Chapter 1241: Not Here to Be a Substitute

Chapter 1241: Chapter 1241: Not Here to Be a Substitute

Mount Akina used the term "we," indicating that, regardless of how the teachers plan to arrange things, Mount Akina himself wants to be part of the expedition team.

However, Mount Akina indeed has this capability.

Even though Ye Fei and others didn’t participate in the selection round.

In this selection round, Mount Akina took first place.

And it was a crushing victory, creating a significant gap with the second place.

Even Tian Pengpo and others said that Mount Akina deservedly holds the first place in Changping.

In the official Changping ranking, Mount Akina has always been ranked the top, and his position has never dropped, never surpassed.

Students from Changping even joked that Mount Akina is like the legendary racer of Mount Akina, destined to become a legend.

With such strong abilities, not joining the expedition team would indeed be regrettable.

The mentors probably feel the same way and would arrange him in the expedition team.

Not only Mount Akina himself but even they all believe that Mount Akina was sure to enter the expedition team.

Tian Pengpo scratched his head and said, "Honestly, originally I really wanted to join the expedition team, but now I kind of want to join the defending team instead."

"Isn’t the first place in Changping Competition automatically placed in the expedition team?" Yu Zeming asked.

Previously, the Changping Competition rewarded champions by direct entry into the expedition team.

The others weren’t informed at the time.

It was only a while ago that they learned that they could bypass the selection process.

Then, allocation into teams would be based on strength.

For the rest, perhaps they might not make it into the expedition team, but they are more than enough for the defending team.

"That’s true," Tian Pengpo said, "But listening to Ye Fei’s reasoning, I feel there’s a point. It’s not about being an impenetrable shield or anything like that. I just think that, in the defending team, one could encounter more opponents."

"For your expedition teams, you select only 10 countries to challenge, it’s impossible to challenge every single team. Ultimately, you enter the finals. Generally, according to tactics, preference is to challenge relatively weaker teams first, avoiding strong teams. Stronger teams could meet in the finals."

"But we’re different, every team has 10 challenge slots. Not every team might come to challenge, but overall, the number of opponents we face is sure to be more than the expedition team," Tian Pengpo said.

"Honestly, I’m fine, there’s still next year. A bit of training this year, then I’d participate in the selection again next year. With my ability, as long as I stay focused, even if there are strong opponents next year, I wouldn’t fail to get selected. Plus, there’s this year’s training."

"Those coming to defend are at least top chefs from their countries. Being able to experience top chefs’ signature dishes is already great."

"If you ask me, I’d rather directly compete with the opponent country’s cuisine, rather than pick some third-party country’s dish. Isn’t it like two weaklings pecking at each other? The chosen cuisines aren’t their specialty, and no matter how you recreate, it’s hard to fully restore the authentic taste," Lin Haifeng said, "This isn’t about cooking skills, it’s about cultural immersion we’ve had since birth."

"Indeed it is."

Everyone quite agreed with his perspective.

But regardless, they’d have to wait for the mentors’ list tomorrow.

***

The next day, everyone gathered early in the practice room.

Not long after, Zhao Guoxian, Guo Wenbo, and Ye Huasong arrived.

Zhao Guoxian got straight to the point: "Based on our discussions, we have decided on the defending team, the expedition team, and the list of substitute members for the expedition team."

Besides Ye Fei, Hua Ciyue and the others were unsurprisingly placed into the defending team.

Only Tian Pengpo was placed in the expedition team.

"If you have any objections about this arrangement, feel free to voice it," Zhao Guoxian said.

Tian Pengpo raised his hand without hesitation, and at the same time, Wu Qingling, who had been placed into the defending team, raised his hand too.

"Wu Qingling, you speak first," Zhao Guoxian called him out.

"I want to enter the expedition team, I believe my abilities are sufficient and ever since signing up for the selection, my goal has always been the expedition team, I haven’t considered anything else." He wanted to make a name for himself, gain fame and fortune after achieving fame.

He wasn’t interested in the bigger picture, hadn’t thought about staying behind to be some sturdy shield.

Such sentiments could only be expressed by someone like Ye Fei, who had no pressure.

If Ye Fei wanted, he could open as many restaurants as he wished.

But he couldn’t.

This competition was his opportunity to stand out.

"Tian Pengpo, what’s your situation?" Zhao Guoxian didn’t respond to Wu Qingling and asked Tian Pengpo instead.

"I know, I have a direct entry slot. But I want to waive this slot and join the defending team," Tian Pengpo said, "Our capability as a shield should be satisfactory."

"Moreover, in the defending team, you can encounter more teams and face more challenges," Tian Pengpo stated, "I entered the competition to improve myself, to learn more."

Zhao Guoxian nodded, looking at the analysis chart he had prepared with Guo Wenbo and Ye Huasong yesterday.

From various analyses, Tian Pengpo was significantly stronger than Wu Qingling.

The biggest advantage was in timing control during cooking.

There’s still some time for practice ahead, let’s see how Wu Qingling performs in his practices.

Zhao Guoxian nodded, "Alright, Tian Pengpo, you join the defending team."

Wu Qingling was delighted, even showing a smile on his face.

Yet he didn’t expect to hear Zhao Guoxian say: "Based on our comprehensive strength analysis, Wu Qingling, your entry into the expedition team is tentative; you can’t enter the main team yet, only remain as a substitute. Liu Rujun on the substitute list will temporarily move forward one rank and become a main team member."

Wu Qingling never anticipated that his hard-fought exchange opportunity would result in such an outcome.

He joined the expedition team, not to be a substitute!

"I’ve sent our comprehensive combat strength analysis to your respective inboxes, for those dissatisfied, you can check," Zhao Guoxian said specifically to Wu Qingling.

Sure enough, Wu Qingling was the first to grab his phone to check.

The others, out of curiosity, picked up their phones as well.

Upon seeing their individual analyses, Wu Qingling had nothing to say.

The analysis was incredibly professional and clear.

Deficiencies and advantages were all laid out.

As well as the reasons for the scoring.

Only then did Wu Qingling realize, was he really looked down upon like this in the team?

"Of course, the current arrangement is only temporary," Zhao Guoxian said, "We will grade based on the practice results each day and redo rankings every three days with a minor assessment."

"Half a month later, before the competition, after re-ranking, we’ll reassign starting and substitute positions," Zhao Guoxian stated, "So, there’s no need to lose heart. If you know what you want, what goals you have, work hard to achieve them."