Chapter 14: The Dessert of Destiny Duel — Sweetness, Spices, and Spatulas
The crowd was still buzzing from the results of the Spiritual Lunch Showdown, where Lin Feng's unpredictable approach and flair had shocked even the most seasoned culinary veterans. Now, with the final round of the Golden Wok Clan's Food War upon them, the stakes were higher than ever.
The Dessert of Destiny Duel.
A dish so sweet, so decadent, that it could either save or doom the Azure Sky Sect.
Lin Feng cracked his knuckles, eyeing the counter full of ingredients—ingredients that held the potential to tip the scales of this entire war. Beside him, the Golden Wok Clan looked as though they were preparing to invoke an ancient spirit of the dessert realm itself. Grandmaster Gong Bao's face was still a little singed from the earlier rounds, but his fiery eyes glowed with an intensity that could melt the toughest sugar cane.
"Lin Feng, prepare yourself. This is not going to be as simple as flipping pancakes," Gong Bao sneered.
Lin Feng waved a dismissive hand. "Pancakes? Please, I make pancakes so fluffy they float to the sky."
His eyes gleamed with mischief. "But today, we're making something even more magical. Something the gods themselves would weep for."
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The Arena of Sweets
The two kitchens were set up in the Arena of Sweets, a realm where flavors reigned supreme, and the air was saturated with the intoxicating scent of sugar, chocolate, and baked goods. The tables gleamed with golden utensils, each more precious than the last. On Lin Feng's side, his trusty Whisk of Cosmic Whirls was ready to unleash another storm of flavor, while the Golden Wok Clan had brought out their secret weapon—The Ladle of Eternal Sweetness, said to stir any concoction into a state of divine perfection.
"I am ready," Gong Bao said darkly. "Prepare to be crushed by my ultimate dessert: The Golden Dragon Soufflé of Light and Darkness."
The name alone made Lin Feng pause for a second.
"Huh, that actually sounds impressive," he said. "But you know what? I've got something even better. Something that'll blow your mind."
He reached for his weapon of choice—the Spatula of Unyielding Flip.
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The Dessert Battle Begins
The gong sounded, and the clock started ticking. Lin Feng wasted no time.
"Let the sugar rush begin!" he shouted.
With a flick of his wrist, he wielded the Spatula of Unyielding Flip, and a large mound of chocolate mousse began to levitate in mid-air. Each flip was graceful, like a ballerina dancing in perfect synchronization. The mousse swirled with perfect precision, its texture smooth as silk. He then grabbed the Whisk of Cosmic Whirls and spun it, creating a whirlwind of cream that hovered above the mousse, spiraling and growing thicker, almost as if it was being shaped by the very winds of fate.
"You call that a dessert?!" Gong Bao sneered, but Lin Feng wasn't done yet.
With one final dramatic flourish, Lin Feng sprinkled Demon's Gold Dust, an ancient sweetener known to add both sweetness and depth to any dish, onto the mousse and cream, before gently pulling it apart, revealing a core of molten chocolate that burned with an inner, mystical fire.
"Meet my 'Heavenly Mocha Lava Cake of the Stars,'" Lin Feng announced triumphantly.
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The Golden Wok Clan Strikes Back
But Grandmaster Gong Bao was far from impressed. He smirked as he took up his Ladle of Eternal Sweetness, chanting an ancient incantation as he stirred his golden batter.
"You think that's enough to defeat the might of the Golden Wok Clan?" Gong Bao mocked. **"Witness the Golden Dragon Soufflé of Light and Darkness!"
He poured a golden liquid into a massive mold that appeared to be made of stardust. The soufflé slowly took form, rising higher and higher, each fold of the batter shimmering with a strange light. It was a dessert unlike anything Lin Feng had seen, a cloud of golden sweetness suspended in the air, crackling with divine energy.
The scent alone was enough to send even the most disciplined cultivator into a trance.
But Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. "Impressive. But the key to desserts is balance—too sweet and it becomes a syrupy nightmare. Too heavy, and you'll have the food coma from hell."
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The Judges' Reactions
As the final seconds ticked down, both desserts were ready. Lin Feng's Heavenly Mocha Lava Cake and Gong Bao's Golden Dragon Soufflé of Light and Darkness stood side by side, the air thick with anticipation.
The judges, wise and seasoned in the ways of culinary combat, approached the first dessert. Each judge took a bite of Lin Feng's creation and immediately burst into fits of joy. One of them, a stout old man with a beard that could rival a mountain, gasped and immediately began glowing.
"This… this is true perfection!" he shouted. "It has everything—a perfect balance of bitterness, sweetness, and a touch of the divine!"
Next, the judges turned their attention to Gong Bao's Golden Dragon Soufflé, taking delicate bites with a sense of reverence. They paused, their faces expressionless as they chewed, processing the complex flavors.
Then, one of the judges, a tall woman with an air of supreme elegance, spoke.
"This… this is too much. The sweetness is overpowering, and the texture, though light, feels like it's clinging to your very soul," she said, her voice tinged with confusion.
"What… what does that even mean?" Gong Bao muttered, his face faltering.
"It means it's too heavy," the judge finished. "It's exquisite, but you have overcooked the essence of balance."
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The Decision
After what felt like hours of deliberation, the head judge stepped forward, his expression grave as if he had to carry the weight of an entire dynasty's culinary legacy.
"The winner of the Dessert of Destiny Duel is…"
The crowd leaned forward, hearts pounding in their chests.
"Lin Feng of the Azure Sky Sect!"
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Epilogue: The Aftermath
The crowd erupted into cheers. Lin Feng, exhausted but glowing with pride, stood tall, holding his Whisk of Cosmic Whirls high. "We did it, team!" he shouted, but then turned to look at Gong Bao, who was standing in stunned silence.
"I must admit, Lin Feng, your culinary skills are… formidable," Gong Bao said, a grudging respect in his voice. "You've defeated me, but mark my words… we shall meet again. And next time, we shall make a dish so legendary that even the gods will tremble."
Lin Feng chuckled. "Next time, bring more chili oil. And maybe less dragon spice. That stuff is overrated."
And so, the Golden Wok Clan retreated in defeat, leaving behind a humbled, yet proud, Grandmaster Gong Bao. The Azure Sky Sect emerged victorious, and Lin Feng's name was etched into the annals of culinary history.
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As Lin Feng relaxed, savoring his hard-earned victory, Elder Mu Dan came up to him, holding a steaming bowl of soup. "You did well," she said, a hint of pride in her voice.
Lin Feng took a spoonful and immediately gasped.
"This soup… it's perfect," he said, blinking. "Wait, did you make this?"
Elder Mu Dan smiled knowingly. "Yes, and now that you've proven yourself, maybe you'll learn how to make it yourself."
Lin Feng grinned. "As long as there's chili oil, I'm ready to learn."