"Thank you for the meal!"

In the brief moment of confusion and stupor of everyone present, a clear sound of clapping resonated.

Huai Zhisu smiled and expressed gratitude to the sacrificial offering in front of her.

——Thank you for the hospitality!

She had finished eating.

Did she lose focus? It seemed like she overlooked something, but she couldn’t recall what it was, probably just a detail? Perhaps?

With such subtle perplexity, all the spectators couldn’t help but applaud the magnificent comeback before their eyes!

Only Guo ShouQue remained frozen in place, maintaining a posture of bowing.

Once he confirmed that the divine intention which descended here had quietly departed, cold sweat finally began to seep from his forehead, dripping onto the table.

Accumulating into a scruffy puddle.

His legs were trembling...

Did he really, like his ancestors, personally present a sacrifice to a revered God? In his lifetime, did he actually preside over a perfect Tai Lao ceremony?

Such an unrealistic panic and such intense emotion filled his heart, causing him to almost cry once more.

Compared to this, victory or defeat doesn’t even matter!

Especially the vague omens and hints that appeared in the ancestors’ records, which vaguely outlined in his heart a range that even he couldn’t believe.

Regardless, this was a surprise that even Xuan Niao could not predict!

Even though no one could talk about or share this, at this moment Guo ShouQue was satisfied to the extent of being without desire, his thoughts only of bathing, changing clothes, piously fasting, and tearfully thanking the Sky’s Command for this generous blessing! 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

When Huai Shi reopened his eyes, all he saw was this scene.

What’s going on? What is this? What should be done?

What really happened?

Countless question marks rose in his mind, but all he saw before him was a bare plate and a bull head bone sculpted like white jade.

He actually...

"...really finished eating?"

"Yes, that’s right, Miss Huaizhi, you have performed a miracle and completed the Tai Lao ceremony."

Guo ShouQue calmly said: "As per the agreement, I lost..."

"Isn’t that wrong?"

Huai Shi spoke up, interrupting him: "That’s not how you should put it."

Guo ShouQue was taken aback.

"The loser shouldn’t be you, Guo ShouQue."

Though deeply desiring victory, Huai Shi still couldn’t overlook this fact: "I cheated, and you should be completely aware of this."

"The result is the result, the process doesn’t matter."

"Only the correct process can lead to the correct result."

In his weakness, Huai Shi lifted his eyes to look at him, "The victory I want shouldn’t be like this, it should be something purer."

If it were his true capability, he would have likely fallen at the second stage, not to mention challenging the final Tai Lao.

When Guo ShouQue exerted all his power, the gap between them turned into a despairing chasm. Without Tong Ji’s help, he wouldn’t have even witnessed Guo ShouQue’s full effort.

Despite still being unwilling, still wanting to punch this old man’s face a few times in hatred, Huai Shi had to thank him for his constant guidance and generous teachings without reservation.

Just as he wanted to defeat Luo Lao with his fists, he really wanted to beat Guo ShouQue.

Straightforward and rightful victory!

"I lost."

Huai Shi sighed, admitting defeat dejectedly. But surprisingly, after acknowledging this outcome, his mood turned bright, even if this old turtle wanted to spew insults next, he wouldn’t care.

At worst, he’d ambush him with a sack at night.

Ha, if I can’t win at cooking, can’t I still win at fighting?!

"The old man certainly won’t be modest, Miss Huaizhi. If you don’t want a victory within your grasp, you’ll just be deemed foolish. You aren’t expecting a scene of declining three times and being modest, are you?"

Showing no mercy, Guo ShouQue smirked with mockery: "It’s quite remarkable to persist this far with mediocre culinary skills, perhaps the old man should award you a consolation prize? Sign an autograph? Carrying the ’Defeated Under Guo ShouQue’ sign, when encountering similar people, you could huddle together for warmth."

Indeed, someone on Earth is foolish enough to refuse a victory served on a platter, it’s absurdly stupid.

Guo ShouQue enjoyed the joy of the victor with peace of mind, without a shred of hesitation or unease, where was the expected scene of comradeship and mutual respect?

Huai Shi rolled his eyes, too lazy to pay him any mind.

No energy to be angry.

That black-hearted woman Tong Ji did something with his body, nearly draining him dry. Now he didn’t even have the strength to stand.

Yet when Guo ShouQue finished his sarcastic remarks and turned to leave, Huai Shi couldn’t help but call him back.

"Wait——"

He looked at the old man who turned back, curiously asking: "And the final result?"

Guo ShouQue raised an eyebrow: "Result? You lost, isn’t that the result?"

"You don’t need to repeat that."

Huai Shi felt his eyes were about to roll into the sky: "I only meant——your audience with the Ranch Owner, seeking the pinnacle of culinary skill result?"

The result lightly mentioned by Guo ShouQue.

What was it really?

His curiosity came from the heart, wanting to know!

"Hahaha, that’s where the issue lies."

Guo ShouQue shrugged with a sense of resignation or bewilderment, his subtle smile elusive: "To be honest, I’m not clear whether there was any final result.

However, after using all of the old man’s skills, the Ranch Owner eventually admitted one thing——what I cooked, was somewhat less appetizing."

"..."

In his stupor, Huai Shi’s expression became very vivid.

"Hahahahahaha." Guo ShouQue reminisced the most proud moment of his life, triumphant, laughing heartily to the sky: "I think, perhaps I won!"

And so, the contest of the Court Chef Demon, ended with this result.

The victor, Guo ShouQue!