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"Time's up!"
An hour—neither long nor short—had passed. After announcing it loudly, Yanfei looked toward Xiangling and Yanxiao.
Both contestants had already completed their dishes. As the thermal covers were lifted, the soul-stealing aromas burst forth instantly, spreading in all directions. Many spectators couldn't help sniffing, swallowing hard, wanting to get closer—ideally to the point of zero-distance contact with the food.
Xiangling and Yanxiao were already renowned chefs within their respective territories.
One was dedicated to blending Li cuisine and Yue cuisine, crafting dishes surpassing even Liuli Pavilion and Xinyue Kiosk at affordable prices, constantly pursuing innovation, famous all throughout Liyue Harbor and even abroad.
The other stood at a key point along Liyue's land and water routes, serving unforgettable flavors to countless travelers passing through. A restaurant that must cater to every kind of palate from every kind of region is many times more difficult to run than a normal one.
Even an ordinary dish would become extraordinary in their hands—much less a dish crafted with full effort.
"Both contestants have completed their dishes. Please bring your dishes to the judges' table for review. Also, by order of completion, Contestant Xiangling, please describe your dish first!"
"My dishes are: 'Yuxiang Shredded Pork,' 'Jueyun Chili Chicken,' and 'Crystal Shrimp.'"
"Eh?"
Not hearing the expected dish name, those who knew the inside story—Shenhe, Victor Wang—were stunned. Even Paimon froze.
Originally, among Xiangling's three dishes, there had been 'Triple-Layered Consommé.' After learning to make Yuxiang Shredded Pork, Triple-Layered Consommé was replaced. Then Xiangling developed an upgraded dish: 'Mountain Delicacies with Sea Flavor,' based on the same principles as Yuxiang Shredded Pork. Using mountain delicacies plus a blend of seasonings she developed through several sleepless nights, she could replicate the taste of seafood without using any marine ingredients.
If she served that dish, victory would be guaranteed.
But what she presented now really was Yuxiang Shredded Pork.
Sensing their reactions, Xiangling first explained to her companions, "Mountain Delicacies with Sea Flavor was created too recently. I think it still needs improvement. With the technique and ingredients I'm using, it's basically a different version of Adeptus' Temptation. I don't want it being spread too fast. What I want people to know is the more accessible Yuxiang Shredded Pork."
"I see…" Victor Wang nodded. "Do whatever fits your intention."
Only then did Xiangling face the three judges. "The theme of this competition is 'The Rite of Land and Water,' representing both land and sea. My Jueyun Chili Chicken combines poultry and chili—it represents 'land.' My Crystal Shrimp combines shrimp and rice—it represents 'water.' These two complement each other. As for the main dish, Yuxiang Shredded Pork—this one is special. Its ingredients are meat from beasts, but the result tastes like fish. It naturally embodies both 'land' and 'water.' Please, judges, enjoy."
"What a beautifully constructed answer. Now, Contestant Yanxiao, please speak!"
"My dishes are 'Adeptus' Temptation,' 'Mint Salad,' and 'Golden Shrimp Balls.'"
Yanxiao explained to the three 'Jiang Xues': "The intent behind my dishes is similar to Xiangling's. But the Adeptus' Temptation is a famous Liyue dish—complex craftsmanship, exquisite ingredients, using smoked ham, crab, fresh shrimp, and matsutake mushrooms. It is not merely a flavor—it truly blends both 'land' and 'water' ingredients. It is my main dish, representing my respect for my job and for this competition."
"Then let the judges begin their tasting—!"
Ningguang: "Adeptus' Temptation is marvelous as expected. This Yuxiang Shredded Pork has perfect salinity, savoriness, a bit of spice, a trace of sweetness—its complexity is harmonious. I have never tasted anything like it… exquisite. The quality is very high."
