Chapter 807: Chapter 806: The Dawn of the Demon King (Part 2)

Three days later, the second round of the elimination competition proceeded as planned.

Not long after getting up in the morning, Xia Yu received an official notification text from the event organizers, still Group A, Site One, and it’s still the opening match of this round.

During these few days back home, Xia Yu learned more or less about the current competition from the internet.

After the brutal elimination of one in a hundred in the first round, the number of young contestants standing in the second round barely exceeded three thousand.

This figure is actually quite terrifying considering that among these young contenders, quite a few have already broken through to the special level and stabilized their standings to rival the older generation. If compared to the Japan Realm, the number of exceptional young chefs alone matches the total number of special chefs in all of Japan, not to mention the young and middle-aged, and middle-aged and older generations.

Hmm, what about the old monster?

Well, thinking about it, one should expect this from the vast Chinese Land where traditions of this space-time have never been interrupted, and whose territorial expanse vastly surpasses that of a small island, with an equally intimidating number of people.

For example, nearly ten million people registered for the college entrance examination in the Chinese Realm last year. Not discussing professions, but just talking about the proportion of outstanding talents, three thousand out of ten million, a 0.00003 chance to stand out as a dragon or phoenix among people, well, the data isn’t exaggerated, is it?

Early to set off for the competition area.

It’s worth mentioning that this time Zhao Qi and Xia Yu came over in the same car, while Zhu Qing, with her friend Zhao Tong, deviated to go shopping instead.

In the car, Zhao Qi looked at the relaxed and composed young man leaning against the seat, feeling envious, “Being a master chef is indeed having confidence; there’s no other reason, it’s really not something to be jealous about…”

In fact, many interesting public opinion battles happened in the Chinese Realm over these three days, and Zhao Qi, seeing Xia Yu’s calm demeanor, guessed he had probably not paid attention to them.

The tumult wasn’t hard to comprehend, it revolved around Xia Yu, this “Demon King from abroad.”

On the stage of international competitions abroad, Xia Yu’s stunning performances were undoubtedly exciting for the people of the Chinese Realm, and even though he was a contestant of the Far Moon Team in Japan, wasn’t he one of their own by nationality?

However, in a large domestic event, would the public tend to side with the overseas returnee or the local, native faction?

No doubt about the result.

Over the years the ‘Five Chinese Talents’ have won countless fans, and even though Xia Yu rose meteorically over the past six months, it was too fast and dazzling, many hadn’t yet come around to it, and the fan base he pulled together was absolutely not a match for the Talents’ support group.

So, rather than calling it a public opinion battle, it’s more accurately described as the Talents’ support group launching a cyber assault on this famous returning young chef.

Zhao Qi said that Xia Yu’s lack of reaction was strange precisely because of this.

Is he truly like a stone person, indifferent to the external noise?

He couldn’t help but secretly criticize.

“Anyway, being able to withstand such heavy pressure and win the Sapporo event on such an international stage, his heart must be very strong. Why worry needlessly about others?” Zhao Qi sneered.

The car reached the destination.

The two got out and emerged from the underground parking garage.

“Wow!” Just peeking his head up to see the crowded streets outside, Zhao Qi exclaimed, “This crowd is unbelievable!”

“Is it?” Xia Yu showed a hint of puzzlement.

Zhao Qi slapped his forehead, “See, you don’t know anything!”

“Recall the first round of elimination, back then it wasn’t this grand near Site One!” Zhao Qi was so anxious he almost wanted to rush up and shake Xia Yu’s shoulders.

Xia Yu frowned, “Um, I don’t quite remember.”

Immediately, he looked at Zhao Qi with a smile, “What exactly do you want to say?”

“You really are completely oblivious…”

Zhao Qi covered his face, almost powerless to complain, “Who do you think this spectacle is for? Quickly think about who’s the culprit and who’s the victim!”

Before the opening battle of the second round.

In the waiting area of Site One.

“Knock, knock!”

The third judge knocked on the door of the dressing room, then pushed it open.

Inside, the other two judges randomly selected for this elimination sat before the vanity, well-groomed and prepared to appear on stage.

“I’m terribly sorry for being late…”

The newly arrived third female judge quickly bowed to apologize upon seeing her colleagues.

