The Chef's Trial

Jiawei wakes up on the soft, cloud-like bed of his hotel room, the plushness surrounding him like a comforting embrace. The curtains were pulled shut, yet thin slivers of sunlight sneaked through, spilling soft, golden light across the room.

Rich, dark wood paneling adorned the walls, and the air carried the faint scent of fresh linen and something almost floral, an aroma that made the space feel alive. The floor was covered in a deep, plush carpet, so thick it seemed to swallow sound. A single chair in the corner, crafted from fine leather, stood beside a sleek, minimalist desk made of glass and metal, its surface almost untouched by the world outside. On the bedside table, a soft light emanated from a lamp with a sculptural base, casting gentle shadows across the room.

In front of Jiawei's bed, attached to the wall, was a sleek, luminous device—a rectangular box that seemed almost futuristic. Despite the elegance of its design, the screen displayed nothing but a countdown to the first match of the competition, right now it's showing [D-4] along with information about the competition he was about to partake in. Jiawei had tried to fiddle with it when he just came in, but all he could find were a few broadcasts about the history of the Cloud Palace and various shows discussing culinary arts and ingredients. There was one particular program about other realms, a topic that piqued his curiosity for a few minutes before he went to check out the rest of his room.

Jiawei stepped into the bathroom, it felt as though he had entered a world designed just for him—luxurious, yet inviting. The marble floors, cool and gleaming under soft, golden lighting, seemed to stretch endlessly, giving the room an almost ethereal feel. 

A pair of sinks, black granite polished to a mirror-like sheen, were set against a wall of elegant mirrors that reflected every corner of the room in perfect symmetry. The delicate hum of the lights overhead cast a soft glow, bathing the entire space in a quiet, serene ambiance. 

Plush white towels, thick and soft as clouds, were stacked neatly in the corner, while a few silver accents—tastefully understated—lined the shelves, adding a touch of sophistication. The walk-in shower at the far end, encased in transparent glass, looked more like a haven than just a shower, with water cascading down in a rhythmic flow that invited Jiawei to lose himself in its warmth.

When he got back to the main room, his gaze landed on the wardrobe in the corner. He opened it fully, and his eyes scanned the meticulously arranged clothes—sleek, tailored suits in deep charcoal and navy, shirts made of the finest fabrics, trousers that promised a perfect fit. Everything was chosen with such care.

He remembered the staff member's gentle yet insistent words when he arrived: "Please wear only the clothes provided in the wardrobe during your stay."

Jiawei couldn't help but feel there was a reason behind the restriction on wearing outside clothes, but honestly, he wasn't all that curious to find out. Whatever, he thought to himself, it's just clothes. Why bother getting worked up over something so small? The rules were the rules, and if this was part of the experience, then so be it. He'd play along. No need to make things complicated.

Jiawei had been at the hotel for three days now, and his life had settled into a rhythm of blissful indulgence. His days blurred together in a haze of luxurious simplicity—sleeping late, soaking in the extravagant bathroom, trying on the perfect outfits provided by the hotel, and admiring himself in the mirror. I guess I look pretty alright when I clean up well and not looking all worn out, he mused with a faint, self-satisfied grin. 

The rest of his time was spent exploring the hotel's room service menu, relishing the fact that everything was free. He ordered dish after dish, sampling nearly every restaurant within the hotel's grand walls. The food felt like an extension of the hotel itself—refined, extravagant, and utterly decadent.

His first taste of indulgence came in the form of the Azure Sky Lobster Bisque, a silky, velvety soup that seemed to embody the taste of the ocean. The bisque was rich with the sweetness of lobster, every spoonful enveloping his tongue in a smooth, briny warmth. 

It was the kind of dish that invited him to savor it slowly, allowing each wave of flavor to expand on his palate, as if the ocean itself had been bottled and served in a bowl.

Next came the Celestial Herb-Crusted Venison, a dish that seemed to carry the very air of the mountains in each bite. 

The venison, tender and perfectly pink in the center, was encrusted with fragrant herbs that added a rich, earthy layer to the meat. A reduction of wild berries, tart and sweet, complemented the deep, smoky flavors of the venison, creating a perfect balance of savory and freshness of the dish.

The moment the meat touched his tongue, Jiawei felt as if he had been transported to some distant mountaintop, dining under a sky that stretched forever.

For dessert, Jiawei indulged in the Moonlit Orchid Sorbet, a refreshing and delicate treat that felt like it belonged to another world. 

The sorbet was smooth and icy, bursting with the subtle floral notes of orchids, sweet yet light. There was a refreshing citrus tang that balanced the floral sweetness, and as the sorbet melted on his tongue, a cool sensation washed over him, like a breeze under a full moon. 

The taste lingered long after the last bite, leaving him with the impression that he had just tasted the night itself—delicate, fleeting, and perfectly beautiful.

The Heavenly Dragonfruit Parfait followed, a riot of color and texture that seemed like a celebration in a bowl. 

Layers of vibrant pink dragonfruit were intertwined with creamy coconut mousse, and candied pistachios added a crunchy contrast to the smoothness. Every bite was a burst of tropical sweetness, with the tangy dragonfruit cutting through the richness of the coconut. 

The most current delicacy that he tried was the Starlight Truffle Risotto, a dish that wrapped him in decadence with every bite. The risotto was creamy and perfectly cooked, the rice holding the rich sauce in a perfect embrace. 

The earthy truffles added a depth of flavor that was almost otherworldly, and the parmesan melted seamlessly into the dish, adding a subtle tang. It was a meal that felt indulgent in the best possible way, like tasting the stars themselves, their deep, luxurious flavors unfolding slowly on his tongue.

With each meal, Jiawei felt himself sinking deeper into the world of The Cloud Palace—a world where indulgence knew no bounds, where every bite seemed crafted to perfection.

But after sampling so many exquisite dishes, Jiawei couldn't help but find himself deep in thought. Could he really survive The Chef's Trial? 

The question nagged at him, heavy and a bit unsettling. 

More than that, he wondered if he truly deserved the Realm Scouting Invitation. Can he cook at the level of the meals he had just tasted? The culinary creations he'd indulged in seemed like art, each bite a masterclass in flavor and technique. 

He felt a growing doubt in the pit of his stomach.