I will be stronger after the remake

I didn't teach it before, simply because I felt that internal energy techniques couldn't compare to spiritual energy martial arts. Rather than being distracted by other things, I thought it was better to focus on one thing.

The next day.

Although Ling Chong himself was eager to experience Yuan Ji's hidden strength skills, his competition was in the afternoon, while the cooking competition finals were in the morning, and he had to go cheer for Yun Yanzi.

The theme of the final was "fish".

A fairly broad question type, the safest approach is naturally to use fish from biology to make dishes. Other dishes that are shaped like fish are also acceptable, or you can simulate the taste of fish, or even dishes with "fish" in their name are acceptable, such as "Fish-flavored Shredded Pork".

As for creating your own original dish and then naming it "fish," that's obviously against the rules. Only classic dishes can use the method of "borrowing" someone else's name.

Both sides chose the safest approach in the final, since "fish" is not a rare ingredient and there is no need to take risks. They would have considered something unusual if they had used ingredients like monkeys, tigers, or bears, which are rarely seen on the dining table.

Amidst the intense anticipation of the crowd, the chubby monk, Master Tao, was the first to complete his work, placing a large plate on the judges' table. Amidst the rising steam lay a strange fish covered in golden spots, its fins unfurling like sails, its tail fin adorned with fine scales. The fish was coated in sweet and sour sauce, topped with fine noodles.

The judges, being well-traveled and knowledgeable, recognized him at a glance.

"As expected of the successors of Daxiangguo Temple, this must be the famous Kaifeng dish 'Carp with Noodles', although the fish used is not carp."

"Carp with noodles is one of the ten famous dishes of Henan cuisine. It is made up of two dishes: 'sweet and sour braised carp' and 'braised noodles'. The former usually uses large carp from the Yellow River. After removing the fishy smell, massaging the fish, cutting the fish meat, and deep-frying it in plenty of oil, it is then made with broth to enhance the flavor and then sweet and sour. The latter is made by deep-frying the thin noodles until they are crispy and fluffy. After absorbing the soup, it is served with other dishes."

As the judges spoke, they each picked up a piece of fish with their chopsticks and put it in their mouths. They could all see that the batter on the fish was just ordinary fried batter, and the fish itself was the key.

The moment the fish entered their mouths, the five judges' eyes lit up, their spiritual power surged, and golden waves of energy rose around them, causing the chairs they were sitting on to shatter with a "crack".

The only female judge was leaning back in her chair, her black hair cascading down, her face flushed as if drunk, her collar undone, emitting rapid, suggestive breaths.

"The fish is tender and springy, as if it contains the essence of the entire ocean, with a faint herbal fragrance that lingers on the palate."

"The fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. The golden-brown skin has a caramelized aroma, while the fish meat inside remains incredibly tender. Every fiber is soaked in the broth, making it both fresh and sweet and sour. The crispy texture of the baked surface contrasts sharply with the tender fish meat, creating a rich and irresistible flavor."

"What kind of fish did you use?"

The Great Tao Zen Master slowly said, "Lu".

After saying that, he dipped his finger in water and wrote obscure characters on the tablecloth.

A middle-aged judge stroked his beard and said, “The Lu fish mentioned in the Classic of Mountains and Seas is described in the original text as ‘Three hundred li east of Di Mountain, there is much water but no grass or trees. There is a fish there. It looks like an ox, lives on a hill, has a snake’s tail and wings. Its feathers are under its tail. Its sound is like that of a cow. Its name is Lu. It dies in winter and is reborn. Eating it will prevent swelling and disease.’”

"Translated, it means that the chub is shaped like a cow, lives on hillsides, has a snake-like tail and wings, the wings are on the ribs, its call is like that of a yak, it hibernates in winter and awakens in summer, and eating its flesh can prevent people from suffering from boils and carbuncles."

