The ground trembled as the forces of the Crimson Sovereign Clan approached. Zhang Ye's academy, still in its early stages, now stood as a beacon of resistance. He knew that the coming battle wasn't just about defending the district—it was about showing the world that the power of food could rival any weapon.
The recruits had been trained to see the battlefield through a new lens, but this was their first true test. They were not chefs in the kitchen today—they were warriors in the making.
Zhang Ye stood at the forefront of the academy's gates, surveying the situation. The Crimson Sovereign Clan's vanguard consisted of highly skilled fighters and elite chefs. These weren't just soldiers—they were battle chefs, trained in the deadly art of combat cooking.
Linna and Kai stood by his side, their weapons ready.
Linna, wielding her twin daggers, narrowed her eyes. "They came sooner than expected. They must be confident in their numbers."
Kai grinned, his sword drawn. "Or they think we're weak. Time to show them how wrong they are."
Zhang Ye turned to the recruits, now lined up behind him. They were nervous, but the fire in their eyes spoke of their readiness. He had trained them hard—pushed them to their limits. Now it was time for them to prove their worth.
Zhang Ye raised his hand. "The first lesson you learned was about balance. That balance will be tested today. Trust your instincts. Work together. Let the power of food guide you."
The recruits nodded, determination replacing their fear.
The first wave of the Crimson Sovereign Clan's forces arrived, their battle chefs at the helm. These were elite fighters, their cooking tools forged into deadly weapons. Some wielded flaming cleavers, others spice-infused blades that could cut through steel.
But Zhang Ye wasn't afraid. He stepped forward, his hands steady as he focused on the battlefield ahead. His Grandmaster's Teaching skill had revealed their weaknesses—he knew exactly where to strike.
As the enemy charged, Zhang Ye drew his knife, the sharp blade reflecting the sunlight. "Prepare yourselves," he said calmly.
Then, the battle began.
Linna and Kai engaged the enemy first, their movements fluid and precise. The battle chefs were skilled, but they had underestimated the academy's recruits. Linna's daggers danced through the air, cutting through enemies with pinpoint accuracy, while Kai's sword cleaved through the attackers with brutal force.
But Zhang Ye wasn't merely fighting—he was cooking.
With each motion, he pulled ingredients from the air, combining them with precise technique. He raised his hands and summoned a flaming wok, tossing it into the air. The flames erupted, sending enemies stumbling back.
Zhang Ye grinned. "Fire is the essence of life and death."
With a swift motion, he sliced through the wok's contents, sending fiery spiced dumplings flying into the ranks of the Crimson Sovereign Clan. The moment the dumplings exploded, a blinding burst of heat engulfed the battlefield, temporarily disorienting the enemy.
The recruits, now fully immersed in their training, followed suit. They weren't just fighting—they were cooking under pressure, using their skills to shape the flow of battle.
Elira, who had been overseeing the academy's defenses, stepped forward, her eyes cold and calculating. "The Crimson Sovereign Clan has relied on brute strength and intimidation. It's time to show them the real power of food."
She raised her staff, conjuring a glowing broth in the air. With a flick of her wrist, the liquid turned into a swirling vortex, pulling enemies toward it. "Take them!" she shouted.
The recruits, now fully synchronized with their instructors, advanced, using their unique cooking abilities to bolster their defenses. Some created healing stews, others used enhancing elixirs to strengthen their strikes.
Zhang Ye, still at the front, noticed the enemy's commander—the leader of the Crimson Sovereign Clan's vanguard—emerging from the chaos.
The man was tall, his face hidden behind a mask. In his hands, he wielded a golden cleaver, its edge glowing with a strange energy.
"So, you're the Divine Chef," the man called, his voice cold and commanding. "I've heard the rumors. But rumors are just that. Let's see if your cooking can match your legend."
Zhang Ye smiled. "It's not my cooking that will decide this battle—it's the strength of those who believe in it."
With that, he raised his hand, and the final dish was summoned: a massive Flame Dragon Roast, imbued with the power of all the ingredients around him. The moment the dish was formed, it became a weapon—a cooking technique so powerful that even the strongest of foes would feel its heat.
The commander's eyes widened as the roast flew toward him, flames swirling around the golden cleaver. He swung, but the power of Zhang Ye's dish was unstoppable. The air exploded with a deafening roar, and the Crimson Sovereign Clan's commander was forced to retreat.
The battlefield fell silent for a moment. The power of Zhang Ye's cooking had done more than turn the tide of the battle—it had shattered the enemy's will to fight.
The Crimson Sovereign Clan's forces, now shaken and disorganized, began to fall back. The battle was over.
Zhang Ye lowered his hand, his breath steady. "This is just the beginning. The academy has begun its rise. And we will not be stopped."
As the last of the Crimson Sovereign Clan retreated, Zhang Ye's eyes scanned the battlefield. His recruits, bruised but victorious, stood tall. The first lesson had been taught—and they had passed it with flying colors.
But Zhang Ye knew the truth: the coming war would not be won by strength alone. It would be won by those who could see the world in a new light—the power of food.
And he was ready to show the world just how far that power could go.