MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 907: Heavenly

"How long has it been since you last prepared a meal for someone?" Vega inquired, a poised and tranquil smile gracing her lips. Her gaze remained fixed on Broth-ben, filled with a gentle sense of wonder.

Broth-ben paused to reflect, his eyes wandering as if navigating an infinite sea of memories. Finally, he answered, "I honestly cannot recall... perhaps eons ago?" He spoke with a touch of uncertainty, his voice echoing with a distant sense of nostalgia rather than precise memory.

"I believe you've realized by now that we are far from ordinary; otherwise, you would never have shown your true self to us," Vega remarked. It would be incredibly naive, or perhaps even foolish, to assume Broth-ben shared such a history with every traveler he escorted. Furthermore, everyone in the group possessed their own methods for detecting deception, and they all sensed that Broth-ben’s tale was rooted in absolute truth.

"To be frank, our primary objective here is to experience the legendary Ramen of the Ramen Singularity Timeline," Vega went on, her tone calm yet brimming with anticipation. "Since you are the undisputed master who reached the very zenith of this Timeline, would you be willing to stand before the pots and bowls once more? We wish to witness the extraordinary skill that elevated you to such heights," she asked, her eyes searching the Brothkin’s face.

Everyone nodded in collective agreement at Vega’s proposal. This outing was essentially a group date, meant for exploring the diverse flavors of the Ramen Singularity Timeline. Now that they were in the presence of a being who had likely tasted every bowl in existence and mastered countless techniques, who could be more qualified to cook for them?

Broth-ben fell into a brief silence, the pause heightening the tension of the moment. Then, a slow smile began to tug at the corners of his mouth. "It would be my pleasure," he answered with warmth. "Though I haven't cooked in ages, my abilities remain flawless and have never faded... just one of the many advantages of reaching my level," he added, his expression genuine and bright.

Under ordinary circumstances, he never would have entertained such a request. However, today was exceptional. This group of travelers was anything but common, a fact Broth-ben felt deep within his soul.

"Let us go to my personal residence, then," Broth-ben declared, his voice tinged with a long-lost excitement. With a simple wave of his hand, he unleashed a surge of Savor energy. A portal ripped through the air as the very fabric of reality within the Ramen Singularity Timeline buckled and shifted. He stepped through without hesitation. Lucian, Kingsley, Anthony, Aura Nova, Aaaninja, and the others followed immediately. Unnoticed by the group, a shadowed presence lingered behind, slipping through the rift just as it began to seal.

One might imagine the home of a peak existence like Broth-ben to be a magnificent palace of legend. However, the reality was quite the opposite. His home was strikingly humble; the single room he led them into was so minimalist it lacked almost any furniture.

Detecting their quiet surprise, Broth-ben gave a casual flick of his wrist. Reality warped once more as various furnishings materialized out of thin air. Futons manifested around a broad, low table situated in the center of the chamber. The group wasted no time in taking their places.

"I appreciate this opportunity," Broth-ben spoke again. His appearance had already shifted; he was now clad in professional chef’s garments, radiating a completely different aura of mastery.

"I shall begin," he announced, his voice sharp with eagerness. "I only hope you can endure the power contained within." Before a word could be uttered in response, he was already in motion, his movements fluid and graceful as he started the cooking process.

The atmosphere grew heavy as Savor energy flooded the cottage. The pressure became so overwhelming that Altheria and Veronica were nearly crushed, their frames shaking under the sheer weight of it. Sensing the danger, Aaaninja and Lucian acted instantly, shielding them with mana to stabilize their conditions.

The culinary methods Broth-ben employed were leagues beyond the chef they had met previously. Reality twisted and turned countless times, reshaped like soft clay in his hands. A celestial liquid descended from a realm so high that even the Endless Broth Sea seemed shallow by comparison. The air coiled like serpents as shimmering, multicolored noodles appeared, looking as though they were spun from the light of a thousand rainbows.

The group watched, mesmerized and silent. The pressure within the room climbed to cataclysmic levels, as if the very Laws of the Ramen Singularity Timeline were proclaiming that only those who survived the cooking process were worthy of the meal.

Suddenly, the entire building began to tremble violently, threatening to come apart. Waves of heat and distorted space crashed against them, causing the atmosphere to buckle. Despite this, no one used defensive techniques. They stayed in their seats, determined to endure the onslaught with their own physical bodies.

Aaaninja’s Eyes of Genesis began to bleed, as if he were looking upon a forbidden divinity. He wasn't alone; the eyes of nearly everyone present began to leak blood as they glimpsed the ultimate secrets of the Ramen Singularity Timeline. Only Anthony remained unaffected, watching the scene with a calm expression, while Romulus stood entirely unbothered.

No one tried to wipe away the blood. They let it stream down their faces, their focus entirely on Broth-ben’s work. When the fragrance finally filled the air, it hit them with the force of a war drum, slamming into their senses. Their noses began to bleed as well, yet they remained motionless.

Finally, Broth-ben finished. The crushing weight vanished instantly, signaling that the Laws of the Ramen Singularity Timeline had deemed them worthy. He served the bowls without delay, placing them before his guests in silence before taking a seat to the side.

The team did not wait. By now, their natural regeneration had kicked in, and they used their mana to clear away the blood. They each took up chopsticks. Even those who were unfamiliar with the utensils found them easy to use on the first attempt, thanks to their incredible physical coordination.

As the noodles touched their palates, the sensation was divine. It felt as though the essence of reality had been distilled into a single bowl. Upon swallowing, the true power hit them. The concentrated Savor energy exploded, racing through their systems and threatening to shatter them from within.

They felt the energy surging, attempting to heal and refine every part of their being, even for those who were already at their peak. Tears began to flow as they continued to eat.

"A dish like this should be considered a crime to consume," Anthony whispered to himself.

For a moment, Veronica’s perception cleared completely. Her mind sharpened and her body felt reinforced. Altheria experienced a similar sensation; it felt as though their very essence was evolving, their innate potential for Cultivation expanding with every bite.

Several minutes of profound silence passed as they finished the meal. Once the bowls were empty, they sat in quiet contemplation before speaking as one: "Thank you."

Broth-ben smiled. It had been an eternity since he had practiced his craft, and he felt a genuine joy that they had not only survived the process but truly appreciated the weight of his art.

They engaged in light conversation for a time, but eventually, their visit to the Ramen Singularity Timeline reached its conclusion. They stood up to depart.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Broth-ben. I may return to study every ramen technique you possess," Anthony said, smiling.

"I would be happy to cook for you anytime," Broth-ben replied. The heavy boredom that had haunted him for eons lifted for a moment. He knew it would eventually come back, but this brief respite was enough.

As Aaaninja prepared to summon the River of Time, Anthony simply gestured with his hand, opening a direct portal from the Ramen Singularity Timeline to the Acarnis Galaxy. They stepped through without delay, leaving the Timeline behind as their group date reached a perfect conclusion.