212: Star Voyages and the Troubles of a "Cosmic Gourmet"

Leaving the star sector where beacon beta was located, that patch of airspace was once again shrouded in eternal darkness and silence. Only the sparse starlight in the distance, like indifferent eyes, watched this lonely vessel. The morning star adjusted its course, its engines emitting a steady and long ethereal blue wake. Like a slender needle, it slipped into the boundless velvet curtain, beginning a long interstellar voyage expected to last for months toward the next possible beacon coordinates. This was the longest duration voyage since the start of "Project Deep Blue," completely away from any known space lanes or celestial bodies in a "no-man's land." It was the ultimate test of the ship's performance, material reserves, and, more importantly, the psychological resilience of the entire crew.

The romance of interstellar travel quickly faded in the face of day-after-day monotonous repetition. Outside the window was an almost unchanging star map; inside the cabin was the eternal hum of equipment. To combat this boredom, which was enough to erode one's will, and to maintain high morale, the ship's management meticulously organized various activities: sports competitions, virtual reality games, academic lectures, movie nights... However, among all these official activities, an unintentionally rising "side hustle" led by Excellence unexpectedly became the most popular culture on board, even becoming a kind of spiritual sustenance.

Part One: The Accidental Birth of "Energy Gastronomy"

The origin of all this was quite dramatic. It happened during a routine energy field environment simulation experiment. Excellence was attempting to precisely replicate the atmospheric energy state of an Earth-like planet codenamed "Volcano VII," filled with sulfur particles and violent convection, within the laboratory's small isolation field. As the experiment reached a critical stage, a service robot from the external kitchen happened to deliver a tray of freshly baked, aromatic apple turnovers as a late-night snack for the researchers, temporarily placing them on the observation platform outside the isolation field.

However, a tiny ripple of energy went out of control, breaking through the constraints of the isolation field. There was no explosion, no flash, only an eerie purple light that swept over the tray of apple turnovers like flowing water. When the light dissipated, the originally golden and crispy apple turnovers had turned into "unidentified objects" emitting a soft purple glow all over, with fine energy flows jumping like electric arcs across their surfaces.

"Uh... my apple turnovers?" Excellence looked at the "mutated" snacks, somewhat stunned. Just as he was about to dispose of them, Su Mu happened to walk in.

"Wow! What's this? A newly developed energy battery? It looks... quite unique." Su Mu leaned in curiously to observe.

"A product of an experimental accident." Excellence spread his hands helplessly. "I'm afraid they can't be eaten."

Su Mu blinked. She had always held great curiosity and trust in the various "energy creations" Excellence tinkered with. "It smells... like there's no weird odor, but instead a... sweet and refreshing feeling?" She hesitated for a moment, and based on the principle of never wasting food (and her strong curiosity), she picked one up. "Anyway, my constitution has been gene-optimized with high resistance. I'll test the poison!"

Before Excellence could stop her, she carefully took a small bite. Instantly, her eyes widened. The texture of the snack was extremely peculiar; the outer layer was like the lightest marshmallow, melting in the mouth, yet carrying a faint electrical stimulation that made the tip of her tongue tingle slightly. The apple filling inside had turned into a warm, flowing gel that emitted a sweetness that was by no means from a natural apple, a composite of floral scents and a certain mineral aura.

"How is it?" Excellence asked somewhat nervously.

Su Mu savored it carefully, her expression changing from surprise to enjoyment: "...Unbelievable! The texture is so strange, and the taste... is actually not bad? It's a bit like... electrified clouds wrapping around molten floral-fruit gems?"

This accidental success was like a key, opening a door in Excellence's mind that had never been opened before. He recorded the data from this accident in detail and began to consciously conduct systematic research on the "impact of energy fields on the flavor and texture of organic matter." He declared this to be a brand-new discipline—"Cosmic Energy Gastronomy Appreciation"—and viewed it as an excellent extension and practice of fine energy manipulation training.

From then on, Excellence's "energy cooking" became unstoppable. He specifically applied for a small, reinforced and modified laboratory, grandly naming it the "Interstellar Kitchen." Here, various common ingredients underwent unbelievable energy baptisms.

