"Allow me to welcome you to the Lotus Delight Pavilion, Chengzi. This is where I work, and it is where you will be working as well," said Jing Tian. She had this proud expression when mentioning the establishment's name.

(She had the same expression as I did back then when I told the others about "Harmony." This scene surely brought all my memories back to me...)

Nick smiled understandingly and followed Jing Tian inside the building.

The instant he stepped inside, Nick was greeted with the food aroma permeating the dining hall. This signature scent set the restaurant a step above the rest as one of the older, dedicated establishments that built its foundation purely on food alone.

He calmly observed the spacious dining hall on the ground floor that fits around fifty tables and two hundred patrons. And from here, one could peek at the patrons walking on the two upper floors.

Likewise, those above could also do the same to those seated below. And in some sense, it's almost like a three-tiered auditorium, but for dining purposes.

The decoration used was nothing precious or impressive. And yet, it carried an unusual touch of warmth and familiarity essential to a family restaurant. The decor here was nothing like Nick's restaurant's luxury and elegant art pieces.

Instead, they are mostly vases from various dynasties and civilizations, potted plants over a hundred years old, and treasured couplets on precious scrolls. Several written plaques were also seen with different seal stamps on the bottom left and right corners, indicating how many influential figures had patronized this establishment.

From this first impression alone, the Lotus Delight Pavilion had nothing to lose in its influence. And perhaps, its background could be even firmer than his restaurant, the Harmony, which served over a hundred presidential figures, monarchs of their own countries, prime ministers, and the winners of global awards.

Furthermore, the fading Yuan Qi that still lingers around these decors and plaques leaves more to be wondered about, as it acted as proof of the visitor's cultivation accomplishment.

"What do you think?" Jing Tian asked with a smile.

Although it is not the peak hour right now, there are still several tables of guests waiting for their food to be served. Also, as a part of the restaurant's staff, Jing Tian obviously had more to do.

There were still several places Nick would have to visit before he began his work for today.

"I am amazed. Praise alone was not enough to describe how I feel currently," Nick responded. Simultaneously, he couldn't help but wonder how the back of the house would look if this was just the face of the establishment.

Also, there was no reason for Nick to be stingy with his compliments. After all, the Lotus Delight Pavilion would soon become his workplace. And naturally, looking at Jing Tian's devotion, Nick knew he would have a good time over here.

"Let us continue." Jing Tian said, guiding Nick to the other parts of the restaurant. Through a corridor only the staff could access, Nick was taken to a connecting structure that acted as the employee's building.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

This structure was also where the offices, storage, housing, and everything else were set.

He was taken to a humbly furnished room to leave his belongings and changed into his cook's uniform. It was an all-gray uniform similar to the Golden Expanse House quality but with several lotuses sewn on his back, shoulders and the establishment's name on his left chest.

"You appear more suited for our uniform," Jing Tian jokes after she looks at Nick. And after saying that, she guided Nick and walked out of the management building.

Apparently, the building with the kitchen was just across from the building they're at.

"Chengzi, I hope you'll mingle well with the others inside the kitchen. Please understand that we're a big family at the Lotus Delight Pavilion. Unlike at Golden Expanse House, we work together and help each other as a team." she emphasized her words carefully.

"Of course," Nick replied.

"Are you ready to be introduced to the team?" Jing Tian added as they stopped before an entrance covered by a piece of cloth acting as a cover into the kitchen building. From her tone, Jing Tian seemed closer to the kitchen team than to the restaurant's front, which was naturally given her attire.

Jing Tian's dress had no notable marks that signified her status in this restaurant. However, it was unmistakably a chef uniform, based on the design and similarity to what the Golden Expanse House Canteen cooks wore.

"Come in, " said Jing Tian after lifting a part of the curtain that separated the inside and outside of the building. The curtain looked simple, but its material was expensive. It was definitely not something Nick could easily afford.

Beyond the curtain was where the sound of clashing cookware, and Umami bombs filled the air. With this thought in mind, Nick accepted Jing Tian's invitation and entered.

(This is definitely the heart of this Lotus Delight Pavilion!) Nick thought.

He had just been in here for ten seconds, and the intense heat from the firing stoves and wild Yuan Qi lingering around had already started to make this atmosphere challenging for Nick.

Despite his ten years of working in a kitchen, this place was on a completely different level. If Nick had to make an example of how he felt right now, it could only be described with a simple sentence.

'This was no place for the weak-hearted.'

Even describing this place as a hardcore-level dungeon was an understatement of its challenging environment.

(What an intense place it was...) Nick thought.

He felt his tolerance to pressure was tested in this environment. Furthermore, he couldn't rely on brute force and mental fortitude to overcome it.

Without having constructed his Spiritual Body, letting Nick in here is like forcing him to work in a place twice the gravity. This means that working with the ingredients and tools here would require twice the effort.

This wasn't an intentionally created environment. But because of the accumulation of wild Yuan Qi over time. Furthermore, this Yuan Qi was not a reliable resource they could use to strengthen their cultivation.

That's because the turbulent Yuan Qi accumulated over the years without going through purification. Although the energy principle was the same, reckless use of this Yuan Qi could increase the risk of Qi Deviation by two to five times.

Furthermore, experiencing Qi Deviation from this recklessness was considered a light punishment. On a more serious note, exposure to Yuan Qi Poison could harm a person's Innate Spirit and Spiritual Body, potentially leading to severe health consequences.

"How do you feel?" Jing Tian stood beside Nick, closely observing him. As a cultivator with a stronger foundation, she had already noticed Nick's flaws before they entered the kitchen. The only reason she didn't warn him earlier was to see how Nick would react.

After all, this was not a matter that could be solved by constructing a Spiritual Body alone.

While the Spiritual Body was crucial, it was similar to changing into a more pressure-tolerant physique. It could not address the root of the problem: the rampant Yuan Qi accumulating in the kitchen.

Without proper mental preparation, making Nick work here would be like forcing a donkey to do a bull's job.

"It's bearable," Nick muttered.

"What?" Jing Tian was surprised by Nick's response.