The training hall was silent, the only sound being the faint crackling of lingering flames. The disciples, exhausted yet exhilarated, stood before Zhang Ye, their Soul Flames now steadier than before. But they knew—this was only the beginning.
Zhang Ye's gaze swept over them, his expression unreadable. "You have tempered your flames, but strength alone is not enough. Control, precision, and intent—these are what separate an ordinary cook from a Divine Chef."
With a flick of his wrist, a massive beast carcass appeared before them. It was unlike anything they had seen before—a Stormfang Boar, its fur crackling with residual lightning energy.
"This beast's flesh is infused with elemental power," Zhang Ye explained. "If cooked improperly, the lightning energy will burst, ruining the dish—or worse, harming the cook."
The disciples' faces paled. Handling a normal magical beast was difficult enough, but a Stormfang Boar required mastery beyond their current level.
Zhang Ye continued, "Your next trial is to extract the essence of this meat while preserving its natural energy. A single mistake, and you will fail."
He stepped back, allowing them to approach.
Kai was the first to step forward, steadying his breath. He placed his hand on the boar's flesh, feeling the unstable energy within. Unlike before, he did not rush—he let his Soul Flame flicker gently, sinking into the beast's flesh.
A sudden jolt of electricity surged up his arm. He gritted his teeth but did not pull away. Instead, he adjusted his flame, not forcing it but guiding it, allowing the energy to flow naturally.
Slowly, the boar's chaotic lightning began to settle, merging with the golden glow of his flame.
Zhang Ye watched closely, his eyes gleaming with approval.
One by one, the other disciples attempted the same. Linna struggled at first, her flame flickering under the beast's volatile energy, but she adjusted her breathing, her focus sharpening. Elira, calm as ever, took a different approach—she let the boar's energy guide her flame, instead of resisting it.
Hours passed as each disciple battled against the beast's essence, refining their control. Some failed, their flames sputtering out, while others barely managed to stabilize their technique.
Finally, Zhang Ye clapped his hands. "Enough."
The training ground fell silent.
He stepped forward, examining the prepared cuts of meat. He picked up a piece refined by Kai, inspecting its texture before giving a small nod. "Well done. Your control is improving."
Turning to the others, he continued, "This was only a glimpse of what lies ahead. The path of the Divine Chef is not just about cooking—it is about understanding the very essence of all things. If you cannot master this, you will never reach the peak."
He gestured toward the sky, where the Divine Flame Monument stood in the distance. "The next trial… will take you beyond simple techniques. Prepare yourselves—for the true challenge is about to begin."