104: A sudden murderous aura

As Cen Fei put a piece of chicken into her mouth, she gently closed her eyes, immersing herself wholeheartedly in the marvelous taste blossoming on her tongue.

Under this ultimate culinary delight, her Taste Sublimation gradually began to take effect.

A warm and gentle power slowly flowed through her Bloodline, strengthening her meridians and making her Physique increasingly powerful.

This instantaneous transformation was even more significant than the cumulative effect of various Advanced delicacies she had savored and absorbed over half a year!

This made Cen Fei involuntarily lower her head again, gazing at the seemingly ordinary chicken chop rice before her, her mind awash with a tide of questions.

How could such an unpretentious dish possess a deliciousness that far surpassed the exquisite creations of Two-Star, or even Three-Star Gourmet Hunters?!

It was important to know that Cen Fei had tasted many masterpieces by Three-Star Gourmet Hunters over the past six months.

But if Cen Fei were to make a comparison, she would say that all the dishes made by those Three-Star Gourmet Hunters combined still couldn't compare to this simple plate of chicken chop rice made by Han Fei.

"Why is this chicken chop rice so delicious?"

Cen Fei couldn't understand.

After all, she not only possessed D-level strength but was also a One-Star Gourmet Hunter, so her discernment was naturally extraordinary.

She had witnessed Han Fei's entire process of making the chicken chop rice, from the seasoning combination to the frying of the chicken chop, and then to the mixing with the rice; every step was seen and remembered.

With her discerning eye, she could naturally tell that the seasonings Han Fei used were nothing special, and both the chicken chop and rice were the most common varieties on the market.

The chicken chop rice Han Fei made was also a very ordinary dish, one that Cen Fei had even made herself.

In other words, from ingredient selection to cooking techniques, Han Fei followed the most unadorned principles, without any flashy embellishments.

However, it was precisely this simple combination that burst forth with an unimaginable deliciousness.

The sweetness contained in every grain of rice, the wonderful texture of the chicken chop's crispy skin and juicy interior, and the deep flavors unleashed by those ordinary seasonings in just the right proportions, all surpassed Cen Fei's traditional understanding of the word "delicious."

It was as if a new door had quietly opened before her, enticing her to explore the unknown mysteries of gourmet food, and the profound secrets within, she could not unravel at this moment, her heart filled with astonishment and contemplation.

Long Feihe also ordered a plate of chicken chop rice at this time.

As the golden-yellow chicken chop rice, emitting an enticing aroma, was placed before him, a hint of pleasant surprise flashed in his eyes.

He picked up his chopsticks, gently grasped a piece of chicken chop with a crispy exterior and tender, smooth interior, and slowly brought it to his mouth.

In that moment, it was as if all the clamor was shut out, leaving only the private whispers between his taste buds and that delicate texture.

The savory deliciousness of the chicken intertwined with the rich aroma of the special sauce in his mouth, forming an indescribably wonderful experience that made him involuntarily murmur, "How can it be so delicious?!"

Long Feihe couldn't comprehend it.

As a One-Star Gourmet Hunter, he had experienced countless top-tier dishes and tried various rare ingredients, but never had any dish brought him such a shocking sensation.

Long Feihe's eyes narrowed slightly, his mind rapidly replaying every detail of Han Fei's cooking.

From the meticulous selection of chicken breast to the precise control during marination, and then the oil temperature, even the calm and unhurried manner when flipping the spatula—everything seemed ordinary, yet it also seemed to contain some unknown secret.

But even as he repeatedly pondered, that captivating special quality remained like a flower in the fog, a moon in the water, difficult to grasp.

His gaze fell back on Han Fei, his eyes now holding a deeper respect and a desire for exploration.

"Please allow me to ask presumptuously, how did you make it so delicious?"

"I truly can't understand. Both the seasonings and the ingredients are so ordinary, and your method is... very simple. But why is its taste so special? This is truly incredible!"

Long Feihe's words carried a hint of urgency, and a thirst for knowledge flickered in his eyes.

"I'm also very curious," Cen Fei softly echoed from the side, a flame of truth-seeking burning in her eyes as well, "Why is your chicken chop rice so special?"

The surrounding students, observing, also had eyes sparkling with intense interest and anticipation.

As top students from the nation's premier Gourmet Academy, any mystery related to gourmet food was enough to ignite their deepest passion and thirst for knowledge.

