death King wasn’t one she’d heard much before.

Mountain Adventurer added, “Could it be, King, that your familiar is a Champion species?”

At that moment, White Tiger Sis couldn’t hold back and spoke up.

“Are you all fools? Sudden Death King is clearly an alias. Not recognizing him before was one thing, but by now, it should be obvious.

“I checked. Culinary Intent is a specialized intent state involving holding culinary tools and is more advanced than regular Energy Formation. Out of the first, second, and third generations of beastmaster chefs I know of, very few have mastered this technique. Forget the fourth generation.

“Plus, his knife skills don’t resemble food preparation. They seem more like skills for clearing obstacles or hacking beasts, which makes his identity clear.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“There are only a handful of familiars in Limitless City capable of mastering Intent Formation, especially those that can infuse intent into blades. Only one comes to mind.”

“And on top of that, today’s fruit platters were all shaped like a dog. So, you’re not Sudden Death King at all. You’re Pedestrian A from Limitless City #3, aren’t you?” White Tiger Sis’s deduction left everyone dumbfounded.

She fixed her gaze on Lu Ran, hoping to catch a trace of surprise in his expression.

But Lu Ran, after a brief pause, simply smiled and applauded.

“Impressive, White Tiger Sis. Sharp as ever.”

“Whatever.” White Tiger Sis rolled her eyes.

She’d held a grudge against Pedestrian A ever since he snatched the top ranking from her in Limitless City #5. The others stared in astonishment...

Pedestrian A!?

“Don’t look at me like that. I’m just a bit introverted, which is why I prefer staying low-profile.” Lu Ran laughed.

“So, what brings you all here? It can’t be just to expose my identity, right?”

Mountain Adventurer gasped and said, “So you really are... Pedestrian A. Wow, as a fellow Limitless City #3 resident, I didn’t even recognize you.”

“Actually, we’re here because we’ve received some news. The City Lord of Ning Chuan recently advanced to rank five, and he’s planning a grand banquet to celebrate, inviting all of Ning Chuan’s young beastmaster talents.

“It’s said that there will be a prize battle, where the City Lord’s Mansion will offer some treasures for young beastmasters to compete for.

“We think this might be a side mission outside of the gourmet assessment, where we could secure some resources,” Snakeskin explained, although he seemed a bit hesitant.

Damn it, with White Tiger Sis and Pedestrian A, these two top contenders on the Heavenly Familiar Ranking, there’s no way we’ll stand a chance.

Even if there were any Rare resources, these two would likely claim them.

“Hmm... Actually, the City Lord’s people have already invited me to cook at the banquet, so I’ll definitely be going,” Lu Ran replied.

“What!?” The group froze.

Are we even in the same ascension realm!? It feels like you’re playing a VIP version!