"Where's the promised epic turning point in the plot?"

In the thunderous collapse of the Demon Realm, Huai Shi sat on a stone, deep in thought.

After witnessing the entire process, he only felt a cold shiver despite the hot weather, icy hands and feet. When will we tools finally rise? Seems like I hardly did anything this time around!

Is that it? Solved?

Huai Shi looked questioningly at Guo ShouQue, "Will Deer's Sing Hall still get involved?"

"That's someone else's job, no need for us to handle it," Guo ShouQue said.

"What about interference and influence from other factions?"

"All are handled by designated personnel."

"And then?" Huai Shi asked.

"Well, there's no 'then' after it."

Guo ShouQue drank the last drop from his bowl, putting the porcelain bowl down.

As he lifted his gaze, he saw a dignified samurai, clad in armor, slowly emerge from the shattered palace. Everywhere he passed, the holy aura of Paradise spread, extinguishing all resentment in the air.

That was the Vajra Crystal Armor—Eight Rooms, once more revealing its majestic and sacred presence after the dark side was swept away.

After killing the collective magic thoughts within, all his power had been devoured by Gu Huo and Nine Phoenix, bringing Amber to an unprecedented peak.

With the blessing of the Stigmata Relic: Eight Rooms, she was undoubtedly the rightful Li Jian Clan Leader, AnFang Country King.

"Fantastic, absolutely fantastic."

Huai Shi applauded in celebration, "Congratulations, Amber, o-me-de-to-u! So that's it, huh? Great, indeed! Now that the work's done, I shouldn't linger any longer. I'll take my leave. As for the Uji Treasure matter, let's discuss it next time. So then, bye~"

He finished speaking and was about to run off, carrying the unconscious Zhenxi.

Then, he saw... Guo ShouQue blocking his way.

"Miss Huaizhi."

The sinister middle-aged man showed a peculiar smile, "You don't think it's over, do you?"

"What? Planning to kill the rabbit and cook the dog?" Huai Shi raised an eyebrow, "This isn't right, I thought Dongxia Genealogy values credibility."

"No, it's simply that the work remains unfinished."

Guo ShouQue continued to smile, "You see, the Chef Demon duel isn't over, right? Without this segment, Amber's legitimacy as the clan leader could be questioned."

He said, "Neither your job nor mine is complete."

Those predator-like eyes relentlessly locked onto Huai Shi, refusing to let him leave.

Huai Shi frowned, "Even if you restart now, there's no judge."

"That's easy, I carry them with me."

Guo ShouQue lifted his foot and kicked the bamboo basket, causing two gooey silhouettes to suddenly vomit out from the darkness inside, screaming in terror, utterly clueless about what had happened.

Lo and behold, it's the envoy from the Former Emperor, along with his follower.

"Look, judges are here." Guo ShouQue spread his hands.

"..." Huai Shi twitched his eyebrows, continuing to argue, "Even with judges, there's no crowd, so no atmosphere, right?"

"That's even simpler."

Guo ShouQue clapped his hands, looked around, and his deep laughter echoed throughout the Satomi clan's estate.

Soon, one by one, figures emerged from shadows and corners, some disheveled, some neat, all with complicated expressions.

During the sudden upheaval, most candidates and chef demons were inadvertently dragged in. Before clarifying the situation, they chose mutual assistance, defending themselves to the maximum.

Though they received a harsh blow, aside from a few unlucky ones, most chef demons and candidates were more or less intact.

Just a bit battered.

They hadn't expected that once the dust settled, Amber would already have Eight Rooms in her grasp, with rightful authority. Meanwhile, the family elders—the Eight Canine Warriors—were either dead or injured, incapable of management.

Many ambitious schemers began secret collaborations, seeking opportunities. Yet, those undeterred by the witnessed might of Phosphorus found their family chefs discouraging their reckless pursuits—Brother, just stop, this isn't the way to seek death. Why not just suck up to the new leader?

Some felt otherwise but didn't dare voice their concerns, planning underhanded tricks in Kyoto. However, regardless of cursing inwardly, they could only smile on the surface now.

"You've all been watching for a while... So, do you have time? Willing to watch a competition?" Guo ShouQue warmly smiled, "It's free, no charge."

Everyone's faces turned sour immediately.

Having barely survived, only to lose such a great clan leader position, now being forced by Guo ShouQue to act as 'enthusiastic spectators,' no one's mood could be good.

Moreover, who doesn't know Guo ShouQue's character?

Did he come from Dongxia to be a benevolent person?

"See, now we have an audience too."

Guo ShouQue turned back, smiling just as warmly.

"But the venue's in ruins, no mood," Huai Shi said expressionlessly.

"Easy to fix."

Guo ShouQue took out a metal whistle from his pocket. After blowing it, the ground rustled, and a dwarf popped up.

With two advertisement panels on his head, the dwarf shouted as soon as he jumped out, "Zafu Construction Company at your service!"

"Five hours, over there, fix it."

