Reborn in Japan as a Chef God
Chapter 408 - 407: The Direction of the Next Phase

Chapter 408: Chapter 407: The Direction of the Next Phase

"Demon·Gourmet Cell" awakening at 86%...

Xia Yu locked his gaze on this piece of system information, feeling both amused and helpless.

Only 14% to go.

He almost fully acquired a Gourmet Cell.

Guessing randomly was far less effective than experiencing firsthand. Many questions filling his mind would undoubtedly be answered upon obtaining the Gourmet Cell.

Most importantly, Xia Yu wanted to know if the Gourmet Cells in this world had any differences from those in his knowledge, and whether the inhuman power from "Toriko" existed...

Moreover, who in this world first discovered Forbidden Ingredients and acquired active Gourmet Cells from them?

So many unknowns.

However, being a top Special Grade Chef mastering the "killer move" recipe, Xia Yu felt qualified to explore these mysteries.

As the saying went, this world was really deep.

"System, how do I fill the remaining 14% progress?" Xia Yu inquired.

"The host can autonomously cook the corresponding Forbidden Dishes; consuming them will grant active Gourmet Cells."

The system answered and popped up an interface.

It was the Chef God Mall.

Information about a newly unlocked Fantasy Ingredient appeared:

"Gem Meat (Unlocked): A golden Forbidden Fantasy Ingredient, an ultra-rare ingredient that takes 10 years to appear inside the statutory mammoth. It is said that proper cooking and consumption can evolve life. Dragon Chef and Heavenly King Level Chefs covet this type of meat."

"Price: 10,000 Fame Points/100 grams."

Golden ingredient!

Xia Yu’s eyes widened instantly.

No doubt, this was his first freely purchasable golden Fantasy Ingredient.

He couldn’t help but clench his fists and looked excited. This thing was his ultimate reward for making a comeback and defeating Yuchuan Ayaka!

In comparison, the price of 10,000 Fame Points per 100 grams didn’t concern Xia Yu much.

Expensive?

Having a fixed purchase channel for golden ingredients was more important than anything else.

Many Lin Chefs and Dragon Chefs had to venture into the world’s most dangerous places to hunt a Forbidden Ingredient, leaving the kitchen for the wilds for years, eating wind and drinking dew.

"Ding!"

Next was a task prompt from the system.

Xia Yu opened the task panel, unexpectedly finding two new tasks.

First:

"First Taste of the Forbidden: Use ’Gem Meat’ to cook a Forbidden Dish of at least Special Grade quality."

"Reward: Unlock Forbidden Ingredient ’Fertile Seed.’"

Second:

"The True Gourmet Hunter: Awaken a type of Gourmet Cell."

"Reward: Receive a random cooking recipe corresponding to the Gourmet Cell."

He scrutinized them carefully.

This was the system pointing him in the direction of the next phase.

Without enough accumulation, he couldn’t break through the Special Grade barrier to reach another peak in the short term. At this moment, he had to timely shift his main focus.

Gourmet Cells?

Whether light or darkness, awaken first, he thought. That was Xia Yu’s mindset.

"Phew—"

He exhaled another breath of foul air.

His hair returned to normal, and he finally wasn’t a emo anymore, feeling relaxed in both body and mind.

"Miss Yuchuan, hello."

Now, Morioka Makoto hurriedly bowed to Yuchuan Ayaka.

The relationship between childhood friends showed a lot of respect, with many female chefs probably seeing Yuchuan Ayaka as a goal.

"And you are..."

Yuchuan Ayaka put down her air of authority, looking curious.

After all, being twenty-six, she was no longer a sixteen-year-old haughty princess and understood social norms. She knew Morioka Makoto could freely enter and exit the living quarters of Xia’s Restaurant, also having seen the friendly and kind interaction between Xia Yu and Makoto, indicating an unusual relationship.

Thoughts became lively.

Though Xia Yu’s attitude toward her remained ambiguous, Yuchuan Ayaka had a general direction—

Start with those around him to gain favor and harmonize the relationship.

"I’m Morioka Makoto, a first-year student at Far Moon."

