Reborn in Japan as a Chef God

"I challenge Chef Xia Yu to a duel!"

This challenge immediately left everyone collectively bewildered.

Everyone was stunned, the host, who was controlling the scene just now, gasped and suddenly vanished again.

On the stage.

Li Han reflexively sat up straight, no longer slouching lazily.

Wu Yingying clasped her hands over her mouth, watching as Ye Feizhou rose from the throne of the reigning champion of five seasons and stepped down, her face showing a rich expression, "Isn't the 'Demon King' supposed to pick his opponents? Now there's a brave soul challenging the Demon King?"

Ye Feizhou is precisely that brave soul.

This identity was both expected and unexpected.

After all, in the minds of Li Han, Wu Yingying, and Tang Yuqiong, the only one capable of challenging the "Demon King" was this champion.

The surprising element wasn't the challenge itself, but rather the identity of the challenger.

Logically, Ye Feizhou should be passively accepting challenges, not actively challenging anyone. He was already a five-time reigning champion, high up, with his ranking at the top, unable to ascend further.

"He's figured it out!"

On the judging panel, an elderly man in the center suddenly spoke to himself, his eyes showing appreciation.

A challenge letter like this demonstrates Ye Feizhou's mindset at the moment, putting himself in the position of the challenger, lowering his stance, and naturally, his mentality becomes more resilient and indomitable.

This is courage!

"Great." In the guest suite, Wei An exclaimed in surprise, "I was worried about Feizhou's state of mind because facing strong opponents, an unbalanced mindset could lead to flaws in performance."

"Now, Feizhou is a challenger, a swordsman who's drawn his sharp blade and is moving forward relentlessly!"

Kong Chun also said softly, with deep anticipation in his eyes.

"He's drawn his sword!"

The outcome will only be known after the battle!

As Ye Feizhou stood up and issued the challenge, the spotlight converged on him.

Tap tap tap...

With crisp footsteps, Ye Feizhou walked lightly and steadily, showing no trace of pressure despite facing the "Demon King," still appearing gentlemanly and cultured, until he reached the sixth throne in front of Xia Yu.

Xia Yu slowly stood up.

A tranquil smile adorned his face.

You could say that Ye Feizhou's challenge letter was within his expectations; during their previous brief exchange, he discerned that Ye Feizhou had an exceptional personality matching his culinary talent, no wonder the elders of the White Jade Tower held him so dearly.

Such an outstanding successor, if lost, could never be replaced.

"I accept your challenge!" Xia Yu said.

Ye Feizhou gazed at his face and smiled; this smile seemed to carry a decades-long camaraderie, very refreshing.

"This is our battle, starting and ending with us, and no matter who wins between us, we are undoubtedly the young kings. But, neither of us is willing to see that gleaming golden crown on the other's head, right?" he said.

Xia Yu pointed to his own head, "You've worn it long enough; let me wear it for a while."

"Feel free to come and take it—"

Ye Feizhou's smiling eyes suddenly turned sharp.

Dong!

As he turned, the deep sound of war drums began to echo, and what sounded like a trembling voice from the host announced, "Alright, the first culinary ranking battle will be passionately presented by the two reigning champions!"

"If Ye Feizhou loses, he will step down from the champion's throne and become a regular contender."

"If Xia Yu loses, his ranking remains unchanged!"

"But if Xia Yu wins, he will become the new champion!"

That's right.

Ye Feizhou's active challenge puzzled the audience because win or lose, he gains nothing here.

Winning would stabilize his status further? But his tenure as a five-season champion is already deeply entrenched.

Yet if he loses, all past glory becomes fleeting!

Ye Feizhou cannot afford to lose.

"But can I afford to lose?"

The focus shifts to the culinary stage, where Xia Yu and Ye Feizhou each enter a set of cooking stations.

On the Dragon Gate Hall stage, there are three matching sets of cooking stations, meaning three culinary ranking battles can occur simultaneously. The set in the center is evidently for the champion-level showdown. The stations and utensils shown in the broadcast are sparkling; more importantly, there's subtle luxury in details, like a dragon pattern on a corner of the cooking station.

Or the knife racks are not ordinary knife stands but a carved lifelike ebony turtle carrying a group of blades on its back, each blade shining with a cold light. Xia Yu glanced over, estimating these knives are very close to being of prestigious quality.

At this time, a logistics officer arrived on the stage and stopped outside, nervously asking, "Chef Xia, do you have any special requests? Should we deliver the ingredients you previously submitted to our logistics department?"

"No additional requests, just bring my box up."

As he spoke, Xia Yu glanced opposite.

Ye Feizhou was likewise conversing with a staff member, finishing in a few sentences, clearly having no special instructions either.

"Hey, system!"

Xia Yu withdrew his gaze, taking advantage of his free time, chatting with the system, "Shouldn't the reward for the task 'In the Name of the Demon King' be clarified now?"

The system replied mechanically, "Host, please choose the following completion paths."

"1. Compete with the old recipe and win."

2. Compete with a new recipe after returning to China and win."

3. Compete with a new recipe after returning to China, using new forbidden ingredients, and win."

With a glance, Xia Yu raised his brows and said without hesitation, "I choose 3!"

"Ding, the path has been confirmed and cannot be changed; reward information has been updated!"

Xia Yu looked over the updated task information, his eyes suddenly wide.

"Reward—

1. A recipe fragment of 'Demon-breaking Eight Formation'/'Mother Sun Sphere' of any origin *1."

2. [Golden Evolution Crystal Stone] (Culinary Skill Upgrade) *1."

The Evolution Crystal Stone, having consumed two previously, led to the upgrade of Bursting Flame and the spice inequality to perfection as Xia Yu's pressing techniques, its preciousness needs no further explanation.

The key lies in the names of the 'Demon-breaking Eight Formation' and 'Mother Sun Sphere' recipes, which made Xia Yu's heart race uncontrollably.

This is a legendary recipe in the Chinese One System!

Far exceeding golden supreme treasures like the golden Laughing Stock or the Four Divine Seafood Eight Treasure Soul Suppressing Dumplings.

Origin?

Seeing the system text, Xia Yu thought, "That's not wrong. Kaiyou, Shell Fairy, one dark, one light, each has shaped the realms of darkness and light over the century, affecting countless people!"

Turning back to see another task affected by the duel outcome—"Form of the Fish."

Use Fan's Recipe to cook 'Shiny Silk-footed Fish.'

The completion requirement, above 60%.

"If I lose, I'm going to fail these two tasks!" Xia Yu could only silently apologize in his heart.

About 5 minutes later, logistics staff returned, delivering Xia Yu and Ye Feizhou's ingredient boxes.

As for the kitchen equipment boxes, both carried them with them.

"2 hours is the limit for cooking time!"

"I announce, the culinary battle that might determine the champion's ownership and the young king's crown officially begins!"

The host shouted loudly, using all his strength, even sounding a bit strained.

The venue fell silent, no one cared about the host's performance, eyes either watching Xia Yu or focusing on Ye Feizhou.

"It's begun!"

Xia Yu exhaled softly.

"Click!"

Ye Feizhou was more straightforward, unlocking his ingredient box, lifting the lid, and thus revealing all the ingredients on camera.

A display of gleaming beauty, breathtaking.