Chapter 1242: Allocation

Chapter 1242: Chapter 1242: Allocation

Wu Qingling, upon hearing this, reignited his fighting spirit.

The previous analysis report had convinced him.

It was indeed because his skills were inadequate.

However, compared to the original substitute who had moved up a position due to Tian Pengpo’s swap suggestion, the gap wasn’t significant.

As long as he kept working hard to improve, he could surpass them.

Still, his opponent would surely strive for progress as well, but he had faith that even so, he could surpass them.

Tian Pengpo smoothly entered the Defending Team according to his expectations.

Among the five contestants from outside the school, four became substitutes for the expedition team, while the other moved up due to Tian Pengpo’s trade, otherwise they would also be a substitute.

The top nine positions were all held by students from Changping.

Previously, when Tian Pengpo was on the expedition team, he was ranked tenth.

Yet even so, no one raised any objections.

After reviewing the analysis report sent by Zhao Guoxian, particularly regarding his own section, he realized the report was accurate.

There was no bias or unfairness.

Others also had no objections, which indicated that the analysis concerning everyone else was correct as well.

Consequently, the gap between himself and others became clear.

Therefore, no one believed Changping was purposely favoring its students by placing them in the main team and making outsiders substitutes.

It was truly due to a significant disparity in skills.

Except for the undisputed first place, Mount Akina, Tian Pengpo’s abilities were on par with Ye Fei’s.

At least during the Changping Competition, except for the unexpected turn in the finals that lowered Ye Fei’s ranking.

But in the previous matches, Ye Fei consistently matched Tian Pengpo’s skills.

Yesterday, they had just tasted Ye Fei’s cooking, and indeed, there was a difference.

Ye Fei’s level was high.

This also proved that during the previous Changping Competition finals, Ye Fei did not rely on connections to enter the finals.

It was indeed the judges who were flawed, failing to provide a fair evaluation.

Both Ye Fei’s and Tian Pengpo’s strengths could only rank tenth among the main team, not to mention the five others whose skills were inferior to Ye Fei and Tian Pengpo.

Thus, even when Wu Qingling initially had some objections about being a substitute, after reading the analysis report, he too was convinced.

With such assignments, the whole team began training for the International Cooking Competition.

***

Time flew by.

The expedition team had already set off the previous day to compete at various venues.

They certainly needed to depart a few days in advance to acclimate to the local surroundings, and to savor the local specialty dishes while understanding the culture.

Meanwhile, Wu Qingling remained in the substitute slot, failing to break into the main team.

The first nine spots of the main team were firmly occupied by students from Changping.

Even if the tenth member worked tirelessly to advance, there was still a considerable gap.

Wu Qingling thought he could at least replace the tenth member.

But as he worked hard, the tenth member was working hard too.

As he improved, the tenth member improved even more.

From the initial selection, Zhao Guoxian could tell that the tenth member had more potential than Wu Qingling.

In fact, Wu Qingling, rather than being a substitute for the expedition team, waiting for the top ten to be in poor form and then replacing them, was better off staying in the Defending Team for more opportunities to compete.

The Defending Team didn’t have substitutes.

It’s because of the large number of Changping Academy students.

To watch the competition, even during holidays, no one went home.

Students whose families are out of town also stayed in B City.

With such a great reserve of talent, there was no need to find additional substitutes.

Many students had already purchased tickets for the finals, planning to fly directly to the venue.

As for following the expedition team’s competitions, they weren’t involved.

They would just watch the finals.

Since there are no substitutes, staying in the Defending Team offers a much stronger chance to compete than remaining on the expedition team.

The tenth-ranked member of the expedition team, Tian Pengpo, considered this perspective.

Although there are 10 official members of the expedition team, each match picks students to compete, not everyone goes on stage.

So the tenth-ranked Tian Pengpo probably wouldn’t have many opportunities to compete. ℯℯ𝘭.

Staying in the Defending Team offers more chances for training.

The Defending Team was mainly composed of him and Ye Fei.

The reason Zhao Guoxian agreed to the exchange between Wu Qingling and Tian Pengpo was that apart from Wu Qingling, the Defending Team members were all from Changping.

Initially from a unity standpoint, problems wouldn’t occur.

There wouldn’t be instability within the team.

If Wu Qingling was discontent with anyone, it could easily lead to discord.

It would be better to send him to the expedition team with the formidable Mount Akina, ensuring he couldn’t stir up trouble.

Ye Fei and others in the Defending Team also faced their first challenge.

The day before the challenge match, Guo Wenbo and Ye Huasong stood before everyone.

Zhao Guoxian had already departed as the leader of the expedition team, taking the team along.

Back at the school, Guo Wenbo and Ye Huasong were responsible.

"Tomorrow, you all will face your first Defending Team match," Guo Wenbo said. "Tomorrow, the team challenging us comes from India."

"According to the competition rules, as the Defending Team, we have certain advantages. As Defending Teams, we enjoy advantages, so do other Defending Teams which also enjoy equal advantages. It’s favorable for our Defending Team but not so friendly for our expedition team," Ye Huasong explained.

She looked at Guo Wenbo, who then added, "Our advantage as the Defending Team is that we get to set the challenges."

"Although it’s creating Indian cuisine, since we can set the challenges, we can practice in advance, and that’s the upside. The challenging team will only learn about the topic upon arrival with no practice time."

"You all know the vast advantage of a dish repeatedly researched and refined over one without any preparation, even if not attempting for the first time but not frequently made,"

Guo Wenbo, who was always highly demanding, stated, "Under these circumstances, if you still fail to win, then that’s shameful and really indefensible."

Hua Ciyue raised her hand.

"Go ahead," Guo Wenbo said.

"Um... given that we can set the challenges in advance, why are we being informed today? Having only one day’s time, wouldn’t it have been better with more preparation time?" Hua Ciyue asked.

"Indeed," Xu Aoliang and others nodded in agreement.

They were very familiar with Guo Wenbo.

Knowing that although Guo Wenbo appeared strict outwardly, as long as their queries were legitimate, they could freely inquire and express themselves without issues.