BXBX NOVEL Chapter 190 - 190: Fog
[Extra chapter for the alliance leader, Enchanting Night Traces]
“Crack, bing!”
The Fireworks Festival was so amazing!
Even after returning to the hotel, Spicy still seemed immersed in the excitement and joy from the Fireworks Festival. The bubble light group on her head kept shifting between green and red.
“Gulu!”
Dan Bao’s yolk-like head swayed up and down, revealing an excited expression.
Even at this moment, the rising and bursting images of the fireworks were still etched in his mind, not fading away with time.
“If there’s a chance to attend such a festival again in the future, 1’11 take you two with me.” Qin Lang held the two little ones, rubbing them gently and smiled, “But now, it’s getting late, and we need to get to bed early.”
“Tomorrow, we’re going to visit Mr. Zong Nian for the cooking examination, which is considered the most difficult Second-Level Food Recommender test in Tianhua State. We need to rest well for that.” Qin Lang said earnestly.
Previously, to pass Ms. Yun Qi’s examination, he had used Poetic Etiquette Ginkgo as a trump card, which demonstrated that the Second-Level Food Recommender test was much harder than the First-Level one.
Mr. Zong Nian’s test is reputedly even more difficult than Ms. Yun Qi’s, and Qin Lang had no assurance that he would pass.
Facing this challenge, Qin Lang surprisingly felt a little eager to try.
A Second-Level Food Recommender test which is close to the difficulty of a Third-Level one…
He was filled with anticipation parallel to that of taking the Special Class 1 chef test in his past life.
Under their mental connection, the two little food spirits sensed Qin Lang’s current mood, exchanged a glance, then nuzzled Qin Lang simultaneously, expressing their encouragement.
“Time for washing, then sleep!”
The next day came in a blink of an eye.
After a restful night, Qin Lang, his mood now steady, walked out of the hotel with the two Food Spirits. Zhao Wenchang, was waiting for them outside the hotel, promptly greeted them, “Let’s go. I’ve already arranged for the car.”
Expectation was etched on his face. Although he had heard about the high difficulty of Mr. Zong Nian’s Second-Level Food Recommender test, he had yet to reach that level, so he could not participate in the test and did not know its specifics.
However, this time he was accompanying Qin Lang, he was sure to have a first-hand look at the nature of this mysterious test.
“OK.” Qin Lang nodded and then got into the car with Zhao Wenchang.
As the surrounding scenes zipped past, towering mountains soon came into sight. Between these mountains, a faint blue mist could be vaguely seen, enveloping the area.
That was the iconic spot of Qingyang City, Qingyang Mountain Valley.
However, the car did not continue towards it, but detoured around it.
Qin Lang slightly paused, puzzled.
“Mr. Zong Nian lives in a place called the Misty Mountain Villa.” Seeing Qin Lang’s bewilderment, Zhao Wenchang began to explain, “Misty Mountain Villa is located on the other side of the valley, hidden and covered by the blue mist. We now need to go around Qingyang Mountain Valley.”
“There are indeed roads through the valley, but because of the many sightseeing tourists, it’s very crowded.” The driver, with a chuckle, explained, “Every year, a great number of tourists visit to witness the unique blue fog of Qingyang Mountain Valley.”
“However, for us locals, this blue fog has caused quite a few inconveniences in our lives.” The driver shook his head, “The terrain inside the valley is complex, and the dense fog makes it very inconvenient for commuting.”
“Uncle, the valley has now been developed into a scenic area, which has boosted the economy around it.” Zhao Wenchang countered with a smile.
“Well, that’s true.” The driver uncle laughed as well.
The three chatted idly as they traveled, and soon the car went around the valley and stopped on a road.
“Here we are. You can get off here and follow the signs all the way.” The driver looked back at Qin Lang and waved, “I saw your combat with Jihe yesterday, you are a good lad, do your best!”
“Thank you, uncle.”
Qin Lang waved back with a smile, watching as the driver drove off, then he looked around.
The vintage wooden road sign read, “Misty Mountain Villa.”
“We should go in this direction.” He pointed in the direction the sign indicated, then briskly set off. Behind him, the two little food spirits and Zhao Wenchang followed closely.
The fog grew thicker up ahead on the path.
Blue mist shrouded the other side of the road, veiling everything ahead with a layer of mystery.
As they both stepped into the fog, even their view behind grew hazy.
“No wonder it is called Misty Mountain Villa.” Qin Lang couldn’t help but murmur, “If this fog was white, it would feel more mysterious.”
“Huh? Why white?” Zhao Wenchang, following behind, asked in confusion.
“Nothing.” Qin Lang shook his head.
This world had no “Master of Mystic Arts”.
While talking, Qin Lang’s stride slightly faltered.
An outline of a manor appeared in front of them.
“We’re here, we’re here!” Zhao Wenchang’s spirit lifted, “I’ve been here once before, this is where Mr. Zong Nian lives.”
“Let’s go.”
Qin Lang took a deep breath, suppressing his anxiety and anticipation, and walked forward quickly.
The manor in the mountain became clearer as they approached.
Arriving at the manor’s gate, seeing the words “Misty Mountain Villa” on the wooden sign, Qin Lang knew they had arrived.
“Ding Dong— ”
A bell rang, and shortly after, a figure approached the wrought-iron gate.
It was a robust middle-aged man with prominent features, a stern face giving off a formidable aura. His slightly grayish hair suggested his age might be greater than he appeared.
Having seen a picture of him beforehand, Qin Lang and Zhao quickly identified him as the person they were visiting, the Second-Level Food Recommender of Qingyang City, Mr. Zong Nian.
Walking up to Qin Lang and Zhao Wenchang, separated by the wrought-iron gate, Zong Nian calmly scanned the two and slowly asked, “What can I do for you?”
“Hello, Mr. Zong Nian.” Qin Lang took the initiative to introduce, “My name is Qin Lang, 1 am from Dongxia City, and 1 hope to take your test to earn the Second-Level Food Recommender Badge endorsed by you.”
Having spoken, he nervously watched Zong Nian’s reaction.
Zong Nian, however, paused for a moment.
“To undertake my test, you need to have already earned two Second-Level Food Recommender Badges within Tianhua State.”
“I’ve already obtained them.” Qin Lang took out the well-prepared Distant Light Badge and Deer Spirit Badge.
Zong Nian looked over both Second-Level Food Recommender Badges, then leisurely opened the wrought-iron gate, saying, “Come in.”
“I came with Qin Lang.” Sensing Zong Nian’s gaze on him, Zhao Wenchang chuckled awkwardly. Seeing no objection from Zong Nian, he heaved a small sigh of relief and followed Qin Lang in.
It was clear that Zong Nian’s somewhat off-putting demeanor had given him, who was still quite a novice in cooking, a considerable amount of pressure.
“Give me your Spirit Chef Badge.” Looking at Qin Lang in the villa living room, Zong Nian said, “I need to first understand your past, because…”
“My test… varies from each one.”
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