296: The first step in exploring the alien world

In the days that followed, Lu Chuan entered an unprecedented state of busyness.

He practically made the Research Institute his home, immersing himself in an ocean of otherworldly ingredients.

His Lingxi Tongue allowed him to meticulously observe the characteristics of each new ingredient, clearly distinguishing its energy attributes, potential toxicity, and flavor layers.

Heart Fire Tempering, on the other hand, enabled him to precisely control the heat and energy input, often vastly different from conventional methods, required to process these special ingredients.

Combining some of the research reports provided by Ye Chen regarding the otherworldly energy environment and biological structures, Lu Chuan began bold experiments and creations.

He was no longer confined to traditional cooking forms but acted more like an energy alchemist and biochemist, using his culinary skills as a bridge to harmonize the substances and rules of different worlds.

When surviving and exploring in unknown territories, the first food-related problem to solve was portability and immediacy.

The exploration team could not carry heavy cooking utensils, nor could they afford to stay for long periods to make a fire in a dangerous otherworldly environment.

Lu Chuan collaborated with engineers from the Research Institute to design a "portable cooking box" no larger than a palm.

It could, in a very short time, simulate various cooking environments such as "stewing," "grilling," and "steaming" through precise energy fields, preserving the nutritional value of the food to the greatest extent.

Next was the development of recipes.

Lu Chuan selected several P5-grade otherworldly ingredients, confirmed safe and with complementary energy characteristics, as the core.

The heart meat of the Rock-Armored Rhinoceros was extremely dense, containing heavy earth-attribute energy, which could provide sustained physical support and defensive buffs, but its texture was extremely tough and difficult to process.

Lu Chuan pre-treated it with a mixture of trace amounts of thousand-year stalactite marrow and seven-colored glass salt, blended with purple ground basil juice, then soaked it at low temperature for thirty minutes, making it tender, flavorful, and easy to absorb.

The roe of the Flowing Light Fish, each grain like a liquid point of light, contained active light-attribute energy and spiritual nourishment, which could greatly enhance reaction speed and perception, but it was extremely unstable and prone to deactivation upon contact with air.

Lu Chuan mixed secluded valley orchid honey with ningshen flower pollen to form a protective colloid, completely encasing the roe to create "Flowing Light Pearls" that melted in the mouth and were exceptionally delicious.

The extracted essence of the Blazing Flame Pepper provided a short but powerful burst of strength and fire resistance, but its side effects were intense dryness and mental agitation.

Lu Chuan neutralized it with the pulp of the Ice-Heart Fruit and ice gel made from Crystal Fish, turning it into "Icefire Crisps" as thin as cicada wings, giving it a unique flavor.

There were also "Vitality Rice Cakes," made from jade marrow rice mixed with various high-energy mushroom powders, pressed and baked, serving as a basic dietary nutritional supplement.

"Clear Mind Awakening Paste," made with a tiny extract of nightmare pepper combined with calming herbs, was used to counter potential mental pollution and hallucinations in the otherworld.

Finally, the day before departure, after repeated trials, Lu Chuan successfully developed the first generation of "Otherworldly Exploration Emergency Nutritional MREs."

Each portion was specially packaged for long-term preservation, and after simple heating with the portable cooking box, it could reach optimal consumption state and nutritional absorption within ten seconds.

When Ban Yangming's squad first tasted these "field rations," the shock they experienced was no less than when they activated their Gourmet Cells.

Upon tasting the "Rhinoceros Power Jerky," it wasn't as tough as expected; instead, it was as tender and melt-in-your-mouth as the finest Wagyu beef, with a rich meaty aroma and a gentle warm current instantly filling their entire bodies, as if an invisible armor had coated their limbs.

The "Flowing Light Pearls" burst on the tongue, and cool juice with starlight-like specks surged down their throats, invigorating their spirits. Their vision seemed to sharpen, and all fatigue was swept away.

The "Icefire Crisps" were even more miraculous; initially, they were extremely cold, then a gentle warmth exploded from the throat, flowing to the limbs, yet without causing any dryness. Instead, it made them feel more in control of their muscles.

The "Vitality Rice Cakes" were chewy, with the aroma of rice mixed with the umami of mushrooms, providing a solid yet gentle taste experience.

