Heat water in a wok to blanch the bamboo shoot slivers. Simultaneously, heat another wok, add a large amount of oil, and after it's hot, add the pork slivers for a quick stir-fry to ensure each sliver is evenly heated. This step cannot be omitted, otherwise the taste will be somewhat different. Dylan skillfully operated, filtering the stir-fried pork slivers.
Then he took a new wok, poured in oil, and increased the temperature. Hot wok, cold oil. After the wok was hot, the hot oil was poured out, then cold oil was added and heated. Simultaneously, chili bean paste and pickled chili peppers were added – this was the source of the "fish fragrance" in Yuxiang Rousi. Stir-fry over high heat until fragrant, add the pork slivers, and at the same time add the blanched bamboo shoot slivers. Then came the most crucial seasoning...
Dylan picked up the bowl full of wood ear mushroom slivers, his voice sounding once again in the classroom: "The seasoning for Yuxiang Rousi is added in three stages. This ensures that every ingredient has the flavor of the sauce, making the taste of the whole dish more uniform."
At this moment, the classroom was silent. All the students were captivated by Dylan's spectacular performance, staring intently. Although it looked like very ordinary Yuxiang Rousi to them, it was also a combination of flavors, simple to look at but actually very difficult.
"Gold... golden light!"
"The dish is emitting golden light!"
"How could it be? Could this be the luminous cuisine that only Five-Star Special Grade Chefs can make!?"
Before long, the Yuxiang Rousi in the wok reached its optimal state. A dazzling golden light uncontrollably burst from the wok, stunning the entire audience. As students of a famous Japanese culinary academy, they naturally knew what this represented. Luminous-grade cuisine, casually produced during a lecture – this young man before them was definitely a Five-Star Special Grade powerhouse!
"How could it be? How did Totsuki Academy recruit a Five-Star Special Grade teacher!?"
Nakiri Erina was currently doubting her life. She knew her own family's business. Although Totsuki Academy was quite powerful in Japan, it could barely be considered first-class internationally. China's Eastern Academy, France's Vasina Academy, Turkey's Isuzu Academy... These were all existences on par with, or even far surpassing, Totsuki Academy! And even these schools didn't have Five-Star Special Grade Chefs teaching, only occasionally having someone come to lecture. How could they possibly have managed to recruit a permanent teacher of that caliber?!
"Alright, try it. The Chinese cuisine you look down on, is it good or not? Tell me the answer after you've eaten."
Dylan gestured with his hand, but no one in the classroom dared to move their chopsticks. Everyone was frozen in place. Especially those who had been the loudest in their complaints at the beginning were now the most subdued.
"Why are you all suddenly not moving? That little girl over there with the blue twin braids, stop looking, I'm talking to you. Come and try it."
Looking at the rigid scene, Dylan couldn't help but feel speechless. Then he raised an eyebrow and looked towards Megumi Tadokoro, who was staring blankly at the Yuxiang Rousi in the distance. He had naturally recognized this girl's identity. She was the very simple and cute Megumi, suitable for marriage, with a personality so good that if one betrayed her, they would feel compelled to hang themselves at her door the next day. And this girl, who had been shrinking in the corner at the beginning, had stood up when he started cooking and had come to the very front of the crowd, watching him operate intently. He had been paying attention all along.
"Me? Ah? Okay..."
Although somewhat surprised that Dylan would call her, her inherently unassertive nature made her comply. As she spoke, Megumi Tadokoro stepped forward and picked up the chopsticks from the side.
"Gulp."
Looking at the dish, which was now entwined with a flowing light after the golden light dissipated, Megumi Tadokoro subconsciously swallowed, her heart beating a little fast. She didn't know what the flowing light before her was, but she knew that this dish must be delicious! Picking up the chopsticks, she took a piece of pork sliver, bamboo shoot sliver, and wood ear mushroom sliver together and put them in her mouth.
"Amazing! This taste!"
