"The base is a milky-white broth made from sea bass, and a golden-red shrimp oil extracted from pan-fried shrimp heads. Then, pumpkin purée is added to enhance the color and thickness, resulting in a golden hue."
"You're quite creative, kid, to think of incorporating pumpkin into a seafood soup."
Gongsun Yu picked up a spoon and scooped up the golden soup from the cup. When it dripped, it had a viscous, paste-like consistency, pulling fine threads. Nodding in satisfaction, he brought the spoon to his lips and took a sip. The next moment, he closed his eyes to savor it.
"It's the savory freshness of the roe and the richness of the fish bone broth intertwining on the tongue to create a complex, layered umami. The pumpkin purée provides a steady foundation for this flavor."
As the golden soup spread across his tongue, Gongsun Yu described his experience.
Although it uses only common ingredients and the umami in the cup isn't overwhelmingly intense, the fusion of flavors creates a heartwarming feeling.
"How did you think of adding pumpkin to a seafood soup?"
Opening his eyes, Li Wuque looked at Lan Tianqiu with curiosity.
It has been twenty years since they last met in Yangzhou, and this guy has grown quite a bit.
"There's no special reason, really. I was just at the market yesterday picking out potential ingredients for the match, saw one that looked good, and brought it along."
Hearing Li Wuque's question, Lan Tianqiu raised an eyebrow.
He didn't buy the pumpkin for any particular reason; he simply saw it at the market yesterday, thought it looked good, and bought it.
And there are many benefits to using pumpkin.
Not only does it give the seafood soup a creamy, silky texture, but it also brings a natural sweetness and a nutty aroma. This aroma neutralizes the subtle fishiness of seafood like sea bass and clams, while simultaneously enhancing their own umami, making it gentler and richer.
"The clams are plump, the shrimp are springy, the fish is tender, and the scallops are rich. Because the ingredients themselves are so fresh, they don't need much seasoning; you just need to bring out their natural flavors."
"Furthermore, because we had the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea earlier, the lingering umami of the top-tier ingredients in our mouths makes this golden soup, which might have seemed a bit lacking in flavor, absolutely perfect!"
Spoonful after spoonful, Senzaemon Nakiri delivered the seafood mixed with the golden soup to his mouth, an expression of enjoyment on his face.
This is a very pure and clean deliciousness.
"However, the real secret of this dish must be the egg custard beneath the seafood and golden soup. From the moment the dish was served, I faintly smelled a fruity fragrance. If I'm not mistaken, you used Taiwanese Oriental Beauty tea. Speaking of which, this is something we researched together back when you were at the academy."
Smelling the tea fragrance wafting in the air, Gongsun Yu's face showed a nostalgic expression.
This was a tea he enjoyed in his younger years. Back then, a young Lan Tianqiu smelled it and asked for a good amount of the tea leaves to use in his cooking.
Its flavor carries a unique honey and ripe fruit aroma, with a mellow and sweet taste.
"That's right, it's Oriental Beauty tea. Its flavor is in perfect harmony with the egg custard, and it also serves as a great bridge to the seafood and golden soup on top."
Hearing Gongsun Yu's words, Lan Tianqiu explained his concept.
"Indeed, the flavor of this tea-infused egg custard matches the golden soup above it very well. Not just the Oriental Beauty tea, you must have also added extra virgin olive oil, right? Adding another layer of fruity aroma while also making the texture even smoother."
Li Wuque brought a spoonful of the golden soup mixed with the egg custard to his mouth, feeling the flavors collide and then achieve a harmonious symbiosis, and couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
The sweetness of the pumpkin, the umami of the fish soup, the elegance of the tea fragrance, the smoothness of the egg custard.
The ingredients are both distinct and integrated.
If Zhu Shiyi's dish is the Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea, each showing their divine power and creating a dazzling visual feast, then Lan Tianqiu's Golden Broth Seafood Hibiscus Cup is a very rich and solid home-style dish.
He considered not only the taste but also the cost-effectiveness and nutrition, making one cast aside their lofty status and feel a grounded, down-to-earth solidity.
