Chapter 7 | Food Smith: Novice Peak
The sun slowly came as night fell over the quiet neighborhood.
Inside, the atmosphere was completely different from the cold despair of the previous day.
For the first time in years, Dexter felt a deep, genuine happiness.
He hummed a soft tune as he moved around the kitchen. Earlier, he had searched the internet on his phone, looking for healthy, nourishing recipes that could help restore physical strength and gently soothe damaged meridians.
He had settled on a recipe for a slow-simmered chicken and wild herb broth. He carefully chopped fresh ginger, dry ginseng roots he had found in the family gift boxes, and fresh green onions. He washed a cup of pearl rice he bought earlier, letting it boil slowly in a clay pot until the grains softened and broke down, releasing a thick, comforting aroma then he added sliced mushrooms and soft, shredded meat.
It was a simple meal, but to a body that had been starved of nourishment, it was medicine.
’I wonder what rewards I will get this time.’
Dexter thought happily as he set four bowls and spoons on the wooden dining table. He walked to the living room, where the three girls sat in their usual silence.
" Dinner’s ready," he called out.
No one moved.
’Right. I keet forgetting.’
He pulled out his phone and typed: [Food is ready. Come to the kitchen.]
He held the screen in front of Lyra who read it, nodded. She stood up, her movements were graceful despite her thin frame as she walked to Selene’s side and touched her elbow.
Selene tilted her head, recognizing the touch, and allowed Lyra guide her toward the kitchen.
They’d only been here two days, but they were already learning each other’s rhythms.
Dexter then turned to Mira.
Shes still had her eyes closed. The evening light caught her red hair and made it glow like embers.
He walked behind her wheelchair and gripped the handles.
"I’m taking you to the kitchen."
Mira didn’t respond nor did she open her eyes.
Dexter didn’t mind, he wasn’t looking for response the first place. He unlocked the wheelchair and pushed her through the doorway, and into the kitchen.
The four sat together in the small kitchen. Only the hum of the refrigerator and the clinking of spoons could be heard. Lyra guided Selene’s hand to her spoon, helping her find the bowl and she began to eat on her own.
Dexter sat beside Mira. He picked up her spoon, scooped a small portion of the warm food and blew on it then held the spoon to her lips.
Mira stared at him, her crimson eyes flickering with a mixture of annoyance and reluctance. But the rich, savory smell of the food was too enticing to ignore making her stomach let out a quiet, embarrassing growl.
She opened her mouth, letting him feed her.
The moment the warm porridge touched her tongue, her crimson eyes widened slightly. The savory flavor of the chicken broth, balanced by the earthy sweetness of the ginseng and ginger, seemed to burst across her taste buds.
Moreover, she felt a faint warmth ease the sharp, persistent nerve pain in her neck and shoulders slightly.
Even Lyra and Selene paused when they tasted the food.
Mira swallowed and looked at Dexter. "Did you actually cook this?"
"I did," Dexter said, smiling as he gathered another spoonful. "Is it to your liking?"
"It is acceptable," she replied indifferently, though she quickly opened her mouth for the next bite.
Dexter smiled at her reaction and fed her until her bowl was completely empty. He then finished his own portion and was satisfied as the other two finished their meal.
---
After dinner, Dexter cleaned the dishes while the women sat in their various spot. Lyra by the window, Selene by the couch and Mira, anywhere Levi placed her.
He was drying the last bowl when the notification appeared.
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[Ding!]
[Investment detected: Subject prepared and provided meal with beneficial mana properties to all three investment targets. Physical nourishment provided. Emotional labor performed (feeding assistance).]
[Current Multiplier: 10x — Base Tier]
[Calculating Returns...]
[Calculation Complete.]
[Returns Granted:]
1.Five Body Nourishing Meals Recipe (Complete Set) (Grade 2)
— A collection of five recipes specifically designed for heroes with damaged meridians. Each meal targets different aspects of physical and energetic recovery.
2.Cultivation Boost: 2 Days of Compressed Mana Refinement Applied.
3.Peak Novice Food-smith
[Do you wish to accept Rewards? Y/N]
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Dexter was stunned by the rewards. Just cooking for them casually gave this much rewards. What if he unlocked the 10,000 multiplier system, wouldn’t he become godlike?
’I actually got a graded technique?’
’And it’s actually a cooking type technique!’
’Woah! It actually also made me a Foodsmith
In this world, there are Geneticists who concoct serums that provide special attributes like increasing strength, speed and even advancing cultivation levels. And also, there are those who apply the same techniques to food.
These people are called Food-Smiths! They use special techniques to nourish their food, making it have effects that is beneficial to the body and now, he was at the peak of novice rank without having a single knowledge about being a Foodsmith.
He accepted immediately.
In that moment, mana rushed into his body in a ways and his bones cracked and popped as his strength increased by a bit.
At the same time memories flooded his brain rapidly. Various cooking techniques flooded his mind in a flash and just like that he was a Peak Novice, Food-Smith!
That’s not all, the information about the recipe and also various ingredients needed flooded into his mind like they had been part of his memories.
Five Nourishment Meal:
Meal 1: Meridian-Soothing Broth — A golden liquid made with various ingredients but two main ingredients with two main ingredients Sun-moon fruit, Juiper root Sun-moon fruit and Juniper bark root. Soothes inflamed meridians and promotes gradual repair of minor damage.
Meal 2: Marrow-Fortifying Stew — Thick, hearty stew containing Ground Dragon Bone and Blood Rice. Strengthens the skeletal structure and improves mana circulation through the bones.
Meal 3: Nerve-Calming Congee — A rice porridge infused with Serenity Willow Bark and Moonlight Dew. Reduces chronic nerve pain and calms the nervous system.
Meal 4: Qi-Replenishing Soup — A clear soup made with Starlight Mushroom and Essence Spring Water. Directly replenishes depleted mana reserves and accelerates natural mana regeneration.
Meal 5: Body-Harmonizing Rice Bowl — A balanced meal combining elements of the previous four recipes with additional herbs. Brings the body’s systems into alignment and promotes overall healing.