Who gave this heretical practitioner permission to cook?

In Chapter 3, to make you realize that you're eating a scorpion, I've kept a tiny bit of the essence!
"Blood Soul?"

Looking at the bloodstain emitting a bluish-green light in his hand, Xia Ming's pupils contracted, and a maniacal smile appeared on his lips.

"I understand. After my soul transmigrated, the mixed spiritual root that hindered my cultivation of the Blood Fusion Demonic Cultivation technique no longer exists. Now, in this body..."

It's also a case of being blind to one's own shortcomings. Xia Ming was too concerned about the "acquired bloodline pill" he had refined over 30 years, and he was also being instilled with the memories of the original owner's entire life, which required him to re-analyze the current situation. As a result, he overlooked the fact that he was no longer a "mixed spiritual root".

It is well known that the Nine Provinces Continent is full of geniuses, and many people are born with certain talents.

For example, the last leader of the "Ten Thousand Swords Pavilion" was a "born sword body", while the Holy Maiden of the Blood Blade Sect was a "body infused with extreme yin by eight demons".

Despite his exceptional comprehension, Xia Ming was constrained by his bloodline and endured thirty years of hardship at Blood Blade Peak.

But things are different now. This body is extremely compatible with the "Blood Fusion Demon Cultivation" technique. Relying on his memories from his previous life, he can completely rebuild his demonic cultivation in the city.

After decades of hard work, he has now easily achieved his goal. Even though Xia Ming tried to remain rational, a smile involuntarily crept onto his face.

However, this smile had a different meaning in the eyes of the viewers in the live broadcast room.

Wait, what's that guy laughing about?! Has he already decided who to poison?!

[Grilled scorpions, are they making the side dishes the main ingredient? Anyone in the comments have a brain to tell me, will they even cook through like that?]

[18 years of experience at a barbecue stall tells you, it's no wonder it's not cooked through!]

I remember that scorpions contain neurotoxins if they're not fully cooked, right?

This isn't cooking, this is murder! Is he trying to imitate that "Nine-Turned Intestines" dish?!

The comment section was in an uproar, and even the assistant director had to turn the camera on him because if he did, a lot of netizens would question the fairness of the show.

Everyone seemed to be frightened by Xia Ming's move and wanted to see what he was up to.

Xia Ming didn't care about this at all. He focused on circulating the "Blood Fusion Demon Cultivation" technique, slowly extracting the little blood from the scorpion on the charcoal rack.

"Although the efficiency is a bit slow, it doesn't matter. I've waited 30 years, so there's no rush."

With the help of the cultivation technique, Xia Ming had a more refined control over the scorpion in his hands. At this moment, he was controlling the heat while glancing at the time from time to time.

Finally, with 12 minutes left in the game, he reached for the salt next to him.

With a gentle pinch of his hand, the salt dispersed into a uniform powder. As he swung his arm like a dancing rope, the salt was sprinkled onto the scorpion as he intended.

Then he quickly flipped them over, stacking them in a pyramid shape, rubbing the salt from the upper shell of the next scorpion to the abdomen of the previous one.

The technique was indeed ingenious, but from the audience's perspective, it always felt like a human pyramid in a circus. Even the chef was a bit confused, completely unable to understand the difference between doing it this way and simply flipping it over to bake.

Just as the Arhats were stacked, Xia Ming flicked his finger, and the scorpions on them scattered in the air, only to be easily caught by the white plate in his right hand.

Place the plate on the plate and ring the bell.

With a crisp ringing of a bell, the creation of "Sichuan-Chongqing Ice and Fire Chef" (Xia Ming) is complete.

Just then, "Xie Tingfeng" had just eliminated a player and, upon hearing the bell, walked towards Xia Ming.

However, after seeing the scorpion in his plate, Nicholas Tse's expression changed slightly.

He had eaten scorpions before, whether fried or prepared in other ways, and had some knowledge of this ingredient.

His first thought was that the scorpion wasn't cooked.
It's no wonder he thought that way, because the scorpions on the plate at this moment had no different shells than when they were alive. In particular, Xia Ming had chosen black scorpions. Although you could see traces of smoke and fire when you looked closely, from a distance they looked like they were about to come to life.

After a moment's thought, out of respect for the variety show and his role as a judge, he asked Xia Ming the name of the dish.

Xia Ming smiled slightly.

"This dish is called 'Five-Flavor Scorpion,' meaning a blend of five flavors. It brings out the ultimate in texture and flavor of scorpion. Please enjoy it while it's hot."

Looking at Xia Ming pushing the plate towards him, Xie Tingfeng's pupils revealed deep shock.

As a "Friend of Michelin Worldwide," he boasts that he has seen many uniquely creative dishes over the years, but they are either exquisitely presented or remarkably simple.
But this is the first time I've heard someone describe roasted scorpions as something akin to top-tier cuisine.