One of the female judges said, "No wonder it made my blood and qi surge after eating it. It turns out it has medicinal properties and can be considered a kind of medicinal food in a sense. But it doesn't look like a cow."

The Great Tao Zen Master explained, “This humble monk took a section and pieced it together to resemble a fish, so as to avoid the shape being abrupt.”

The judges nodded in satisfaction, but did not give any scores.

The final will have only two participants, and there will be no scoring; the winner will be decided by direct voting.

Upon hearing the evaluation, Yu Shujiang said nervously, "This is terrible! The judges gave it unanimous praise and even thought it was an unconventional medicinal cuisine. Doesn't that overlap with Yunyanzi's cuisine? This big monk looks honest and simple, but he is actually cunning and treacherous. He is deliberately using this method to lower the evaluation of his opponent."

Tang Ping stroked his chin and said, "I used to think Yun Yanzi's chances of winning were not high, but now I think she has at least a 70% chance of winning."

"Ah, why?"

"First, the formula for food-themed works is that whoever serves first loses. This rule may not be 100% applicable, but it applies at least 90% of the time. Second, the tactic of building suspense before smearing others is used. To avoid losing Yunyanzi, people tend to favor her opponent, practically planting flags everywhere. Third, whoever resorts to underhanded tactics loses. This monk should have won fairly and squarely through his strength, but instead, he chose to suppress his opponent, a typical villainous tactic."

"Only when there is a huge disparity in strength between the two sides, in order to highlight the villain's power, will the author let the person who violates the above three rules win."

After listening, Ling Chong twitched the corner of his mouth and said, "Your explanation is too mystical."

Yu Shujiang suddenly realized and said, "Now that you mention it, it seems to be true."

Ling Chong exclaimed in astonishment, "No way, you actually believe this kind of ridiculous logic?"

Yu Shujiang blinked and nodded, saying, "I believe it. In almost all the food-themed anime I've watched, there's this pattern."

Ling Chong said helplessly, "Don't confuse reality with fiction!"

As they were talking, Yunyanzi brought out her creations. Unlike the Great Tao Zen Master who used a large plate, she divided them into five bowls, each covered with a plastic bowl, so that no one could see what they looked like beforehand.

The judges lifted the lids of their bowls, and instantly steam rose, releasing a burst of umami flavor—a flavor that combined the freshness of the sea and the mountains. In the misty steam, it was as if a fish was swimming.

Yu Shujiang exclaimed excitedly, "After glowing, clothes ripping off, and drugs, illusions have appeared too! It really is a characteristic of food-themed works!"

When the fog cleared, the judges looked closely and found that the bowl contained noodles that were as white as jade and had a pearly luster. The soup was pale yellow and had sliced ​​mushrooms floating on it. They couldn't find a single piece of fish.

The middle-aged judge made a guess: "Is it fish noodles?"

Yunyanzi nodded and said, "It is indeed Yunmeng fish noodles."

A middle-aged judge recalled: "Yunmeng fish noodles are a local traditional specialty noodle dish from Yunmeng County, Hubei Province. The noodles are made primarily with flour and the meat of grass carp and common carp. The noodles are white and thin, and after cooking, they have a rich fish aroma, unique flavor, and are fresh but not greasy. Because they are nutritious, they are easy to digest and absorb, and they have the effect of warming and nourishing qi."

Despite the banter, no one took it to heart, knowing there was more to this bowl of noodles than met the eye. If it were just ordinary Yunmeng fish noodles, it would never be able to beat the Great Gluttonous Zen Master's braised carp noodles.

One judge couldn't wait to pick up a noodle. As soon as it entered his mouth, his eyes instantly became misty. He imagined a turbulent sea before him, and himself transformed into a fish, swimming in the sea, feeling the gentle caress of the water and the joy of freedom. Suddenly, a cool sensation came from the tip of his tongue, and the illusion vanished like bubbles. In its place was an endless aftertaste of freshness and aroma, as well as a refreshing and clear feeling in his body and mind.

