In the Gourmet Continent, such people were not uncommon.
Some powerful chefs who reached a bottleneck in their culinary skills would abandon everything they had when their cooking techniques could no longer progress, venturing alone across the continent to personally experience the joys and sorrows of the human world, thereby seeking improvement in their culinary arts.
These were all things he had read in storybooks. Now, Hoshino Sora, in his eyes, was such an existence, and as for the beautiful girl beside him, she was most likely a maid-like existence.
It was fortunate that Erina Nakiri didn't know what he was thinking, otherwise she would have wanted to tear his mouth apart. A maid? How could he even think of that? Saying Hoshino Sora was a servant would be closer to the truth!
"The ingredients in this place taste much better than those from our world. The dishes cooked with them are several times more delicious."
Even with ingredients identical to those on Earth, the ones cultivated in the Gourmet Continent simply tasted better than those from Earth, without any logical reason, as if it were a rule.
"It's this adult's cooking skills that are good! It has little to do with the ingredients. I eat these dishes every day, so I know their taste best."
The child retorted. After tasting Hoshino Sora's cooking, he had completely become his admirer. His little face, flushed from eating the delicious food, was rosy and delicate, extremely adorable.
"There's certainly an element of that, but the ingredients are indeed better, that's also undeniable."
Without denying the child's words, Erina Nakiri looked at the change in his attitude before and after, marveling inwardly. Just now, this guy was about to call them thieves, but now he was acting obsequious.
It had to be said, he had mastered the art of changing his expression at such a young age.
"By the way, what's your name? Why are you alone at the bottom of the valley? Don't tell me you're guarding the spice fields; no matter how you think about it, it wouldn't be a little child like you, not even twelve years old, guarding the fields."
Seeing the child's attitude change, Hoshino Sora also asked his most perplexing question. Guarding the fields? What ability did a child have to guard the fields? He couldn't fight, and he couldn't run fast.
Hearing his question, the child's eyes quickly darkened, and his head lowered. He didn't know what he was thinking.
"My name is Merchant Xingchen. I am the descendant of the former chief of the largest tribe nearby. Now I have been assigned the duty of guarding the spice fields in exchange for living supplies."
After a long pause, the child spoke. His words were flat, but Hoshino Sora heard the sadness in them. As the descendant of the former chief, now living in this dilapidated wooden hut, there must be a story behind it!
Hoshino Sora hadn't expected that by simply wandering idly into the bottom of Spice Valley, he would encounter such a thing. This child was clearly the descendant of the losing side in a power struggle. His parents were probably gone, and now he was being treated differently by the victorious side.
Parents sacrificed, protagonist's beginning.
"Is that so..."
Hearing Merchant Xingchen's words, the scene immediately fell silent. Clearly, this wasn't a good topic to discuss. Discussing it felt like tearing open the other person's wound...
"Can I become your disciple? Your cooking skills are so amazing. Whether it's serving tea or water, or giving massages, I can learn it all. Please take me with you!"
After an unknown amount of time, as if having made up his mind, Merchant Xingchen clenched his small fists and looked intently at Hoshino Sora. Having followed him for so long, he had already discovered his extraordinary nature.
The chef's knife at his waist must be a powerful cooking utensil. A person capable of carrying such a powerful cooking utensil must have considerable strength. If he could become his disciple, he might have a chance to reclaim the tribe in the future!
A hint of ambition appeared in his eyes. Being exiled by the tribe to guard the spice fields, it was impossible for him not to feel any resentment.
But circumstances were stronger than he was. As a child, his wings were not yet fully grown. Even if he was dissatisfied, what could he do to change it?
"Taking a disciple, huh..."
Hearing Merchant Xingchen's words and seeing his fervent gaze, Hoshino Sora understood that this child wasn't acting on a whim; his words were well thought out.
Having experienced great ups and downs, Merchant Xingchen had matured a lot and knew this was his only chance.
Leaving with Hoshino Sora, he might achieve something great outside in the future. Staying here, his prime youth would be wasted. No one in the tribe would come down to teach him cooking skills.
"We'll see. I'll be staying here for a while. If the time is right then, I'll take you as my disciple."
Although he knew the other party was very eager to have a master, Hoshino Sora really hated trouble. Thinking of this, he looked away and said vaguely, trying to make Merchant Xingchen retreat in the face of difficulty.
"Yes!"
Hearing the person in front of him, Merchant Xingchen responded excitedly. Seeing his expression, Hoshino Sora's heart trembled. Could this guy have misunderstood something? Couldn't he tell that his words were just polite?
Triggered Quest: The Fallen Young Chief
Quest Introduction: Due to a subordinate's rebellion, a power struggle occurred in the tribe named'Shang.' The former chief was defeated and executed in the power struggle, and his son, Merchant Xingchen, was relegated to guarding spices at the bottom of the valley.
Quest Requirement: Take Merchant Xingchen as your disciple, and teach him until he possesses the strength to defeat the'Shang' tribe's leader and obtains the position of tribal leader.
Quest Reward: ① 100000 Reputation Value ② Detailed Map of the Gourmet Continent (Treasure)
As Hoshino Sora's thoughts formed, a system notification suddenly sounded in his mind, instructing him to teach Merchant Xingchen and cultivate him until he could take over the'Shang' tribe.
The rewards given, whether generous or not, were only two items. The amount of reputation value given was considerable, but Hoshino Sora's attention was mostly focused on the second reward.
Complete Map of the Gourmet Continent (Treasure)
This was the first time Hoshino Sora had seen a rating level on a treasure obtained from the system, and this map was undoubtedly very important to him at the moment.
His heart was filled with eagerness, almost agreeing directly, but thinking of what he had said shortly before, Hoshino Sora stopped himself, putting on a cold demeanor.
Things that are too easily obtained are not cherished. This is not good. It's better to string that guy along a bit, so he'll cherish this opportunity more and perform better.
Hoshino Sora thought to himself, then sped up his actions. After finishing lunch, he bid farewell to Merchant Xingchen.
On the way back, Erina Nakiri looked at Hoshino Sora's face, seemingly deep in thought. After a while, she finally asked, "Are you going to take him as your disciple?"
"Yes, but not now. The timing isn't right now."
Hoshino Sora nodded, truthfully telling Erina Nakiri his thoughts. There was still a tribal competition coming up. He would take the child with him when they were about to leave after the competition.
Hoshino Sora had no resistance to taking on a disciple. After all, he had taken disciples long ago; taking another one was just a matter of an extra pair of chopsticks.
At this moment, Hoshino Sora no longer cared about the mission rewards. He was more focused on how to treat Merchant Xingchen.
As the orphan of the former leader of a large tribe, would taking her as a disciple bring trouble to the Roasting Tribe? He figured it definitely would, if the "Shang" Tribe found out.
He understood that this was indeed a problem. He didn't mind being targeted by a large tribe, but leaving his mess for others was somewhat unprincipled.
"When the boat gets to the bridge, it will straighten itself out. Let's just go with the flow."
Speaking of this, Erina Nakiri sighed softly. How could she not see Hoshino Sora's worries?
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