Chapter 370: Empty Blow


    As the host’s final words fell, the cheering and apuse that filled the venue paused for a brief moment, followed by a ripple of chatter spreading across the audience seats.


    The president of the Spirit Chef Association personally delivered the Starstones?


    This was only a scoringpetition, not the final determining the champion, why was it so solemn?


    For a moment, countless people couldn’t help but wear a look of puzzlement.


    Even the contestants on the battlefield were somewhat baffled.


    Only Qin Lang and Shen Qian showed no confusion.


    Having learned some information in advance from Zhou Tianhao, they understood why Zhang Tianze personally escorted the Starstones.


    The Notice from the Star Hunters!


    The Star Hunters might be lurking in the venue at this very moment, and the moment when the Starstones were revealed might be the moment they make their move.


    “Don’t worry, if anything happens just follow me.” Qin Lang leaned toward Shen Qian and spoke softly.


    He had already noted the escape routes beforehand, and thanks to his previous experiences, he was rtively calm in the current situation.


    “Okay!” Shen Qian slightly clenched her hands and nodded imperceptibly.


    In the audience seats, Zhou Tianhao subtly straightened up, his four Food Spirits had already been summoned in advance, ready to spring into action at any time.


    His eyes were as sharp as des.


    Star Hunters, will you show up?


    In the slightly peculiar atmosphere of the venue, the robust Zhang Tianze slowly walked onto the stage, holding an alloy box in his hand.


    “ck.”


    The alloy box opened, with eight Starstones quietly lying inside.


    “Congrattions on advancing to the next round, now absorb the Starstones that belong to you.” Zhang Tianze said with a smile, though his body under his clothes was tense, watching everything around him like a beast ready to pounce.


    The contestants didn’t notice Zhang Tianze’s odd behavior, and each stepped forward, quickly absorbing the Starstones.


    “Absorb it.” Qin Lang handed one Starstone to Dan Bao.


    “Glug~”


    Wait for me to break through to three stars, and I’ll help you earn Starstones!


    Dan Bao rubbed Spicy with affection, then flew forward and quickly absorbed the power of the Starstone.


    As the two stars circling Dan Bao grew brighter and brighter, the Starstone gradually darkened, eventually bing colorless and transparent.


    As Qin Lang was absorbing the Starstone, the other contestants also finished absorbing theirs one after another, returning the Starstones once they were done.


    After all the Starstones’ collection was finished, Zhang Tianze exhaled slightly, closing the alloy box.


    It wasn’t time topletely rx yet.


    ording to Zhou Tianhao, who had experienced a Star Hunter incident, Star Hunters were also interested in the depleted Starstones after absorption.


    So, the alloy box in his hands might also be a target for the Star Hunters.


    After giving the host a slight nod, he quickly left the venue with the Starstones.


    Next, these Starstones would be properly managed to ensure that the Star Hunters would not be able to seed as they didst time.


    “Is it over?” As nothing unexpected happened after the absorption of the Starstones, Shen Qian leaned towards Qin Lang and asked softly.


    “The Star Hunters might n to act during the elimination round, so we shouldn’t drop our guard yet. ” Qin Lang shrugged, “But it seems there is no danger today.”


    While they were talking, the host quickly announced the rankings and scores of the top eight contestants in the scoringpetition, and then loudly said, “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s move on to the final session of today.”


    “That is to draw lots to determine the pairing of contestants in the elimination round in five days!”


    “Please look at the big screen!”


    As the host’s voice suddenly heightened, everyone’s eyes focused on the electronic screen above the venue.


    The screen showed a big purple “vs”, with one red and one blue area on each side where the avatar of contestants were spinning rapidly.


    A tense atmosphere instantaneously spread throughout the venue.


    Under everyone’s eyes, the avatar on the left was the first one to get fixed.


    It s Shen Qian, the second ce winner of this scoringpetition! Who will be her opponent? Let’s wait and see!”


    The contestants ranked fifth to eighth were tense, praying in their hearts that they wouldn’t be paired with Shen Qian.


    Suddenly, the other spinning avatar on the screen got fixed.


    “It’s Tian Jian, who ranked sixth! He will face Shen Qian in a ivi culinary duel in five days, where the winner stays and the loser gets eliminated!”


    Tian Jian forced a smile that was worse than crying, all too aware of the pressure now upon him.


    The other contestants all breathed a sigh of relief and gave him a look of ‘every man for himself’.


    I curse you all to get matched with Qin Lang!


    A cursing Tian Jian turned his attention back to the spinning words on the screen.


    After the first pair of contestants were drawn, thepetition format and theme were also drawn.


    The words soon got fixed.


    [Limited Cuisine Theme]


    The next draw picked: [Lobster],


    This made Tian Jian slightly relieved.


    He had a few signature dishes with lobsters. With five days preparation, it was notpletely hopeless.


    However, seeing Shen Qian’sposed smile, Tian Jian felt the pressure again.


    ‘Since I didn’t get matched with you, see you in the rankingpetition!” Completely unfazed by her uing opponent, Shen Qian casually started chatting with Qin Lang once the theme got decided.


    I m quite curious about who will be the unlucky one to be your opponent.” Qin Lang could notice his lips twitching, “Since I’m ranked fourth, I can only be matched with thest three contestants, so it could be any of them.”


    Let s see.” Shen Qian propped her chin and looked expectant, and then her eyes lighted up, “It’s your turn!”


    For the second draw, the first to be selected was Qin Lang.


    Instantly, the pressure was on Shu Juan, Qu Xun, and Ying Chao.


    “Not me! Not me! Not me!” Ying Chao prayed silently, “I’m willing to sacrifice Tian Jian’s ten years of bachelorhood if it means not having to go up against Qin Lang!”


    Tian Jian at the side: “…I heard that!”


    A momentter, Tian Jian couldn’t help but burst intoughter, “What you fear


    is exactly what happened, you’d better prepare yourself!”


    Ying Chao stared at his avatar on the screen, never before had he felt his beaming smile in the picture so irritating.


    Damn!


    It’s that strange-smiling guy?


    Qin Lang took a look at his opponent for five dayster and turned his attention back to the words spinning on the electronic screen.


    Soon, the two draws werepleted.


    [Limited Ingredient Value]


    [500]


    The lowest level in the Limited Ingredient Value category was selected!


    Qin Lang’s eyebrows raised slightly.


    In that case, he would have to think carefully about what dishes to use for thepetition in five days.


    The matches for the other four contestants were quicklypleted and the final session ended.


    After the host announced the end of the scoringpetition, the contestants and the audience started to leave orderly.


    In the audience seats, several men and women moved closer together as they left the venue, and quietly started discussion.


    We’ve set the target, right? Shall we make a move in the next couple of days?”


    “The top instructed to observe for a while longer, wait until after the elimination round.”


    “Okay.”


    After a brief conversation, they split up, disappearing into the crowd to leave the venue.