The disciples were still in awe, whispering among themselves about the reaction Kai had caused at the Divine Flame Monument. Never before had the monument trembled so violently, nor had it inscribed a completely new engraving for someone.
Kai, standing amidst them, still felt the remnants of the overwhelming energy coursing through his veins. The knowledge he had absorbed was incomplete, fragmented, yet it was enough to confirm one thing—he had stepped onto the path of a true Divine Chef.
Zhang Ye stood before them, his expression unreadable. "The Divine Flame Monument has acknowledged you, but that alone does not make you a master. What you have received is only a glimpse of what lies ahead. The real question is—can you harness what you have gained?"
He turned to face the training ground, where a row of ancient cooking stations had been prepared. Unlike their usual setups, these stations pulsed with mystical energy, their surfaces engraved with complex runes.
Zhang Ye gestured toward them. "Your next trial is simple. You must prepare a dish using what you have learned from the monument. However, this is no ordinary cooking station—it will respond to your control over your Soul Flame."
The disciples exchanged uncertain glances. A cooking station that reacted to one's flame? This was something completely new.
Zhang Ye continued, "If your control is weak, the flames will consume your ingredients. If you hesitate, the station will reject your essence. But if you can harmonize with it… the dish you create will be something beyond the ordinary."
A silent tension filled the air.
"Begin."
Kai stepped forward, his heart pounding. He could still feel the lingering heat of the monument's recognition, but he needed to translate that energy into something tangible.
He approached his cooking station, placing his hands over the surface. The moment he did—
Fwoosh!
A surge of golden flames erupted from the engravings, circling around his body. Unlike normal fire, this flame did not burn—it pulsed with an energy that resonated deep within him.
Kai took a deep breath, focusing on his connection with the station. He reached for the prepared ingredients—a slab of Thunderbeast Meat, known for its unstable energy, and a handful of Starroot Herbs, which could amplify the properties of any dish.
He started by slicing the Thunderbeast Meat, his knife movements precise and steady. The moment the blade touched the flesh, sparks of lightning crackled through the air.
The other disciples hesitated in their own preparations, watching in shock as Kai worked.
Ignoring the commotion, Kai activated his Soul Flame, allowing it to merge with the flames of the cooking station. Instead of fighting for control, he let the energy guide him—just as he had done with the monument.
The flames wrapped around the ingredients, refining them without destroying their essence. The aroma that filled the air was unlike anything before—rich, intoxicating, and bursting with power.
Even Zhang Ye's eyes flickered with interest.
As the final step, Kai infused his dish with a controlled burst of Divine Fire, sealing the essence into the food.
The golden flames dimmed, leaving behind a completed dish—Thunder-Infused Starroot Steak.
A masterpiece.
Zhang Ye stepped forward, examining the dish. He picked up a single piece, inspecting its texture before taking a bite.
The moment the food touched his tongue, a wave of energy surged through his body. The lightning essence had been perfectly stabilized, blending harmoniously with the rich flavors.
A long silence followed.
Then, Zhang Ye let out a deep chuckle. "It seems you truly have the potential of a Divine Chef."
The disciples stared in disbelief. Zhang Ye never praised anyone so easily—yet now, he acknowledged Kai's dish without hesitation.
The cooking stations dimmed as the trial ended. Some disciples had failed, their flames either too weak or too uncontrollable. Others had succeeded in making decent dishes, but none had harnessed the flames the way Kai had.
Zhang Ye turned to the group. "This was your first true lesson in soul-infused cooking. For those who failed, remember this—you do not control the flame; you guide it. For those who succeeded… you have taken your first step toward mastery."
His gaze lingered on Kai once more before he turned away.
"But this is only the beginning."