Chapter 106 Vitality
"I haven't felt this full of energy in a long time."

Elder Li sighed softly.

Time never returns, and youth is destined to be just a short and brilliant journey. No matter how beautiful this journey is, it will eventually end.

When he was young, Elder Li was healthy and energetic. He once stayed up all night to practice cooking, and he was still full of energy the next day.

But it’s not the same as it used to be when I got older. Even if I sleep one hour less, I’ll feel a lot more depressed. I can’t muster the energy to do anything, and I’ve even lost the energy to laugh.

We only know how to cherish many things after we lose them.

This is true whether it is youth, time, or a healthy body.

However, no matter whether you cherish it or not, what is lost will never come back.

All that remains in my heart are memories and regrets.

But now, Wei Jie's dish has given them a chance to start over again.

It allows them, whose youth and vitality have been taken away by time, to experience this precious feeling again.

What does it feel like to be energized?
It seems that the sky has become bluer, the fragrance of flowers has become more fragrant, and it seems that the mind has been washed away of dust and haze, allowing more fresh and interesting things to come in.

Things that I used to be unable to understand became so clear, things that used to not interest me became so interesting, and even the smile on my face became a little bigger than usual.

The imperceptible fatigue hidden in the body seemed to be washed away at this moment, leaving only vigorous energy and vitality.

The only pity is that this feeling is just a wonderful illusion. It is not that they have really rejuvenated and returned to their youth, but the thoughtfulness and deliciousness contained in this dish make them have such a wonderful feeling.

Even if it's just an illusion, it's enough.

Being able to bring back what you have lost, even if it is just an illusion, is enough to comfort your heart.

The three of them closed their eyes and enjoyed it quietly for a while, then reluctantly opened their eyes and began to perform their duties as judges.

Elder Li spoke first, his words full of praise: "This dish is so amazing! I have never seen it before! I don't know if there is any other dish in the world that can compare with it. The vitality and spirituality displayed by this dish, and the vigorous vitality contained in it, almost made me return to my youth in an instant, as if I had become the young boy again. Youth and vitality, the older you get, the more you can appreciate the preciousness of these two words."

Elder Wu also said with emotion: "Yes, especially for old men like us, if I can return to my youth, I would be willing to exchange everything I have for it. Even if we don't talk about the taste of this dish, just the fact that it can make me feel the taste of youth and vitality is better than anything in the world."

Luo Tian's physique is much better than the other two. His health and vitality are still retained in his body and have not been lost too much. Therefore, the feeling this dish brings to him is not as strong as that of the two.

However, the years have taken away a lot from him after all. He has never felt such vigor and vitality before.

"This dish perfectly combines vitality and taste. It inspires the vitality of the food itself. That fresh posture seems to still jump and dance in my mouth. And this vitality is transformed by the mind and becomes the vitality that goes straight to the heart. This skill is really amazing!"

As Luo Tian spoke, he picked up another phoenix egg and put it into his mouth, savoring it carefully, and continued.

"Moreover, the taste of the chicken and eggs in this dish is also very unique. The chicken is delicate and tough, while the egg is elastic but a little more tender and soft. It can actually combine these two conflicting tastes into one wonderfully. In addition, the chicken and eggs are from the same origin, and the two different tastes have reached unity at the root, just like a tree has roots, and new branches and leaves grow every time you chew it." Elder Wu nodded in agreement and said, "Yes, this is the wonderful combination of palace dishes and the exquisite skills of the imperial kitchen, constantly breaking the boundaries of ingredients, and pursuing higher skills and tastes on top of the original exquisiteness. This is something that you people who live in a corner and live a comfortable life don't have. You are always content with the status quo, and there is always a way out for everything, so naturally you don't think of trying your best to explore and fight."

Seeing Elder Wu bringing up the old matter again, Luo Tian sighed and was too lazy to argue with him.

Elder Li changed the subject and said, "The theme of the cooking duel is eggs, and the sub-theme is vitality. This dish perfectly displays both. No, not just perfectly, it should be said that it is displayed beyond imagination. Especially the heart of the phoenix bathing in fire, it makes us feel as if we have seen the legendary creatures, and this shocking feeling is indescribable. The appearance, taste, and heart, these three are extremely perfect. This is a perfect dish without any shortcomings and deficiencies. Wei Jie, I have to be honest, it is my honor to be able to eat this dish."

Wei Jie clasped his fists and saluted, "Thank you for the compliment, Elder Li."

Apart from this thank you, he didn't say anything else.

Everything he wanted to say was already incorporated into this dish.

Hearing Elder Li's heartfelt praise, Elder Wu nodded with satisfaction.

Very good, the winner of this competition has been decided.

Luo Tian also sighed inwardly, thinking it was really bad luck to face such a person.

This dish perfectly combines appearance, taste and thought into one, as if it has built a solid and thick wall in people's hearts, making it difficult for the taste of other dishes to break through this wall and enter the heart.

Luo Tian just hoped that Xu Qing would try his best, put into practice all he had learned, and launch a fierce charge towards the solid city wall. Even if it only left a pale mark on it, it would be enough.

While the three people were commenting, Xu Qing's dish was already finished.

He picked up the plate and walked to the judges' table, waiting for the judges to taste the food.

Elder Wu glanced at Xu Qing and said, "To be honest, after eating the phoenix egg, I am not interested in your dish. Because the most perfect dish in the world has already appeared, and the others are just poor pursuits and imitations of it, and I am not interested in inferior products."

Elder Li advised, "Elder Wu, you are the judge. Since you are the judge, you must taste every dish before making a judgment. No matter whether it tastes good or bad, you must eat it."

However, Elder Li also agreed with Elder Wu's words. After eating the phoenix egg, he didn't think Xu Qing could serve food that surpassed that dish.

Luo Tian was staring at Xu Qing's expression. He could not see any trace of anxiety on Xu Qing's face. His face was still calm and confident.

This made Luo Tian wonder in his heart. After seeing the phoenix egg, why was he still so confident?
Imperial court dishes and secret cooking techniques from the imperial kitchen symbolize the pinnacle and perfection of the culinary world. Even taking them out alone would make one nervous, let alone a dish made from the combination of the two.

Phoenix eggs can be said to be the pinnacle of culinary art.

Is there anything higher than the Highest?

No matter what they said or thought, Xu Qing just calmly placed the plate in front of the judges and said, "This dish is called Four Gods Eggs. Please taste it."

After saying that, Xu Qing opened the lid on the plate, and the dishes inside slowly appeared.

(End of this chapter)