One is in the heavens, the other on the earth.
However, apart from both using seafood, they are of completely different styles.
The merit of Zhu Shiyi's dish lies in its high-end ingredients, combined perfectly to give an extraordinary experience, , a wonderful feeling of detachment from reality.
Lan Tianqiu's dish, on the other hand, is down-to-earth, very solid, giving you the feeling of coming home to a fragrant meal after a long day of work.
However, the taste of his dish is better than mom's cooking; it's an enhanced version of mom's cooking.
"This is truly a difficult choice…"
Looking at the two dishes before them, Gongsun Yu, Li Wuque, and Senzaemon Nakiri all fell into a brief silence, unsure of how to choose for a moment.
In terms of the dish's completeness, Lan Tianqiu's is clearly much stronger than Zhu Shiyi's. The various ingredients are masterfully integrated to form this Golden Broth Seafood Hibiscus Cup.
But in terms of the initial flavor impact, Zhu Shiyi's Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea is clearly more stunning, leaving a deep impression.
"Zhu Shiyi's Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea is like ascending to a celestial paradise; every bite is the ultimate enjoyment, making one forget all the world's troubles. And Lan Tianqiu's Golden Broth Seafood Hibiscus Cup reminds one of the warm lights of home."
After a moment of silence, Li Wuque was the first to speak, rationally analyzing the pros and cons of both dishes.
"Indeed. Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea constructs a luxurious gastronomic illusion with top-tier ingredients; every bite allows one to feel the ultimate umami of the ingredients. And the Golden Broth Seafood Hibiscus Cup uses ordinary ingredients to let one experience the warmth and stability of home."
Senzaemon Nakiri slowly put down his spoon, looking at the two contestants standing on either side with a bit of a headache.
"From a technical standpoint, Lan Tianqiu's control of the heat and balance of flavors has reached the pinnacle of perfection. But Zhu Shiyi's use of a Legendary Cooking Utensil to instantly rehydrate dried goods, ensuring every bit of umami landed perfectly, with details also handled properly, , this is also an incredibly rare feat."
After a brief, hushed discussion.
Senzaemon Nakiri rose from the judge's seat, his gaze heavy as he looked out at the entire audience.
"After our most careful deliberation, the result of this duel is—"
As soon as Senzaemon Nakiri's voice fell, everyone's eyes focused on him.
Everyone had different expressions; Lan Kexin placed her hands on her chest, feeling her heart pound violently, the word 'nervous' written all over her face.
"A draw!"
Thrusting a large hand forward, Senzaemon Nakiri announced the result of the match with an impassioned voice.
"A tie? How is that possible!"
"But thinking about it, it really is hard to pick a winner. Both dishes have their own merits, and neither has any obvious flaws. It must have been difficult for the judges..."
"But this is an important match that decides the ownership of a Legendary Cooking Utensil!"
Hearing Senzaemon Nakiri's words, Zhu Shiyi's brows furrowed tightly.
Lan Tianqiu, on the other hand, maintained a calm smile throughout, as if he had long anticipated this outcome, without a single ripple of emotion in his eyes.
"Zhu Shiyi's Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea showcased the ultimate charm of top-tier ingredients. The richness of its umami layers and the subtlety of its textural changes were breathtaking. And Lan Tianqiu's Golden Broth Seafood Hibiscus Cup demonstrated his culinary skill of turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, elevating the flavors of common ingredients to their peak. One pursues the ultimate in luxury and technique, the other returns to the fundamental warmth and stability. In their respective domains, they have both reached the summit. In such a situation, it is truly difficult to judge."
Looking at the noisy audience, Senzaemon Nakiri's voice rang out, explaining the basis for the draw.
A draw.
A rare occurrence in a Shokugeki.
It usually only happens when both contestants' dishes have their own pros and cons, but these are balanced.
Yet, the flaws in these two dishes were almost nonexistent, and their interpretation of the theme was perfect.