Using precisely regulated high-frequency energy fields, he could simulate the changes in meat fibers under ultra-high gravity environments, infusing an ordinary synthetic steak with the so-called "fiery and heavy texture of a volcanic planet." When eating it, one could almost feel the scorching heat of magma flowing over the taste buds (safely, of course). He could use gentle life-energy fields to nourish vegetable salads, making the leaves seem as if they had fully absorbed the morning dew and spiritual aura of an alien forest, making them exceptionally crisp and sweet, with a fragrance like soil after rain. He even boldly attempted to use strictly sterilized, energy-stable "Stardust Beast remains energy powder" as a special seasoning, sprinkling it on grilled meat and claiming it brought the "purest, most primitive taste of the starry sky."

Every time a work by "Master Excellence" (the title the crew gave him privately) was completed, it was like an "opening a blind box" experience full of unknowns. Sometimes the taste was stunningly exquisite, like the "Aurora Grilled Fish" that had a minty cool aftertaste yet kept the fish tender, making the taster feel as if they were in the ocean under the aurora of a frozen planet. Other times it was horrifyingly bizarre, like a harmless-looking blue pudding that, after being eaten, caused the person's hair to temporarily stand on end due to residual weak static effects, looking exactly like a startled hedgehog. This drew everyone to take commemorative photos and was jokingly called "Thunder Pudding."

Part Two: Chief Taster and Scientific Supervision

Su Mu naturally became Excellence's "Chief Tasting Officer" (and number one guinea pig). With the pickiness of a gourmet and the directness of a warrior, she gave "sharp" and vivid reviews of every energy dish.

Tasting a piece of "Jupiter Storm Grilled Meat," she carefully felt the tearing sensation of the simulated storm in her mouth and the explosive fusion of meat juices. She commented: "Hmm, it really has the taste of a medium-rare Jupiter core—wild and uninhibited. It's just that after eating it, I feel like breathing fire. I suggest pairing it with some 'Frost Planet' drink to balance it out."

After drinking a bowl of thick soup shimmering with pearly luster, she said with a dazed look: "This soup... is so wonderful. After drinking it, I feel like my soul has left my body and I've seen the legendary Rainbow Bridge connecting the nine realms. It's just that my tongue is still a bit numb, like it was massaged by tiny light particles."

Her reviews often precisely described the complex impact of energy on the senses. They were both feedback for Excellence's work and a bellwether for the crew to decide whether to try it.

Evelyn, on the other hand, shouldered the heavy responsibility of "Food Safety Director." Holding an energy detector and a tablet, she seriously monitored the energy dissipation, residual radiation index, and potential biocompatibility issues of every dish. She would often, while Excellence was proudly displaying a new work, helplessly push up her glasses and point out: "Excellence, the data shows that the energy dissipation rate in the center of your 'Supernova Molten Cake' just now exceeded the limit by 15%. While it won't cause harm, it might lead to a slight gastrointestinal... uh, 'energy vortex.' Next time, I suggest lowering the core pulse by 0.5 output units."

"Understood, Dr. Evelyn!" Excellence would usually respond solemnly, then secretly make a face at Su Mu. "See, that's the attitude of scientific rigor."

This lighthearted and pleasant interaction became an indispensable source of joy during the long voyage. The crew even spontaneously organized and established an "Excellence Energy Gourmet Ranking" on the internal network. Every week, they would hold an anonymous vote to select the "Best Delicacy of the Week" and the "Most Bizarre Dish of the Week," accompanied by detailed (and usually hilarious) tasting reports. Dishes that made the best list would receive a "limited edition" handmade by Excellence as a reward, while those on the bizarre list often became the talk of the town and a source of joy. Excellence himself enjoyed it, viewing it as a special kind of team building, even claiming that after the mission, he would write an unprecedented "Cosmic Energy Gourmet Guide" to record this unique "Starry Sea on the Tongue."

Part Three: Undercurrents and Tempering

Of course, a voyage lasting several months was not always filled with laughter and the aroma of food. The depth of the universe was always accompanied by unknown risks. They also encountered several minor crises, like sudden surges on a calm sea, testing the morning star and its crew.

