Part 1: The March into Mediocrity
After the saccharine showdown, Soup Sect journeyed west toward the Salted Wind Wastes—a region so bland, birds flew over just to feel something.
Wei Yun stood at the border, scowling at the beige sand dunes and uninspired skies.
Tang Zhi sniffed. "It smells like boiled cabbage and lost ambition…"
Pan-Pan wept. "My taste buds are dying…"
Mu Yao unsheathed her blade. "There's no seasoning in the wind… only despair."
Suddenly, a breeze hit them—and instantly dried their mouths. Even the air tasted like undercooked rice.
System alert:
> [Entering: Territory of the Salted Wind Sect. All dishes lose flavor by 37%. Morale: -20. Hope: -50.]
Wei Yun grunted. "Time to light the broth fires."
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Part 2: The Cult of Culinary Nihilism
They arrived at the gates of the Salted Wind Sect.
It was… a rectangle.
Not a cool building. Just a beige rectangle.
A voice spoke—monotone, lifeless, and extremely polite:
"I am Elder Bai Mu, Grandmaster of the Salted Wind Sect. We offer you… neutrality."
He wore robes the color of oatmeal, and his eyes were deadlier than a soggy biscuit.
"You pursue flavor. We reject it. Emotion, seasoning, spice… are distractions."
Wei Yun blinked.
"You… you've cultivated to remove joy?"
Bai Mu nodded. "We ascend through blandness. No highs. No lows. Just rice… forever."
Pan-Pan fainted.
Tang Zhi clutched his chest. "I… I need soy sauce or I'll die."
Wei Yun gritted his teeth.
"Let's end this."
---
Part 3: Culinary Combat Begins
Elder Bai raised his hand.
"Disciples. Enact… Saltless Silence Formation."
A massive grid of rice fields formed behind them. From it emerged monks in gray, wielding tofu shields and flavorless swords.
Their chant was terrifying:
> "No spice. No smell. Just beige and bland… forever."
System pinged:
> [Host morale dropping. Spicy instincts… weakening.]
Mu Yao struck one monk—he bled… brothless. Even the wounds were boring.
Wei Yun roared. "ENOUGH!"
He summoned Spice Dragon Mode—a massive fire-breathing chili construct.
"Let me show you what FLAVOR IS!"
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Part 4: Flavors of Fury
Mu Yao unleashed Szechuan Blade Style – Numb and Slice!
Tang Zhi sprayed Vinegar Mist Formation—the salty monks hissed like snails.
Pan-Pan—now awake—launched a Ramen Rebellion, flinging noodles like whips.
Wei Yun activated:
> Soup Sovereign Art: Boiling Point Overdrive!
Broth surged beneath his feet, bursting into geysers of bone stock and chili oil.
He leapt at Bai Mu.
"You don't just disrespect spice. You insult the soul of cooking!"
Bai Mu calmly replied, "Flavor… is weakness."
He unleashed his own move:
> Saltless Void Palm.
A gray ripple struck Wei Yun, sapping heat, joy, and umami.
Wei Yun staggered.
System alert:
> [Host down to 3% flavor reserves. Emergency counter needed.]
---
Part 5: Wei Yun's Final Course
He reached into his robe…
And pulled out…
The Forbidden Spice Pack.
Tang Zhi screamed, "NO! That's the Ghost Pepper-Cursed Five Blend!"
Wei Yun smiled.
"It's time for the End of Flavorlessness."
He swallowed the packet.
His body ignited.
Eyes flared.
Hair spiked into noodles.
He unleashed…
> Heavenly Cuisine Technique: FINAL FLAVOR FURY!
Every dish he ever loved formed behind him: dumplings, hotpot, grilled skewers, fire noodles, miso bombs.
He punched Bai Mu with a burning bao fist.
"EAT SPICE, YOU FLAVORLESS MUMMY!"
BOOM.
Explosion of broth, fire, and flavor erupted across the wastes.
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Part 6: The Aftertaste of Victory
Salted Wind Sect was defeated.
Their fields now bloomed with chili plants and coriander.
Bai Mu lay on the ground, tasting curry powder for the first time.
"…so… intense…"
Wei Yun handed him a spoon of soup.
"It's called taste. Welcome back to life."
System alert:
> [Salted Wind Sect converted into Flavor Monastery of the West.]
[New ally unlocked: The Order of Balanced Broth.]
[Technique learned: "Umami Equilibrium Wave."]
Pan-Pan danced in circles. "WE BROUGHT BACK FLAVOR! PRAISE THE PEPPER!"
Tang Zhi wiped a tear. "I tasted joy again…"
Wei Yun looked to the skies.
System pinged again.
> [Alert: New faction detected. Approaching from above — Sky-Fried Sect riding Flying Woks of Heaven.]
[Threat Level: Extra Crispy.]
Mu Yao sighed. "We never get a break."
Wei Yun grinned.
"Let's fry some fools."
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End of Chapter 18.