He turned to look at his colleagues and found that they had the same expression, as if in a dream.

The group exchanged glances, then turned and asked, "What kind of fish did you use?"

Yunyanzi said, "Ran Yi."

The middle-aged judge recalled: "Ranyi also comes from the Classic of Mountains and Seas. The original text is: 'The Tawan River originates here and flows north into the Lingyang Marsh. There are many Ranyi fish there. They have the body of a fish, the head of a snake, and six legs. Their eyes are like the eyes of a bird. Eating them will prevent people from squinting and can ward off evil.'"

"Translated, it means that Ran Yi has the body of a fish and the head of a snake, has six legs, and has eyes like a horse. Eating it can eliminate nightmares and ward off bad luck."

The female judge looked puzzled and said, "Wait a minute, if the effect of Ran Yi's flesh is to eliminate nightmares, why did we have hallucinations just now? Isn't that the opposite?"

Yunyanzi explained, "Because I added Dream Mushrooms."

"Wonderful! The Dream Mushroom can induce a beautiful dream-like hallucination. Although it tastes delicious, it can cause headaches and other aftereffects after the hallucination ends. But Ran Yi has the effect of preventing people from dozing off. One treats the hallucination and the other dispels it, allowing you to enjoy the wonderful hallucination without any worries. It's simply a perfect combination!"

"In terms of flavor, it combines seafood and mountain delicacies, making it even fresher, while its inner effect is a balance of yin and yang, fully demonstrating the philosophy of Taoism."

The judges were generous with their praise, giving high marks to the judges.

However, after the individual evaluations, when it came time to decide who the chef was, they all found themselves in a dilemma, their eyes lingering between the two dishes, unable to make their own judgment for a long time.

Finally, the host couldn't help but urge, "It's getting late. The five judges should make their choices quickly. I know it's difficult, but there has to be a result eventually."

"Fine, I'll choose braised carp with noodles. Overall, this dish is better."

"I chose Yunmeng fish noodles. Although the overall flavor is somewhat lacking, it takes freshness to the extreme, making it superior."

"I also chose Yunmeng fish noodles. It is not only delicious, but also philosophical, giving people a double enjoyment of taste and spirit."

"While the illusions of the Dream Mushroom are delightful, they are ultimately illusory and cannot compare to the abundant essence of the Carp, which brings real benefits to the eater. I choose the Carp with Noodles."

With the first four contestants tied, immense pressure fell on the middle-aged judges.

Sweat beaded on his forehead. After hesitating for a long time, he suddenly clenched his fist and said, "These two dishes each have their own characteristics. It's really hard to say which one is better based on the dishes themselves alone. I can only make a judgment from other perspectives."

"The theme of this competition is 'fish'. Although braised carp with noodles does not contradict the theme, the braised noodles part is actually superfluous. Even if this part is removed, it will not affect the evaluation of the dish itself. It is a bit of an overkill."

"In comparison, the Dream Mushroom in Yunmeng Fish Noodles is not just an add-on; it complements Ran Yi and is indispensable. Moreover, although the dish contains fish, it does not appear to contain fish on the surface, which is more in line with the philosophical concept of the Chinese people."

"In conclusion, I choose Yunmeng Fish Noodles!"

Upon hearing this, the host eagerly announced the verdict: "3:2, the final result is in, the champion of this year's cooking competition is Master Yunyanzi!"

Since they would be able to enjoy delicious food next, the audience gave them a warm round of applause.

The Great Tao Zen Master shook his head regretfully, but with great grace, he congratulated Yunyanzi in a sincere tone, much to the disappointment of many who were looking forward to a showdown between Taoism, Buddhism, and martial arts.

"You two were actually right!" Ling Chong exclaimed in disbelief. "Could it be that the world we live in is actually a work of art about food? Is it too late for me to learn how to cook now?"