Zhu Shiyi's dish, using top-tier ingredients, would taste more delicious. But Lan Tianqiu's dish, which masterfully integrated numerous ingredients into one, could provide a warmer experience.
One is like a wealthy family that gives money but no love, the other a common family with little money but much love.
Different people would make different choices based on their preferences, so after a brief discussion, the three judges declared this match a draw.
"If this round is a draw, the score is one win, one loss, and one tie. How will the ownership of the Legendary Cooking Utensil be decided?"
Zhu Shiyi looked towards Li Wuque.
This match was very important to him. From learning that Lan Tianqiu was heading to Japan to dispatching members of the Dark Culinary World, he had invested a great deal of effort and time.
Now, he was being told it was all for nothing.
How could he possibly accept that!?
But not accepting it wasn't really an option…
The recent match made him understand one thing: in terms of raw skill, he was likely inferior to Lan Tianqiu.
He had only managed a draw against this guy by using top-tier ingredients and a Legendary Cooking Utensil.
If his opponent were to go all out, without using forbidden culinary techniques, he wouldn't stand a chance. The Tianquan of the Luminous Culinary World was truly formidable.
On par with the Five Tiger Stars of the Dark Culinary World.
The Luminous Culinary World used the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper as titles, having trained seven supreme masters.
Among them, Lan Tianqiu was the Tianquan of the Big Dipper Seven.
"You should stop worrying about the Legendary Cooking Utensil. Managing a draw is already quite impressive. Remember today's battle; it will be a good experience for you."
"Although you didn't get the Garuda Knife, fighting Lan Tianqiu to a draw is nothing to be ashamed of. You can hold your head high and treat it as a proud achievement."
"I understand."
Li Wuque didn't say more, but Zhu Shiyi already understood her meaning.
Even with full preparations, he only managed a draw against Lan Tianqiu. If a theme were to be chosen randomly now, his chances of losing would be very high.
"Since the outcome of this match is a draw, this Shokugeki will conclude as a tie!"
"I'll let you hold on to the Garuda Knife for a little while longer. Sooner or later, I will defeat you fair and square and take it from your hands!"
Seeing Lan Tianqiu's relaxed expression, Zhu Shiyi gritted his teeth, throwing out one last threat before leaving. He then turned to the surrounding members of the Dark Culinary World and shouted, "Mission failed, retreat."
The next moment. He grabbed the Demonic Bronze Sacred Vessel from his cooking station and vanished in a flash. Hearing his words, the members of the Dark Culinary World began to retreat from all directions.
"The next time we meet, we won't lose again."
Looking at Okabe and Erina Nakiri standing in the crowd, Kannoyama Hikorintarou shouted loudly. Then he leaped over the courtyard wall, slipping into a small alley with Himeshima Kou.
The other members also left through pre-planned escape routes, causing some chaos for a moment.
In response, Senzaemon Nakiri did not send anyone to stop them. On one hand, the opponents were numerous and powerful; on the other, now was not the time to provoke a conflict.
"Lan boy, we'll meet again if fate allows."
Watching the members of the Dark Culinary World gradually disappear into the distance, Li Wuque stood up from his chair.
He didn't leave in a hurry, but instead looked at Lan Tianqiu, the junior he once admired the most, who had now grown to such an extent.
"We'll meet again if fate allows, Senior Li."
Lan Tianqiu responded solemnly to Li Wuque's farewell.
Although the other had joined the Dark Culinary World, he knew Li Wuque's character; he would most likely not associate with those scoundrels, and no one could force him to.
"And that kid, say hello to Shigure for me. Just tell her I'm a friend of her father's. If she runs into any trouble she can't solve, she can come find me. My address is engraved in the tachi she inherited."
After exchanging pleasantries with Lan Tianqiu, Li Wuque looked at Okabe, giving him this instruction with a complex expression. Without waiting for his reply, he turned and walked towards the outside of the courtyard.
One step, two steps, three steps…
His speed increased, and by the seventh step, his figure had vanished from everyone's sight. Even those who were staring intently at him didn't notice anything unusual.