Han Fei heard this and a mysterious smile played on his lips. He answered ambiguously, "The essence of all things in the world often lies not in outward splendor or complex techniques, but in the purest intention one holds towards something. As the ancient saying goes, a mountain is not great for its height, but for the immortals it harbors; water is not deep for its breadth, but for the Dragons it contains. Cooking is the same; true deliciousness comes from reverence for ingredients, meticulous study of craftsmanship, and the full passion poured into every dish. Do it with your heart, and even the most ordinary seasonings and common ingredients can bloom with extraordinary brilliance, creating a unique culinary miracle."

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions on the faces of the other students instantly froze, their eyes flickering with confusion and incomprehension.

What Han Fei said was as profound as an ancient scripture to them.

Long Feihe and Cen Fei, however, felt their pupils constrict sharply.

In unison, their gazes met in the air, like two lightning bolts colliding in silence, igniting a resonance deep within their souls.

In that moment, a single name surged in their hearts simultaneously—"Culinary Heart."

Culinary Heart, that was an supreme Secret Realm only attainable by Five-Star Gourmet Hunters, symbolizing the Peak and ultimate mastery of the culinary world!

Currently, in the entire Dragon Country, only one person possessed a Culinary Heart: the nation's top chef known as the 'God of Cookery of Mountains and Seas,' Ye Qianqiu.

Legend has it that Ye Qianqiu used the sky as a lid, the earth as a pot, and all living beings as food, and with his transcendent culinary skills, he condensed the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi in his heart, forging the unique Culinary Heart of "Heaven and Earth Nature."

With "Heaven and Earth Nature," Ye Qianqiu could make ingredients and Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi complement each other, imbuing every dish with the vitality of nature.

The soft whispers of the wind, the roar of thunder, the drifting of clouds, the delicate touch of rain, the steadfastness of mountains, the tenderness of water, and the Reincarnation of spring blossoms and autumn fruits, all could be savored in Ye Qianqiu's dishes.

It is said that when Ye Qianqiu cooked, with the power of his Culinary Heart, he could make Dragons soar, Phoenixes spread their wings, and white cranes sing in unison amidst the clashing of light swords, perfectly blending the essence of food with the quintessence of nature, creating astonishing culinary wonders.

Throughout the long river of history, the Culinary Heart of every Five-Star Gourmet Hunter has been a unique existence, each with its own characteristics, interpreting different facets of culinary art.

However, they also shared one commonality.

That is, no matter what ingredients, as long as they passed through the hands of someone with a Culinary Heart, they could transform the ordinary into the miraculous, blossoming with an unimaginable, exquisite flavor, making every bite of food an unforgettable journey.

At this moment, Long Feihe and Cen Fei's gazes, filled with unbelievable fervor, once again focused on Han Fei.

Before this, they had never imagined that such a young and unknown person could possibly possess the legendary Culinary Heart.

This was truly too incredible, too unbelievable!

However, as they recalled the shocking impact of the chicken chop rice in their mouths, that unprecedented delicious experience, it seemed that besides the words "Culinary Heart," no other explanation could be so fitting.

As for Forbidden Magic, it was not surprising that they didn't think of it.

After all, from ancient times to the present, there had never been a Forbidden Magic that could make food delicious.

Even similar magic was extremely rare; even a Great Sage like Luna Fairy Spirit might not be clear about it, let alone them, who were almost completely ignorant of magic.

Forcibly recovering from their shock, Long Feihe asked with a trembling voice, using respectful language, "You... do you possess a Culinary Heart?"

A cryptic smile flashed across Han Fei's face. He neither directly admitted nor outright denied it, leaving room for imagination and making those around him even more curious.

"Boss, we want a chicken chop rice!"

"I want one too!"

"Us too!"

The crowd of students who had been watching could no longer suppress their inner desires. Their voices intertwined, eagerly demanding to taste the chicken chop rice.

Ten thousand yuan was undoubtedly a luxurious expense for these university students who still relied on family or part-time income, but this could not stop their yearning for this unique delicacy.

So, they formed groups of two or three, pooling their money to buy it, carefully sharing this hard-won deliciousness.

"It's really too delicious!"

"It's simply a delicacy from heaven!"

They ate and exclaimed, tears and smiles intertwined, as if every taste bud had been deeply conquered by Han Fei's chicken chop rice, their stomachs and souls gently enveloped by this delicacy.

Watching them eat so happily, Han Fei couldn't stop smiling either.

As these students enjoyed the food, the enhanced Deliciousness Exchange was also continuously taking effect.

Their culinary skills, which were previously of little use to Han Fei, were all sublimated, gradually improving Han Fei's cooking techniques.

Just as Han Fei was immersed in the joy of improving his skills, the atmosphere around him suddenly became tense. A commotion arose from the crowd, accompanied by panicked voices.

