"???"
Du Qing's eyes were filled with question marks, already sensing something was wrong.
What in the hell was going on?
The other onlookers' eyes widened. It smelled good, but it wasn't even considered a spirit chef dish?
"As expected of the sole successor of the God of Cooking, even the machines can't identify it!"
Chen Shu's lips curved into an unreadable smile.
Others cooked dishes, but this guy was here preparing laxatives. It would be truly bizarre if it received a rating.
"My ingredients were tampered with?!"
Du Qing's expression turned ugly. He glanced at Chen Shu and the others, still unable to believe it.
He had used his connections and done something to the ingredients right after they were procured. How had the other party managed this?
Was a King-level Beast Tamer truly that troublesome?!
"Uh..."
The reporter who was taking notes was also a bit dumbfounded, completely thrown off guard.
He had expected Du Qing's dish to be extraordinary, but not this outrageously!
"Apologies, it seems our instrument has encountered a slight issue..."
The host frowned, immediately ordering another, more advanced instrument to be brought.
"Everyone, please wait a moment!"
Soon, a more precise instrument was carried over, capable of providing a better rating.
"That was just an accident. Now, let's eagerly await the results again. I'm sure contestant Du Qing won't disappoint us!"
As soon as the words fell, the instrument emitted a rapid series of beeps.
"Sizzzzzzz~~~"
To everyone's stunned disbelief, the instrument directly emitted a puff of white smoke.
This was followed by the smell of burning, accompanied by popping sounds, and it was instantly rendered useless...
"Ah, this..."
Whether it was the host, the audience, or the contestant himself, they were all astonished.
"As expected, Young Master Du never disappoints when it comes to disappointing people!"
Chen Shu's lips curled. His "Brute Force Laxative Pill" would turn even a Gold-level Beast Tamer into a projectile warrior.
If its ingredients were that easily identified, some company would have been able to replicate it long ago.
"You motherfucker, you framed me!"
Du Qing's gaze turned, his eyes filled with chilling coldness.
Chen Shu raised an eyebrow and said, "What? Miss Du can't handle a loss?"
"You be careful!"
Du Qing took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger.
"Alright, allow me to speak a word of fairness. Perhaps the instrument had a problem!"
A judge in front frowned and said, "We will now begin the second scoring segment!"
"Another one who's been bribed..."
Xu Xingxing muttered, instantly recognizing the judge's affiliation.
The host nodded and placed the dishes of the six contestants before the five judges.
All five were Gold-level Spirit Chefs, capable of easily identifying the nutrient retention rate of low-level dishes.
The primary factor determining a dish's grade was its nutrient retention rate.
Zhang Dali cooked meals for Chen Shu's contracted spirits that were Black Iron low-grade.
Consuming high-grade dishes naturally yielded better results. For instance, feeding a low-grade dish for a year might be equivalent to a Black Iron mid-grade dish for nine months.
However, as these were daily meals, elaborate cooking would take too long.
Now that it was a competition, every contestant would naturally strive to cook their best dishes.
"Wait, I object!"
Chen Shu immediately raised his hand and shouted. Although the five were Gold-level Spirit Chefs, their physical fitness was not strong, far inferior to Gold-level Beast Tamers.
Wouldn't this send their souls flying out on the spot?
"Du Qing's contestant's work isn't even a dish; it's not meant for human consumption. I suggest immediate disqualification!"
"You son of a bitch!"
Du Qing's expression turned furious. What did he mean it wasn't meant for human consumption?
This was the greatest insult to a Spirit Chef!
"Did I say something wrong? It broke the machine, proving it's highly likely to be poison. Aren't you afraid of dying?"
Upon hearing this, the five judges fell silent.
Because the ingredients used for cooking were ferocious beasts, their flesh and blood already contained various components.
An incorrect cooking method could easily create a large amount of toxins, akin to chemical agents.
It wasn't unheard of for Spirit Chef dishes to be fatal.
"Hmph! What nonsense is a commoner like you spouting?!"
The professor from Blue Sea Spirit Chef University snorted and said,
"The Du family has been skilled in cooking for generations. How could they make such a mistake? Since you all are afraid, I, the old man, will be the first to taste it!"
Liu Song gulped, his right hand holding the chopsticks trembling slightly.
He was actually a bit apprehensive, but the issue was that he had close ties with the Du family and had received considerable benefits this time.
"Here goes nothing!"
Liu Song's expression was resolute. All he needed to do was take a bite and then give it the highest score!
He silently swallowed a mouthful of rabbit meat.
"Hmm? In terms of taste, I give it a perfect score!"
Liu Song was slightly taken aback. It was completely different from what he had anticipated; it was surprisingly delicious.
"However, the nutrients seem to be completely lost..."
His heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained as usual. He said,
"As expected of a genius youth, Du Qing's dish, I can definitely give it a..."
Gurgle gurgle~~
A sound of churning stomach instantly spread, and the other four judges looked at him with strange expressions.
'Holy shit, it really is poisonous!'
Liu Song clutched his stomach, instantly feeling a sharp pain.
"I think it can be given a Black Iron..."
Gurgle gurgle gurgle gurgle gurgle~~~~
In an instant, the sound from his stomach rumbled like thunder, audible to the entire audience.
"???"
"Did I just hear some gunfire?"
"Just asking, is there a battle going on somewhere?"
The onlookers discussed amongst themselves, and Xu Xingxing and Xie Su'nan also exchanged glances.
They looked towards Chen Shu, the culprit,
But upon seeing his appearance, their bodies instantly trembled.
"Holy shit, Chen Pi, why are you wearing a gas mask?!"
Chen Shu had already pulled out a mask, constantly marveling at Liu Song's bravery.
This dish, even the veteran sprayer Ye Qing wouldn't dare to try...
"I have a bad feeling about this..."
"I think so too..."
At this moment, Liu Song on stage contorted his facial features.
Cold sweat dripped from his forehead, and the thunderous rumbling in his stomach intensified.
"I... will give it... a Black Iron... perfect..."
The four judges beside him twitched their lips.
Even in this state, he was still giving a high score. You're trying too damn hard!
How much benefit did the Du family give you?!