Food Wars, my food not only glows!

　Looking at the cheering audience, Bai Yuan couldn't help but clap his hands. Just then, Hojo Miyoko looked up.

　They met each other's eyes.

　The next moment, Hojo Miyoko revealed a smug smile that was both arrogant and aggressive, as if to say, "You wait, one day I will surpass you!"

　"Young people like them are really passionate."

　Bai Yuan naturally understood the meaning behind Hojo Miyoko's smile, but he wasn't angry. Instead, he felt a sense of anticipation.

　He puts so much effort into training so many students in order to find rivals for himself. If they can really achieve that, he will be very happy.

　However, given the current situation, it will take at least ten years for them to fully mature. Before that, they still need to challenge the older generation of experts and exchange cooking skills with them.

　Looking at the people cooking in the venue, Bai Yuan had many thoughts in his mind. Finally, he turned around and left, returning to the VIP box in Venue A.

　Has anyone finished cooking yet?

　Seeing the contestants carrying the dishes forward, Bai Yuan asked Nakiri Erina a question out of curiosity. Erina flinched slightly at his sudden appearance, but still managed to maintain her composure, saying, "Two have already gone up."

　After speaking, Bai Yuan looked up at the huge screen in mid-air, which displayed the scores and rankings of many contestants, with names already appearing in the first two columns.

　Rinya Kujo, 51 points

　Aoba Aiki, 45 points.

　It wasn't a very high score, but it was still pretty good.

　Bai Yuan nodded inwardly. To still get this score after tasting his whole lamb shumai, he must have at least the top-tier skills of a third-class chef.

　Meanwhile, the judging panel, led by Chihiro Natsume, gave their scores to this new contestant.

　10, 14, 0, 8, 10

　Total score: 42 points.

　"Another zero! Is zero the only thing that guy can do?!"

　"That's really strict."

　The audience erupted in uproar as they watched the judges' scores, because they discovered that Chihiro Natsume had once again given the contestant a score of 0.

　"Absolutely not! Although the food is better than some small restaurants, it has no unique features at all. To put it simply, it's mediocre, far too mediocre."

　Ignoring the discussion below, Chihiro Natsume propped her chin on her hand and looked at the students below, her voice revealing disappointment.

　Before coming, she heard how amazing this year's class was, but it turned out to be just this level. It wasn't weak, but it wasn't particularly strong either.

　The rumors circulating outside are exaggerated.

　Of course, it's also possible that the impact of that mutton shumai was too strong, which affected her when she tasted other dishes.

　However, for her, any dish that doesn't score above ten is undoubtedly a zero.

　The image of the whole lamb shumai she had just eaten flashed through her mind, and Chihiro Natsume felt her body go weak; the impact of that meal still left her feeling disheveled.

　She couldn't leave simply because she had to serve as a judge.

　I really want to take a nice hot bath!

　"It's normal for a class to have both strong and weak students. How can geniuses be highlighted without mediocre ones? So there's no need to put on such a disappointed expression, Your Honor."

　As the third zero was scored, a brief silence fell over the room.

　Even after someone has finished cooking, they hesitate to step forward, worried that they will become the fourth person to get a zero, which would be incredibly embarrassing.

　However, as everyone remained silent, a young man with short hair called out, then carried the dishes forward with an indomitable spirit.

　"Ueno Sugi, what kind of dish will you bring this time?"

　Looking at the man's figure, Soma Yukihira murmured to himself that the man he met on the first day of school and who challenged him left a very deep impression on him.

　However, we haven't crossed paths since then, otherwise I really wanted to have a proper competition.

　"Please enjoy the tagine stewed lamb."

　Placing the still-bubbling tagine on the judges' table, Ueno Sugi's face was filled with strong confidence as he spoke and gestured for the judges to proceed.

　"Oh? That's quite arrogant. You mean everyone around you is mediocre, and only you are a genius?"

　Tagine stewed lamb? A Moroccan dish? A tagine is a type of mini pressure cooker invented and manufactured in Morocco.

　Upon hearing Ueno Sugi's words, Chihiro Natsume couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark, then curiously looked at Tajika in front of her and took a deep breath.

　"The aroma of oranges and dried fruit."

　Looking up at the bright orange flesh on the stewed mutton, Chihiro Natsume's face showed enjoyment. As she spoke, she picked up her chopsticks and took a piece of mutton.

