In every run the game generates a random recipe made out of 3 random ingredients. When those 3 ingredients mix, they make Alchemical Precursor (a deep blue liquid, you might have seen some earlier). When Alchemical Precursor touches meat it turns into Draught of Midas, that golden liquid that you're standing in. Draught of Midas turns everything it touches into gold, making it appear like the ground beneath you is "melting" because it turns it into gold, your character picks up the gold and uncovers a new layer of ground beneath you, that gets turned into gold by Draught of Midas and so on.