Bang!!
Yi Tianxing approached a campfire, casually tossing the crocodile he carried onto the ground with a dull thud. The beast was enormous—enough to feed over a hundred people easily. This was a mound of food that could fill bellies, its sheer mass far from insufficient. That nonchalant toss snapped many starving minds out of their daze.
People looked at Yi Tianxing with a mix of awe and wariness.Even those who subconsciously swallowed saliva dared not move rashly.
"Everyone, there's no need to be afraid. This crocodile is something I hunted myself," Yi Tianxing said with a calm smile, gazing at the gathered villagers. "It's huge, and there's plenty of meat. Its hide can be turned into leather, the flesh is edible, and the bones can be boiled for soup. All I ask is for someone to prepare me a delicious meal with it. The rest—soup or meat—is for everyone to share. It can replenish your strength and ease your hunger."
"Is there a chef here willing to show off their skills?"
He had no intention of giving away the entire crocodile. Although it was large, with the number of mouths in the village, it would be like throwing a cup of water on a burning cart—barely enough for a single bite per person, if that. A sliver of meat, if one was lucky.
This crocodile was his kill. He had no reason to give it all away and starve himself.
In this world, nothing comes for free.
First, he had to satisfy his own hunger. His Gourmet Cells had already begun transmitting signals of starvation. Although he could grill meat and cook, he was far from being a skilled chef—his cooking was edible at best, nowhere near gourmet.
But in a village like Yangjia, where people came from all walks of life, Yi Tianxing didn't believe for a second there wasn't a skilled chef among them.
After all, the quality of a dish had a direct impact on the evolution of Gourmet Cells. The more exquisite the flavor, the more dramatic the transformation it could induce in one's body, enhancing physical strength.
At his words, several faces in the crowd lit up with interest, clearly confident in their culinary prowess.
"Let me do it."
A rugged man stepped forward confidently. He had long black hair loosely tied behind his head and a burly build. A cloth satchel was slung over his back. His demeanor and calloused hands gave off a distinct master chef aura—these were the kind of calluses honed by constant contact with knives.
"And you are?" Yi Tianxing asked, already noting the man's knife-handling signs.
"I'm Lai He. My knife skills and cooking are first-class," the man said confidently, eyeing the giant crocodile. "The tastiest parts of this beast are the tail and the crocodile palms. The tail moves constantly, making the flesh tender, smooth, rich but not greasy. It melts in your mouth and is full of nutrients. I can make a dish called 'Three Appearances of the Cloud Dragon' from it. As for the palms, I'll prepare 'Dragon Claws of Ice and Fire'."
His eyes gleamed with excitement, the kind only a true chef displayed upon seeing a top-tier ingredient. In mere moments, he had already identified the most delicious parts and planned out the perfect recipes.
Such a colossal crocodile—he had never seen anything like it. Even if he wasn't paid, he would still jump at the chance to craft a gourmet masterpiece.
"Very well. You'll be head chef for this crocodile feast. Tell me what tools you need. Pots, bowls, knives, spices—I can provide anything," Yi Tianxing said, the hunger in his Gourmet Cells now clamoring in full force. Just hearing Lai He's description stirred a craving deep in his soul.
At his words, pots, spoons, bowls, and knives materialized out of thin air.
No one could tell how these things had appeared.
This ability to conjure objects from nothing left the onlookers utterly shocked. Their gazes toward Yi Tianxing grew more reverent.
"No need. I brought my own knives. What kind of chef doesn't carry his tools?" Lai He dropped his satchel and opened it to reveal a complete set of knives.
Chef's knife, assistant knife, paring knife, boning knife, poultry knife, slicing knife, curved blade, meat cleaver—each glimmering with sharpness. The cold gleam on each blade was a product of years of grinding and polishing. These were tools he had clearly used for a long time.
"These knives… they're made of Blacksteel!" gasped a blacksmith in the crowd, lips twitching.
These weren't mere kitchen knives—they were treasures forged from a material rarer than gold.
Now that was a professional.
Yi Tianxing silently withdrew the tools he had just summoned. Seeing Lai He's equipment only deepened his anticipation. Only a true chef could create true culinary wonders.
Clang!!
With a crisp metallic sound, Lai He drew his boning knife and sliced cleanly into the crocodile's tail, carving out a large, glistening chunk of meat.
The meat shimmered with a faint luster.
This was no ordinary animal. As a ferocious beast, the crocodile's flesh had undergone a mysterious transformation, far surpassing typical wild game. The higher the beast's tier, the more miraculous its meat.
Lai He was now fully immersed in the cooking process.
After cutting a large tail chunk, he swiftly removed both crocodile palms.
"I'll need three assistant chefs," he called out.
"I'm in!"
"Count me too."
"I'm great with fire. I'll control the flames."
Three skilled chefs immediately stepped forward. Lai He's expert knife work had impressed them—every motion was smooth, fluid, and deliberate. His blade followed the natural grain of the meat, separating flesh effortlessly. Such artistry could not be learned by hard work alone; it required talent.
"You two, prep the ginger, scallions, and garlic. Ginger into thin strips, scallions long, garlic finely chopped," Lai He instructed.
"Yes, Chef!"
They selected the freshest ingredients from Yi Tianxing's stores—old ginger, plump garlic bulbs, and scallions grown in spirit soil. These had been planted intentionally to improve the quality of their meals.
Ginger, scallions, garlic, and chili—known as the Four Gentlemen of Flavor—were irreplaceable in cooking.
"Boil water. I need it just brought to a boil."
With calm efficiency, Lai He conjured a crude table, placed the tail meat on a chopping board, and picked up a carving knife.
With a flick of his wrist, the blade glided into the meat, flowing in intricate, non-linear motions. Every stroke was graceful and deliberate.
In moments, the thick chunk of tail meat had been sliced and arranged into petal-like slices. At the center sat a lifelike dragon sculpture, complete with scales, whiskers, and claws, as if ready to rise and soar across the skies.
"What astonishing knife work! He sculpted a dragon from meat—and it stands on its own without collapsing. Form and spirit both intact. Incredible," Yi Tianxing marveled.
Every craft, taken to its peak, became a form of art.
He'd seen fruit carving, radish carving, even tofu carving—but meat carving like this was a first. It was divine craftsmanship.
Soon after, a dazzling display of cooking techniques unfolded. Lai He even retrieved several unique condiments from his own pouch.
He dipped the dragon-shaped raw meat into boiling water, and as it danced in the pot—it truly looked as though a real dragon were swimming through it.