Mu Yang had been closely observing the changes on stage.
Witnessing it live was far more interesting than watching through the game.
He couldn't help but marvel at how quickly Yanxiao had snapped back to focus.
Compared to those so-called "remedies" for calming nerves, nothing was more motivating than the realization that "my opponent has already finished cooking."
If both of them had failed to complete their dishes, that would've been one thing—but now, Xiangling had already finished all three of hers.
Meanwhile, Yanxiao was still prepping ingredients. If this continued, it wouldn't end well.
How could this live up to the spirit of a true chef?!
"Yanxiao's back in form, but... he doesn't have much time left."
Lumine also noticed Yanxiao's demeanor returning to its usual sharpness. "I hope he can make it. Otherwise, both of them will be upset."
The "other person" she referred to was, of course, Xiangling—who wanted a fair showdown.
Once Yanxiao regained his composure, he immediately dove into cooking.
Soon, his dishes were ready...
The race against time had the entire audience on edge, fearing he wouldn't finish in time.
Just as Yanfei struck the gong to signal the end of the competition, Yanxiao completed his final plating.
Paimon patted her chest in relief. "Whew—! That scared me! Glad he made it!"
Lumine: "Feels like in the second half, everyone was silently cheering for Yanxiao in their hearts."
Even Mu Yang, who rarely expressed such sentiments, admitted he also hoped Yanxiao would succeed—he didn't want to miss this thrilling match.
Paimon stared at the dishes on the judges' table, praying fervently.
"Pick me, pick me, pick me..."
Mu Yang sighed inwardly. Hopeless. Even if cured, she'd still be drooling like this.
On stage, Xiangling and Yanxiao had presented their dishes.
Following the order of completion, Xiangling went first.
Her menu consisted of:
Main Dish: Fragrant Spicy Pepper Chicken
Side Dish: Braised Triple Delicacies
Dessert: Crystal Shrimp
She began explaining her interpretation of the theme.
"The theme was 'Ritual of Land and Water,' covering both land and sea—so ingredients like game, poultry, fish, and shrimp were all viable."
"My main dish, Fragrant Spicy Pepper Chicken, combines poultry with Jueyun Chili. The chilies grow on mountain slopes, embodying the essence of highlands, while poultry is a gift from the skies."
Gourmet Tianshu eyed the tender white meat, swallowing hard.
He couldn't imagine how exhilarating the spice would taste.
[Fun fact: This is Xinyan's specialty dish—called 'Rockin' Riffin' Chicken!']
[This dish feels like it automatically disqualifies Ningguang—could that be risky?]
[As a Cantonese, I'm already sweating just looking at it.]
Xiangling then introduced her side dish, Braised Triple Delicacies.
It also used poultry, along with ham and bamboo shoots.
"Like the chili chicken, it carries the essence of the mountains—balancing spice and freshness, heat and coolness—creating harmony with the main dish."
As for the Crystal Shrimp, the ingredients were rice, shrimp, and carrots.
The translucent outer layer wrapped around diced carrots and whole shrimp—crisp yet tender.
"The shrimp, a gift from the sea, is tightly enveloped in a rice-based wrapper. A fusion of land and water, its sweetness drawn out by the umami."
"It's the perfect finale for this menu."
If only Paimon had been eager to be picked before the match...
Now, after Xiangling's explanation, the entire audience was praying to be chosen.
"Pick me! Pick me!"
The aroma was irresistible—who wouldn't want a taste?
Host Yanfei took over. "What an impressive presentation! Next up—contestant Yanxiao, your turn!"
Yanxiao's three dishes were:
Immortal's Delight
Mint Salad
Golden Shrimp Balls
[Golden Shrimp Balls—well, that's one guaranteed vote for Yanxiao.]
[Hahaha, instant win against Keqing!]
Yanxiao explained that his ingredients also spanned land and sea—game, poultry, fish, and shrimp.
Immortal's Delight was a renowned Liyue dish.
As the chef of Wangshu Inn, Yanxiao had always treated it as his signature masterpiece.
"This dish is complex in technique and meticulous in ingredients—smoked ham, crab, fresh shrimp, and matsutake mushrooms."
"It represents my dedication to my craft and this competition."
From the VIP seats:
Paimon teased, "This guy's pretty articulate when he wants to be!"
Lumine glanced at Mu Yang. "Seems you think highly of Yanxiao."
Mu Yang nodded. "Mhm. But I still believe in Xiangling."
"Same here."
Yanxiao continued with his second dish—Mint Salad.
Like Xiangling, he employed a balancing strategy.
The cool, refreshing mint paired perfectly with the rich, savory Immortal's Delight.
Lastly, the Golden Shrimp Balls were a beloved classic.
"After the hearty soup, a bite of these shrimp balls... heh, pure bliss."
Gouba, watching nearby, was utterly entranced.
Paimon wasn't faring much better. "Uwah— I can already smell it... I'm going crazy..."
But no matter how desperate Paimon was, the judges had to taste first.
After sampling, even Keqing couldn't hide her thoughts.
"Incredible. Both sets of dishes are meticulously crafted—clever and delicious. I'd love another Golden Shrimp..."
She caught herself—Xiangling was right there!
"I mean—I'd like to further appreciate both chefs' skills."
[Keqing's character arc in shambles—this event ruined her, and I love her even more.]
[Hehe... I'm gonna learn to cook this. My wife... hehe...]
Tianshu lavished praise on Xiangling's Fragrant Spicy Pepper Chicken.
"Contestant Xiangling's approach is fascinating. Using a cold dish as the main course is bold."
"The dish is unique—though served cold, the chilies were stir-fried, retaining warmth."
"The spiciness carries heat, the heat carries crispness, and there's a hint of pepper. Exquisite!"
Finally, Ningguang gave her thoughts.
"Immortal's Delight is divine. Braised Triple Delicacies balances saltiness and umami with sophistication—a top-tier dish. Hmm... Impressive standards."
Mu Yang mused, As expected of you—master of diplomatic praise.
The judges recorded their scores, and the lottery began.
Unfortunately... Paimon wasn't among the ten chosen.
The "Honest Truthseeker" stomped her feet in frustration.
"Ugh! Why wasn't I picked?! Why didn't they invite me as a judge?!"
"I'm obsessed with food—exceptionally knowledgeable! Their loss for missing out!"
She was fully delusional now.
Mu Yang consoled her, promising to cook whatever she craved after the event.
Only then did Paimon brighten up.
"Mu Yang, aren't you spoiling Paimon too much? What if I can't afford to feed her later?"
Lumine pretended to side-eye Paimon.
"Lumine, don't exaggerate! I'm very low-maintenance! Just... occasionally peckish. Hehe..."
Lumine pinched Paimon's cheek—of course she was joking.
Had Mu Yang not spoken up, she would've comforted Paimon herself.
Paimon beamed. "I knew you two were the best!"
As they bantered, the judges finalized their scores, and the votes were tallied.
Ningguang stood, announcing to the crowd:
"The champion of this year's Liyue Masterful Chefs Competition is—"
Both Yanxiao and Xiangling held their breaths.
"Xiangling—by a single vote!"
"Wahooo!" Xiangling jumped for joy.
Though he'd known the outcome, Mu Yang feigned surprise. "Only one vote apart?"
Paimon: "So close?! If Yanxiao hadn't been nervous earlier—"
Lumine: "That's not quite fair, Paimon. Mental composure is part of a chef's skill."
Paimon: "Well... I guess you're right..."