Lin Feng had done it all. He'd survived a pancake rebellion, judged soups in a celestial arena, and somehow sparked a noodle holy war.
But nothing prepared him for the next challenge. The Fried Rice Monks.
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The Holy Wok
It was an ancient temple, carved into the side of a mountain, surrounded by fragrant fields of garlic and ginger. The Wok Temple stood tall, an imposing structure resembling a giant wok suspended in mid-air, its golden handle gleaming in the morning sun.
Bai Xue was already at the gates, arms crossed. "I still don't understand why you're being invited everywhere. You've got a reputation now."
Flame Duck waddled beside Lin Feng, excited. "I've heard their stir-fry is legendary! They say it can even cook the soul."
Lin Feng groaned. "I just wanted some peace. I didn't ask for a soul-cooking wok."
But it was too late. The doors of the temple swung open, and two monks dressed in robes of crispy rice and sautéed vegetables welcomed them in.
"Welcome, Chosen of the Celestial Kitchen," one monk intoned. "Your legendary palate is required for our Festival of Fiery Stirring."
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. "I'm not a legendary anything."
The monk smiled serenely. "The Wok has spoken. Follow us, please."
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The Wok of Destiny
Inside the temple, the aroma was enough to make Lin Feng's stomach growl. A giant wok sat in the center of the room, surrounded by a circle of monks chanting in unison.
"This is where we honor the art of stir-fry," one monk explained. "You must prove your worth by creating the perfect stir-fry, capable of summoning the Wok Dragon."
Lin Feng blinked. "A what?"
The monk pointed to the giant wok. "The Wok Dragon, master of flame and flavor. It is said to emerge when the perfect balance of ingredients is achieved."
Flame Duck flapped excitedly. "I've always wanted to see a Wok Dragon! I bet it tastes like spicy chicken!"
Bai Xue sighed. "You're impossible."
Lin Feng, still unsure, stood before the wok. A monk handed him a spatula, its wooden handle adorned with golden stir-fry charms. "The Wok Dragon will test your skill. Add the ingredients, and let the flames guide you."
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Stir-Fry Madness
Lin Feng hesitated, but then the urge for peace overwhelmed him. "Fine. I'll do this. But I'm not summoning any dragons."
He grabbed a handful of rice, tossing it into the wok with the precision of a seasoned chef. Garlic followed. Then ginger. Then, feeling bold, he threw in a handful of mysterious "spices" the monks had provided. They shimmered like the stars.
The wok began to sizzle. Flames shot up like fire spirit beasts, dancing and swirling around the ingredients. Lin Feng's eyes widened as he saw his rice starting to glow. It wasn't just any glow—it was an ethereal, fiery glow, like it had unlocked its own potential.
Suddenly, a loud CRACK! echoed through the temple.
"Uh… was that supposed to happen?" Lin Feng asked.
Before anyone could answer, a burst of hot sauce erupted from the wok. A massive dragon-shaped cloud of fiery sauce formed, hissing and crackling with energy.
"Oops," Lin Feng muttered. "I think I overdid it."
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The Wok Dragon Emerges
The hot sauce dragon swirled through the air, its fiery body crackling and spitting in every direction. The monks gasped in awe.
"Behold!" one monk cried. "The Wok Dragon!"
Flame Duck squawked. "That's one spicy dragon!"
The dragon hovered over the wok, its fiery eyes glowing red. It opened its mouth, revealing a vortex of boiling hot sauce that began to rain down onto the stir-fry.
Lin Feng waved his hands frantically. "No! I didn't mean it! I just wanted to cook some rice!"
But the Wok Dragon was already diving toward him, its hot sauce breath threatening to engulf everything in its path.
Bai Xue stepped forward, raising her hand. "Stop it, dragon!" she commanded, her cultivation flaring in a wave of icy energy.
To Lin Feng's surprise, the Wok Dragon paused, looking at her curiously.
"Your ice will not defeat me, mortal," the dragon hissed in a voice that sounded like sizzling oil.
Lin Feng scratched his head. "Okay, this is officially weird. What do we do now?"
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The Wok's True Test
The monks, who had been watching in awe, suddenly jumped into action. "You must feed the Wok Dragon!" they shouted in unison.
"What?" Lin Feng exclaimed. "You want me to… feed it? How do you feed a dragon made of hot sauce?"
The monk who had given him the spatula stepped forward. "Only by offering the perfect balance of ingredients can the dragon be satisfied."
Lin Feng sighed. "Why does everything in this world seem to require food-based diplomacy?"
Flame Duck raised an eyebrow. "At least it's not soup this time."
Bai Xue glared at him. "You're not helping."
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The Final Stir
Lin Feng took a deep breath, and with a sudden burst of focus, he grabbed the wok's spatula and began to stir. The flames swirled around him, and the rice, vegetables, and sauces seemed to respond to his movements.
As he stirred, the hot sauce dragon circled above, growling in approval. The rice began to shimmer, its aroma so powerful it made Lin Feng's head spin.
"Just a little more…" Lin Feng muttered. His hands moved faster. The dragon's fiery body was now hovering right above the wok, leaning in as though it was waiting for the final touch.
With one last motion, Lin Feng tossed in the final ingredient—a dash of mysterious secret sauce the monks had given him earlier. The dragon roared, a sound that rattled the temple.
And then, everything went still.
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The Dragon's Approval
The hot sauce dragon dissolved into a cloud of golden steam, and the wok gave off a final burst of warmth. Lin Feng slumped to the ground, exhausted.
"Did we do it?" he asked, barely able to keep his eyes open.
The monks cheered. "You have done it! You have mastered the art of stir-fry!"
Bai Xue nodded. "And you've probably summoned a dragon made of spicy regret."
Flame Duck looked at the wok. "Can we eat it now?"
Lin Feng stood up, wiping sweat from his brow. "No more food cults. No more dragons. No more fiery cooking duels."
A courier appeared at the temple door, holding a scroll. Lin Feng groaned.
The courier handed him the scroll.
"Dear Chosen of the Celestial Kitchen—"
"NO!" Lin Feng screamed.
The courier blinked. "It's an invitation from the Dim Sum Sect."
Flame Duck snatched the scroll. "I heard their dumplings are really lit."
Lin Feng sank into a chair. "I hate my life."
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