BXBX NOVEL Chapter 62 - 62: Elimination Competition Theme
Qin Lang’s curiosity did not last for long.
After announcing the ranking of the eight contestants who advanced to the semi-finals, the host started the last segment of the day.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the first round of the Dongxia City Cooking Contest has ended, but…” the host paused momentarily, then his voice became more excited, “we have one more section today.”
“Namely the draw lot for the second round of the elimination competition happening in five days!”
“Now, please look at our big screen!”
Following the host’s words, both the eight contestants on stage and the tens of thousands of audience members below all turned their attention to the large electronic screen in the sky.
The screen was now divided into three regions: left, middle, and right. The portraits of the eight contestants appeared on the left and right while different competition types showed up in the middle.
As the host ordered, the three areas of the screen began to scroll swiftly.
Soon, the scrolling on the left stopped. A portrait of a pretty female contestant appeared on the screen.
She was Zhu Ming, the fourth place in the scoring competition.
Zhu Ming, who had mentally prepared, clenched her fists slightly and calmly watched the still scrolling screen for her opponent.
Even more nervous than her, were the four contestants ranked behind her.
The ranking of the scoring competition did have an effect on the draw for the elimination round.
The scored contest’s top four appeared on the left side of the screen, while the last four appeared on the right side.
The contestants on the same side would not meet in this round.
Suddenly, the scrolling on the right side of the screen stopped.
Zhu Ming’s opponent revealed to be Qiang Xiaofeng, the sixth in terms of scoring.
Looking at the result of the draw, a complicated look immediately appeared on Qiang Xiaofeng’s face.
Among the four opponents he might face, Zhu Ming, ranked fourth, was obviously easier to deal with than the others.
However… this relatively easy opponent was also a strong one.
For him, it would be a tough battle.
Qiang Xiaofeng’s gaze was firmly locked on the middle area of the screen, which was still scrolling for the competition project, praying that it would be a topic advantageous to him.
A moment later, the competition project scrolling stopped.
[Limited Ingredient Value]
“The first round of the Elimination Competition in five days, Zhu Ming vs. Qiang Xiaofeng!” the host’s voice appeared timely, “Their competition topic is Limited Ingredient Value, now our screen will roll again to draw the specific rules for their Food Fight!”
Almost at the same time when the host finished his words, the scrolling on the screen paused on the number “2000”.
“Limited Ingredient Value, under two thousand yuan!”
“Both contestants have five days to prepare. Let’s look forward to their showdown in five days!”
As he saw the drawn topic, Qiang Xiaofeng heaved a sigh of relief.
He was good at this topic, maybe he could prepare more and get a chance to beat Zhu Ming… probably.
“And now let’s proceed to the next draw!”
Very soon, another top-four contestant was picked.
It was Lei Ke.
His opponent was determined a moment later.
Xiao He, who ranked eighth in the scoring competition, suddenly blanked out when he saw his portrait appearing on the screen.
Damn it!
What you’re afraid of always comes true!
The two contestants ranked fifth and seventh heaved a sigh of relief at this moment and couldn’t help but mourn for Xiao He for a second.
The competition between Lei Ke and Xiao He was decided on the topic of Limited Cuisine Category, the specific theme being fish.
“Now, let’s see which contestants for the third round of the Elimination Competition!”
After briefly introducing the battle between Lei Ke and Xiao He, the host spoke out loud.
The screen started scrolling again.
Moments later, seeing the slowly settling portrait on the left, Dan Bao’s eyes suddenly widened.
“Gulu gulu!”
It’s us!
“Yes.” Qin Lang nodded his head, staring at the contestant portrait on the right that had not yet been determined.
Whom amongst the two leftover contestants would be his opponent?
Also staring at the screen were the fifth and seventh contestants who had not yet matched opponents, Zhang Chen and Bai Fang.
For both of them, there weren’t many choices to make regarding the opponent.
If not facing Qin Lang, it would be Tang Xie.
Bai Fang showed an indifferent expression.
In his view, no matter who he was to face out of these two, it would be hard for him to pass the elimination competition.
So, it didn’t matter who the opponent would be.
Zhang Chen, on the other hand, was silently praying to be matched against Qin Lang.
He knew Tang Xie well.
They had fought in many Food Fights, and he had never won against him.
Tang Xie had become a psychological shadow for him, so Zhang Chen thought maybe he had a chance against a different opponent.
“Ding… ding… ding…”
With the electronic sounds echoing, the contestant’s screen on the other side of Qin Lang finally settled.
The contestant ranked fifth in the scoring competition, Zhang Chen!
Qin Lang subconsciously glanced at Zhang Chen, who was standing not far away. Seeing his exhilarated expression, he scratched his head without realizing it.
He’s… so happy to face me?
Never mind, let’s see what competition project we have drawn instead.
Qin Lang’s gaze returned to the electronic screen.
Eventually, the scrolling in the middle section of the screen stopped. The project that appeared on it made him show a surprised look.
It was a new project he had never experienced before.
[Warehouse Self-selection Ingredients]
“Warehouse self-selection of ingredients” didn’t mean that the Spiritual Chefs were to select ingredients in a warehouse.
The warehouse referred to here indicates a given ingredient library.
The Spirit Chef Association used random combinations to form hundreds of fixed ingredient libraries.
Each ingredient library contained three types of meat, three types of vegetables, three types of ancillary ingredients, and one random ingredient.
Once an ingredient library was drawn, besides the ten ingredients in the library, the spiritual chefs could only use the basic seasonings for cooking.
This was the rule for warehouse self-selection ingredients.
Among five competition types in one-on-one matches, this type was the easiest one to mess up.
After all, there were too many uncertainties.
Zhang Chen on the other side also looked nervous.
He had fought with this project several times, so he knew its difficulty very well.
He only hoped that the ingredient library drawn would allow him to perform normally.
Under their anxious gazes, the middle area of the screen began scrolling again and quickly stopped at a number.
097.
This meant they had drawn the 97th ingredient library.
“The third round of the elimination competition will be carried out by contestant Qin Lang and contestant Zhang Chen!” The host spoke loudly, “Their competition project is the Warehouse Self-selection ingredients!”
“I believe everyone knows that this project involves a great deal of uncertainty.”
“So, lets’ see what ingredients are included in their number 97 ingredient library!”
Text soon emerged in the middle of the electronic screen.
[Contents of Ingredient Library N0.97:
Meat Ingredients: Beef brisket, chicken drumsticks, pork hind leg
Vegetable Ingredients: Carrots, tofu, rapeseed
Ancillary Ingredients: Big onion, ginger, garlic
Special Ingredient: Rosemary]
Qin Lang turned his gaze away.
He would have to prepare well for the next five days..