She was not very old, with a round oval face clad in a light-colored professional outfit that hugged her petite yet shapely figure. Not to mention her youthful babyface, which filled her shirt and jacket nicely, her ample curves giving the first impression of a bust that did not match her face or height.

Coincidentally, this judge named Mu Xiaoyue was appointed by the event organizers. She is one of the few well-known Internet celebrity foodies in the Chinese Realm in recent years, the founder of the self-media food channel, “Classics Witness,” and, along with culinary star Xu Liuyue, belongs to the young backbone of domestic practitioners.

“No need for formalities.”

A short-haired, cool, and dashing female judge waved her hand.

“Ah, it’s Teacher Fan!”

Mu Xiaoyue, upon hearing the androgynous voice, looked up and immediately exclaimed in delight, “I never thought I’d have the chance to sit with you as a judge!”

This androgynous-featured and voiced female judge was evidently the host of this particular elimination.

Unlike Mu Xiaoyue, she’s genuinely from the renowned Hunan culinary lineage and is now the star of the Yunmengze Chefs Association in the Chinese Realm.

At the same time, this major judge with the ironically gentle name, Fan Jiaorou, is also one of the few renowned spice masters in the Chinese Realm.

It’s well known that Hunan cuisine has a long history and a very distinctive flavor, being very particular about “seasoning.” Summer dishes should be correspondingly light and fragrant, while winter dishes should be spicy and rich, emphasizing fresh, savory, sour, spicy, and tender qualities…

Hence, it’s understandable that this cuisine yields spice masters.

As for the third judge, coincidentally a woman as well, slightly older, she hailed from Jiangnan’s Jinling, named Yuan Lanzi, possessing a gentle softness characteristic of feminine grace, observing Mu Xiaoyue and Fan Jiaorou’s conversation with a gentle smile.

“Indeed, I didn’t expect to be picked for this round and to serve as a judge, hahaha, the odds were quite high…”

The short-haired female judge let out a hearty laugh.

“Watching TV, watching live broadcasts, I thought he was amazing, but it always seemed too fake through the screen.”

“Now I finally have the chance to taste his dishes, ha, finally I get to gauge how good he truly is!” said the female judge loudly, embodying the image of a tomboy, totally unmatched by her name, Fan Jiaorou.

“Uh!”

Mu Xiaoyue’s smile stiffened, “Teacher Fan, you aren’t possibly his anti-fan, are you?”

“Anti-fan? Not really.”

The tomboy judge blinked, “I’m just a ticket-holding bystander. If he conquers me today, who knows, I might see market quotes soar and invest in him.”

There’s a deeper meaning to these words.

The contest between the ‘Five Chinese Talents’ and Xia Yu started as soon as Xia Yu boarded the plane to return home, with only the victor smiling at the end.

Upon hearing this, Mu Xiaoyue tightened her face in agreement, “These days, debates have grown more intense, engulfing almost the entire Chinese Realm. Many, like you Teacher Fan, hold a neutral stance. I imagine a lot of people will probably come to watch today.”

“Ha, really looking forward to it!”

Stretching lazily, the tomboy judge stood up, “It’s time, let’s go on stage—”

The third judge, Yuan Lanzi, also stood, slipped her phone into her bag, and before the screen locked itself black, a newly received text occupied it:

“Mom, please take good care of my idol on stage!”

It was a request text from Yuan Lanzi’s daughter, Yuan Yun.

At this moment, Site One was brimming with people.

The Zhao’s Vineyard group came early, managing to secure front-row seats.

The young chef from the prestigious Jinling family, Yuan Yun, with a flushed face, tightly held her phone.

Being under the same roof as her idol was an unexpected bonus Yuan Yun never anticipated when deciding to participate in this year’s competition. Over the past few days, she had tried approaching Xia Yu’s place, but after Tang Yuqiong and Wu Yingying led a grand group to visit once, Xia Yu put up a visitor block, refusing any guests.

“So many people today…”

Someone from the group exclaimed.

“Look over there at the tent!”

As someone pointed out, Yuan Yun looked over, her mouth opening in astonishment, muttering involuntarily, “Oh my gosh!”

There, in the guest viewing section, two familiar Dragon Venerables were making their way to sit down.

It was the two renowned Venerables from the White Jade Tower!