Jiayuan Television.
The moment Lalami's Poffin entered her mouth, Professor Rowan, Oak, and Ms. Qiaoyi Xueno almost simultaneously found it incredible.
It was nearly identical to the Poffin made by Lalami's deceased teacher, the Poffin Master Ms. Mei He.
Qinglv awoke from his memories.
"One could even say there's not an iota of difference."
When Ms. Mei He was still alive, this flavor of Super Aromatic Pokémon Puff was her signature dish.
Ms. Mei He was humble and gentle, and the Poffin she made seemed to carry these qualities.
After Ms. Mei He's passing, Oak once thought he would never taste it again.
But now, Lalami had done it.
She proved to everyone that Ms. Mei He made the right choice in selecting her.
Oak couldn't help but exclaim, "Ms. Mei He didn't misjudge you; you have a good heart."
Professor Rowan immediately nodded, "Ms. Mei He truly had excellent foresight."
Ms. Qiaoyi Xueno and Ms. Mei He had a very close personal friendship.
She was aware of the doubts Lalami faced after Ms. Mei He took her on as a disciple.
"I absolutely love it."
Ms. Qiaoyi Xueno gave another perfect score of ten.
This was not only an affirmation of Lalami's efforts and the Super Aromatic Pokémon Puff she created but also a tribute to cherished memories and friendship from the past.
Lalami scored 9.2 points!
This was an extremely high score, and it also meant that Ge Li lost his qualification to advance to the finals.
But the competition was not over yet; after rinsing their mouths, the five judges each took a small piece of Poffin made by Li Wei.
After taking a bite, Oak was speechless for a long time, filled with myriad emotions.
Oak hadn't felt this way in a long time.
Lalami's Super Aromatic Pokémon Puff just now made him recall the past, and this Super Aromatic Pokémon Puff… made him ecstatic!
The last dish that could make Oak ecstatic dated back to the meal Li Wei's grandfather made for him a few years ago.
This Super Aromatic Pokémon Puff reminded Oak of Li Wei's grandfather and many wonderful memories.
"Delicious, truly delicious."
Oak was inspired to compose a senryu on the spot:
"Rich aroma lingers long on the tongue, old professor jumps in surprise, beard trembles, soft and moist fills the cheek, empty bag yearns, hands rub in haste, fragrant waves rise to the clouds, reaching the highest tower!"
"Good!!!"
The audience below suddenly applauded.
"To actually hear Oak compose a senryu live!"
Li Wen pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses and looked at Da You, who was applauding wildly, "Did you understand it?"
"Didn't understand it!"
Da You enthusiastically clapped his hands.
Rui Xi, meanwhile, was frantically taking notes.
Qinglv was truly too surprised.
If Li Wei had presented a perfect-quality Energy Cube, he wouldn't have been very surprised.
He had already witnessed it.
But Poffin was different; Qinglv clearly knew what Li Wei's Poffin was like before.
Edible, but ordinary.
Now, in just over three months, Li Wei had already made immense progress in Poffin making.
Qinglv murmured softly, "What incredible learning ability."
Oak asked curiously, "What did you say?"
Qinglv pointed at the Poffin made by Li Wei, "Just over three months ago, he couldn't even make Aromatic Poffin."
Oak blinked his eyes; he recalled Lien, that is, Li Wei's grandfather's evaluation of Li Wei:
"Just a little talent."
Lien called that a little talent?!
It's extraordinary talent, isn't it?!
The judges were very slow in scoring, mainly because they had unconsciously almost finished the Super Aromatic Pokémon Puff made by Li Wei.
"Why are the scores coming out so slowly?" Li Wen, Leon, and Da You were discussing in low voices.
The old man spoke, "Quiet."
He found that Li Wei always managed to surprise him.
It was one thing to make a Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish that even surprised him last night, but today he made a Super Aromatic Pokémon Puff.
And it was his own improved flavor!
Li Wei's final score came out: 9.8 points!
It wasn't just a little; Li Wei was 0.6 points higher than the second-place Lalami.
This might be a score he couldn't even achieve by making a perfect-quality Energy Cube.
After all, Li Wei wasn't the only one who could make perfect-quality Energy Cubes.
But this Super Aromatic Pokémon Puff, which blended multiple flavors, was unique to Li Wei.
Li Wei, however, didn't feel relieved.
From the moment he made the Super Aromatic Pokémon Puff, he knew he was stable.
Shasha raised her hand, "Can we try some?"
Oak pushed the two portions of Poffin forward and smiled, "They were specifically left for you."
To avoid any objections from the contestants, Oak and the others had left a little of all four Pokémon food items.
After Shasha and Ge Li finished the Super Aromatic Pokémon Puff made by Li Wei and Lalami, they had no further objections.
Couldn't compare, truly couldn't compare.
Ge Li mumbled softly, "You're too amazing."
Shasha, on the other hand, looked at Li Wei with adoration, "Can I learn this from you?"
Li Wei pondered, "This isn't something you can learn all at once, but teaching you isn't impossible."
Li Wei could anticipate that when he returned, Rui Xi, Da You, and Shion would all pester him to teach them.
Teaching one is teaching, and teaching a few is also teaching.
The competition was not over.
Next was the judges' Q&A session.
Oak raised the microphone and looked at Lalami, "What I want to know is, how did you do it?"
Lalami said softly, "Practice. In the ten years since my teacher passed away, besides my daily work, I would practice once in the morning and once in the evening.
This Poffin has long been integrated into my life.
This is a flavor my teacher created, and I want to continue it."
Oak smiled, "I am very satisfied. As her friend, I think she would be very satisfied."
After Lalami bowed in thanks, Professor Rowan raised the microphone and looked at Li Wei.
"I must say, you are truly a surprising contestant. I originally thought you would make Energy Cubes."
Professor Rowan had seen the Energy Cubes Li Wei made, from Cynthia.
A 19-year-old Energy Cube master, even Professor Rowan couldn't help but feel surprised.
But that was fine; Qinglv, Red, and Cynthia were also geniuses, just in different fields.
But now, with the Super Aromatic Pokémon Puff placed before him, Professor Rowan was momentarily speechless.
"Whether it's the flavor, the cooking temperature, or even the caramel color on the surface, it's all perfect."
Ms. Qiaoyi Xueno then asked, "Where did your inspiration come from?"
Li Wei pondered, "Culinary skills and daily practice. I try to combine various flavors.
"Although sometimes the combinations are unpalatable... I always manage to figure them out."
This was indeed a flavor he had discovered through his usual explorations, though normally he could only make it into Aromatic Poffin at best.
But today, thanks to the lucky buff brought by the Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish, he directly allowed these aromas to fully blend, creating a perfect Super Aromatic Pokémon Puff.
A few more smiles appeared on Ms. Qiaoyi Xueno's serious face, "I hope you continue to promote this spirit of exploration."