The "Clear Mind Paste" had a minty coolness and a complex herbal scent; just a tiny lick could quickly calm a mind made restless by high-intensity training or simulated otherworldly environments.

"Holy cow! This... this is field combat rations?! This is more exciting than any feast I've ever had!"

A team member exclaimed, his face full of disbelief.

Ban Yangming carefully felt the changes in his body, equally surprised.

"The efficiency of physical recovery is more than three times that of the previous special high-energy bars! And... there's a feeling of being comprehensively strengthened, not just satiated! Mr. Lu, your craftsmanship is truly divine!"

Ye Chen looked at the monitoring data, which clearly showed the optimized physiological indicators of the team members after consumption, especially how the Gourmet Cells activity remained stable in the high-efficiency range, even showing a slight upward fluctuation.

He looked at Lu Chuan and nodded slightly.

"Perfectly in line with expectations, even exceeding them. Get ready; in three days, you'll depart with the first exploration team."

Three days passed in a flash.

On the day of departure, deep within the heavily guarded military base at the former tidal flat, a three-meter-high, two-meter-wide ethereal blue spatial rift slowly pulsed like breathing.

From the other side of the rift, a mixed aura of desolation and vitality, both familiar and strange, emanated.

Lu Chuan changed into a special exploration suit with certain protective capabilities and numerous functional pockets, carrying a specialized backpack containing his mystic crystal kitchen knife and some core seasonings, as well as the portable energy cooking box.

He Jingrui and Ding Xinyang also changed into their gear and stood beside him.

He Jingrui, as an important combat reference and Lu Chuan's bodyguard, had to accompany him.

Ding Xinyang volunteered and, with Lu Chuan's application, was finally approved to go along; he was responsible for assisting with ingredient processing and data recording.

Ban Yangming's Special Operations Squad was all present; they wore the latest single-soldier exoskeletons, their eyes sharp, their morale high, and their condition at its peak after further nourishment from Lu Chuan's cuisine.

Ye Chen personally came to see them off.

His gaze swept over the ready-to-depart team, finally resting on Lu Chuan.

"Remember, your primary mission is to establish a forward base, collect samples, and assess the environment. In case of irresistible force, prioritize your own safety, especially you, Lu Chuan."

Ye Chen's tone was calm, yet carried undeniable weight.

"Your value far exceeds the gains of a single exploration."

Lu Chuan nodded solemnly: "Understood, I will act within my capabilities."

"Depart."

With Ye Chen's command, Ban Yangming was the first to step into the ethereal blue light curtain, his figure instantly swallowed.

Lu Chuan took a deep breath, exchanged glances with He Jingrui and Ding Xinyang, and followed closely, stepping into that world full of infinite possibilities and dangers.

The moment they crossed the rift, it felt like passing through a layer of cold water film; after a slight sensation of weightlessness, their feet landed on solid, dry sand.

The first thing to assault their senses was the air.

The oxygen content here seemed higher, carrying an indescribable, wild scent, as if from ancient, untamed lands.

Looking up, the sky was a deep violet, with two "moons" of different sizes, emitting a pale glow, hanging in the sky, casting an eerie light.

As far as the eye could see, there was an endless expanse of sandy terrain, densely covered with various wind-eroded rock formations.

Occasionally, strange plants grew sparsely: red ferns that pulsed like flames, giant blue mushrooms that glowed with fluorescence, and vines that constantly changed color, intertwining among them.

Their forms were twisted, their bodies gleamed with a metallic or crystalline luster, and their branches and leaves were bizarre.

In the distance, the low roars of unknown creatures echoed, and electromagnetic fluctuations subtly swept through the air, causing a slight tingling sensation on the skin.

"Maintain vigilance, advance in the predetermined formation!"

Ban Yangming's low voice rang out, and the team members quickly spread out, forming a defensive formation, protecting Lu Chuan and Ding Xinyang in the center.

Various detection instruments began to work, scanning the surrounding environmental data.

Lu Chuan curiously observed this bizarre world, and his Gourmet Cells pulsed with a clear mix of alertness and craving.

His Lingxi Tongue activated spontaneously, and countless unfamiliar smells diffused in the air, surging into his perception like a tide.

