"This is really amazing, the precision even surpasses mine... It's no less than a top-grade Alchemy Furnace, right?"

Vladimir leaned forward, marveling, "Indeed, Miss Huaizhi is a formidable foe beyond my expectations... Even if plans change, it's no big deal; truly satisfying, satisfying!"

Endlessly rambling, talking to himself, speaking his own words.

Like someone living in their own world.

Does not care if others can understand, nor does he care what others think of him.

Vladimir reached out, retrieving a bespoke material box from under the table, placed it on the cooking station, and asked, "I know Miss Huaizhi tends to act later, so if I handle the ingredients a bit before the competition starts, it's alright, right?"

From the slight opening of the material box, continuous cold mist wafted upward.

Undoubtedly, it was artificially simulated extreme cold.

A hefty block of ice, as if excavated from beneath some ice layer, emitted a faint blue glow. It revealed a thick hind leg with a graceful cross-section, clearly showing the texture of the meat.

But the question is... the hind leg meat occupying the entire inside of the ice block was as large as half a table... What kind of animal's leg could be big enough to reach such a size?

Without any profound sedimentation and Hell's aura.

Any Chef Demon could tell that it was a native creature of Current Circumstances.

And the outer layer of gray fur looked exceptionally familiar, yet impossible to recall where it was seen before.

Raising the Hand Axe, Vladimir crudely dismantled the ice block on the cooking station, scraping away irrelevant edges, skillfully extracting the hind leg meat already embedded... no, merged with the whole ice block.

With a swipe, he scraped a bit of crimson blood powder, tasted it slightly, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Honestly speaking, I'm actually skilled at steaks, but a true steak doesn't need such intricate tools, just a heated Stone and a piece of meat—even the type of meat doesn't matter... After all, in prison, having rats to eat is already a blessing."

"However, to treat such precious materials, one must cook with utmost solemnity."

Huai Shi's eye twitched slightly, finally vaguely guessing a bit.

"Is this... an elephant?"

Vladimir froze, looking incredulously at the woman, astonished... Then, seriously said, "Elephants are protected animals, Miss Huaizhi!"

"???"

What the heck?

Huai Shi had tens of thousands of question marks rise from her forehead.

What did you say?

"Currently, the global population of elephants is not even four hundred thousand, due to vegetation destruction and environmental changes, the number of elephants decreases every year. Even so, poachers continue to attack these poor creatures for ivory products... Their survival is already very difficult, why eat them?"

Vladimir earnestly advised, "Every year, Africa Conservation Association for Rare Animals makes great efforts and sacrifices to help sustain this poor species, even those unrelated to animal protection should not think of eating it!"

"..."

Huai Shi's mouth corner twitched violently, her entire being stunned.

For the first time, being lectured by a Chef Demon... about animal protection? Unbelievable! What kind of Chef Demon are you! Also, you're really an animal protectionist, huh!

Seemingly seeing the glow of the Holy Mother shining upon the earth.

This tattoo-covered muscular guy exuded a loving light, making it hard for Huai Shi to bear.

No male motherhood...

"Alright, enough talking."

Huai Shi covered her face, pointing at the hind leg meat on his cooking station, "Then what is this?"

"Allow me to introduce, the exotic treasure I specially prepared and brought for this Chef Demon showdown, extracted from the deepest ice plains of my homeland, one of the few remaining marvelous materials in the world!"

Vladimir spread his arms, loudly proclaimed:

"—mammoth!"

"Wait..."

Huai Shi raised her hand, took out her phone, opened the translation software, pointed at him, "Say it again."

"mammoth."

The screen showed the translation software's quick result.

Mammoth, a Russian word initially used to refer to 'subterranean lurking creatures,' now generally refers to a proboscidean species that went extinct over eleven thousand years ago, namely...

Suddenly, a loud trumpet sound echoed in her mind, instantaneously, amidst the hallucinatory snow, an imposing woolly giant emerged, its massive Teeth pointing toward the sky, sharp as knives.

The ground trembled as it stepped, the ice plain's ruler moving through its own territory, roaring loudly.

—Mammoth!

Huai Shi felt as if struck by lightning, nearly roaring, "That's also a protected animal!"

"The ones already dead aren't included." Vladimir shrugged, raised his hands, "Moreover, I already treated it with the utmost respect, I'm sure it would understand and appreciate if it knew."

Yeah, the mammoth would thank your ancestors from eight generations ago...

Why can't rare animals be eaten, but extinct species don't matter!

Your animal protection standards are so damn weird!

