A month passed quickly. Bai Tian, who once couldn't even stir-fry a single leaf, had now grown far more skilled in the art of spiritual cooking. His hands had become adept at controlling the flame, the aroma of spices no longer scattered wildly, and every dish he made always left a warm impression on those who ate it. Because of this progress, he began to be entrusted with cooking for some of the sect's elders. Most of the dishes he prepared involved meat—spiritual beasts rich in energy, which, when cooked properly, could strengthen the body and ease cultivation fatigue.
Yet there was one dish that remained the shadow of his failures: The Five Treasures Soup. This dish was regarded as the pinnacle of culinary mastery within the sect's kitchens. It required five rare ingredients: a thousand-year-old ginseng root, the purple mist mushroom, swamp dragon meat, blue jade fish scales, and the crimson fire fruit. Each of these ingredients held different spiritual energies—some gentle, some fierce—and only when cooked in perfect balance could the soup produce extraordinary effects: healing inner wounds and enhancing the flow of spiritual energy within the body.
Two days ago, Bai Tian tried to learn it. Yet every time he placed the ingredients into the cauldron, the balance collapsed. The soup would grow too hot, evaporating the fire fruit's spiritual energy, or too cold, leaving the swamp dragon meat tough and stripped of its power. Every attempt ended in failure, leaving Bai Tian staring in silence at a cauldron filled with bitter, burnt aromas.
"Do not force yourself, Xiao Tian," said Master Shan one evening when he found his disciple gazing at the cauldron with a weary face.
The master pulled out a worn book, its leather cover cracked with age. He handed the book over with both hands, as if it were more precious than a sword.
"Within it lies half of my experience in the kitchen over decades. I am giving you this book not so you may rush to copy my skills, but so you may learn one thing—cooking is not only about ingredients and fire, but also heart and patience."
Bai Tian received the book with reverence, his eyes shining as though he had found a treasure.
From that moment on, in between his failed attempts at the soup, he spent his spare time reading and studying Master Shan's notes. Page after page revealed small secrets: how to listen to the voice of an ingredient, how to adjust spiritual energy flow according to the nature of each material, and the philosophy of cooking as a reflection of life's path.
But even though he studied diligently, every time he attempted the Five Treasures Soup, the result remained the same: failure. The grand dish refused to be born from his hands, as if testing his patience and determination.
Pavilion of Dreams
The young cooks entered one by one, placing their dishes on the long table that had been prepared. They then stood beside their respective dishes, ready to answer any questions the guests might have.
The noble ladies began strolling along the table, observing, tasting, and quietly discussing among themselves.
Satisfaction could be seen on many of their faces.But when they arrived at Bai Tian's dish, frowns of confusion began to appear. Some whispered to one another, gazing at the steam rising from the unusual pot.
Elsewhere, Xuan Ying'er, who had been sitting gracefully at the main seat, finally spoke. She rose and approached, her lips curving in a faint smile as she looked at Bai Tian.
"Young one, so you've joined the cooking division? How interesting."
The room fell silent at once. Nearly all eyes turned to Bai Tian. Feeling the weight of so many gazes, Bai Tian quickly bowed respectfully and answered politely,
"Becoming an alchemist or a fighter is no easy path. My talents are ordinary, so I chose this road instead."
The formal reply made Xuan Ying'er nod slightly. In a gentle tone, she continued,
"Then tell us about this dish of yours."
With humble composure, Bai Tian began explaining. He described the ingredients he had used, the method of serving, and how the dish was meant to be eaten together. His words were calm, yet gradually dispelled the guests' initial confusion, helping them understand the concept of hotpot.
Time passed quickly. Twilight descended, the last rays of the sun painting golden hues across the sky. Eventually, the women departed the Pavilion of Dreams, returning to their chambers in satisfaction.
Bai Tian too prepared to leave. But before he could step outside, a maid of Xuan Ying'er approached him.
"The young lady wishes to meet you," the maid said politely.