Once, the ship needed to pass through a high-radiation area marked as the "Phantom Nebula." The originally calculated path was safe, but an energy turbulence suddenly erupted inside the nebula, causing the ship's shields to partially overload. The piercing alarm sounded again. Radiation levels rose sharply, and the situation was critical. Excellence rushed to the bridge. He did not choose to forcibly increase the shield power (which might lead to reactor instability) but instead directly accessed the shield energy control system. His hands moved rapidly across the virtual interface, writing a sophisticated "energy refraction program" on the spot. He guided the overloaded energy like diverting a flood, forming a specific deflection matrix on the shield surface to deflect and scatter most of the lethal radiation energy rather than tanking it. The ship passed through the most dangerous area with only a slight jolt. The Captain looked at the stabilized data, let out a long sigh of relief, and looked at Excellence with eyes full of admiration.

Another time, they encountered a group of strange interstellar creatures—semi-energy lifeforms named "Ethereal Jellyfish." They fed on specific bands of electromagnetic waves and were attracted by the morning star's communication and detection signals, swarming toward them like moths to a flame. They weren't very aggressive themselves, but their massive numbers severely interfered with the ship's sensors and even began attaching to external equipment to drain energy. Conventional deterrents had little effect. After observing their energy fluctuation frequency, Excellence acted again. He modulated a targeted mixed-frequency energy wave that was harmless to humans and equipment but sounded like extremely piercing noise to the "Ethereal Jellyfish," broadcasting it through the ship's external communication array. Soon, the swarms of jellyfish shimmering with soft ethereal light dispersed as if driven away by invisible sound waves, irritably detaching from the ship and disappearing into the dark depths.

Every time a danger was averted, Excellence's unfathomable ability to adapt to situations and his powerful control over the essence of energy became more deeply ingrained in people's hearts. He was not only the team's scientist and explorer but also a guardian deity they could rely on in times of peril.

Part Four: The Warmth of Returning to Basics and the Tempered Edge

After an extremely complex multi-dimensional energy field weaving experiment that lasted for several hours, Excellence rarely showed a look of exhaustion. He leaned back in his lab chair and rubbed his brow; the high-intensity mental consumption left him feeling a hint of emptiness.

At this time, Su Mu walked in carrying a simple ceramic cup. Inside, there was no shimmering energy light or strange aroma, only curling steam and a familiar, elegant fragrance.

"Tired? Try this," Su Mu handed him the cup, a gentle smile on her face. "Purely handmade, zero energy added, one hundred percent traditional process. Rock Tea from Earth's Wuyi Mountains—the taste of 'Homeland'."

Excellence was slightly taken aback and took the teacup. A warm sensation came through the walls of the cup. He looked down at the clear tea liquid in the cup, blew on it gently, and took a sip. The familiar, slightly bitter yet sweet aftertaste spread in his mouth. It was a memory settled in his genes about home, about tranquility, and about the mundane world of human life. There was no electrical stimulation, no flurry of illusions, only the purest warmth and peace, slowly flowing into his heart and dispelling the fatigue and sense of alienation caused by the excessive use of power.

He let out a long breath and sighed: "Sometimes, the simplest things are actually the most comfortable and the most precious."

Evelyn had also arrived at the door at some point and heard their conversation. She leaned against the doorframe and said with a smile: "This shows your 'roots' are still there, Excellence. Powerful strength and novel technology are certainly important, but knowing where your strength comes from, what you are fighting for, and remembering those simplest and most essential beauties worth protecting—that is the foundation for us to continue on this long and dangerous road."

The long and boring voyage was an accumulation of knowledge, a precipitation of strength, and even more, a tempering of the state of mind. Amidst the laughter and the challenges, the team's cohesion became stronger than ever before, and the trust and tacit understanding between members grew day by day. And Excellence, after experiencing the twists and turns of beacon beta, developing the alternative "energy gastronomy," and handling several space emergencies, the edge on him seemed more restrained, yet his gaze became increasingly deep and steady.

They were like a sharp sword repeatedly tempered in the endless starry sea, hiding its dazzling cold light and concentrating all its power and will into a single point, only so that when they reached their final destination, they could accurately and powerfully deliver that fate-deciding strike.