MIGHT AS WELL BE OP Chapter 907: Heavenly

"How long has it been since you last prepared a meal for someone else?" Vega questioned, a poised and graceful smile on her face. Her eyes remained fixed on Broth-ben, filled with a quiet sense of intrigue.

Broth-ben paused to reflect, his eyes wandering as if navigating through a limitless expanse of ancient memories. Finally, he spoke, "I can't quite recall... perhaps eons ago?" His voice lacked certainty, carrying the weight of a distant, fading nostalgia.

"I believe you have realized by now that we are not like the others; otherwise, you never would have shown yourself to us," Vega remarked. They would have to be incredibly naive to think Broth-ben shared such tales with every common tourist he encountered. Furthermore, every person in the group possessed their own methods for detecting deception, and they all sensed that Broth-ben’s words were nothing but the absolute truth.

"To be honest, our primary reason for visiting is to experience the legendary Ramen of the Ramen Singularity Timeline," Vega continued with a calm, expectant tone. "And since you are the supreme master here, having reached the absolute zenith of this Timeline, would you be willing to take up the bowls and pots once more? Show us the mastery and skill that elevated you to your current standing," she requested, her gaze challenging the Brothkin.

Everyone nodded in unison at Vega's suggestion. This group outing was intended for them to sample the infinite varieties of Ramen found within the Ramen Singularity Timeline. Now that they stood before a legend who had likely tasted every flavor in existence and mastered countless secret techniques, who could possibly be more qualified to cook for them?

Broth-ben fell silent again, the quiet stretching out just enough to heighten the tension. Then, a slow smile began to tug at the corners of his mouth. "It would be my pleasure," he answered warmly. "Though ages have passed since I last cooked, my skills remain flawless and have never faded... just one of the many advantages of reaching my level of Cultivation," he added with a sincere, bright grin.

Under ordinary circumstances, he never would have entertained such a request. But today felt unique. This group of travelers was far from ordinary, a fact Broth-ben could feel deep within his soul.

"Let us relocate to my personal residence," Broth-ben suggested, his voice tinged with an excitement he hadn't felt in a very long time. With a casual wave of his hand, he unleashed a flood of Savor energy. A portal tore through the air as the fabric of the Ramen Singularity Timeline rippled and distorted. He stepped through without hesitation. Lucian, Kingsley, Anthony, Aura Nova, Aaaninja, and the rest followed immediately. Unbeknownst to the group, a shrouded presence lingered behind, slipping through the rift just before it collapsed.

One might expect the home of a peak existence like Broth-ben to be a grand palace of overwhelming splendor. However, the reality was quite the opposite. His home was strikingly humble and simple; the single chamber he led them into was almost entirely devoid of furniture.

Seeing their subtle surprise, Broth-ben gestured again. Reality warped once more as various furnishings materialized instantly. Futons appeared around a low, wide table at the center of the room. The group wasted no time in taking their seats.

"I am grateful for this opportunity," Broth-ben spoke again. His appearance had already shifted; he was now adorned in traditional chef attire, radiating a different brand of overwhelming authority.

"The preparation begins now," he announced, his voice sharp with anticipation. "I only hope you are strong enough to withstand the power contained within." Before anyone could utter a word, he began the process, his movements fluid and rhythmic as he started crafting the ramen before their very eyes.

The atmosphere grew heavy as Savor energy flooded the cottage. The sheer pressure was so immense that Altheria and Veronica were nearly crushed, their bodies shaking under the spiritual weight. Fortunately, Aaaninja and Lucian acted instantly, shielding them with their mana to stabilize their condition.

The culinary method Broth-ben employed was worlds apart from the techniques of the chef they had seen earlier. Reality twisted and buckled countless times, reshaped like soft wax. A liquid descended from a seemingly celestial realm, drawn from a source so profound it made the Endless Broth Sea seem shallow. The air itself coiled like serpents as the noodles manifested, each strand glowing with a prismatic light as if spun from rainbows.

The group watched in breathless silence. The pressure in the room escalated to cataclysmic levels, as if the very Laws of the Ramen Singularity Timeline were decreeing that only those who survived the creation of such a dish were worthy of eating it.

Suddenly, the cottage began to tremble violently, threatening to burst apart. Waves of heat and distorted reality hammered against them, causing the space to buckle. Despite this, no one activated defensive techniques. They stayed in their seats, resolute, choosing to endure the crushing force with their physical bodies alone.

Aaaninja’s Eyes of Genesis began to leak blood, as if he were staring at something forbidden by the Heavens. He wasn't the only one; everyone present began to bleed from their eyes as they witnessed the greatest secrets of the Ramen Singularity Timeline revealed. Only Anthony remained unaffected, watching calmly, while Romulus stood entirely unbothered.

No one tried to wipe the blood away. They simply let it stream down their faces, their focus entirely on Broth-ben’s cooking. When the aroma finally erupted, it hit them like a thunderous war drum, slamming into their senses with incredible force. Their noses began to bleed next, yet they remained motionless.

Finally, Broth-ben finished. The suffocating heaviness vanished in an instant, as though the Laws of the world had finally accepted them. He served the bowls without delay, placing them before each guest in silence before sitting down to the side.

The team did not hesitate. By now, their bleeding had stopped, their natural regeneration mending the damage. They wiped the stains from their faces with mana and took up their chopsticks. Though some were unfamiliar with the utensils, they handled them perfectly on the first try, aided by their transcendent body control.

The moment 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. A violent surge of Savor energy roared through their bodies, threatening to shatter them from within.

They felt the energy racing through their meridians, attempting to heal and rejuvenate every fiber of their being, even though most of them were already at their peak. Tears streamed down their faces 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 world became crystal clear. Her mind sharpened and her physical form felt reinforced. Altheria experienced the same; it was as if their very foundations for cultivation were being upgraded in real-time as they ate.

Silence reigned for several minutes until the bowls were empty. Once they had finished, they sat quietly for a moment before speaking in perfect unison, "Thank you."

Broth-ben smiled. It had been eons since he had felt this way, and he was genuinely pleased that they could appreciate the sheer weight of his craft.

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

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Broth-ben. I might return in the future to sample every technique you possess," Anthony said with a grin.

"I shall be happy to prepare them anytime," Broth-ben answered. The heavy boredom that had haunted him for ages lifted momentarily. He knew the solitude would return, but for now, this was enough.

Aaaninja prepared to summon the River of Time, but Anthony simply flicked his wrist, opening a portal that connected the Ramen Singularity Timeline directly to the Acarnis Galaxy. Without a second thought, they stepped through, vanishing from the Timeline as their group date reached a perfect conclusion.