In this cold morning courtyard.

Amber saw Guo ShouQue once again.

He had his back to Amber, still retaining the appearance of middle age, quietly humming something to himself.

After taking off his shirt, his upper body was already bare. The robust muscles of his back were exposed under the morning sky, filled with the vitality of abundant life.

However, beneath that seemingly healthy skin color, a turbulent gray-black hue flowed. Abnormal textures and organs throbbed beneath that shell, emitting an inhuman vibe.

Just like that, Guo ShouQue rolled up his pants legs, stepped forward, waded into waist-deep water until the icy cold lake water submerged his abdomen, he raised his hands to scoop up the cold droplets, sprinkling them over his face and body.

Carefully washing his body.

Finally, he clasped his hands together and closed his eyes.

Even though he was facing away, Amber could feel... that person was smiling, smiling with immense satisfaction and gratitude.

Amber stood quietly in the distance, for a long time, until Guo ShouQue opened his eyes again, curiously asking, "What are you doing?"

Guo ShouQue lowered his head, gazing at the rippling lake water, for a long time, calmly replied: "Worshiping God." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Worshiping God.

A demon-like old man, so solemnly and earnestly, offering sacrifice to God Spirit.

There's nothing more abrupt and absurd than this.

Amber sneered: "Do you really expect the few God Spirits in this world to show you mercy?"

"Amber, what Dongxia Man reveres isn't something tangible—because anything tangible must decay, cannot last."

Guo ShouQue lifted the lake water, washing his arms and strands of graying hair, his expression serene to the point of being unlike himself, softly narrating, "What truly endures from ancient times is only the unfathomable Fate.

I sincerely express joy and gratitude towards it."

He said, "Because it responded to me."

When saying this, Guo ShouQue smiled, as if... he had attained happiness.

Incomparable tranquility.

From the age of fourteen, he began waking up every day before five in the morning, bathing and changing clothes, praying devoutly, and sincerely offering gratitude to that profound and mysterious Fate.

Such pious reverence has never been interrupted for a single day.

Today he is still studying culinary arts, today he is still progressing, it's truly wonderful!

Even amidst hardship and trials, throughout his long life, Guo ShouQue never regretted even a second.

Even if he was betrayed by everyone, even if the chronic illness was incurable, even if every breath now sent stabbing pains from his soul, this life is indeed too blissful!

After all this time, Guo ShouQue felt... the tide of emotions surged!

Ever since turning one hundred and sixty, such fervent longing had never been felt again!

Wanting to crush his opponent.

Completely defeat her, seize victory, cast a shadow, gift mockery and scars, harvest expressions of defeat and eyes filled with hate... will she feel pain? Will she feel unwilling? Can she possibly maintain confidence? Does she still have that enviably firm gaze? Can she still smile with the purity of a Holy Spirit?

Just thinking about it, Guo ShouQue felt uncontrollably excited!

As he prayed, his expression grew even more solemn and dignified.

As if a Holy Spirit.

Amber observed his pious demeanor, feeling a surge of absurdity: "Guo ShouQue, do you really pray for your own victory?"

"No, I'm praying for the sun to rise soon."

Guo ShouQue smiled happily, raised his hand, and pointed to the sky.

"Look, Amber."

He said, "My God has responded to me."

Accompanied by his words, above the Sky Dome, a massive sun slowly rose. That blazing light danced out of the horizon's gravity in a ferocious whirl, gradually rising, bit by bit, taking over the axis of heaven and earth.

Yet, still so slow it inspired disdain, leaving one impatient.

Hurry up, sun!

Please, shine on me!

Shed your merciful rays upon me, illuminate me, illuminate my aging and frail body, to witness these few remaining beautiful moments—you are so fleeting, departing so swiftly, arriving so hastily?

In the lake water, the praying man squinted his eyes, bathing in the sunlight falling from the sky.

Laughed.

Sang a joyful song!

As if hearing the profound truth unveiling, with withered lotus flowers blossoming quietly in the pool, pure white petals unveiled, a rich and greedy fragrance spread, permeating boundless Red Dust.

.

.

When the dark door reopened before him, Huai Shi felt he was stepping into Hell.

What greeted him wasn't a cold wind, but the same scenes as before, advancing with a calm mind as usual.

But it was hard to suppress such an anxious premonition, impossible to imagine, what kind of enemy awaited him on the arena.

Even the midday Sun had gradually lost its warmth.

The deeper he descended, the more he felt this peculiar sensation penetrate to his core.

As the final door opened, solidified air and scenery revealed themselves.

In the silent stands, no one spoke, even though nearly full, everyone wore either grim expressions or uncertainty, only faint humming came from the arena.

"So slow, Miss Huaizhi."

Guo ShouQue shrugged, spreading his hands: "I've waited for the flowers to wither."

"..."

In astonishment, Huai Shi didn't know how to respond to such an old joke, only wanting to sigh: "Old man, stop forcing yourself to keep up with trends, okay? Let's all surf the net together next time."

On the stage, Guo ShouQue smiled, calmly composed, completely devoid of any fierce aura.

Looking kind and gentle, so tranquil.

Like a monk who sees through the world, without desire or demand, only the darkness in his eyes grows thicker, as if piercing through all disguises.

Looking at Huai Shi.

Finally, he looked at the giant material box in his hand.

