The Ascension of Contracted Spirits

Chapter 72 - 70: Magic Food (Seeking the first subscription!)_1

Peanut Essence, it’s a harmless Fond Spirit of demons to both humans and livestock.

Its numbers are not particularly scarce; it’s only because they grow slowly and are inconspicuous that they are often overlooked.

It is also notably delicate; every time a large beast passes by, causing the ground to rumble, it might frighten them to death.

If there is a giant insect frolicking in the fields, it could also die from fright.

In short - it is very fragile.

No one would be willing to contract with such Fond Spirits, but many people want to use them for medicinal purposes or cooking.

Ye Hanjun was one of them. When he saw the corpses of these three Peanut Essences, he immediately remembered a recipe for magical food.

It didn’t require much thought, and he could immediately decide to cook it.

"Merchant, give me thirty catties of green glutinous rice."

"Merchant, do you have purple sweet potatoes and radishes? Give me the freshest ones, without any skin damage, about ten catties..."

"How much is this golden chili sesame oil? I want a barrel. Figure out the price for me..."

In succession, Ye Hanjun traveling through Cross Old Street, had spent another 103 Lower Quality Spirit Stones.

Three spirit stones were used to purchase basic necessities such as dust masks, clean handkerchiefs, fragrance sprays, etc., bought in boxes.

Five spirit stones were used to buy an extra-large rice cooker, and five more to buy a stack of the most ordinary ice preservation charms.

The rest was all used to stock up on ingredients.

The priciest was the ’Crocodile Meat Floss,’ made from juvenile Pipi Crocodile of Rainbow Light Fetus level, then processed by a second level chef according to ancient methods, and are not sold in school cafeterias.

This item can be eaten directly or used as a condiment.

Because it has a fairly good effect of nourishing Qi and blood, it’s considered as an equally important main ingredient as the Peanut Essence in the recipe.

"That should be about everything..."

Before leaving, he deliberated a bit.

Ye Hanjun purchased an Ant Guard Bracelet like Su Mei’s from an old-fashioned magical tool shop.

Such a magical tool, which even ordinary students couldn’t afford even after saving for half a year, sells at a high price of 50 Lower Quality Spirit Stones.

But it doesn’t have too many usage restrictions.

Once activated, it can briefly defend against a Clay Body fetus at Perfection level.

If the effect meets the minimum expected performance, Ye Hanjun wouldn’t be stingy in investing in it.

...

"Yiye!"

Returning to his residence, GuaGua, who had been sulking all day, eagerly jumped out of the water bottle.

It spat water three times in a row as a customary greeting to the large tadpole’s nose.

It then let out a bubble that leisurely drifted in the living room, displaying a peaceful and idle appearance.

"Master."

A summons array with goose-yellow light flashed for a split second, and the Desert Witch appeared.

Compared to the day before, her chest wound had healed a bit more. The flesh was almost joined together, and it should be completely healed in a few days.

"I am preparing to cook a magical dish. Stand by and watch, you don’t need to interfere."

"Yes." Huazhu nodded, following Ye Hanjun closely with the help of the sand.

Magical food, she had heard of it.

Theoretically, all Fond Spirits, whether it’s flesh, blood, or Crystal Core, as long as it has food value, they are considered "magical food" to a mortal.

But obviously, this kind of classification is too vague.

The subjective "magical food" is actually the gourmet food made by Patrons possessing cooking abilities such as ’Chefs,’ ’Beverage Masters,’ and ’Pastry Chefs.’

The lowest grades are probably dishes provided for free in the cafeteria.

Even if it’s a casual combination of ordinary ingredients, because of the ability infused to enhance the final effect slightly, it can also be classified as magical food.

"Clang clang clang..."

"Clatter clatter..."

After some hustling, Ye Hanjun cleared a tabletop to place the extra-large rice cooker.

Once the green glutinous rice was washed and the necessary amount of water, accurate to the milliliter, was determined with a measuring bucket, the rice cooker was activated first.

"Ding - ding -"

A circle of red light lit up and then started to rotate.

The countdown number 12 appeared on it, which meant this pot of rice wouldn’t be ready until morning.

Ye Hanjun began to prepare the other ingredients.

While cutting the purple sweet potatoes and radishes, he advised Huazhu in an experienced tone:

"The way of food is also one of the pathways leading to the supreme; it cannot be underestimated."

"Lower rank positions such as chefs, beverage masters, and pastry chefs might not have powerful ranks."

"Looking beyond that, a Cuisine Master, Tea Master, Bartender, Hotpot Expert... These mid-level positions start to show their power. The magical food they meticulously cook, with its varied effects, are not at all inferior to alchemists of the same level..."

As he spoke, Ye Hanjun’s mouth started to water.

The culinary level authority, once it reaches a high level, leads to an extraordinary experience that cannot be imagined by mortals.

He always remembered the ’Young Dragon Soup’ that was served on his sixth birthday, that fragrance and taste....were alluring!

And that was just a foundation building food, tailor-made for the Ye Clan’s descendants by an external Patron who possessed a B-level occupation ’Gourmet’ in exchange for money.

"On a larger world stage, perhaps a specially prepared magical food could lead to the rebirth of a low-rank Fond Spirit with mediocre bloodline overnight."

"This is no joke, not a vague legend."

