The banquet drew to a close amidst an atmosphere brimming with joy.

One could say that both the guests and hosts had a delightful time.

All the dishes Huai Shi made were heartily devoured by the guests, leaving not a single bite. They marveled with admiration, lavished praise on Huai Shi's cooking skills, and offered their compliments and respect.

As if.

Whether the guests were truly pleased, Huai Shi did not know, but as a chef, he was indeed quite happy.

Happy and joyful.

Before Lin Yu left, he presented her with many coupons and told her that she could continue to dine for free on her next visit.

As for whether she was pleased about that, no one knew.

Towards the end of the meal, she had stopped crying out or roaring and had even ceased making any sound at all.

Without tears or laughter, preferring quiet over commotion, she seemed as if she had undergone a free frontal lobotomy.

With an empty gaze, she opened her mouth to consume dish after dish. Eventually, after finishing dessert, Source Substance corrosion erupted from within her, spreading outwards, and she finally made her exit.

"My apologies for any shortcomings in our hospitality," Huai Shi uttered. He then removed the white towel from his arm, gave it a flourish, deeming it a sufficient send-off for the guest.

Then, at Master Chef Watanabe's invitation, he returned to the kitchen and joined the bustling staff meal.

A few chefs exchanged cooking techniques, and finally, a serving of Blessing Frost Sand was prepared for everyone to aid digestion after the meal, earning unanimous praise from the large group of Alien Species.

Just as everyone had finished dinner, a burst of flame suddenly erupted from the kitchen stove. A figure clad in a suit emerged, coughing and sputtering as he wiped the ash from his face.

"I apologize."

He looked towards the Master Chef. "May I inquire if there is a Mr. Huai Shi here?"

"Hmm?"

Huai Shi was slurping his buckwheat noodles when he turned in surprise. The visitor politely stepped forward, bowed at a ninety-degree angle, and respectfully extended his business card with both hands.

"Chef Demon Competition Committee... Secretary?"

Huai Shi was taken aback. "You're looking for me?"

"To be precise, I am here on behalf of the Chef Demon Competition Committee to visit you and deliver a notice."

The visitor, without raising his head, maintained his ninety-degree bow as he drew a rather solemn and austere-looking letter from his briefcase and presented it with both hands.

Opening the envelope, a Black Card slid out.

It bore the imprint of Huai Shi's Source Fluctuation, clearly custom-made.

"What's this?"

"Your certificate."

The Secretary of the Chef Demon Competition Committee announced seriously, "The Committee greatly appreciates your outstanding performance and has unanimously passed your promotion resolution. Your Talent and skill no longer require validation through competition. With genuine actions, you have honorably upheld the essence of dark cuisine and impressively showcased the exceptional Talent befitting a Chef Demon.

Congratulations, Mr. Huai Shi. From today onwards, you are a true Chef Demon."

As soon as he finished speaking, before Huai Shi could react, Master Chef Watanabe beside him suddenly stood up and began to clap enthusiastically.

Then, two chefs, four kitchen aides, and all the restaurant staff stood up, looking at him with faces full of surprise and envy, applauding and expressing their admiration.

"Congratulations, Huai Shi!"

The normally aloof Master Chef Watanabe gripped Huai Shi's hand and congratulated him warmly. He was so elated his face flushed red, as if watching a village child get admitted to Peking University—he seemed even more excited than Huai Shi.

"Mr. Huai, congratulations!"

"Congratulations!"

Everyone encircled Huai Shi, clapping and cheering with congratulatory smiles, startling him into a shock as if all humanity had turned into orange juice.

I'm shocked! How come you're all happier than me?!

To celebrate this chance meeting and Huai Shi's promotion to Chef Demon in his kitchen, Watanabe had an Apprentice fetch a bottle of his treasured sake to uncork. He invited the Secretary who delivered the notice to join them for a drink.

This surprised Huai Shi quite a bit.

He didn't know how the sake was brewed, but it was evidently rich in the vigorous life force of many plants, as well as the essences of dozens of Abyss plants Huai Shi had never encountered.

With just a small cup, his old injuries healed, and he sighed with relief. The Master Chef glanced at the Apprentice, who promptly took the cue and sat beside Huai Shi, specifically to pour his sake.

Unlike Huai Shi, who couldn't even discern the flavor, the Secretary's expression brightened with surprise upon taking a light sip. "Could this possibly be... a treasure from Tengu Mountain?"

"It was a gift from my Master during my study years," Master Chef Watanabe smiled modestly. "I was about to leave and didn't expect to encounter such a joyous occasion. Drinking it here means this fine bottle hasn't been wasted."

After one sip, Huai Shi knew the sake was something special and dared not drink more.

"Speaking of which, if it hadn't been for Mr. Little Cat's recent call, I wouldn't have known I'd received your help," Master Chef Watanabe said with a nod. "Although it's not convenient to discuss the details, please drink freely. This is what you deserve."

"..."

Huai Shi held his cup, dumbfounded.

Even though I'm clueless about what has transpired, if someone's offering a drink on the house, I should just go with it!

But he still couldn't quite process it. "So, I'm a Chef Demon now?"

"Oh dear, your performance in the competition was truly something I've never seen before. Please don't belittle yourself," the Secretary said, respectfully proposing a toast. He then added, "By holding that Card, you may rent a kitchen at any time in the Current Circumstances, the Border, or any place in Hell, free of charge."

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