Chapter 83

Chapter 83: Chapter 83

The okara cookies were a hit.

Ethan smiled and reached for the fully formed tofu.

’About right.’

[Delicious Blessed Fairy Bean Tofu]

[Tofu made from Blessed Fairy Beans. It has a delicate texture and a rich aroma, suitable for all ages.]

[Delicious Effect: Increases Willpower upon first consumption.]

[Delicious Effect: Levels up one mastered combat skill upon first consumption.]

[Crafting Difficulty: ★★★]

He took out the finished tofu and began cutting it into blocks.

Ash munched on a cookie while watching, he picked up a piece of tofu. "Can I try some?"

"Of course."

"Mmm... The texture is so unique, it melts in the mouth, and the bean aroma is so rich... This is really good!" He paused, blinking.

"My combat skill level increased too... How miraculous."

"Meow-meow, Ethan’s dish isn’t even finished yet, meow~" Pearl interjected.

"What else are you going to make?"

"Fried tofu pouches."

Deep-frying the prepared tofu would yield golden, airy pouches, Ethan placed the sliced blocks into the Cauldron of Blessing, which was already filled with hot oil.

Sizzle...

The moisture inside the tofu evaporated, and its color turned a warm, appetizing gold.

The most critical part of frying tofu pouches was controlling the heat, Ethan, possessing the Fire of the Spirits skill, could control the flames perfectly, he skillfully manipulated the temperature, and before long, a pot of fragrant fried tofu pouches was ready.

He let out a soft breath. ’Fluffy and crispy, perfect.’

Next, he soaked the fried tofu pouches in water, this was to remove the excess oil, after which he marinated them in vinegar, along with other seasonings and spices, finally, he mashed the remaining tofu, mixed in minced vegetables, seasoned the mixture, and stuffed it into the fried tofu pouches.

"Done."

[Super Delicious Fairy Fried Tofu Pockets]

[Fried tofu pockets made from Blessed Fairy Beans. The tenderness of the tofu filling perfectly complements the chewy texture of the fried tofu pouch. Paired with just the right seasoning, it is simply a worldly delicacy.]

[Super Delicious Effect: Increases all attributes upon first consumption.]

[Super Delicious Effect: Levels up one combat skill and one production skill upon first consumption.]

[Super Delicious Effect: Increases Stamina for 24 hours after consumption.]

[Super Delicious Effect: Increases Willpower for 24 hours after consumption.]

[Crafting Difficulty: ★★★★★]

"I have to offer one to the Goddess Gaia statue first."

Ethan placed a Fairy fried tofu pocket in front of the Goddess Gaia statue, then, he handed the remaining fried tofu pockets to Ash, who was waiting eagerly, and said with a smile, "Please enjoy."

Ash took one, he bit in cautiously — and his eyes went wide. "Th-this..."

His hands trembled, disbelief spread across his face, and then a radiant smile bloomed — the widest Ethan had ever seen on a Fox Beastman.

"It’s incredibly delicious!!"

The reaction was intense — the most enthusiastic one Ethan had seen yet, Ash had eaten a single Fairy fried tofu pocket, and he was so moved he was on the verge of tears.

"Everyone reacts like this once they eat Ethan’s cooking, meow~" Pearl said, tail held high.

"But of course — this kid’s culinary skills are the real deal, shall we have a taste too?" Zharok, Walter, and Pearl each grabbed a pocket.

The next second, they shuddered in unison, faces filled with pure enjoyment.

The other Fox Beastmen heard Ash’s outburst and came crowding around.

"What is that?!"

"I’ve never seen it before."

"Can we eat it?"

They gulped down their saliva as they stared eagerly at the plate, these were made for them to eat anyway, so Ethan naturally wouldn’t be stingy, smiling, he passed the plate filled with Fairy fried tofu pockets over.

The Fox Beastmen immediately swarmed over, scrambling to grab the pockets and pop them into their mouths.

"W-what is this flavor?! It’s too delicious!"

They weren’t just describing it as delicious anymore — they were thoroughly conquered by this flavor, it was evident just how scrumptious the Fairy fried tofu pockets truly were.

The Fox Beastmen were left craving more, but the plate had already been swept clean.

"They’re gone?!"

"I’ve used up all the ingredients, so I can’t make any more." Ethan shrugged helplessly.

Hearing this, disappointment spread across every face, Ethan had no choice but to comfort them, promising to make more next time.

Then he turned to look at Ash, who was devouring okara cookies at an impressive pace. "These were supposed to be for the feast, I didn’t expect them to disappear so fast."

"Can you make more?"

"I can, but it’ll take time."

The tofu had already run out, and the fried tofu pouches were made from tofu, a new batch would require quite a bit of time to prepare from scratch.

Hearing this, Ash lowered his head, even his shoulders drooped — he was genuinely disappointed.

Ethan smiled. "Tell you what — once you help transport the iron ore to the central region, I’ll make more Fairy fried tofu pockets for you to eat."

"You mean, deliver it to the central region?! No problem — leave it to me!"

As long as they helped transport iron ore, they could eat delicious Fairy fried tofu pockets? This deal was too much of a bargain! Ash beamed with joy and agreed to Ethan’s proposal.

"Then it’s a deal, don’t be late for the feast." Ash patted Ethan on the shoulder and walked away, practically strutting.

Ethan watched him leave and smiled wryly, then he began cleaning up the remaining ingredients, preparing to make the next batch.

"Meow? Who ate my portion, meow?"

"Hmm?"

He was grinding soy milk when Pearl’s cry rang out, Ethan looked up in confusion and followed its gaze to the Goddess Gaia statue, the plate that had originally held the Fairy fried tofu pocket was completely empty.

"...Goddess Gaia must have enjoyed it."

He comforted Pearl, who came trotting back with the empty plate in its mouth, meanwhile, Ethan glanced at the statue.

’Was that always there?’

Perhaps it was just his imagination, but he could have sworn the corners of the Goddess Gaia statue’s mouth carried a hint of a smile.

By the time the new batch of Fairy fried tofu pockets was ready, the Fox Beastmen’s feast had officially begun.

The Fox Beastmen sang and danced, eating large chunks of meat and drinking bowls of wine, it was extraordinarily lively.

Ethan arrived at the feast carrying the freshly made pockets.

"He’s here!!"

"Welcome, welcome! Awooo!"

The warm reception was, to be honest, directed more at the plates of Fairy fried tofu pockets in his, Zharok’s, and Walter’s hands than at the men themselves.

Ethan didn’t mind one bit, he raised his voice over the crowd.

"There are plenty of tofu pockets! Everyone line up and come one by one!"