Guo ShouQue flicked two golden pieces from his sleeve into the dwarf's arms. The dwarf nodded enthusiastically, "Don't need five hours, just three... Do you need renovation service, sir? Any special requests? Want to get a membership?"

"No, scram."

Guo ShouQue kicked the dwarf flying, flaunting the arrogance of the wealthy. Finally, he looked back at Huai Shi, "Any other requests?"

Huai Shi glanced at him and slowly shook his head: "Zhenxi has already given up the clan leader selection."

"It's unfortunate that she hasn't officially withdrawn—and she must personally announce it."

Guo ShouQue shrugged and said sympathetically, "What's more unfortunate is that she's entering her growth phase, and after drinking the soup, she'll quickly mature, in a state of sleep... Well, the whole process will probably take about a week.

Until then, you are still her proxy.

This is the final challenge, Miss Huaizhi. What we fight for, what we contend for, as a stake, is the entire wealth of the Satomi clan, all the assets of the Guanshan Group, and even the royal power of AnFang Country—you probably can't refuse."

"...So, do you agree?" Huai Shi looked in Amber's direction.

The weary Amber sighed helplessly and took off his helmet: "Sorry, I've already agreed with him before. He won't interfere with the Satomi clan's matters, but I have to listen to him regarding the Chef Demon competition... To be honest, the old man is very hard to please. If it doesn't work out, just cook something and fool him."

"But what if I win?" Huai Shi asked with curiosity, "Wouldn't you be in a terrible situation then?"

???

Amber, Guo ShouQue, and everyone else froze in place.

They examined his confused yet serious expression.

Not knowing whether he was talking nonsense or truly believed it.

In the silence, Guo ShouQue frowned, moved closer, scrutinizing, as if observing a peculiar Husky from the zoo drooling all over.

Indicating incomprehension.

"Are you... serious?"

"Why not?"

Huai Shi calmly retorted: "Would anyone refuse the opportunity to thoroughly defeat and trample you, an arrogant old man, underfoot? Or be fooled by your façade of exterior strength?"

Mr. Guo ShouQue, although I don't know what's happening with you, my intuition tells me... you are now far less formidable than before."

He said, "At least you can't make me feel fear."

Thus, he saw through the weakness beneath Guo ShouQue's youthful facade.

Death Perception still exists but no longer issues its original frantic warnings; it's turned into some vague alert, constantly changing.

Not the original helplessness felt when facing an infinite ocean; now Guo ShouQue becomes increasingly mysterious, like a Monster crawling in the mist...

But one point Huai Shi can confirm.

Now, the rejuvenated Guo ShouQue is at his weakest!

Guo ShouQue didn't speak, just narrowed his eyes, seemingly provoked. Eternal darkness in those black pupils boiled, yet faintly leaked traces of lightning...

The long hair draped over his head wriggled like snakes, with one deformed eye after another opening from within, looking at Huai Shi, then disappearing quickly. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Just like the humanoid membrane covering the Abyss is about to tear apart, unleashing countless disasters...

"You're right, Miss Huaizhi."

His mouth slowly curved up, revealing a delightful smile: "Indeed, I am currently in my weakest, most advantageous state for you.

But, Miss Huaizhi—if you were to deal with a long-ailing, incurable opponent who is merely having a momentary rejuvenation, what would you do?"

"Delay tactics."

Huai Shi answered without hesitation: "Poison, curse, disrupt balance, directly trigger the illness internally to let the overwhelming disaster within you spiral out of control, causing the mighty to collapse."

Then, Guo ShouQue laughed heartily, joyfully clapping his hands and praising: "Very good, excellent, Miss Huaizhi, you are indeed a worthy opponent! Without mercy, without pity, your pure pursuit of victory is truly admirable!"

"Then—" he slowly lifted his pure black pupils, asking softly: "Do you dare to challenge me?"

Now I stand here, in my weakest state, at my most powerless moment.

The Chef Demon who slaughtered the God of Thunder grinned and asked.

Even with odds overwhelmingly unfavorable.

Even in such circumstances, it's crushingly disadvantageous for you.

—Would you also want to challenge the limit you cannot reach?

"Of course." Huai Shi looked into his eyes and calmly told him: "The era has changed, sir, the future belongs to the young. Isn't it time for you to step aside?"

"When?"

"How about tomorrow?"

Huai Shi said, "Tomorrow at noon."

Guo ShouQue nodded, "Very well, then, is it a deal?"

"Irrevocable."

Huai Shi gave him one last glance, supported Zhenxi, and turned away.

Walking far and wide, they could still hear the piercing laughter that enveloped the entire sky, and that unspeakable excitement, and... anger!

Huai Shi turned around the corner and felt his legs go weak.

Sweating profusely.

Could it be that the old man was truly angered by me? Due to a moment of irritation, rashly putting on a bravado, resulting in drawing intense hatred.

Upon realizing, this act was already complete.

But now the die is cast, what to do?

Amid panic, Huai Shi raised his head and looked at the two-person-high wall of the Satomi clan, suddenly his eyes lit up.

Huai Zhisu's Chef Demon duel, what does it have to do with me, Huai Shi!

—Run away!