As Zhang Dali began to process the flesh, he completely ignored all external interference.
The next second, the judges' expressions changed drastically. They saw Zhang Dali divide a large piece of flesh into three portions, each processed differently.
"Hmm? Is he trying to... make three dishes?"
A judge's eyes showed contemplation. Recalling Zhang Dali's earlier need for three workbenches, he guessed his intention.
"Is he trying to earn bonus points this way? But it's useless."
"A bit childish, and a waste of his own time."
The judges murmured amongst themselves, none of them optimistic about Zhang Dali.
Since the main ingredient was the same King's flesh, no matter how his methods varied, the dish's effect would remain the same, rendering it meaningless.
Moreover, the most crucial point was that he could only choose one dish as his entry; the other two were merely decorative.
The other nine contestants also looked over, but after a brief glance, they returned to their own worlds.
The plaza was silent, and time ticked by.
As expected, Zhang Dali utilized all three workbenches, maximizing his time allocation, as if he were three spiritual chefs cooking simultaneously.
His movements were fluid and natural, without a single flaw, exuding an air of effortless mastery.
"He's using different auxiliary ingredients for each dish? But the main ingredient is the same, it's still useless..."
"However, judging by his culinary skill alone, he truly is the number one among the younger generation."
"If he were to participate in the next God of Cookery Cup, he'd be a sure-fire God of Cookery..."
The judges' gazes were fixed on Zhang Dali, and they each offered their evaluations.
As the final round progressed, time ticked by.
The audience, far from feeling bored, remained intently focused on the ten contestants' cooking processes, hoping to learn something.
With a "dong" sound, the large pendulum clock stopped its timing, signifying the end of the final round.
The ten contestants immediately ceased their actions, daring not to commit any violation.
"Hoo~"
Zhang Dali exhaled, his body drenched in sweat, feeling rather weak.
Before him, a plate less than half a meter wide steamed with abundant heat, obscuring the dish's true appearance.
Dong!
He picked up the lid beside him and covered the dish, preserving its perfect taste.
The host announced loudly:
"The scoring officially begins! All contestants, please come forward in order!"
The first to step forward was Allen Brown, a Royal level spiritual chef from the Free Alliance.
He carefully unveiled his dish, releasing an incredibly rich aroma. It was a bowl of Dragon Turtle Soup, resembling white jade.
"Royal High Grade..."
The first judge, after a shallow taste, understood the dish's quality.
"Only a small portion of the ingredient's nutrients has been lost. It offers a significant boost to defensive contract spirits. I give it ninety-five points!"
The judges, one after another, awarded their scores, which ultimately settled at ninety-five points...
Allen Brown sighed softly, clearly not entirely satisfied with his score.
But this was already the highest level of dish he could prepare.
The other contestants stepped forward in turn, also receiving their scores.
Despite all being Royal level spiritual chefs, their trump cards were only Royal High Grade, with differences of only one or two points.
Until... Master Tu Mu stepped up!
His expression was calm, with a hint of pride in his eyes. He slowly lifted the lid.
A small bird engulfed in flames appeared, its eyes an icy blue. It remained motionless, emitting an exquisite fragrance.
"Blue-Eyed Fire Phoenix. Please, esteemed judges, have a taste!"
Master Tu Mu snapped his fingers, and the flames on the bird extinguished, making it ready for tasting.
The judges examined Master Tu Mu, then began to carefully pick up their chopsticks to taste.
"Hmm?! Pseudo-Perfect Royal Grade?! At this level alone, I'd give it ninety-seven points!"
"It truly is. It's been so long since a dish of this caliber appeared!"
"Excellent! Excellent!"
The judges lavished praise without reservation, simultaneously awarding their scores.
Even though it was only a pseudo-perfect dish, it was already stunning the entire audience.
Ultimately, his score settled at ninety-eight points, surpassing all previous contestants.
"It's just pseudo-perfect, and it gets such a high score?"
Chen Shu's eyes showed confusion as he muttered to himself.
"Brother Fiend, what do you mean by 'just'..."
A passerby next to him quickly explained:
"The highest level in the culinary world is Perfect Royal Grade, but such dishes are rare and unpredictable, almost never appearing in the God of Cookery Cup."
"Why?"
Chen Shu asked, "Isn't the God of Cookery Cup the highest-level competition globally?"
"Spiritual chefs capable of preparing Perfect Royal Grade dishes have usually dedicated half their lives to researching a single dish. Their age limits them, preventing them from participating in competitions."
The passerby explained, "This results in the highest level in competitions being pseudo-perfect dishes, and they don't appear every year."
"Is that so..."
Chen Shu nodded. No wonder this fellow dared to freeload in the food street; he truly had some skill...
Soon, it was the turn of the remaining spiritual chefs.
However, with Master Tu Mu's pseudo-perfect dish setting the benchmark, the Royal High Grade dishes of the others seemed rather lackluster.
Finally, all eyes turned to Zhang Dali.
While others were not optimistic, his fans still held expectations, silently thinking:
Perhaps he could truly create a miracle, just like the Southern River Fiend...
Zhang Dali, with a smile, confidently stepped forward and placed his dish on the judges' table.
As he lifted the lid, a torrent of steam surged out, accompanied by a scent that stirred the soul.
Moments later, the steam dissipated, revealing the dish's appearance.
"Hmm?"
The judges gave a slight start. Before them lay a lifelike miniature dragon.
The dragon's eyes were spirited, its whiskers seemed to subtly twitch, and its entire head was raised to the sky, as if roaring in defiance. It was impossible to tell it was an inanimate object.
Zhang Dali smiled slightly and said, "Ice Thunder Dragon King. Please, esteemed judges, have a taste!"
The judges exchanged glances, then began to carefully pick up their chopsticks.
"Another perfect dish, and using King-grade ingredients! It's undeniably the best of the golden dishes!"
A judge's eyes showed admiration, but then he shook his head and sighed,
"Unfortunately, it's only a golden dish... I can only give it ninety-six points!"
"Using a King as an ingredient is indeed the first time in history, but the only flaw is its grade. I also give it ninety-six points."
The judges awarded their scores one after another, but the highest was only ninety-seven points.
Clearly, his final score could not be ninety-eight. Although he surpassed the other spiritual chefs, he couldn't match Master Tu Mu's pseudo-perfect dish.
"This isn't good enough?"
Chen Shu frowned, a hint of regret in his eyes.
Logically, a Golden King should be more formidable than a Royal Lord.
But unfortunately, ingredients couldn't significantly impact the score. Otherwise, the God of Cookery Cup would simply be about who had the stronger financial clout.
As the tenth judge gave his score, it remained only ninety-six points.
The audience had already calculated the final score, which was ninety-six points. He was likely out of contention for the God of Cookery title.
The host sighed softly and announced:
"Contestant Zhang Dali, your final score is..."