　"The base flavor profile is garlic, onion, and carrot, with the addition of orange at the end, giving the lamb a refreshing fruity aroma and a slightly sweet and sour taste."

　"Wow, this flavor is like a gentle spring breeze. It not only neutralizes the mutton's gamey smell but also brings out an indescribable deliciousness."

　Chihiro Natsume put the mutton on her chopsticks into her mouth, closed her eyes, and then found herself in a manor with lots of vegetables and fruits growing there, and sheep bleating in their pens.

　"How did you come up with the idea of ​​using orange peels? That's a truly unique idea!"

　Beside him, another judge looked at the diced orange peel in the pot, took a deep breath in rapture, and then picked up a piece of mutton to savor it.

　"Orange peel will slowly release natural essential oils during the stewing process, but you have to scrape off the white membrane inside, otherwise it will taste bitter."

　The aroma of essential oils will...

　As time passes, the aroma gradually permeates every fiber of the meat, giving the entire pot of lamb an enticing citrus fragrance.

　Ueno Sugi explained with an air of arrogance that these were conclusions he had drawn from countless experiments, having tried all sorts of fruits.

　"The addition of dried fruit adds an exotic touch to this dish. During the stewing process, it absorbs the meat juices and orange aroma, becoming full and layered, retaining its own natural sweetness while incorporating the essence of meat and fruit aromas."

　The third judge spoke, his voice filled with praise for the dish, saying that no matter how you look at it, it was a very good stewed lamb.

　"Then let's begin scoring."

　Gently setting down her chopsticks, Chihiro Natsume exchanged glances with the judges around her before writing down her score for the dish on the scoring device.

　14, 18, 11, 12, 14

　Total score: 69 points.

　"69 points? I only got 69 points!"

　With a hint of disbelief in his voice, Ueno Sugi opened his mouth, looking at the judge in front of him as if he wanted to question him, but in the end he didn't say anything and turned to leave. It seems he hasn't practiced enough, he'll have to go back and practice more!

　"Although the score wasn't very high, at least it's not zero anymore. I'm the first person to get Chihiro Natsume's score. Now let's see how the others perform."

　"However, why did one person give such a high score, while the scores of others were quite average?"

　"I'm not sure. Maybe it's a disagreement, or maybe the other person isn't good enough. Isn't that common? If they can't find anyone, they just grab someone to fill the quota."

　Looking at the freshly released scores, the audience started discussing them. While most people scored eleven or twelve, the second judge actually gave eighteen points.

　"It seems that the whole lamb shumai has indeed had an impact."

　Hearing the audience's words, Chihiro Natsume also reacted and looked at the Mediterranean man sitting next to her, who was also sweating profusely.

　When the four judges gave him roughly the same score, his score was too high. In a sense, this would mean that his professional level was lacking.

　No, I'll have to lower the score a bit later.

　The Mediterranean man thought to himself.

　At that moment, as Ueno Sugi left, Hisako Shinto, dressed in a chef's uniform, stepped forward, carrying a large casserole dish.

　"please wait for a moment."

　After placing the casserole on the judges' table, Hisako Shinto turned back to the kitchen counter, took five bowls and soup spoons, and began serving the soup in front of the judges.

　"Next up is the secretary of that God Tongue."

　"They will definitely serve up some amazing dishes."

　The audience looked at the large screen in front of them, which projected Hisako Aragaki's face, and immediately started discussing it.

　Hisako Shinto is affiliated with Erina Nakiri, who is a rising star in the Japanese culinary world.

　Because of this connection, Hisako Shinto is naturally also highly anticipated.

　"It smells so good. If I'm not mistaken, this should be what they call medicinal cuisine, right?"

　Taking the soup bowl handed to him by Hisako Niito, the thin judge on the far left spoke up.

　"You used black goat meat, right? Although the meat tastes better and is more nutritious, it has a stronger gamey smell compared to regular mutton. However, it seems you used spices to remove the odor."

　The Mediterranean man stroked his chin. He had just noticed the lamb Hisako Shinto used in her cooking, and now that he was mentioning it, it would be a good way to demonstrate his expertise.

　"In short, give it a try first."

　Beside her, Chihiro Natsume picked up a spoon, and the others followed suit, some observing the soup, while others put it directly into their mouths to taste.

