Shun only meant to test the "Heart of Origin Mist," never expecting it to cause such a sensation.
Startled, he immediately severed the energy supply.
The moment the link was cut, the glow of the [Heart of Origin Mist] drew inward, and the billowing mist, as if it could understand commands, rushed back with astonishing speed.
In just a few seconds it was reabsorbed into the fruit, and the whole of Shokurin Temple finally saw daylight again, as though everything just now had been only a dream.
Only then did Shun gradually come back from his shock; awe still colored his expression as he gained some understanding of the Heart of Origin Mist.
"Not just creating visual obstacles… this mist massively weakens or even severs perception—my Food Honor was heavily compressed and disrupted!"
Thinking back to the moment earlier, even when he ran Food Honor, it was obstructed, and the sense could barely extend.
"I thought it was merely an ingredient, but it's closer to a tool… this will definitely come in handy."
This [Heart of Origin Mist] was practically a born artifact for domain control and stealthy infiltration; whether to shape an absolutely favorable battlefield in combat, or to evade powerful foes and explore secret realms, its value was immeasurable.
Of course, as a top-tier ingredient, it contained power from the very source of rules.
If it were to be successfully cooked, the secret methods required would be beyond imagination.
How to cook it would need careful thought.
At least in the short term, Shun would not cook it; its usefulness as a tool was no small matter.
After that not-so-small commotion caused by testing the [Heart of Origin Mist], Shun became even more composed.
He understood that such a heaven-and-earth treasure had to be used with greater care to avoid needless trouble.
Over the next month, Shun did not rush to leave Shokurin Temple, instead entering a deeper period of cultivation.
Each day he honed his control over his Gourmet Cells, carefully feeling out changes brought by the slumber of "Arvatos" within him.
First was strength, second was the devouring lust lurking in the depths of his heart.
And a Gourmet Cell Demon like Arvatos could not be mastered without absolute power; in the end it might be swallowed by him instead.
During this tranquil time, Miyoko also trained diligently.
With Shun's guidance and Shokurin Temple's unmatched environment, Miyoko kept improving; though not as swiftly as Shun, compared to others she was exceptionally outstanding.
Whether knife work, heat control, or sensing the life energy of ingredients, she made great strides, and her bearing grew ever calmer and more capable.
Life passed in peace—until that peace was swiftly broken by a single piece of news.
The Puffer Whale's once-in-ten-years migration and spawning season was about to begin!
The news instantly set the entire expanse abuzz.
The dream ingredient known as the "Deep-Sea Pearl," the Puffer Whale, had its intel begin quietly circulating days earlier, then rapidly ignited every related field.
Food-related stocks in major markets hit their upper limit for two consecutive days, prices rocketing; commissions to hire gourmet hunters to capture it exploded in number, and although the flood was rife with fake info from market manipulators, prompting IGO's Legal Affairs Bureau to act urgently, the frenzy could hardly be contained.
What truly pushed credibility to the peak was that heavyweight gastronomes, renowned head chefs, and powerful gourmet hunters all began to move, their goal set on the Puffer Whale's spawning grounds—the cave beach by the sea.
Their actions, like the most authoritative certification, kindled the final blaze of enthusiasm.
The moment Shun learned of it, he departed at once.
— — —
On the express bound for Cave Beach, the aisles bustled, almost packed full with gourmet hunters heading for the same purpose.
The air was thick with excitement, expectation, and scarcely hidden nerves.
Shun and Miyoko sat by the window.
Compared to those around them—some holding forth, some resting with eyes closed, some repeatedly polishing their tools—the two seemed particularly calm.
"I didn't expect this many people," Miyoko said softly, looking at the crowded car.
"A once-in-ten-years feast is enough to drive anyone mad," Shun replied evenly, sweeping his gaze across the carriage.
His Food Honor perception stretched like invisible feelers, roughly sorting the levels of strength present; most were ordinary, yet a few auras were quite condensed—clearly not to be taken lightly.
Talk filled the car, with all focus naturally on the Puffer Whale.
"Actually the [Puffer Whale] itself doesn't exceed Capture Level 2!" a middle-aged man in a tall chef's hat declared loudly, drawing many eyes.
He continued, "But right now there's only one problem—and that's the Puffer Whale's 'deadly toxin'!"
His words struck a chord, and many faces turned grave.
Compared to capturing it, the real difficulty was in how to process it.
Just then, a somewhat arrogant voice cut in, "If it's removing the Puffer Whale's deadly toxin, I don't think that's so hard to prove!"
Everyone looked over to see a proud-faced young man in ornate chef's attire.
He looked around, clearly enjoying the attention, and went on, "Mm, the Puffer Whale is designated a 'special-preparation ingredient,' right? Chefs who can remove the Puffer Whale's 'poison sac' probably number fewer than ten worldwide, isn't that so!"
A murmur of envy rippled through the car.
Possessing a license to process Puffer Whales was itself a badge of power and status.
Hearing this, Shun only cast the showy young chef a bland glance, then withdrew his eyes.
He needed no license; he had the system's comprehensive culinary knowledge and control surpassing ordinary bounds.
Miyoko frowned faintly and whispered, "Its capture level may be low, but the processing is so difficult—no wonder they call it an ingredient 'worth risking your life to taste.'"
Shun nodded, eyes sharpening as he looked out at the scenery flashing past the window.
"The key is precision and perception. The poison sac's position varies with the individual; the slightest slip means no return. This will be an excellent trial for your Food Honor cultivation as well."
The train howled on, carrying a car full of desires and ambitions toward that cave-lined shore where wonder and danger would soon coexist.
Just as Shun watched the distance beyond the window, a drunk staggered down the aisle toward him.
(End of Chapter)
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