"Professor Yang Yu is here!"

"Run! If Professor Yang finds out we're eating this kind of street food, we're done for!"

...In an instant, the once crowded food truck was left with only Han Fei, Long Feihe, and Cen Fei.

The three stood opposite each other in the empty alley.

The setting sun's afterglow slanted upon them, adding a soft, warm hue to the slightly desolate scene.

Han Fei gently furrowed his brows, a hint of displeasure in his eyes, as he stared intently at a middle-aged woman slowly approaching from a distance.

Her steps were light, her figure tall and slender. Even though time had gently etched marks on her forehead, it still couldn't conceal the mature charm emanating from within.

"Killing Intent!"

Han Fei's heart suddenly jolted, as if touched by an invisible chill, his heart abruptly accelerating its beat.

This feeling was extremely subtle, yet unusually real.

Han Fei was certain that the moment the middle-aged woman's gaze met his, a dense Killing Intent, almost solidified, had locked onto him.

This Killing Intent lasted for a very brief moment.

If Han Fei hadn't consumed the Wisdom Fruit, making his perception unusually sharp, he would likely have found it difficult to detect this subtle emotional fluctuation.

The Wisdom Fruit not only enhanced his memory and thinking abilities but also brought his perception of the surrounding environment to an unprecedented level of detail.

"She wants to kill me?! Why? I'm just running a stall, it can't be that serious, does she have some grudge against me?"

Han Fei's heart surged with waves of doubt, but on the surface, he maintained his composure and calmness, his pulse as steady as a tranquil lake, showing no trace of panic.

This extraordinary self-control was thanks to the Agility Fruit he had consumed.

The fruit had bestowed upon him not only physical agility but also mental control, allowing him to calmly manage his emotions and physical reactions in any sudden situation.

Recalling his previous experience at the God of Cookery Competition, he hadn't been able to perfectly hide his emotional fluctuations then, allowing Master Shang Shan to discern his changing emotions.

Now, he was no longer the same person; if he encountered such a situation again, he had absolute confidence that Master Shang Shan would not detect the slightest abnormality.

----------

Here are some settings:

Common limitations of superpowers

Energy Consumption

Characteristic: Using superpowers consumes a large amount of energy. Excessive energy consumption can lead to the Cultivator becoming weak and unable to continue fighting.

Application: Cultivators need to reasonably allocate energy during combat to avoid running out of energy. In addition, Cultivators can restore themselves by absorbing external energy to maintain combat effectiveness.

Weakness: Energy consumption is a common limitation for all superpowers. Cultivators need to continuously improve their energy reserves and recovery capabilities.

Time Limit

Characteristic: Some abilities can only be used during specific periods or for a certain duration. Time limits require Cultivators to use their superpowers at appropriate times.

Application: Cultivators need to understand the time limits of their superpowers during combat and reasonably arrange tactics and actions. In addition, Cultivators can extend the duration of their superpowers by improving their control abilities.

Weakness: Time limits have a significant impact on a Cultivator's tactics and actions. Cultivators need to continuously improve their abilities to reduce the impact of time limits.

Environmental Impact

Characteristic: Some abilities cannot be exerted or their effects are weakened in specific environments. Environmental impact requires Cultivators to use their superpowers in appropriate environments.

Application: Cultivators need to consider the environmental impact on their superpowers during combat and choose appropriate combat locations and timings. In addition, Cultivators can reduce environmental impact by improving their adaptability.

Weakness: Environmental impact is a common limitation for all superpowers. Cultivators need to continuously improve their adaptability to reduce environmental impact.

Physical Burden

Characteristic: Using superpowers may cause a burden or damage to the body. Physical burden requires Cultivators to use their superpowers reasonably during combat to avoid physical damage.

Application: Cultivators need to reasonably distribute the physical burden during combat and avoid overuse of superpowers. In addition, Cultivators can reduce physical burden by improving their Physique and recovery capabilities.

Weakness: Physical burden is a common limitation for all superpowers. Cultivators need to continuously improve their Physique and recovery capabilities to reduce the impact of physical burden.

Mental Concentration

Characteristic: Using superpowers requires a high degree of Mental Energy. Distraction may lead to failure. Mental Concentration requires Cultivators to maintain a high degree of attention and concentration during combat.

Application: Cultivators need to remain calm and focused during combat, avoiding distraction and mistakes. In addition, Cultivators can reduce Mental Energy consumption by improving their Mental Energy and concentration.

Weakness: Mental Concentration is a common limitation for all superpowers. Cultivators need to continuously improve their Mental Energy and concentration to reduce Mental Energy consumption.