Kai left the hall with a deep breath, his mind already racing. A dish that ignites dormant potential… This was no ordinary task. He had three days to create something that could awaken hidden power within a person.
The other disciples quickly scattered, heading toward the academy's vast ingredient stores, libraries, and even the wild forests beyond the city. Everyone was determined to succeed in their first true challenge as apprentice chefs.
Kai, however, did not rush. Instead, he closed his eyes and recalled the knowledge he had gained from the Divine Flame Monument. There had been a whisper, a trace of something long forgotten…
Fire Lotus Root.
A rare ingredient, known to grow only in places where fire and life intertwined. It was said to possess the ability to awaken suppressed energy within a person—but its full potential was rarely unlocked due to its volatile nature.
Kai's eyes snapped open. This was it.
But there was a problem. Fire Lotus Root could not be found in the academy's ingredient stores—it only grew in Flame Serpent Valley, a dangerous land filled with beasts that thrived in extreme heat.
He had no choice. If he wanted to succeed, he had to venture into the valley himself.
Without hesitation, Kai grabbed a small storage bag and made his way toward the valley's entrance.
As he reached the outskirts, he spotted a few disciples gathering herbs and hunting for rare meats. Some glanced at him, but none dared follow. Everyone knew—Flame Serpent Valley was no place for the weak.
The moment he stepped inside, a wave of intense heat crashed over him. The air shimmered, distorting the surroundings like a mirage. The ground was cracked and scorched, steam rising from deep fissures.
And then—a low, hissing sound.
Kai's grip tightened. He had barely entered the valley, and already, the first obstacle had appeared.