A month passed quickly. Besides following his daily schedule, Bai Tian only focused on studying the old cauldron.
He had tried various methods to uncover the secret hidden within it, yet the results were always fruitless. Disappointed, he finally decided to do something else.
He opened the sect's handbook and studied the special classes available. In the "Special Classes" section, he found many options often ignored by young disciples, since most were obsessed with pursuing sword arts and combat techniques. There were classes on basic pill-making, spiritual wine brewing, crafting musical instruments, weaving cloud silk, and even spiritual cooking. Bai Tian stared at the list for a long time. Pill-making was too difficult for his current stage, wine brewing did not interest him, music instruments were not his passion, and weaving felt unbearably dull. Only one thing made him pause: the class on spiritual cooking. He thought for a moment, then murmured,
"Even an emperor honors his guests with a meal… could it be...."
Bai Tian kept staring at the list. He whispered softly,
"Pill-making is too tedious, wine brewing… though I seldom drink, it's quite interesting. Weaving? Hmph, I lack the patience. Cooking… yes, cooking. Even emperors honor their guests with a feast. Perhaps my path begins here."
The next morning,
Bai Tian stepped into the sect's kitchen hall. The room was warm, filled with the fragrance of soup, spices, and burning wood. Rows of stone stoves stood neatly, topped with woks, pots, and other cooking tools made of spiritual metal. The glow from the illumination crystals reflected off their surfaces, making the room feel alive.
At the center stood an elderly man with a slightly plump belly, long silver beard, a kind yet dignified face.
"Ah, a new disciple," he said with a smile.
"I am Master Shan, overseer of the sect's kitchen. Remember, young one, in the kitchen, patience is sharper than a sword, and the control of spiritual energy more delicate than any martial technique you've learned."
Bai Tian bowed respectfully. "Xiao Tian, outer disciple this year. I humbly ask for Master's guidance."
Master Shan chuckled. "Hm, it's rare for young disciples to choose cooking. Most dismiss it as trivial, yet many great elders would fight over a single bowl of Five-Flavor Spiritual Soup. Very well, let's begin with the basics. Today, you only need to stir-fry some Jade Green Leaves. Remember, fire control is everything."
Bai Tian took a handful of Jade Green Leaves. They glimmered softly like pure jade, exuding a refreshing scent. He placed them in the wok and channeled spiritual energy into the stove.
"Ssshhhhh—KRAKKK!"
Flames erupted violently, leaping like an enraged dragon. In an instant, the leaves that should have been emerald turned into black charcoal. The stench of burning filled the air, choking the room. Thick smoke billowed, making the other disciples cough.
Bai Tian panicked, hastily trying to douse the flames with spiritual energy, but instead the wok shook violently. The leaves had lost all form, crumbled into black powder.
Master Shan flicked his sleeve, and a wave of spiritual energy swept the smoke away. He burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! This is the mistake every beginner makes. Fire is not something to be subdued with force, but coaxed into a gentle dance. You poured in your energy too recklessly—it's no wonder the leaves burned before revealing their flavor!"
Bai Tian's cheeks flushed as he bowed his head. "I can't even stir-fry vegetables… how shameful… if only I had learned to cook before."
Master Shan patted his shoulder.
"Do not be disheartened. Listen well: channel your energy like a flowing river, not like a raging flood. Let the fire sing, let it dance, not roar."
Bai Tian took a deep breath and tried again. Closing his eyes, he carefully guided his spiritual energy into his palm. Slowly, he allowed it to flow gently. Flames rose—calm yet unsteady, pale blue in color, flickering like a breeze.
He placed the Jade Green Leaves back into the wok. This time, the sound of stir-frying was melodious,
"ssshhh… ssshhh…" like light rain falling on hot stone. A refreshing fragrance spread through the room, mingling with the leaves' natural spiritual aroma.
They did not burn; instead, they radiated a soft green glow, like jade under the morning sun. Bai Tian felt a subtle vibration—almost as if the leaves were thanking him for treating them properly.
Master Shan nodded in approval. "Hm, not bad. You're beginning to hear the voice of fire and your ingredients. Remember, cooking is not merely to fill the stomach. It is the art of uniting flavor, fragrance, and spiritual energy. If you master it, every dish you make can touch the heart of those who eat it."
"From your control, you must surely have the makings of an alchemist," Master Shan continued.
Bai Tian stared at the wok with a strange feeling. For the first time, he sensed a new path unfolding before him—different from the sword, different from alchemy, yet just as valuable.
A week passed.
That evening, after class ended, Master Shan asked the disciples to taste one another's dishes. Some looked edible, while others were charred black, unfit for anyone to approach. Bai Tian gazed at his stir-fried Jade Green Leaves, still warm in the wok. Their gentle fragrance wafted, mixed with a faint emerald glow.
"Bai Tian, your turn," Master Shan said with a slight smile. "Let the others taste your hard work."
Bai Tian exhaled softly, then placed his dish into a white jade bowl. A young female disciple in blue robes stepped forward. "I'll try first," she said curiously. Picking up a leaf with her chopsticks, she slowly placed it into her mouth.
The moment the taste touched her tongue, her eyes widened. Warmth spread from her throat to her chest, flowing through her entire body. Her breathing felt lighter, and the fatigue from her morning training melted away.
"I—I feel… so calm," she whispered. "As if I just meditated for half a day. But the texture is still a little unstable."
The others, intrigued, hurried to taste it as well. Some chuckled as their bodies felt refreshed, while others sighed in relief as their headaches faded.
Even a senior disciple, notorious for staying up all night practicing sword techniques, commented with surprise,
"This… simple dish, its instability is stimulating my spiritual energy."
Bai Tian stared at them with mixed emotions. He had never imagined a simple stir-fry could have such an impact. Master Shan stroked his beard, his eyes glowing with satisfaction.
"Hahaha! Behold, my disciples! Even a simple dish, when crafted with sincerity and proper control of spiritual energy, can transform taste into an experience. Remember this—whether mortal or cultivator, all beings require something to satisfy their senses."
Bai Tian lowered his head, his face red, but his heart trembled. Silently, he realized that the path of spiritual cooking was not just a means of hospitality. It was a way to touch hearts, strengthen bonds, and even channel energy that could heal.