The onlookers (Sect Master, the beast tamer, the guards) must have thought him insane trying to converse with the beast. Hongyan blinked, seemingly perplexed by this human's actions. She hopped down a level, a little closer, her claws clicking on the enclosure's roof.
Realizing he might as well use the bird's innate fire, Li Fan took a twig and approached Hongyan slowly, like offering a target. "Can you light this?" He gave a respectful half-bow, offering the twig. Hongyan eyed him, then the twig, and with a little snort, ignited the tip with a puff of flame.
"Thank you kindly." Li Fan gingerly lit a small pile of dried kindling under the pan. Sect Master Yao raised an eyebrow at the approach—using Hongyan as a lighter was bold—but effective.
Soon, the oil heated and Li Fan tossed in the marinated meat slices. A loud sizzle erupted, and a truly mouth-watering smell rose. The meat seared in its own juices, the herbs releasing savory fragrance. Hongyan's head snapped toward the pan. She took a step forward along the roof, nostrils flaring as she sniffed.
"Smells good, right?" Li Fan said conversationally. He then added the beaten eggs over the meat, sprinkling in chopped vegetables and a bit of that spice mix he found (carefully sniffing first to ensure it wasn't something weird—smelled like salt and pepper). The mixture bubbled into a hearty omelet. Using a spatula, he flipped it deftly in halves and finally slid it onto a platter.
Now came the moment of truth. Hongyan was definitely interested; she was drooling little embers, but pride still kept her aloof on the roof. Li Fan set the platter down in the open and backed away a few steps, kneeling to seem non-threatening.
"Breakfast is served, my Lady Bird," he announced softly. The aroma of the omelet wafted thickly in the morning air.
For a tense few seconds, Hongyan didn't move, torn between stubbornness and hunger. Finally, hunger won. With a graceful flutter (and a slightly clumsy landing as she was still young), she hopped down before the platter. She sniffed it cautiously, then took a tentative peck at the omelet.
Her eyes widened—a very human-like reaction that Li Fan found adorable. She then began devouring the omelet with gusto, little happy chirp-crackles emanating as she ate. The beast-tamer disciple nearly fell over in shock. The sect master let out a breath of relief, a genuine smile breaking on her face.
Li Fan was careful to stay still. Any sudden moves might disrupt this precious moment. In no time, Hongyan had licked the platter clean, not even a crumb left. She let out a trilling coo and, to everyone's surprise, trotted over toward Li Fan.
He tensed slightly, but Hongyan did not attack. Instead, she lowered her head and nudged his arm with her beak—not aggressively, but almost... affectionately, albeit a bit hot. A wisp of smoke rose from his sleeve where she touched it, but he didn't mind. He reached out and gently patted her feathery head. "Good girl, Hongyan. Did you like it?"
The juvenile Vermilion Bird emitted a warbling chirp that sounded content. Then, in a dramatic gesture, she spread her wings and flapped once, sending a warm breeze around. She hopped back and forth in front of Li Fan and then made a single loop around him in almost a dance-like manner.
The beast-tamer, jaw agape, whispered, "I think... I think she's acknowledging you..." Sect Master Yao nodded, clearly pleased and a bit astonished. She stepped forward now, not wanting to intrude earlier. Hongyan turned to her and gave what could be described as a respectful croon (much gentler than her earlier screams). Perhaps feeding her softened her temper towards everyone.
Yao approached Li Fan and Hongyan. "Well done, Li Fan. You accomplished in minutes what we've been failing at for weeks." She gently stroked one of Hongyan's wings. "My dear, you'll eat well from now on if he cooks for you, hmm?" The bird tilted its head as if understanding, then promptly scuttled nearer to Li Fan again.
Li Fan laughed softly, feeling the tension melt into pure delight. This magical creature, usually aloof and proud, was now practically nuzzling him like a giant warm chicken looking for treats. "I think she wants seconds," he said.
They all chuckled. Yao nodded to the beast-tamer. "Fetch more of whatever he needs." To Li Fan she said, "If you don't mind, indulge her a bit more. And perhaps prepare some extra we can have stored." That was as much an order as a request, but she sounded genuinely grateful.
"I live to serve... breakfast," Li Fan quipped with a grin. And so he spent the next hour cooking up several variations: a honey-glazed roast fowl. He had to apologize to Hongyan that it wasn't a relative of hers, just a mundane chicken. Some grilled fish he improvised with a spicy rub, and even toasted bread smeared with berry jam, turns out, Phoenix birds like sweet things too.