Tang Ping said, "Don't think too much about it. You have a game this afternoon."

Ling Chong thought for a moment and asked curiously, "According to the usual pattern, who is more likely to win, me or Yuan Ji?"

"Generally speaking, everyone is more looking forward to the dark horse. Moreover, in many monster-slaying and leveling-up novels, the protagonist is usually the weakest on the surface. In addition, after what happened last night, according to the formula, Yuan Ji should win."

Ling Chong suddenly felt thirsty and asked, "Can I increase my chances of winning by raising the flag in the opposite direction?"

Tang Ping quickly advised, "Pursuing milk based on utilitarian principles is not advisable."

Ling Chong thought for a while, and seeing that everyone around him had rushed into the arena to wait for the champions and runners-up of the cooking competition to prepare their dishes, he could only compromise and say, "Since things have come to this, let's eat first."

Tang Ping nodded and suggested, "Braised carp noodles will boost your blood and energy, which will be beneficial for the afternoon's competition. You should choose this one."

"Of course we'll choose braised carp noodles. We can have Yunyanzi make Yunmeng fish noodles again when we get back."

Ling Chong gave another reason, then climbed over the seats and shouted "Don't push! Don't push!" as he rushed into the crowd.

Chapter 217 Using Flowers to Present to Buddha

Ling Chong finally managed to snatch a small bowl of braised carp noodles. Although the amount was small and had no effect on replenishing his qi and blood, his heart was satisfied, thus allowing him to face the afternoon's battle with full energy.

By the time the Unlimited Group reached the semifinals, the competition had become much more competitive, and its prestige was widely recognized. Even though there was still half an hour before the match, the stands were already packed.

"Wow, there are so many people! It feels like all the psionicists participating in the sports meet have come to watch."

Yu Shujiang looked around, filled with emotion.

"Not all of them, about 60% or 70%."

Yunyanzi was in a great mood after winning the title of Chef King, and her desire to talk was much stronger than usual—although her face still had a calm and composed expression.

Yu Shujiang, being impulsive, lost patience after a while and asked, "Brother, what do you think are the chances of each side winning this match?"

Tang Ping pondered, "If Yuan Ji showed her full strength last night, then it's about a 40/60 chance, with Ling Chong having a slightly better chance of winning. Yuan Ji has mastered the hidden force, so Ling Chong's defensive spiritual energy is no longer unbreakable. But Ling Chong already knows this, so he can't be unprepared. On the other hand, Yuan Ji doesn't know what Ling Chong's trump cards are, so she's at a disadvantage in terms of intelligence. In the end, it depends on whether Ling Chong can maximize the effect when he plays his trump cards."

Yu Shujiang was itching to know what the trump card was, but wisely refrained from asking.

After a while, both sides finally took to the stage under the spotlight. The battle took place in a bamboo forest. There was no bias towards either side, and the Unrestricted Group did not have the distinction between unarmed and armed combat. After all, at the level of a third-level psionicist, unless it is a divine weapon, ordinary weapons are not very effective.

Of course, not having much effect doesn't mean it's useless. After all, every inch counts, and most people will still carry a weapon.

Yuan Ji did not bring her usual Azure Dragon Halberd, as the competition rules did not allow it; instead, she carried an ordinary red-tasseled spear.

Having witnessed the other party's performance last night, Ling Chong naturally did not feel fortunate or think he had gained an advantage; he chose a monk's knife.

Before the official match begins, there is the usual trash-talking phase, where the aim is to shake the opponent's morale with words. This is an unavoidable part of the competition.

Yuan Ji spoke first: "Was Master satisfied with last night's reply?"

“This humble monk’s Buddhist knowledge is shallow, and I cannot be called a master. You may simply call me by my Dharma name,” Ling Chong first said modestly, then raised his writing bag. “Benefactor Yuan’s magnanimity is admirable. If I were in your shoes, I would not be as insightful and generous as you.”

