Chapter 458

Innate foundation?

Upon hearing this, Hermes pondered deeply—perhaps the first thing Flotzer mentioned as missing was the Gourmet Cell?

For chefs in the Gourmet Captor world, the Gourmet Cell represents far more than just higher-grade ingredients or greater power—it signifies the innate cornerstone of a chef’s very being.

This innate foundation is invisible and intangible in daily life, yet it is precisely what grants the Gourmet Captor world an overwhelming, unmatched culinary heritage compared to all other worlds.

Frankly speaking, the conditions of the Star Crown Court far surpass those of the Gourmet Captor world; its pillars include not just one or two cosmic truths, but it is even the sacred ground of a great being walking the path of multiverses.

Yet, each art has its specialist—no matter how magnificent the Star Crown Court may be, when it comes purely to the Way of Gourmet, the Gourmet Captor world can leave the Star Crown Court ninety-nine streets behind. That is the power of singular focus.

On the surface, the Star Crown Court and the Gourmet Captor world differ only by the Gourmet Cell—but how much deeper, unattainable, intangible heritage lies beyond that?

“I can sense the immense strength of this great world, but for those walking the Way of Gourmet, it’s not enough to judge by the world’s foundation—Itachi must also ask whether this world possesses the fertile soil for the Way of Gourmet to take root and flourish.”

Flotzer gently stroked the adorable little head of Ailuke, her heart as vast and tender as the ocean, allowing this child, who had only just begun to be colored from a blank page, to feel the gentlest maternal love.

“Clearly, the Divine Chef who created these dishes is a genius of extraordinary talent and exceptional aptitude.”

After tasting them, Flotzer offered her evaluation: “Whether in the meticulous, near-perfect handling of ingredients—extracting their properties at 100%, even 200%—or in the infusion of her own culinary aspiration, this skill is truly astonishing.”

“But…”

Here, Flotzer shifted tone, cutting straight to the core: “In these dishes, I see more the hand of a master alchemist with profound Dan Dao expertise—not a chef befitting this level.”

Alchemy and cooking may seem similar—both seek to transcend the limits of their base materials, producing something the raw ingredients alone could never achieve: pills or gourmet dishes.

But resemblance does not mean identity; their cores are fundamentally different in nature.

When Flotzer judged Xiangling’s dish as not being cooking at all, but more like a pill, it was the harshest possible criticism of a chef.

It means this chef’s culinary path has already strayed into error!!

“Hmm, I understand.”

Hermes felt no surprise at this assessment, yet he still voiced his own opinion:

“Liyue is a land where Immortal Flavor is embedded in its bones; Morax is a true Ancestor of Immortals. When Xiangling sought her own path in the Way of Gourmet, it was natural for her to turn to Morax for guidance—but…”

“Morax only understands alchemy—he knows squat about culinary cooking?!”

“...This is merely my humble observation; it doesn’t mean this Divine Chef’s path is wrong.”

Flotzer tasted the shaomai again, then nodded in agreement, continuing:

“This shaomai has already stirred a faint sense of satisfaction in my tongue and appetite—clearly, the chef who made this is a genuine Divine Chef.”

“A chef of this caliber is unlikely to have gone astray. Perhaps, because there is no path ahead, she is forced to draw essence from Dan Dao to gain insight by analogy?”

Hermes nodded thoughtfully—on this point, Xiangling’s talent in the Way of Gourmet was indeed astonishing.

After integrating aspiration into her own [Dao], she now turns to Dan Dao, seeking its essence and discarding its dross, aiming to elevate her path even further.

This is already, in a sense, refining a hundred arts into one furnace—the last one who did this became a Sole Emperor ruling all under heaven.

No wonder he chose her as a promising seed—she dares to challenge even the Heavenly Emperor!

Hermes was about to say more, but caught the corner of his eye: two little cuties were staring at the table of dishes, their eyes sparkling as if under special effects. He chuckled softly and cut the topic short.

“Seeing this child grow so well—that’s all I need to feel at ease.”

Hermes held the adorable Baichantan, unconsciously stroking Ailuke’s little head, then, satisfied, began slicing a piece of fruit cake for the two little ones himself.

“Aww!”

The two adorable little ones instantly focused on this baby-targeted delicacy, taking a huge bite, their big eyes melting with blissful delight.

“Hermes brother, this cake is so delicious—Itachi should eat some too!”

At that moment, Baichantan seemed to think of something, her sweet voice like a radiant little angel beaming a sunlit smile at him.

Ailuke, though she spoke little, eagerly pushed half her cake toward Flotzer, her timid yet hopeful expression causing Hermes and Flotzer to exchange a glance—and both smiled in quiet satisfaction.

【My Baichantan/Ailuke, the cutest in all the world!】

Neither spoke it aloud, yet both clearly read the same thought in the other’s eyes.

After playing with the little cuties for a while, the two adults prepared to turn to the main matter.

But…

“Polka Kakamu, take these two little ones down and help them make a few playmates their own age.”

Hermes gently lifted Baichantan under her armpits, holding her high: “It’s time this little one started meeting more companions.”

“Huh?!”

Baichantan widened her eyes slightly; even Ailuke showed clear signs of interest.

With Flotzer, everything was perfect—except there were hardly any playmates her age to talk to or play with—

There was no way: one was a child of the Flame Emperor, the other a child of a Star God, both raised under the “wealthy upbringing” policy of countless chat group members. Their mindsets were utterly alien to ordinary human children—completely incompatible for play.

“Hermes brother, are there really other kids down there who can play with us?”

Baichantan tilted her adorable head, intrigued but hesitant; Ailuke silently lowered her little head.

In her mind, everyone should naturally be able to fly, swim joyfully in lava made of chocolate and volcanoes… even sleep for ten days or half a month at a time.

But.

Clearly, the other children didn’t think that way.