"Those Patrons walking this path are all pursuing color, fragrance, taste, effect... They are dedicated to gourmet food, and subsequently achieving extraordinary achievements is a matter of course."

Ye Hanjun’s eyes flashed with a hint of fanaticism.

The Desert Witch, who was listening quietly, also revealed a longing expression.

Because of her curiosity, she couldn’t help but ask:

"Lord, since you don’t have cooking abilities and don’t have advanced magical tools to assist you, why are you confident in making magical food?"

"Such operation is only limited to low ranks."

Ye Hanjun placed the cut radish into a dish, immersed it in saltwater, and then answered:

"Possibly, only the first rank has room for attempting it."

"When it comes to the second rank, the chance of failure becomes absurdly high, there is no need for further attempts."

"Bang!" The corpse of the Peanut essence was suddenly brought to the chopping board.

Ye Hanjun used the Bloodsucking Dagger to cut off the germinating part, not directly discarding it, instead, he gathered it in a useless pot, poured in some clean water, and placed it where it could get sunlight.

Although the soul of the Fond Spirit of the Demon that became a spirit after sensing the crops had already died.

These buds can still grow, and they have a chance to reproduce in the future.

Although Ye Hanjun probably wouldn’t wait for the maturity cycle that takes ten or twenty years.

But that’s alright, as long as they sprout, the leaves that grow out are suitable for making tea, he can pull out a handful when he’s idle.

"Scratch, scratch, scratch..."

After cutting off the germinating part, the next step is to peel and cut it into pieces.

But to be honest, the Peanut essence really resembles a Mutated Potato.

The old man of the grain store made less money because he couldn’t tell the difference, as a result he earned sixty or seventy Lower Quality Spirit Stone less, Ye Hanjun could understand.

"Let’s deal with it until here."

"Wait until the rice is cooked tomorrow, and officially cook it!"

It took Ye Hanjun an hour to finish the preliminary preparation work.

Only one Peanut essence is needed, the remaining two can be kept for the next two cookings.

As for the rest, what needs to be put in the refrigerator is put into the refrigerator, what needs to be stored at room temperature is carefully sealed to prevent impurities from entering.

"Huazhu, after the Death Challenge is reset, continue to come over for the class with Guagua after training."

"Yes!" Huazhu’s expression tightened, she slightly clenched the pliers, looking forward to her second performance.

...

After 24 hours, the Desert Witch facing the Shield Armor Turtle for the second time was obviously steadier, whether it was keeping her distance to kite, or finding an opportunity to lure it to shield.

Unfortunately, she exhausted all her methods in the third round and only managed to injure the third Shield Armor Turtle more severely.

She died first without seeing the beginning of the fourth round.

"Given the characteristics of Shield Armor Turtle, I can’t provide you with too many suggestions."

"Keep practicing Sand Manipulation, and you can also try during the lecture."

"Remember, this level of intensity should not be a problem for you, stick to it, and you will definitely see that day when water can drip through the stone."

"Phew——" The Desert Witch took big breaths, slowly calming the agitation at the moment of death, then solemnly nodded her head.

...

The next day.

It was another sunny day, Ye Hanjun gradually woke up under the caress of the sunlight.

Getting up, dressing, and walking directly into the kitchen.

The red pattern on the rice cooker has been extinguished, and the rising white steam mixed with the fragrance of bamboo.

Ye Hanjun indulgently took a deep sniff, and his stomach conveniently rumbled.

"Yiye? Yiye?"

The little tadpole floating above his head, flapping its tail, the curious gaze fell along.

It found a super serious problem!

The big tadpole and the Little Black Hat seemed to need to eat some strange things from time to time!

Every time it could only drink water, was something wrong?

(๑•̌.•̑๑)ˀ̣ˀ̣

A big question mark in its tiny head.

Before having time to think deeply, it suddenly saw the big tadpole move.

He snapped open the metal lump steaming hot, snapped out a large bowl with a diameter of more than one meter inside, and then snapped out the stuff inside.

When he dug out a shiny thing with a flattened and long wooden lump and stuffed it into his mouth.

Immediately, he looked very happy, making a jibber-jabber sound called "human language".

The Little Black Hat standing next to him, upon hearing it, made another cackling sound called "Witch Clan language", and immediately stepped forward.

She- surprisingly also swallowed a bit of that shiny thing!

Seeing this, Guagua couldn’t help it, controlled the bubble to descend, circled around the big tadpole, and wanted to taste it too.

"Guagua, your Floating Bubble has only been mastered a few days ago, and the flight speed has caught up to the speed of a child’s normal walking speed, hasn’t it?"

Forced to divert his attention, Ye Hanjun revealed a faint smile.

By intuition, the Pure White Tadpole skill, like flying, has passed the "Ordinary Use" stage and also reached the level of "Proficient Mastery".

If it could face this kind of talent with the tranquility of day after day.

Then probably in the world, there would be few Fond Spirits that could truly stir people’s emotions.

"Do you want to eat this? But this is rice..."

Remembering the scene when it bathed in Ice Skin Jade Dew, Ye Hanjun hesitated and fed a cooked green sticky rice.

Unexpectedly, after lightly tasting it, the little tadpole immediately spit it out, leaping into the water bottle with a swish, gulping down water to rinse its mouth.