Chapter 16: The Calm Before the Storm
The encounter with the shadowy messenger had left Zhang Ye on edge. The subtle threat woven into the messenger's words made it clear that the Syndicate wasn't done with him or the guild. The air in the guild hall had grown tense, the members wary and more alert.
In the following days, Zhang Ye threw himself into his craft with renewed intensity. Cooking wasn't just a passion anymore—it was a weapon. Every dish, every elixir he created had a purpose: to strengthen his allies and prepare them for the inevitable clash with the Syndicate.
One of the new recipes Zhang Ye had unlocked was the Titan's Feast, a dish designed to dramatically enhance physical strength and endurance. It was a complex recipe, requiring several rare ingredients, including Mountain Boar Ribs, Crimson Lotus Petals, and Spirit-Infused Salt.
The Mountain Boar Ribs were the first challenge. These creatures were Tier 3 monsters known for their aggressive nature and thick hides. Zhang Ye led a small team of guild members on a hunt in the rugged foothills west of Blueveil City.
The hunt was grueling. The boars were massive, their tusks sharp and their charges deadly. But Zhang Ye's team worked in perfect coordination, using traps and bait to outmaneuver the beasts. When the final boar fell, Zhang Ye harvested the ribs, their rich marbling promising unparalleled flavor and power.
The next ingredient, Crimson Lotus Petals, grew in the treacherous Serpent's Fen—a swamp teeming with venomous creatures and poisonous flora. Zhang Ye ventured there with Linna, her sharp instincts and agility proving invaluable in navigating the dangerous terrain.
The petals were located near the center of the fen, guarded by a cluster of Venomtail Vipers, Tier 4 serpents whose bites could paralyze their prey. Linna acted as a decoy, drawing the vipers away while Zhang Ye carefully harvested the petals. Despite a few close calls, they returned to the guild unharmed, their prize in hand.
The final ingredient, Spirit-Infused Salt, was not something that could be found in nature. It had to be crafted using a unique process involving a Tier 5 Spirit Core, a rare item obtained from defeating high-level monsters.
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The guild held a meeting to decide how to approach this challenge. While Tier 5 monsters were far beyond the abilities of most adventurers, Zhang Ye's team had grown stronger thanks to his dishes and elixirs.
"We've scouted a nearby canyon where a Tier 5 Thunderfang Wolf has been sighted," Kai said, pointing to a map spread out on the table. "It's dangerous, but if we work together, we can take it down."
Zhang Ye nodded. "We'll need to be careful. The wolf's lightning-based attacks can hit multiple targets at once. I'll prepare dishes to enhance our speed and resistance to elemental damage."
For the next two days, Zhang Ye worked tirelessly in the kitchen, crafting a meal he called Stormshield Stew. Made with ingredients that countered lightning energy, the dish would grant temporary resistance to electrical attacks. He also prepared Swiftfoot Tarts, which would boost the team's agility and reaction times.
When the day of the hunt arrived, the team was ready. Each member carried a satchel of Zhang Ye's dishes and elixirs, their confidence bolstered by the chef's creations.
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The canyon was a foreboding place, its rocky walls scarred by centuries of storms. The air crackled with static, and the ground was littered with the charred remains of animals caught in the wolf's lightning strikes.
As they ventured deeper, the team spotted the Thunderfang Wolf resting on a rocky ledge. The beast was massive, its fur crackling with arcs of blue lightning. Its eyes glowed with an unnatural light, and its sharp claws left scorch marks on the stone.
The battle began with a coordinated attack. Elira fired an arrow tipped with a stunning elixir, striking the wolf's flank and slowing its movements. Kai charged forward, his sword glowing with energy as he clashed with the beast. Linna darted around the battlefield, landing quick, precise strikes.
Zhang Ye stayed at the back, analyzing the wolf's movements with the help of his system. He called out warnings and adjustments, ensuring his team avoided the wolf's deadly lightning strikes.
When the wolf released a massive discharge of energy, Zhang Ye tossed a vial of Stormshield Elixir into the air. The vial shattered, releasing a protective mist that neutralized the lightning.
The battle raged on for what felt like hours, the team slowly wearing the beast down. Finally, Kai delivered a decisive blow, driving his sword deep into the wolf's chest. The beast let out a final, deafening howl before collapsing to the ground.
Zhang Ye approached cautiously, retrieving the Spirit Core from the wolf's body. The core pulsed with energy, its power almost overwhelming.
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Back at the guild, Zhang Ye used the Spirit Core to craft the Spirit-Infused Salt, completing the final step of the Titan's Feast recipe.
The feast itself was a masterpiece, its aroma filling the guild hall and drawing the attention of everyone present. When the guild members tasted it, they were astonished by its effects. Their strength and endurance skyrocketed, their bodies feeling nearly invincible.
"This is incredible," Kai said, flexing his arm as he tested his enhanced strength. "With this, we'll be ready for whatever the Syndicate throws at us."
Zhang Ye smiled, but his mind was already racing. The Syndicate was still out there, and he knew they wouldn't wait long to make their next move.
For now, though, the guild was stronger than ever, united by Zhang Ye's cooking and their shared determination. The calm before the storm wouldn't last, but they were ready to face whatever came next.