Scarface Man finally glared at Huai Shi with hatred, withdrew his gaze, and began to laboriously concoct an antidote—among the competitors here, it seemed every single one was a master of poisons. While they could not eradicate it completely, they still barely managed to resist the weakened floral fragrance.

After all, one couldn't just go over and shoot someone.

Following the dilution by the Iris flower and fragrance, the effect of Dragon Blood was truly limited.

Soon, Huai Shi also stopped releasing it.

Although Dragon Blood never runs out, it consumes one's own Source Substance. Even with Huai Shi's comparatively vast reserve for his level, after releasing it for over ten minutes, it was still somewhat taxing.

After two more people successively left the field, only four people remained on stage.

Raving Hunt, Scarface Man, Huai Shi... and Luo Xian.

Luo Xian was calm from beginning to end.

As if she had not noticed any abnormality at all, she was moving a little stool while looking at the pickled cabbage fish in her pot. Honestly, Huai Shi couldn't see where exactly the poison in this thing was.

There was absolutely no trace or sign.

It was just a very ordinary pot of pickled cabbage fish!

In theory, with only four people left in the competition to narrow the field from sixteen to eight, there was no need to continue competing. However, the judges did not call for a halt—their gazes instead became even more earnest and scrutinizing.

Time was slipping away quickly.

At the forty-five-minute mark, Raving Hunt was the first to present his dish.

—Salt-Baked Shishamo.

When the brush swept away the salt granules on top, a strange aroma burst forth along with the cracking of the fish skin, and everyone who smelled that scent instantly fell into a trance.

They became uncontrollably excited.

What sorcery...

Huai Shi staggered back a step, covering his mouth and sweating profusely.

That aroma, despite having drifted so far, still had a terrifying hallucinogenic effect just as potent as any banned drug. In just a short moment, Huai Shi's vision was filled with illusions, numerous spots of light appeared out of thin air, and the entire competition field became dazzlingly colorful, as if ascending to Heaven.

The world spun around.

If it weren't for the toxin resistance cultivated by Raven, he might have fallen to the ground, foaming at the mouth like a junkie high on drugs.

This was even though he had taken an antidote beforehand.

Oh my, dark cuisine is this terrifying!

Huai Shi covered his nose, nearly inhaling a sharp breath out of habit.

Yet the judges seemed as if nothing had happened. Each grabbed a fish and took big bites. Crisp crunching sounds emanated, and the enticing aroma immediately intensified, almost tempting people to pounce forward and fight for one to devour.

Within a few minutes, the roasted fish disappeared into the judges' mouths. The lingering fragrance persisted, causing all remaining competitors to fall into repeated dazes.

"I know you, the runner-up of Rome's Division from the competition ten years ago. I didn't expect you to show up here," the gaunt judge said, raising his eyes. "I thought you would have gone back to Rome to participate in the selections there."

"Just gathering ingredients," Raving Hunt said indifferently. "So? Is my dish qualified, sir?"

"Perfect taste, condensing this lethal illusion within the fish flesh, and with the burst of fish roe, bringing about a dizzying sense of corruption. A marvelous work."

The gaunt man nodded in admiration. "It seems your skills have reached a new level of refinement. Congratulations. I hope you achieve new results in the global competition in half a year."

Raving Hunt calmly nodded and turned to walk towards the rest area.

The second to serve his dish was Scarface Man. But just as he approached the judges' seats, Huai Shi darted in from the side, blocking the path of a female contestant.

"Sorry, I'm first."

Behind his mask, Huai Shi flashed a cheerful smile at her.

She was about to say something when Huai Shi had already placed his plate on the table. Her expression twitched a few times, and she took two steps back, not contesting the order with Huai Shi.

Then, she saw Huai Shi discreetly raising his middle finger from behind his back... her eyes instantly blazed with fire.

I wish I could hack this bastard to pieces!

Meanwhile, Huai Shi had swiftly set the four servings of food hidden under the covers on the table, stepped back, and smiled at the judges.

"Please enjoy—"

The judges looked at each other, reached out, and lifted the covers.

At that moment, everyone was stunned.

The vast competition field became instantly silent.

Because a dazzling golden light burst forth from under the covers, illuminating pairs of incredulous eyes.

"Light?"

"It's glowing!"

"Is there really such a thing as food that glows in this world?"

Even Hippo was stunned on the spot.

"What is this?"

"Ah, after I finished, I saw there was still some time left, so I casually made an earth battery with copper and zinc plates and other electrolytes."

Huai Shi calmly helped him lift the cover to show the set of earth batteries and tungsten wire he had soldered inside. "How about it? Surprising? Unexpected?"

"..."

Hippo stood there, dumbfounded, and after a long while, couldn't help but burst into laughter.

