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 The doors opened, light spilling out, and the first to step down as a gray-haired person. They scanned the crowd, immediately spotting Phainon at the front, then rushed forward to grab his hand. "Ah, Chef Phainon! I'm your idol... no, wait, you're my fan... no, that's not right! Anyway, I can't believe I finally get to meet you!"
+Phainon felt an instant bond with the gray-haired person. "You carry something fascinating... I see it now. It's the passion to push the limits of taste!"
+"... Honored guests, welcome to Grand Chrysos. Please, allow me to show you to your seats..."
+The other master chefs tactfully ignored the starry-eyed exchange between Phainon and the gray-haired persono. Hyacine quickly stepped in, leading the Astral Food Express delegation inside.
+To welcome the challengers from afar, Grand Chrysos invited a hall full of diners to join the feast, even bringing the long-retired culinary legend "Imperator" out of seclusion to serve as chief judge. The Astral Food Express's navigator, Himeko, shook hands with Aglaea, investor of the Grand Restaurant, as their representative.
+"The banner the Trailblazer snuck up at your door was an exaggeration. We come without hostility. The Astral Food Express is here to share knowledge with the Amphoreus chefs, and to bring the interstellar cuisines we've gathered to your people."
+"Miss Himeko, you're too kind. Chefs under heaven are one family. Friendship first, competition second. There is, however, another matter where we need your help..."
+"Let's skip the pleasantries while the Imperator is here." Cerydra swept her hand, and a squad of Flame-Chase Army marched in carrying stoves and cookware into the hall. Mem and Pom-Pom, who had been happily devouring Express Special Hotpot, scrambled to wipe their mouths clean and sat up stiffly in their mascot seats.
+"I hereby declare the culinary showdown between Grand Chrysos and Astral Food Express has officially begun!"
+First round: The theme "Desserts" was announced by judge Hysilens. As the master chef who pioneered the "musical restaurant" concept, her every movement carried the calm confidence of an older generation of chefs. But when she opened the envelope with the theme, her face stiffened. "... The theme has been changed at the last minute to 'Banquet'."
+"Last-minute change?" Cipher started to rise in protest, but under Hysilens's sharp gaze, she instantly sat back down.
+"What's wrong, Little Ciphy?" Tribbie asked. Cipher looked regretful. "I was planning to take out one of their heavy hitters by switching the theme to something I'm good at... 'fish'. But it turns out this 'Dux Grill-at-us' really can't bear to see fish suffer, just like the rumors say..."
+"... Little Ciphy, aside from how you'd even make a dessert out of fish, it's still better to win fair an square."
+Soon, both sides selected their first contestant. For Grand Chrysos, the manager Castorice stepped forward herself. Her dish: Antila Frost Sugar Pudding Tower, also called... "An Embrace from Beyond." "As the sweet ending of a banquet, pudding is like a final embrace before saying goodbye."
+From the Astral Food Express, a pink-haired girl in a festive dress took her place. She fumbled a little in the kitchen, then proudly held up a strange drink. "My entry is this: The 'Overlord Shaky Cup Juice'! At the end of the banquet, clinking glasses with this will make the night complete!"
+"March... why is your juice salty?"
+"I—It's supposed to be! It's inspired by a drink called 'Salty Lemon Seven Up'!"
+"She just mixed up salt and sugar again, Dan Heng."
+Castorice's pudding was showered with praise, but to everyone's surprise, March 7th's juice... also won unexpected approval.
+"The bitterness of the Antila flowers soaks into the pudding and balances out the sweetness. What a perfect match! To think the bizarre chef formerly known as 'Hand of the River of Souls' has grown this much..."
+"As for Chef March's drink... at first sip, it's bizarre, but the more you drink, the more addictive it gets. Could this be some secret recipe from beyond the sky...?"
+The diners whispered among themselves, and even the judges were excited, jotting down scores with spoons and straws in their mouths. The only one looking wistful was Hysilens. "Why does everyone's creativity end up focused on the end of a banquet...?"
+The second round: The theme "Cold Dish" was announced by the judge, the Seismic Walking Dragon, Terravox. This hermit, master of archaic cuisine, gave a low rumble as he declared the subject: "Betrayal."
+Grand Chrysos sent out master chef Mydei, matched against the Astral Food Express's master chef Dan Heng. The two stoic men exchanged a single glance, then silently went to work. After forty-five minutes, Mydei was the first to present.
+"Chilled cream Dulu Bird Cutlets, please enjoy."
+"Chef Mydei, may I ask... how does this relate to the theme 'Betrayal'?"
+"If you taste carefully, you'll notice an unexpected sweetness. It comes from a 'betrayal': a trusted friend once added sugar to my personal milk powder jar..."
+"Stop, Mydei. Just stop."
+Then came Dan Heng's dish. "This is Cold Marinated Scalegorge Jellyfish, titled 'Transmutation Arcanum'."
+The refreshing taste... it really feels like transforming into one of the Vidyadhara..."
+"Though it doesn't really seem connected to 'betrayal' either."
+"But the judge Terravox ate it with tears streaming down his face. Wait, aren't dromas only supposed to eat redsoil...?"
+Third round: the theme "Main Course" was announced by judge Anaxa from the Grove of Epiphany Culinary School. He ripped the envelope to pieces, took the cup of water Aglaea handed him, and drank deeply. "As for this round's theme, without a doubt, I will chose the drom—"
+Before Anaxa could finish, his throat seized, his eyes widened, and he toppled straight backward. The Flame-Chase Army, already prepared, rushed to catch him and carried him back to his seat.
+"Soo the theme is 'drom'...?"
+"What happened to Professor Anaxagoras... wait, that cup! It's the Express' exclusive paper coffee cup..."
+Aglaea stepped forward. "Professor Anaxagoras has suddenly fallen ill. I will announce the final theme in his stead — 'Trailblaze'!"
+"Wait... isn't that the motto of the Astral Food Express!"
+"Lady Aglaea really is treating this more like an exchange than a competition..."
+By now, each side had only one contestant left... Naturally, it was Phainon and the Trailblazer.
+"Both last to appear... looks like you and I are the same kind of kitchen deliverers!" Phainon had already rolled up his sleeves.
+"Deliverers attract each other. You said it perfectly!" The Trailblazer already had a spatula in hand.
+As the crowd erupted in cheers, Aglaea and Himeko exchanged a look, each thinking the same thing. "This is going to be a blazing journey of 'Trailblazing' indeed."
+...