"Another master-level expert!"
Looking in the direction where Li Wuque had disappeared, this thought surfaced in Okabe's mind.
Just from the movement technique he used to depart, Okabe could tell what terrifying strength he possessed. With his keen eyes, he couldn't see how he had vanished at all!
"Do you know that Senior Li?"
Also looking in the direction Li Wuque had left, Erina Nakiri nudged Okabe with her elbow, then turned her head, her voice full of curiosity.
"I don't, but he seems to know Master Shigure's father. I'll know what's going on when I get back and ask the masters."
Okabe also found Li Wuque's request a bit strange. However, from his words, it wasn't hard to deduce that he knew Shigure Kōsaka's father.
Since that was the case, the message had to be delivered.
"Dad, you weren't using your full strength in this dish, were you!"
On the other side, as the match ended, Lan Kexin walked up to Lan Tianqiu's cooking station, scooped up the remaining food in the pot with a spoon, and then asked with a frown.
"How could that be? I gave it my all."
Lan Tianqiu shrugged with a carefree expression.
"Hmph…"
Hearing Lan Tianqiu's words, Lan Kexin's eyes were filled with doubt.
"You have to win next time. Even a draw makes me, your daughter, lose face. I just guaranteed to others that you would definitely win."
Lan Kexin had a look of 'hating iron for not becoming steel,' her words filled with a desire for her father to succeed. Her life's dream was to lie flat and live under Lan Tianqiu's protection for the rest of her life.
"You little rascal, never mind losing the first round, if it weren't for young Okabe, I wouldn't even have had a chance to compete, and now you're lecturing me!"
Seeing Lan Kexin's expression, Lan Tianqiu tapped her on the head until she winced in pain and stomped her foot, before he began to complain helplessly.
"When you get home today, you just stay there obediently. Don't even think about coming out until you're a Special-Grade Chef. To think you were crushed with a score of 3:0."
"Huh?"
"What 'huh'!? From now on, if you get into trouble outside, don't say you're my, Lan Tianqiu's, daughter. And especially don't mention losing a match. I can't afford to lose that much face."
Seeing Lan Kexin's unwilling expression, Lan Tianqiu said irritably. He had been too lenient with her growing up, to the point where she couldn't tell her place anymore!
"Okabe, Erina, thank you both for today. I never expected you to have such skill at such a young age. You've truly impressed me. If you need anything in the future, just tell me directly, and I'll do my best to provide it."
After scolding his daughter, Lan Tianqiu turned his gaze to Okabe and Erina Nakiri. This time, his voice was noticeably gentler, his eyes filled with admiration.
The resemblance, it's uncanny!
He's cut from the same cloth as that Hakuji kid, even inheriting his culinary talent. To be this skilled at such a young age.
"You're welcome. We were just contributing our part to the Luminous Culinary World."
To this, Okabe simply responded modestly.
"Yes, speaking of which, there's still the Nakiri cuisine performance tonight. It's a shame it was interrupted by the Dark Culinary World this morning, and we still haven't chosen a suitable candidate."
Remembering that today was Senzaemon Nakiri's special day, Lan Tianqiu rubbed his head with an apologetic expression.
Using this venue for a competition today and making the birthday man a judge was not handled well. He would have the organization allocate some more resources to them later.
"It's alright, we can just continue in the evening. The midday sun is too strong to be outside. Everyone, please come inside and rest for a moment. I have already instructed the chefs to prepare lunch."
Hearing Lan Tianqiu's words, Senzaemon Nakiri nodded slightly. His gaze swept over the crowd, and he then called for them to come inside and rest.
Most of these people were business partners with close ties to the Nakiri family, or at the very least, corporate bosses, and there were also many well-known young chefs. Poor hospitality would have a detrimental effect on the Nakiri family's reputation.
A person without etiquette cannot thrive, a matter without etiquette cannot succeed, a nation without etiquette cannot be peaceful.
The proper courtesies must be observed.
"Let's go back too."
