Chapter 155 - 155: Speculation

Translator: 549690339

Inside the Spirit Chef Association of Bai Lu Mountain City, a meeting was underway.

There was a total of fifteen attendees: the Association president Xu Qingmo, thirteen Spirit Executors, and the Provincial Training Champion Zhou Tianhao who had not left Bai Lu Mountain City yet.

While the public was stirred up with discussions about the recently concluded select-duel competition, the atmosphere in the meeting room was notably heavy.

“The Star Hunters didn’t make a move.” Zhou Tianhao shook his head in frustration, “I’ve been lying in wait in the audience seats for two days, and nothing happened.”

“That’s probably what the Star Hunters wanted to see.” A Spirit Executor clenched his fist tightly, “If we catch those despicable guys, they must be brought to justice!”

“I can already imagine the Star Hunters mocking us as we prepare for battle.” Another Spirit Executor gritted his teeth.

“It’s not certain, maybe the Star Hunters originally planned to act, but upon seeing so many of us, chose to abandon their plans?” A rather optimistic Spirit Executor interjected.

Others in the room agreed with his thought process.

“Don’t let your guard down!” Xu Qingmo looked at her subordinates whose spirits had shifted, slightly frowning, “We’re dealing with a world-class criminal organization!”

“No matter why they did not take action during the select-duel competition, within the validity period of the Notice, we must adopt the most meticulous attitude for defense.”

“If I’m not wrong, the reason they didn’t act might be linked to the quantity of the Starstones.” Liu Shuang, seated on the opposite side, spoke slowly after some thought. “Their target is the Starstones; it makes sense that they would want as many as possible.”

“There were only four Starstones in the select-duel competition, perhaps they are planning to strike when there are more Starstones at stake.”

“If one were to name the time when the most Starstones are at stake…” Another Spirit Executor added, “It would be when the victors of the Rankings Match are decided.”

“Two days from now, the competing teams from the morning Rankings Matches will each receive the Starstones belonging to second place in advance

The remaining Starstones for the second place are six subtracted by the one already awarded.

TWo contestants receiving rewards would mean the Association has to bring out ten Starstones at once.

For the final Ranking Match in the afternoon where the final ranks of four contestants are determined, the number of Starstones the Association would bring out is actually less, only six in total.

If it were to be based on the number of Starstones, pinpointing the Star Hunters’ timeline should not be difficult.

“This hypothesis does make sense…” Xu Qingmo slightly nodded in agreement after some thought, “We must continue to maintain vigilance over these few days and not take it lightly. On the morning of the Rankings Match two days from now, we should arrange for more Association personnel to be stationed within the arena.”

“This is our first confrontation with the Star Hunters, we must absolutely apprehend them!”

“Yes!” Thirteen Spirit Executors chorused.

“I can’t wait to battle them.” Zhou Tianhao clenched his fists, “Let them come, I’m waiting!”

“Ring, Ring– ”

A frantic sound of a phone call echoed inside the meeting room.

Realizing the ringing sound was coming from her own phone, Xu Qingmo’s expression changed subtly.

There aren’t many people who could call her during a meeting.

Upon seeing the caller ID, she looked even more anxious.

“You all discuss the specific strategies first, I need to take this call.”

Leaving her words hanging, Xu Qingmo quickly walked into the small meeting room next door with her phone. After closing the door, she answered, “Asu…”

“Tell me truthfully, did something go wrong during the Youth Training Competition?” Yunqi’s pleasant voice traveled through the phone.

“No major issues.” Xu Qingmo reflexively rebutted without giving it much thought.

It fell quiet on the other end of the line. After a moment, Yunque’s voice carried a little more seriousness, “No major issues, yet it requires so many guards for just four Starstones?”

“You watched the competition footage?” Xu Qingmo finally realized, she scratched her head in frustration, “Aren’t you usually not interested in the training competition?”

“I happened to catch it.” Yunqi replied calmly, “So, there really is a problem, isn’t there?”

“Well…” Xu Qingmo knew she couldn’t hide it any longer, she let out a sigh and said, “The Star Hunters organization sent us a Notice.”

The line went silent.

The oppressive atmosphere seemed to be transmitted through the phone line.

Xu Qingmo sighed, “Alright Asu don’t be mad, I do have backup help. Zhou Tianhao, who just won the Provincial Training Championship, has volunteered to stay in Bai Lu Mountain City to assist.”

“He’s just like you, a Four-Vein Spirit Chef with five-star Food Spirits.” Yunqi’s voice came from the other end of the phone, getting colder, “So you would rather ask a stranger for help, than me?”

“Uh…” Xu Qingmo was momentarily at a loss for words.

“I will be present at the Youth Training Competition two days from now.”

Yunqi left her with those words before hanging up the call.

Xu Qingmo rubbed her forehead and heaved a sigh.

The threshold to becoming a First-Level Spirit Executor is to have at least two Four-star Food Spirits.

The requirement to be Second-Level Spirit Executor is to possess at least two Five-Star Food Spirits.

But the qualifications to become a Food Recommender are not based on power, instead emphasising on cooking and food evaluation capabilities.

In a typical Spirit Chef Association of a city, a duo of primary and deputy directors, which are the Second-Level Spirit Executor and Second-Level Food Recommender of the city, govern the association.

This protocol implies that the president of the Spirit Chef Association usually is the most powerful within the association.

However, Bai Lu Mountain City is somewhat different.

Few people know that the elusive Second-Level Food Recommender, who is usually in the company of the White Deer is the only Spirit Chef in the Bai Lu Mountain City Spirit Chef Association who has opened up his fifth Star Vein.

But…

“Asu, you can’t intervene anymore…”

After roughly shaping the form of a deer with a file, the finer details came alive beneath Qin Lang’s knife.

A strikingly life-like Sugar Crystal Deer was born.

Its transparent body shone brightly under the light, prompting Dan Bao and Spicy to examine it closely in awe.

Ignoring the two ones lost in fascination, Qin Lang took the previously prepared and simmered ginkgo plant, promptly beginning the next stage of cooking.

After heating the wok, he added lard and white sugar, stirring it until the color turned reddish. He then added clear water, honey, and osmanthus honey, finally adding the ginkgo fruit.

As Qin Lang slowly stirred the ginkgo fruit on low heat, a rich aroma enveloped the room with the heat, making Qin Lang and the two little ones look intoxicated.

When the broth in the pot thickened and was evenly coated on the surface of the ginko fruit, he removed it from the heat.

With the glistening and plump Ginkgo fruit dispersing around the Sugar Crystal Deer sculpture, a profound and exquisite Poetic Etiquette Ginkgo was prepared.

“Alright, let’s have Mrs. Yunqi taste it now.”

Qin Lang carefully held the Poetic Etiquette Ginkgo and walked out of the kitchen.

Shortcut Entrance: [Monthly Tickets] [Recommendation Tickets]

End of Chapter Easter Egg Content:

[Poetic Etiquette Ginkgo]