When the Yuxiang Rousi collided with her tongue, Megumi Tadokoro subconsciously exclaimed. The pork tenderloin was fine and tender, without sinews or bones. After being finely shredded and quickly stir-fried, it maintained its freshness and smoothness. Furthermore, during the cooking process, the pork slivers fully absorbed the essence of the Yuxiang sauce. Every mouthful was full and juicy, retaining the original aroma of the meat while incorporating the sour, sweet, spicy, and salty flavors of the Yuxiang seasoning, resulting in a delicate and layered taste. Winter bamboo shoots, as a seasonal delicacy, added a fresh, natural flavor to the Yuxiang Rousi with their crisp and refreshing characteristics. Wood ear mushrooms became soft and elastic after stir-frying, forming a sharp contrast with the tenderness of the pork and the crispness of the bamboo shoots! The three complemented each other, making the overall taste of the dish more three-dimensional and full-bodied.
"Sweet and sour, slightly spicy, fresh and savory, salty and fresh. Although there isn't a single piece of fish, it's full of the aroma of fish. No wonder this dish is called Yuxiang Rousi!"
Feeling the flavors on the tip of her tongue, Megumi Tadokoro couldn't help but hum softly. Various flavors bloomed on her tongue, forming an exquisite taste experience!
"Gulp." Looking at the girl with her head held high, her face exceptionally flushed, and her whole body unconsciously tensing up, another round of swallowing sounds was heard in the classroom. Luminous-grade cuisine – many of them had only heard of it and would never normally see it. Therefore, they could hardly imagine how delicious this dish would be, but just the aroma emanating from it was already unbearable for many!
"Erina... sama?"
Looking at Nakiri Erina, whose eyes were full of longing and who was swallowing from time to time, Hisako Arato called her name in a flustered manner. However, Nakiri Erina didn't react at all. She just stared blankly at the Yuxiang Rousi on the stage, moving forward like a walking corpse, as if controlled by something. And the surrounding people, who had originally been somewhat reserved and considered themselves aloof, seeing this scene, finally couldn't hold back and rushed forward. In an instant, the scene turned into a zombie siege. Everyone rushed forward frantically, even disregarding classmates they usually got along well with, losing their sanity and launching an attack on the Yuxiang Rousi in front of Dylan.
"Get out of the way! I was here first!"
"Bastard, you stepped on my foot, don't push me!"
"What the hell, why is someone even using their hands!"
Countless pairs of chopsticks stabbed into the plate of Yuxiang Rousi in front of them. Some even reached out directly with their hands. Everyone was trying their best to grab the food on the plate. Megumi Tadokoro, who had been at the very front, was pushed to the ground by someone unknown. At this moment, she was clutching her waist in pain, watching this crazy scene.
"All of you, go back! As chefs, scrambling for food like savages? What a disgrace!"
Looking at the gradually crazed Totsuki students in front of him, Dylan's voice suddenly sounded. Then, as if possessing some kind of magic, it instantly subdued the crowd, causing them to slowly stop their actions, a bit of clarity returning to their chaotic eyes. Of course, the main reason was that the Yuxiang Rousi on the plate in front of them was already empty; even the plate had been licked clean by someone unknown!
"How could it be? What did I just do?"
Looking at her greasy hands, Nakiri Erina's expression was stunned, her face full of disbelief. Was that person just now really her? However, the myriad flavors lingering on her tongue and the grease on her hands told her it was true. She had actually scrambled for food like a wild dog, just for a mere plate of Yuxiang Rousi?! Realizing this, she collapsed to the ground as if all her strength had drained away. At the same time, the aftertaste of the dish caused her expression to change slightly, a visible flush appearing on her face. A strange power surged within her body, seemingly about to burst her clothes, and simultaneously affect those around her.
However, just then, a warm, large hand rested on her shoulder. Internal energy flowed from the shoulder, neutralizing the impending clothes-bursting force. Nakiri Erina raised her head to find Dylan had unknowingly come to her side.
"Lady Erina, what are you doing..." Hisako Arato, who had been worriedly calling out from the side, wanted to step forward to check on her. However, seeing Dylan suddenly appear and place his hand on Nakiri Erina's shoulder, her expression changed slightly, and she was about to say something...
"Hisako, I'm fine. Teacher Dylan is doing this for my own good."
