THE RISE OF DIVINE CHEF

The announcement of an SSS-Rank Spiritual Cook sent shockwaves through the Awakening Hall. For a moment, the world seemed to stand still as everyone processed what they had just heard. Then, the silence broke into a chaotic uproar.

"An SSS-Rank? That hasn't happened in decades!"

"Spiritual Cook… that's even rarer than a combat-type SSS-Rank!"

"Is this some kind of mistake?"

Zhang Ye stood calmly at the center of it all, his hand still resting on the glowing Ethereal Orb. The golden light radiating from the artifact swirled around him like a divine aura, casting a stark contrast against his ragged appearance. He could feel the stares of disbelief, envy, and even fear directed at him.

The Grand Awakener quickly composed himself and stepped forward, his voice carrying an air of authority. "Silence! The Ethereal Orb does not lie. Zhang Ye has been bestowed the SSS-Rank Spiritual Cook job, a blessing of the highest order."

His declaration quelled the noise momentarily, but the whispers and murmurs persisted, growing more intense with every passing second.

"How is that possible? Someone like him, with no talent or resources, getting an SSS-Rank job?"

"It must be some kind of fluke. He's just a nobody."

"Still… an SSS-Rank Spiritual Cook! Even the royal court would be interested in him now."

Zhang Ye ignored the comments, his mind focused on the system interface that had suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[System Activated]

Welcome, Host. As the world's sole SSS-Rank Spiritual Cook, this system will guide your path to greatness.

A faint smirk formed on his lips. So, the system had finally awakened. This was the tool he needed to fully harness his potential in this new world.

The Grand Awakener gestured for him to step down, but not before giving him a look filled with a mixture of curiosity and respect. "Your path will be unlike any other. Use your gift wisely, young man."

As Zhang Ye descended the steps of the altar, the crowd parted before him, their gazes a mixture of awe and reluctance. He could feel the jealousy burning in their eyes, but none dared to speak up directly.

By the time he left the hall, the news of his awakening had already begun to spread throughout Blueveil City. Within hours, every corner of the city would be buzzing with rumors about the boy who had awakened the legendary SSS-Rank Spiritual Cook job.

---

Outside the Awakening Hall, Zhang Ye took a deep breath, letting the cool air clear his mind. He had achieved the first step, but this was only the beginning. The weight of his new identity was already pressing down on him. An SSS-Rank job was both a blessing and a curse. It would bring opportunities but also dangers.

"Let them talk," Zhang Ye murmured to himself. "The louder they speak, the faster my name will spread."

He glanced at the notifications from the system that hovered in the corner of his vision.

[System Notification]

Congratulations on awakening as an SSS-Rank Spiritual Cook!

System Features Unlocked:

Ingredient Appraisal: Analyze the properties of any ingredient.

Recipe Creation: Generate recipes based on available ingredients.

Cooking Enhancement: Boost the effects of your dishes exponentially.

Quest System: Complete quests to unlock rare techniques, recipes, and tools.

The potential of the system was staggering. Zhang Ye's eyes lit up as he opened the Quest Tab, eager to see what his first task would be.

[First Quest: Prove Your Worth]

Objective: Cook a dish that demonstrates the power of an SSS-Rank Spiritual Cook.

Reward: Beginner's Cooking Kit and a Low-Grade Spiritual Recipe.

"Simple enough," he thought, his confidence growing. But he knew he couldn't start just anywhere. To create a dish worthy of an SSS-Rank Cook, he needed ingredients of the highest quality—ingredients that weren't sold in ordinary markets.

---

Zhang Ye's first destination was the Adventurer's Bazaar, a sprawling market known for its rare and exotic goods. As he wandered through the bustling stalls, he activated the Ingredient Appraisal skill.

The system's interface highlighted various items around him, displaying their properties in real-time.

[Fiery Thorn Pepper: A rare spice that enhances the vitality of the eater. Suitable for energy-boosting dishes.]

[Silverfang Basil: A fragrant herb that calms the mind and restores spiritual energy.]

The descriptions brought a nostalgic smile to his face. In his previous life, he had relied on experience and intuition to choose his ingredients. Now, with the system's help, he could see their potential at a glance.

However, just as he was selecting a few items, a loud commotion erupted nearby. Turning his head, Zhang Ye saw a group of adventurers arguing with a merchant.

"You can't sell this! It's too dangerous!" one of the adventurers shouted, pointing at a caged beast that thrashed violently against its restraints.

The merchant, unfazed, crossed his arms. "This beast is a Tier 2 Flameclaw Lizard. Its meat is prized for its high spiritual energy. If you're too scared to hunt it yourself, don't criticize my wares!"

Zhang Ye's eyes narrowed as he appraised the creature.

[Flameclaw Lizard: A Tier 2 monster known for its fiery temperament. Its meat contains traces of fire-elemental energy, enhancing the consumer's strength and resistance to heat.]

A Tier 2 monster was no joke, especially for someone without combat experience. But Zhang Ye wasn't interested in fighting it. He was interested in cooking it.

Approaching the merchant, he calmly said, "How much for the Flameclaw Lizard?"

The merchant raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised that someone in shabby clothes would make such an offer. "Do you even know what you're asking for, boy? This isn't something you can handle."

Zhang Ye smiled faintly. "I'll take my chances."

The merchant hesitated for a moment before naming a price. It was steep, but Zhang Ye paid without flinching. The adventurers who had been arguing earlier stared at him in disbelief.

"You're really going to buy that thing? What are you going to do, eat it?" one of them scoffed.

"That's exactly what I'm going to do," Zhang Ye replied, his tone calm but firm.

With the Flameclaw Lizard secured, Zhang Ye left the bazaar and began preparing for his first challenge as an SSS-Rank Spiritual Cook. It was time to prove his worth and take the first step toward his new destiny.