---
The Dumpling Beasts continued to circle Lin Feng and his companions, their golden exteriors shimmering under the bright sun. Despite their initial impression of menace, their movements were slow and deliberate, as if they were testing the newcomers rather than attacking them.
Lin Feng swallowed hard, still unsure of their intentions. He glanced around at Bai Xue and Flame Duck, both of whom were equally confused by the creatures' behavior.
"Are they waiting for something?" Bai Xue asked, her eyes scanning the surrounding area for any signs of danger.
"Maybe we're supposed to do something," Lin Feng muttered, frowning. "Maybe it's like some kind of initiation or trial."
Flame Duck, never one to shy away from an adventure, puffed out his chest. "Trial or not, I'm going to make some dumplings! Who's with me?"
"Flame Duck, we're not making dumplings right now," Lin Feng said through gritted teeth. "We need to figure out what's going on before we end up on the menu for these things."
The Dumpling Beasts, who had been circling, suddenly halted in unison. Their large, doughy eyes glistened with an almost sentient intelligence, and Lin Feng could feel an odd pressure in the air, as if something ancient and powerful was observing them.
With a sudden movement, one of the Dumpling Beasts rolled forward, its massive, golden body rumbling across the ground. It stopped just in front of Lin Feng, towering over him. The creature's mouth opened, revealing an inner layer of delicate, steamy dumplings—far too beautiful and intricate to be made by mortal hands.
"Uh…hello?" Lin Feng said, unsure of how to proceed. The Dumpling Beast didn't respond with words but seemed to acknowledge him with a deep, rumbling growl that shook the ground beneath their feet.
Bai Xue frowned. "What does it want?"
The creature made another sound, a soft but deep growl, and Lin Feng felt a strange warmth emanating from the Dumpling Beast's presence. It was like the entire mountain range around them had come to life in a way that defied logic. A moment passed in silence before the Dumpling Beast extended its paw toward Lin Feng, its large doughy claws hovering inches from his chest.
"What does it want?" Lin Feng repeated, his voice quieter this time.
Without warning, the Dumpling Beast gently tapped Lin Feng's chest with its paw. A shock of heat coursed through his body, and he staggered back, eyes widening as he felt a connection form between himself and the creature. It was as though an ancient, culinary power had surged into his body, igniting a spark deep within.
Flame Duck watched with wide eyes. "Whoa, that's some serious dumpling magic."
The moment Lin Feng touched the Dumpling Beast, the jade pendant around his neck suddenly pulsed with a bright light, and a voice—ancient and distant—echoed in his mind.
"To pass the trial of the Dumpling Peaks, one must master the art of balance. The path to the Celestial Kitchen lies through understanding the harmony between all elements of cooking: fire, heat, steam, and dough. Only then will you be worthy of the sacred dish of Dim Sum."
The voice faded as quickly as it had arrived, but Lin Feng felt a new understanding deep within his being. He took a deep breath, realizing that this was the first real challenge he'd faced on his journey—the first step toward mastering the Nine Sacred Dishes.
"I get it," Lin Feng murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "I have to cook a perfect dish here… balance everything perfectly."
Bai Xue raised an eyebrow. "A dish? Here?"
Lin Feng nodded, feeling the weight of the trial ahead. "Yes. It's all about balance. I need to cook something that incorporates all the elements: fire, heat, steam, and dough."
Flame Duck jumped up, flapping his wings. "Sounds like my kind of challenge! But what do we cook? Dumplings?"
"Of course," Lin Feng said, a determined glint in his eye. "It has to be dumplings."
---
The Cooking Challenge
With the Dumpling Beast's approval, Lin Feng set up his makeshift kitchen, using the tools and ingredients he had gathered along the way. He wasn't sure how much time he had, but the pressure of the challenge weighed heavily on him. The Dumpling Beasts had formed a semicircle around him, watching intently. Their glowing eyes were a reminder that this was no ordinary cooking test—it was a trial of skill, creativity, and divine will.
Lin Feng had always been passionate about cooking, but this… this was on another level. His mind raced as he began to assemble the ingredients for his dumplings: dough, fillings, spices, and herbs, each item a key part of the puzzle. But the real challenge lay in how he would combine them.
He started by kneading the dough, focusing on creating the perfect texture—firm, yet pliable enough to hold the rich, flavorful filling. He carefully selected the right herbs and vegetables, allowing the natural flavors to blend together without overpowering one another.
But as he worked, the heat around him began to rise. He could feel the pressure from the surrounding Dumpling Beasts—almost as if they were watching his every move, waiting for him to make a mistake.
Lin Feng's heart raced, but he reminded himself of what he'd learned. Balance. Harmony. It was about creating a dish that not only satisfied the senses but also honored the divine elements that governed the Celestial Kitchen.
The steam began to rise as Lin Feng placed the dumplings into a delicate steamer. The warmth surrounded him, and the heat of the moment was palpable. As the dumplings steamed, Lin Feng felt the magic of the Dumpling Peaks infusing the dish, guiding his hands and thoughts.
But it wasn't enough to simply cook the dumplings. He had to elevate them—to make them extraordinary.
As he reached for the final element, a small flame appeared in his palm, glowing bright and steady. He used the fire to sear the bottoms of the dumplings, creating a crispy, golden crust that would contrast with the softness of the steamed dough. The heat from the fire was carefully controlled, not too much, but just enough to create that perfect, delicate crunch.
Lin Feng closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the balance come together. Fire, heat, steam, dough—it was all in harmony.
The moment the dumplings were done, Lin Feng placed them onto a serving platter, steam rising from the delicate dough. The golden crust glistened, and the aroma was intoxicating—rich, savory, and mouthwatering.
He stood back and looked at his creation, then turned to the Dumpling Beasts, who were now silent, their gaze intense.
"Well?" Lin Feng asked, his voice steady. "How did I do?"
The lead Dumpling Beast slowly rolled forward, its glowing eyes fixed on the dumplings. It sniffed the air, its doughy face twitching as it sampled the aroma. The beast's massive, round body seemed to sway with satisfaction.
Without warning, the beast opened its mouth wide, revealing a row of smaller dumplings inside. It plucked one out and held it up before Lin Feng, as if offering it to him. The message was clear: the dish had been accepted.
Lin Feng smiled and took the dumpling from the beast, his hands trembling with anticipation. He bit into it, feeling the crunch of the seared crust and the tender filling inside. The flavors exploded in his mouth—rich, savory, and perfectly balanced.
It was a perfect dumpling.
The Dumpling Beast gave a satisfied rumble, its glowing eyes filled with approval. Lin Feng had passed the trial.
---
The Next Step
Bai Xue, who had been watching the scene unfold with crossed arms, finally uncrossed them and spoke up. "I can't believe you did it. You actually passed the trial."
Flame Duck squawked, bouncing up and down. "I knew it! I knew you were destined to be the greatest chef!"
Lin Feng wiped his brow, still feeling the effects of the trial. "That was intense. But it's not over. There are more trials ahead. And this is just the beginning."
Bai Xue nodded. "Well, let's keep moving. The Dim Sum Sect is waiting, right?"
Lin Feng smiled, taking a deep breath. "Right. Let's go. There's still so much more to learn."
And with that, the trio continued their journey, ready for the challenges that lay ahead. The Dumpling Peaks had tested their abilities, but the road to the Celestial Kitchen was still long, and Lin Feng knew that each step would be harder than the last. But with each trial, he would grow stronger, and his culinary destiny would become clearer.