By the end, Hongyan was patrolling around Li Fan like a happy guard. She even singed another disciple who came too close to the food stores, as if guarding her new chef. Li Fan's robes were covered in a fine dusting of flour and ash, but he was content and not at all hungry for once, having taste-tested everything himself.
Sect Master Yao and the others observed this with a mix of wonder and amusement. The sect master finally approached with a clay jug in hand. "Here, this is a revitalization elixir. You must be drained after that work."
Li Fan accepted it gratefully and sipped. A cool energy spread through him, banishing fatigue. "Thank you, Sect Master. I feel much better." He realized this was likely a valuable concoction normally reserved for top disciples. The sect master was clearly very pleased.
"Your talents, Li Fan, are... unique and invaluable," Yao said thoughtfully. "Cultivation isn't only about swords and techniques. You have a gift that bridges mortal and spiritual needs. The way to the heart is through the stomach, as they say." She gave Hongyan an affectionate glance.
Hongyan, hearing that, fluttered up onto Li Fan's shoulder. Well, half on his shoulder (she was heavy!) and half perched behind him, like an oversized parrot. Li Fan tensed at the heat, but she was careful not to burn him, merely warm.
Yao chuckled. "It seems you've made a friend. Perhaps even a protector." The beast tamer nodded vigorously. Hongyan was glaring proudly from her new perch, daring anyone else to come near her chosen human.
Li Fan gingerly looked at the bird on him. "Um, is this allowed? Sect rules on pets?" He joked lightly. The idea of a giant firebird following him around was equal parts cool and worrying; how would he sneak naps with a glowing chicken nearby?
"Hongyan will still reside here, but I suspect she will want to see you often. We might assign you special duties to tend to her. Would you accept that?" Sect Master Yao asked.
It was phrased as a question, but Li Fan knew a golden opportunity when he saw one. Being in charge of feeding a divine bird, under sect master's favor no less, put him in a unique and safe position. Plus, more chances to cook premium ingredients. "I would be honored, Sect Master. Though I may need to invent new recipes to keep her interested," he said with a grin, lightly scratching Hongyan under her chin feathers. The bird let out a sound like a crackling purr.
"Excellent." Yao clapped her hands softly. "Also, one more thing." An attendant brought over a small wooden box, which the sect master opened. Inside, nestled on silk, was a jade token engraved with cloud motifs. "This is a token of the Sect Master's kitchen—an informal title, if you will. It grants you access to our special ingredient stores at any time, and my personal permission to experiment. Not even Elder Hao can contest it." She shot a knowing look, showing she was aware of the friction yesterday.
Li Fan accepted the token reverently, eyes wide. Access to all ingredients? That was better than any martial manual he could think of. "I will use it well... and wisely," he added, knowing misuse might blow up (literally if mixing wrong spiritual foods!).
As the morning sun climbed higher, Sect Master Yao finally said, "You should return to your peers now; I will excuse your absences for today. Hongyan and I have some bonding to do as well." The bird reluctantly hopped off Li Fan and returned to the sect master, though not without one last gentle nip at Li Fan's hair as a goodbye.
Li Fan bowed deeply. "Thank you for this opportunity, Sect Master. And bye for now, Hongyan. I'll bring you a treat later!" Hongyan chirruped in response.
Walking away from the sect master's residence, Li Fan felt like he was floating. Who would believe that on his second day in the sect he'd be feeding a legendary bird and winning the favor of the sect master herself? And more importantly, he now had a VIP pass to the food pantry! This sect life was turning out better than he hoped.
However, as he rounded a corner of the path out, he could have sworn he saw a flutter of a light blue robe behind another tree, as if someone had been watching him. When he looked again, nothing. He shrugged it off—maybe one of the sect master's servants.
Around that same tree, the mysterious girl pressed her back against the bark, heart racing. She had watched the entire scene from a distance. "He tamed the Vermilion Bird chick... Incredible." Her suspicion about Li Fan now mingled with admiration (and a bit of envy that even a sacred beast enjoyed his meals). She smiled to herself. This would definitely be something to report... or perhaps keep as her own little secret for now. In any case, her curiosity about Li Fan only grew stronger.