Wait, if it's true, then it means—Huai Shi lowered her head, scrutinizing the gigantic meat block in front of her, furrowing her brow—what lay before her was epic zombie meat preserved under ice for over a thousand years!

Can this thing really be eaten?

But seeing under Vladimir's handling, the giant meat block gradually restored its former tenderness, without any signs of decay and rot.

Then under strong and powerful ten-finger kneading and pressing, it went through vigorous sauce marination, emitting a heavy aroma like never before.

The most unadorned and traditional meat fragrance, simultaneously the leftover fragment of history spanning eleven thousand years.

The mammoth meat, preserved so well that it could be consumed after being handled by the Chef Demon, is unimaginable!

This fantastic atmosphere is overwhelming…

Just thinking about such a thing being placed on a barbecue, Huai Shi could hear the lament of those ancient scholars.

But what does this have to do with the cool and ruthless Miss Huaizhi?

Just by sniffing the fragrant aroma in the air, one can understand an undeniable truth.

This is really a good piece of meat…

The feeling of unease grew stronger.

In the silence, he frowned and looked towards the stage.

Behind the curtain, there was no movement.

Why haven't they announced the start?

.

.

At the edge of the arena, atop the stands.

Zhenxi heard a voice coming from beside her.

"May I sit here?"

She hesitated for a moment, surprised, then looked up to see the figure standing next to her. The words and tone seemed familiar, but the person was entirely different.

"Amber... cousin?"

After a moment's hesitation, she slowly nodded: "Please sit."

"Thank you."

Amber smiled subtly and sat down on the chair next to her: "If I remember correctly, this should be our first official meeting?"

"...Yes."

Zhenxi shrunk her neck slightly, nodding somewhat uneasily, not knowing what her distant cousin had come to discuss.

"Actually, this isn't the first time. We met when you were little, but a two or three-year-old wouldn't remember. You've probably forgotten."

She turned her head, scrutinizing Zhenxi's appearance, and nodded: "You seem to have been doing well."

"Yes."

Once again, Zhenxi nodded, not knowing what to say in response.

"Don't worry, I understand your unease. I'm just here to see how you're doing."

Amber chuckled softly: "That old bastard stirred up too much trouble. He might force someone into a corner… Be extra careful these days. If possible, just stick around Huai… Huaizhi. No matter what turmoil there is, you won't be affected."

Zhenxi nodded, half understanding.

Amber nodded slightly, stood up slowly, and as she was about to leave, she heard an angry voice from the upper stands.

"What exactly is going on?"

The court official from Heichi furiously growled: "Is today's Satomi clan really so negligent? How dare they make the Former Emperor's envoy wait so long? Where is Inugami? Bring Inugami to see me!"

"There's no need; Inugami won't be here today."

Behind the high curtain, a familiar yet cold voice came through.

He said: "The competition has started, everyone."

"From this moment…"

At that instant, the earth roared.

From afar, the sound of sea waves echoed, amidst the crashing noise, a heavy blood red emerged from every inch of the air, transforming into colors like glass, illuminating everywhere, as if to enclose everything.

Sudden mutation!

.

.

"Mr. Ashikaga, the Inugami Old House has agreed to your request."

An hour ago, Old Jiujing kneeled outside the old Court Official's door, reporting respectfully: "Before the Chef Demon's duel ends, you may go to view the Eight Rooms at any time."

"Oh? Why the sudden change of mind?"

The Court Official Ashikaga Nakayuki, seated behind the paper door, tapped the folding fan in his hand: "Acting with arrogance then courtesy, this isn't typical behavior of the Inugami Old House."

"He's an old man, already outdated, blind to the heavens. After my persuasion, he's had some regrets. I humbly ask you to be lenient."

Ashikaga Nakayuki squinted his eyes and suddenly said: "In that case, how about sending the Eight Rooms over? I'll need to appraise them for a few days, and I promise to return the originals."

Li Jian Jiu Jing frowned, his voice becoming serious: "The ancestral treasures of the family shouldn't be moved lightly. Your words are too frivolous, I cannot convey them."

"Don't be angry, it was just a slip of the tongue. Mr. Jiujing, please don't hold it against an old man like me."

Ashikaga's tone softened, as if all previous suspicion had dissipated, he pushed open the paper door, apologizing without arrogance: "Earlier, my apology for the offense. Such excessive requests won't be made again."

"No, it was my overreaction, please be understanding."

Li Jian Jiu Jing bowed deeply, apologizing with a ground-level bow.

"There's no need for us to be so formal, please rise." Ashikaga Nakayuki smiled, helping him up, and suddenly said: "In that case, I'm already eager to see them. Can you let me feast my eyes now?"

The intention is clear.