For the first time in many years, a contestant had joked with him.

"Delightful."

He laughed out loud, touched his belly, and his expression turned serious. "Contestant, if your dish disappoints me, I'll personally bestow a Curse upon you."

With that, he turned to look at the food served on the plates.

Is that... a square of butter?

Or something else.

One could faintly smell a hint of floral fragrance, but it looked just like a big bar of soap, leaving one clueless as to what it actually was.

Under the light, one could barely make out that the outer gelatinous layer was just a shell—a vessel encasing the true food and flavor inside.

Is this really molecular gastronomy?

Hippo casually picked up a knife and spoon and gave the upper layer a light tap.

CRACK!

Following that, a flood of spiciness burst forth, so intense and rich it seemed almost suffocating. But just when one couldn't bear the severe irritation and was about to cough, the spiciness suddenly transformed, turning into a soothing floral scent that comforted the spasming lungs and agony, gently dragging one into a listless, empty dream.

"Curry?"

The judges were stunned. "It's curry?"

As the spoon was withdrawn from the oil shell, what was on it appeared to be a crystal-like jelly.

When the faintly yellow gelatin was sliced open, a thick, brownish liquid slowly oozed out—piping hot curry and squid slices that had been slow-cooked until tender, releasing an explosive burst of fresh aroma as soon as they touched the air.

"Please enjoy the molecular gastronomy creation—Pigeon Curry."

Huai Shi took a step back, removed his apron, and smiled as he announced the dish.

"Pigeon?" one judge hesitated.

There's no pigeon!

And this isn't pigeon; this is clearly maggots in a dung heap!

Not to mention the appearance of the brownish, thick curry with squirming squid tentacles inside, just the pungent aroma alone was enough to make people keep their distance.

This wasn't just about the degree of unpleasant taste anymore; it was on the level of not wanting to eat it at all!

No, if this was judged as dark cuisine, this would actually be a bonus.

But external appearance was merely superficial; the essence was what truly mattered.

Since it was served, the judges would not refuse.

Moreover, those who would agree to be judges for the Chef Demon competition were basically either hedonists who were completely bored after indulging in all the world's pleasures, or lunatics who sought forbidden experiences in the Abyss because positive feedback could no longer satisfy them.

After everything in this world—whether drugs, love, wars, or other meaningful or meaningless things—failed to stir them any longer, under their greedy cravings, they plunged into darkness, embraced non-human taboos, bathed in sin, and sought pleasure.

The dish that Huai Shi presented harmonized with their intentions even more.

The precondition, though, was—

The taste of this dish must surprise them!

Otherwise, what Huai Shi would face was tenfold anger and Curses, a hundredfold displeasure and punishment.

"I hope you can bring some surprises," Hippo said as he looked deeply at Huai Shi, picked up a spoon, and carefully put the spoonful of curry-coated gelatin into his mouth, chewing it.

Then, all the judges froze in place.

All the audience members whose senses were synchronized with the judges gasped in astonishment.

Because...

There was no taste.

Although the aroma was so stimulating and domineering, and it looked so spicy and terrifying, once it entered the mouth, there wasn't a trace of flavor.

It was like drinking a sip of plain water.

Void and empty.

No matter how they chewed and savored, they couldn't taste anything, as if they were eating plastic.

Chewing yielded nothing.

Stunned for a moment, they took another spoonful.

Still no taste.

It seemed there was a slight sensation, but the more they sought it, the more elusive it became. What replaced it was a deep sense of loss and the irritation of a futile search.

With continued chewing, it was as if derisive whispers reached their ears.

"I promised, okay?" "I'll definitely come!" "I'm already on my way!" "Just five minutes away!" "If I don't come, I'm a puppy..."

Those casual words echoed in the dissipating Source Substance, reverberating over and over in the tasters' ears with each chew, until they finally ignited fury.

"Enough!"

Hippo forcefully threw down his spoon, glaring at Huai Shi. "Your arrogance ends here!"

In that moment, he choked and coughed out loud.

With the outburst of anger, the terrifying spiciness hidden in the curry and the complex flavors of countless spices erupted over his taste buds, engulfing his entire mouth like a tidal wave, leaving him stunned in place.

In a daze, he felt surrounded by the sound of countless pigeons flapping their wings; tens of millions of COOS spread from the mutated Source Substance, disorienting him.

From the initial resistance to tastelessness to the angry spiciness, as he tried to identify the flavors in bewilderment, the spiciness quickly metamorphosed into a strong acidic taste, making his gums twitch.

Amidst such mockery, he felt a profound tiredness, and even the flavor of the gelatin in his mouth turned bitter.

Eventually, amidst the myriad delusions and flavors, he finally came to a realization.

"I suppose…" Hippo muttered blankly. "I've been pigeoned?"

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