Chapter 6

Since the attack, the security level within the glacier has been raised by one tier.

Many well-armed soldiers have descended upon this place, each with a robust build. In a location of this caliber, ordinary firearms are already useless.

Inside the Treasure Hall.

Zhang Wei held a list and frowned.

"Two months have passed since I arrived here, and I have collected forty-five types of ingredients!"

"But only twelve of them can be made into sashimi; most require cooking. Even for sashimi, there is a lack of sufficient materials to make the dipping sauce."

"This imperfect flavor cannot satisfy my discerning taste buds."

Since Zhang Wei awakened his culinary cells, his appetite has significantly increased.

The over a hundred delicious dishes in the Treasure Hall do not fill him up; Zhang Wei eats four or five servings per meal. Due to the constraints of replication time, he is gradually running out of options.

However, since the Treasure Hall does not have any seasonings, having forty-five types of precious ingredients is not enough to start processing them.

"Seasonings..."

Inside the glacier, there is no distinction between night and day.

All work areas operate on a three-shift system.

In the canteen kitchen, a group of burly men mix butter, chicken mince, and cooked rice, adding a small amount of sugar, salt, and other ingredients to make a paste.

Finally, they pour it into molds and dry it, which becomes the energy bars distributed to the laborers.

The lighting in the glacier relies on kerosene lamps, and to prevent excessive heat, the light is generally dim.

In a corner that no one pays attention to, Zhang Wei clings to the ceiling like a gecko.

Silently.

Seeing the poor hygiene conditions in the makeshift kitchen, Zhang Wei frowns deeply.

Dropping from the ceiling, Zhang Wei searches through the warehouse.

Crusher...

Large steamer...

Tons of rice flour, lard, and frozen meat.

"The rice flour is from last year, and the frozen meat is not fresh."

In a burlap bag, Zhang Wei finally finds his target.

Taking a pinch of white powder and placing it on his tongue...

"Ugh!"

"This bitter taste, it's crude salt... not refined a second time."

"This sugar is also mediocre."

"It seems the laborers' and the upper echelons' kitchens are not in the same place, and even the warehouses are separate."

The high-level restaurant is full of experts, and Zhang Wei has never learned any stealth techniques. Climbing on the roof is not enough.

"It seems I need to ask the supervisor for help."

...

...

The security in the high-level area is very lax; the people here do not need ordinary soldiers.

The supervisor leads the way, and Zhang Wei uses his culinary skills to the utmost, appearing no different from an ordinary person in terms of aura.

"This is it. I must warn you, the chefs here are all national treasures. You must be low-key here; if you cause trouble, I can't protect you!"

"Don't worry, I know my limits. I'm here to learn."

To enter the high-level kitchen, Zhang Wei lied, claiming he wanted to come here to learn and improve his knife skills.

Only after ensuring that it would not interfere with his official duties did the supervisor secure him an apprentice position.

The environment in the ice hell is harsh, and transportation costs are extremely high.

Despite the shortage of personnel and supplies, the high-level kitchen is spacious and clean.

"You are the new kitchen helper?"

The high hat brim indicates the identity of the speaker—Chief Chef of the high-level kitchen!

"Since you are from the outer area, your knife skills should be decent. Go help with the preparation of ingredients at the cutting board."

"Please wait, while my knife skills are decent, what I truly excel at is soup!" Zhang Wei said.

Although the cutting board can accommodate many ingredients, Zhang Wei's goal is to obtain seasonings.

Soup preparation almost involves all the seasonings.

The kitchen erupted in laughter, and the Chief Chef's face darkened.

A chef holding a frying pan said, "You actually claim to know how to make soup in front of the Chief Chef? Hahaha~"

"The Chief Chef is known as the Soul of Soup. There are over twenty star chefs in the kitchen, and none of them dare to claim they can make soup in front of the Chief Chef!"

Soul of Soup...

A master of a specific skill...

Zhang Wei suddenly became interested. He had been in this world for a long time and had not yet witnessed the skills of local experts.

Zhang Wei actually admires such masters, much like being in love. They dedicate all their energy to a single pursuit, seeking the deepest breakthrough and development.

However, Zhang Wei himself is too broad-minded and greedy!

I—don't want to choose!

I—want it all!

The Soul of Soup said, "Do you have experience in simmering inferior products? This is not an ordinary small restaurant."

"Follow me, and see how much you can learn. But if you are too stupid, you will be sent back to the cutting board!"

Zhang Wei nodded in agreement.

[Discovered storable ingredient: Marbled Beef Sirloin]

[Capture Level: 9]

[Discovered storable ingredient: King Flagfish]

[Capture Level: 8]

[Discovered storable ingredient: Ghost Sugar]

...

...

The abundance of high-grade ingredients made Zhang Wei's mouth water. On the workbench where the Soul of Soup simmers soup, bottles and jars are piled high.

The packaging is all rare and high-quality.

However, Zhang Wei did not act; on the first day in the kitchen, stealing something would be suspicious!

To be a thief...

The first step is reconnaissance.

Seeing Zhang Wei in his tattered animal skin, looking around curiously, the others felt even more contempt.

The Soul of Soup can simmer seven pots of high broth simultaneously, with the central pot emitting the most intense aroma.

"Your task is to monitor the heat continuously. The heat must not change at all. Keep an eye on the time and notify me at the specified intervals."

In short, Zhang Wei's role is to be a talking eye and a talking alarm clock.

As for touching the high broth, that is absolutely impossible.

"The pot in the center seems extraordinary."

The Soul of Soup said proudly, "Of course, it is my highest art, the 'Lingxi Five-Bird Soup.' Just the base broth takes three days to simmer, and the entire process takes at least seven days."

"Even if ordinary people can smell it, it is a blessing!"

Over the next few days, Zhang Wei witnessed the entire process of preparing the Lingxi Five-Bird Soup.

Emperor penguins from the ice hell, red-crowned cranes from the Xing'an wetlands, hornbills from the humid rainforests, and needle-tailed swifts from the scorching mountains...

Each ingredient has a capture level of no less than ten.

The ingredients are extremely luxurious.

The Soul of Soup's techniques are also unique, and Zhang Wei learned many new concepts.

"This flavor... so intriguing."

On the last night, the Soul of Soup could no longer hold on and collapsed in the dining chair, almost fainting.

"Zhang Wei, I need to rest for a bit."

"In six hours, it will be time to complete the soup. Make sure to wake me up in advance."

Zhang Wei gave a few perfunctory responses, lulling the Soul of Soup to sleep.

He touched the Soul of Soup lightly, and there was no response.

"Four days without sleep, he must be completely out."

"Let me taste this Lingxi Five-Bird Soup and see what it's all about."

He lifted the lid slightly, and the aroma hit Zhang Wei's face.

Using a small spoon, he scooped some and put it in his mouth.

Zhang Wei closed his eyes and savored it for a moment.

"This soup... has a problem."