"Since you heard my conversation with Fu Zhengyi last night, you must know that I'm already planning to switch jobs."

"Well...that's true."

Eavesdropping is not something to be proud of. Ling Chong was a little embarrassed at first, but then he thought that the other party had invited him to listen in, so he immediately admitted it.

"For me, it doesn't matter where I switch jobs, but I've been in coastal cities for too long. This time I'd like to try an inland city. I think Jiangcheng is pretty good. I wonder if you would welcome me?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Chong immediately said warmly, "If Benefactor Yuan is willing to condescend to this position, we will naturally welcome you with open arms. To be honest, the Armed Forces Section in Jiangcheng has just been reorganized and is in dire need of manpower. This is a perfect place for Benefactor Yuan to showcase his skills."

Even without witnessing the other party's performance last night, based solely on their previous encounter, he was very willing to recruit Yuan Ji. Such a master would be highly sought after wherever he went.

At this moment, the referee struck a gong, announcing the official start of the competition.

Taking the opportunity, Yuan Ji said, "Since you are the future leader, shouldn't you show some sincerity to your subordinates who are about to join you?"

"This is natural... Oh no!"

Ling Chong's first thought was whether he should hold back in the upcoming battle to show his sincerity.

My second thought was, "This woman looks so simple and honest, yet she's so cunning. I've fallen for her trap!"

Almost the instant he hesitated, Yuan Ji made a sudden move. His red-tasseled spear emerged like a venomous snake, and as the shaft swept horizontally, wind blades carrying bamboo leaves flew in a fan shape. Wherever it passed, bamboo branches as thick as bowls snapped in two.

Ling Chong, his mind wavering, lost the initiative and could only hastily swing his sword to parry. He was forced to retreat step by step, and the bamboo branches he stepped on made a "crack" sound.

Once Yuan Ji gained the upper hand, he pressed on relentlessly, becoming increasingly fierce with each attack. He also incorporated the power-generating techniques of Bajiquan, unleashing the "Bengqiang" style. Whenever the spear and saber clashed, it produced an explosion-like effect, shaking off the saber and dissipating the force.

Ling Chong desperately tried to gather his strength to block his opponent's attack and then launch a counterattack after regaining his footing. However, his strength was repeatedly dissipated halfway through, and he was unable to succeed. He was forced to retreat repeatedly until his back hit a thick bamboo, which halted his retreat.

Seizing the opportunity, Yuan Ji took a half step back, then unleashed a powerful thrust, piercing through the air with his throat-piercing spear.

The moment the gun was withdrawn, it startled even the gods and demons; a single step back showed no mercy!

boom!

An invisible barrier of energy appeared on Ling Chong's body, blocking Yuan Ji's deadly attack. However, he showed no joy on his face because one of his trump cards had been forced out first.

Immediately, he swung his knife and slashed at the bamboo beside him. With a "crack," the bamboo, as thick as a bowl, fell to the ground. Then, he slapped out with his palm, sending the bamboo flying towards Yuan Ji to block his path.

Yuan Ji hurriedly shook his spear, knocking the bamboo stalks away one by one, avoiding hitting himself, but this hindered his movement.

Ling Chong caught his breath and launched a counterattack. He gathered his spiritual power into the blade, condensing it into a fierce aura. With a single, powerful slash, a large swath of bamboo fell down.

If she had the Azure Dragon Halberd, Yuan Ji might have considered a head-on confrontation to assess whether her opponent had improved in martial arts over the years. However, what she held in her hand was just an ordinary red-tasseled spear. If she dared to engage in a direct confrontation, she would probably be cut in half with a single blow, even if she covered the spear with spiritual power. After all, the difference in their cultivation levels was undeniable.

Ling Chong is bullying his opponent because his cultivation level is lower than his own and his spiritual power is not strong enough. In this situation, talking about lowering one's cultivation level for a fair duel is disrespectful to the opponent.