Chapter 1233: Mount Akina

Chapter 1233: Chapter 1233: Mount Akina

After being selected, they go directly

Tian Pengpo received the notification and told everyone, "Teacher Guo informed us to gather in Self-study Room 1, the 15 selected contestants are already waiting there."

So, everyone hurried over together.

As soon as they entered the self-study room, they saw the 15 contestants each standing behind a cooking station.

Ye Fei froze for a moment, thinking to herself, are they planning to continue the competition?

The schedule is so packed today?

Guo Wenbo, Ye Huasong, and Zhao Guoxian stood at the front.

Seeing Ye Fei and the others arrive, Guo Wenbo said, "Everyone should get to know each other. Although you’ll be split into the Defending and Expedition teams, you will be teammates regardless of which team you’re in."

The 15 people introduced themselves.

When it was Ye Fei’s group’s turn to introduce themselves.

A contestant named Wu Qingling said, "No need, we all know who you are. We’ve all watched the previous Changping Competitions."

His words sounded quite normal, nothing wrong with them.

But the issue was, his tone had a sarcastic flair.

Tian Pengpo couldn’t stand such preconceived notions, looking down on people without knowing the full story.

Tian Pengpo couldn’t hold back first and said, "What? From your tone, do you mean to say you don’t quite respect us?"

Guo Wenbo raised an eyebrow, none of the three intervened in this small disagreement.

Even if they stepped in to mediate now, neither side would be convinced.

In the future, as teammates, they wouldn’t be able to collaborate effectively.

It’s better to resolve it early.

Situations like this are akin to animals competing to be the alpha.

Only when someone proves their strength and others recognize them as the leader, does the team naturally become harmonious.

This group considers themselves outstanding; none are willing to submit to others.

Once they’ve competed, and been thoroughly convinced by the result, all will be resolved.

"Not at all," Wu Qingling said. "It’s just a pity our ages didn’t meet the criteria, so we didn’t participate in the Changping Competition. We weren’t as lucky as you, winning a Changping Competition, and gaining direct qualification for the International Cooking Competition."

Ye Fei raised an eyebrow and said, "Since you said that, did you ever participate in the Changping Competition when your age met the criteria?"

Wu Qingling: "..."

He did participate.

But he lost.

Didn’t even make it to the top ten.

However, at that time, he was younger.

It made him realize there are always greater talents, understanding his own shortcomings.

He was quite proud back then.

But after losing the competition, he gained a clearer and more accurate recognition of his own capability.

Prompting him to focus on improving his culinary skills seriously.

Since he was initially proud of his cooking skills, it indicated he indeed had some talent.

Thus, after focused studying, Wu Qingling’s culinary skills truly became outstanding.

And during this competition, he stood out.

However, his proud nature couldn’t be changed.

Believing himself to be strong, he looked down on others.

Among the 15 present, surely there were others who thought similarly, but they restrained themselves internally, none spoke out like he did.

Yu Yingyan pretended to tilt his head in thought for a moment and said, "I’ve followed every competition, I have a decent memory. Seems like the top ten of each round never had anyone named Wu Qingling."

After saying this, Yu Yingyan paused, infuriatingly asking, "Uncle, am I right?"

Ba Zhekai and others laughed loudly.

Wu Qingling’s age is actually not that old.

Not even forty yet.

But compared to Yu Yingyan and the others, he is much older.

When Wu Qingling was their age, he didn’t make it to the top ten.

Now older with improved skills, he still looks down on these younger people.

Not even considering whether he had these skills when he was younger.

"Among people of the same age, you’re strong." Wu Qingling said, "But you’re only strong among your peers. Older chefs possess more experience compared to you, and have learned more."

"Expand the age range, and you really can’t count for much." Isn’t it just benefiting from Changping Academy?

"Well, how about we compete and find out?" Hua Ciyue touched her nails.

She always removes her nail polish while cooking.

To remain clean.

To be a chef, she has sacrificed a lot for her love of beauty.

"Indeed, competing will show."

Out of the 15-person team, 8 were students from Changping Academy.

They had absolute confidence in their academy’s strength.

Listening to Wu Qingling disparage Tian Pengpo’s group, these eight were naturally displeased.

The speaker was ranked number one among the 15, from the fourth year at Changping Academy, named Mount Akina.

Ye Fei didn’t know him, Shang Heyue quietly introduced him to Ye Fei.

Ye Fei’s mouth twitched: "..."

This young man’s father must be a fan of Initial D?

Otherwise, why choose a name like Mount Akina.

Ye Fei almost needed to add a hairpin curve afterward.

"Indeed, competing would reveal the truth." Zhao Guoxian had a gleeful expression, unaffected by chaos, "With the International Cooking Competition looming, we need to promptly decide the team members, to leave as much time as possible for pre-game training and enhance player synergy."

"First off, I want to point out, since you’re confirmed members of the International Cooking Competition team. You are either joining the Expedition Team, the Defending Team, or as substitutes."

"Let me clarify the standard: The first tier is naturally the Expedition Team, the second tier is substitute members, and the third tier is the Defending Team members."

"Although categorized this way, Defending Team members have the responsibility to minimize the badge acquisition of other teams, decrease their final ranking, and even isolate strong teams from the finals. Hence, members of the Defending Team, aren’t necessarily the weakest."

"Selection must abide by strategic considerations. Our discussed intention is to have at least one absolute core member in the Defending Team on par in strength with the Expedition Team members, even aligning with the first place." Zhao Guoxian said.

Ye Fei: "..."

Others didn’t understand the implication, but Ye Fei’s group of 10 did know Zhao Guoxian’s intention.

They all knew Ye Fei had already proactively volunteered to stay in the Defending Team.

Zhao Guoxian was subtly elevating Ye Fei’s reputation.

When Ye Fei stays, it will create an impression among the others that Ye Fei’s skill rivals Mount Akina’s.

Tian Pengpo and others had confidence in Ye Fei’s skills.

However, they indeed didn’t dare assert Ye Fei’s skills reached that level.

"Anyone here wanting to stay in the Defending Team can skip this competition and directly join the Defending Team," Zhao Guoxian said.