The dryness of the sand, the spicy, sweet, or hallucinogenic aromas emanating from various strange plants, the dampness of distant water sources, and the threatening pheromones of certain creatures hidden in the shadows... this was a vast, chaotic, yet vibrant universe of flavors.

He unconsciously took a deep breath, his eyes growing brighter.

The abundance of ingredients here far exceeded his imagination.

For example, a cluster of large tree-like mushrooms not far away, emitting a soft white light, resembling jade carvings.

Lu Chuan walked forward, crouched down, and carefully observed the tree-shaped mushrooms.

Soon, under the interactive effect of Mind Bug and Lingxi Tongue, clear information was fed back.

The flesh of the fungus was thick, containing gentle life essence, and its taste should be extremely delicious, with a slight calming effect, complementary to the ningshen flower.

He carefully collected a few and placed them in a special sample box.

"Record: Temporarily named 'Moonlight Jade Mushroom,' with great potential."

Ding Xinyang quickly jotted it down in his notebook.

The exploration team continued to advance cautiously.

During this time, they encountered several waves of attacks from indigenous creatures.

There were "Shadowblade Grass" as sharp as razors, capable of invisibility and mimicry; "Acid Slugs" that could spray corrosive mucus, moved slowly but had astonishing defenses; and "Toothblade Rats" that moved in packs, were extremely fast, and whose teeth gleamed with cold light.

But in front of the Special Operations Squad, bolstered by Gourmet Cells, well-equipped, and working in perfect coordination, these threats were resolved without major incident.

And Lu Chuan, in this process, continuously discovered new ingredients.

A "Crimson Crystal Ginger" growing in rock crevices, its rhizome like a ruby, incredibly spicy yet capable of temporarily boosting strength and perception.

A "Lightning Shrimp" inhabiting quicksand "lakes," completely transparent, with sweet flesh and a slightly numbing, electric-like sensation that stimulated neural reaction speed.

A "Melody Flower" clinging to the tops of giant trees, its blossoms emitting pleasant chirps, its pollen capable of uplifting spirits and temporarily forgetting fatigue... With each discovery, Lu Chuan would quickly assess and sample using his Lingxi Tongue and profound culinary knowledge, and conceptualize their potential pairings with existing ingredients.

He even used the portable cooking box to quickly prepare a "Mushroom and Shrimp Soup" on the spot, using freshly collected "Moonlight Jade Mushrooms" and "Lightning Shrimp," combined with his basic seasonings.

The exquisite deliciousness and the effect of quickly replenishing stamina and soothing the spirit once again captivated all the team members, also giving them a more intuitive understanding of Lu Chuan's ability to turn decay into magic.

After several hours of trekking and exploration, the team finally succeeded in establishing a forward base code-named "Starting Point" on a relatively open, water-proximate, and easily defensible high ground.

During the base construction, Lu Chuan was not idle.

He used safe ingredients collected from the surroundings, combined with some of his own provisions, to prepare a hearty first otherworldly meal for the diligently working team members.

The main course was grilled Rock-Armored Rhinoceros ribs, marinated with Crimson Crystal Ginger and seven-colored glass salt, grilled until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, the meaty aroma mixed with a peculiar spiciness, making one feel warm and full of strength after eating.

The soup was a clear broth of Moonlight Jade Mushroom and Crystal Fish, fresh and clear, with a calming aura.

There was also stir-fried Jade Ice-Heart Vegetable, and a special beverage made with Melody Flower pollen.

The team members gathered around the bonfire, eating the steaming, incredibly delicious otherworldly feast, looking at the two eerie moons in the sky, and listening to the strange beast roars echoing in the distance, their hearts filled with novelty, excitement, and an ineffable sense of belonging.

It was as if, in this strange and dangerous place, this meal brought a touch of home's warmth and security.

Ban Yangming gnawed on a fragrant rhinoceros rib, smiling at Lu Chuan: "Boss Lu, with you here, I feel like this otherworldly adventure is just a picnic in the wild! Wherever you set up your stall in the future, I'll definitely be your first customer!"

Lu Chuan also smiled. He looked at the warriors eating heartily and laughing loudly in front of him, and at this new world full of unknowns and challenges, a surge of heroic spirit rising in his heart.

His path to becoming a God of Cooking was no longer confined to Earth; he was now taking a broader step into the otherworld.

And he knew, this was just the beginning.

(The End.)