The Imperial City was a sprawling metropolis of towering pagodas, bustling markets, and grand palaces that glittered in the sunlight. As Azure Sky Sect's caravan approached, Li Fan felt his jaw drop. He had grown up in small towns and the sect's mountain; nothing prepared him for the sheer scale of civilization on display. Even Hongyan, perched atop a carriage, gave a curious croon at the sight of so many buildings (perhaps wondering where all the trees went).
At the colossal city gate, the guards initially braced upon seeing a massive red bird approach, but an imperial officer quickly realized it must be the famed Vermilion Bird of Azure Sky and ordered the gates opened in welcome. The sect's arrival had been anticipated.
They were escorted to the Guest Palace, a lavish estate designated for visiting sects. Servants in imperial livery guided each sect to their quarters. On the way, Li Fan saw delegations from other sects also arriving or settling in: The Crimson Lotus Sect with their red robes, the Steel Mountain Clan with burly armored cultivators, the Whispering Vale Sect with their quiet, pale scholars, and many more. It was like a who's who of cultivation world.
As Azure Sky Sect disembarked at their courtyard, an excited official greeted Sect Master Yao. "Welcome, honored guests. We have prepared everything for your comfort. We trust the journey was smooth." His nose twitched as he caught the lingering scent of spices on Li Fan and Hongyan, who always smelled faintly of charcoal and herbs nowadays. The official politely avoided comment and led them in.
The disciples were shown to quarters; Li Fan found himself sharing a room with Luo Bing, who had come along to help with cooking logistics and two inner sect fellows. The room was nicer than anything he'd slept in—silk bedding, a fruit basket on the table. Li Fan munched a grape immediately, nodding in approval of imperial hospitality.
They didn't have long to rest before the opening ceremony of the Grand Meet. Everyone changed into formal robes bearing their sect insignia. Li Fan was given a freshly tailored Azure Sky outer disciple robe, finally one that fit properly with an embroidered small flame motif—likely Sect Master Yao's doing to acknowledge his specialty.
At the imperial parade grounds, all sects gathered in their finery. The Emperor himself presided on a high platform, flanked by royals and alliance officials. Li Fan stood in line behind Azure Sky's main team, trying to remain inconspicuous. Tthough Hongyan behind him made that impossible; she insisted on following and now sat just behind their group like an obedient--if oversized--pet. Many eyes were on the rare creature. He hoped she wouldn't get skittish with the noise.
In typical fashion, many speeches were given. The Emperor, a dignified man with a short beard and surprisingly jovial eyes, welcomed everyone, extolled cultivation unity, etc. Li Fan zoned out slightly, his attention wandering to the thought of imperial banquet food later.
A voice next to him whispered, "Psst. Hey." Li Fan glanced sideways. To his left was the delegation of a smaller sect called Jade Lake Sect. One of their disciples, a slender young woman in a light blue robe and a gauzy veil across her lower face, was looking at him. Something about her seemed familiar, but he couldn't place it immediately. Iit was the eyes—bright and amused. "That your pet bird?" she whispered.
Li Fan nodded cautiously. "Sort of. More like I'm her pet chef." The girl giggled softly. Li Fan found the giggle strangely familiar too. "I saw you arrive. Very impressive. Not everyone travels with such a flamboyant escort." She gestured subtly at Hongyan, who was preening.
"She draws attention everywhere, yeah," Li Fan said, smiling. "I'm Li Fan, by the way. Azure Sky Sect. And you are?" He kept his voice low as not to disrupt the ceremony.
"Lan Yin," the girl replied readily, perhaps too readily, as if made up on the spot. "From Jade Lake Sect." Her eyes crinkled kindly above the veil. "Your sect is famous lately... something about defeating bandits with stew?"
Li Fan nearly coughed out loud. News traveled fast! "Oh, you heard about that? Slight exaggeration, I just served them a meal they couldn't handle." He scratched his head, a bit embarrassed.
"Modest too," Lan Yin said. "I look forward to seeing what else you cook up... Perhaps in the culinary exhibition?"
Before Li Fan could answer, applause signaled the end of speeches and the crowd began dispersing to various event areas. "See you around, Li Fan," Lan Yin said softly and melted into the crowd with her sect before he could ask more. He had a nagging feeling about that name and voice, but Pang Wei's sudden tug on his sleeve distracted him.
"The sect master's calling us, let's go!" Pang Wei, who got to tag along as a assistant, urged. Li Fan made a note to find Lan Yin later.
Azure Sky group moved to a side hall where a large schedule was posted. The Grand Meet events were spread over several days: martial duels, team battles, alchemy contest, formations contest, beast showcase, and indeed a culinary exhibition and competition on the final day. Initially, Li Fan thought he'd just cook for his sect privately, but it appeared the organizers had a whole event for spirit cuisine.
Sect Master Yao gathered her people. "Alright everyone, you know your events and when you compete. Represent our sect with honor and skill. For those not in early events, observe and learn about the other sects. And try not to start any feuds outside the ring, understood?" Her eyes flicked to a few known hotheads. Then she added, looking at Li Fan and Luo Bing, "And you two, check out the culinary hall when you can. The exhibition is informal, and you can participate at will until the judged contest at the end. I trust you'll make us proud and full."
Li Fan nodded. "Yes, Sect Master! I'll make sure Azure Sky's flavor is unforgettable." She smiled, knowing the double meaning that could have after the bandit stew incident.
The rest of the day, Li Fan was free since martial duels were happening. He decided to explore the culinary exhibition area. Luo Bing eagerly joined, carrying some utensils like a sous-chef.
They found the hall - it was actually a section of the imperial gardens converted to an open-air kitchen stadium. Dozens of chefs, cooks, alchemists-turned-cooks, and their assistants were showcasing dishes using spiritual ingredients. It was part farmers-market, part cooking demo. The aromas were incredible and varied: one stall had a bubbling broth with a demonic boar head, another a platter of glowing mooncakes infused with lunar essence.
"This is amazing," Luo Bing gasped, eyes wide at a stand where a chef flambeed a dessert with phoenix feathers. Hongyan gave a disapproving squawk at that. "Where do we even start?"
Li Fan wandered like a kid in a candy store. Some participants eyed Hongyan warily, fire hazard with all the flammables, but she behaved. He soon drew attention himself when people recognized the Azure Sky insignia and someone whispered, "That's the one with the legendary stew!"
A portly chef from Golden Cauldron Sect approached, ladle in hand. "Young man, my nephew from the escort guards said you served bandits a stew so spicy they cried for their mothers. Is it true?" He looked half impressed, half scolding as a fellow chef perhaps feeling spicy misuse.