Chapter 19: The First Battle of the Food Spirits

“Eggling, let’s go home and prepare lunch.”

Stepping out of the Spirit Chef Association, Qin Lang cradled Eggling in his arms, feeling quite pleased.

On one hand, he had just earned his certification as a full-fledged Spirit Chef; on the other, Eggling’s test results were impressive.

The reason the flavor value of a Food Spirit is called flavor value is largely because it relates to the deliciousness of the dish from which the Food Spirit was born.

Generally, the more delicious the dish, the higher the flavor value of the resulting Food Spirit.

This was why Qin Lang initially wanted to cook a famous national banquet dish.

He had thought that a simple egg fried rice wouldn’t yield a very high flavor value for Eggling, but unexpectedly, it had surpassed the average.

Moreover, Eggling possessed a very remarkable trait.

Thinking of this, Qin Lang couldn’t help but stroke Eggling’s big ears again.

Eggling’s head felt smooth to the touch, but its body was quite different. Although mostly translucent, the texture was more like fine fur, making it exceptionally pleasant to feel.

Just as Qin Lang was immersed in the curious sensation, a voice beside him pulled him back to reality.

“Hello! My name is Zhao Qian, and this is my Food Spirit, Bubu.” The girl with a slanted single ponytail waved cheerfully, explaining her purpose.

“May I have a Food Spirit battle with you?”

Hmm?

Qin Lang stopped and gave her a careful look, then his gaze shifted to the Food Spirit hovering beside her.

A Food Spirit battle, huh…

Although he now fully understood Eggling’s capabilities, it had never used any battle skills since its birth.

Battle experience, naturally, had to be gained in combat.

Still, he had to see what kind of strength his opponent had.

If the disparity was too great and Eggling was just going to be crushed, there was no point.

With this in mind, Qin Lang took out his Food Spirit scanner and scanned Zhao Qian’s Food Spirit.

[Type: Food Spirit]

[Level: Lv7]

[Flavor Attribute: Fresh]

[Element Attribute: Ice]

[Food Skill: Flavor Simulation]

[Battle Skill (excluding self-learned): (Ice) Frostflower Storm]

[Experience Points: 12/100]

Same level as Eggling?

No wonder she took the initiative to challenge him.

Zhao Qian’s Food Spirit had the Fresh flavor attribute, which countered Eggling’s Salty attribute, but its elemental awakening was Ice, which was countered by Eggling’s Fire attribute.

One element was countered, the other was countering…

At this thought, Qin Lang looked back at Eggling.

In a Food Spirit battle, although the Spirit Chef commands, ultimately it’s the Food Spirits who fight; he wouldn’t override Eggling’s decisions.

“Eggling, do you want to give it a try?”

“Gulu?”

Eggling glanced at Bubu, its eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit.

Having been born just a day ago, it had a boldness like a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger, utterly unaware of fear.

“Gulu! (ˉ▽￣～)”

Hearing Eggling’s response, Qin Lang nodded and looked at Zhao Qian.

“In that case, let’s begin.”

“Thank you!” Zhao Qian’s eyes lit up as she pointed to the Spirit Chef Association building. “Perfect, we can use the battle platform inside.”

“I’m the challenger, so I’ll cover the fees!”

“Alright.” Qin Lang had no objection.

Though the cost for temporarily borrowing the venue wasn’t high, he was short on funds and every saving counted.

Food Spirits wielding supernatural powers could cause significant damage; the Spirit Chef Association had regulations forbidding private battles in the city that caused destruction, with fines and even impact on future promotions for serious violations.

Thus, the professional battleground was safer and more reliable.

Soon, the two arrived at the ten-by-ten-meter beginner's battle platform, standing on opposite sides.

In typical Food Spirit battles, no referee was needed. The amount of star energy each Food Spirit gained by battle’s end was the ultimate proof of victory or defeat, more reliable than any judge.

Furthermore, Food Spirits did not die; upon losing all fighting capability, they would automatically return to the Spirit Chef’s star vein and recover over time before re-emerging.

“Eggling, during battle, I can’t leave this circle,” Qin Lang pointed to the one-meter-diameter circle at his feet. “I will activate the Star Spirit Guard and command you. Follow my orders.”

“Gulu!”

Eggling flew from Qin Lang’s arms, its eyes ablaze with fighting spirit, locked onto Bubu on the opposite side, who stared back in kind.

Their gazes met, and for a fleeting moment, it was as if a spark flashed between them.

“Ready? Then I’ll start!” Zhao Qian shouted, tapping ‘Start’ on her phone, which was pre-linked to the battle system.

“Countdown: three seconds until the match begins.” An electronic voice sounded on the platform, followed by a countdown.

When “One” was called, Qin Lang and Zhao Qian moved in perfect unison.

“Celestial Pivot, lend your strength, guard!” x2

As the words fell, shields of Star Spirit Guard appeared simultaneously around both of them. Careful observation revealed that Qin Lang’s shield was less stable than Zhao Qian’s, indicating she had more battle experience.

For Qin Lang, this was his first time using Star Spirit Guard in a real battle, different from the practice sessions.

Because this time, he already had a Food Spirit.

Besides protecting himself, Star Spirit Guard also enhanced sensory sharing and mental connection with the Food Spirit.

This effect was like a split screen for Qin Lang.

He had his own sight plus Eggling’s, able to see and feel everything Eggling experienced.

Though still not fully accustomed to this special sensation, now was not the time to dwell on it.

“Eggling! Approach the opponent, then use Blazing Breath!”

Though Eggling had never used this skill, Qin Lang had watched the battle skill demonstrations on the Spirit Chef Association’s official site.

This skill’s initial attack range was about five meters; its effects would vary as the Food Spirit’s level and proficiency grew.

To be safe, Qin Lang decided to close the distance first.

As he silently commanded, Eggling dashed full speed toward the opponent, who seemed to make the same choice.

Comparing the two, it was clear Bubu flew faster.

Qin Lang’s gaze sharpened.

Trait [Counterattack from Behind] could be effective here!

The two rapidly closed in, and as the distance neared five meters, Qin Lang’s eyes flashed and he shouted in his heart:

“Now!”

“Whoosh!”

Eggling took a deep breath; its yolk-like head puffed up slightly, the original egg-yellow tinged with a hint of crimson.

In the next instant, it unleashed a scorching flame, fanning out like a broad sweep straight ahead, engulfing Bubu.

Hmm?

On the other side, a flicker of surprise flashed in Zhao Qian’s eyes.

Such a straightforward tactic?

In response…

“Bubu, counterattack!”

“Use Frostflower Storm!”