Uncle Tian: "Contestant Xiangling's creativity is outstanding. To bring a new dish to a competition—impressive. And this Jueyun Chili Chicken uses specially treated chili, quite different from usual—innovation everywhere. She must have put great effort into this."
Keqing: "Both sides show tremendous thought, cleverness, and flavor. I'd like another golden silk shrimp—wait! I mean, I'd like to further savor each contestant's mastery."
"On-stage judges, please take a moment to think and write down your vote for me! As for the ten off-stage judges, all have been randomly selected. Those fortunate enough to taste the dishes, please judge independently and vote!"
Once the competition dishes were carried down from the stage, the audience—already drooling for ages—burst into excited commotion, waving frantically to be chosen.
Paimon called out as well—and surprisingly, she was chosen.
"Heh heh! I'm very devoted and very knowledgeable when it comes to eating. Choosing me as a judge is absolutely right!"
"Hurry up and eat," Lumine urged. "Tell us what you think."
"Alright, alright—mmm! Yanxiao's Adeptus' Temptation is as good as ever! I could eat this three meals a day and never get tired!"
"Before you say that, please think about your wallet."
"This Golden Shrimp Balls is even better than the one we ate at Wangshu Inn a few days ago. Yanxiao's cooking has improved! No wonder Keqing and Guoba both love this! But the Mint Salad is not a good pick."
"That's because you only like eating meat."
"This Jueyun Chili Chicken?! It tastes way better than the one made yesterday with Cloud Retainer's 'Automated Culinary Machine!'"
"That machine is originally designed for hot dishes. If Cloud Retainer hadn't insisted it could make everything, we wouldn't have ended up eating a hot version of Jueyun Chili Chicken…"
"Really? I thought that hot version was kinda nice." Paimon wiped her mouth and continued tasting. "This Crystal Shrimp is steamed. Same shrimp, but the texture and flavor are totally different from the deep-fried Golden Shrimp Balls. Also delicious!"
That left only the Yuxiang Shredded Pork. Under her companions' watchful eyes, Paimon finally picked up her chopsticks.
"So amazing—this is clearly pork, but it really tastes like fish! And the way the flavors blend together without clashing reminds me a little of Adeptus' Temptation. Super delicious!"
"So our Judge Paimon's review for every dish is 'delicious,' huh?" Hu Tao chuckled. "Then who are you voting for?"
"Because they are all delicious! If we go by taste alone, I really can't decide—they're both flawless… If we look at complexity, then Adeptus' Temptation is obviously harder. But Yuxiang Shredded Pork is a new dish I've never eaten before… Looking at it that way—ahh—I don't know who to vote for!"
"The committee is coming to collect votes. Decide quickly."
"I—I… ugh, fine, I'll pick this one!"
…
"Everyone, thank you for waiting! We've obtained all thirteen votes. Now, let's invite Lady Ningguang to announce the results of the Liyue Masterful Chefs Tournament finals!"
Ningguang stood, scanned the two contestants, and declared, "The winner of this year's Liyue Masterful Chefs Tournament—by a margin of three votes—is Contestant Xiangling."
The loss left Yanxiao so dejected that he didn't even hear Yanfei's closing remarks. As the audience gradually dispersed, his anxious heart finally began to settle.
"Yanxiao, may I try the dishes you made?" Xiangling asked.
"Of course. I'll try yours too."
"Wah! This Adeptus' Temptation is amazing—so fresh it's bringing tears to my eyes!"
"Hahaha! And this Jueyun Chili Chicken—you definitely made a lot of improvements. It's flawless. With this dish, I'm convinced I lost."
"It did take a lot of work. Originally, I planned to make Jueyun Chili Chicken my main dish. But after creating Yuxiang Shredded Pork, I swapped it in."
"Yuxiang shredded Pork… a new flavor. Innovation is precious. With a dish like that, I'm even less begrudging of my loss. I'm really looking forward to that Mountain Delicacies with Sea Flavor you didn't show."
"Then let's spar again when we get the chance!"