Chapter 643

Nie Yuan's breakthrough to ninth-rank spirit chef was exposed, and everyone thought the Tang family was doomed now.

The Nie family members all wore cold smiles; this was exactly the result they wanted.

Only Ye Zhangqing remained calm; in his view, the so-called spirit chef rank meant little.

What about being a ninth-rank spirit chef?

He gestured for Tang Yao to stay calm and not worry.

And as Nie Yuan cooked, a fragrance began to spread.

The Nie family members each laughed and said.

"This aroma is wonderful."

"Of course, this is the family head personally cooking."

"This battle is secured."

Just based on this aroma, the Nie family already believed their side would surely win; what could that Tang family brat possibly have to compare with their family head?

Just sitting there, you think you can beat our family head? That's ridiculous.

Not only the Nie family thought so; Elder Li also nodded secretly, it seemed the outcome was truly decided.

Smelling that fragrance, Elder Li couldn't help wanting to take a bite.

But when he turned his gaze to the Tang side, he saw Ye Zhangqing and the Tang family showing no reaction at all to Nie Yuan's aroma.

Their expressions were calm, as if utterly unaffected.

"This..............."

The Tang family truly felt no attraction; although Nie Yuan's dish had fragrance, frankly, compared to Ye Zhangqing's, it was far inferior.

Having smelled Ye Zhangqing's meals these past days, they had long become immune to Nie Yuan's delicacy.

They felt no interest at all.

"It's nothing special."

"A ninth-rank spirit chef, that's it?"

The Tang family juniors each said indifferently, "With just this aroma, you expect to move us?"

As time passed bit by bit, Nie Yuan finally finished his dish.

It looked exquisite, with luxurious ingredients, a full spread of mountain and sea delicacies.

But Ye Zhangqing glanced at it and felt it was just like a hodgepodge.

"How about it, kid? If you have any self-awareness, just surrender."

Unaware of Ye Zhangqing's evaluation, Nie Yuan still said proudly.

"Let's begin."

Hearing that, Ye Zhangqing didn't bother with him; such a mismatched dish aroused no interest in him at all.

He only thought about pursuing rich and luxurious ingredients, yet forgot the most basic thing in cooking.

Just as the two were about to present their dishes to Elder Li for tasting.

Suddenly five voices sounded in the courtyard; upon looking, everyone present was startled, then they all stepped forward respectfully in their hearts.

"Greetings, senior."

The newcomers were none other than Li Zhengqing and his group.

After rushing all the way, they finally arrived at the Tang residence; facing everyone's respect, Li Zhengqing curiously surveyed the surroundings and asked doubtfully.

"What are you doing............."

"Replying to senior, today is the day of the Tang and Nie families' culinary duel; both sides have just finished preparing."

Facing Li Zhengqing's inquiry, Elder Li hurriedly replied.

Although he is an elder of the Spirit Chef Alliance, in front of Li Zhengqing and his group he still dare not act rashly.

After all, Zhongzhou belongs to the Holy Land; before the Holy Land, all other forces must bow their heads.

Hearing Elder Li's words, Li Zhengqing curiously glanced at Ye Zhangqing.

Seeing this, Elder Li quickly said.

"This young friend is Tang's representative in the match."

"Oh? Then who are the judges this time?"

"It is I."

"Then why don't we join as well?"

Unexpectedly, being able to taste Ye Zhangqing's delicacy right away, Li Zhengqing and his five companions unhesitatingly decided to serve as judges.

Mainly for that bite to eat.

Facing Li Zhengqing's words, naturally no one dared refuse; moreover, with the status of Li Zhengqing and his five, being judges was more than sufficient.

Nie Yuan and Ye Zhangqing both said there was no problem, and Elder Li agreed as well.

Now the judges truly numbered six more.

First to eat was Nie Yuan's dish; Li Zhengqing and his companions looked at that plate of hodgepodge, which looked decent enough.

Their faces showed no special change; Nie Yuan secretly sighed about that.

As expected of Holy Land elders, well-versed and experienced, they could maintain composure even before delicacies.

Little did they know, Li Zhengqing and his five truly had little interest in Nie Yuan's food; they were now anticipating Ye Zhangqing's skill.

But since they had become judges, they naturally had to taste.

Each of the five picked up a pair of chopsticks and took a bite.

It couldn't be called bad, but it certainly didn't reach the level to excite the five; at best it was passable.

Elder Li also ate it; in his view, the flavor was indeed good, fully meeting the standard of a ninth-rank spirit chef.

Just Li Zhengqing and the five others didn't speak; he therefore naturally didn't dare to speak first.

Amid the silence of several people, Nie Yuan's dish finished its tasting; next it was Ye Zhangqing's turn.

At this moment, Nie Yuan looked at Ye Zhangqing with a confident expression; he simply didn't believe it, wondering what this kid could possibly have to compare with himself.

Under his gaze, Ye Zhangqing unhurriedly opened the pot lid; in an instant, an extreme aroma wafted over.

As this aroma spread, everyone present couldn't help but swallow their saliva.

"This is the flavor."

"That's right, it's this, so fragrant."

"Young Master Ye, how does this dish feel even more fragrant than before?"

When the Tang family members smelled this aroma, they instantly couldn't hold back.

Then came the Nie family; upon smelling this rich aroma, all Nie family disciples' faces changed.

How could this smell even more fragrant than what their family head makes?

Even Nie Yuan's face darkened; he simply couldn't believe that Ye Zhangqing still had such skill.

But at this point, he naturally couldn't admit that Ye Zhangqing was stronger than him, and he forced out a cold snort.

"Hmph, I'm afraid it's just for show, fragrant on the outside but not actually good."

Unwilling to admit that Ye Zhangqing might win, Li Zhengqing and his five companions could no longer sit still.

As it happens, since returning to Zhongzhou, heaven knows how many times they've imagined such a flavor; now at last their wish is fulfilled.

Moreover, their luck is good—just arriving and they get to taste Ye Zhangqing's skill; this is truly heaven's favor.

"Come on, come on, hurry up and bring it up."

Li Zhengqing could no longer hold back his urging; finally, Tang Qingqing, struggling to suppress her saliva, placed a plate of braised lion's head in front of Li Zhengqing and his companions.

Seeing the plump-colored, fragrant braised lion's head before them, Li Zhengqing and his five companions couldn't help but swallow their saliva, then they eagerly began to eat.

Unlike Nie Yuan's delicate tasting, when eating Ye Zhangqing's dish, Li Zhengqing and his companions truly wolfed it down.

Even Elder Li, after eating a bite, had his eyes bulge round; this flavor.........

But just as he wanted to keep eating, Li Zhengqing directly scolded him.

"Just tasting the flavor is enough; what else do you want?"

"Huh???"

Seeing Li Zhengqing and his five companions with oil dripping from their mouths, while he could only taste the flavor, Elder Li instantly felt resentful.