Even when almost laid flat, it was still so huge, and if stood up, it would probably be as tall as a whole person.

"Looks like you brought a lot of stuff, need me to help carry it?"

"No need, these old arms and legs might get hurt easily."

Huai Shi stepped onto the stage, moving towards Guo ShouQue step by step and put down the box in his hands.

When he turned back to look at the audience, he saw Amber's calm eyes, and the complex expressions of the Chef Demons, whether disdainful, displeased, or full of anticipation.

Guo ShouQue nodded with satisfaction, "See, everyone is looking forward to it. Don't make them wait too long."

"No, I think they're just looking forward to your defeat."

Miss Huaizhi smiled faintly and looked up at the high platform: "Is there no one there today?"

"I don't like people standing too high and making comments, so let's have them sit a bit lower... both envoys are good at listening to opinions and willing to accept advice."

Guo ShouQue turned his head, glanced at the two Court Officials under the stage.

One looked ashen, the other had a livid expression.

But no one voiced any objection.

"You can announce the start."

Guo ShouQue kindly reminded.

The one with the ashen face shivered, opened his mouth, and stuttered as he began to recite those regulations that no one would care about anew. The one with the livid face rang the bell beside him.

This dog-like submissive posture made Huai Shi can't help but wonder: This old man is so domineering... did he serve them meat pies for breakfast?

But no matter what, amidst the crisp sound of the bell, under the witness of the envoy from the Former Emperor… the final chef duel began unceremoniously.

"Who will go first?"

Huai Shi asked, reaching into his pocket to take out a few remaining Yingzhou coins after buying drinks, tossing them, and proposing: "Want to guess the coin toss?"

"Sure."

Guo ShouQue nodded, his smile still warm, without the slightest bit of opposition.

"I'll take the flower side," he said.

"Then I'll take the letter side."

Huai Shi thought for a moment, raised his hand, and casually tossed the coin in his hand.

In the nearly frozen time, only the coin slowly ascended, passing through their line of sight, climbing to the peak, pausing for an instant, reflecting a faint glimmer of iron in the air, before falling.

Still so nerve-wracking.

In that slow flip, it fell.

Until with a crisp sound, amid quick spinning and buzzing, the vibrating coin restored tranquility on the table. In the pin-drop silence, everyone looked up at the result on the table.

Only Huai Shi stared into Guo ShouQue's eyes.

Puzzled.

From start to finish, this old guy seemed to have no intention of making a move, as if... allowing it, never taking any action.

When the result appeared, he instead beamed, showing genuine joy.

Even though it was Huai Shi who won in the end!

The side of the coin was the letter...

Huai Shi looked down at the result revealed by the coin, even though he had taken the lead, he couldn't feel relaxed at all.

"How nice, Miss Huaizhi, I'm happy for you, you won't be crushed before the round even starts..." Guo ShouQue applauded, laughing heartily: "Indeed, luck is on my side!"

Such a proud look really made one's anger flare.

"No need to ruin the opponent's duel experience from the get-go, Senior Guo." Huai Shi raised his eyes to look over: "You should know, if we're comparing on-the-spot exchanges, I might have more confidence than in cooking skills."

"Indeed, Miss Huaizhi is truly a formidable opponent."

Guo ShouQue sincerely sighed: "However, what I said just now was from my heart, I am really eager to see Miss Huaizhi's vibrant presence as an opponent on the battlefield! Just like the legendary Valkyrie from the Golden Palace, firm yet magnificent, truly captivating!"

Although that's what he said, unfortunately, Huai Shi didn't believe a word.

He has long experienced how despicable and lowly Guo ShouQue could be once in competition mode, how could he fall for it? Even if this old thing took out nude photos with his face photoshopped on them the next second, Huai Shi's heart wouldn't waver or be surprised.

Integrity, such a thing, is not something everyone possesses.

But work, still has to continue.

Huai Shi unscrewed the bottle of mineral water, pouring one gigantic bottle of purified water into the pot, lit the flame, then rummaged through the material box, found a small package tightly wrapped in several layers of filter bags, and casually threw it into the pot, covering it with a lid.

"Is this... to make soup?" Guo ShouQue raised an eyebrow, sneering: "Is the war of attrition starting already? Doesn't matter, three hours, five hours, even if it's a day and night I will wait for you, Miss Huaizhi, the old man's heart is burning for you!"

"Don't overthink, just pre-processing the ingredients to be used next."

Huai Shi glanced at him: "Next are the ingredients for this round."

The material box finally opened.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, he stretched out his hand, and reached into the water tank attached to it. What he pulled out was a lively and squirming...

"Tiger Pufferfish!?"

Someone gasped in surprise, repeatedly examining the tiger-like stripes on the pufferfish and the familiar aura. In disbelief, looking back at the Hell Kitchen Demon sitting at the back with a sullen expression.

The opponent of Huaizhi Sushi in the first round of Hell Kitchen Demon duel, the head chef of the century-old store 'San Tu' from Border·Huangquan Bilang Slope — Shenjin Qing!

Also, the only man in the world who can produce tiger pufferfish...

"Why are you looking at me?"

Shenjin raised his pale face, indifferently retorting: "I've long been displeased with that old bastard, is that not allowed?"

That's certainly a point.

If there weren't purple bruises under his eyes, it would seem more believable.