More importantly, he knew in his heart that the scorpion had just been taken out of the "food warehouse" and had definitely not been marinated. Judging from its appearance, it was even less likely to have been deep-fried.

He took a deep breath, a hint of hesitation in his eyes. Scorpions, if not handled properly, can cause anything from nausea and vomiting to death.

Glancing at the cold beef that Xia Ming hadn't thrown away yet, he had no hope for this tasting at all. In fact, he even regretted coming over.

Seeing that "Nicholas Tse" was hesitant to make a move, the comments section was in an uproar.

[Brother Feng, don't eat this! He's reckless; it could kill someone!]

I swear on my roommate's 20 years of being single, this scorpion is definitely not ripe.

[I strongly suggest throwing this gimmicky chef out immediately. Other people's cooking might just be bad, but his is deadly!]

[He made it himself, so why doesn't he eat it? If he doesn't eat it, who would dare to eat it!]

Seemingly sensing Xie Tingfeng's hesitation, Xia Ming smiled and reached out to take a scorpion from the plate.

Then he deliberately aimed at the camera, shook it, and then shoved the scorpion into his mouth.

The crunching sound of chewing brought unprecedented pressure to Xie Tingfeng across from him, while Xia Ming chewed slowly as if he were eating a delicious snack, nodding as he chewed.

"The cooking time was well controlled. Although the scorpion species are slightly different, the quality is just as good."

After enjoying the moment for a few seconds, Xia Ming looked at Xie Tingfeng, who still hadn't made a move, and spoke.

"I've already eaten, why aren't you eating yet? The temperature will be too high in a bit."

Just as Xie Tingfeng gave Xia Ming a meaningful look, he finally mustered his courage, raised his hand, picked up a scorpion from the plate, and slowly brought it to his mouth.

Xia Ming nodded in agreement.

"Yes, that's it. You gulp it down in one go, then chew and savor it slowly."

"Don't worry, to make sure you realize you're eating a scorpion, I've kept a tiny bit of the best part—it will definitely surprise you!"

He should have kept quiet, because when he did speak, Xie Tingfeng was so startled that he almost dropped the scorpion in his hand.

What do you mean by "retaining a little bit of the essence"? What, are you a "Nine-Turned Intestines" contestant now?
However, despite his complaints, Xie Tingfeng hardened his heart, thinking that Xia Ming was probably just joking or being abstract, and finally stuffed the scorpion into his mouth.

Upon tasting it, the first thing you notice is the faint burnt and salty flavor of the scorpion's shell. I don't know what technique Xia Ming used, but the salt on this scorpion is slightly uneven.

Just as he was about to frown, Xie Tingfeng suddenly felt a strange, fresh aroma. It wasn't the smell of cooked meat; rather, it was more like the natural sensation of sashimi.

After the initial umami flavor fades, the scorpion's shell breaks apart as you chew, releasing a salty taste that slowly spreads in your mouth, followed by a strange, slightly bitter aftertaste.

But this bitterness was just right, fleeting in the mouth, which only made the previous sweetness of the scorpion even more apparent.

Nicholas Tse raised an eyebrow at that moment.

Salty, umami, bitter. He has already tasted three flavors; now, the next one.
Just as he was becoming curious, he suddenly felt a tingling sensation on the tip of his tongue, followed by a slight burning sensation.

He swayed for a moment, then suddenly his eyes widened.

He clearly didn't smell any chili on the scorpion, but he tasted a hint of spiciness. At that moment, he even thought he had been poisoned.

The umami and spiciness blended together, and Xie Tingfeng found it increasingly delicious with each chew, even becoming somewhat addicted. Seeing his expressions of confusion and shock at times, the guests and chefs present were also momentarily confused about the current situation.

Finally, after a not-too-long wait, Xie Tingfeng swallowed the scorpion in his mouth, then looked up at Xia Ming with a serious expression.

At this moment, he was extremely conflicted. According to the previous judging criteria, this dish did meet the conditions for qualifying, after all, it had reached a perfect level in terms of taste, layers, and the authenticity of the ingredients.

"It's a pity. If this dish were called 'Flavorful Scorpion' or 'Four-Flavor Scorpion,' you would have passed. But it's called 'Five-Flavor Scorpion.' Perhaps time was too tight; I didn't get to taste the fifth flavor you mentioned."

With a slightly regretful expression, Xie Tingfeng hesitated for a moment, but ultimately decided to eliminate Xia Ming.

But just as he was about to speak, Xia Ming shook his head.

"Judges, please don't be impatient. The fifth flavor of this Five Flavors Scorpion needs time to develop!"

(End of this chapter)