Chapter 63: Cooking Competition

Chapter 63: Chapter 63: Cooking Competition

"Alright, please wait a moment." Xiao Jiu smiled sweetly, having already figured out what Shen Yun was planning to do.

For the time being, they could only wait for news from abroad. They might as well entertain this queen and build a closer relationship with her. At the same time, they could see if this would provoke Alberta’s negative feelings toward Shen Yun, forcing him to make the first move so they could deal with him in one fell swoop.

"Please wait a moment." Vierlia suddenly stood up, a strange light gleaming in her eyes. "Are you that confident in your culinary skills?"

"Naturally," Xiao Jiu replied, her smile unwavering. After all, the ingredients she used in her cooking were meticulously measured down to the very last gram.

"But I am exceptionally picky when it comes to food." Vierlia seemed to enter a peculiar state, her aura completely different from before. She wore a confident smile. "How should I describe it? I’ve become so fastidious that only the dishes I cook myself can satisfy me. Even as a queen, I personally prepare every single meal."

Shen Yun was slightly taken aback. Looking at Vierlia, he had assumed she was just another foodie—after all, a gluttonous queen was a classic trope. He hadn’t expected her to actually be a chef.

"Please don’t worry." Xiao Jiu’s aura suddenly intensified as well. She smiled and said, "Staking my pride as a maid, no matter how picky your palate may be, I will definitely satisfy you."

"You probably haven’t grasped my meaning yet." Vierlia crossed her arms and enunciated every word, "I. Am. Going. To. Cook. Personally!"

"The kitchen is not a place for guests," Xiao Jiu said, her eyes suddenly narrowing.

"It doesn’t matter. I’ve long been interested in the kitchenware of your world anyway," Vierlia insisted with an inexplicable stubbornness. Back in her own world, Queen Vierlia’s passion for cooking was known to all. It was even rumored that she spent more time honing her culinary skills than she did on her cultivation!

"COUGH COUGH," Shen He coughed lightly. He felt as though he had suddenly been caught in an inexplicable clash of auras. "Xiao Jiu, since our guest is so inclined, let her give it a try."

"Since Master has spoken, alright." Xiao Jiu nodded without letting her momentum slip in the slightest. Her tone shifted. "However, if the food I make turns out to be more delicious, you should just sit back and enjoy it."

"Oh? Not a problem."

A breathtaking smile tugged at the corners of Vierlia’s lips, making her look like a peerless master standing at the absolute pinnacle. She might not be the strongest in terms of raw power, but when it came to culinary arts, she had absolute confidence. She could already picture how this would end. She just hoped this cute little maid wouldn’t cry.

Piqued with curiosity, Shen Yun followed the two women into the kitchen.

"Do you need me to explain how these appliances work?" Xiao Jiu asked softly.

"No, no need." Vierlia looked around with great interest. "I’ve already looked it up on my phone. I know how to use them."

Her Divine Thought swept directly over the ingredients in the kitchen. She picked up an egg, examined it intently for a long while, and then gathered some flour and milk. Was she planning to bake a cake? That certainly seemed like a dish that might also exist in the Otherworld. Reaching out, Xiao Jiu gathered the exact same ingredients. Making the same type of food would make the gap in their skills much more apparent.

No one spoke another word in the kitchen. There was only the soft clinking of bowls and utensils. Standing at the doorway, Shen Yun was almost too intimidated to step inside. Xiao Jiu was one thing, but Vierlia’s current aura was simply too overpowering. Even though it should have been her first time using these tools, her movements were incredibly practiced, and she wore a stunning smile on her face. A queen deeply passionate about cooking? That definitely seemed a tier above a simple foodie queen.

Shen Yun waited patiently. Since they were only making simple pastries, it took just half an hour for both of them to finish their dishes at almost exactly the same time. Both had baked a cake.

Vierlia had made a simple round cake. There were no decorations on its surface; it merely radiated heat and an enticing aroma.

As for Xiao Jiu...

"Is... is this really a cake?" Shen Yundu couldn’t help but drop his jaw.

Resting on the plate was the figure of a reclining beauty. White, jade-like cream covered her body, forming a dress that resembled a wedding gown. It was so exquisitely detailed that even the lace patterns were clearly discernible, and the facial features were the spitting image of Xiao Jiu herself. Even the figure was virtually identical—a fact Shen Yun was well qualified to attest to. This was no longer just food; it was a work of art. And she had accomplished all of this in a mere half hour.

"This..." Vierlia had never seen such a dish before either. Picking up her spoon, she actually found herself at a loss for where to start.

On the other side, Xiao Jiu gently scooped up a small piece of her opponent’s creation and placed it into her mouth. The moment it hit her tongue, she covered her mouth in shock.

It was so fragrant! No, it wasn’t just fragrant. The cake melted in her mouth. Following the rich aroma was a subtle, lingering sweetness that created a wondrous, unforgettable sensation. Xiao Jiu quickly ran a search on the internet and discovered that such a uniquely exquisite flavor had never before been achieved in a cake.

Meanwhile, after hesitating for a moment, Vierlia finally scooped a tiny bit from the edge of the cream dress and tasted it.

Not bad at all. Her eyes brightened slightly. The sweetness was just right, and the texture was perfect. She just didn’t know why a tiny hint of sourness had been added. However, if that was the case...

"It seems the results are in," Vierlia smiled confidently. "You’re quite good too—much better than I expected. You just lack a bit of experience. This flavor-blending technique of mine is a Secret Technique that my subjects went through great lengths to find. It cannot be performed by anyone other than an Extraordinary."

"I see... You actually used Spiritual Power to assist you." Xiao Jiu understood now. No matter how much data she analyzed, she was only parsing culinary methods found on Earth. Her opponent, on the other hand, had used Spiritual Power to optimize the intrinsic flavors of the ingredients themselves. In terms of texture and taste, she had indeed lost.

Xiao Jiu felt a little dejected. However, she had already prepared a backup plan.

"It’s not necessarily a loss for me," Xiao Jiu smiled. She suddenly brought both plates over to Shen Yun. "Let Master be the judge."

"W-Wait..."

Vierlia had just opened her mouth to speak, but Xiao Jiu had already scooped up a tiny piece of her cake and fed it to Shen Yun. Vierlia immediately felt a mix of helplessness and embarrassment. She had never let a man taste her cooking before. After all, what man would ever dare to have a queen cook for him?

"It really is delicious," Shen Yun couldn’t help but marvel.

"I told you..."

Before Vierlia could finish her sentence, Shen Yun added another comment. "But I still prefer Xiao Jiu’s."

"..."

Vierlia’s eyes instantly widened. Was he planning to play favorites?

"I’m not playing favorites, it’s the truth." Shen Yun read Vierlia’s expression and said somewhat helplessly, "It’s just my personal preference. I don’t really like things that are purely sweet; a little bit of sourness makes it better."

"..." Violet stared blankly.

"HMPH, HMPH." Xiao Jiu let out two smug, delicate snorts. "Your Majesty, although your dish is indeed superior in taste, my creation is filled with my love for Master. Whether it’s catering specifically to his flavor preferences or taking on a form that symbolizes dedicating myself entirely to him, that love is woven into every bite. In the face of such devotion, there is absolutely no way you could ever win Master over!"