161: Don't you want to go back soon?

"W-what... what do you mean?" Erina raised her head abruptly, her violet eyes filled with incredulous bewilderment. "Are you saying... we can still go back?"

Lin Luo nodded affirmatively. "That is a given. I came to this world originally just to find you." His tone was light, yet carried a hint of imperceptible relief after experiencing great hardships. "You know, I suffered so much just to find you!"

"Ah—!!!" Erina suddenly let out a short scream, subconsciously covering her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide open.

Lin Luo was left speechless by her exaggerated reaction. "It's not that serious... Even if you heard you could go back, your reaction is a bit too much."

Erina ignored his teasing and quickly lowered her head, struggling to compose her suddenly turbulent emotions, though a flush uncontrollably crept across her cheeks.

It was just too embarrassing. She didn't want to continue this topic anymore.

"Are we... going to swing across using this rope?" Lin Luo's voice pulled her back from her chaotic thoughts. She looked up to see Lin Luo holding onto a thin rope hanging from the ceiling, looking at the front with a helpless expression—Toriko and Komatsu were excitedly imitating Tarzan, grabbing another rope, swinging through the air in an exaggerated arc, while letting out strange "Woohoo~!" cries as they flew toward the huge, mountain-like soup pot in the distance.

Erina hurriedly cleared her throat, trying to suppress the shyness and strangeness in her heart, and explained, "That... is the true, final cooking location of the 'century soup'. This rope is the only way to get across!"

"Oh..." Lin Luo responded, but let go of the rope, his face showing an expression of "Why go to such trouble." He could fly, after all!

"Eh?!" Before Erina could react, she felt her waist tighten and she was effortlessly scooped up into Lin Luo's arms.

"Hold on tight." Lin Luo said in a low voice, exerted force under his feet, and leaped—

The anticipated feeling of weightlessness did not appear. Erina discovered with surprise that they were floating steadily in mid-air! A faint, colorful halo circulated around Lin Luo, lifting them both as if they were stepping on invisible stairs, flying calmly and steadily toward the top of the giant soup pot.

In the blink of an eye, the two had landed lightly on the wide platform at the edge of the pot, while Toriko and Komatsu were still climbing the ladder.

Lin Luo gently put Erina down. Her face still carried astonishment and a slight flush from the flight, and she looked at Lin Luo in shock: "You... you can actually fly?"

"Just a little trick I recently learned." Lin Luo smiled without explaining further, casting his gaze toward the giant pot at his feet, which radiated astonishing energy fluctuations and complex aromas. "It seems this is the main body of the 'century soup'."

"Amazing!" At this moment, Toriko and Komatsu also climbed up. Seeing the scene inside the pot, Toriko's eyes widened instantly: "Is this the century soup with the ingredients still inside? It's too surprising; it's already this clear even before filtering!"

"Woo-hoho!" Granny Setsuno grabbed a huge, long-handled ladle and gently stirred the ingredients in the pot. "Because I've been skimming off the foam nonstop for the past half year. But actually... this soup is not yet finished!"

Nostalgia appeared in her eyes. "The so-called 'century soup' originally existed in nature. A long time ago, little Jiro once gave me a taste... just that one sip was so delicious it was unforgettable for a lifetime. What I am making now is an imitation of that flavor."

Toriko asked in surprise, "Granny Setsuno, does that mean this is still a semi-finished product?"

Setsuno nodded. "In my opinion, I haven't been able to fully reproduce the deliciousness in my memory yet."

Toriko thought for a moment, his eyes getting brighter and brighter. "Could it be... that the authentic 'century soup' from nature tastes even better than this?"

"How should I put it..." Setsuno shook her head. "Although it's hard to describe that difference in words, however..." She looked at the group. "When you were tasting the soup just now, didn't you always feel like something key was missing?"

Komatsu and Erina both nodded gently.

"Exactly!" Setsuno confirmed. "The taste of the authentic one is roughly the taste of this pot of soup of ours, perfectly supplemented with 'that one thing'. But it's this 'one thing'... I can't figure it out no matter what. I've tried countless times, but it's always just a little bit off."

She shook her head helplessly, stopped the movement in her hand, and her gaze swept over the young people in front of her, finally landing on Erina and Komatsu. "Do you know why I brought you to this kitchen that is never open to the public? No matter which country's president, tycoon, or top-tier Gourmet Hunter, no one has been able to offer truly valuable opinions on my cooking."

"But if it's you guys..." Granny Setsuno's eyes were full of expectation. "Maybe, just maybe, you really could 'finish' this soup. So, to let you understand the base Materials and processing method of the broth in detail, I brought you here."

Lin Luo rubbed his chin and looked at Erina, his face showing a bit of hesitation. "About that... I actually have other things to do..."

Erina directly interrupted him, her violet eyes flashing with a determined light. "We're going! We must go! Only by personally tasting the flavor of the authentic 'century soup' will there be a possibility of perfectly replicating the teacher's recipe!"

Lin Luo was left speechless. "Then you don't want to go back soon?"