The match was over, and there was no point in staying here. Watching the crowd gradually disperse, Okabe used his elbow to nudge Erina Nakiri beside him.
"Okay. Speaking of which, where is Alice?"
Glancing around, Erina Nakiri suddenly realized that they hadn't seen Alice Nakiri for a long time.
Such a big incident happened here, and that girl didn't even come to see what was going on?
"I don't know. Let's go back to the North Courtyard and check."
Hearing Erina Nakiri's words, Okabe finally realized that they had been there for three or four hours and indeed hadn't seen Alice Nakiri's figure.
"Okabe, Erina."
Just as Okabe and Erina Nakiri were about to go to the North Courtyard to find Alice Nakiri, Alice Nakiri and Leonora Nakiri walked over from a short distance away.
"Alice, where have you been?"
Seeing Alice Nakiri approach, Erina Nakiri called out, a curious look on her face.
"I've been cooking in the North Courtyard the whole time. I heard earlier that some people were having a Shokugeki over here, but I figured it had nothing to do with me so I didn't come over. I didn't expect you two to be competing. If I had known, I would have come to watch."
Alice Nakiri's voice was tinged with regret. She had been canvassing for votes in the North Courtyard to secure a performance slot for tonight, and because of that, she had missed Okabe and Erina Nakiri's match.
"So that's how it was. Let's go back together."
Hearing Alice Nakiri's words, Okabe and Erina Nakiri glanced at each other, then walked up to join her, side by side, heading towards their rooms.
"Youth is wonderful, so full of vitality."
Watching one boy surrounded by so many girls, Lan Tianqiu's face showed a wistful expression.
He remembered being like that back in the day, with a girl on his left arm and another on his right. He was practically the heartthrob of the academy, living a carefree life.
"Dad, you're getting lost in fantasies that aren't your own again."
Seeing Lan Tianqiu's expression, Lan Kexin, who knew her father well, couldn't help but retort.
"What do you mean, fantasies that aren't my own? When your old man was young, my cooking skills were superb. The line of girls chasing me would wrap around the entire school building!"
Suddenly being called out by his daughter, Lan Tianqiu was at a loss for words for a moment, then he spoke with righteous indignation, though his gaze was unfocused and wandering.
"Really? Then I'll ask Mom if that's true when I get back."
Lan Kexin's eyes were filled with strong doubt, and her voice carried a teasing tone.
"Ahem, your mom wasn't from our academy. You won't get an accurate answer from her. Anyway, just know that your old man used to be very popular."
"Then I'll ask Grandpa Gongsun."
"I see you don't have enough practice; you still have time to gossip. Starting tonight, you'll add one hundred sets of knife work drills!"
"What! No way!"
After a burst of commotion, Lan Kexin happily received a new daily assignment of one hundred sets of knife work drills. Her face fell, but she also began to reflect internally.
She had made a solemn vow to win the match, but ended up losing completely in the first round…
In the end, it took two outsiders to save the day and protect the Garuda Knife. No matter how thick-skinned she was, she felt a bit ashamed at this moment and decided to go back and diligently hone her culinary skills.
She could already feel it.
The humiliation she suffered at the Nakiri estate this time would only turn into an infinite flame of vengeance, pushing her to grow quickly, to grow to an invincible level!
An image of herself becoming a Special-Grade Chef and dominating the culinary world appeared in her mind, and the corners of Lan Kexin's mouth turned up unconsciously.
"You can stop daydreaming too. Instead of thinking about all that nonsense, you'd be better off practicing a few sets of knife skills in the kitchen. That would at least bring some tangible improvement."
It had to be said.
The tendency for delusion in the Lan family was hereditary.
"Aah! Dad, you're so annoying! Don't disturb my beautiful dream of unifying the culinary world! I'll make you the Grand Chamberlain when the time comes!"
"Shouldn't it be the Supreme Emperor?! You unfilial daughter!"
Suddenly interrupted, Lan Kexin's face flushed with annoyance and embarrassment. She then started bickering with her father, and the air was instantly filled with a joyous atmosphere.
____
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