Reborn in Japan as a Chef God
Chapter 560 - 559: Object of Destiny

Chapter 560: Chapter 559: Object of Destiny

Late at night.

Talking with Tang Yuqiong until late, after all, as top special chefs, they had much to discuss.

From "Tang’s Rebirth Spring Rolls" to "Golden Fried Dumplings," Tang Yuqiong even took to the kitchen herself to cook her version of deep-fried buns for Xia Yu to taste and critique.

Of course, their conversation revolved tightly around the upcoming final.

"The Eight-faced Tower special chef team has withdrawn from the competition," Tang Yuqiong said, watching the young man’s reaction, yet he merely responded, sounding quite indifferent.

"Tomorrow, the competition committee should be holding a press conference to determine the dates, venues, and topics. It is said that for the final round, the topics will be drawn from a closed box, similar to a lottery, rather than the previous target throwing method."

During their earlier chat, Xia Yu had gained a rough understanding of Li Han’s background from Tang Yuqiong.

Li Han, a member of the Li Family.

A family revered as ’East Mountain Tai Mountain’ within the new era of the Chinese Cuisine World. Situated in Qilu Land, the Li family was a renowned culinary household, comparable to the Tang Family, the overlords of Shanghai.

And Li Han was considered the strongest young talent of the Li Family. It was only through the legendary culinary utensil ’Dragon Pot’ that Tang Yuqiong managed to be considered his peer. Together with three other outstanding talents, they were known as the ’Five Chinese Talents.’

Among the ’Five Chinese Talents,’ Tang Yuqiong ranked the lowest. According to her, the leader of the Five Talents was the direct disciple of the owner of White Jade Tower, who was already on the verge of grasping Food’s Profound Meaning and was expected to become a Lin Chef soon.

The remaining two members of the Five Talents were from the Dark Cuisine World, enveloped in mystery.

"Bursting Flame, hypersensitivity..."

After seeing off Tang Yuqiong, Xia Yu murmured to himself.

The Li Family!

Suddenly thinking of the female chef in ’Chinese Cuisine World’ who was tied in marriage to ’Blast Flame Chef’ Ya Kan, Xia Yu’s facial expression was a bit odd.

Li Ke, also known as ’Jade Arrow,’ was nicknamed ’God Tongue’ for her superhuman taste, an ability strikingly similar to Eriina’s.

If it was indeed an inheritance from Ya Kan and Li Ke, Xia Yu felt he had to take things seriously!

Otherwise, he would lose!

"Ding."

At that moment, a system task popped up:

"[Defeat ’Five Chinese Talents’ Li Han]."

"Reminder: For the opening match of the grand finals, defeat your opponent to secure a victory for the Far Moon Team."

"Reward: Item[Seed of Qi](Gold)."

The task for the final battle arrived as expected.

"The last battle, huh!"

Xia Yu thought to himself, "Top 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, pre-final, grand finals..."

The faces of various opponents flickered through his mind.

Bernard, the talented student from the French Culinary Institute; Tang Yuqiong, the Tang Family’s female prodigy acknowledged by the ’Dragon Pot’; Mars, the giant from the Orlando Faction; and just tonight, Tiqie Ji whom he just saw off.

There was no doubt about the strength of these opponents.

And his opponent for the finals, Li Han, could act as the vanguard for the White Jade Tower Special Team in the first round with strength no less formidable than Mars, Tiqie Ji, or Tang Yuqiong.

"What a pity!"

Thinking of Li Han’s challenge, Xia Yu chuckled.

The guy had invited him to settle the score with Bursting Flame, but with the topics being drawn randomly, who knew what might come up.

Right!

Xia Yu closed the door to his room and, with a strange expression, opened his inventory.

The information for a certain item popped up:

"[Card of Destiny](Gold): An object of fate. Using it might make your wishes come true, but it could also result in an irreversible twist of reality, so use it with extreme caution."

"Uses remaining: 3/3."

The card shone with a holy gold color, with intricate and eerie patterns on both its front and back.

Swallowing hard.