"Since we already know we can go back, there's no need to be so anxious." Erina's answer was crisp and decisive, even carrying a hint of excitement she hadn't noticed herself from finding a new goal. "The most important thing to do right now is to fulfill the teacher's expectations of me!"

Komatsu also nodded vigorously, his eyes full of yearning. "I want to try it too! If I can participate in recreating the legendary 'century soup', that would be truly amazing!"

Toriko laughed and made the decision. "As the saying goes, there's no time like the present! Since everyone wants to go, let's go together! We can look out for each other!"

Granny Setsuno watched this scene with a smile, and finally let her gaze fall on Lin Luo, with a gentle yet unquestionable instruction. "Then, little Erina... I'll leave her to you. If she gets hurt over there, I'll hold you responsible."

Lin Luo looked at everyone's expectant eyes, and then at Granny Setsuno's "kind" smile, knowing that this trip could not be avoided. He sighed helplessly and raised his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright... Then let's first go to that person Granny Setsuno mentioned and sign up as 'mercenaries'."

In the central area of Gourmet City, there was a bar where Gourmet Hunters gathered—the Bar "Heavy Cabin".

This was the hub where Gourmet Hunters and chefs from all over the world sought information and commissions; it was a mixed bag of people every day, exceptionally noisy.

When Lin Luo and Toriko pushed the door and entered, the wave of noise almost blew the roof off. All kinds of Gourmet Hunters gathered here: there were big eaters competing in the corner, hot-tempered giants slamming tables to urge for drinks, and fierce characters covered in scars with long swords at their waists in a silent standoff with sharp-eyed, turban-wearing young "Knights"—these were members of the Gourmet Gang and Gourmet Knights. Both sides were full of gunpowder, but seemed to be restraining themselves due to the bar's rules and the important person who was about to arrive.

When Toriko's iconic blue pompadour and Lin Luo's unfamiliar but extraordinary face appeared at the door, the noise level suddenly dropped a few degrees.

"Wow! It's Toriko of the Four Heavenly Kings!"

"Why is he here?!"

"Who is that black-haired kid next to him? His aura is so strong too!"

Exclamations and whispers instantly replaced the previous noise. As a prominent figure in the Gourmet World, Toriko's appearance itself was a signal.

"Excuse me!" Toriko grinned, completely unconcerned about this attention, and walked familiarly toward the bar. Lin Luo followed him calmly, his gaze sweeping across the room, lingering briefly on a few people with not-weak auras, and finally briefly meeting a gaze hidden in the shadows in the corner.

"Oh my! Little Toriko, what a rare guest! And this... incredible friend!" Behind the bar, the bald boss known as the "Appraiser," Old Man Mori, put down the glass he was wiping. His sharp eyes instantly locked onto Lin Luo, his face showing undisguised surprise and interest. He had seen countless people and could tell at a glance that Lin Luo was extraordinary; that restrained yet unfathomable aura even made him feel that he was even... more immeasurable than the Four Heavenly Kings beside him.

"Old Man Mori, long time no see! Two glasses of 'Energy Seaweed Beer'!" Toriko sat down boldly and casually pushed the first glass to Lin Luo. This subtle action caused waves in the hearts of those observing in secret—Toriko, one of the Four Heavenly Kings, was actually so polite, even slightly "deferential," to this young man?

Old Man Mori efficiently poured another glass, but his gaze never left Lin Luo. "This friend is..."

"Lin Luo, my good brother!" Toriko patted Lin Luo's shoulder and said proudly, "How about it, Old Man Mori, did you see anything?"

"Haha, incredible, truly incredible!" Old Man Mori touched his bald head and laughed, becoming more enthusiastic toward Lin Luo. "Mr. Lin Luo, it's a real pleasure to meet you! Your drinks are on the house today!"

Just as Lin Luo was smiling and thanking him, and the surrounding discussions grew even louder, the bar door was suddenly pushed open again.

A follower in a suit and leather shoes rushed in first and shouted, "Silence, everyone! Mr. Carnel has arrived!"

The noise ceased instantly.

A short, elderly man wearing a luxurious big sweater, smoking a pipe, and with shrewd eyes stepped into the bar surrounded by a crowd. It was none other than the Gourmet World's tycoon—the Gourmet Hall President, Carnel.

Without a word of pleasantries, he stood still, swept his gaze over the room full of hunters, and announced in an unquestionable tone, "I'm offering ten billion! Recruiting people who can bring back the 'century soup' for me! Now, those who want to challenge, follow me!"

"Ten billion?!"

"century soup?! Is that for real?"

"Does he have information?"

The bar instantly boiled over! In the eyes of countless people, flames of greed and desire ignited.

A hint of an imperceptible, almost cold smile appeared on the corner of Carnel's mouth, and he turned and left. The follower beside him asked in a low voice if a selection was needed, and he replied in a low voice, "Take them all. The Ice Continent will naturally eliminate the unqualified trash... All I want is to increase the probability of success, even by a little."

His words were drowned out in the excited noise of the crowd.

Toriko stood up abruptly, his eyes burning with Battle Intent. "Lin Luo, that's him! Let's go!"

Lin Luo nodded, drained his glass of wine, nodded to Old Man Mori, and then stood up.