"Third Young Master Tang San, the fruits are very fresh today. Please take some back with you."
"Third Young Master Tang San, our shop just received a batch of premium fabrics. Allow me to tailor a garment for you."
Before they knew he was Tang Hao's son, people simply treated him as an ordinary disciple of the Clear Sky Sect. But now that word had spread about him being the only son of Clear Sky Douluo Tang Hao, the frenzy surrounding him had become utterly overwhelming.
Girls would deliberately trip in front of him to create "chance encounters," some pretended to be tsundere and aloof, and even men were willing to... bend over backwards.
There had been several instances where he was nearly mobbed to the point of being unable to move, requiring intervention to maintain order—especially recently.
In the world of Douluo Continent, Soul Masters mature relatively early. After all, they awaken their Martial Souls at six years old and can start earning money or even hunting Spirit Beasts in the wild as one-ringed Soul Masters if they're skilled enough.
Thus, at Tang San's age on Douluo Continent, many were already mature enough for... mature activities. Countless people wanted to bask in his glory or even "claim" him for a meteoric rise to success.
Tang San sighed inwardly. It wasn't that he was opposed to romantic relationships, but he couldn't possibly be so casual about it. Activating his Soul Power, he employed Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track beneath his feet.
With his increased Soul Power, Tang San's Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track had become even more agile, allowing him to slip through crowds like an eel.
As Tang San navigated through the throng, a familiar figure waved at him: "Cousin! Cousin Tang San, over here!"
Recognizing the familiar face, Tang San smiled. With a flash of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, he slipped into an exquisite pavilion. The moment he entered, the aroma of food assaulted his senses—after days of research in the Black Tower surviving on coarse grains and plain water, his stomach growled loudly.
Looking at the slightly plump, bespectacled man beside him, Tang San chuckled: "Cousin Tang Niu, long time no see. I've come shamelessly to mooch another meal off you."
Tang Niu was an ordinary disciple of the Clear Sky Sect, eleven years older than Tang San. Though bearing the Tang surname, he hadn't awakened the Clear Sky Hammer but instead possessed the Food-Type Martial Soul—Rice, making him a Food-Type Soul Master. At his current cultivation level of merely twenty-four ranks, his progress was considered exceptionally slow for someone his age in the Clear Sky Sect.
Not only was Tang Niu a Food-Type Soul Master, he was also a chef.
Tang Niu gave a simple, honest smile: "If not for Cousin Tang San speaking up for me back then, Rice Fragrance Pavilion would have been demolished long ago."
On Douluo Continent, Food-Type Soul Masters held a status equivalent to healers. They only needed to produce their food-type Martial Souls for consumption by other Soul Masters—actual cooking was considered unnecessary in this world.
For instance, Tang Niu's Rice Martial Soul: his First Soul Skill produced Healing Rice and his Second Soul Skill produced Soul Return Rice. He only needed to use Soul Power to generate the rice—no cooking required, not even chewing. One could swallow it raw.
For a Food-Type Soul Master to spend time studying culinary arts was considered a complete waste of cultivation time—putting the cart before the horse. This was also why Tang Niu's cultivation progressed so slowly.
Food-Type Soul Masters already had slow Soul Power advancement to begin with—his was even slower.
However, for Tang San, the young master of the Clear Sky Sect, he actually saw no issue with Tang Niu's dedication to culinary arts. After all, even if food-type Martial Souls didn't grow stronger after cooking, tastier food brought greater satisfaction to people.
The moment Tang San stepped into the private room, his nostrils were assaulted by three waves of aromatic bliss. On the table lay a plate of perfectly cooked wings from a Ten-Year Tea Aroma Chicken, sizzling on a hot stone slab with a charred fragrance, mingling with the crisp mid-notes of marinated juices. Meanwhile, the Heaven Dou Deep Sea Silver Cod steamed in a bamboo basket, its sweetness swirling in the air as the fat beneath its skin melted into liquid pearls with a lingering finish.
In front of the stove, Tang Niu's glasses were fogged by steam, and the phantom image of rice spikes condensed from his Soul Power swayed gently in his hand. With a soft murmur, he recited, "When the Golden Spike Lowers Its Head, Ten Thousand Grains Revere the Heavens."
As the words left his lips, his First Soul Ring shimmered with a golden glow. Grains of rice surged forth from his Rice Martial Soul, which Tang Niu deftly stuffed into the chicken wings, transforming them into a dish of rice-stuffed wings.
"Where the Spike Tip Dawns, Thousands of Turns Return to the Granary." With the second incantation, silvery glutinous rice emerged from his Martial Soul, stuffed into the fish belly to soak up the rich broth.
Gulp. Tang San couldn't help but swallow hard at the masterful culinary performance. Few people had the privilege of witnessing a chef of this caliber at work.
Seeing Tang San practically drooling, Tang Niu puffed up with pride. "Don't rush, cousin. There's more."
He lifted the lid of a massive earthen pot on the stove, revealing a radiant, rainbow-hued mushroom broth. The grains of rice had formed a miniature landscape of the Star Dou Great Forest—mushrooms as mountains, fish roe as lakes, and dewdrops cascading like waterfalls as garnishes.
Wiping his Soul Guidance Kitchen Knife, Tang Niu explained, "Though my Rice Martial Soul is weak, each grain carries the energy of the earth's veins. My First Soul Skill can heal injuries, and my Second Soul Skill restores Soul Power."
Though Tang San wasn't injured and his Soul Power was barely depleted, the tantalizing aroma alone made his energy tremble with anticipation. He picked up a rice-stuffed wing and took a bite—the perfect harmony of crispy skin, succulent meat, and fragrant rice instantly satisfied his cravings.
The crackling crust burst on his tongue, the bitterness of the juices balancing the richness of the fat, weaving across his taste buds. The moment he bit down, his hearing was conquered before his taste—the crisp snap of fibers breaking. As the fish touched his tongue, it was as if he were simultaneously tasting molten lava and glacial fissures.
The food-type Martial Soul transformed into streams of warmth flowing through his body.
After taking a sip of the hot broth, Tang San exhaled deeply. "Others actually think you've strayed onto some crooked path—they're blind."
"I don't know if it's just my imagination, but I feel an extra layer of calm in my mind and body. I haven't felt this peaceful since returning from the Sunset Forest."
This sense of physical fulfillment left him floating in bliss, already dreading the thought of not being able to enjoy such meals in the future.
Delighted that his cooking was so appreciated, Tang Niu grinned. "Cousin Tang San, you must've reached level twenty and need to register at the Soul Duel Arena, right? How about I go for you while you finish eating here?"
Tang San nodded and handed over the pre-filled registration form without hesitation before diving back into his feast.
The Soul Masters participating in the soul duels were all arranged to rest in a spacious room while waiting for their turn. However, as a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect and the actual authority controlling the Soul Duel Arena, Tang San naturally didn't need to wait in the resting area like the others.
"Young Master, would you like to wear a mask?" Feng Yang, the arena manager, approached Tang San who had just finished eating and was waiting for arrangements. He held several exquisite masks in his hands.
Feng Yang flattered, "Young Master's power reaches the heavens. This old servant suggests wearing a mask to conceal some of your brilliance, lest you frighten the others."
It must be said that Feng Yang truly knew how to flatter. He understood children's psychology well - they loved wearing masks to play the fool and eat the tiger!
(End of chapter)