Looking at Hisako Arato, who wanted to say something, Nakiri Erina waved her hand, raised her head to look at Dylan, understanding in her heart that he had suppressed the clothes-bursting force, although she didn't know how he did it. At the same time, a deeper layer of the Yuxiang Rousi's power exploded within Nakiri Erina's body, causing her to involuntarily tense her legs and gasp, a layer of blush visibly appearing on her face.
"Huu..." Although Dylan's internal energy could offset the shockwave of the clothes-bursting, he was powerless against this deeper, somewhat... feeling. He also didn't know why, among abilities of super taste, the God Tongue was so sensitive. It inexplicably felt like an underworld version of super taste. He saw the girl before him trembling slightly, her eyes becoming hazy. Dylan silently stood in front of her, turning his gaze to the other students.
"The charm of Chinese cuisine, have you all felt it? Do you still think Chinese cuisine can't compare to those Western dishes? If you still have such thoughts, you're welcome to bring people to challenge me anytime!"
"No, teacher, I didn't get to eat just now, so I don't understand what you mean."
As soon as Dylan finished speaking, a student immediately raised their hand and said, their face full of longing, looking somewhat anxious. Because everyone around had eaten, but he hadn't been able to squeeze to the front for a long time. By the time he finally got to the front, damn it, even the plate had been licked clean.
"I didn't get to eat either!"
"I only had one bite, I haven't even tasted it properly yet!"
"Me too, teacher, please make another portion, let me compare the difference between the two properly."
"Teacher, onegai!"
"Teacher, cook Chinese food for a lifetime!" At this moment, the young students who had been saying all sorts of bad things about Chinese cuisine earlier now looked eager, wanting to taste the delicious Yuxiang Rousi again.
"Teacher, I'm going to the classroom next door. I'll be back later."
Suddenly, Nakiri Erina, who was behind him, forcefully grabbed his clothes and spoke in a slightly trembling voice, as if suppressing something.
"Okay, you go. Let this little girl next to you go with you." Turning his head, the girl's cheeks were already incredibly red. She hung her head low, her other hand tightly clutching her school uniform skirt. Hisako Arato was beside her with an anxious face, so he didn't make things difficult.
"Okay, thank you, teacher."
Before Nakiri Erina could speak, Hisako Arato thanked Dylan first, bowing deeply, then pulled Erina and left the classroom. Dylan watched the two retreating figures, a knowing smile flashing on his face. He shook his head and turned his gaze to the eager students before him.
"What are you thinking? Of course, there's only one chance. If you can't grab it, it's because you're not capable. People who can't even seize opportunities are the most useless! Want to get Yuxiang Rousi? Then exchange it with a qualified dish! As long as you make a qualified dish, I can reward you!"
Dylan's voice revealed a hint of playfulness. This was also his requirement for the candidates of the Dark Culinary World. Want to eat the food he made? Fine! Show your strength. As long as you can gain his approval, you can get a reward! And under such incentives, students would often try their best to cook, showing amazing creativity to please him! This was his teaching plan.
"What?"
"A qualified dish? What standard does it need to reach to be considered qualified?!"
"Let's start quickly, what do you want us to do? I can't wait anymore!"
As Dylan's words fell, the scene became chaotic again. Everyone's face was filled with excitement, asking him about the standard for a qualified dish.
"It's very simple. That is, use different ingredients to create a qualified Yuxiang Rousi. The main purpose of the assessment is innovation. As long as the final taste can satisfy me, you can get a portion of Yuxiang Rousi personally stir-fried by me. It's worth mentioning that my requirements are very high. If you dare to present a Yuxiang Rousi that's just to fool people, then please get out of this classroom!"
Dylan said as he wrote the recipe on the blackboard. The sound of the chalk was firm and powerful, quickly writing down the method for Yuxiang Rousi.
"This is the most conventional one. The pork slivers cannot be changed. For the others, create new Yuxiang Rousi according to your own ideas!" The chalk in his hand landed in the chalk box with a precise parabola. Dylan spread his arms, looking at the students before him with a smile.
"Well then, let the cooking begin!"
"Lady Erina, what happened just now? Why did you..." Hisako Arato didn't say the rest, but the worry in her eyes was noticed by Nakiri Erina.