Whatever destiny or wishes coming true, Xia Yu didn’t really believe in it. Hesitation in his eyes, he bit his lip and decided to just use it for the final’s topic.

Softly murmuring ’use,’ the card’s uses dropped to 2/3.

"The grand finals will revolve around ’Bursting Flame’!"

He silently uttered something akin to a prayer in his heart.

Xia Yu opened his eyes.

"Should be... no problems or deviations, right?"

He muttered to himself.

Bursting Flame against Bursting Flame was exactly the fight Xia Yu had been hoping for. The very thought of it got his blood racing!

Heh.

Golden Frame Bursting Flame up against the descendent of the ’Blast Flame Chef’ Ya Kan!

It was Xia Family’s Bursting Flame’s comeback, a bout to prove itself. He aimed to stamp the ’Bursting Flame’ into the minds of Chinese chefs on an international competitive stage. Whenever they thought about this fiery cooking technique, they would think of him!

...

The next day.

Xia Yu emerged from his room and went down to the living room on the first floor.

The Far Moon Team had already gathered, watching the press conference for the finale being broadcast live.

Kogawa Shinyiro, the chairman of the Execution Committee, was reading the withdrawal application from the "Eight-faced Tower Team" from the special chef contest phase. Following that, a Dark Qilin giant took the stage and reiterated the withdrawal request.

Regardless of external reactions, the withdrawal of the "Eight-faced Tower Team" from the B-zone finals was a fact. Kogawa Shinyiro announced on the spot that the "White Jade Tower Team" automatically advanced to the finals and would battle the Far Moon Team for the first phase of the championship’s 5 points.

"Now, the venue for the finals and the lineup of judges will be announced!"

On the screen, Kogawa Shinyiro spoke as a staff member took the stage holding a scroll, which they unrolled to reveal a photo of an ancient-looking, mysterious competition venue.

"Hokkaido Shrine Pavilion!"

"This is also the largest Food Duel site in Hokkaido," Kogawa Shinyiro said. "It has hosted numerous Lin-level Food Duels and even two Dragon-level major confrontations!"

Applause echoed from the TV, with staff members clapping.

"Next up, the judges!"

The screen switched, Tanaka Hikari and the Yuchuan Sisters gasped in surprise; the guest seats of the press conference were filled with four familiar Lin Chefs, who were the same judges from the last Food Duel.

From IGO — Luther, Adelaide.

From the Gourmet Society — Sta, Andrea.

Kogawa Shinyiro took his place in the middle, indicating that he would once again serve as the Chief Judge.

After the judges were announced, it was time for the theme.

A woman brought a sealed box.

Facing the camera, Kogawa Shinyiro shook the box, "Inside here are 30 paper balls representing the topics, ranging from Eastern cuisine to Western cuisine, as well as the less common Raffi and Central Asian dishes..."

Looking straight into the camera, the Lin Chef said solemnly, "But the topics will not be drawn now. They will be drawn on-site 30 minutes before the finals begin, in three days’ time."

The brief press conference ended.

The Far Moon Team discussed among themselves.

"Yu, are you sure you still want to fight the first battle?" Zhu Qing asked, holding the final match schedule in her hands.

Everyone’s eyes turned toward the young man.

"Of course!"

"If someone’s bringing the challenge to me, how could I refuse a fight!" Xia Yu grinned.

Zhu Qing said no more and, holding the pen to the first column, wrote down his name.

"As for the second match..."

Her gaze swept over Dojima Yin, Saito Chiyokuro, Tiqie Zongwei, and Professor Chapeau.

"The first match I will definitely win, taking the lead. The remaining two matches are up to you!" Xia Yu interjected then.

"Oh?"

Dojima Yin raised an eyebrow, "Then I’ll take the second match, and Chiyokuro can hold down the third match!"

Hearing this, Zhu Qing was speechless.

"Isn’t this the same arrangement our team has always had?"

"But the opponents have changed, right?"

Saito Chiyokuro looked at the Tiqie couple and Professor Chapeau, "The key to victory might very well lie in the last two matches."

At the same time.

In the White Jade Tower Team, the Lin giant and all the special chefs gathered.