Because the quality and taste of the Spirit Meal have little relationship, and an excellent Spirit Chef can provide a more delicious experience, this is also the core reason why players are willing to pay extra.

Delicious Spirit Meals have always been one of the best-selling categories in the Trading House.

As the faction grows, the sacrificial power consumption players invest in Spirit Meals is gradually increasing.

This field holds promise for the future.

After closing the trading interface, Cheng Shan redirected his gaze to the calm lake surface.

Night wind swept by, carrying the faint fragrance of Fluorescent Fern, and the scattered moonlight on the lake surface fractured into countless silver scales, leaving him feeling extremely at ease. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

He gently cast the fishing rod, and the hook traced a graceful arc, landing on the lake surface.

The bobber gently shook amidst the ripples but soon returned to stillness.

When the second fish was hooked, it was still an ordinary spirit fish. Following suit, he made it into a meal and listed it on the Trading House. He continued fishing.

The night grew deep, and the mist on the lake surface grew thicker.

The third rod, the fourth rod... all he harvested were those common spirit fish or strange aquatic monsters.

Cheng Shan calmly organized the fishing line and continued his efforts.

When the eighth rod went down, a night bird's cry echoed from afar.

A swarm of fireflies hovered above his head, like floating lanterns.

This time he caught a Water Skull Shrimp, transparent in body, with visible blue blood flow inside.

After Cheng Shan decomposed it, he discovered it was a new species, processed it into ingredients, and stored it in his Space Bag.

When the dawn light broke over the horizon, he still hadn't caught the Moon Concealed Silver Scale.

He had considered directly jumping into the water to search.

But Firefly Lake was vast, and the Moon Concealed Silver Scale was one of the rarest fish species among them, this action was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack.

The most feasible method was to create a bait that the Moon Concealed Silver Scale liked, letting it hook itself.

He searched related materials in the library and made a bait using the Moonlight Grass, the favorite food of the Moon Concealed Silver Scale, choosing to fish for it.

But it seems he failed.

The sky was bright, and he still hadn't caught this crucial ingredient.

Retrieving the fishing rod, he started preparing breakfast for himself.

The scenery of Firefly Lake at dawn had its unique charm, the Fluorescent Fern gradually dimmed, and the dew on the leaves condensed into beads.

Cheng Shan sat on the ground, took out ingredients from his Space Bag.

These were leftover scraps from previously made Spirit Meals, in keeping with the principle of not wasting, he would use them for his own enjoyment.

Half a Red Glow Mushroom, three seeded Fog Fruits, a small packet of Star Pattern Rice, and the last pinch of Golden Thorn Salt.

His fingertip gently rubbed, and dark red powder fell from the Red Glow Mushroom.

The clay pot was propped on rocks, and Star Pattern Rice spread at the bottom of the pot, releasing an aroma similar to aged brew once heated.

He crushed the Fog Fruit with the back of the knife, and milky white juice seeped from the pulp, glistening with a pearl-like luster in the dawn light.

During slow simmering, Cheng Shan casually sprinkled the Red Glow Mushroom powder into the pot.

In the moment the powder touched the juice, a mist with a scent resembling pine wood rose.

He then took a small Ice Crystal Mint Leaf from the Space Bag, crushed it with his fingertips, turning it into fine, emerald snowflakes, dropping onto the slowly thickening porridge.

The Red Glow Porridge presented a wondrous gradient color in the dawn light.

The bottom layer was the amber color produced by simmering the Star Pattern Rice, the middle blended with the creamy white of Fog Fruit juice, and the top floating the sunset red dyed by the Red Glow Mushroom.

The moment Golden Thorn Salt was sprinkled, the entire bowl of porridge was instantly suffused with a rich fragrance.

Cheng Shan lifted the clay bowl, the steam blurring his features.

Though these scraps lacked the most core ingredients, they were still incredibly delicious.

Most importantly, it saves money.

Others must spend money to eat Spirit Food, he only needs leftover scraps to make himself a delectable feast.

Holding the steaming ceramic pot, Cheng Shan gently stirred with a wooden spoon, then scooped a spoonful.

As soon as the porridge touched his mouth, the rich flavor of Red Glow Mushroom, the sweet clarity of Fog Fruit, and the dense texture of Star Pattern Rice blossomed in sequence, finishing with the coolness of Ice Crystal Mint that gathered all the flavors perfectly.

"Things taste better when they're free."

He looked at the lake surface shrouded in morning mist, a slight smile lifted at the corners of his mouth.

Cheng Shan narrowed his eyes slightly, savoring this unexpected delicacy.

The morning breeze swept over the lake surface, carrying the humid scent of vegetation.

At this moment, the anxiety brought on by fishing for Moon Concealed Silver Scale was all suppressed.

He suddenly recalled a sentence he saw on the forum from a major chef when he embarked on the path of Spirit Chef:

"Top-notch ingredients inevitably make a great dish, but only dedication can imbue a dish with soul, even the most ordinary ingredients can shine in the hands of a dedicated craftsman."

This phrase applies even in Monster World.

Ingredients first, skill second, dedication third — these three are the keys for Spirit Chef Players to create deliciousness.

Many players new to the Spirit Chef System have commonly only learned the first one.

Believing that Monster World has abundant Spirit Food, and many ingredients can even taste excellent in their natural state, they think collecting top-notch ingredients alone will make them top-tier Spirit Chefs.

But they often overlook the most crucial point.

No matter how perfect the ingredient, it requires skillful handling, and it requires Spirit Chef Players to use dedication to awaken the hidden spirituality within.

After a bowl of hot porridge, Cheng Shan felt warmth spread through his body.

He packed up the clay pot and returned to sit cross-legged by the lake.

As the morning mist gradually dispersed, the lake surface shimmered with fine golden light.

He put on the newly mixed bait, incorporating Moonlight Grass Essence, and cast the hook into the water.

Before long, the fishing line trembled.

But it still wasn't the ingredient he wanted, immediately processing it on-site and listing it on the Trading House, refining it into sacrificial power in three seconds.