"Hisako, that wasn't luminous cuisine at all, but the legendary flowing light cuisine! Although I was relatively far back, I still clearly felt the astonishing power brought by that dish!" As she spoke, Nakiri Erina's expression was intoxicated. At this moment, she could still clearly feel the taste of that Yuxiang Rousi lingering on her lips and tongue. It was an extremely rich taste. Because the proportions were handled properly, it formed a flavor similar to fish!
"Flowing light grade cuisine? Is it the flowing light grade cuisine I'm thinking of!?"
Hearing Nakiri Erina's words, Hisako Arato's originally worried eyes turned to shock, her mouth slightly agape in surprise. If it was flowing light grade cuisine, it would indeed make everyone look like that. Because she had a cold, her nose was blocked, so she couldn't smell the aroma in the air. This was also why she hadn't gone crazy like the others.
"Hisako, listen to me! That teacher definitely has a great background! From now on, we'll only attend his classes! As long as we learn his classes well, our strength will definitely undergo a world-shaking change!" At the end of her words, Nakiri Erina could no longer suppress the excitement in her voice. Although such an embarrassing thing had just happened, because of Dylan's considerate care, and because everyone's attention was on the Yuxiang Rousi and no one was looking at her, she thought about it and let it go. Losing to flowing light grade cuisine was really not embarrassing!
"To be able to create flowing light grade cuisine, one must be at least a Seven-Star Special Grade Chef. Why would such a powerful person come to Totsuki? Could there be some conspiracy..." Compared to Nakiri Erina's optimism, Hisako Arato was somewhat worried. A Seven-Star Special Grade Chef, no matter which country they were in, was a national treasure-level existence. How could they be easily transferred abroad? But Dylan had just appeared at Totsuki Academy like that, making it hard not to suspect if there was some conspiracy involved...
"I don't know, but Grandpa personally reviews all teacher recruitment at Totsuki Academy. Generally, there shouldn't be any major problems. Besides, this is an opportunity! As long as I firmly grasp him, I can definitely surpass Alice! I must wash away the shame of that Shokugeki!" Thinking of the Shokugeki three days ago, Nakiri Erina's face showed an unwilling expression. In that Shokugeki, she had completely lost due to the information gap. If she had known earlier that Nakiri Alice possessed Special Grade strength, she would have stalled for time first! Although she wasn't afraid of challenges, she wasn't stupid either. Naturally, she wouldn't go looking for abuse knowing she couldn't beat her opponent.
A chef who is good at Chinese cuisine... Wait, doesn't he look about our age?"
As if suddenly realizing something, Hisako Arato stopped, her face filled with unconcealable shock. Because Dylan had the status of a teacher, when he was teaching them, they subconsciously felt he was in a high position and thought his skill was a matter of course. But now that she thought about it carefully, a Seven-Star Special Grade Chef in his twenties, wouldn't that be a bit too outrageous!?
"That's right, he looks so young! Even if he's older than us, he definitely can't be much older! But... such a young person is actually a Seven-Star Special Grade Chef?! Grandpa is only Six-Star!" Nakiri Erina couldn't help but feel a bit dazed. Thinking of their chance encounter in the hallway, she had even thought it felt like a light romantic comedy at the time. But now, combined with Dylan's identity as a Seven-Star Special Grade Chef, this was somewhat terrifying! Especially since Nakiri Senzaemon was only a Six-Star Special Grade Chef, and it was said that he had been stuck at Six-Star Special Grade Chef for more than thirty years...
"Where on earth did Grandpa find this monster..." Even though Nakiri Erina was very confident in her talent, facing Dylan, who could be called a world bug, she could only worship him at this moment.
"Hurry up, Hisako!"
Suddenly, Nakiri Erina spoke.
"Ah?" Hisako Arato was somewhat puzzled but still quickened her pace according to her instructions.
"Go home, change clothes, then rush back to listen to Teacher Dylan's lecture. I must perform well and leave a deep impression on him!" Simply explaining, Nakiri Erina quickened her pace in the hallway and finally started running, finally becoming the person she disliked the most.
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