"Oh? A Far Moon student? Are you a student of Instructor Xia, no, Chef Xia?" Yuchuan Ayaka’s beautiful eyes slightly lit up.

"She’s my childhood friend."

Xia Yu interrupted at this moment, casting a humorous glance at the Yuchuan Family’s princess.

That look made Yuchuan Ayaka’s heart tighten, a sense of being seen through and resulting in embarrassment. She softly coughed and bowed to Morioka Makoto, "In the future, please take care of me, Makki."

Adding "Makki" immediately brought them closer.

Morioka Makoto said joyfully, "Please take care of me!"

Xia Yu nodded silently.

A small lesson in social interaction, already showing Yuchuan Ayaka’s mature mind.

At least she wasn’t like Tiqie Eriina, a sixteen-year-old who’d throw a haughty tantrum at a moment’s notice. Otherwise, it would take a lot of effort to correct, and Xia Yu needed someone who could immediately manage Xia’s Restaurant on his behalf. Yuchuan Ayaka seemed qualified now.

The evaluation began the moment she arrived at the shopping street.

"Should I call you Yuchuan, or directly address you by name, Ayaka?" Xia Yu straightened his expression, presenting an attitude of a superior addressing a subordinate to Yuchuan Ayaka.

This was the greatest respect he could offer.

Superior and subordinate were certainly better than master and servant.

If she didn’t know what was good for her, Xia Yu wouldn’t mind emphasizing the existence of a contract backed up at the IGO Food Duel Administration.

"...As you please."

Her lips quivered, and Yuchuan Ayaka spoke softly.

"I offer you two job choices—"

Xia Yu didn’t waste words, holding up two fingers to her.

"First, an odd jobs position where you handle everything, lots of work, from basic cleaning to assisting with ingredients in the busy kitchen."

"Second, the head chef stationed in the kitchen..."

Before he finished, Yuchuan Ayaka couldn’t help but say, "I’m a chef, so naturally, I want to be the head chef!"

She regretted speaking as soon as she did.

Xia Yu watched her with a half-smiling gaze.

"This guy!"

An unexplainable rage brewed in her heart. Yuchuan Ayaka took a breath, finally realizing she didn’t have the leeway to negotiate in front of him. She sighed, "What are your conditions? What do I need to do to become the head chef?"

"Smart!"

Xia Yu snapped his fingers, turned to his bedroom, and returned with a notebook.

"This is a recipe with detailed records of my culinary techniques."

"A recipe?"

Morioka Makoto gasped, covering her mouth.

Yuchuan Ayaka was also startled, staring at him in amazement, "Your—your recipe?"

"Yes, it’s my personally crafted recipe, called ’Nine Feathered Phoenix.’ I’ll give you one week to research it thoroughly and submit your work afterward." Xia Yu chuckled, "Satisfy me, and you’ll be the head chef at Xia’s Restaurant, but..."

"But what?"

Holding the notebook, Yuchuan Ayaka’s heart pounded.

"No position is permanent. At Xia’s Restaurant, our main focus is Chinese dishes, so you’ll have to learn many new recipes. If your progress doesn’t satisfy me, then sadly, you’ll be stripped of your head chef title until you please me again." Xia Yu spoke with his hands clasped behind his back, then clattered down the stairs.

Morioka Makoto hurried to follow.

Their whispered conversation echoed to the second floor:

"...Yu, is it really okay to give her the ’Nine Feathered Phoenix’ recipe just like that?"

"Who else would I give it to? I trust her more than Eriina."

"..."

Nine Feathered Phoenix?

The name felt vaguely familiar as Yuchuan Ayaka paused on the second floor, flipping through the recipe notebook. The more she looked, the more awed she became, "This spice configuration is too astounding! A nine-layered pyramid, the nine-fold harmony of spices, that guy must be a spice master!"

"Special Grade Recipe?"

After a while, with trembling hands, she closed the notebook.

Honestly, Yuchuan Ayaka was a bit baffled by that guy’s thinking.

"One week, huh? I will definitely make you satisfied!" Yuchuan Ayaka murmured.