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Part 1: The Arrival of Bitterness
Three days passed.
The Soup Sect basked in glory, with Tang Zhi parading his "Survivor of Sticky Trauma" badge and Mu Yao training aggressively in the art of anti-porridge footwork.
But peace was never meant to last.
Boom.
A wave of bitter qi crashed through the gates of their sect.
A figure walked through.
He wore robes the color of depression, held a bitter melon staff, and emanated the aura of someone who'd been rejected by ten thousand dishes.
"I am Ku Yao, Elder of the Bitter Melon Sect."
His voice dripped melancholy. "You have mocked seasoning balance long enough. It is time you understood the beauty of bitterness."
Pan-Pan immediately covered his eyes. "Too much angst. I can taste his teenage poetry."
Wei Yun narrowed his gaze.
"Are you here to fight… or cry on us?"
Ku Yao gritted his teeth. "Bitter Melon Palm, First Form: Taste of Childhood Medicine!"
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Part 2: Trauma Through Taste
A green wave of qi swept forward.
Tang Zhi took a direct hit and collapsed.
He convulsed.
Then sobbed.
"It's… it's the taste of my grandma's cold herbal soup… the one that cured nothing but destroyed my soul..."
System:
> [Tang Zhi is suffering from Spiritual Taste Rejection Syndrome. He will temporarily forget what flavor is.]
Mu Yao slashed with her sword, but Ku Yao merely raised his palm again.
Bitter Palm – Second Form: Regretful Recipe of the Ex-Lover!
Even the air soured.
Pan-Pan coughed. "Why does it taste like betrayal and bad dates?!"
Xu Liang fled behind a rock. "I didn't sign up for emotional cuisine!"
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Part 3: Wei Yun's Anti-Bitter Art
Wei Yun calmly sipped his soup and activated:
Soup Sect Secret Art: Five-Spice Harmony Pulse!
A glowing pentagram of flavor formed—sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and umami swirling together.
The bitter qi paused—then screamed.
System:
> [Congratulations! You have countered the "Bitter Worldview Domain."]
[Enemy morale reduced. Bitterness has been mildly seasoned.]
Ku Yao gasped.
"You dare season bitterness itself?! That is sacrilege!"
Wei Yun smirked.
"You haven't lived until you've stir-fried bitter melon with salted pork and chili oil, my guy."
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Part 4: Melon Metamorphosis
Enraged, Ku Yao stabbed his staff into the ground.
"I shall awaken the Bitter Spirit Fruit!"
The soil cracked.
From it sprouted a towering Sentient Bitter Melon Tree, weeping acidic juice and singing sad songs in a minor key.
Pan-Pan read from a scroll. "According to culinary legend, if you eat the fruit of this tree, you gain power… but lose hope."
Ku Yao laughed bitterly. "Let despair flavor your soul."
Wei Yun refused.
"Hope is a broth best simmered slowly."
He jumped into the sky, slammed his wok down, and shouted:
Supreme Soup Sect Technique: Redemption Stir-Fry!
A rainbow blast of wok qi seared the melon tree. It screamed.
Literally screamed. In soprano.
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Part 5: A Bitter End, or a New Beginning?
Ku Yao knelt among the seared vines, panting.
Wei Yun walked up and offered him a bowl.
"This… is bitter melon soup. But it's stir-fried. Balanced. Try it."
Ku Yao hesitated. Took a sip.
His face changed.
Tears streamed down.
"It… it doesn't taste like failure. It tastes like… possibility."
System pinged:
> [You have converted a Bitter Melon Elder into a Seasoned Advisor. He will now teach your sect the "Bitterness Tempering Palm."]
[New status acquired: Flavor Alchemist.]
Tang Zhi moaned in the background. "My tongue still hurts."
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Part 6: Stirring New Troubles
Just then, a shadowy messenger arrived.
He bore a frozen scroll wrapped in icy noodles.
"The Frozen Dumpling Sect sends their regards. Prepare… for The Dumpling Trials."
Wei Yun stared at the scroll.
"…Did they just chill that with spiritual frostbite?"
System pinged:
> [Next Arc Unlocked: The Icy Wrath of the Frozen Dumpling Sect!]
[Warning: Techniques involve wrapper-folding illusions, stuffing-based deception, and the terrifying Dumpling Clones.]
Wei Yun turned to his team.
"Soup Sect… prepare the steamers."
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End of Chapter 15.