　"This...this is!"

　Suddenly, the thin man sitting in the far corner swallowed the soup in his mouth, a look of shock flashed in his eyes, and he froze on the spot.

　"What's wrong with Mr. Anton?"

　The Mediterranean man was the first to raise a question, and out of concern that something might have happened to the other person, he got up to go and help, but stopped halfway there.

　His expression was one of astonishment, as if he had seen something unbelievable. After Mr. Anton stood up, he began to exert force, and the muscles all over his body expanded rapidly, bursting his clothes.

　"Mr. Anton, who had been so dry and lifeless, like a dead tree, suddenly became like an actor in a kung fu movie, full of power!"

　All eyes were on the judge named Anton, and the Mediterranean man was even more shocked, as he looked at the dish in front of him and muttered to himself.

　"Such a unique aroma."

　"This is..."

　"Angelica sinensis, Codonopsis pilosula, jujube, water chestnut, hairy root, sugarcane, Polygonatum odoratum, and lily bulb. A medicinal diet based on eight kinds of Chinese herbs."

　"Eight-ingredient stewed mutton soup".

　After saying this, Judge Anton exhaled a long breath of stale air from his nose, then uttered six large words, his eyes filled with righteousness.

　His voice also became much stronger.

　"Eight-Ingredient Soup??!"

　I've only ever heard of Siwu Tang (Four-Substance Decoction). I've heard that even a dying traveler can be instantly revived with just one bite—it's a legendary dish!

　The Mediterranean man exclaimed in shock, recalling the story his mother told him when he was a child, about the Four-Ingredient Soup, a legendary dish!

　I never expected to see you here today!

　No! This contains four more ingredients than the legendary Four-Ingredient Soup, making it an advanced version of the dish. Just who is this little girl?

　Who is it?!

　"It's not as exaggerated as you say. It's just an ordinary medicinal mutton soup. It won't bring someone back from the brink of death."

　Hearing the Mediterranean man's words, Hisako Shinto smiled obediently. She was not so arrogant as to think that what she had made was a legendary dish; it was just ordinary mutton soup.

　If we were to ask who in the world is most likely to create the legendary dish, her answer would always be the same: Teacher Bai Yuan.

　"Hisako Shinoto, an expert from a family of medicinal cuisine practitioners, uses decocted herbs and Chinese medicine to systematically maintain health through food, based on traditional Japanese medicine."

　Medicinal cuisine is a dish that perfectly blends food, medicine, and pharmacy.

　Alice Nakiri's calm voice rang out in the VIP room, her gaze towards Hisako Shinoto filled with a hint of envy; she, too, longed for a little follower.

　She used to meet a pretty good guy named Kurokiba Ryo, whose cooking skills were decent, but unfortunately he was a man. Since she was with Bai Yuan, she had to avoid suspicion.

　"In the past, Hisako's medicinal cuisine was limited to the surface of the dishes. The cooking methods were always the same few medicinal cuisine recipes. Once the flavor was released, she didn't care anymore."

　But since learning from Teacher Bai Yuan, I've started systematically studying pharmacology, and now I can prepare medicine myself, and my cooking skills have also improved.

　Standing in the VIP box, looking down at Hisako Shinto, who was shining brightly under the lights, Erina Nakiri wore a gratified expression.

　After more than half a year of honing her skills, Hisako Shinto was finally able to stand on her own, thanks to Hakugen, this thoughtful and considerate man.

　"I stir-fried the lamb chops before making this soup because the gamey smell of lamb mainly comes from fat-soluble, volatile substances."

　After stir-frying, a golden-brown crust forms on the surface of the lamb. When stewed, the fat, after being impacted by boiling water, forms an emulsion, resulting in a richer and more flavorful broth.

　On the big screen, Hisako Shinto confidently looked at the judges and began to explain the secrets of the dish, which was exactly what the audience wanted to see and hear.

　Most of the audience here are chefs in the industry; otherwise, they wouldn't be able to get tickets.

　While some of their purpose in coming here is for entertainment, the main reason is to learn techniques. Watching skilled chefs prepare dishes significantly improves their own skills; in a sense, it's like learning by observation.

　"I see. No wonder it only tastes a little bit like mutton. You must have deliberately left it out. It's this little bit of flavor that makes me realize I'm eating mutton, that it has the feel of mutton!"