Bai Tian froze briefly. Though his heart fluttered with unease, he knew he had no choice. With a quiet sigh, he followed the maid to her residence.
He walked slowly, his steps light but his heart pounding. At last, they arrived at a small, tranquil garden. Moonlight fell upon the leaves, casting faint shadows that danced upon the ground.
In the center of the garden, Xuan Ying'er sat gracefully upon a stone chair. At Bai Tian's arrival, she lifted her hand, signaling the maid to leave them. Soon, only the two of them remained.
"Come here," Xuan Ying'er said, her voice calm yet laced with authority.
Bai Tian stepped forward, stopping before the young lady, standing silently without a word.
"Sit," she continued.
Respectfully, Bai Tian sat on the opposite stone bench. Her gaze swept over him—sharp, yet filled with curiosity. For a fleeting moment, she felt a strange familiarity toward him, as though she had met him before. But she quickly dismissed the thought.
Silence fell.
After some time, Xuan Ying'er spoke.
"Why do you not speak?"
Bai Tian lowered his head slightly and answered politely,
"Young lady, a private conversation between two people of such different status… often leads to unnecessary problems."
At this, Xuan Ying'er smiled faintly, her eyes glinting as if in amusement.
"Oh? So that is what you fear?" she asked playfully.
Bai Tian gave no reply. He only looked at the ground, hiding the thoughts in his heart. In truth, he felt a quiet irritation—for to him, the woman before him was not a beautiful flower easily plucked, but a thorn that could wound at any moment.
The hanging silence made the garden feel heavier. Xuan Ying'er rested her chin on her palm, gazing at Bai Tian as though trying to pierce his thoughts.
"It seems you know how to restrain yourself,
" she whispered. "But does that mean you dare only to stay silent when faced with one higher than yourself?"
Her eyes sharpened, like a blade pressed against his neck.Bai Tian felt the pressure, yet remained calm. In his heart, he knew—this was no ordinary conversation.
"Not out of fear, young lady," Bai Tian replied slowly, his voice still respectful. "But someone like me has no right to mingle with you. Silence is safer than speaking words that might offend."
Xuan Ying'er smiled faintly. She tapped her finger upon the stone table, producing a rhythmic sound that seemed to measure time.
"Then what if I wished to hear something honest from you? For example… your opinion of me. I've heard a certain outer disciple cursed me."
Bai Tian froze. To him, the question was a trap—too much flattery would sound like fawning, too much honesty could be taken as insult.But he drew a deep breath, then looked straight into Xuan Ying'er's eyes without fear.
"To me, my lady, you are someone both captivating and dangerous. Like a beautiful flower growing on a cliff's edge—gorgeous to behold, granting joy to all men who look upon it, but one misstep could bring destruction."
The air seemed to freeze. For a while, Xuan Ying'er only stared at him without expression, weighing the meaning of his words. Then, a small smile bloomed upon her face—this time not playful, but one of satisfaction.
"Interesting," she murmured softly. "Most people behave sweetly like sycophants. But you are different. I like that."
Bai Tian lowered his head again, concealing the storm within him.Xuan Ying'er leaned back against the stone chair, her eyes glimmering faintly under the moonlight. Her smile was thin, yet carried unfathomable intent.
"Young one…" she called softly. "Do you know? In this sect, there are countless people who wish to draw close to me. Some come with praises, some with gifts, and others with hidden ambition. Yet rarely does anyone dare to face me without a mask."
She paused, then fixed a sharp gaze upon Bai Tian.
"That is why I wish to give you an offer."
Bai Tian lifted his head, striving to remain calm.
"Be my dog for half a month," Xuan Ying'er continued, tossing him a ring filled with thousands of high-grade spirit stones.
"Meet me at the Silver Light Peak after sunset," she said calmly, then rose from the stone chair and walked back into her chambers.
Bai Tian stood frozen. His chest tightened—had his identity already been uncovered? Or was there another hidden intention? With a weary sigh, he finally turned and left the garden.