They had thought that Cloud Retainer had already prepared a meal to entertain them. But to their surprise, what greeted them was only a table full of uncooked ingredients.
However, Cloud Retainer looked entirely confident. With a slight wave of her hand, a faint aqua glow appeared, and a strange machine appeared at her side.
At once, it drew everyone's attention.
Cloud Retainer said slowly,
"Simply place the ingredients into the Divine Cooking Machine, and in moments, a steaming hot dish will be ready."
Upon hearing this, Paimon hurriedly flew to the Divine Cooking Machine, circling it wide-eyed.
"So this is the Divine Cooking Machine you made?"
She had heard of this contraption before—rumor had it that by simply placing ingredients inside, it would automatically prepare a delicious dish.
Beside her, Zhu Yuan, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Billy, and Nekomata also gathered around. They circled the Divine Cooking Machine, inspecting it curiously.
But staring at this odd "iron lump," they couldn't see what was so special about it.
It wasn't refined, nor did it seem particularly intelligent. It looked more like some outdated relic from an earlier era.
Nekomata tilted her head and asked in confusion,
"Cloud Retainer Adeptus, Paimon, what exactly does this machine do? It's called a Divine Cooking Machine—don't tell me it's really for cooking? But it doesn't look like a stove or a rice cooker at all, meow."
Paimon quickly explained,
"It is for cooking. But this is a mechanism created by an Adeptus, so I don't really know how to use it either..."
After saying that, she looked at Cloud Retainer, hoping for clarification.
Nicole, Billy, Keqing, Zhu Yuan, Tsukishiro Yanagi, and the others also turned their eyes toward Cloud Retainer.
Moon Carver spoke up,
"Cloud Retainer, give them a demonstration."
Cloud Retainer replied calmly,
"No need to remind me. I was going to explain anyway."
She extended her hand and tapped the Divine Cooking Machine.
In an instant, a green light shimmered, and the top of the device opened, revealing a pot-like interior.
Seeing this, Zhu Yuan, Tsukishiro Yanagi, and Nicole finally understood—this machine was essentially a pot.
Cloud Retainer said slowly,
"The Divine Cooking Machine contains every recipe in Liyue. Place the required ingredients inside, and in moments, a delicious dish will be ready. I have explained enough. Now it is your turn to try."
Zhu Yuan's eyes widened.
"That's it? That simple?"
Cloud Retainer's tone remained serene.
"Of course—otherwise, how could it be called a Divine Machine?"
Even so, the others were still doubtful. Could such a simple pot truly be that miraculous?
The next moment, Paimon clasped her stomach and cried out,
"Don't just stand there! Hurry up and try it! I'm starving!"
Nekomata was just as eager.
"Exactly! Let me try making a steamed perch first. Let's see how it tastes, meow—"
Without hesitation, she grabbed a prepared perch from the table and tossed it into the machine, the fish arcing through the air before landing inside. She added a few seasonings for good measure, then turned expectantly to Cloud Retainer.
Cloud Retainer instructed,
Nekomata quickly shut the lid and waited.
But after a while, the machine remained silent.
"Is it done?" she asked impatiently.
"How about now? Is it finished?"
Cloud Retainer shook her head.
"You haven't told the Divine Cooking Machine what dish you want to make. Naturally, it won't run on its own."
"Then how do I tell it we want steamed perch?"
Cloud Retainer said calmly,
Nekomata obeyed, moving near the machine.
"Then call out its true name: 'Liyue's Strongest Divine Cooking Machine,' and tell it the dish you want prepared."
"Meow! So it's voice-controlled? That's actually pretty smart. As expected of an Adeptus's invention, meow..."
Eagerly, Nekomata faced the machine and shouted,
"Liyue's Strongest Divine Cooking Machine, please make me a steamed perch!"
As soon as she finished, glowing text appeared around the machine.
Leaning closer, she saw words like "Steamed," "Boiled," "Fried," as well as dish names such as "Steamed Perch" and "Four Joy Meatballs."
Before she could react, Cloud Retainer said,
"Tap on 'Steamed Perch.'"
Nekomata did as instructed.
At once, a pale light enveloped the entire device, and two wisps of steam rose from the lid.
Nekomata muttered, exasperated,
"So it's just a fancy rice cooker after all..."
So much fuss, and it still needed manual input.
Beside her, Zhu Yuan, Tsukishiro Yanagi, Nicole, and the others also felt a pang of disappointment. The process seemed oddly clumsy—voice activation only to manually select the dish afterward felt redundant.
But before anyone could complain further, a rich fragrance wafted from the machine. The unmistakable aroma of steamed perch filled the air.
Cloud Retainer spoke evenly,
"It is done. Prepare a plate."
Zhu Yuan nearly jumped in shock.
"What? Already? But it's only been four or five seconds..."
How could a dish be cooked that quickly? Impossible.
Still, she followed Cloud Retainer's instructions, fetching an empty plate. At her direction, she tapped the Divine Cooking Machine once more. A drawer-like compartment slid open at the base.
Hesitantly, Zhu Yuan placed the plate inside, closed it, and then opened it again.
The once-empty plate now held a steaming, freshly prepared steamed perch.
It was like a magic trick.
The entire dish had been cooked in just four or five seconds.
Nekomata couldn't wait any longer. She grabbed a pair of chopsticks, took a bite, and her eyes lit up.
Zhu Yuan leaned forward eagerly.
"Well? How is it? Delicious?"
Nekomata nodded vigorously, her tail swishing with excitement.
"Meow! It's amazing! Just as good as Wanmin Restaurant or the fine restaurants at Lumina Square!"
At her words, everyone turned back to look at the machine again.
Their eyes had changed completely.
This was no longer just some strange cooking contraption.
This was a true divine device—a miracle that turned the ordinary into something extraordinary.